iEx Htbrtfi SEYMOUR DURST When you leave, please leave this hook Because it has been said " Sver'thing comes t' him who waits Except a loaned hook." Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library Gift of Seymour B. Durst Old York Library Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013 http://archive.org/details/jubileesermonconOOpark_0 A SERMON, &c. JUBILEE A SERMON, CONTAINING A HISTORY OF THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHUJICH IX THh CITY OF NEW-FORK, AND ITS PROCRESS, DURING THE FIRST FIFTY YEARS SINCE ITS CONSTITUTION : (with explanatory .notes) Delivered in the Meeting-House of said Church, Jan, 1, 181S. BY WM. PARKINSON, A, M. Pastor Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee— Dent. 8. 2. The Lord is good : a strong hoid in Ithe dav of trouble ; and he knowetb them that trust in him — Nabttm I. 7. TO WHICH ARE ANNEXED A Narrative of Facts, interspersed with Remarks ; and an Ap- pendix ; all relating to the Reports that have gone abroad, concerning the Pastor of the above named Church ; showing their incredibility, and so tlic innocence of the Church in re- taming him in offi.ee, those reports notwithstanding, — ■! " ■ u BY THE ACCUSED PRINTED FOR THE PROPRIETOR NEW-YORK 912 To the First Baptist Church in flic City of New-Fork. YOUR Committee, chosen to examine tbe His- torical Sermon preached by your Pastor on the first day of this year, also the annexed Narrative of facts— the remarks with which it is interspersed, and the Appendix, Report, that, so far as their knowledge extends, and so far as they have been able to gain information either by tradition or by existing documents, whether in manuscript or in print, the said History and Nar- rative are substantially true ; and the notes and re- marks well founded: and although some things of secondary importance, are stated in the Narrative, which we have had no opportunity of knowing, yet, from corroborating circumstances, and from the con- fidence we have in the Author, as a man of grace and integrity, we do give to the said things entire credit. Moreover it is our opinion, that, in justice to the cause of Christ in general, and of the Church and its Pastor in particular, the said Sermon, Narrative and Appendix, together with the notes and remarks accompanying them, ought to be printed. JAMES DUFFIE, JOHN BEDIENT, SAMUEL F. RANDOLPH, WILLIAM WILLKSS, PETER CONREY, ROSEWELL GRAVES, NICHOLAS B. LYON, JOHN TIEBOUT, WILLIAM LAWSON, ) ELKANAH MEAD, f Other members of the THOMAS COTTRELL, C Church. JAMES HALL, ) WILLIAM DODGE, ^ THOMAS T. CAMPBELL, SAMUEL CROW, )>Of the con?rt WILLIAM W. TODD, I gat ion/ SLDAD HOLMES. j Deacons, CERTIFICATE, &c* The church received and concurred in the Report of their committee — solicited of their pastor a copy of the above named manuscripts for publication, and referred to the same committee the superintendance of printing the work. For the further satisfaction of the reader, that certain persons named in the following Narrative had the conversations which they are represented to have had with the accusers of the pastor of the First Bap- tist Church in New- York, their signatures have been taken to the following certificate. And, that those who may be so disposed, may themselves see and con- verse with the said persons, the places are designa- ted at which they severally reside. J CERTIFICATE. Whereas, in the following Narrative, we are re- presented as having had conversations with certain persons who have brought accusations against Elder Parkinson, pastor of the First Baptist Church in this city, and as reporting what the said accusers said to us concerning the said Elder, We do hereby certify, that the reports of our con- versations, as stated in the said Narrative, are, to the best of our remembrance, substantially true. Given under our hands, New-York, March 16tb, 1813. [Relative to the case of Susan Colhoun, p. 25.] DOROTHY FRASER, No. 5. Vandewater st. ) Members HESTER MOUN T, No. 43. Elizabeth st. } °{ lhe fi r i* WILLIAM Mc'KEAN, No. 44 AVarren st. ) J £y, rh ' WILLIAM W. TODD, No. 25 Gold st.-— Of the congre- gation. RACHEL GENDER, (sister of the accuser) No. 86 Cburcfc st. — A member of the Methodist society. CERTIFICATE, &c. [Relative to the case of Frances Stewart, p. 26 — 38.] MARY DE LA MONT AN YE, (wife of John) ^ No. 103 Elm St. Members oj ANDREW SEGER, No. 12. Bowery Lane. VaJ/f JOHN WILSON, No. 73 Pearl st. { Church™ JOHN TALLIYIAN, ) XT AO XT w , New-York. „ r B ,. . u . .f > No. 42 North Moore st. and Elizabeth his wile ^ [Relative to tlie case of Margaret Dibble, p. 39.] ELK AN AH MEAD, corner of Hudson & Budd st. ^ Member, ISAAC RAQUA, Hudson st. between Budd and \°L% C>} Spring st. NICHOLAS B. LYON, No. 20 Mulberry st. J N. York [Relative to the case of Sarah Butler and the committee, p. 62—64.] WILLIAM WILLESS No. 31 Maiden Lane.-) NICHOLAS B. LYON, No. 20 Mulberry st. I Members of JOHN BEDIENT, corner of Gold and John st. J> the <^™J * ELKANAH MEAD, corner of Hudson and | X« Budd st. J [Relative to the case of Elders Williams and Rets, Appendix,} JOHN BEDIENT, | places of residence already sue- WILLIAM W. TODD, | cified. THOMAS COTTRELL, No. 103 Mott st. A member of the First Baptist Church N. York. JUBILEE; A SERMON, &c. I. Samuel, VII. 12. 1 hen Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpeh and Shcn, and called the name of it Ebcn-eser, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. WHAT is here recorded is accounted for in the history with which it is connected. From this his- tory it appears that the Israelites had then heen long under the dominion of the Philistines ; who had not only greatly annoyed them hy advantages taken in war, hut also interrupted and suspended their pub- lic worship,by carrying away the ark of the Lord. (a) The ark, indeed, they did not long detain;(6) for, having set it in the temple of Dagon, probably, as atrophy of his supposed victory over the God of the Hebrews, Dagon was broken to pieces before it ; and wherever they placed it, a plague of emcrods was upon the persons, and another of mice upon the fields of the inhabitants. (c) The Philistines, affright- ed at these judgments, assembled their lords, their priests and their diviners, at whose united advice the ark was sent back and accompanied with valuable presents.(fl) It was set down in the field of Joshua the Beth-shemite.(c) Here again the indignation of (a) Chap. 5. 1. (b) Only seven months, chap. 6.1. (c) Chap. 5. 3, 4, 9. and chan. 6. 5. (d) Golden images of theemerods and mice. Chap. 5. 3. und chap. 6. 2, 3, 4, 5, 15. Ac) Chap. 6. IB. A 2 God against the profanation of this sacred article, was awfully displayed : « fifty thousand threescore and ten" of the Betk-shemites, for curiously looking into it, were smitten with some fearful disease, and many, if not all of tkem, with death.(f) Alarm- ed at this, the Betk-shemites sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjath-jearim, saying " The « Philistines have brought again the ark of the " Lord ; come ye down and fetch it up to you."(g) The men of Kirjath-jearim (as related verse 1 of this chap.) brought it up, and, apparently, without any apprehensions, set it in the house of Abinadab. Here it abode a long time,* during which, under the la- bours of Samuel, the Israelites were awakened to a sense of their sad condition, and caused to seek their forsaken God by means of it : " all the house of ** Israel[ver. 2.] lamented after the Lord." There may be much lamentation without any amendment; there- fore, as an evidence of sincerity, Samuel required that they put away their idols ; and which, as ap- pears from the 3d and ith verses of the chap, they readily did. Now, being assembled for public humili- ation and prayer, they solemnly confessed their sins saying, " We have sinned against the Lord." ver. 6. The Lord forgave them, as is evident by his inter- positions in their favour ; nevertheless, the Philis- (/) Chap. 6. 19. (V) Chap. 6.21. Even until the times of David, — yea until he had reign- ed 7 years over Judah, and was made kins: over all Israel : 1. Chron. 13. 6, 7 ; a lapse of time including the government both of Samuel and Saul, and could not hove been less than between 40 and 50 years. Consequently the 20 years men- tioned, 1 Sam. 7. 2. must design not all the time the ark was at Kirjath-jearim ; but either the time it was there before much noticed by the Israelites, or the time it remained there after they were brought again to seek the Lord in the use of it. 3 tines, having the disposition, not of the Lord, but of Satan, retained their ill-will against them ; yea seem to have been the more exasperated at ih ir penitence; for " when tbej beard that the children " of Israel were gathered together at Mizpeh," for the devotional purposes already mentioned, " the " lords of the Philistines," with their forces, " went " up against Israel." The Israelites Mere in great fear; and, sensible that none but God could deliver - and protect them, they besought Samuel to intercede with him in their behalf: « Cease not," said they to him [ver. 8.] « to cry unto the Lord our God for us, " that he will save us out of the hand of the Philis- •f tines." " And," [ver. 9.] Samuel took a sucking " lamb, and offered it for a burnt-offering wholly « unto the Lord ; and Samuel cried unto the Lord ; " and the Lord heard him." Did not Samuel, in these acts typify Christ, who took his human nature, as a lamb without spot, and offered it to God to make an atonement for the sins of his people, (ft) and who not only upon the cross cried <» Father forgive 99 them,'' but also, having ascended to heaven, " ever " liveth to make intercession for the in?" ileb. 7. 25. Let, then, spiritual Israelites, amid ail their enemies and undei all their fears and discouragements, have recourse to their divine intercessor; for if Samuel was heard, how much more Christ ? That Samuel was heard is manifest from the providence which followed : " As Samuel, [ver. 10.] was offering up the 66 burnt-offering," accompanied, as appears from the connexion, with cries to God, M the Philistines « drew near to battle againstlsrael ;" they drew near, but to their own ruin : — they drew near, " but the " Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day (h) Heb. 9. 14. 1. Pet. 1. 10. h ** upon the Philistines, and discomfited them," This thunder storm was the accomplishment of Hannah's prophecy ; [see chap. 2. ver. 10 ] and therefore, not- withstanding it imiy have proceeded, as in common, from natural causes, it, nevertheless, unquestion- ably, occurred at that particular tiaie and place, and to accomplish that particular purpose, by the special appointment of God. According to Jose- phus * the thunder was attended with an earthquake; so that heaven and earth were combined to effect the ruin of Israel's enemies ; for the terrible lightning -which accompanied the thunder, while it struck many dead, so blinded the others that they could not see their way ; and the earth, at the same time, opening in divers places, numbers fell into the yawn- ing cavities and perished. It is added, " they were « smitten before Israel f* not by Israel, observe/' hut J>efore Israel ; for they were discomfited by the lightning and the earthquake ; and which was before Israel, both as to place and time; as to place, being before their eyes, and as to time, being before they went out against them. «« The men of Israel," how- ever, encouraged by this signal interposition of God, " went out of Mizpeh, [ver. 11.] and pursued the Phi- listines (those of them who survived the lightning and the earthquake) and smote them, until they came unto Beth-car," which is a city of the Danites, and probably 20 or 30 miles distant from Mizpeh.f Now, to perpetuate the memory of this remark- able display of divine power and goodness in favour of Israel, Samuel, according to the custom of Old * L, 6. c. 2. § 2. f This victory was another and a very considerable ad- vance of that deliverance from the power of the Philistines which God had promised to Israel, and which he began to effect by the instrumentality of Sampson, Judges, 13. 5 } Testament times, (i) erected the monument men- tioned in the text. ** Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it i^ben-ezer," that is, a stone of help, « saying," as explanatory of what he had done, « Hitherto hath the Lord helped us/' With a similar view, and in conformity to the times of the New Testament, J have composed and now deliver this sermon ; the object of which is to preserve the recollection of the great goodness of God to this church, as it hath appeared in the providences which have attended the same, from its origin to about the middle of the last year,* — a year which, by way of allusion to an Old Testament Insti- tution, may be termed its Jubile Fear, being the 50th since its constitution. The method thought to be the best calculated to answer the end proposed, is to review I. the circumstances which led to the constitution •f this church, and II. The circumstances which have marked its pro- gress. 1. The circumstances which led to the constitution of this church. In noticing these it must not be concealed, that although the church whose history is under consider- ation, is called The First tiaptist Church in the Citij of New -Fork, and although compared with all other churches of the same;denomination now in the place, (i) Gen. 28. 18, 31, 45. &35, 14. Josh. 4. 3—9, and 24. 26, 27. * At which time it had been intended to preach the ser- mon, but the want of some necessary information prevented. That period having; past, it was from various causes, postpon- ed from time to time, until finally it was thought expedient to reserve the subject for this day — a day on which, annually, we make a collection for our poor. 6 it is in fact so, yet that a small society called a Bap- tist church had once existed here, hut was dissolved, before the formation of this chuivh. Thai society, however, consisted of professed JLrminians 9 and was denominated a Baptist church merely from the cha- racteristic ordinance of baptism. The founders of it were a Mr. Wickenden of Providence ; a Mr. Whit- man of Groton ; and a Mr. Ay res, probably, a native of this place ; all of whom were Arminian Baptist preachers. Mr. Wickcnden first preached here about the year 1709, and here suffered three months imprisonment; occasioned, according to the best in- formation we can obtain, by his having preached with- out a license from an officer of the crown. Mr. Whit- man came hither in the year 1712, by invitation of Mr. Ayres, who had providentially heard him, and continued his visits for about two years. His place of preaching was Mr. Ayres' dwelling house. Under his ministry many became serious, and some professed a hope in Christ, among whom was Mr. Ayres his host. Of these, seven males and five females * were baptized by Mr. Whitman, in 171*, and who are the first known to have been baptized in this city* Having apprehensions from the mob, they, with the administrator, assembled at the water in the night, when the five females were baptized ; but dur- ing the administration of the ordinance to them, these words of Christ ; " No man doeth any thing in se- cret when he himself seeketh to be known openly,"(fe) were so impressed upon the mind of Mr. Ayres as to convince him that it was not his duty to he baptized in * Viz: Nicholas Ayres, (mentioned above,) Nathaniel Morey, Anthony Webb, John Howes, Edward Hoyter, Cornelius Stephens, James Daneman, Elizabeth Morey, Hannah Wright, Esther Cowley, Martha Stephens, Mre. Miller. (k) John 7. 4. 7 that secret manner : he mentioned his impression to the six brethren standing with him, and they all agreed to put off their design till morning : in the morning Mr. Ayres waited on the governor ; (William Burnet ;) related the ease to him and solicited protec- tion : the gorcrnor promised that the request should be granted, and was as good as his word ; for, at the time appointed, he, aceosoasiied by many of the gentry of the city, attended at tiie water, and the ordinance was performed in peace ; the governor, as he stood by, was heard to say, " This was the ancient manner of baptizing ; and is, in my opinion, much preferable to the practice of modern times." These baptized persons called Mr. Ayres to preach to them ; and in September 172*, they were constituted a church, and he was ordained their pastor, by Elders Valentine Whitman of Groton, and Daniel Whitman of New-Port. Under his ministry, the audience so increased, that a private house could not hold them : wherefore they purchased a lot on Golden Hill, (not far from that on which this house stands) and thereon built a place for worship, in the year 1728. To the twelve persons already men- tioned, there were six added under the ministry of Mr. Ayres. 5 * Mr. Ayres remained their pastor seven years; when [Oct. 31, 1731] he resigned the care of them, and removed to New- Port, [R. I.] where he died. After him a Mr. John Stephens preached to them and baptized six persons. f iiut Mr. Stephens quitting them to go to S. Carolina, # Viz : William Ball, Ahasueru3 Windal, (of Albany, ; Abigail and Dinah North, (of New-Town,) Martha Walton, (of Staten Island,) and Richard Slit well, Junr. f Viz: Robert North, Mary Murphy, Hannah French, Mary Stilwell, and two others whose names we cannot now ascertain. s and their Meeting House being; claimed and sold as private property, by one of the trustees, the Arminian Church, consisting then of 24 members, dissolved ; having existed about eight years. The present church in this place, originated in the manner following : About the year 1745, Mr. Jeremiah Dodge, a member of the Baptist church at Fish-Kill, settled in this city, and opened a prayer meeting in his own house : at this meeting some of those who had been members of the former church, attended, and occasionally officiated ; but as they were Arminians and Mr. Dodge a strict adherent to the doctrines of grace, they enjoyed but little satisfaction together. Some time in the same year [1745] Elder Benjamin Miller, of the Scotch Plains, visited the city (probably at the invitation of Mr. Dodge) and baptized Mr. Joseph Meeks.* Thence- forward the prayer meeting was held at the house of Mr. Meeks and that of Mr. Dodge alternately ; and these two brethren and Mr. Robert North (formerly of the Arminian ehurcl •) united in giving an invitation to Mr. John Pine (a licentiate in the church at Fish- Kill) to come and preach to them. His labours were rendered useful ; partly in reconciling some of the former church to the doctrines of grace, and part- ly, in the conversion of others. | His place of preach- ing appears to have been, chiefly, the dwelling house of Mr. Meeks. Tn 1750 Mr. Pine died : after which they were visited by Klder James Carman (of Cran- berry) who baptized at different times, until their * Mr. Meeks became one of the constituents of this church, and i eraained an esteemed and useful member until his death : he died Oct. 6, 1782; aged 73 years. t Among whom were John Carman and Nehemiah Oaklyj who were baptised by Elder Haistead, pastor of the church at Fish-Kill. V number was increased to thirteen ; when they were advised to joi.s themselves to the ehureh at tiie Scotch Plains, so as to he considered a branch of that church* and to have their pastor (Llder Benjamin Miller) to preach and administer the Lord's supper to them once a quarter. This was effected in 1753. Mr. Miller had visited them but a few times, when the congregation became too huge to be accommodated in anv private house? that was at their service, and therefore they hired, as the best and most commodious place their circumstances enabled them to procure, a rigging loft in Cart and Horse street,* w hich they fitted up for public w orship. Here they statedly assembled lor three or four years ; when, this place being otherw iso disposed of by the owner, they (such of them as cot: Id he accommodated) returned to the dwelling house of Mr. Joseph Meeks 5 where they continued to hold their meetings for about one year.f Then they purchased a part of (the ground on which the house we now occupy stands, and erected upon it a small Meeting Rouse, which was opened on the 14th of March 17604 * So called from a very noted and conspicuous sign of a cart andhcrsc hanging in it : it is now called V. iiiian; si.cet. f Thus far this history, particularly, hi what relate Iq the Arminian church, is taken from a manuscript [eft y Lkler Morgan Edwards, (deceased,) once pastor of t lie first Baptist church in Philadelphia. Henceforward the tacts related are collected, principally, from the records of the church, letters to Associations and Association minutes : in soiiie instances from tradition: in the latter part many things ; e Said from personal knowledge; and when, in any pari of the history, other publications have been relied on, they are referred to, J The land now belonging to this church, on Golden Hili, consists of five lots purchased at three several times, viz: in 1759, 1772, and i 773 ; containing about 125 ft. by 100. The lots, as purchased, were conveyed to certain individu- als to hold in trust; In 1784 the church was incorporated, and in 1785 the said. lots were conveyed to the corporatku*- B • « 10 Having ihen a place for public worship, and their number being increased to twenty-seven, they soli- cited and obtained from the church at the Scotch Plains, a letter of dismission, bearing date the 12 19, 21. Acts 13, 30. h) Ezek. 2. 3—5. Uai. 1. 16, 17. 2. Cor. 5, 11. (t) I. Tim. 4. 8. & 5. 31. Prov. 23- 20—22. (w) Prov, 27. 2. & 28. 4. Lcc. 9. 17, 18. (w) Matt. 7. 16. 2. Cor. 5. 17. 1. John. 3. 8, 10, 14, James. 2. 10. (a) Matt. 5. 13—16. I. Cor. 6. 20. Eph. 2. 10. Titus 2, 14. & 3. 8. 1. Pet. 1. 2. 9. (y) 2. Tim. 1. 10. \s) Gen. 3. 15. isai. 7. 14. Matt. 1. 21. & 5. 17. l.Pet. 3. 18. (a) Matt. 28. 19. Mark 16. 15. Luke 24. 47. (b) John 3. 3. 1. Pet. 1. 8. Luke 13. 3. (c) Rom. 8. 8. Heb. 11. 6. U) Rom. 8. 17, 30. Jno. 10. 28, 29. (r) Jno. 3. 8. 2, Cor, 4. 0. Acts 11. 18. Eph. 2. 8. S. 3L 13 the Holy Ghost, the third person in the adorable Trinity, and thai they are given by G-;d the Father, according to bis personal and eternal election of his people in Christ :(fj That baptism and the Lord's supper arc ordinances peculiar to the gospel dispen- se < ion, (g) and are to be observed till the second coming of Cbrist — That those only who give scriptural evidence of faith in Cbrist, are to be bap- tized,^*) received into the visible church,(fe) and admitted to the Lord's table — That nothing is a scriptural administration of the gospel ordinance of baptism but the total immersion (in) of the subject in water, in the name of the Holy Trinity, and by a man duly authorized to administer ordinances :(n) — That the only officers belon ^ing to a gospel church are bishops and deacons ;( ) and that every gospel church, regularly constituted, has the power of self- government, being bound only by the word of God :(jp) (f) Psal. 110. 3: John 6. 37. 39: Rom. 8. 29: Acts 13. 48; Eph. 1. 3—14 : 1. Thess. 5. 9 : 2. Tim. 1.9: Titus 3. 5. (g) Luke 16. 16: Matt. 3. 1—17: & 23. 19: & 26. 26 —28. (/<) Matt. 28. 20: 1. Cor. 11. 26. (i) Matt. 28. 19: Mark 16. 10: Acts 8. 12, 37. (k) 2. Cor. 6. 14—18. (I) Acts 2. 41, 42: 1. Cor. 11. 28, 29. (m) This only answers to the primary meaning of the word baptize, the word by which, in our language, the act in question is sigttfled; and to a burial, the figure by which this act is set forth : Rom. 6. 4. See the example of Christ, Mark 1. 9. and the baptism of the eunuch, Acts 38, 39. (n) Matt. 28. 19, (n) Philip 1, 1 : Bishops, or overseers, are pastors and elders, Act 20. 17, 28. (/>) If the power of ecclesiastical government be not iu the church, where is it? c ertainly not in the world, Jno. 18. 36: nor in pastors, 1. Pet. 5. 3: nor in associations;' for much soever as may be said in favour of their expedi- 1* —And, finally, that there will be a resurrection both of the just and unjust,(g) a general judgment, (r) and an eternal separation between the righteous and the wicked ; the latter being banished to ever- lasting misery and the former being received into everlasting happiness. (s) Having noticed the circumstances which led to the constitution of this church, and given a summary of its articles of faith, I proceed to notice II. The circumstances which have marked its progress. These have been numerous and various, prosperous and adverse. After the solemnities of the constitution, on the same day, two deacons * were elected and a clerk ency,no such bodies are recognizedin Scripture. Thechurches,. indeed, for the solutio 1 oi a difficulty, sent up to Jerusalem* to the apostles, Acts 15. 1. 2; and churches now may, in effect, do the the same ; the authority of the apostles, in their written decisions being still in full force : see Matt. 28. 20. compared with Matt. 19. 28. and Luke 22. 30. More- over an apostle exhorts churches to govern : see Rom. 14. J, and 1. Cor. 5. 12, 13. (q( John 5. 28, 29 : Acts 20. 8 : 1. Cor. 15. 22, 23. (r) Acts 17. 31 : 2. Cor. 5. 10. (s) Luke 16. 26: Matt. 25. 32—46. * John Carman, [deceased,] and Samuel Edmunds, [dis- missed.] Those elected deacons of this church at several times since : elected at dates not ascertained ; Samuel Dodge, [deceased,] Andrew Thompson, [deceased,]andWilliam Law- son, [resigned; still a worthy member of the church.] Elect- ed at the dates following: Feb. 27, 1787, Thomas Sloo, and Thomas Longly : (both dismissed ; they removed to Kentucky.) April 29, 1788, Jonathan Conrey, (declined ac- cepting the office ; deceased ;) and Abraham Cannon, (de- ceased.) May the 6th, 1 788, William Thompson,(dismissed,) and William Norris, (excluded.) v ov. 2, 1790, John Bedient. Jan. 17, 1801. Eliakim Ford, (dismissed to the church at Stamford.) Sept. 12, 1806, /ames Duffle, Samuel F. Ran- dolph, William Willess, and Thomas Hanes :(the last named resigned, and has since been excluded.) Oct. 4, 1808 ; 15 * to minute and record the proceedings of the church. On the same day, likewise, JLlder John iiano, (be- fore mentioned as one of the officiating ministers at the constitution,) having presented a letter ccrtifj ing his regular dismission from a Baptist church at the Yadkin, N. Carolina, and being thereupon received as a member, was, unanimously ^ called to take upon him the pastoral charge of this church. The gift of a pastor, especially of such a pastor, at the very time of the constitution, was a favour which laid the church under more than common obligations, to the great " Shepherd and Bishop of souls.'* As a man, Mr. Gano was then in the prime of life, and as a preacher, his ** praise was in all the churci.es.'' j Peter Conrey and John Tiebout; Leonard Bleecker, (ex- cluded,) and William Mc. Intosh (resigned ; since excluded.) Feb. 6, 1808, Rosewell Graves, and Nicholas B. Lyon. Present deacons : John Bedient, James Uuffie, Samuel F. Randolph, William Willess, Peter Conrey, John Tie- bout, Rosewell Graves, and Nicholas B. Lyon. * Samuel Dodge. He remained clerk, notwithstanding his after election as a deacon, till May 28, 1804, when he resigned, on account oi' being about to remove to Peugh- keepsie, where he died Oct. 4, 1807; aged 77 years, b months and 25 days. He whs an unblemished member of the church from the constitution till his death; and roth a deacon and the clerk of the church for upwards of 40 years. When he resigned as clerk, deacon ohn Bedient was chosen in his stead, who remained in the office till July 4, 1809; w hen he resigned and deacon Rosewell Graves, was chosen, who is now clerk of this church. f Mr. Gano (of French descent) was born at Hopewell, New- jersey, July 22d, 1727 : he was called to the ministry in Hopewell church, and there ordained, May 29th, 1754: his ordination sermon (preached by Mr. Isaac Eaton, A. M.) was printed: from Hopewell he removed to Morris-Town where he tarried about two years : from thence he removed to the Yadkin, N. Carolina, where he was instrumental in raising a pretty large church, which was broken up in the war of 1756, and he and his family were obliged to flv for their lives from the ravages of the Indians. MS. left by Elder Morgan Edwards. 16 His labours saon attracted public notice, and occa- sioned such an increase of hearers, as rendered it necessary for the church to enlarge their Meeting House ; and which they did in 1763. The exact dimensions of the house when first built, I have not learned ; but as enlarged it measured 52 ft. by 42 ; and which was generally well filled, and often too small. J\or were the people hearers of the word only; for it was the pleasure of God so to attend his own truth, as delivered by his servant, that many were turned to the Lord and added to the church. On the 11 th of Oct. 1763, this church, consisting then of 41 members, and being in a peaceable and flourishing condition, was received into the Phila- delphia Association. It would afford me great * Of which she remained a member till Oct. 1790; wheu she took a dismission from that vener b!e body, with a view of uniting with other churches in an association in this city. This church, accordingly, sent a eircucu'ar letter to neigh- bouring churches, soliciting them to meet in v ew-\ ork, by representation, on Tuesday the 12th of \ following, to deliberate on forming an association. r: . he ministers and other messengers of seven cu.-ches, viz: the church at the Scotch Plains, the church at Oiist-r-Bay, (L. 1.) the church at Morris-Town, (N. Jersey,) the chinch at Cor.nc^-Brock, (now Northfield,) the church on Stat n-l~hnfaction and pleasure, — and every meeting was a solemn, thankful, and joyful assembly. The congregation also was greatly increased; and, to crown all, the word preached was accompanied with i( the power of the Holy Ghost sent down from hea- ven so that frequent and pretty numerous addi- tions were made to the church of such whose after conduct gave reason to believe that they 44 knew the grace of God in truth." * Life of Gano, written by himself: p. 116, 117. f Having -een used as a horse sta l>le. X The letter from this church to (he Association at Phils- 20 Now, however, in the midst of prosperity, an event occurred, which greatly afflicted this church and society ; viz : the removal of their beloved pus- tor. At a meeting of business, on the evening of Sept. SO, 1787, Flder Gano informed the church that he had had it in contemplation for some months past to remove to Kentucky, and that he had finally concluded upon leaving them the ensuing spring. The church, exceedingly unwilling to be deprived of his faithful services, strove hard to re- tain him ; but without success. On the evening of April *22d, 1788, he and eight others, who were go- ing with him, took dismissions from the church. The last time Elder Gano administered baptism, as the pastor of this church, was on Saturday, April 5th, 1/88. On the afternoon of Lord's day, the 4th of May following, he administered the Lord's sup- per, and in the evening of the same day, took his final leave of the church and congregation, by preaching an affectionate and very affecting sermon from these words : — Fare yt well I Acts 15. 29. On the next day he took his departure with his family from the city, bound for Kentucky ; and landed safely at Lime- stone, on the 17th of June following.* The church was then dependant on supplies ; such as a committee, appointed for that purpose, could procure. One of the supplies procured, was Mr. delphia, in 1785, states that, during the preceding year, 52 persons had beeen received ; one by letter from Hopewell, one baptized in Connecticut, and fifty baptized in this city.. The letters to the same body in 178b and 87, state, the for- mer an addition of 41, and the latter an addition of 29 bap- tized. * Mr. Gano was the pastor of this church about 26 years. Touring his ministry the church had 297 baptized and 23 re-v ibeived by letter. 21 (afterward Dr.) Benjamin Foster,* who was then pastor of a Baptist church at New-Port ( li. I.) "With i j i 111 the church and society, generally, were pleased ; and it appeared likely that, under his minis- try, they would be happily united. Under ibis re- pression, on the evening of the ioth of July, 1788, the church, being assembled to deliberate on the subject, * Mr. Foster was born at Dangers, Essex county (Mass.) June 12th 1750; and agreeably to the custom of that state, received the rudiments of learning at the town school. He professed to have had serious impressions a: out eternal things very early in life, but not to have been brought into the liberty of God's children until about 20 years of age. it the age of 18, he entered Yale College, in the state of Con- necticut, then under the direction of the learned and pious Dr. Dagget. t -is parents were respectable members of the congregational church, and he had been brought up with strong and consciencious prejudices in favour of the senti- ments of that denomination. From these prejudices he was delivered in the following manner: while he was at college several polemic tracts on the subjects and mode of baptism made their appearance : the matter of them occasioned so much agitation and private debates among the students, thai at length the question on the proper subjects and mode of that ordinance, was fixed on as a subject of public discus- sion. Mr Foster was appointed to defend infant sprinkling. To prepare himself for the dispute he used the utmost ex- ertion : he endeavoured to view \ v ,e question in every liirlit in which he could possibly place it : he carefully searched the Holy Scriptures, and examined the history of the church from the apostles' times. The result, however, was very different from what had been expected; for when the day ap- pointed for discussion arrived, he wasso tar from being prepared to defend infant sprinkling, that, to the great astonishment of the officers of the college, he avowed himself a decided convert to the doctrine that only those who profess faith in Christ are the subjects, and that immersion only is the mode of christian baptism ; and of which he continued, ever after, a steady, zealous and powerful advocate. He graduated about the year 1772. Soon after, he was baptized and re- ceived a member of the first Baptist church in Boston, then under the pastoral care of iff. Samuel Stillman, under whom 22 appointed a eommitte * to have a speeial conference with him on the doctrines of the Gospel and fhccir- cumstanees or* his reiation to the church at New-Port: and, if no obstacle appeared, to present him a call, in the name of the church, to berome their pastor. Mr. Foster being then in the city, the committee saw him the next day ; and, being satisfied, by a conversation with him, that nothing existed to ren- der the measure improper, they presented to him the call of the church. He told them that the main, question he could not immediately answer ; hut that he would answer it in writing, as soon as he could feel decided in his own mind. On the 15th of September following, the committee received a letter from him, informing them that he had accepted the call of the also he studied divinity. He was ordained to the pastoral charge of the Baptist church at Leicester (Massachusetts) where he continued several years, and then removed to New-Port (R. 1.) whence he was called by this church. In the year 1792, the degree of D. D. was conferred on him by the college of Rhode-Island, in consequence of a learned publication of his entitled, " A Dissertation on the 70 weeks *' of Daniel," &c. Dr. Foster was considered as, in gene- ral, a learned man, but as excelling, chiefly, in the oriental languages. The following inscription upon a handsome marble is placed over his grave in the burying ground of this church : ** As a scholar and divine he excelled ; as a preacher he " was eminent: as a christian he shone conspicuously. In " his ;iety he was fervent: The church was comforted by " his life ; and now laments his death." This biographical sketch of Dr. Foster is, as to sub- stance, extracted from Bardie's Biographical Dictionary, published New-York, 1801. ' Of 13. viz. Samuel Dodge, Benjamin Montanye, Ezekiel Bobbins, William Norris, William Thompson, John Bedient. Jonathan Conrey, John Duffie, Abraham Can- 23 church ; and on the 26th of the same month, Ire arrived with uis family in the cityv* Dr. Foster's ministry here, though not long, and though generally acceptable, was, nevertheless, at- tended with some considerable trials, both to him- self and the church. He had preached here but a few months, when certain members of the church professed to discover in his sermons, some traits of what was then called New Divinity. What the senti- ments objected to in the Dr's. sermons were, and whether orthodox or heterodox, I shall not -attempt to decide ; having never heard him preach, nor read any tiling written by him on doctrinal subjects. The difficulty, however, continued and increased until it became, necessarily, a subject of consider- ation and discipline in the church : and, after much forbearance and labour, on the evening of January 27, 1789, thirteen persons were excluded.f non, Zebulon Barton, William Dure!!, Hugh Montgomery- Thomas Garniss. * On the day of their arrival here, Mr. Foster and his wife Were both inoculated with the small ; ox; which delayed his entering on the duties of his office, until the 2d of December following ; when he and his wife, upon satisfactory letters of dismission, were received as mem- bers of this church, and he took upon him the pastoral charge of the same. f It is with extreme reluctance that any notice i> taken of this antiquated affair; but as the nature of the discourse rendered such notice inevitable, it is thought a duty to all concerned, to make the following obser- vations. The said 13 persons were not considered a^ censurable for opposing what they thought to be error, nor, having failed of effecting a change, for seeking to be sepa- rated, in some proper manner from the church; but for the temper discovered and the means employed ; also for not taking measures to be reconciled to their brethren, after be- ing put away. To this latter fault it is supposed they were tempted, by a readiness discovered in the 2d church to re-- Others remained restless and occasioned much dis^ turhance in the church, until, after many meetings and endeavours, without success, to effect a recon- ciliation, on the 2lst of January 1790, it was re- solved that all dissatisfied under the ministry of Dr. Foster should have liberty (notwithstanding the im* proper temper which many of them had manifested during the discussion) to take letters of dismission, either to join the other Baptist church in the city, or to become a new church, as they might prefer j whereupon 20 persons took di&missions.* ceive them : for that church, being then, (as is said,) chie^y under the control of one man, (Francis V an i>yke,) in- stead of saying, " go be reconciled" to your brethren, re- ceived them as in good standing. This occasioned a diffi- culty between the two churches; which, however, was set- tled in May 1790. The mischief arising from churches re- ceiving persons excluded from other churches of the same denomination, is incalculable. Extraordinary cases, never- theless, may occur, in which it may be expedient for churches to receive such persons ; particularly, when the church which had excluded a person, shall have dissolved; in which case, the person, however penitent, can have no opportunity of being reconciled and restored to the church that had excluded him. * Of these, two returned, and 1 8 joined the 2d church. Soon after receiving these and the 13 mentioned before, [p. 23.] that church fell into a state of contention, and some time in the year 1790, divided ; each branch claiming the distinction of the Second Baptist Church in New-} crk : after contending this claim, for a conirk-erai *e time, thc\ were both prei . il- ed on to relinquish it ; the branch that remained assuming the distinction of flu Bethel Baptist Church, represented on the minutes of the ew-York Baptist Association, as consti- tuted in the year 1770, and which is now u.ider the pasto- ral care of Elder Daniel Hall ; and the other, represented o<; the minutes of the same association as constituted in the ye tr 1791, assumed the distinction of the Baptist Church in F tti street, which is now under the -pastoral care of Elder John Williams. See page 17, 18. In May 'ast the messen- 25 This difficulty being terminated, the church ap- pears to have enjoyed much harmony, and to have had no special cause of tribulation, throughout the remaining part of Dr. Foster's life ; which ended on Lord's day morning, August 20th, 1798. He died of the yellow fever, in the 48th year of his age ; having been about 22 years an ordained minister, and nine years and about nine months the pastor of this church.* Now again the church was dependant on supplies ; andon the eveningof September 27,1798, it was agreed that Mr. William Collier, then a member and licen- tiate in the 2d Baptist Church in Boston, be invited to serve as a supply until the first of May following ; which invitation he accepted. At the expiration of that time, Mr. Collier was invited to continue six months longer, but declined, on account of ill health. Now for about one year, the church was supplied, only in a desultory manner, by neighbouring and travelling ministers ; when Mr. Collier, who, in the mean time had been ordained, was invited to officiate gers from the church in Fayette street, and those of three others, viz. that in Mulberry street, [N. Y.] that at Mount Pleasant, and that at Poughkee.>sie, took dismissions for their respective churches from the New-York Baptist Asso- ciation, because they could not prevail on jthat body to de- prive the first church of a right which every independent church habitually exercises; namely, the right of investigating and deciding on charges brought against one oi her own' members — her pastor. Whether the said messengers had authority from their churches, to do so, is yet to be known. * Dr. Foster, notwithstanding the difference of opinion which existed respecting his sentiments, and the difficulties hence arising* was highly respected by his literary and re- ligious acquaintance, both as a scholar and a preacher; and although no remarkable revival took place under his ministry in this city, yet there was a gradual addition to the church almost everv year he was pastor. He baptized in 1789 D 2d as- pastor, for at least one year. He accepted the invitation and arrived here on the 14th of October^ 1800. Some time in the following winter, the corporation of the church, by and with the consent of the church, came to a resolution to build a new meeting house, the old one having become so much decayed that it was judged to be unsafe any longer to occupy it. The old house was taken down in March 1801, and the new one opened on Lord's day the 2d of May, 1802 ; on which occasion, after prayer by the pastor, Mr. Collier, an appropriate discourse, from Exo. 20, 24, was delivered by Dr. Stephen Gano, of Providence.^ Mr. Collier, by repeated agreements between him and the church, continued to officiate as pastor for more than three years, During this time, however, the church, observing the duties of his situation to exceed his strength, resolved, that it was expedient to procure some young man as a co-pastor : and accordingly procured Mr. Jeremiah Chaplin.^ H'e arrived here Jan. 10, 1804 ; but previous to his arri- val, Mr. Collier had received and accepted a call —19: in 1790—22; hv 1791—9; in 1792—9; in 1793 —7; in 1794—7 ; in 1795—12; in 17SM3— 6; in 1797— 1 ; in 1793 — 18. The aggregate increase of the church in his time was, to be sure, small ; but this was owing to dismissi- ons, exclusions ami deaths. The church, when he became pastor, consisted of 194 members, and when he died, of. 225. * While the new house was building, the church and con- gregation were favoured with the use of what is called the Wrench Cluirch in Piue street, to meet in for worship. The foundation of this house, without any ceremony, was begun about the 1st of April 1801, and the whole building waf completed within a little more than one year. It mea- sures 80 feet, by 05. It cost, including its furniture, about 25,000 dols. Of the ground on which it stands, see p. 9. * Of Darifers [Mass.] A young man of unblemished reputation — of a strong mind — of liberal acquirements, and of niore than ordinary application. 27 from the church at Charlestown, [Mass.] intending to remove thither the following spring. Accordingly on Lord's day, April 8, 180i, he preached his fare- well sermon in this place, from Acts 20. 32, and, on the 12th of the same month, sailed with his family for Providence, on the way to his new charge.* The church* being then without any ordained minister, solicited Mr. Chaplin to receive ordination and to take upon him the pastoral charge. After due deliberation, he agreed to he ordained, but not im- mediately, as the pastor of this church. Arrange- ments were then made for his ordination, which took place in this meeting house, May 23, 180 4. f The church still indulged a hope that Mr. Chaplin would accept their call and become their pastor ; but God, who " hath determined the times before # Mr Coliier was esteemed, by the church and congrega- tion, as possessing a decent education, and as being a young man of good morals and motives ; and they were often griev- ed at hearing a few individuals, then members of this church, and certain persons of other churches (chiefly Baptists J in the city, -speak contemptuously of his abilities, of which his friends endeavoured always to make the best. What then must have been the feelings of this church and congre- gation m the winter of 1312, when, Mr. Collier, being in this city, on an excursion to collect money to enable the church of which he is pastor to build a meeting house and parsonage, refused to preach for them, on account of tin- rumours then in circulation respecting their present pastor! ■especially as he believed those very persons who had for- merly spoken the most slightly of him, and of whom (com- paratively) he had but little knowledge, rather than tho^e whose acquaintance he had long enjoyed, whose veracity he had long proved, and w hose friendship he had long expe- rienced. X Dr. Thomas Baldw in of Boston preached the ordina- tion sermon, from Daniel, 12. 3. Dr. Samuel Jones, of Pen- nypack, prayed at the laying on of hands, Dr. Stephen Ga- no of Providence gave the charge, and Elder John WU -liams of this city gave the right hand of fellowship. 28 appointed, and the bounds of our habitation," had otherwise ordered : but a few months had elapsed when Mr. Chaplin, becoming strangely dissatisfied in his mind, and being solicited to return to Danvers, laid before the church a letter, in which he declined the acceptance of their call. The church, still willing to pursue their object, appointed a committee to confer with and endeavour to prevail on him to continue ; but he, feeling it to be his duty to go, and willing to avoid all temptations to the contrary, left the city, without giving any opportunity for further solicitation. The remaining part of this history, as it is inse- parably connected with my own ministry, I enter upon with considerable diffidence ; it being, as every- one knows, impossible for a man to speak of him- self, cither favourably or otherwise, without being subject to misconstruction and misrepresentation. The task, however, at all hazards, must be per- formed. On the 6th of November 1804, the church, ac- cording to their records of that date, assembled, in their destitute condition, to deliberate on the im- portant subject of procuring a pastor. As I, at their invitation, had visited them in the spring of 1802, and spent two Lord's days with them,* they of course * On leaving the city I gave a promise to a committee, ap- pointed by the church to confer with me on the subject, that, if 1 could reconcile it with duty, I would return and spend a few months with the church, the object of which on their part, 1 understood to be, a trial of my qualifications as pastor; but finding on my arrival at home, an increas- ing demand for itinerant preaching, and my wife, not oniy unwilling, but, apparently, determined never to go to New-York, 1 at once relinquished the idea of going, and communicated my decision to the committee. 29 had some knowledge of me ; and, from considerations best known to themselves, they agreed to send for me to spend 3, 4, 5, or 6 months with them, as I might find most convenient ,* that so, by mutual ob- servation and experience, we might have an oppor- tunity to judge whether it was agreeable to the will of God, that we should enter into the relation of pastor and people. Their letter of invitation I re- ceived at Frederick-Town (Md.) on the 17th of the same month, by the hands of their worthy messenger Mr. Jonathan Weeden. My circumstances, at that particular period, were so ordered in Holy Provi- dence, that all obstacles f which had existed in the way of my accepting the invitation were removed : I accepted it accordingly, and arrived here on the 2oth of December following. I came, not only, as the nature of the invitation implied, without know- ing whether it would be the wish of the church that I should settle with them, but also without any in- tention to settle. My intention was only to spend f Two of these I think it a duty to mention, as serving to sheAV the special concern of Providence in my con ing to this place. First my sphere of labour : Though the pastor of the church at Frederick-Town [Md.] yet, by agreement, I was not expected to spend with them, more than one Lord's day in every month ; and therefore, commonly, had almost daily appointments published for at least a month, and often two months ahead ; which, at any other time than that at which the invitation came, would have prevented compli- ance. Secondly, the uniform determination of my wife not to remove from among her relations, especially not to settle in a city. Now, however, both these obstacles were re- moved ; so far, at least, as they had operated in the way of a visit, for a few months to this place ; for I, being just in a state of recovery from a severe illness of near three months, had made no appointments ; and the Lord having, in the time of my illness, removed, by death, our only child, a daughter about 20 months old, my wife, overwhelmed with distress at the loss, seemed, for a time, to forget her attach- 30 the winter season here, an ? then to return to iny for- mer and favourite course of itinerary labours. Stmn however, I began to have doubts, as to the correct- ness of my purpose ; for although no instances of awakening appeared for some months, yet I thought I perceived, not only an increase of hearers and at- tention, but also a growth of mutual attachment, be- tween the people and myself. I felt them much upon my heart in prayer and preaching, and their conver- sation and conduct sufficiently manifested that they felt an interest in my labours. When I had been here but about six weeks, the church, by a committee,* presented me a call to become their pastor, bearing date February 8, 1805. This act, although it appeared rather premature., was, notwithstanding, on their part, such an expres- sion of satisfaction and confidence, as could not fail to increase both my attachment to them and my doubts as to the propriety of leaving them. I then wrote to several ministers and other christian friends, soliciting their prayers and advice and found, from their answers, that they were all of opinion, that " the thing proceeded from the Lord.*' I was also considerably influenced by the conversation of such as I supposed to be God's children, not only of this church, but also of other churches, both in the city and in the country; and especially, by the manner in which they were led to pray that I might see it to be my duty to remain here.f My suspense continued; " And," to adopt the language of Paul to the Co- rinthians, « I was with you, 5 ' brethren, " in weak- ments to the place of her nativity, and to consider a journey as rather desirable than otherwise. * John Duffie, John Bedient, and Jonathan Weeden, t I remember to have been peculiarly impressed, in one •f offr society meetings, under a prayer by Elder William 31 " ness, and in fear and in much trembling :" in zveakness, being just in a state of recovery from a long and severe illness, — in fear, lest I should make a wrong decision, — and in much trembling, under a sense of my insufficiency for so great a work. " My speech and my preaehing," as you well recol- lect, « was not with enticing words of man's wis- " dom," for which I neither had nor have, either ability or inclination, " but," to the praise of Divine grace, " in demonstration of the Spirit and of pow- *« er."(a) Of this, some in the present assembly- arc living witnesses. This testimony of the spirit, began to appear in the latter part of Feb. and gradually increased until the vast change upon the face of nature, at the- breaking up of a severe winter, and the ushering in of a beautiful spring and a fruitful summer, was but a just emblem of what was seen and felt in this church and congregation. What is said of the gospel dispensation in common might then, with a propriety seldom exceeded, have been accommodated to this place,* and to this people in particular: 66 Lo the winter is past, the rain is over and gone ; the flowers appear on the earth ; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the Turtle is heard in our land." (6) What beamings of the Sun of Vanhorn, then pastor of the church at the Scotch Plains ; in which, after several other petitions on the same subject, he likened my mission to this city, to that of Jonah to Nineveh, and prayed, seemingly, with more than common fervor, that I might not like Jonah, run away from the work of the Lord. (a) 1 Cor. 3, 4. * The revival was not confined to this church : most of the churches in the city shared in it : particularly that in Fayette street. (6) Cant. 2. 11, 12. S3 Righteousness I what meltings of icy hearts ! and what flowings of penitential tears I what blossoms and buds of quickening grace ! what fruits and effects of living faith! and what rejoicing and singing of new-born souls, were then witnessed here ! And why ? because the voice of the Turtle, the voice of the Holy Spirit, attending the gospel was heard in our land — heard by many poor sinners, not only convincing them of " sin, of righteousness, and of a judgment to come," but also testifying pardon to their guilty consciences and communicating peace to their broken hearts, through the precious blood of the precious Redeemer. Scenes were then opened and impressions made which can never be forgotten ; which noiv, indeed, we recollect with a mournful pleasure, each saying with job, " O that I were as in months past;" but which we shall recollect in heaven, with overflowings of immortal gratitude and everlasting praise. The first time I administered baptism in this city, was on Lord's day, March 3, 1805. We then had two subjects. On Lord's day, April 4th I baptized 8.* Appearances in the church and congregation, now began to be such as carried in them irresistible evidence that it was my duty, for a time at least, to continue here. Accordingly, on Lord's day April 14th I made known to the church, (they having tarried for the purpose after public worship,)that I accepted their call, dated the 8th of Feb. preceding.! In May I bapized 5; who, added to those of March and April, * That day I was received as a member of this church, on evidence of good standing in the Baptist church, at Frede- rick Town, Maryland; | This call provides that either party may be released from the obligation on a notice of six months 33 and one baptized by Elder Chaplin, before he left the city, made 16, returned to the association that term, (May 1805.) In June I baptized 6 ; in July 20 ; and in August 24.* Now, in the course of Providence,I was called to go on a tour to the Southward : 1 calculated to return in Sept. but the yellow fever breaking out in the city, I did not return until the 22d of Oct. During the rage of the epidemic, our meeting house was closed ; no church meetings were held, and, of course, no records were kept. The first time we met, as a church, after the fever was on the evening of Novr. 1st when 4 persons, on a relation of their experience, were received as can- didates for baptism, and who, on the Lord's day fol- lowing, were baptized and acknowledged as members of the church. In Dec. I baptized 16. Now again (circumstances inProvidcnce rendering it necessary) I made a tour to the Southward, ex- pecting to return in Jany. but v\as detained so as not to arrive here until the 2d of April 1806. During my absence the church was gupplied, chiefly, by Elders Caleb Blood and John Ellis, by the latter of whom, on the 2d of March, 6 persons were baptized and received into the church. In Apiil I baptized 9, and in May 6 ; making in all 91 received on a pro- fession of faith and baptism, from the association in May 1805, to that in May 1806. The ingathering of which I now speak, was chief- ly remarkable for its gradual progress and long con- tinuance, both of which are evident, on viewing, in connexion with the numbers already mentioned;, * The two numbers last mentioned were the Ir.-gest receiv- ed during the revival. The most usual numbers were from 6 to 12. 3* (hose reported to ihe association at a few of its suc- ceeding meetings. At the meeting in 1807, we re- ported 81 ; at that in 1808, 94,- at that in 1809, 53; at that in 1810, 42 ; at that in 1811, 43 ; and at that in 1812, 20 ; baptized and received, on profession of " repentance toward God and faith toward our # Lord Jesus Christ." In this view of the church, since my connexion with it, we have witnessed much that has been both pleasing and comforting ; and of which it is hoped we shall ever have a grateful recollection. Adversity, however, as well as prosperity is an at- tendant on human life : and it is no doubt, in great mercy to mankind, that, according to Eec. 7. 14. « God hath set the one over against the other," that so, either by a happy mixture or by a seasonable ex- change,, the one may suppress presumption and the other despair. As this is true of human life in com- mon, so especially of christian life ; for every church of Christ, though at some times, like Jerusalem, a vision of peace, is, nevertheless, at other times, like the Simla mite, a company of two armies. Both these conditions have been largely experienced by this church. And as the number of hypocrites in a revival, generally, bears about the same proportion to that of real converts, which, in a harvest, the chaff does to the wheat, and as the last ingathering to this church appears, from her records to have been much greater than any preceding one, so, con- sequently, it can be no matter of wonder, if among them there should have been a greater number of false professors, i( crept in unawares," nor yet, that the separation of the dead from the living, should have occasioned more labour and sorrow than had *»vcrhccn endured in the family before. 35 The principal cases of difficulty and labour which have occurred in this church, within a few year* past, are the following : In 1808 some dissention arose about doctrine; which, in the course of three years, occasioned the exclusion of eight or ten members ; some of whom, however, were persons of old standing in the church. In the same year another difficulty arose concern- ing slave holding. On this many meetings were held and much discussion had ; when the church, generally, willing to discountenance the practice, resolved that, in future, no person holding a slave for life, should be admitted a member; and appointed also a committee to wait on* such of her members as held slaves, to obtain, if possible, their consent to manumit them, at such periods as their several ages and times of past service might justify, and to take their certificates of the same accordingly.*! As this committee was, generally successful, and as the church deemed it unjust to use any compulsive mea- sures with those who bad been received and till then retained, though known to hold slaves, it was hoped that all would have been satisfied. Some persons, however, will be satisfied with nothing as a standard of propriety, but that which they themselves have set up : such remained restless : and the spirit which they manifested, not only then, but also through the whole of the preceding discussion, left on the minds of many, very unfavourable impressions con- cerning their motives. Nor did tbat spirit depart with the termination of this business ; but ever after, distinguished a certain class of members to the * A committee for the same purpose had been appointed at the commencement of the difficulty, but that committee reported, instead of any progress in the business assigned them, a long and laboured treatise on slavery and its conse- mienees. &6 great disturbance of the church, so long as they re- mained in its connexion. At about the same time also the church was greatly- harassed with tbe solicitations of several young men for license to preach." Some of them were permit- ted to exercise their gifts before the church ; and al- though most of them discovered no qualifications for the work, it was, nevertheless, not without great difficulty that such were prevailed on to desist. f A dispute now arose between two members,:): in which those dissatisfied with the decisions of the church, whether on the question relating to slavery, or that relating to the applicants for license, united on one side,§ and pursued their object with all that violence which, we are sorry to say, had long been characteristic of their proceedings.^ The diffi- culty, as to form, was settled ; but the resentment of one of the parties, and of those combined with him, remained : wherefore, finding that they could not control the church, they determined to leave it : ac- cordingly, having, by much duplicity,* 5 * averted the hand of discipline and increased their number to 26, on the evening oi the 26th of March, iSll, they # Particularly Jacob H. Brunner, brother to Mrs. Win- tringhani. t At about this time Mr. James Bruce was licened, which preference much offended Brunner and his connexions. J Edward Meeks and John Wintringham. § That of Wintrigham. IT Out of this grew the exclusion of Dr. Mc Intosh : for prevarication ; denying his own words till proved, when he was forced to own them ; misrepresentation and obstinacy. * # To secure their dismission they affected to be reconciled and to have the good of the church much at heart ; but, to increase their number, they were [as hath since been lear- ned] at the same time labouring to disaffect olher members. Such as they knew to be, on any account, dissatisfied with the Church, they invited to attend their private meetings, where *laid before us a letter, requesting a dismission to be constituted a church. In this letter (and which they had individually signed) they expressed the greatest christian affection, both for this church and its pas- tor : and assigned as their only reasons for asking a dismission, that they entertained views of discipline a little different from those of the church they ad- dressed, and that they believed it would he for the glory of God that they should become a separate society.f The church ignorant of their duplicity thy Might use all means to strengthen their prejudices. And others whom they knew to be well auectetl to the church,but who, they supposed might i>e influenced by their con versa, tion, they visited : to these they disavow ed any ill intention toward the church ; but argued that it was too large, that it would be for the glory of God that there should be another church ; and that, as it would be small it was their duty to join it ; also that by so doing they would have an opportunity of .jeing more useful : mo cover they flattered them with the prospect of preferment and other advantages in a new church. By these means they prevailed on some, who have since had reason to regret having listened to their insinuations ; for when it was discovered that they could not unite with their leaders, in attempts to injure the church they had left, they soon were viewed as " speckled birds," and some of them were excluded. * John Missing, James Beldin, William Hart, Win. L. Pelsue, Deborah Bates, Charles C. Andrews, Nancy An- drews, John Wintringham, Elizabeth Missing, Margaret Pelsue, John G. Bates, Levi Valentine, Eliza Wintringham, Phebe A. Griffiths, Hetty Thomas, Sally Russel, George Taylor, Greenleaf S. Weeb, Jane Divine, Jacob H. Brun- ner, Win. Harrison, Griffith P. Griffiths, Rachel A. Harrison, Even Griffiths, Elinor Smith. As one of the 26 returned without uniting in the constitution, the name of that, person is omitted. f Extract from their letter, dated *New York, March 2G> 1811." u Dear brethren." We whose names are hereunto affixed, consider it a privilege in being permitted to address you in the endearing relation of brethren in our dear Lord Jesus Christ : and cannot 38 and influenced by their apparent reconciliation, grant- ed their request ; and, on the 10th of April follow- ing, they were constituted * under the name of Zoar. f The difficulties of this church, however, which have occasioned so much noise in the world, are those which arose from the accusations brought against their pastor. What these accusations were, is well known both to the church and the world ; no means having been spared to make them public and to give them effect. Whether the accusations be true or not, the public will be better able to judge when they shall have seen a statement of facts rela- but rejoice when we contemplate the gracious act of him who has called us, we trust, with the same holy calling, and hath made us experimentally one with him, notwithstanding our great unworthiness. We also trust we feel thankful for the fresh and green pas- tures, which our good shepherd has prepared for all who are called to be saints, and especially that we have been made to participate with yea in the enjoyment of them. We also feel a glow of gratitude and li aise for feeling and witnessing the goodness of the great i.ead of the church, in sending us our beloved pastor, Elder Wm. Parkinson, under whose ministry, God has visited and refreshed our souls, with the word of his power and consolation." Could Eliza AVintring- ham, at the time she signed this letter, have known of the pastor she addressed, what she has since affected to have known of him ? if so what language can paint her baseness ? * For reasons best known to themselves, they chose the pastor of the church they left, and, as they reported to him, unanimously, to preach, and he preached accordingly, both at the opening of the house they hired, in Rose street, as a place of worship, and on the occasion of their constitution. f It is thought by many, that they assumed this name with a view of intimating that the church they had left was com- parable to Sodom. If so, it is remarkable that Sodom has survived Zoar: for Zoar dissolved in less than one year;, whereas the church likened, by that implication, to Sodom, is not only standing, but, to the praise of divine favour prospering. 39 ting to the several reports, which it is intended in some form to publish. 2 * In the mean time the accused repeats the assertion, that his " yea, is yea ; and Lis nay is nay y'j and for these very good reasons : his master hath command- ed it, and an apostle exhorted to it ; moreover each has enforced it by a most weighty consideration: the master, by shewing the wickedness of any further confirmations among his disciples : " Let your com- munications, saith he, be yea, yea ; nay, nay ; for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil," Matt. 5. 37 and the apostle, by suggesting the danger of such confirmations : " above all things my brethren, saith he, swear not, &e; but let your yea be yea ; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into con- demnation." Jas. 5. 124 * This statement of facts is now given in the annexed Narrative, and which has occasioned some delay in the pub- lication of the sermon. f This assertion he original^ made and still makes in oppo- sition to the demand of some that he should make oath of his innocence. The demand he detests, not merely from a con- viction, that if he is not worthy of being believed, he is not worthy of christian fellowship, but also because it is contrary to divine injunction. Besides he was well aware that those who were not satisfied without an oath, would not be satisfied with it ; and that ihey only desired it, in order that they might have a pretence to brand him with the ad- ditional accusation of perjury. This opinion has since been realized; for last summer, the accused being subpoenaed on the question whether a certain man of colour was a slave or not, Wintringham and Mc Intosh lounged about the court for part of two or three days, expecting to prevent his testimony from being received, or, if received to prove it false, and so to prove him perjured. This they calculated to do by means of a certificate of freedom, given to the man by a magistrate, to entitle him to a vote at an election; but which the court, immediately, decided was of no avail before them. Now as they had the face to make such an attempt on the veracity of the accused in a matter in winch he had no interest, what would not they and others like them have said and done, had he sworn to his innocence of the crimes of which he has been accused. 40 How much trouble, both internal and external., these accusations and the prosecutions upon them, gave to this church and its pastor, is known only to God. To him, therefore, we commit our cause, and with him we leave our enemies, praying, that if consistent with his purpose, they may yet become the subjects of that repentance which is unto life 5 or, if he have otherwise determined, still we leave them with him, < 4 seeing that it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble his people." See 2. Thess. 1. 6. * On account of these rumours, from the beginning of them until now, 18 persons f have taken dismis- sions from the church, and 8 have been excluded.^ For several months past, however, this church has enjoyed the greatest peace and harmony that can be calculated on in this imperfect state. And altho' J Neither the command of Christ nor the exhortation of the apostle, is to be understood as prohibiting the solemnity of an oath in civil matters and before civil officers* for altho* this should be as sparingly used as possible, yet in civil gov- ernments it cannot he altogether avoided, and on proper occa- sions, " an oath of confirmation is, to men, an end of all strife," Heb. 6. 16: but christians are hereby forbidden to use any such confirmations to satisfy each other in matters relating to christian character and fellowship, also In com- mon conversation. Anil as they are forbidden to use them, so of course to require them. This vre think no way inconsistent with the statement of facts in the narrative. f Dismissed; Maria *Jc Intosh [wife of the Dr.] Eliza- beth Burnet, Nathaniel Smith, Nathaniel Davis, Abigail Smith, Hannah Carman* Elizabeth Skates, Elizabeth Skates, [daughter,] Margaiet Clock, Hester Currey, Elizabeth Con- rey, Mary Gilmore, Ann Mullen, Wm. Colgate, Charlotte Horton, Eliza P. Dodge, Re 1 eccah Dixon, Saiah Downer. Mary Prince also took a dismission, but when her husband [Mr. Samuel Prince] returned to his seat as one of the con- gregation, she leturned — satisfied the church, and took her place as a member; not. having joined any other church. X Excluded : Elsie Hoftmire, Leonard Bleecker, Margaret Dibble, Elizabeth Mapes, Ann Madan, Su$an Brown, Sa- V Butler, Catharine Tyiee. 41 it is not with us, a time of special animation, nor of abundant increase, yet we have much for which to be thankful ; being rid of many troublesome persons, our church meetings are solemn and pleasant; w e have a small addition almost every month we witness, in a numerous congregation, a respectful attention to the word of life, and behold some who ** ask the way to Zion with their faces,' , and, we trust, their hearts f* thitherward." In giving the history of this church, it w ill be cx- pecte 1 that notice be taken of the churches and min- isters that have proceeded from her. The churches : of these, two have been mentioned already : the others, in the order in which the\ ori- ginated are, The church at PeckskilJ,(a) the church at Stamford, (b) the Abyssinian church, (c) the church at New-Town, (d) and the North Baptist Church. (e) The ministers : these, in the order in which they were ordained, are Thomas U stick, ff ) Ebenezer (a) State of New-York : time of constitution unknown. (b) Connecticut: constituted 1 773. (c) Meeting in Anthony street, New-York : constituted July 5th. (d) Long-Island: constituted Sept. 12th. (e) Meeting in Bud street, New-York ; constituted Nov. 13th, all in 1809. 8^ The church on Staten-Island also was in a great dc v gree formed of persons who had belonged to this church. The other constituents of that church were chiefly called un- der the ministry of Elder Elkanah Roimes, who was one of the first and most Useful ministers that have ever laboured on Staten-Island. He now resides in Upper Canada. (f) Mr. Ustick was baptized in the 13th year of his age. The dates of his license and ordination wc have not learned. He was educated at Rhode-Island college, under president Manning. Life of Gano, p. 91. He was many years the pastor of the first Baptist church in Philadelphia, where, he died, April 18th, 1803; aged about 50 years. F *2 Ferris, (g) Isaac Skillman, (K) Stephen Gano, (i) Thomas Montanye,(/c) Cornelius P. Wyckoff,(l) James Bruce, (m) John Seger.(n) (g) Mr. Ferris was dismissed with others to constitute the church at Stamford, Nov. 1st, 1773. He was licensed by that church, and has been, for many years, their pastor. (h) Mr. [ ifterward Dr.] Skillman was a native of New- Jersey, and a graduate of Princeton College. He was bap- tized and received a member of this church June 16, 1771. He was 14 years the pastor of the 2d Baptist church in Bos- ton. He then returned to his native state, and became pas- tor of the church at Salem, where he died but a few years since. See Dr. Baldwin's sermon at the opening of the new meeting house of the 2d church, Boston, preached Jan. 1, 1811. p. 27. (i) Dr. Gano is a son of the venerable proto-pastor of this church. He was bred a physician. He was baptized April 2, 1785 ; soon after licensed topreach, and on August 2, 1786 ordained. He has been for many years, the pastor of the first Baptist church in Providence, R. I. (k) Mr. Montanye is a son of Elder Benj. Montanye, pas- tor of the Baptist church at the Deer Park, state of New- York. He was licensed Dec. 5, 1787. He was several years pastor of the church at Warwick, state of N.York, and is now pastor of the church at Southampton, Penn. (/) Mr. AVyckoff was baptized Dec. 6, 1807; licensed June 21, 1808, and ordained the 9th of Nov. following. He is pastor of the North Baptist church in this city. Deceased. The life of Mr. Bruce tho' very short, embraced so many changes and these in such swift succes- sion, as to render it remarkable: He was born Oct. 20, 1791. At the usual age he was bound an apprentice to a watch- maker. In the 15th year of his age, [Dec. 7. 1806,] he was baptized, on profession of faith in Christ: Oct. 17, 1809, he was licensed to preach, though under some restrictions, being an apprentice. The expectations, however of his usefulness in the ministry, were so great, that his friends in- terested themselves in his behalf and raised, by subscrip- tion, 500 dols. the sum which his master agreed to take for the remainder of his time. His freedom being obtained he received a full licence, and on the 21st of June 1810, he was ordained, being then but in the 18th year of his age. He took the pastoral charge of the Baptist church on Staten Island,at whose request he hadbeen ordained; there he had several seals to his ministry ,whom he baptized ; but falling into a-consump- The largest number of which this church has, al any time, consisted was 564 : this was in the spring of 1809 : and after dismissing 86 to form new churches, and several who have removed to the country, besides those taken away by death, and those separated from us by dismission and exclusion, during our fiery trials, we remain, in number, about 480.* Now, having, in some manner, noticed both the circumstances which led to the constitution of this church, and those which have marked its progress, I come to make some improvement, from the text and the occasion. Did Samuel erect a monument to perpetuate the memory of Jehovah's goodness to ancient Israel I He did ; is it not then the duty of christians, and particularly of christian ministers to use the best means in their power, to preserve the recollection of divine mercies to the gospel church ; especially, to those branches thereof with which they are severally connected ? We think it is ; and, under a sense of this duty, I, with some care and labour, have col- lected the several parts of information concerning this church, which have now been communicated. tion, he served the church but about one year, when, on the 15th of April, 1811, in the 19th year of his age, he fell asleep, it is hoped, in Jesus. Mr. Bruce was married to Susan, the only daughter of Mr. Christopher Halstead of this city, and left one child, a son, who bears his own name. His widow has lately been married to capt. John G. Clark, of NewRochelle. (n) Mr. Seger was licensed, March 7, 1809; and ordain- ed Jan. 7, 1813. He remains a member of this church. As his ordination has taken place since the delivery of this sermon, his name, of course, was not then mentioned. * To reconcile this, it must be recollected, that there have been additions to the church, as well as separation? from it. 44 Many things, probably, of which some expected to hear, have been omitted, either as being deemed unimportant, or to avoid an accumulation of matter beyond the limits of a sermon. Other events, for the same reasons, have been mentioned, without noticing all the circumstances which led to them. And if, in anv instances, facts have been represented, not altogether correctly, I have the satisfaction to know that it hath not been done designedly ; having always had recourse to the best means of informa- tion, and having invariably aimed at truth. Was it the design of Samuel, that the Ebenezer which he reared should excite in the Israelites, when ever they viewed it, gratitude and praise to their great deliverer ? It evidently was. O that these my feeble labours may, under the divine bless- ing, have that effect upon the members of this church ! If so, my beloved brethren and sisters, you will, not only at the present hearing, but also at every review of the mercies now enumerated, adopt the language of the text, and in glowing gratitude say, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. In the use of these words 1. We imply that, like the Israelites, we have ex- perienced a state of warfare ; and which we have, both as individuals and as a society. As individuals we have had, in common with other christians, to com- bat indwelling sin, a tempting devil, and an insnaring world. And as a society, this church, as appears from the preceding history and the annexed Narra- tive, has experienced many internal commotions and external attacks ; and some of them of a very singu- lar nature, and productive of more than ordinary tribulation.* * Persecutions, indictment?, Szc. under various accusa- tions, against ministers and other christians, have often oc- 45 2. We acknowledge, with Israel, that our support hath, been, not of ourselves, but of the Lord ; the Lord hath helped us. This acknowledgement we have individually, had frequent occasions to make,. How often has each, on reviewing conflicts with the propensities of an evil heart, and the stratagems of satan and the world, had reason to say, these ene- mies of my soul had gained the victory, but the Lord helped me I The ordinary means through which the Lord helps, that is, strengthens and encourages his people, are his word and ordinances : neverthe- less, most of them have to acknowledge his help also, by remarkable dispensations of his providence and special operations of his spirit : by remarkable dispensations of his providence: some by dispensations which either removed them from temptation, or pre- vented them from sinning ; others by dispensations which either kept them from taking measures which would have involved them in trouble, or being in- volved, marvellously delivered them ; and others by dispensations which either preserved or furnished to them the necessaries of life, when all their efforts curred, from the malignity and power of antichrist ; but who ever, until 1311, knew of any one being so treated by the Baptists ? What church, till then, ever witnessed their pas- tor under trial for an alledged Assault and Battery, originated and supported by persons of his own denomination, and be- held members of sister churches manifestly thirsting for his condemnation — exulting when any thing was said, by a witness or a lawyer, that might operate against him ; bat discovering regret at any thing that appeared in his favour, and who, when a verdict of not guilty, was brought in, exhibited in their countenances the strongest marks of pain- ful disappointment ? Yet all this was witnessed by many members of the First Baptist Church in New-York. It is thought to be a duty, here to mention, that no such treat- ment, has, at any time, been received by the church or their pastor, from either ministers or private professors of i\nx •other denomination. 46 failed and all their hopes had fled : by special oper- ations of his spirit ; operations by which his perfec- tions and promises were seasonably impressed upon their minds. How often, believer, when on the verge of giving way, either to despondency or im- morality, has the thought, " Thou God seest me," prevented ! How frequently also, when sinking under present trials, or under the prospect of trials ap- proaching, has the address, « My grace is sufficient " for thee ; my strength is made perfect in weakness," checked your unbelief and made you feel 66 strong in (i the Lord and in the power of his might?" As a church also we have abundant reason to make the same acknowledgement ; for, to use the language of the psalmist, « If it had not been the Lord who was " on our side, when men rose up against us ; then << they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath " was kindled against us." Psal. 124. 2, 3. 3. We acknowledge, not only that the Lord hath helped us, but moreover, that his help hath been in- cessant : hitherto, all the way, every step, and every moment, hath the Lord helped us. Have we endured tribulation ? The Lord hath strengthened us : have we experienced deliverance ? The Lord hath wrought it : have we had occasions of rejoicing ? The Lord hath furnished them : and, if we have had hearts prepared for thanksgiving , the Lord hath prepared them ; for « the preparation of the heart," as well as every other blessing " is from the Lord." But if the Lord hath thus helped us hitherto, then J. Let us not look to any other helper for the time to come. This was often the God-provoking sin of Israel. How frequently and how marvellously did God deliver them ! yet how prone were they to " look to * Egypt for help," and to « trust in an arm of flesji," 47 yea in dumb idols ! O that we may never be left to act in like manner ! 3. Let us be careful never to distrust his favour. Why should we ? Hath he ever been unto us as a barren wilderness or a land of darkness ?(a) Or hath he ever been unmindful of his word on which he had caused us to hope ?(&) On the contrary ; hath he not often exceeded our largest expectations, and even astonished us with displays of his favour, both in temporal and spiritual things ? We have also the strongest assurances of his presence and support for time to come ; he is saying to every believer, " I will never " leave thee, nor forsake thee,"(c) and, " as thy (( days, so shall thy strength be :"(tl) to indulge dis- trust is, therefore, a base requital of his mercy, and even an impudent challenge of his veracity ; yea it is to repose less confidence in him, than we do in a fel- low creature ; for even a man whose friendship and faithfulness we have long experienced, we think worthy of our confidence, that is, in a sense and to a degree consistent with frail nature ; and if he have given us a promise, and possess the means of accom plishing it, we expect the favour promised. How much more should we believe God, with whom it is impossible to lie, and, in the proper use of means, look for all we need from him, who, with heaven and earth at his command is saying, «< They that seek the Lord •f shall not want any good thing."(e) Difficulties may be great ; but," is any thing too hard for theLord?"^ (a) See Jer. 2. 31. (b) See Psal. 119; 49. (c) Heb. 13. 5. (d) Deut. 33. 25. (e) Psal. 34. 10. (f) Gen. 13. 14. Times may be trying ; but they are all in the hand of the Lord, and in him, therefore, we are exhorted to " trust at all times."(g) Circumstances maybe per- plexing, but all things work together for good, to them that love God, to tbem who are the called ac- cording to his purpose. (ft) Let each believer then, recollect the injunction, "commit thy way unto the P Lord,"(i) and, in humble, holy confidence say, « The ~f* Lord will perfect that which concerneth me."(fe) As a church, let us adopt the language of triumph- ant Israel : " God is our refuge and strength, a very « present help in trouble : therefore will not we fear, * tf though the earth be removed, and though the « mountains be carried into the midst of the sea ; « though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, " though the mountains shake with the swelling there- « of. Selah. There is a river, the streams where- " of shall make glad the city of God, the holy place " of the tabernacles of the Most High. God is in the *• midst of her ; [the church ;] she shall not be mov- " ed ; God shall help her, and that right early." Psal. 46. 1—5. Brethren, do you need additional excitements to perseverance ? recollect the cause you have espoused is the cause of God, and, therefore must inevitably succeed ; the warfare in which you are engaged is that in which Jesus bled, and yet, bleeding, over- came ; the enemies you oppose are the enemies of Jehovah, and will, therefore, most certainly be subdued : Do you contend with sin ? « It shall not have dominion over you ? 9 (V) — with Satan ? « The (g) Psal. 31. 15. and 62. 8. (h) Rom. 8. 28. (i) Psal. 37. 6. (k) Ibid. 138. 8. 0) Rom. 6. 14. 49 God of peace shall bruise him under your feet short- ly;"^) — with the allurements of the world? " The fashion of this world passeth away,"(w) and " the works that are therein shall be burnt up."(o) Victory • Victoi-y ! on the part of Zion. remember,is certain; for God hath said unto her, " No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt con- demn, "(p) Nor can the conflict be long. Here lam i minded of an address to ancient Israel, which I tK ik not inapplicable, my brethren, to you : "Your fathers,where are they But about half a century hath elapsed since the constitution of this church ; yet not even one person who was a member then, re- mains a member now : where are they ? with the exception only of one,* they are gone to eternity ; and, we trust, through grace to glory. Many also of those added since the constitution, have already been called from the church militant, to the church f riumphant. And you who remain are hastening to give place to another generation, both in the church and in the world. Some of you already exhibit strong marks of decaying nature ; and, in a few years at most (afflicting thought to those who shall remain!) your sage advice will no longer direct the councils, nor your silver locks grace the assemblies of this church and society. May vour last days be your best days ! may you " come to the grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season I'Y/O * Samuel Edmunds ; see p. 10. (ro)Rom. 16. 20. (») 1 Cor. 7. 31. (o) 2 Pet. 3. 10. (p) Isai. 54. 17. (q) Zech. 1. 5. (r) Job. 5. 26. 59 and while the afflicted church shall be lamenting their loss, may you be adoring before the throne of God! Others of you are, it is true, yet in the vigor of your days ; nevertheless, be not dismayed under the anticipation of remaining trials : many trials that you anticipate may never occur ; and what tho' all you anticipate, and thousands more should be real- ized ; a covenant God can and will sustain you under them, and make you triumphant over them. Some of you, probably, like many who have gone before, will be called at noon ; called from the field of labour and conflict, to the mansion of repose ; and from the scorching sun of persecution and tribulation, to the inexhaustible fountain of living waters. For Zion's sake, however, it is desirable that many, and, if a- greeable to the Divine purpose, all of you might be continued " to a good old age" in the church below. Nor should the prospect thereof discourage you ; for human life, at its greatest length, is likened but to a span, and its rapidity to that of a weaver's shuttle. How soon will it have past away ! remember then my dear young brethren and sisters, that soon you will be viewed as the fathers and mothers in this our Israel ; and consequently, that soon the care and government of this church will devolve upon you. Under this im- pression, permit me to exhort you to be much enga- ged in searching the Scriptures, and in praying to God for an understanding of them, that you may pos- sess the requisite knowledge of doctrine and discipline ; also that you study to keep your conversation gar- ments unspotted, to be grave, sober-minded, kindly nffeclioncd, and yet faithful one to another ; that you endeavour to learn by the sufferings and deliverances of this church, which you have witnessed ; and by the steady, uniform and scriptural course of discipline which she has pursued : that so, in knowledge, in pu- rity, and in faithfulness, you may he examples, to those who shall, hereafter, he as your children in ehurch relation. For your encouragement, recollect that at every stage of your pilgrimage, and, finally, at the close of life ; it will l»e your privilege as well as your duty to say, Hitherto hath the Lord helped ns. In the address to ancient Israel, already noticed, it is not only asked, Your fathers, where are they ?" I>ut also " the prophets, do they live forever ?" that is Sn this world ; No ; so neither do your pastors ; your ▼enerable Gano and your learned Foster, have long since laid by their trumpets and received their crowns ; and the period is advancing, on the rapid current of time, when your poor servant who now addresses you. shall also finish his labours and bid adieu to the sanc- tuary of God on earth. He, however, who hath obtained gifts for men," and who hath hitherto supplied you, can supply you still ; may he ever fur- nish you " a pastor after his own heart, who shall feed you with knowledge and understanding !" A few words to the congregation. — Beloved hearers, think, O think, how many of your acquaintance who once attended with you here, have gone to their eternal home ; alas, how many without having given any evidence of regeneration ! You are yet spared ; for what purpose God only knows. O that it may yet appear to have been, that your precious souls might so hear as to live ! Many of you have been attendants here from early life ; some of you have attended until you have seen your children, and, in a few instances, your children's children attend with you ; yea some of them become members of the church \ but still (sad consideration !) you are with- 52 out, and many of you, it is to be feared, are still dead in sin. May God that quiekeneth the dead, make you ali ve to himself, and fit you for a place in the spiritual building! Many of you, both old and young, have been abundantly liberal in the tempor- al k;, of this church, and friendly and useful under our various sufferings ; for these favours please to ac- cept our unfeigned thanks, and permit us to say, we love you and long for your salvation. O that you may not be like those who aided in the labour of building the ark. and yet perished in the flood ! To conclude : — may this church continue parallel with time itself — may she ever see her foes disap- pointed and her friends prospered — may she enjoy many and great effusions of the Holy Spirit, — re- ceive into her bosom frequent, and numerous acces- sions of the Lord's elect, — and, on her way to heaven, participate the glory of the liiillenial kingdom. At every return of her Jubilee, may her pastor con- tinue her history ; and may every succeeding record contain less of the painful and more of the pleasing; especially, may there ever be found, in her members, a heart to say, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us : until ** the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a « shout, with the voice of the archangel and with «« the trump of God f ' and then, her members that shall have remained on earth being changed, and those that shall have fallen asleep being raised, may she, in all her successive generations and mingling in the general assembly of the Lord's redeemed, enter the gates, inherit the joys and assist the songs of the heavenly Jerusalem ! Even so, Lord Jesus, Anien. and Amen. End of the Scrmw, A NARRATIVE TXTERSPERSED WITH REMARKS. AND AN APPENDIX; ALL RELATING TO THE REPORTS WHICH HAVE GONE ABROAD CONCERNING WILLIAM PARKINSON, Pastor of the First Baptist Church in the City cf New-York: Showing the incredibility of the said Reports and so the innocence of the Church in retaining him in office, those Reports notwithstanding. BY THE ACCUSED. The lip of truth shall be established forever ; but a lying tongue is but for a moment. — He that is first in his own cause f seemeth just : but his neighbour cometh and scarcheth him. Prov. 12. 19 & 18. 17. PRINTED FOR THE PROPRIETOR. NEW-YORK: 1813. PRE FA CE. THE writer of the following Narrative, is well aware, that, generally,the best answer that can be giv- en to slanderous reports, while confined to conversa- tion, is silent contempt. But when they have been made the grounds of public prosecutions — especially* when, as in relation to himself, they have been ac- companied with a great show of circumstantial evi- dence, stated under oath, and circulated in print, the case is materially and manifestly different. Besides, in the testimony received on the prosecution of Mrs. Wintringham, many things were stated which had no relation to the matter at issue, but were merely inten- ded to excite the prejudices of the public against the accused ; and therefore, as the course of examination pursued in court, did not always draw forth all the explanation necessary to enable the reader of the trial to form a correct opinion, it is deemed a duty to give further satisfaction to those who candidly inquire after truth. It has also frequently been said, " If Parkin- *< son be innocent, why docs he not make his inno- f* cence to appear, by some publication ? But that " say his enemies,be dares not attempt : heknows,eon- 66 tinue they, that he is guilty — the church know it ; "and both he and they are afraid to come to the light, 55 &c. &c. The church and their pastor,tho' not so hasty and rash as their petulentopposers, may, nevertheless, in this publication, have come « to the light" much too soon to meet the wishes of those who have abounded in such vaunting challenges, and, possibly, to their great mortification. li PREFACE. The principal cause, however, of this publication is> that since the trials in court, much care has been ta- ken, by the enemies of the accused and the church he serves, to circulate unfair representations, and these under the sanction of persons whose general charac- ter is such as gives them weight, and who are willing that such representations should be made though they are, themselves, afraid openly t6 assert the things re- presented, and ashamed to own the publications that have been made of them. Should not such works of deception and darkness be exposed ? should not their effects, as levelled against a minister and a church of Christ, be counteracted ? The accused and his friends are persuaded that they should and which, in the fol- lowing Narrative, is accordingly done, by a statement of undeniable facts : showing that the said persons, however high in the estimation of anj, have been so inconsistent in their proceedings, and so deficient in christian candor, as to have forfeited all claim to public respect and confidence, in these matters. Some, indeed, of those who have been engaged a- gainst the First Church and its pastor* do, since hear- ing that this publication was designed, in behalf of those with whom they had acted, express a desire that all controversy should cease : " Let the matter now sleep," say they. What a pity they did not say so, immediately after the inventors of those slanderous stories had exerted their own puny influence, without success. How much to be lamented, that, at least, after the public trials, t!iey did not come to that con- clusion — that tliey did not then say:. Seeing his church has investigated the charges, and are satisfied that they are false ; and seeing, moreover, that a jury of his country, after hearing all tL:" evidence, from every quarter, that could be produced, have pro- PREFACE. iii uouuced him not guilty, we will give up the opposi- tion, — «« let the matter sleep." But not so ; an at- tempt was next made to prejudice the Association, not only against the accused, hut the church also for retaining him. The Association, however, on receiv- ing from the church a representation of how they Siad investigated and decided on the charges, agreed that their conduct had been correct ; that they had confi- dence in their acts, and retained them and their pas- tor in full fellowship. Dissatisfied with the decis- ions of the Association, the messengers from four churches, in behalf of their respective churches, took dismissions. But these churches, it should be recollected, were not of those which first constituted the New-Ydrk Association ; nor yet of those which at an early period of its existence became united with it. See sermon p. 16. On the contrary, both the church at Mount-Pleasant, and that now called the Fayette street church, in New- York, were ori- ginally opposed to having an Association formed in this city : the church in Mulberry street,being young, seems to have been much under the control of their pastor, and who was manifestly so determined on having the pastor of the First Church disgraced, at least, if not removed, that it is to be feared he went great lengths to effect his object : and as to the church at Poughkeepsie, (and which is also young,) it is questioned whether they had given to their mes- sengers any authority to ask a dismission, and whe- ther, even now, they will abide by their act. Nor must it be any longer concealed that the First Church and their pastor are,by various circumstances, fully convinced, thatprcviousfo all the rumours, w hich have been made the apparent and immediate cause of open opposHjon to them, there existed secret and H IV PREFACE. predisposing causes in the feelings of many of their brethren belonging to the above named churches. It is well known, that the pastors of Fayette st. Mulberry st. and Mount-Pleasant churches, particu- larly the two latter, materially differ from the pastor of the First Church in views of doctrine : they had considered the sentiments of the accused as unfavour- able to morality ; and therefore, even admitting them to be honest in their professed belief of the reports concerning him, it must be obvious to all, that their prior opinion of his principles, had predisposed them to that belief: moreover, as the accused is the only pastor, of the Baptist denomination, in the city, wha holds and defends the doctrines which constitute what has been called Old Birinilij,* in opposition to every new and accommodating system ; they were well aware, that if the opinion could be made to prevail that he is himself an immoral man, it would not only destroy his influence, but also afford ground for a strong presumption (particularly among the unthink- ing multitude) that the doctrines he teaches, have a demoralizing tendency ; and so they would get rid at once (and by a very short method too) of a system which they cannot disprove, and of a man who, in the defence of it, has stood much in their way. And as the people who sit under a man's ministry, are supposed, generally, to believe his doctrines, espe- cially among the Baptists, where a church may dis- miss their pastor at pleasure, so the people of Gold '* It is remarkable, that some of those who in Dr. Fos- ter's time, made a great outcry against what was then called New-Divinity i and were either excluded or dismissed from the First Church on that account, have since embraced the same sentiments under another name, and have disliked the present pastor of the First Church for defending the old system. See sermon p. 23. PREFACE. v street may reasonably have been supposed to believe, generally, the sentiments of their pastor ; and which sufficiently accounts for the readiness with which the opposers of the accused, imputed to the church he serves, the crime of covering his sins. As this supposed unison of sentiment between a pastor and the people of his charge, is applicable in one case, so in others ; and which suggests the pro- priety of introducing the following evidence of pre- possession against the accused) i" the Fayette street church : after the slanderous reports concerning him had gone abroad, Mr. Henry Miller, a member of Fayette street, being at the house of Mr. Skellorn, a member of the First Church, and in conversation about the accused, Mrs. S. asked him, Are these reports about Mr. Parkinson, the first cause why the members of your church dislike him ? To which Mr. M. replied, " No — they disliked him before, on account of his principles. " That dislike of the ac- cused, for the same reason, was felt by many members of the church in Mulberry st. is so well known, as not to require any additional proof. In the church at Mount-Pleasant, there was not only disaffection to the accused, on account of doctrines, but moreover, some time previous to the commencement of the late rumours, two members of that church, and who, from wealth and other considerations have much influence in that small society, took great offence at him, for an exposition, which he gave in their hearing, of some prophecies, which he considered as threatening the downfall of all national monarchies, and, consequently, of their favourite one, that of G reat Britain. On this account, one at least of them was heard to talk of not hearing him preach any more. * The accused is, by How astonishing is it, that native Americans and heir? PREFACE. no means, in the habit of introducing politics into his pulpit, yea is much opposed to the practice ; never- theless, his views of Scripture, he feels under in- dispensable obligations to give ; nor can he, under a free government, in condescension to any man or party, consent to deny himself of that right. Having noticed some of the predisposing causes to the great opposition which has been made to the ac- cused and the church he serves, and the last mention- ed instance, in some measure, leading thereto, it is thought a duty to add one of a more general nature,and which has a more extensive influence ; to wit, that of national partialities. This is introduced with great reluctance, the writer well knowing, that God, " hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the earth," (Acts 17. 26.) and thai believers of all nations »• are all one in Christ:' (Gal. 3. 28.) seeing, however, that, in our fallen state, we are so much under the influence of depravity and ignorance, as to fancy that there are excellencies pe- culiar to the people and habits of our respective na- tions; and it being evident, that this fancy has large- ly contributed to the prepossession of many against the First Baptist church in York and their pastor, it could not be passed over in silence. Americans, it is admitted, have their national partialities ; and justly feel a high sense of their distinguishing privileges, both civil and ecclesiastical; nevertheless, the candid of all nations, will acknowledge tliat the American government has made the most generous provisions, for the reception and accommodation of foreigners, and that the American churches, of all of liberty, both civil and religious,should be so much in love with a government tending to bondage and oppression ! * PREFACE. denominations, have ever gladly received and affec- tionately treated, their brethren from abroad. These kind attentions — the blessings of freedom, and the bounties of a productive country, they seem, at first, to enjoy with gratitude : many of them, however, in a short time, begin to disgust us with pompous repre- sentations of the great comparative excellence of men and things in the countries from which they came. That in the dominions of Great Britain, (and to them these remarks allude) God hath been pleased, at dif- ferent periods, to raise up many great men ; — great statesmen and great churchmen ; and of the latter some among several of the different denominations of christians there ; men eminent in grace and gifts, in learning and in biblical knowledge ; men whose public labours, in their respective generations, were remarkably attended by the power of the Holy Spirit, and whose writings remain an abundant source of instruction and comfort,both to ministers and private christians who have access to them, is known and acknowledged throughout Christendom; as also that the church of God in those dominions enjoys some such men now: it is likewise readily admitted, that a few men of undoubted piety, and of considerable tal- ents and acquirements, have been thence transferred to this country, and who have been acceptable and useful here: -neither is it disputed, that among the common people w ho have come hither from those dominions, some who were professors of religion be- fore they came, and others who have made a profes- sion since their arrival, have been orderly, peace- able and agreeable members of the churches with which, severally, they have been connected : never- theless it is a notorious fact, that, generally speak- ing, the emigrant sjfrom Great Britain to this country, PREFACE. Jiave come under very erroneous impressions, — they have come inflated with notions of their own great superiority of talent and knowledge ; and, consequent- ly, have soon assumed a tone of unwarrantable and afFroutful dictation. These notions are discovered ^nd disliked in them, even with respect to the com- mon employments of civil life ; as they manifestly consider Americans, whether Merchants, Mechanics, or Farmers, as, by no means upon a par with them, either in genius or information ; but they chiefly ap- pear, and are chiefly offensive and pernicious, in re- lation to ministerial qualifications and ecclesiastical government ; hence those of them, who are preach- ers, cannot admit the idea, nor can their national brethren admit it, that men whom God hath been pleased to raise up in America, should stand on a level with them, particularly, not that they should in any instance, be preferred before them ; and those of them who are but private professors of reli- gion, even admitting them to be real christians, are so infatuated with those notions as to fancy, that churches here, must learn from them the sense of Scripture in matters of discipline. These erroneous ideas, entertained by our brethren from abroad, have long been the occasion of much uneasiness and diffi- culty in the American churches ; and, if not seasona- bly checked, must be the occasion of much more> especially in cities, where foreigners abound, and in Baptist churches, where business is decided by a ma- jority of all the members. To the sentiments now advanced, respecting nation- al partialities and their effects, no man has ever had a greater aversion, than had the accused, when he first settled in this city. Being sensible that they are ut- terly inconsistent with the nature of the Gospel and PREFACE. the tendency of experimental religion, he could not believe that they existed among christians ; he was shocked at only hearing them mentioned, and set his face against them both in the pulpit and in private cir- cles r since, however, he has learned, by painful expe- rience, that the opinion which he had often heard ex- pressed by old and experienced ministers and other christians, on the subject, was but too well founded. Now, whereas, in each of the four churches which left the Association, there are some members, and, in those of the city, a large majority, who felt one or more, and some of them all these predisposing causes, it is but reasonable to conclude, that on this account, they found it much more convenient than otherwise they would, to admit the reports concern- ing the accused to be true. How else can it be ac- counted for, that they (at least many members of them) believe the reports, while the church which more immediately investigated them, and other churches though equally acquainted with all the cir- cumstances * do not believe them. But, to proceed : the decisions of the Association and the dismission of the dissatisfied churches, hav- ing taken place, how deeply is it to be regretted, that, even then, the opposers had not the wisdom to discon- tinue their efforts, — the wisdom to say, " Now let the matter sleep but they had not; for while the meaner class (such as have no reputation to lose) were constantly harassing the accused, with anony- mous letters ; and, at every opportunity, insulting him in the street, those of better standing in society, were using measures to have the matter agitated iu other Associations ; and finally, " the committee ap- pointed by the churches in Fayette, Mulberry, Budd * Even with all the aggravations of the Hypocrite op- masked. PREFACE. and Rose streets," [see Narative p. 42] to inquire a£ ter, and collect the charges exhibited against the ac- cused, sent out into the world, the filth and froth of their labours, in a pamphlet, which they were either afraid or ashamed to own, and that accompanied with a threat of succeeding numbers. Now, having done all in their power to injure the First Church and its pastor, when they are likely to be exposed, they say, by their friends, " Let the matter sleep." But their request comes too late ; the accused and the church, are always, on proper acknowledgements, ready to forgive ; but to expect them to submit to lie under gross, injurious, and uncontradicted misrepresenta- tion, is unscriptural and unreasonable. Indeed, since the Narrative was prepared for the press, the accused mentioned to some of his friends, that, seeing it necessarily includes so much exposure of character, he thought it expedient, charitably, to suspend, for the present, the publication of it, giv- ing notice at the end of the sermon, that such a Narra- tive is prepared, but that if his enemies and those of the church would cease from their scurrilities and other means of insult and injury, it should never ap- pear ; his friends approved of his intention : but im- mediately thereupon, he was insulted by letters anon- ymous and otherwise, threatening, not only with additional publications respecting the crimes said to have been committed in this city, but also of what they presume to call " A catalogue of facts collected to the South which convinced the accused that his enemies were determined to persevere in their a- buse j and that their meanness and bitterness were such, that his charitable ilesign, if pursued, would be construed and published as an evidence that he is PREFACE. XI conscious that his Narrative is fatsc, and that he is afraid to hazard ttie publication of it. Insinuations also have been given, that, should he publish it, he might expect to be prosecuted for libellous matter, &c. The Narrative, therefore, of necessity must appear ; and however severely the facts stated in it may sting the consciences of the guilty, and however plainly they may expose their improper conduct, they must, nevertheless, themselves be sensible, that many things have been omitted which they would have been very so^rry to have seen in print. Whereas some christians and other well meaning persons, may, from a desire of peace, feel a wish that this publication had not occurred, they are de- sired to consider the following things. 1. That many of those who, to them, appear fair and friendly, and seem to be very religiously dispo- sed, are, notwithstanding, abetting and sanctioning, in one way or another, the opposition to the accused and the church he serves. 2. That it is not merely nor even mainly, on ac- count of the citizens of New-York, that this repre- sentation is made ; for it is considered that the con- scientious among them, have it in their power to avail themselves of other means to obtain satisfac- tion : but the reports concerning the accused, not only as contained in the printed trial, but also by letters, anonymous publications, &e. have been sent into all parts of the union, and even to Europe, where- by, many (tho* honestly) are prejudiced, or at least in doubt, merely for want of further information. 3. That altho' all believers, as noticed already, are " one in Christ,'' and altho' all members of a church are entitled to christian affection and respect, in their proper places, and are, individually, of some I xii PREFACE. consequence to the common reputation of religion, in the cities or neighbourhoods where they reside, as their characters may adorn or disgrace their profes- sion ; yet that there is a material difference in the weight and influence of a public teacher and of pri- vate professors, and, therefore, in the comparative clfectsofa slanderous attack upon them: of course it may, in some instances, be just and necessary for a gospel minister to make a public defence, when, for a private professor, it would not, tho' under similar imputations. In the case of the accused*, moreover^ flie difference of consideration, among the churches of Christ, between him and his accusers, must be obvious to all : the women who have accused him, tho' rescued from entire obscurity, by a temporary connexion with the church and an alleged attention to them by the pastor, were before unknown, except in a few families, and most of them there, only in the capacity of servants ; and the men also, who have been their principal supporters, were scarcely heard of, beyond the limits of New-York, until the printed trial of the accused gave their names a currency. Not so the accused : for, although he makes no pre- tensions to superiority of talent, much less to great extent of acquirements, having had, in this respect, but small advantages; nevertheless it had be^n the pleasure of God, not only to call him by his grace, and to put him into the gospel ministry, but also, considerably, to extend his acquaintance, among the churches of the saints, and to give him a friendly re- ception among the people, generally, wherever he went: as a preacher, he was known, personally, throughout several of the states, and, by character, throughout all of them: his circle of acquaintances, friends, and correspondents, was numerous and re- PREFACE. xiii spectable, both among professors and others : his character, therefore, was important, not only to him- self and family, but also to the denomination of chris- tians, at large, with which he stands connected, and even (like that of every professor, particularly of every gospel minister) to the cause of religion in ge- neral.* Many, both in the church and in the world, both public and private characters, must be in sus- pense, and, the godly among them, in painful suspense, about a man whom they had esteemed and of whom they had spoken .veil : can it then, reasonably, be doubted that it is his duty, to tender, to them, this means of information and relief? It will perhaps be asked by some, Does not this publication shut up the door against all future recon- ciliation between the First Church and its pastor, and their brethren opposed to them ? We answer, No : for, if we can be convinced that, in any instance our in- formation, and therefore our statement, is incorrect, we shall, with respect to such matter, gladly ac- knowledge our mistake; and, although fully persuad- ed, that the representation given of our grievances, is just, and, for present defence, necessary, yet when- ever our offending brethren shall have acknowledged their fault, in the unscriptural measures which they have taken against us, such of them as we may be enabled to consider christians, we shall joyfully re- ceive into union and fellowship. The accused, as he has endeavoured, ia relation to all the ill treatment received, to maintain the dig- nity of a man, as well as the moderation of a christian, * Why was not his character as valuable, at least, as that ©f any of those ministers who Inve aided in the common effort to ruin him ? xiv PREFACE. lias no disposition to descend to meanness now;* and therefore his opposers may be assured, that no terms * Mere allusion is had, to the mean and ill designed mea- sures that have been taken heretofore; and which, by mis- representation, have been rendered the means of prejudicing many against the accused, as supposing him to have shrunk from investigation, and so to have given evidence of guilt. Among the measures alluded to are the following : 1. The meeting at Mcintosh's. See Narrative. 2. Before the commencement of the Wintringham prose- cution, a self-created committee, consisting of Messrs. W i'- Jiams, Maclay, Wyekoflf and others, among whom were Leonard Eleecker and Br. Mcintosh, then in a state of ex- communication from the First Lhurch, met at the hou^e of Maclay. That Bleecker and Mcintosh were of the said committee, and that they were the first who came, was ascertained, by a member of the First Church, residing next door to ?,laclay's, and who saw all the men who assembled there on that occasion. A brother, who had himself been so far deceived by the party as to have met with them, and whose name, on this account, is omitted, came, delegated by the others, to the accused, requesting him to meet the said committee, that an investigation of the reports might he had, and to see whether he could give them satisfaction. The accused, well knowing that all of the committee, named to him, by their delegate, had already decided against him, and that they were using their in- fluence to proselyte others to their opinion, on the sub- ject, must have acted like an idiot, had he acceded to the proposal; moreover, knowing that they had admit- ted the two excommunicated men above mentioned, into their council, and believing that they were to be of the committee, which he was requested to meet, he considered, that, for him to meet them, would be inconsistent with every rule of pro riety; besides, he felt fully convinced that the whole affair, like the meeting at Mcintosh's, was nothing but a trar>, baited with specious pretensions of an expedient for reconciliation : under these impressions, he refused to go. Whether his refusal to meet a committee of that description, was sliripking from investigation, and so evidence of guilt, the public are left to judge. 2. If a similar nature, though on a more extensive scale and with a greater show of plausibility, was the proposal of having the matter decided by a committee to be appointed PREFACE. xv of accommodation, but such as are scriptural, and therefore, (among christians,) honourable, will be ac- ceded to by him. by the Association. This committee was to consist, chieflyi of brethren from a distance, that so it might have the ap- pearance and receive the character of an impartial court. But who were these brethren from a distance to be ? They were to be men whom the opposing party in the Association, and others in the city, had previously i:iied with prejudice against the man who was to be tried, and who were aiready known to be of that description ; particularly David Irish was to iie one, though the common associate of the excom- municated IVIcIntosft and Bleecker, and who, wherever he went, was endeavouring to male the im ression, that the accused was guilty of* the crimes alleged against him, and that the church, if they retained him, must inevitably come to ruin. The accused, notwithstanding all these unfavour- able circumstances, was willing, and, (as many of his breth- ren well know,) frequently, before the Association convened, caressed a desire that a committee should be appointed and his case submitted to it; for he was assured, that, unless the members of such committee should be totally devoid of can- dor and reflection, on hearing the evidences, then rend; to be exhibited, of the falsehood of his accusers, they must e convinced, that they were utterly unworthy of credit, and so acquit him ; also he considered that the clamor of those who represented him as afraid of investigation would, thereby, be silenced: the church, however, sensible that it would 1 e an infringement of their independence — that it would be an ex- ercise of nower which the Association does not possess, and that, as a precedent, it might be attended with very per- nicious consequences, would not consent. Thai the Association h is no power to appoint a commit- tee to interfere with the discipline of a church, appears from Art. 3 of their Plan, on to answer the char- ges of her the said Frances, did declare in a solemn manner that the charges brought against him were utterly false and unfounded. " The parties having withdrawn, the committee proceed- ed to examine the testimony of several respectable witnesses, respecting the character of the said Frances, in which they agreed that the said Frances was base and unprincipled, and that her word could not be depended on in any case — and several circumstances tending to corroborate their testimo- ny, " The committee did, on mature deliberation, unanimous- ly agree, that the charges brought against the said Elder, were founded in falsehood and misrepresentation — and we the said committee are of opinion that the said Elder ought to be acquitted from the charges brought against him. JOHN WILLIAMS, Pastor of the Baptist Church, Fayette Street. ARCHIBALD MACLAY, Pastor of the Baptist Church, Mulberry Street. CORNELIUS P. WYCKOFF, Pastor of the North Baptist Church, Budd Street. JOHN BEDIENT, SAMUEL F. RANDOLPH, NICHOLAS B. LYON, JOHN TIEBOUT, JAMES DUFFIE, WILLIAM WILLESS, GEORGE HADLEY, PETER CONREY, JOHN TALL MAN, ROSWELL GRAVES, LEONARD BLEECKER." 33 Hfe for^he future ,* but that, she refusing to do so> they on that account remain separate; and which, renders it at least highly probable that she with the advice of others, contrived her stories and formed the design of a prosecution, not only to injure the church [see p. 28] but also in order to get rid of her hus- band $# and that he had been persuaded to separate from her for a time, under the impression that, by a ci~ vil suit, he might recover damages. f As an additional evidence that the accused is guilty, his enemies have abundantly circulated that, to avoid Mrs. Stewart's prosecution, he had determined to leave the city : but the circumstances which influenc- ed him to that determination they have artfully con- cealed ; and which circumstances plainly prove that the determination resulted, not from any conscious- ness of guilt, but from ignorance of judicial pro* * That Stewart, since the trial, proposed to return to live with his wife, upon the conditions mentioned, and that she refused, he has himself asserted to Mr. and Mrs. Talhnan; to whom also he communicated, that although at first when his wile mentioned her charges against Mr. Parkinson, he partly believed her, yet at court he became fully convinced, that her charges were totally false, and that she had raised them only to get rid of him — moreover he added that he had nothing against Mr. P. nor the church, hut supposed tha4 they had done right. f The same project was attempted ly Mr. Wiritringham. After the trial for an alleged Assault and Battery en his wife, he gave out that Eliza Wintringham was no ;oi ge- h?s wife, but his kcusckccpcr, and commenced a suit for damages to the amount of 25,000 Dolls, on a charge of Crini. Van, but being required to show cause of action, he could cot, and was under the necessity of withdrawing the suit. 1 ow ridicu- lous his conduct ! On the next day after the trial, he was seen riding with his wife in a chair and helping her out ot it at the door of Dr. Mcintosh ; and frequently, since the trial*, he has been heard to say, ;s I now love her (his wife) bettet vh?.a ever*" 34 ccedings and advantages taken of that i^iorance. The circumstances follow. On Lord's day evening March 24, 1811, Mr. John Wintringham and Dr. Mcintosh called at the house of the accused, and, under pretence of the greatest friendship (he then supposing them to be his real friends) told him that a writ was said to be out, and that it would probably be served the next morning early ; and, therefore, that it was expedient for him to leave his house, at least, though rather the city, until he should know, from them, how far things were intended to be carried; and if such a course of law was indeed determined on they would let him know whether it was safe for him to return to the city at all or not, and if safe to re* turn, what arrangements would be necessary for meet- ing the suit. Their object has since become mani* fest. Even then, although at the time, unknown to the accused and the church, consultations were hold- ing about forming the society afterwards called Zoar. This society was to be formed out of the First Church; but as this church were much united in their pastor, those malecontents who were sot upon forming the new society, were aware that, under existing attach- ments, few would leave his ministry ; the above ad- vice, therefore was probably given, in hope that, if taken, the accused would thereby be brought un- der suspicion and disgrace ; and consequently that the church must either discard him and be for a time without a pastor, or fail into reproach and contention in account of retaining him ; in either of which events a good opportunity would be furnished to col- lect materials for a new church. Besides, both Mcintosh and Wintringham were so enraged at some recent acts of church discipline, that scarce any thing could have been more grateful to them than to 35 see the church thrown into confusion and trouble.* The accused, notwithstanding their advice, had then, no idea of leaving the city ; nevertheless, early in the morning, he left his house and went to the house * Not only were they among those dissatisfied at the de- cisions of the church on the questions relating to slavery, and the applicants for license, but Wintringham had just narrowly escaped exclusion on the difficulty between him and Mr. Meeks, and Mcintosh was then under censure and a few days after was excommunicated. See sermon p. 36. Nevertheless, they had constantly affected so much friendship for the accused, that he had confidence in them, as being his real friends; and indeed it is ascertained, not only that they and others, who were then about to form a new church, considered him innocent of the charges of Mrs. Stewart, but also that they had made considerable cal- culations on obtaining him as their pastor. Mr. Lewis Jud- son, a member of the First Church, whom they greatly pressed to join with them, and who was at their meeting at Mr. Wintringham's the evening they signed the letter, in which they requested their dismission, states, that after signing the said letter, it w is observed in common conver- sation among them, " Now many will say we have left the church on account of the rumours respecting Mr. Parkin- son :" whereupon, to shew that they did not give any credit to those reports, they resolved unanimcwsh/, to in- vite Mr. Parkinson to preach both at the opening of their house of worship and on the occasion of their constitution ; also that on the then succeeding Lord's day, they would all go to hear him preach in Gold street. [That was the Lord's day on which Mrs. Wintringham spoke so highly of the accused to Mrs. Baker; see trial p. 51.] Mr. \V r m. Hart, who was prevailed on to take a dismission, and unite in Zoar, but whom, on account of his after opposition to their attempts to injure the First Church, they excluded, states, that Mr. Wintringham, observed to him, " We know not what Providence will do for us ; it is highly probable that we shall get Mr. P. to be our pastor; and, if so, many of the members will come and join us, for the sake of sitting under his ministry." Mrs. Isabella Lee [a member of the First Church] states, that when they were persuading her to Join them, she asked " Who shall We have for a preacher ? n M 36 of one of the members of the church, intending to have an interview with some of his brethren and know from them, in what manner it would be best to prepare for a legal defence. Early in the day, however, several brethren hearing of what had taken to Avhich Mrs. Wintringham replied, " We expect to get Mr. Parkinson ; indeed there is little reason to doubt but we shall get him," &c. in this way Mrs. Lee says Mrs. W. spake to her very frequently: this as well as the conversa- tion with Mrs. Baker, observe reader, Avas after the date of the last insult alleged by Mrs. Wintringham. However, having lost all hope, that the accused would leave his situation to serve them, so long as the church re- mained attached to him, the expedient of advising him to run aAvay, as they term it, was, it Avould seem, contrived, under the supposition that the church Avould then consider him guilty and cast him orT ; or at least, be so divided on Hie subject, that he would leave them, and accept the neAV charge; and, if so, Mcintosh and Wintringham, having* as they calculated, the secret of advising him to leave the city betAveen themselves, could easily give it such an expla- nation as to remove the reproach. Thus they pursued this manoeuvre until they found that the church, being satisfied that the charges of Mrs. Stewart Avere false, had determin- ed, if even the jury should pronounce the accused guilty, that they Avould retain him : then, the neAA r society having lost all expectation of obtaining him as their pastor, and Mrs. Wintringham all her hopes of seducing him, the plan to destroy him, by her charges, Avas devised. HoAvever, as in this, she must hazard her oAvn character, it Avas to be the last resort ; and Avas therefore delayed, in hope that the trial on the prosecution of Mrs. SteAA r art, Avould so shake his reputation as to induce him to leave the city, or at least, so as to disgrace and divide the church; but as that trial tended rather to raise than sink him, nothing short of the last resort could sufficiently gratify the determination which Mcintosh, Mr. and Mrs. Wintringham and others felt to disturb and distress the church ; hence the contrivance of the meeting at Mcintosh's, &c. &c. The truth of the above supposed system of intrigue, the Avriter is well assur- ed, has its testimony in the consciences of those to whom it is attributed. 37 place, came to where he was, and. having convinced him of his error in taking the advice that had been given him, he returned with them — went to his own house, and preached in the evening as usual. This shows that the accused and his friends were then ex- pecting and prepared to meet Mrs. Stewart's prose- cution : nor had the accused, ever after, a single thought of attempting to avoid it, on acc ount of any terrors which that prosecution alone presented. But on Thursday morning, (the accused thinks the Mh of April 1811,) Mr. Samuel Prince accompanied by Mr. Samuel F. Randolph came into his study; when Mr. Prince stated that he had been assured by one of the grand jury, [whether immediately or second handed is not recollected,] that a bill was found, or certainly would be that day, upon the accusations of Mrs. Stewart: this gave no alarm; being only what had been expected ; but he (Mr. Prince) went on to state, that by the same authority he was in- formed that other women also, among whom, he understood, was a Miss Stevens, had appeared or were about to appear against the accused.* Now, having no idea who the women could be, and not re- collecting ever to have seen a young woman by the name of Stevens, the accused observed something to this amount : " I am as innocent of the charges as either of you (speaking to Messrs. Prince and Ran- dolph) but if women whom I have never seen nor heard of, and in such numbers, are appearing and are permitted to swear against me, there is no stand- ing before such a combination, and I am determined to leave the city." On considering the multitude of his enemies and their great desire to have him remov- No ba|e motives are ascribed to 3Ir\ Prinr<\ as ed, the accused felt suddenly and decidedly im- pressed, that a plan had been concerted to induce a considerable number of women either respectable, but influenced by some ill will either against himself or the church, or base and obtained by bribery , to appear against him ; that by multiplying prosecutions they might so distress his mind? injure his reputation and exhaust his resources, as to compel him to leave the place. * Under this impression, connected with the considerations that his usefulness here might be at an end — that probably the event was permitted, in Holy Providence, to remove him to some other place, where, in the Divine arrangements, work was assigned him, and knowing withal that his Mas- ter had said If they persecute you in one city flee to another," he concluded that it would be best for him to leave his situation without suffering himself and bis friends to be involved in any further trouble and expense. However, when his friends, and among them an attorney (Timothy Green esq.) assured him that all such characters would be developed in a court of justice, to their own and their instigator's confusion and disappointment, and that his character was too well established in the church and the world to be materially affected by such allegations ; and also that flight would be esteemed, by some, as proof of guilt, and so bring disgrace upon the cause of Christ, he was convinced that it was his duty to face the storm, whatever might be the consequences. He did so ; and as all unprejudiced persons will ad- mit, was honourably acquitted. * That such a desire to have the accused removed frora the city, was felt by many, has since been manifested, by the means that have been used to effect it. The public prosecu- tions having failed to answer the desired end, the next method resorted to was that cowardly and scandalous one of anony- 39 Reporters have circulated a story also as from Margaret Dibble ; [formerly Stnook ;] but they do not tell, that, before the whole church, (she being a member,) she declared that she had nothing to lay mou3 letters, one or more of which, for a long time, almost daily came to hand. Of these, some were on subjects and in terms too obscene and vulgar to be mentioned by any one, not totally lost to all sense of virtue and decency yet the accused has no doubt, that they were written by persons making high pretensions to morality and religion; but couched insuch language the better to conceal their authors. — Others were in a threatening tone; suggesting that the accused might expect to be waylaid and murdered in the night — or shot through a window, in his own house— or in the pulpit — or at the water, while attending to baptism — or that his house should be set on fire and he burnt in it, Arc— Others were designed to depress his spirits, by telling him of dreadful things said to have happened to some of the character they represented him to be of; also insisting that all his frOuMes were because he was a monstrous sinner ; particularly that whereas he had lost three children, one before he came to New- York and two since, that they had been taken away, on account of some enormous crimes of which he must have been guilty. Sin is, indeed, the procuring cause of all human miseries; but does it hence follow that when in- dividuals are visited with great trials, it is on account of some flagrant crimes ? Was it on this account that Job. whom God himself pronounced " a perfect [i. e. sincere] and upright man,' 1 had all his numerous family cut otf, and that in such a sudden and remarkable manner ? Is it on this account that many of the most godly in our own day are among the greatest sufTe.-ers, either in their own persons or in those of their families — some being of unsound consti- tutions — some idiots — some deficient, or deformed, or (by some providence) maimed, or covered with some painful and nauseous disease ? How barbarous such insinuations to a man in trouble ! But God, in rich mercy, supported and comforted him under all ; and enabled him to preach too, notwithstanding his enemies were careful, generally, to supply him with a letter or two of the above description just before times of public labour, that they might have the greater effect — Others of those anonymous communications, re under pretence of great friendship, but giving fas they 40 to the charge of the pastor; that afterward, some charges, as coming from her, having gotten into cir- culation, Messrs. Elkanah Mead, Isaac Kaqua and Nicholas B. Lyon, called on her — told her what they would have been understood) confidential hints to the ac- cused of what he might apprehend, and suggesting that it was expedient for him to leave the city to preserve his life, family and property. But it was all lost labour — the ac- cused feit unmoved ; assured that " the Lord of hosts was with him, — that the God of Jacob was his refuge." Another method taken to effect the object of removing the accused, was friendly interviews, falsely so called : a- mong those who tried this method were Mr. John Rathbon, Merchant of this city, his brother, Elder David Rathbon and David Irish, mentioned p. bX : each of whom, in a separate interview, and the Messrs. Rathbon's each in pri- vate,* laboured with the accused, and under pretence too of the greatest good will, persuading him to leave the city. Mr. John Rathbon, indeed, admitted that he did not believe the reports; but that, having visited Mrs Stewart and heard her accusations, he thought them to be such as must neces- sarily so affect the character of the accused, that he could be of no further use here ; yet that the church giving him, as he had no doubt they would, a good recommendation, he might be of use elsewhere. What ! the church give a good recommendation to a man whose character was so bad that they could not retain him on account of his alleged immo- ralities ! Or did he mean that the accused was worthy of a good recommendation ? If so, he was worthy of being re- tained by the church and it was his duty, as he told Mr. Rathbon, to continue with the people who had borne with him the heat and burden of persecution : Mr. Rathbon, like some others,it is believed,feared nothing but the reproachthat must be met in going to hear a man who was thus accused. Of this strange inconsistency, however, of declaring a belief that the accused is innocent, and yet that he ought to re- move, many have been guilty ; but they have been, chiefly, the relations or friends of Mrs. Wintringham — of Leonard Bleecker, or of some other person deeply interested, or who have been influenced by some who were the relati- ons or friends of those persons ; hence the declaration of Joseph Winter esq. to Mr. Eldad Holmes, that he did not believe Mrs. Wintringham (though he is by marriage her 41 had heard, and that to them she solemnly denied hav- ing said any such things, and declared that she had neither seen nor known any thing amiss of Mr. Par- kinson — that hereupon she was again permitted to uncle) nor the other women who had accused Mr. P. yet he thought it best for him to leave the city. The reason is obvious ; Parkinson would then be represented as the guilty person, and those who are really so, would, in some measure, retrieve their lost refutation. Eider David Rath- boil argued that the accused ought to leave the city, as it would tend to the peace of the Baptists here. A pretty argument to be sure ! certain Baptists here, (by means of the slanderous reports which base individuals had propa- gated,) had endeavoured to destroy a brother, and whereas they had failed iu the attempt, he ought now to leave the place, to avoid grieving their tender consciences ! The Elder likew ise argued, that it would be the interest of the accused so to do, for if he did not, there could be no ques- tion that he would be published in the minutes of all the Associations in the United States. Moreover he insinu- ated that the accused was in great personal danger, if he remained here — " Several men, said he, threaten hard — you are not aware of your danger — I fear the consequences will be dreadful if you stay, Arc." — David Irish argued chief- ly from what he said he had heard in Taverns and other puplic places, in common conversation ; saying to the ac- cused " I wish you could travel the road and hear the peo- ple talk about you as I have heard them, you would certain- ly quit preaching — at least you would be sure that you can not maintain your ground here." Wonderful standard indeed for trying a Gospel minister ! Associations of tavern haunt- ers, amuse themselves over their cups in talking about ill reports circulated concerning him, and, therefore, he certain- ty ought to quit preaching ! It is well if Irish did not help them to a few stories on the general subject. Whatever may have been the inducement of others, we have no doubt that Elder Rathbon and David Irish, who came to the city together, and from a great distance, acted under the influence of the committee mentioned, p. 43. see also p. 53, and the note there. Nor is the devise of such a plan as the accused apprehen- ded, either improbable or unprecedented. A similar com- bination was formed against the celebrated Mr. John Wesley, when in the shite of Georgia. — As the writer quotes from memory, he will not be certain, but to 42 come and did come to the Lord's Table with the 'church : that after this, notwithstanding, she brought before the church the very charges she had solemnly denied, and there as solemnly denied having made any such denial : whereupon she w as necessarily ex- cluded.* The measures which have been taken to give the above charges their designed effect, it was intended to omit, lest the mention of them should be construed into a design to expose and criminate those who were so industriously employed, in collecting, circulating and endeavouring to confirm the stories of persons whom, on other subjects, they do not themselves be- lieve, and who; (such of tl«em as tried the experi- ment) it is well known, were not believed) by a jury of their country, when undt'V oath. Lately, however, the authors and pursuers of those measures, have ex- posed themselves in a pamphlet; pntitled the Hypocrite Unmasked. This most contemptible publication, the accused Mtips so very IM as to notice, not because of any apprchensionsfrom its ihflUence,(For what could he fear from the piiWieation of reports long before made as public as they could be?) but because, rightly the best of his recdllecttohl3 indictments were found against Mr. Wesley for attempts on the virtue of females, some of whom also were women of high standing in civil society, but influenced by their connexions to take that method to di ve him away. Now, however much the writer and his brethren differ from Mr. Wesley in doctrines, they do not doubt, that he was what men call ;« rigid moralist; yet he actually tied from the state without submitting to trial. See a History of Georgia, lately printed. * The said Margaret asserted also to Messrs. Raqua and Mead, that ?he was induced to say what she did against Mr. Parkinson through the influence of Leonard Bleecker; that he had repeatedly called to see her, and followed her from place to place, pressing her to say something against her pastor, and promising her that if *he wouid, it should be kept a secret, &e. *3 viewed, it serves to cast much light on the characters and conduct of those who have had the principal agency in occasioning to him and the church, so much trouble ; and to the cause of Christ so much reproach. It is ascertained, indeed, that some of them deny having any knowledge of how the publi- cation occurred, and that they even affect sorrow on account of it ; the latter we partly believe ; but, if so, it must be because it has had an effect contrary to what they expected. The work itself, however shows whence it came : « I have now before me," says the writer of it, « a manuscript, entitled Report of a committee appointed by the Baptist churches meeting in Fayette, Mulberry, Budd and Rose streets in this city," [the church in Rose street was Zoar, now dissolved,] « to inquire into the conduct of Mr. William Parkinson, pastor of the First Baptist church in this city, and to confer with the church relative to this subject. This report which," contin- ues the writer, " contains the result of the inquiries of a sub-committee, appointed to investigate the char- ges exhibited against Mr. Parkinson, principally constitutes the evidence on which the writer relies. Now can any one help discovering that either the wri ter was himself one of the committee, or that he ob- tained the manuscript which he mentions, from the committee ? And surely no one will suppose that he would have presumed to print the report of the com- mittee, or his observations upon it, and that in the place where they reside, without their consent.* # Should the committee, hereafter, say that they had not authorized the publication ; let it be remembered that, from the face of it, the accused was compelled to believe they had ; and as they have given no notice toMhe public of the contrary, it appears that although ashamed to own the paltry thing, yet they were willing it should have full oppor- The committee, in their labour of raking the streets for evil reports, and the means taken to cir- culate them, reminds us of Prov. 16. 27. " An un- godly man diggeth up evil, and in his lips there is a burning fire and the attempt of the best of them? to excuse themselves from having had any eoneern. in the publication, we think, resembles that of Aaron to exculpate himself from being concerned in the idolatry of the Hebrews : « I," said he, « cast it" (the metal he had collected) « into the fire and out came this calf!" They cast it, (the report, compos- ed of the stories they had collected) into the hands of some fiery scribbler, and out came this calf-like production ! If the text respecting secrets being made puplic? with which the author prefaces his filthy observati- ons, mean what he supposes, it is to be feared that he and some of his associates will, one day appear to a great disadvantage. But what ends have the committee answered by their publication ? 1. They have manifested much of an envious and persecuting disposition : 2. They have drawn upon themselves much public disapprobation : 3. They have displeased many of their friends, several of whom have already been heard to exclaim, What a pity ! What a shame ! &c. that professors of religion should be concerned in such a publication : If Susan Colhoun and Margaret Dibble might yet, by any means have survived the disgrace brought upon themselves by their own stories, the committee have rendered it impossible, having now doomed them to common ruin with Mrs. Stewart and Mrs.Wintring- tunity of doing all it could in exciting prejudices against the accused and the church. If it did not come from the com mittee, let them say whence it came. 4,5 ham. But to the object of their envy and malice) they have rendered a real service. Before the publi- cation, their insinuations led some to suppose that they had new and unheard of charges to produce ; and that had they been permitted, they could have convinced the Association of the criminality of the accused ; but now their budget is opened ; and lo ! a catalogue of stories, not only familiar in all the churches of the Association, and long before invest!- gated and confuted in the churches immediately con cerned, but even talked threadbare in the world. The insinuation in the Hypocrite Unmasked, re- specting the females in common, of the church and congregation meeting in Gold street, is too horrid to deserve any other notice, than to say, It must sink with its author before the known respectability of the numerous families;, which attend that place of worship. Should the reader inquire who they were that composed the committee from the churches in Fayette *treet,Mulberry street, Budd street, &c. as the names of them all are not recollected, he is referred to the said churches for information : it is painful, however, to know that the several pastors of the said churches., were of the committee. But whoever they be, their publication has certainly appeared, under all the imaginable circumstances of a sneak. Shame or fear, has suppressed the name, both of the writer and printer : a consciousness that it would not sell? suggested the expediency of giving it away : those who keep it for distribution, are ashamed to be known : [It is ascertained, however, that John Win- tringham and Leonard Bleecker, esq. are among the honoured distributers !] and as many would not ac- cept it gratis, they are getting rid of it, chiefly, by dipping it under peoples' doors or throwing it Itife *6 their yards in the night. Of the sub-committee, who officiated in the name of the general committee, and, as such, (painful thought!) in the name of the churches, in the meanest of all tmvloyments, that of inquiring after, and collecting together slanderous reports^ the public are left to form their own opinion. Of his Billingsgate production, the author of the Hypocrite Unmasked, has promised his readers a series of numbers : and as No. 1 was dated the first day of this year, and consists only of 12 pages, it has been expected, that, by this time, the under- standing and virtue of the public would have been insulted with No. 2, that so it might have received the notice which its demerits might deserve in this Narrative ; but as the nuisance has not yet appeared, and as it may possibly, like the proposed publication about the deacons, remain in its sty, the accused thinks proper not to wait for it any longer.* The topics, however, proposed for discussion in it, are, as appears from the close of No. 1, those which are found in, or relate to, the printed trial on the prose- # Soon after the Wintringham trial, the public were in- ormed through the medium of Newspapers, that a publi- cation would shortly appear, in which, as was intimated, some monstrous things were to be said of the deacons of the First BaptistChurch inNew-York,and who were all mention- ed by name. The design was easily to be seen ; it was to impress strangers with the opinion, that it could and would be made to appear, that the officers of the church were base men, and unworthy of credit — that if they were so, it might be inferred that the members of the church, gene- rally, were so ; and therefore, that it might be reasonably supposed, that they had not hesitated to cover the crimes imputed to their pastor. The enemies of the church, how- ever, knowing that they could not exhibit even a shadow of proof to support their insinuations, the publication has never appeared. But, that such people should promise and &ot perform excites no surprise. 47 cution of Mrs. Wintringham. Such of them, there fore, as are supposed to need explanation will now be considered. Most of these are contained in the testimony of Mrs. Wintringham. The insult which she stated to have been offered to her person, is passed over, it having been deter- mined by the jury, and being manifestly incredible from her own story. But she represents the accused, 1. As favouring chin eh-members hi gross immo- ralities. She instances the ease of a woman who had been tried before the church, and excluded, under the charge of adultery ; and states that Parkinson was a great advocate for her, and that he had spoken of her as being a christian, though guilty of that crime ; thus insinuating that he would have had her continued in the church, though believ- ing her to be guilty. This hundreds of the church well know to be a false representation, and designed and calculated to slander both pastor and people. The accused was indeed an advocate for her both in church meetings and in private circles, but it was, as he constantly asserted, because he believed her to be innocent ; for whatever she might have been, he had never known, nor, that he recollected, ever heard any thing unfavourable to her moral character — he knew her to have respectable connexions, and supposed her to be a christian ; and under these con- siderations could not admit the idea that she was guilty, especially, as the principal witness who ap- peared against her, is a person, subject at times, to partial, if not total derangement. Under these impressions he continued to consider her innocent, even after her exclusion, until she came to his house and confessed that she was guilty. And so far is fe from desiring to retain immoral persons in fh* church, that it is well known, by those who hear him, that, whenever his subject in preaching, or any occasion in a church meeting, has required him to express his opinion on discipline, in relation to im- morality, he has uniformly asserted,that any member of a church proved to be guilty of any gross sin, ought to be immediately « put away," and not to be con- sidered nor treated as a christian — especially not be restored to church membership, but upon very satis- factory evidence of repentance, and that evidence continued a considerable length of time. To confirm this representation, she proceeds to state, that the accused had told her, that he him- self had been guilty of criminal connexion with two women. Strange to a wonder ! She and others have represented him, as artfully acting the part of a christian and a christian minister, for the sake of money and popularity ; yet here she represents him as destitute of common sense. Admitting, reader, that a young man of the world, base enough to glory in such acts, might tell such a story whether true or false ; can you, can any one capable of reflection* suppose that a married man — a professor of religion* especially a preacher, whose all, as to this life, de- pends on his good character, would, if even he were guilty, make such a disclosure particularly, would he make it to a woman, who, according to her own story, had just been expressing her indignation a- gainst him for only touching her bosom, and also # That a christian, having fallen into any sin, would, under a gracious conviction thereof, esteem it a duty and even a privilege to confess it, is not doubted ; but in this case, the alleged confession is said to have been in order to prevail on her, to consent that he should commit the same abomination with her; — yea was accompanied with an act of violence ! signifying her apprehensions that he was guilty in the case of Mrs. Stewart ? Would he, think you, as her story represents, in addition to all the rest, have chosen that very moment to make another attempt on her hosom ? It has heen attempted, however, to confirm her aceount respecting the two women, by a certificate of Elder David Irish, representing the accused to have disclosed the same to one Elijah Shay, and that he made the same known to Irish. Seeing that these men (in some respects well classed together) endeavoured by falsehood to destroy a man innocent of their charges, the accused, in defence of himself and the church he serves, is compelled to tell the truth concerning them ; that so it may be known not only how unworthy they are of credit, but moreover how little confidence ought to be reposed in the judg= ment, the proceedings and even the motives of the better class of those engaged against the accused; seeing that they have confided in such witnesses, and have concealed their faults to secure efficacy to- their testimony. Elijah Shay had been (painful to relate) a Baptist preacher ; originally of the Eastern Shore of Virginia.* About the year 1800, he re- moved to Alexandria — some time after joined the church there, by letter ; kept some kind of a store, and occasionally preached. As the accused often visited and preached at Alexandria* he saw Shay several times among his hearers, and was introduced to him as a preacher; once also he was a few minute? * The following lengthy account of Shay, (now a com- mon drunkard in Alexandria) the accused is forced to give, that it may appear how he wa3 imposed on by him ; be- cause it has been said, " If Parkinson knew him to be a bad man why did he permit him to preach in his pulpit ?'* 50 at Shay's house. In 1804 the accused removed to this city — about two years after he was informed, by a letter from a Virginia friend, that Shay wa* silenced and excluded from the church ; also he had received a copy of the minutes of the Baltimore Association, in which Shay was mentioned as being no longer in the fellowship of the Baptists. In the summer of 1809 Shay came to this city, and fell in with Dr. Me Intosh, who brought him to Mr. Samuel F. Randolph's, where the Dr. introduced him to the accused as a Southern acquaintance : the accused said that he had seen Mr. Shay before ; and present- ly desired a private interview with him, which he had : the accused, not having expected ever to see Shay in New- York, had not particularly charged his memory with the accounts received of him, and could not recollect how he had received them ; never- theless he felt impressed that, by some means, he had been informed that Shay had been excommuni- cated, and that one of his crimes was drunkenness — he mentioned to him his impressions — Shay re- plied « Your information is certainly very incorrect; for I never was a member of the church in Alexan- dria — although I resided there, my membership re- mained in the church I first joined on the Eastern Shore hereupon also he exhibited certificates not only from the church of which he professed to be a member, but likewise from gentlemen of high stand- ing in civil life, certifying his excellence of charac- ter, &c. As to drinking, ke admitted that for a short time, on account of the base conduct of his wife, whom he represented as being fond of other men, he had drank too freely, but declared that he had never been drunk, and that long since, froja a sense of the evil, he had abandoned the practice, and 51 Used no ardent spirits at all. — The accused presumed that his information concerning Shay might he incor- rect : nevertheless he thought it expedient not to invite him to preach: however, on leaving him, he began to reflect that he was acting without evidence, [not recollecting the letter and Association minutes received] and dealing hardly with a stranger in a strange place ; he could not be satisfied, but ad- dressed a note to Dr. Mcintosh requesting that he would invite him to preach that evening. [Thursday.] He preached ; and, being invited, he preached a- gain the following Lord's day morning — The family of the accused being then on a visit to the South- ward, lie enjoyed the favor of hoard at Mr. Alex- ander L. Stewarts, (Broadway,) but lodged at his own house, for the convenience of being in his study evenings and mornings. He took Shay to Mr. Stewart's where he was kindly treated as an ac- quaintance of the accused ; and learning that he was in verv straitened circumstances, the accused collected, among his friends, some money for him and gave him some clothing, &c. One day, as Shay and the accused were walking through the Park ? Shay mentioned his trial with his wife; whereupon (having sit down) he related, at length, the lamen- table story, and the ill use that had been made of it against himself; particularly that it had givett rise to reports, that he had been too familiar with other women. On hearing these things, the accused, believing him to be iunocent, felt much sympathy with him; and, to comfort him under injuries, pro- ceeded to inform him that lie was not alone the ob- ject of slander — that he (the accused) had been also aspersed, but that ministers of Christ must ex- pect these things. The accused related what* in o 52 particular, had been said of himself; viz: that the summer after he had first been chaplain to C ongress, some man in the country, an enemy to all godliness, had said to some one who was speaking highly of the accused, that he supposed Parkinson, by (hat time, had two or three bastards in the city ; also that, at about the same time, the same man, or some other of like description had said, that he was in gaol for stealing a horse ; # but that no one gave any credit to the sayings, and that they had not been heard of in the city [Washington] until the ac- cused (after re-elected chaplain) went to the city and there mentioned them himself: the accused also related to Shay the particulars of the story of Susan Colhoun, and the evidences of its falsehood. A few days after, Shay left this city bound to the North; palming himself upon the people as he went, as an acquaintance of the accused, — as having preached for him, &e. From Albany and other places further north, he wrote to the accused several letters, (not less it is thought than eight or ten,) pressing con- tinually for an answer. The accused, however, judged it prudent, before answering him, to write * Why has not this report been circulated by the ene~ mies of the accused as well as others? Because no one, asserting it, could expect to be believ ed : every one must know that it could be easily disproved ; yea that it was im- possible that a man, who was travelling much through his own and neighbouring states, could, at the same time, be in confinement. But reports which involve no such im- possibility, and which it must be much more convenient for strangers and ail disinterested persons to admit, than to investigate, have been freely propagated, even by persons Avho, in their own consciences, give them no credit. Thus, as of old, while soir.e are hase enough to say, " Come and let us devise devices against Jeremiah," others are deceit- ful enough to say " Rei-ort (on'y set it agoing) and we will ' eportit." See Jer. 18. 18, and 20, 10. 53 to Alexandria and gain certain knowledge of his con- dition ; he 'lid so, and received for answer that Shay had joined tiic church there, and that he had been ex- eluded for drunkenness and oilier misdemeanors ; also a copy of the minutes of the Baltimore Association, in w hich he was mentioned as an impostor, of whom the churches were advertised. Now the accused re- collected that he had seen these minutes before : and, being convinced that all the papers Shay had exhi- bited were forged — that he had no authority to offi- ciate as a minister ; yea, that he was a man notorious- ly regardless of tri tb, he of course would not and did not answer one of his letters. The silence of the accused, probably, led Shay to suppose that he had heard the truth from Alexandria, and that he would communicate it to the churches on which he (Shay) was imposing; therefore, as appears by after circum- stances,^tbat any communications from the accused might have the less effect. Shay began to circulate the stories which he had heard the accused relate as mere matters of report, as being true and as con- fessed to him to be true. In Oct. 1810, a man (the accused thinks by the name of If ill) who had been a member of the church in Mulberry street in this city, but had removed to the neighbourhood which Shay was then ranging, came to the city and informed his friends that a man by the name of Shay (in the opin- ion of theBaptists a very suspicious character) was do- ing much mischief in the country where he w as — that he was injuring ministers, and among others Parkin- son, by circulating a number of ill reports concerning him. On Lord's day morning Nov. 4. 1810, the ac- cused preached in Mulberry street; Mr. Hill (if that be the man's name) being present, came home with him to communicate and receive some particular* 5* respecting Shay : he urged the accused to write to some Northern minister an account of Shay ; and Mr. Maclay (pastor of Mulberry street church) also repeatedly urged him to write, saying « He is not only disturbing the churches there, but he is doing all he can to injure your character by circulating false re- ports among strangers." The accused intended to write ; but was prevented by other pressing avocati- ons, until a month or more, when he received a letter from Elder Peter Thurston, then pastor of the church at Cats-kill, who had been solicited by two Northern preachers to write to Parkinson rer questing him to communicate what he knew con- cerning Shay. In answer to him the accused wrote a full account of Shay, which was used to convince the people that Shay was an impostor. — After the trial of the accused on the prosecution of Mrs. AVintringham, was printed and circulated through the country, Shay, getting hold of it and observing in Mrs. Wintringhaurs testimony the alleged con- fession of guilt with two women, he accommodated his story to it, and said to Irish and others, " You would not believe me, but here see the same stated tinder oath." Recollect, reader, before you pass, that the alleged confession to Shay was after the accused had spoken to him of a report that he drank too freely, and for which he had hesitated to ask him to preach ; can any one then believe that he would (if even guilty) have confessed to him crimes of a much deeper dye ? However, in the following winter Irish came to New- York ; and, accompanied by Elder Daniel Hall, came to the house of the ac- cused ; after much other conversation, relating, chief- ly, to the crimes imputed to the accused, the charges of Mrs. Wlintringham were mentioned. The ac- ca eused noticed how improbable all her testimony was rendered by her story respecting the two women ; to which Irish replied, " We have thought 8 of that, but then there came a man into our country, and we believe him to be a lying man too, but then he told lis the same story, and her story agreeing with his, we know not how to discredit it." The accused sub- joined, « I suppose I know who that man is — he must be Elijah Shay." Irish then gave a certificate of his conversation with the accused, which was cir- culated, by his enemies, with great triumph ; say- ing 66 How could Parkinson know who the man was before Irish mentioned his name, if he had not had a consciousness of having made such a confession to him?" How could Parkinson know who the man was ! How, pray, could he help but know who he was ? Had he not been told by Mr. Hill, from that neighbourhood, and repeatedly by Mr. Maclay, that Shay was there circulating evil reports concerning him ? Here, reader,pause — and form your ow n opinion of the conduct of Mr. Maclay, who witnessed all this imposition — all this exertion to ruin a fellow creature (not to say a fellow professor) and yet would not even open his lips to correct the horrid misre- presentation.* As it will be thought scarcely possible, that a man of Mr. Maclay's pretensions, can have been guilty of such an offence, hy silence, let the pub- lic consider his offence, in the following extraor- dinary declaration, and which the writer leaves others to call by its proper name : in May 1812., on the floor of the Association, and surrounded by a * It has lately been ascertained, moreover, that Irish left the certificatate at the special request of the busy committee, of which Maclay was a member. See p. 44. 56 numerous crowd of spectators, Mr. Maclay, while endeavouring to make the impression that he and his church, in excluding from their fellowship the First Church and its pastor, had acted from the holiest mo- tives and the most painful necessity, declared that when they passed the act, they were so affected, that « there was not a dry eye in the house this, tho' pos- sihle, was generally doubted when the declaration was made ; and members of his own church assert that they, altho' at the time in the house, saw no weeping there ; moreover one of them asserts that, among the females, there was considerable tittering. However much some may be surprised at hearing of the above declaration, all who witnessed the manifest affectation of sorrow and crying at the Association, particularly by Maclay and Irish can easily account for it. See sermon p. 25. But what must be your astonishment, reader, when you are informed that the said David Irish, within a few years past, had himself, by report, been under the accusations, both of drunkenness and adultery. Whether the accusations be true or not, we do not pretend to know, and are willing to abide by the de- cisions of the church to which he belongs, assured that they must have had access to the best means of information ; but that on account of the said accusa- tions, he was for a considerable time silent, we have such evidence as we feel forbidden to doubt.* * That he had been accused of being the father of an illegitimate child, and other evil things, he mentioned him- self, while in this city. On having mentioned it, he added, however, that the church had discovered no disposition to be- lieve the charges : and that if they had, he would not have acted like Parkinson, — he would have ceased preaching, until the matter had :>een cleared up : but did he not very well know that the church which Parkinson serves had die- 51 From a certificate (a very poor one too) which he exhibited to the New- York Association, (May 1812) it appeared that, at that time, he had authority from his church to preach; but as (hat was of a very recent date, it was no how inconsistent with his having been lately under the imputation of the crimes mentioned, nor of his silence on that account. On the contrary, it rather served to show that such had been his cir- cumstances ; for if not, why should he, a man long in the ministry — a man who had been so often named, in Association minutes as pastor of a church, and also in the Magazine published by the Massachusetts Baptist Missionary Society, as one of their mission- aries — why, it is asked, should he carry with him a trifling certificate dated within a few months, shew- ing that then he had authority from his church to preach ? * Of his knowledge and prudence in matters covered nothing like a belief of the charges against him. However, as we have proof that Irish, on account of charges exhibited against him, did, for a time cease preaching, he is evidently, in this case, implicated in false- hood. * Whether he was restored to the privilege of preaching upon evidence of penitence, or of innocence ,we have not learn- ed; if upon evidence of the former, he ought not to have been forward in accusing others ; and if upon evidence of the latter, he ought to have considered, that another might be also falsely accused, and, therefore, to have endeavoured rather to support than to destroy him. Besides, it appears that, notwithstanding his frequent representations to the con- trary, he did not even consider the accused as guilty ; for, in the presence of Mr. James Hall, he expressed himself thus : " If Mr. Parkinson and the church, would only cou- sent to let me and others, be a committee to decide the mat- ter, I have no doubt that the result would be favorable to him, and then I could set him up, upon the walls of Zion all the way as I go home." Observe, reader, what a great man Mr. Irish is ! He can sink or raise another, at pleasure, by his- word ! The accused, however, considers it a favor, not to have had Mr. Irish employed in rendering him that ser 58 of discipline, he gave, while in New- York, this ¥*~ markable specimen : Having enlisted in the war against the First Baptist Church in this city, he was much engaged in persuading members to leave it; and having been invited by the husband of a worthy sister* in the church to use his influence to prevail on her to take a dismission, he, in the course of his en- deavors to effect that purpose, said to her, and in the presence of her husband, words to this amount : * < If my wife would persist in going to hear Parkinson preach, it should be the cause of our separation."! How did this comport with the declaration of Christ Matt. 5. 32 ? Yet he was talked of as one pre-emi- nently calculated to be appointed on a committee by the Association, to determine the fate of the First Church and its pastor ! Irish resides at the Cayuga Lake, about 400 miles from this city ; nevertheless we have no doubt that he was specially invited^: and that he came for the special purpose of assisting in the combination against the accused and the church he serves. § The collections made for him in Mul- berry and Fayette streets probably well compensated vice, lest his character should have been estimated by that ©f his eulogist. # Her name should be mentioned (especially as Leonard Bleecker mentioned her at court, as one who had left the church) but for the opposition of her husband. f This, indeed, he afterward denied, on its being mention- ed to him, by Elder Daniel Hall; but, as her husband was present, he is left to decide, whether his wife or Irish is t« be believed. | Recollect that Mr. Maclay had an acquaintance there. § The ostensible reason assigned for his first visit to this city — the visit during which he had the aforementioned in- terview with the accused, is that he came to accompany a sick man to a Doctor; but it is much more probable that he was coming and that the sick man took the opportunity of his company : be that as it may, we have abundant reason to believe, that, at the time of the Association he came by 59 him for his unsuccessful services ; and this publica- tion it is hoped will teach him, in future, to take the advice of Dr. Franklin : « Mind your own business." But to return to the testimony of Mrs. ^Vintringhara, She represents the accused 2. As having made to her professions of love. As an evidence of this, she states that the accused hav- ing preached from Cant. 2. 5, « Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples, for I am sick of love," he accommodated the text to her. The accused did preach from the text, on a Thursday evening, and next day was at Mr. AVintringham's ; when some conversation past, as asual, respecting the sermon* But whether he accommodated the text to her, or otherwise pretended any unlawful passion for her, the reader is left to judge, while the accused affirms that, to the best of his recollection, whatever conver- sation past, respecting the text or sermon, was in the presence of her husband, who also took part iu what was said. But let circumstanees speak ; her fond- ness for the accused was such, that she followed him, not only wherever she could, through the city, but even into the country, as was made to appear in court; supposing him then to have felt the passion of love for her, which she has attributed, but which lie ut- terly denies; could it have been necessary, for him to resort to such measures to engage her attention, or gain her affection ? Even after she, with others, had taken a dismission from the church, to form a new society, she, as was proved in court, pursued him as before, and pressed him to go to her house — lie at three successive times, as was stated by different wit nesses under oath, refused, absolutely refused to com- 3peeial agreement and engagement with let Bleecker go through without interruptiou — as he proceeded, the accused still signified that the charges were not true, by shaking his head. When Bleecker had finished, the accused began, preparatory to a di- rect denial of the three charges, to state cirumstan- ces, serving to show the great improprieties and man- ifest falsehoods of Mrs. Wintringham ; but was im- mediately stopped by Mc In tosh ; who, finding that such a dis/losure would be death to their design, ab- ruptly broke out, in about these words, <* It is mean and abominable that you should say any thing that might injure the reputation of the woman ; for any woman might form an undue attachment to a public character of your address, and so be led to some im- proprieties."* The accused being much out of health and depressed in spirits, by reason of the trouble and anxiety occasioned by the Stewart trial, through which he had just passed,f and well knowing the vio- lent temper and the malicious and mischief-making disposition of his accuser also her ill will and that of her counsellor, Mc Intosh, against the people of Gold street, was willing to submit almost to any thing, rather than have a new difficulty in the church: therefore, as the professed object of the meeting was to effect a reconciliation, that so the church might not be troubled with the matter, he thought it expedient to omit exhibiting any cfer* * Although not suspected at the time, subsequent cir- cumstances have plainly shown, that the design on the part of Mc Intosh, at least, was to hammer out something that might be construed into an Assault and Battery. f That trial was on Tuesday, May 7th, 1811, and the meeting at Mc Intosh's, the following Friday. | This he had learned by her treatment of Mr. Brnc<\ tr> which there is reference had in the printed trial geS against her : and the rather as she was no loh« ger of the same church Avith himself; also to admit, by silence, some things contrary to his own con- science ?* accordingly, to avoid the necessity of hon* estly and pointedly denying the three charges and some other falsehoods, and so prolonging the dispute, he made an acknowledgement, in general terms, of what he considered himself to blame in, and which, through grace, he was enabled deeply to feel ; being very sensible of his sin, in having indulged in light conversation with the accuser and her associate Mrs. Brown — in not having made that prompt opposition which he ought, to Mrs. Wintringham's forward- ness, in not having given her all that caution and advice which it was his duty to have given her, and in having so long partaken with her in the privileges of the church, notwithstanding her unwarrantable at- tentions.! Of these things, and with much sorrow, he made an acknowledgment to the church.:): His inducements to such forbearance and delinquency, in, not exposing the failings of a woman were, a sense of * If, however, he had known their design, which has since come to light, he would not only have honestly denied what he was falsely charged with, but would also have stated such facts respecting the accuser's forwardness as would have made both her and her friends ashamed of her cause. | " Let him that is without sin cast the first stone." If even christians, (not to mention false professors,) who have been engaged against the accused, would take a review of all their light and unguarded expressions and actions, they would find enough to do, in lamenting and correcting their own failings, without venting their acrimony upon an af- flicted brother, fallible indeed, yet wickedly persecuted. J This acknowledge ;roeni like other things, has been great- ly misrepresented. Eieeckerhas spoken of it as including the f r ee charges of Mrs. Wintringham ; but the whole church know that they were distinctly denied, and in Bleecker's presence. 67 honor— an unwillingness to injure her family, and a desire to prevent trouble in the church ; moreover he long believed that she had no base design ; but might be under a temptation from which he hoped she would be relieved.* Mr. Bleecker then gave a word of admonition, which was well received. All present appeared to be well satisfied. At the request of Mrs. Brown, Mr. Bleecker went to prayer. Strange that he could not recollect that, when under oath, altho' he af- fected to recollect all the minutia of the conversa^ tio# (} * That the accused must have thought very differently of her past forwardness, when he found her taking measures to be avenged of him for his neglect of her, may easily be im- agined. f To this representation of the affair at Mc Intosh's, the accused is aware, that the testimony of Bleecker and Mc In- tosh stands, in part, opposed; that is, with resj>ect to the alle- ged acknowledgment of Mrs. Wintringham's charges. Let the reader then consider the following things. 1. Five witnesses; viz: Mrs. Elizabeth Bedient, Mrs. Sarah Canton, Mrs. Isabella Randolph, Mr. Samuel F. Ran- dolph, and Mr. William Phillips, all agreed, when examined under oath, that Bleecker had declared to them, that the accused, at Mc Intosh's, had not confessed the charges of Mrs. Wintringham, but merely some impropriety in conver- sation : and some of them also state, that Bleecker proceed- ed to say, that, on the acknowledgment made by the accu- sed, he freely forgave him ; adding, " and so would all the church if they had heard him." [Why then has Bleecker, 9ince, so much abused the church tor doing so ; especially as he says that more was confessed to him than to the church ?] Yet, at court, he swore that the accused had confessed the said charges. See trial p. 28, 47 — 50. 2.Several reasons unite to induce the belief, that Bleecker, in espousing the cause of Mrs. Wintringham, acted from a principle of self-defence, not being willing to hazard the consequences of provoking her resentment. Acaong the reasons inducing this belief are the following : Q 68 On the afternoon of the same day, (Friday,) the accused, for the benefit of his health and to spend a. Lord's day with a destitute people, went to Staten- Island. On the next day, toward evening, he received a very affectionate letter from Leonard Blecker, addressing him, " Dear and afflicted Brother," and % According to his own testimony, he knew all the char- ges of Mrs. Wintringham, a week or two before the Stewart trial, nevertheless lie persevered with unabated zeal in favour of the accused. Only on the Saturday before the Stew- art trial occurred on Tuesday, when in conversation with Mr Todd, as they were riding, on Long Island, to prodUre a necessary witness, he spoke of the accused in high terms of approbation, as that he was not only a christian but also very studious, and that, possessing a mind capable of im- provement, he bid fair to become a great man ; notwithstand- ing all that had been said about him : likewise on Lord's day, only two days before the trial, he received the Lord's supper from the accused. 2. At and after the meeting at Mc Intosh's, he declared himself satisfied- — also he continued to declare himself so. until Mrs. Wintringhani and her husband, had resolved to prosecute ; then, being compelled either to espouse her cause, or meet her opposition, he preferred the former ; and having made so extraordinary a change,it was necessary ,the better to account for his conduct, that he should affect a belief that the accused was guilty of the charges of Mrs. Stewart; and, being well aware, that the surest way to prevent any future exposure of his true motives and of the cause he had es- poused, was so to disgrace the accused as to destroy his in- fluence, and, if possible, to drive him from the city, he wa» particularly set upon effecting that object ; hence his endea- vours to prejudice ministers, and members of churches, of all denominations against him; hence also his clamorous re- hearsal of all the stories he had heard to surrounding groupson the streets,at market-places,&c. knowing that thepublic opin- ion could not fail to have its weight with Lawyers, Judges, and even Jurors. Was he an impartial witness ? Nor is it any less evident that Mrs. Wintringham has con- sidered him as being in her power. For 3. It has been proved that she said, she *. could wind or turn him about her finger.." informing him that Mrs. Wintringham had represen- ted her charges to her husband, and that he, believ- ing her, was determined on a prosecution, unless the accused would immediately leave the city — that he (Bleecker) would mention the matter to some more of the friends of the accused, and that* after consulta* 4. It can be proved, that, after the meeting at Mc Ir.tosh's Mrs. W. on hearing that Bleecker had professed to be re- conciled to the accused, intimated that he must account to her for his conduct in that matter : she expressed herself in about these words : " I am astonished — I do not understand such conduct — he must come to me, and make acknowledge ments." Do not such expressions imply threats ? Do they not imply that she considered bint in her power? In what i way and to what degree he is in her power, remains to be known. People howerer will think : especially, as it is known, that, notwithstanding all the disgrace site is under, in the esteem both of the friends and foes of the accused, he (Bleecker) has habitually visited at her house since the trial — even lately he has been seen going in there. Is it possible that he would do so, did he not dread the consequen- ces of provoking her displeasure ? or even a cessation of her friendship ? Had he, like the accused, on discovering her baseness, absolutely refused to go any more to her Louse., it is not improbable that she would have treated him in a si- milar manner. 3. Although Mc Intosh, possessing more cunning, and observing more system, arranged a story and abode by it ; yet if, in the common acknowledgment made by the accused in the presence of the two men, the charges of Mrs. Win- tringham were not confessed to Bleecker, who stated them and who was present during every moment of the meeting, how could they have been confessed to Mc Intosh ? But that they were not confessed to Bleecker, he himself has repeatedly asserted, as appears from the united testimony -of five witnesses. And altho' at court, Bleecker, in the main, agreed with Mc Intosh, yet the circumstances above mentioned, afford, at least a strong presumption that he was driven to it, by apprehensions from Mrs. W. Previous consultations also may have greatly contributed to agreement in testimony. However, as a few have placed considerable reliance, on the opinion and testimony of Mr, Bleecker, it i« necessary 70 lion had, they would give him their advice. On the succeeding Monday morning, the accused,overwhelm- ed in grief and perplexity, wrote to Bleecker the con- fidential answer which he had not only the meanness to expose, but also the baseness to pervert ; — Yes he had the baseness to pervert the meaning of it ; for he must have known and must now know, in his con- science, that the accused had no allusion in his letter the public should know that he has asserted the following monstrous and notorious falsehood, viz : that for charges, similar to those lately reported, the accused was compelled to leave Maryland — that he had been living in adultery for ten years, and that, in Baltimore, he had indulged in that vice with any common woman of the street. That Leon- ard Bleecker has, in substance, asserted the above can be supported by respectable testimony. Let the acquaintances of the accused in Maryland and Virginia decide : and let them and others consider whether a man who can talk in that way, to destroy a public character, ought to be believ- ed. Yet " Leonard Bleecker," said Mr. Collier, " will be believed to the Eastward, before all the church," meaning the First Baptist church in NewYork. (See Appendix.) So far from being compelled to leave Maryland, the accused with much difficulty, obtained the consent of the church of which he was pastor to let him come, tho' calculating then to tarry in New-York, only a few months; moreover, being a fourth time elected chaplain to Congress, he declined ser- ving, and sent in his letter of resignation but a few days be- fore he left Maryland. See Journals of Congress, for 1801, 2, 3, 4. But, if Mr. Bleecker be such an unblemished character as some have boasted, why has he not, after so many months trial, obtained admission into Fayette street church? Many leading members of that church have, indeed, manifested great anxiety for his admission ; but the reason is evident; they had greatly trumpeted his fame as one opposed to Par- kinson and the First Church; but should their church refuse to receive him, on account of his being excluded from the First Church, it would be, in eftect, a declaration that they have not confidence in him themselves, which must destroy his influence in the persecution. It is understood to be sure, that, when the question on receiving him was taken a ma- 7,1 to the charges of Mrs. "Wintringham, as true, but to those things iu which, he had acknowledged himself to blame, [see p. 66.] and to the three charges as be- ing of such a nature, as to furnish ground for a prosecution, tho' false ; and that so, whether, in the event, he should stand or fall, he must agairr pass the fiery ordeal of a judicial process and the unwelcome gaze of an anxious multitude — moreover, he was particularly afflicted with the consideration of additional trouble and disgrace, likely to be oc- casioned in the church, which lay much upon hifr heart — Now, conscious that God had, in some mea- sure, qualified him for the gospel ministry, also that he had called him to it and owned him in it, he felt it to be his indispensable duty to persevere, to the end of life, in preaching that precious Jesus who was, even then, precious to his soul ; but supposing it not improbable, as mentioned p. 38. that these trials were designed iii holy providence to remove him to labour in some other place — sensible that, in order to acceptance with christian churches, and even to gain the audience of the world, it was necessary he should have a good recommendation from the church he had been with ; and not knowing what prejudices against him, the charges of Mrs. Wintringham might have produced ; hence, supposing Mr. Bleecker to be his real friend, and knowing him to be the only mem- ber who was well enough acquainted with the cir- cumstances, to make a just representation of them jority were in favour of the motion ; nevertheless, as many were dissatisfied,and likely to leave the church, it was judged inexpedient to receive him ; but it is also understood that a copy of the resolution has been put into his hands. Was not this to preserve, in the best manner possible, his sink- ing reputation, and so his influence against the First Church and their pastor ? Possibly the above considerations ma* yet effect his union with that church 72 to the church, he wrote to him the said letter, ita which he most affectionately and fervently intreat- ed him to use his interest with the church, to procure for him (if needed) such a letter of dismission as would answer the necessary purposes. As to the " Pillow Scene," (as it has been called,) no one who candidly considers the circumstances, can possibly impute to the accused, any evidence of ill design. He called at the house, in consequence of a general and pressing invitation, given him both by Mr. and Mrs. Wintringham, to stop there whenever he could, after meetings, to take some refreshment ; his family being then out of the city : having called, Mrs. W. urged him to tarry until a cup of chocolate could be prepared : he, being much indisposed and considerably exhausted by the labours of the day> asked leave, in the mean time, to retire and lie down.: whereupon, Mrs W. herself proposed, intreated him to accept, and then rendered thai means of rest which is in question : also Mrs. Canton sat by all the time. Nevertheless, in that, as in other things, he is con- scious that he acted imprudently,and without due con- sideration : and seeing that such things, however innocently done, may be made the occasion of so much disturbance among professors, and of so much reproach to religion, he is sensible that it is his duty in future, to avoid them ; moreover, he takes this opportunity, solemnly to caution all other profes- sors of religion to avoid them, as they regard the declarative glory of their Lord and Master in the world. At Mrs. Wintringham's contradiction of Mrs* Canton's testimony, in relation to this and all other matters, in which she did so ; as also her contradic 73 tion of the testimony of other witnesses, the accused will only say, he was perfectly astonished. Elder John Peak, for carrying with him, from New-York to Newbury-Port, and exhibiting among the people where he preached, the ridiculous Cari- cature of the above mentioned scene, is left to reap hi9 reward, in the remorse of his own conscience and the disapprobation of all christians, All that remains in relation to the printed trial, is to notice the insinuation in the Hypocrite Unmasked, (p. 12.) that the jury were guilty, if not of perjury, yet of dishonesty. Strange indeed ! W hen the jury were empannelling, the counsel, on the part of the prosecution, objected to one and another until they had a pannei of which they approved. The counsel on the part of the defendant objected to no one, being willing the matter should be decided by any 12 men who were honest and of common discernment. The accused well remembers, that, during the trials he could not recollect ever to have seen the face of any one of the jurors before: since, however, upon in- quiry, he has learned that they are not only respecta- ble citizens, but also men of superior judgement, and of considerable experience and known integrity. Could they have had any prepossession in favour of the accused ? Can it be supposed that they would have violated their consciences to acquit him * The words of the pamphlet are these : — " The verdict of acquittal from the charge as laid in the indictment, by no means implies a belief in the jury, of the defendant's inno- cence in point of fact." What then does it imply ? Does the writer mean to suggest that it implies in the jury, a be- lief that, in point of fact, the accused was guilty ? Then, as they acquitted him, they must have believed that he had in fact, taken all the liberties complained of with Mrs. Win- tringham's bosom, and had been constantly, making pro- fessions of love to her, for two or three years with Iter own T4 Now, having considered every thing recollected t& have heen rumoured against him, the accused pro- ceeds to conclude his remarks. Remember, reader, that none of the material facts stated, depend on the word of the accused, but are all supported by other authorities ; and altho' a few things, of secondary importance, are stated with- out such support, yet they are matters, to which cor- roborating circumstances, give the highest probabili- ty of truth. When you have considered the facts stated, and the authorities by which they are severally supported, ask yourself, reader, whether you are justifiable in crediting the reports concerning the accused ; and think if such self-contradictory stories, and from such suspicious characters, are to be credited, and such testimony to the contrary is to be rejected, what may, one day, be your own condition and that of others equally innocent ; being liable to similar ac- cusations. But even supposing, for a moment, all the allega- tions against the accused to be true, is it not at least evident, that the church had sufficient reasons for not believing them to be true, and so for retaining their pastor ? That the charges against him are false, the accu- sed might, like his accusers, make great protestations and numerous appeals to heaven ; but, persuaded that many as well as himseif, have often proved per- sons, who are in the habit of making such appeals, full consent and approbation. But if so, however great the defendant's guilt, what does that write* make of his " inno- cent female" as he calls her ? And is it not astonishing above measure, that both she and her husband have been employed in distributing the said pamphlet ! ! What remains to complete their folly ? 75 to have uttered falsehood while they have done so ; and supposing that they would judge of him as he does of others, he has carefully avoided all such appeals, lest he should be suspected of lying too. And indeed, conscious that he has never in his life descended to meanness, and that he has never given any person reason to doubt his word, he is sensible that, as a man, as a professor of religion and as a minister of the gospel, he deserves to be believed. And, however he may appear disgraced, in the view of some, by the reports tbat have gone abroad concerning him, he now declares that he con- siders both himself and the church he serves, to be much more disgraced, in the view of (he intelli- gent and christian part of the community, by the lamentable fact, that such persons as many who have been engaged against them, have ever borne — espe- cially that some of them still bear, with them, the honourable distinction of Baptists in the professing world. This Narrative and the remarks accompanying it, are laid before the public, not because the accused expects, thereby immediately, to silence all i;ain- sayers, or to satisfy even all christians ; for he is well aware that the malice of the former w ill prompt them to proceed still further, and that the received prejudices of the latter will, in some instances, for a time at least, remain. But because, in his conscien- tious opinion, 1. The declarative glory of his Lord and Master demands it. 2. It is a duty he owes to all gospel ministers they having, in some measure, shared in the reproac h brought upon their sacred office, by the wicked mis representations concerning one of their number. 76 So The society of christians to which he belongs -and the church in particular of which he is pastor* had a right to expect it. And 44 A true and faithful record of facts relating to inch an extraordinary instance of persecution, ought to be transmitted to posterity. His principal reasons for not making some repre- sentation to the public sooner, are given, p. 2% ; to whreh may be added his desire that the gust of pas- aion, on both sides, might have passed over, and so his statement receive from both parties, a more candid consideration.* For these reasons he has borne, in si- lence, not only the neglect of many whom he respects* but also the derision of poor insignificant ttystarts? whom, yea, " whose fathers" (to use the language of Job, on a similar occasion) he " would have disdained to have set with the dogs of his flock." Job, SO. l.f * It was designed, indeed, that this representation should have appeared a few weeks earlier than it does; but for which delay, it is thought a sufficient apology to observe, that, as the accused preaches, statedly, six times a week to the same people, besides preaching occasional sermons and attending to other ministerial duties, he can, of course, have |mt little leisure for writing. f The accused has never thought hard of any one for neg- lecting him and thereby showing a non-fellowship, provided such person avowed a belief of the reports concerning him ; for certainty no christian, believing these reports, could have acted otherwise : yet, even under that belief, it would have become a christian to show concern, and not triumph, aa some professors have done. Neither does he blame any who have suspended their judgment, until they could ob- tain j^irther satisfaction. And, sensible that, if any man whom he might believe to be guilty of 3uch crimes as have been imputed to himself, should write to him or even speak to him, unless in a way of confession, he should esteem it an insult, he has declined all communications to his former correspondents, excepting these who, by letter or otherwise, have let him know that they do not believe him to be guilty, "it retain him in full fellowship; nor does he even speak to r? In his dry narrative, the accused regrets nothings^ much as the indispensible exposure of the failings of so many of his poor fellow creatures ; to do which, when, consistenly with duty, it can be avoided, he deems the most dishonorable and detestable act of which any human being can he guilty. But of the persons alluded to, some (the baser sort,) having fab- ricated, and others (the more respectable,) having sanctioned and circulated false reports, to the preju- dice not only of the accused, but also of the nume- rous church and congregation to which he ministers, be felt himself to be under the imperious necessity of doing what he so much abhors ; there being no other means of preventing an imposition, both upon the present and future generations, through their falsehoods, but to make a statement of facts, which must show, to every unprejudiced mind, that the in- ventors of the said reports are not deserving of cred- it, and that their supporters have taken such men snres as show that they acted from unworthy motives* or, at least, without due considerat ion ; and therefore, that their decisions ought not to be respected. And it must be obvious to all, that suc'h a statement could be made, only during the life of the accused and that of others who were witnesses of the facts stated. If any intelligent and unpre judiced reader should feel his good understanding to be insulted, by the re- alty professor of any denomination, excepting, occasionally giving the time of day., unless the person firgt speaks to him* or has by some means assured him of remaining fellowship Nor has he, in any instance, suffered his name to s;o abroad but by special request. Had he, like some, and even like certain individuals who have themselves, been under worse imputations than the accused, written abroad for accounts of revivals, &c. — he might, perhaps, hare obtained the in- sertion of his name in some periodical publications; as well •fes they. But such fishing for f.ime iie abhors 7 5 marks with which the narrative is interspersed, that deader is requested to recollect, that those remarks were not intended for him ; — his mind, it is well known, would suggest the same remarks, and, per- haps, more pertinent ones ; but for readers w ho, ei- ther for want of discernment, or by reason of precon- ceived prejudices, would pass over a mere narrative of facts, w ithout observing what they prove or imply. If the terms used in any of the remarks are too se- vere, the writer must, in those instances, have de- parted from a rule, which he intended carefully to observe : but if any one should think them so, he is desired to turn to Mat t. 12, 3* and 23, 33 : John 8, 55, and Acts 13. 8 — 10, and he will, probably, be convinced, that they are not inconsistent with those employed, even by him who taught his disciples not to revile, nor w ith those used by the great Apostle of the gentiles, even when " filled with the Holy Ghost." Duty to God and his cause, having required the statement of facts now given, the writer is neither ashamed of its appearance, nor afraid of its effects y and therefore, though long since brought, through grace, to hate sin and love holiness — to abandon the world and to cast in his lot with the persecuted fol- lowers and ministers of Christ ; yet, from a sense of his indwelling corruptions and daily imperfections., he hesitates not to subscribe himself, as usual, " The chief of sinners," WM. PARKINSON. APPENDIX Not ice having been taken in the Narrative, [Note on p. 70.] that Leonard Bleeeker, had slander- ously represented the accused to have been driven from his native state, on account of bad conduct, it i? thought proper to add that Archibald Maclay, and even Elder John Williams, are, by no means, inno cent in that matter, as will appear from what follows. During the rumours and difficulties in 1811, deacon John Bedient, hearing that something of the kind had been said, and being desirous to ascertain what it was and upon what authority it was propagated, sought and had an interview with Messrs. Williams and Maelay, on the subject. Addressing himself to Maclay, he observed that he understood, that he [Maclay] had received some information against Mr. Parkinson, from the southward, and would thank him to say whether he had, and if so, how it came : Mac- lay declined giving any positive answer, but referred the matter to Mr. Williams ; who, in effect, admitted the fact, but also refused to tell what it was, or how if had been communicated ; which left Mr. Bedient un- der the full conviction, that they were willing the impression that they did, indeed, possess such infor mation, should prevail, in all its force, against the accused ; though, being themselves convinced that it was unfounded, they would not hazard the eon»e quences of telling their stories and naming their an. thorities. 80 APPENDIX. If the inference drawn from the above interview? an inference so unfavourable to the candour of Mr. Williams, be thought uncharitable, let the following facts be considered — facts by which the said inference is abundantly supported, and justified. During the summer of 1812, Elder Edmund J. Reis came to this city* — while here, as he first fell in with the oppo- sitionists of the First Churh and their pastor, his ears and his mind were so filled with their eommu- aieations, that, as might reasonably have been ex- pected, he remained among them during his contin- uance in the place.f From this, he went, by way of * Mr. R. is well known, in New-York, by the distinc- tion of " The French preacher/' t In a similar manner, many other ministers, who came to the city, at about that time, were imposed on; some by communications received before they came, and others by opportunities taken, by certain persons, to converse with them as soon a3 they arrived; by which means, they had such representations made to them concerning the accused, as could not fail of exciting in them suspicions, at least, concerning; him: if, notwithstanding, they were inclined to suspend their opinion, and to preach for the church he serv es, as for other churches in the place, they were told, that, if they should preach for that church, they could not be allow- ed to preach for the other churches: hereupon, some refused to preach in the city at all; and others, having come to make collections, being informed that if they should preach for the First Church, they might expect no aid from the other churches, and that more was to be expected from the bounty of the other churches united, than from that of the First Church alone, yielded to the lure of money. Alas! but see 1 Tim. 6. 10. Those who acted in this way, are consi- dered culpable in proportion to their previous acquaintance with the church which had investigated the charges against the accused, and had declared them to be unfounded ; con- sequently the least allowance can, justly, be made for Mr. Collier ; who, having: been the pastor of the said church, had witnessed their knowledge and faithfulness in matters of dis- cipline; yet even he should not be exposed, had not his pre~ tended frunds boasted of his opposition to the First Church APPENDIX. Baltimore, on a mission to the western country, While in Baltimore, he called at the house of Mr. Peter Levering. Mrs. L. a member of the first Bap- tist Church in Baltimore, inquired of him respecting the health of the accused, — the state of his church and their pastor, as affording great evidence against them — They are called his pretended friends because it is well known, that, previous to this occasion for making a tool of him, they had ever spoken of him, as a preacher, in terms of contempt, and represented him as not worth hearing. Now, however, they say " The conduct of so good a man as Mr. Collier, and of one so long acquainted with the First Church, is sufficient to convince any reflecting person, that the accused must be guilty of the crimes laid to his charge^ and that the church have covered them ;" in justiee, there- fore, to himself and the church, the accused i3 under the disagreeable necessity of laying before the public the fol- lowing instances of Mr. Collier's inconsistency. On his arrival in N.York he took lodgings,it is understood, with Mr. Nathaniel Smith, [Broadway.] Mr. Smith and his wife, also Nathaniel Davis, living with them, had lately taken dismissions from this church, on account of the rumours a- gaiust its pastor. There, he was abundantly visited by the enemies of this church ; and, as hath been gathered from a person then staying at Mr. Smith's, Mr. Collier, while there, was receiving an almost incessant current of com* munication against the accused and the First Church. Not- withstanding, on a visit at Mrs. Todd's [Gold street] he affected not to have heard, and to have determin- ed not to hear, any thing relating to the existing troubles from either side : his determination was commended and no communication, on the subject, offered. He declared, that, from a iong acquaintance with the First Church he had fuli confidence in them. Accompanied by deacon Redient, he called on the accused, addressed him as a brother, and, af- ter some friendly conversation, on being invited, he agreed to preach for him. Nevertheless, after further intercourse with the enemies of this church, he professed to have doubts, and requested an interview with some of the dea- cons, particularly his old and tried friends Messrs. Bedienf and Duffie. The interview was had ; but, strange to relate! he refusedtobelie ve them concerning matters of fact which the v stated to him, and would not even give them a patient hear- ing — yea, added the insult of saying, " Mr. Leonard Bieeck- 32 APPENDIX, and whether he had preached for hiin : he replied that he had not preached for him — that he had not been invited— also that he had not been introduced to him, and only to two or three of his church. « I fear, continued Mrs. L. that you got among his enemies and suffered your mind to be prejudiced against him." er will be believed to the eastward, before the whole churchy- meaning the church under consideration. He moreover said, " If Mr. Bleecker or others, who are opposed to the church have done Avrong, you ought to publish them to the world; the public will not be satisfied, nor believe you unless you do." Surely, then, Mr. Collier can have no rea- son to complain of this publication respecting himself. Of the judgment and stability of Mr. Collier, the read- er is left to form his own opinion, from the following conver- sation had with a gentleman in this city, who is a worthy friend, both of Mr. Collier and the Gold street church, and which conversation, at particular request, he presented in writing. " I am requested," saith he, " to give a statement in writing of the conversation I had with Rev. Wm. Collier during his last visit to New-York. To expose what has been communicated to one by a friend in confidence, is, I think, a violation of social virtue, and leads to one of the greatest mischiefs that can happen to society. But being fully convinced, that what Mr. Collier communicated t*> me was not in confidence, (he having communicated the same to others,) I do not hesitate to state candidly, the substance of several of the leading features of our conver- sation, had at two several times. ' 4 Mr. Collier told me, that, previous to his leaving hip family, he agreed with Mrs. Collier, that the best method he could pursue, on arriving at N. York, would be to take side with neither of the contending parties, but to visit both and preach to both, as Divine Providence might present oc- casion. V/ith this determination he left his family. On ar- riving at Hartford [Conn.] his father-in-law, Mr. Robins, highly and religiously commended his determination ancs confirmed him in it. He arrived at New-York, and, accor- ding to his predetermination, commenced visiting all his former friends, and turning a deaf ear to all subjects of con^ troversy. He said that the people of Gold st. commended him for his wise determination, and said to him, We are glad to see you: we intreat you to preach for us and for APPENDIX 3§ 4 * It is true/' said he, " I heard much against Mr. P. while in N.York | nevertheless, I would have preached for him had I been invited — "but,"added he," Mr c P.mustbe a very bad man,from his own confession to Mr. Williams ; or else Mr. Williams must have told me a great falsehood." — Some time after, Mr.Wm.W. Todd, of this city, being in Baltimore, and at Mr. Leverings, Mrs. L. related to him the above conver- those who oppose us; visit us and them, and as you came, so depart, ignorant of all our difficulties, he said he then felt more confirmed and happy in his determination, and a» greed with Mr. Parkinson to preach in his pulpit on the suc- ceeding Sabbath. But that, on visiting those who were dis* affected to Gold street church, they told him that they felt a non-fellowship with Mr. Parkinson and his church, and that they should soon make their non-fellowship public 5 that if he [Mr. Collier] preached for Gold street, they should not feel freedom to permit him to preach for themj and, therefore, that he must take part, for or against. He said that all his former determinations were then shaken — that he yielded to the last representation and invitation, and in« formed Mr. Parkinson that he did not feel a freedom to preach in his pulpit according to appointment I replied that, in my opinion, he had one of the best of wives, a woman capable of giving him good advice-— that her father was a wise man and a peace maker, and, had he followed his first determination, confirmed by their advice and that of his Gold street friends, he would have completely triumphed over party spirit, which, at best, serves only to distress, and would have honoured his divine mission. Preach the Gospel to every creature: that this conduct would, ultimately, have gain- ed the esteem of all* I added, that there was then a report in circulation, that, after his appointment to preach for Gold at. church, he had dined at a certain house with a number of the opponents of the said church, several of whom I named, — that at that meeting he had agreed to accept of a sum of money about 100 dols. and to counteract his ap- pointment to preach for Gold st. church. I ended by obser» ving that report said, by way of comment, that he had been purchased for 100 dols. To all this he made no direct reply; but did me the honour to observe, that he wished he had seen me previous to his counteracting his appointment to preach for Gold street church. 8 APPENDIX sation had with Mr. Reis. He observed to her, that perhaps Mr. Reis had spoken of what some of Mr. Williams' church had said — or of what Mr. Williams might have said, Mr P. was represented to have con- fessed to others : but she replied that she had been very particular and could not have mistaken him. Mr. Todd, after his return to New- York, took with him Mr. Thomas Cottrel, a member of the First Church — called on Mr. Williams — told him what he had heard in Baltimore, and desired him to say whe- ther he had told Mr. Reis, that Mr. P. had, to him, made any confession of crimes: to which Mr. Wil- liams replied, " I will answer you short, and I hope satisfactorily — I did not tell Mr. Reis that Mr. P. had made any confession to nie.'' "But did you not," con- tinued Mr. Todd, « in the course of conversation with Mr. Reis, say what might have led him to form that conclusion ?" To this Mr. Williams replied* 6( I am not accountable for any inferences that he may have drawn from conversation." Mr. Todd then added, ** If the matter be a misrepresentation, do you not In another conversation which I had with him on [he same subject,he observed to me that he had seen and perused a copy of Mr.Parkinson's trial,and felt fullysatisnedwith his own con duct toward Gold street church. I told him that I desired to ask him a close question, and that, if he felt a freedom, he would give me a positive answer: I stated the question, viz : "With all the information you have received, both from con- versation and printed documents, on the subject of the un- happy differences existing among the Baptists in New- York, had the oppositionists of Gold street church made you the same candid declaration and invitation, Preach wherever a door is opened, visit us and them, and be determined neither to know nor feel our difficulties, would you have revoked the ap- pointment you made with Mr. Parkinson, to preach in his pul- pit? To which he replied, J would not. I then told him, that of his goodness I ever had a high opinion, but I feared that his pretended friends had triumphed over his weakness, to hb prejudice." APPENDIX. 85 itink Mr. Williams, that it is your duty to write to some one in Baltimore and correct it ?" « No," said Mr. Williams, " since the Association I have deter- mined neither to v< rite nor say any thing on the sub- ject."* From this statement the public are left to * Here Mr Williams remarked to Messrs. Cottrel and- Todd, that the Association, in refusing to appoint a commit- tee of investigation upon the case of the First Church, nad acted inconsistently with themselves, in as much as on a former occasion they had appointed such a committee; viz: on the difficulty between the Fayette st. church belonging then to the Association, and the Ebenezer Baptist church, applying for admission : this he represented as a similar case ; but certainly Mr. Williams, in that instance, must haye spoken without consideration; for, on a little reflection, he or any one acquainted with the proceedings of B.ptist Associations, must discover that the two cases materially differed. The Ebenezer church had applied for admission ; in which case it is a uniform custom of an Association to appoint a committee to inquire into the origin and doctrines of a church so applying: and Mr. W. himself, who, on that occasion, moved for appointing a committee, introdu- ced his motion by referring to that wellttnown custom : be- sides, in that case there were special reasons ; the Eben- ezer church had been represented as holding erroneous doc- trines, and, moreover, as having received ^ man (Mr. John Inglesby) while in a state of exclusion from the Fayette' street church. But were there, in the case of the First Church, any doubts entertained by the Associativa as to constitution or doctrine ? Or had they received l^erson excluded from any other church of the Association, and so given offence to a sister church ? No; they had only exer- cised a right which every church of the Association exer- cises at every church meeting ; that is, the right of doing their own business, without consulting sister churches. What would any other church say should the First Church presume, at any time, to interfere with her proceedings, or in any way dictate to her in measures of discipline ? She would _say they are busying themselves about other men's matters. The act of the Fayette street church, in putting away f nglesby, as it was a matter of discipline, the Association' had no right to call into question ; nor did they : but it be- ing reported that die Ebenezer church, the church applying APPENDIX, judge whether Mr. Williams has not given evidence of at least, a great want of candour and justice to the accused. Mr. Keis is going through the country, for admission, had received the said excommunicated man, and, thereby, offended against the Fayette street church, also that they held doctrines essentially erroneous, it must be obvious to all, that the appointment of a committee, to inquire whether these obstacles to their reception really ex- isted, was indispensable : and this committee, having found, that the Fayette street church, by their representatives (one or two of whom were of the committee) objected to receiv- ing the said church, not only as having offended against them, in having received a man they had excluded, but also as holding, in their opinion, very erroneous sentiments, it must be no less evident, that it was necessary for the Asso- ciation to appoint a committee to hear from the Fayette at. church, what the sentiments were which they imputed to the church applying for admission, also to ascertain whe- ther the said church indeed held those sentiments; that so 011 report, they might be able to determine whether, provi- ded the difficulty respecting the excluded person should be removed, they could, in point of doctrine, receive the Ebenezer church. How and with what views, the Association acted, appears by their proceedings on the subject, of which the following is a copy. Minutes of 1807. No. 6. " A letter was presented from the Ebenezer church in New- York, requesting admission in- to this Association, and referred to a committee, consisting of brethren Parkinson, Bryant, Runyan, Garniss and Way- land. — No. 8. The committee to whom was referred the letter from the Ebenezer church, reported, that they found a difficulty to exist \ etween that church, and one of the churches in this Association, which would render the ad- mission of the said church at present inexpedient, and re- commended, th»t we appoint a committee out of the First church in this city, to confer with committees that may be appointed, for that purpose by the churches between whom the difficulty lies, not doubting, that by such conference, the obstacle may be removed, that so the Ebenezer church may be received at our next session."— No. 9. The Asso- ciation, having concurred with the above report, appointed brethren Wm. Parkinson, Jas. Duffie and Jno. Bedient, a Committee to confer with the committees which we advis* APPENDIX, and, however innocently, no doubt mentioning the above representation, wherever interrogated on the subject, and Mr» Williams is willing the representa- the said churches to appoint without delay, that so the con- ference may be had as soon as possible." 41 Minutes of 1808.— No 8. " A letter was presented from the Ebenezer Baptist church in New-York, again re- questing to be admitted into this Association ; whereupon the Report of the committee appointed last year, relative to said church, in the case of the Ebenezer church, having reported, that the difficulty between that people and the church in Fayette street is not removed ; and being assured by their own publications as well as by other means of in- formation, that the Ebenezer church holds several doctrines which we deem inconsistent, not only with the doctrines ever held by this Association, but also with the oracles of God, it was resolved, that under existing circumstanses, the request of said church cannot be granted." Thus it is manifest, that in the above case, the Associa- tion did in no sense, interfere with the discipline of the Fayette st. church ; whereas the measure which that church and others would have had the Association to adopt, in re- ference to the First Church, would have been wholly res- pecting disipline, and so a direct attack upon her indepen- dence. Now, although the Association, at its original formation, resolved that it would be their duty to disown any church, in their connexion, upon evidence of essential departure from the faith ; and although they must necessarily do the same by any church, upon evidence of her retaining mem- bers, known to indulge in immoral practices ; also by any church neglecting to investigate charges exhibited against any of her members, to the dishonor of religion in the world; nevertheless,when a church,under such circumstances, has faithfully and conscientiously investigated such charges — found them to be incredible, and reported the same to the Association, if sister churches remain dissatisfied, or it they or the Association claim the right of domix again what had been done by the church, they do in effect, call into question either her competency or her integrity, and so des- troy all confidence among churches. This power, therefore, the Association, in its origin, wisely and justly disclaimed and determined never to exercise. See " The Plan, &c. of the New-York Association " at the end of this work 38 APPENDIX, lion which he himself declares to be false, should continue to be made !* That Mr. Williams could not have had his mind disaffected toward the accused by any confession made to him, is evident not only from his own above decla- ration, but also from the following simple history of events. On the first or second day after the Stewart trial, Mr. Williams called at the house of the accu sed — congratulated him on his acquittal — and, after inueli friendly conversation, on leaving him, begged that he (the accused) would not think hard of any thing that had passed,! and expressed a hope that friendship would remain as usual. On the Friday after the Stewart trial, Mr. Maclay also called at the house of the accused ; and, as he resumed his former air of apparent friendship and tenderness, and solicited a visit in return, it was man- ifest to the accused, that he had called with a view of taking measures to have all difficulties removed. The reason was obvious ; he had been disappointed in his exertions to destroy his neighbour, by means of the charges of Mrs. Stewart ; and, afraid that he would expose him, he wished to prevent it, by expla- nation of motives and revival of intimacy. Howev- er as the accused was just preparing to take the boat for Staten-Island he had but little opportunity with him.— From that day to this, the accused has never exchanged one word with either Mr. Williams or Mr. * Mr. Williams may justly be considered, as the Flower of all those, who have countenanced the measures taken against the accused and the First Church ; and as he was capable of ac ting in the manner represented ; what may not many others be supposed to have been capable of? f Alluding, it was supposed, to some doubt, which, at one time, he had expressed as to the innocence of the ac- cused, in relation to the charges of Mrs, Stewart. APPENDIX 89 Maelay, except once or twice giving the time of day. as distantly passing in the street. When could any confession to Mr. Williams have been made ? To expose the faults of any of his fellow creatures is, to the accused, a very unpleasant task, he being greatly averse to it, from a common sense of honour and humanity ; but to do so in relation to Mr. Wil- liams gives more grief than he can find language to express for he esteems and loves him as a Brother in Christ and as a fellow labourer in his vineyard and therefore, while he writes these things, sorrow fills his heart : nevertheless, Mr. W. having been, like Barnabas, carried away with the tide of dissimu- lation, he must, like him, be exposed ; Gal. 2. 13. .The best apology the accused can make for the coa- duct of an offending brother, is, that many members of his church, and among those the most influential,, have been very actively engaged against the First Church and their pastor, and therefore that Mr. Wil- liams had to countenance, in some measure, their proceedings, or incur their displeasure ; the effect?: of which, to him, might have been very serious, f However, as the aforementioned rumours of the ac- cused having sustained a bad character before hr came to New- York, have gone abroad, it is judged expedient to subjoin the toll owing letters, written — the two former, at particular request, to meet the said reports when they first came cut, and the two latter, by way of condolence after the trials of the accused at court. The originals of them all may be . # It is not intended hereby, to imply that no oilier person* among those who have aided the wicked measure?, taken to destroy the accused, are christians ; nor that some among the ministers, who hare done so, (at least by acquiescence and approbation) are christian ministers. f This exposure of those concerned in making impres- sions unfavourable to the accused, in relation to his charac 90 APPENDIX. seen by applying to the persons to whom they were severally addressed. The two former of these letters, were written with a design that they should be used to refute falsehood ; yet, probably, not under an expectation that they would be printed i and as they were written, on a very short notice, and necessarily in great haste, that they might arrive here before the Wintringham trial, which commenced on the 2d of July, 1811, -the gen- tlemen who wrote them, may possibly regret not hav« ing had an opportunity to revise them, previous to their being published. It is hoped, however, that they will consider the circumstances of a distant re- sidence and the recency of the resolution that it was expedient the letters should appear, as constituting a sufficient appology for the ace used and his breth- ren. ter,before he came toNew-York,is not only just,but,like every other exposure in the work, the result of necessity. If the reader be not convinced of this by the circumstances alrea- dy related, let him consider the following.- — On Saturday, March 27, 1813, the accused received, through the medium of the Post-Office, a copy of No. 1. of the Hypocrite Unmask- ed, inclosed in an an ^ROBERT FITZ RANDOLPH, n . a /BENJAMIN COLES, uyster-vay, ^ ALBERT ALBERT SON* « . ~ f JOHN BROOKFIELD* Moms-Town, j MICHAEL PE ARC E, ("BENJAMIN FOSTER, j SAMUEL DODGE, Ut. Ncxv-York, <[ AB HA Li AM CANNON, J WILLIAM NORRIS, I JOHN BEDIENT, APPENDIX. 10* . v . f FRANCIS VAN DYKE, 2nd. New-York, | J0SEPH STOUT. Canoe- Brook, ISAAC PRICE, cf f 77 ? / ELKANAH HOLMES. Maren-istafta, | N icHOLAS COX. Extracted from " The Minutes of the proceedings of a convention of Baptist churches, in New-York, Oct 19, 20, and 21, 171)1, informing the New-York Bap fist Association." In Oct. 1792, live churches were added to the above named seven : See Sermon p. 16* ; and the time of meeting was altered, to the last Wednesday but one in May : at which time, annually, the Associa tion has met ever since. At the late session, how ever, [May 1813,] it was agreed, that henceforward, this assembly meet on the second Wednesday in May ; and that the meeting be held alternately, with the First Church in New-York and some one of the churches belonging to the connexion, in New- Jersey, The next meeting of the New- York Baptist Associa- tion is to be held at the Baptist meeting-house, at Samptown, [N. J.] on the second Wednesday in Mat, 1814, at 2 o'clock, P. M. ER II AT Ac Of these, such as might lead to any mistake, may bt corrected thus: Page 14. In the note, line 2 from the bottom, forllanes^ read Hanis. - — 21. In the note, line 16 from the top, for debates, read debate. — 32. In the text, line 9 from the bottom, for A- pril 4th, read April 7 th. ~— 37. In the note containing the names of those dismissed to form Zoar, for Wceb, read Webb, and for Griffliths, read Griffiths. N. B. The note respecting my joining the church, is, through my own inadvertency, attached to a wrong date: the time I joined the church was April 4th, 1806. See page 32. [In the Narrative and Appendix.] Page 10, line 1, for page 42, read p. 43. « 27, line 10, for court, read count, — 34, line 6 from the bottom, for in, read on. «— 45, L 10 from the top, for churches, read church.