D,

& SEUmtntstence of pant coents.

SEMI-CENTENNIAL- SEEMON,

PREACHED IN

Thompson, (Conn.,) April 33, 1S46.

DANIEL DOW, D. D.

WITH AN APPENDIX.

NEW HAVEN:
PRINTED BY B. L. HAMLEN,
Printer to Yale College.
1846.

SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.

The fiftieth anniversary of the Ordination of the Rev. Daniel
Dow, D. D., was celebrated by the people of his charge, with
appropriate religious exercises, on the 22d of April, 1846. A
very large audience assembled on the occasion, and many of the
neighboring clergy were present.
The exercises commenced with the invocation of the Divine
blessing and the reading of the 90th Psalm, by the Rev. Mr.
Whitman of Norwich, and the singing of the words of Dr. Watts,
" Before Jehovah's awful throne," &c, In " Old Denmark."
Prayer was offered by the Rev. Mr. King of Canterbury.
The following Hymn, composed for the occasion by a lady of
the society, was then sung.
FIFTY YEARS AGO.

Who on Zion's walls to-day
Blows the Gospel trumpet, Bay ?
Dimmed his eye, his locks are gray,
And his step is slow.
Ah ! 'twas he in manhood's might,
Firm his step and clear his sight,
Girded on his armor bright,
Fifty years ago.
Stands he now alone to-day ?
Are there none about him, say,
Who beside him knelt to pray,
Fifty years ago ?
Where are they who gathered there
In that ancient house of prayer,
Burnished locks and silvered hair,
Fifty years ago ?
Wherefore come they not to-day,
Glad to meet their pastor gray,
They who cheered him on his way,
Fifty years ago ?

Ah ! those active limbs are chilled, —
Beating pulses all are stilled, —
Hearts that here with rapture thrilled,
Fifty years ago !
Yonder where the tall grass grows,
There the mossy marble shows
Where their mouldering forms repose,
In unconscious clay.
Hallowed memories throng. us now,
While we in God's temple bow ;
Back we turn in quick review,
Half a century.
Praise to God, — in him rejoice : —
Honored be our fathers' choice ;
We have heard no stranger voice,
Half a century.
One has blessed our infant head,
Warned us when in youth we strayed,
Whispered hope when grief dismayed,
Half a century.

Heavenward thou hast led us on,
Thou thy task hast bravely done,
Well thy Master's plaudit won,
Thine the victory.
Cheerful wait thy summons home ;
When life's weary day is done,
Bright shall gleam thy setting sun,
Sinking gloriously.

Then, in realms of glory bright,
There, where faith is lost in sight,
Darkness swallowed up in light,
Death in victory—
Where they reckon not by years,
With thy ransomed flock appear,
We, and they who worshiped here,
Fifty years ago.

After the Sermon, the 71st Psalm, second part, was sung, in a
tune composed by the Pastor, followed by an Address from the
Rev. Mr. Whitmore of Griswold, in which he recounted the
many changes that have taken place during the last fifty years,
among the clergy of the county.
The congregation then joined in singing, to the tune of Old
Hundred, the following Original Hymn, by J. E. Dow, Esq., son
of the Pastor.

While pleasant memories gently roll
Their tide of feeling o'er the soul,
How changed the teeming past appears.
Through the dim light of fifty years.
The faithful shepherd, who has strove
To guide his flock in truth and love,
Beholds in life's declining sun,
The fold secure, the victory won.
Long has he borne the heavy load
Of toil and care, o'er life's rough road ;
Long has he broke the living bread,
And scattered blessings o'er each head.

His earliest hearers one by one,
In triumph to their rest have gone,
Likestarsthatgemmedthe brow of night,
Then faded in eternal light.
But still their duteous children bear
TheChristian's armor bright with prayer,
And still their aged pastor waits,
To point the way to glory's gates.
Pastor and people joined in love —
The church below — the church above —
Before thy hallowed shrine we bring,
O God ! the heart's pure ofFering.

The closing prayer was offered by the Rev. Mr. Bardwell of
Oxford, Mass., when the venerable Dr. Nott of Franklin, who re
cently preached his sixty-fourth Anniversary Sermon, after a few
appropriate remarks, pronounced the Benediction.
Dr. Dow's Discourse, with an Appendix which he has furnish
ed, is now published, at the request of his people.

DISCOURSE.

Psalm cxliii, 5. — I remember the days of old ; I meditate on all thy
works ; I muse on the work of thy hands.
In view of the numerous and respectable assembly here
convened, coming from different and distant places, and
from various denominations of Christian people,' it is very
proper to be asked, wherefore have we come together?
For if we have misapprehended the object, and are expect
ing something which is not to be found here, we shall cer
tainly be disappointed. But if we understand what the
real object is, and form our expectations accordingly, we
may all of us go away satisfied. What, then, have you
come hither to see and to hear ? What has induced this
people to make this public appointment? And why is it
that you have so readily and cheerfully yielded obedience
to their call ? Is it merely to hear the Gospel ? The Gos
pel is preached every Sabbath ; but it calls not together
such an assembly as this. Is it to hear some new doctrine,
some other Gospel, "which is not another?" I have no Gos
pel to preach, but the old one ; and were I to preach any
other, I should be accursed. Those of you who have known

my purpose, faith, doctrine and manner of life, will not ex
pect it of me. Is it to be entertained with a display of ora
tory ? It is neither in accordance with my habit of preach
ing, nor sense of duty, to come to the people with the ex
cellency of speech or of wisdom, (that is, worldly wisdom,)
declaring the testimony of God. I never was a great ora
tor, and if I ever had been, no brilUant coruscations of
genius or of eloquence would be expected of me now,
having descended so far into the vale of years, and already
beginning to be nipt with the frost of age. Is it merely to
see an old man, who has almost finished his course ? This
is no uncommon spectacle ; you may see it every day, in
almost every vicinity, and pass your reflections upon it.
What, then, is that singular event which is deemed worthy
of such particular notice, and for what purpose have we come
together ? It is simply this ; to commemorate the singular
event of one man's having continued with the same people
as their pastor, for the long period of fifty years ; and you
have come together to hear what most of you never heard
before, and what probably few of us will ever hear again,
a half century sermon. If this is all you expect, you will
not be disappointed. I stand before you, having comple
ted the fiftieth year of my ministry on the 20th day of
this present month ; and will now proceed to give you a
brief summary of such things as have transpired, particu
larly interesting to myself and to the people with whom I
have been so long connected, and which may not be alto
gether unprofitable for all here present to reflect upon.

I would here, however, premise, that being under the
necessity of departing from my usual manner of preaching,
in giving some statistical accounts, and relating some his
torical facts in compliance with the expectation and partic
ular request of some of the people of this place, I would
hope the audience will find no more difficulty in granting
me this indulgence than I have found in complying with
such a request.
I was born, as appears from 'credible testimony, in the
town of Ashford, in Connecticut, on the 19 th of February,
1772 ; a little more than four years previous to the declara
tion of our National Independence. Of course I have a
vivid recollection of many of the important events of the
Revolutionary war. But of these I need not give you a
detail. My father died when I was only three months
old, and I was left an orphan. But I had a kind mother,
and a kind Providence watched over me, carried me
through all the dangers of helpless infancy and childhood;
and not only so, furnished me with the means and op
portunity of acquiring a knowledge of books, for which
I always had a very great fondness as far back as my
memory extends. In the year 1790, having gone through
the preparatory studies, I entered the Sophomore class in
Yale College, where I spent, three years studying the
classics ; during which time I secluded myself from the
ordinary transactions of life, and had very little to do either
with the gay or the busy world. But in the course of my
collegiate life, my mind, which, even from my childhood,,

had always been more or less seriously impressed with a
sense of the importance of religion, became not only more •
enlightened, but by the grace of God, as I trust, enlivened,
so that instead of merely speculating about the truth of
the Gospel, I became reconciled to it; began to enjoy
something of the consolation of it ; and under the counsel
and instruction of President Stiles, a man of God, as I
trust, and of blessed memory, I made a public profession
of religion and became a visible member of the church of
Christ ; a step of which I have never found occasion to
repent. I graduated with my class in September, 1793. After
having spent all my inheritance in obtaining an education,
I supported myself two years in teaching psalmody ; at the
same time pursuing the study of Divinity ; and as at that
time there were no Theological Seminaries, I pursued my
studies under private instructors ; a part of the time with
the Rev. Dr. Goodrich of Durham, and a part of the time
with the Rev. Enoch Pond of Ashford. I was licensed to
preach the Gospel as a candidate for the ministry by the
Association of Windham County, at their spring session,
in Woodstock, in May, 1795. I preached my first two
sermons in the town of Douglas, Mass., where I went to
supply the place of Mr. Pond in an exchange of pulpits
on the Sabbath. Then I was engaged to preach eight
weeks in Eastford, a parish in my native town; then four
weeks in West Woodstock ; and then I received an invita
tion to come to this place, where, with the exception of

four weeks, iu which I supplied West Woodstock again,
I have continued ever since.
To be further qualified for the office of a bishop, on the
20th of August, 1795, I became the husband of one wife,
the daughter of Deac. Jesse Bolles of Woodstock, who
has completed her half century, also, since I have been
connected with this people.
On the 20th of April, 1796, 1 was ordained as the pastor
of this church. The ordaining Council were as follows. —
The Rev. Josiah Whitney, D. D., of Brooklyn ; the Rev.
Andrew Lee, D. D., of Lisbon ; the Rev. Elisha Atkins of
Killingly ; the Rev. Walter Lyon of Abington ; the Rev.
Eliphalet Lyman of Woodstock ; the Rev. Enoch Pond of
Ashford ; the Rev. William Graves of North Woodstock ;
and the Rev. Ludovicus Weld of Hampton.
In performing the public exercises of that occasion, Mr.
Pond preached the sermon, Dr. Lee made the consecra
ting prayer, Dr. Whitney gave the charge, and Mr. Graves
gave the right hand of fellowship.. How the other parts
were assigned I have neither recollection nor record.
The 20th of April, 1796, the day of ordination, was a
day of much rejoicing and mutual congratulation. The
' people loved their young minister, and he loved the people;
And he having had as yet no experience of such labors
and trials as must unavoidably attend him in his future
course, there was nothing to interrupt that joy. But this
is only had in remembrance; the voices of those who
then rejoiced are now silent. 2

10
This church over which I was ordained, was incor
porated and formed into a distinct church on the 28th of
January, 1730. The following are the names of the orig
inal members : —
Samuel Converse, James Wilson, John Wiley, Benja
min Bixby, Israel Joslyn, Sampson Howe, John Russel,
Jonathan Clough, Nathanael Johnson, Ivory Upham, Rob
ert Plank, John Bowers, Ephraim Guile, Henry Green,
Benjamin Pudney, Comfort Starr, John Bassett, Richard
Bloss, Jonathan Eaton, David Shapley, Thomas Whit
more, Jr., Thomas Converse, Eleazar Green, Samuel
Narramore. — In all twenty seven.
On the 25th of February following, the Rev. Marston
Cabot was ordained as their pastor. He served in the
work of the Gospel ministry twenty six years, and de
ceased. He was taken with an apoplectic fit in the pulpit,
carried into a neighboring house, and died, either some time
in the following night, or on the succeeding day. I believe
he was not able, at any time, to make any farther communi
cation. Mr. Cabot, I have reason to believe from the testi
mony of those who knew him, as also from some of his ser
mons which were published, was a man of God, sound in
the faith, and a good preacher ; though he was said to be
ignorant even of the most common things which did not
relate to his particular calling. And I should judge from
the records which he kept, that, in the course of his min
istry, there were several revivals of religion ; though, in
that day, not called by such a name, nor treated in the

11
same manner as revivals are now. I judge so from the
increased number added to the church during some years
of his ministry; particularly in the years from 1738 to
1 742. This must have been in the time of what is now
called the great awakening, in the days of President Ed
wards. In the year 1738 thirty four, and in the year 1741
thirty five, were admitted to the church. And in the in
tervening years I should judge that a good work must
have been going on. His last record bears date June
27th, 1756, and his death must have occurred soon after.
On the 9th of November, 1756, the Rev. Noadiah Rus-
sel was ordained as the pastor of this church. He served
in the ministry thirty nine years, and departed this life in
November, 1795. He also died in a fit of apoplexy, at
the house of the Rev. Mr. Alexander, in Mendon, while
tarrying there over night, on a journey for his health. Mr.
Russel was a man of respectable talents, very strict in his
attention to the order of society, and a man of great punc
tuality. Some additions were made to the church in most
of the years of his ministry. But as he lived in the time
of the great spiritual dearth, which followed the great
awakening, and amidst the tumultuous scenes of the Rev
olutionary War, the church does not appear to have been
in so prosperous a state, as otherwise it probably would
have been. The whole number of members added to the
church from its first organization down to the time of my
settlement, I find to be five hundred and five.

12
In entering upon the work of the Gospel ministry, I
laid down certain rules for the regulation of my own con
duct, of which whether they all be equally suitable for
others to adopt or not, they will judge ; but they seemed
proper for me.
Believing the Bible to be the word of God, to make it
my only guide ; and comparing the different parts of it
together, to let it be its own expositor ; paying no regard
to commentators any farther than their writings are in ac
cordance with the word.
To preach, unreservedly, all the doctrines and duties
contained in the word of God, in due proportion ; adapting
them to the exigencies ofthe occasion, whoever may object.
Never to refuse to preach, if in health, when the occa
sion calls for it ; unless there be some other minister pres
ent, whose lot it is to perform the service. Never to say,
I cannot preach because I am not prepared ; but to make
the attempt, and if I cannot preach so well as I would, to
preach as well as I can.
Always to fulfil my appointments, and go to the place
of meeting ; unless there be such impediments in the way
as are really insuperable.
To be willing to preach to few, as well as to many ; or,
if circumstances dictate, to attend to such other religious
exercises, as may render the meeting as profitable to such
as are present, as though their number were ever so great.
Never to go with reluctance into the pulpit ; never to go
merely because I must, but because I would wish to be

13
there ; and because I have something, which I would wish
to communicate. If I have not always felt thus, I well un
derstand the difference.
Never, in preaching, to arraign an individual before an
audience for any particular sin of which he may have been
guilty ; but if in discoursing upon the evil of sin, whether
of sin in general, or of any particular kind of sin, the con
science of any one should take it all to himself, not to re
gret it in the least, hoping it may do him good.
Never to talk to the people about such trials as are
peculiar to ministers ; for the people cannot understand
them, and the time will be worse than lost.
Not to be often complaining of slight indisposition of
body, or any of the minor evils of life ; for the people will
soon grow tired of hearing it, and will pay no more regard
to it than they would to the cawing of a raven ; even
should they not begin to suspect that it is all nothing but
sheer laziness. The only way to dispose of such evils, is
either to work them off, or bear them at least with ordi
nary patience.
Not to notice every thing, however trifling, that may be
hastily either said or done, by any of the people, in rela
tion to myself; but to hear many things as though I heard
them not; and to enter into no controversies that can
possibly be avoided consistently with duty.
Never to dun people on the Sabbath, nor preach to
them about my own temporal support; but if I have
any secular business to transact with them, to do it in

14
some meeting, regularly warned, of those to whom it
appertains. To make it the great object of my ministry, to show
unto men the way of salvation ; and to be willing to bear
burdens with the people in their tribulations, as well as to
rejoice with them in their prosperity.
To remember, at all times and in all places, that I am a
minister of Jesus Christ, and not by vain conversation out
of the pulpit, destroy the good influence of what I have
said in it.
Not to be a preacher merely for the learned, or for the
gentry ; but to consider my mission as extending to all
ranks and conditions of people, whether high or low,
saints or sinners. To become all things to all men that by
all means I may save some.
Never to be idle in the place where I am, because I
cannot move in some higher sphere ; but to perform that
service, whatever it may be, which God hath assigned me.
Always remembering the Gospel commission, "Go and
preach ; preach the Gospel to every creature." To do any
thing for the promotion of the cause of truth and right
eousness, is better than to stand idle in the market place.
Never to anticipate a dismission, nor even to talk about
it, till God in his providence shall make it manifest that it
is something which ought to take place ; but on the con
trary to endeavor to give satisfactory evidence that the
attachment and friendly regards which the people have
for me are cordially reciprocated.

15
Such were the rules which I laid down for the regula
tion of my own conduct ; and these, however imperfectly
I have carried them into effect, I have never found occa
sion to alter ; but it has been my endeavor strictly to con
form to them.
No sooner had I commenced my ministerial labors, than
I began to experience the trials of the ministry, and such
trials as I had never anticipated. The church I found to be
in a very cold, backslidden state ; very few of them willing
to converse upon experimental religion, or ready to give a
reason of the hope that was in them, if they had any re
ligion at all. The congregation seemingly intent upon
nothing but vanity and folly. My flock scattered over the
whole town, an area of about eight miles square. Various
denominations of Christian people contending with each
other about the shells and husks of religion, while they
appeared to pay little or no attention to the substance.
Intemperance greatly prevailing, and moderate drinkers, as
they were called, drinking most immoderately. Errorists
of every kind running to and fro, and many, having itching
ears, running after them. Some openly avowing their in
fidelity ; while others were proclaiming what they called
good news and glad tidings; by which they meant, that
impenitent sinners, drunkards and all, were sure to go to
heaven. There was even then, 1 trust, a little remnant
which God had reserved for himself, and I shall greatly
rejoice should I find at last the picture which I have here
drawn too highly colored. But such was the appearance.

16
My people were all very friendly to me. They filled the
old meeting house well, heard what I said to them with
as much satisfaction as they would listen to a song, and
gave me as much, and even more commendation, than
what I sometimes thought I deserved. But there was the
end of it. They were friendly to the preacher, and satis
fied with his performances ; but, generally speaking, they
had no love for Gospel truth, nor any concern for their
own salvation. Nor was it in my power to awaken them.
I preached what I thought good sermons, great sermons,
sermons full of excellent speech and moral suasion, ser
mons good enough to convert any body ; and yet they had
no more effect in awakening and converting sinners, than a
pop-gun discharged against an impenetrable rock. I was
greatly disappointed ; and the condition of the people who
manifested so much friendship to me, appeared so deplora
ble, that I sat down discouraged and wept. But in all this,
the Lord taught me a very important lesson. I was
brought to see that nothing short of the power of God
can either awaken or convert a sinner, however God may
see fit to make use of means and instruments. I found
relief only in the doctrine of sovereign grace ; and the
hard sayings, as some call them, of God's word, now
seemed fraught with comfort. Such as, "I will have
mercy upon whom I will have mercy, and I will have
compassion upon whom I will have compassion." " I have
planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he

17
that watereth ; but God that giveth the increase." From
that time I preached the doctrines of grace more plainly,
and more constantly, than I ever had done before. I ex
purgated my system of divinity of all Arminian notions,
and my language of all such phrases as were capable of
misconstruction ; (for though orthodox in the main, I had
fallen into some mistakes and inconsistencies, in conse
quence of having read many erroneous books in my early
days ;) and I now determined to preach all the doctrines
of grace, if I possibly could, as plainly as Christ and his
Apostles preached them.
Soon after this I began to perceive a very different
effect. The Lord did what the preacher could not do.
The people began to hear with more solemnity. Profess
ing Christians began to awake from their slumbers. Im
penitent sinners began to be pricked in their hearts, and a
few were added to the church of such as I hope will be
saved. And from that time down to this we have had re
peated occasion to say, ' What hath God wrought ?'
In the year 1798, there was the commencement of what
afterward proved to be a very pleasing revival of religion ;
small in its beginning, and without any general excitement ;
but continuing and increasing for about four years. In the
year 1799, eight were added to the church. In the year
1800, nine were added. In 1801, eighteen were added;
In 1802, nineteen were added. In 1803, seven were ad-
.ded; making in all sixty one, and almost all of them fe
males. After this, the revival was intermitted ,for several
3

18
years ; though two or three were added to the church every
subsequent year, till the year 1812, when another time of
refreshing commenced, and six were added to the church.
In 1813, twelve were added. In 1814, forty two were
added. In 1815, thirteen were added. In 1816, eighteen
were added. Then there was a little slacking of the show
er for two years, though some drops were still descending,
seven being added one year, and four the next. But in
the year 1819, there was another shower and seventeen
were added. In 1820, seven were added. In 1821, forty
nine were added. Then there was another intermission,
similar to the former, for about two years ; and in the year
1824, there was another outpouring of the Spirit, and
twenty were added. In 1825, ten were added. In 1827,
twenty seven were added. In 1828, eight were added.
In 1829, twenty nine were added. In 1830, nineteen were
added. In 1831, fifty eight were added. In 1832, thirty
seven were added. In 1833, nine were added. After
this, a small number from year to year were added, till the
year 1838, when twenty one were added. There was an
other time of revival in 1842, when forty one were added.
And from that time down to this present, there has been
another spiritual drought, and the number added, both by
admission and by letter, has probably been no greater than
the number of those who have deceased and removed.
The whole number admitted during my ministry, is five
hundred and ninety three ; of whom, between fifty and
sixty have been received from other churches by letter.

19
The present number of our members is two hundred and
forty four, now resident with us ; and sixty six non-resi
dents, who are scattered over the country, but have not as
yet removed their relation ; making the whole number three
hundred and ten. I have preached sermons, such as they
have been, upon all occasions, and more in number than I
can now reckon up. I have attended funerals in all parts
of the town, and among all denominations of people ; and
have almost without exception, preached at every funeral
that I have attended. I have attended more Councils for
ordaining and dismissing ministers and settling difficulties
in churches, than I can now call to remembrance ; and I
have joined enough in marriage to settle a very large and
respectable township. And when I look back upon the
past, whether my life has been either useful or useless, I am
sure it has been a very busy one.
And, now, having gone through a great part of the la
bors of my life, I seem in my advanced age to be like a trav
eler, standing to-day on an eminence, where he can look
back upon the hills and valleys, over which he has already
passed, and also look forward beyond all intervening ob
jects to the end of his journey. But in looking back through
the long, short period of fifty years ; (you call it long, I
call it short ;) what great changes have taken place ! Our
fathers, where are they ? I look for the members of the
church, who were here at the time of my settlement, and .
they are all departed ; with the exception of three aged
females, the widow of Elijah Crosby, the widow of Deac,

20
Moses Bixby, and the widow of William Alton, who still
survive. I look for the congregation who invited me here,
and they, with one or two exceptions, are all dead. I look
for my ordaining Council, and for the ministers who com
posed the Association of Windham County, when I first
became a member of it, and there is not a man of them
left. Many of their successors are also gone. I look for
many who were subjects ofthe revivals which I have men
tioned, and who by me were dearly beloved; but they also
are gone to another world. I look for the young people,
whom I saw in the house of God, and some of them tak
ing a part in the songs of the temple ; but I see them no
more. A few of them have lived to be old and grey head
ed ; but far the greater part are gone to the dead. I look
for the three millions, who achieved the American Revolu
tion, for the great body of the people who were then on
the stage, engaged in all the busy cares of life ; and they
also are dead, with the exception of here and there an indi
vidual, trembling under the infirmities of age, who like an
aged tree torn with the winds and shattered with the light
ning, its leaves all withering, stands as a solitary memorial
of the past. I look for my own children, nine in number,
for whom I once felt such anxiety lest they should not be
comfortably provided for, and only four of them remain in
th,e land of the living. I look to myself, and though for
some reason, I cannot tell why, the Lord has, thus far pro
longed my days ; has granted me not only life but also fa
vor ; yet I cannot but discern most sure prognostics of the

21
time that is approaching, when I also must, follow those who
have gone before. I look to them, to whom I now admin
ister, and to the numerous congregation before me, and the
solemn thought arises, that all these will soon be joined to
the great congregation of them that sleep in dust.
Yet my situation is not so dreary, as some may think ;
and as I myself once thought it would be. For, as I said
just now, I stand to day on an eminence, where I can look
backward and forward, and, in either case, there is much
that is cheering, as well as many things which wear a mel
ancholy aspect. In looking back, I can call to remem
brance the goodness and mercy of the Lord, which have
thus far attended me, and for which I have abundant occa
sion to be thankful. I can call to remembrance the pre
cious seasons of revival which we once enjoyed, and I can
feel in the retrospect as though my poor services had not
been altogether in vain ; as, in hours of despondency, I
have sometimes thought they were. I can call to remem
brance many of the excellent ones of the earth who lived
the life of faith, and left the world in joyful hope. It is pleas
ant to think of them, as having ended their labors and en
tered into their rest. I can call to remembrance, that through
the course of a long ministry, I have enjoyed the friendship
of this people ; the friendship both ofthe church and congre
gation, and even of those, to whom my doctrine has been
painful. This, considering the turbulence of the times in
which I have lived, is to me a peculiarly pleasing remin
iscence. And though one generation has passed away and

22
another has succeeded ; and though great changes have
taken place in the society, so that few remain who can re
member the day of my ordination ; yet this people appear
still to manifest towards me the tokens of their most cordial,
unabated, friendly regard. And to one who is already be
ginning to feel the infirmities of age, and to whom the grass
hopper will soon be a burden, it is highly gratifying, and a
.Just occasion for gratitude, to look around him and see so
many cordial friends as are here assembled on this occa
sion. I know of no member of this church or society, whom
I consider as my enemy ; nor do I know a single individual,
who, as I apprehend, in his own conscience thinks me to
be his. In this I may indeed be mistaken ; but it is happy
for me to think so, and I really believe it.
As respects the future, I see some dark and gloomy vales,
into which I must yet descend. I am aware, that, as long
as I live in this world, afflictions will still abide me. If I
continue a little longer, I shall follow my few remaining coe
vals to their grave. I shall experience separations still more
mournful than what I have yet experienced. My burdens
will be heavier, when I shall be less able to bear them. I
may be laid by as useless ; or if not, there is the darkest
valley of all, through which I must unavoidably pass. And
in addition to all this, the anxious inquiry arises, " What will
become of these sheep, what great afflictions may yet
eome upon the church, to try the faith and patience of the
saints ?"

But here the glorious Gospel of the grace of God, illu
mines all the§e dark places. God will not forsake his peo
ple. God has promised, — " As thy day so shall thy strength
be." God will continue to vindicate his own cause, and all
the still greater conflicts, in which the church is yet to be
engaged, will terminate in a still more glorious victory. It
is pleasant to look forward to the latter day glory of Zion.
I call to remembrance the dear people of God who once
lived ; but there is this to console us, they are not lost in
the grave. Yet a little while, and we shall see them all
again. For the Gospel assures us, not only that the spirits
of just men are made perfect in heaven ; so that they who
die in the Lord are blessed from henceforth ; but that the
dead bodies of the saints, which have long lain mouldering
in the grave, shall be raised incorruptible and immortal.
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a
shout, with the voice of the archangel and the trump of
God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first." All who sleep
in Jesus, God will bring with him. What a blessed meet
ing then ! When all that have ever been united to the
Lord Jesus Christ by faith, or ever shall be, shall all be
gathered in the great congregation of the righteous. Sure
ly if we can realize all this, there is no reason why we
should mourn for our Christian friends departed, as they
that have no hope. And though the time of our depart
ure must come ; yet God is as able to carry us through
that dark valley, as any other. The only question with me
is, do I stand upon the eternal rock ? If I do, I shall stand

24
firm and sure. If I do not, though I have preached to
others, and may have been instrumental of thgir conversion,
I myself shall be a cast away. But, hope is an anchor to the
soul, both sure and steadfast, and entereth into that which
is within the vail. I would, therefore, keep fast hold of this
anchor, and patiently wait all the days of my appointed
time, till my change come.
And now my Christian friends, fathers and brethren,
whether in the ministry, or out of it, if half a century is so
soon gone, how short will be the time before your work
will be ended ? Be exhorted, then, to stand with your
loins girt and your lamps burning. For yet a little while,
and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
There is no probability, that we all shall ever meet1 again
in this world ; certainly, not on such an occasion as this.
May God grant unto us all to sit together, this day, in a
heavenly place in Christ Jesus. And when a few more
days of tribulation shall have passed away, may we all be
so happy as to meet in that world of light, and love, and
joy eternal, where all tears shall be wiped away from off all
faces.

APPENDIX

Historical Sketches.
Thompson, once a part of Killingly, was constituted a parish
by an Act of Assembly, in May, 1728 ; and accordingly a warn
ing was issued to call the first parish meeting, by commissioners
designated for that purpose, signed by
Joseph Leavens, Justice of the Peace.
Benjamin Bixbv,
Hezekiah Sabin,
Ebenezeb, Gbeen.
The first meeting was held on the 9th of July following, at
which Jonathan Clough was chosen Moderator, and Sampson
Howe, Clerk.
The first meeting house built in Thompson was completed in
the year 1730. This was afterwards repaired and enlarged, till
in the year 1816, it being no longer deemed worth repairing, our
present house was reared, and finished in the year 1817; in
which important work, Thaddeus Larned, Esq. and Noadiah
Russel, Esq. took a very active part, and will long be held in
remembrance for the essential services which they rendered.
4

26
Ordinations.
Of the ordination of the Rev. Marston Cabot, I find the fol
lowing record. It appears to be in his own hand writing.
Killingly, North Society, Jan. 28, 1730.
" This day was kept as a day of fasting and prayer, to humble
ourselves before God for our past trespasses, and to implore his
divine blessing on us, and on all our concerns, more especially on
the solemn transactions before us. The Rev. Mr. Throop of
Woodstock made the first prayer in both exercises. The Rev.
Mr. Williams of Pomfret preached in the forenoon from Psalm
122 : 6. The Rev. Mr. Fisk of Killingly, in the afternoon, from
2 Chron. 30 : 8 ; and before the assembly were dismissed, we
were incorporated and formed into a distinct church by having
the church covenant read, and owning our consent to it. " O
Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this forever in the
imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and pre
pare their heart to thee., Amen."
" Feb. 25th following was the day of ordination. The Rev. Mr.
Throop of Woodstock, began with prayer. The Rev. Mr. Fisk
of Killingly, preached from Acts xxvi. 18 and 19. The Rev.
Mr. Ooit of Plainfield, gave the charge. The Rev. Mr. Hale
of Ashford, prayed. The Rev. Mr. Williams of Pomfret, gave
the right hand of fellowship. Then the 23d Psalm was sung
and the congregation were dismissed by pronouncing the blessing."
" O may I always have a just and awful sense of the greatness
of the ministerial work ! Who is sufficient for these things ?"
Mr. Russel's record or his Ordination.
" October 5, 1757, was spent as a Fast previous to my ordina
tion. Nov. 9th was the day of my ordination. Rev. Mr. Put-

27
nam of Pomfret, made the first prayer. My Father of Middle-
town, preached. The Rev. Mr. Gleason made the prayer before
the charge. My Father gave the charge. My brother of Wind
sor, made the prayer after the charge. The Rev. Mr. Gleason
gave the right hand of fellowship."
Church Officers.
The Deacons of the church first chosen after its organization
were Messrs. Eaton and Bixby. The Deacons at the time of my
ordination were Deac. Simon Larned and Deac. Lusher Gay,
men in advanced age ; and two in active service, Deac. Thomas
Dike and Deac. Joseph Gay. After their decease, Deac. Aaron
Bixby and Deac. Moses Bixby succeeded, who have also depart
ed this life, and their place is now supplied by others.
Ministers of the Gospel.
Since Thompson was first incorporated, it has furnished the
community with many valuable members both of church and
state, among whom we may mention nine regular ministers of
the Gospel of the Congregational order. The Rev. Joseph Rus
sel, who for a time was settled in Princeton, Mass., but being
under the necessity of being dismissed on account of ill health,
became a respectable merchant in Troy, State of New York.
The Rev. Stephen Crosby, who was first settled in Spencer,
Mass., afterward in Penn Yan, New York, afterward had a call
to settle in Norwich, Conn. ; but was cut off in the midst of his
usefulness and gathered unto his people. The Rev. Henry
Gleason, who was settled for several years in Durham, Conn.,
who also died in early life respected and lamented. The Rev.
William A. Larned, who for a short time was settled in Millbury,
Mass., and is now professor of Rhetoric in Yale College. The

28
Rev. Joseph T. Holmes, who is now a laborer in some part of
the great valley of the west. The Rev. David N. Coburn, the
present pastor of the church in Ware, Mass. The Rev. John
Bowers, pastor of the church in Wilbraham, Mass. The Rev.
Herbert A. Read, late pastor of the church in Webster, Mass.
And Mr. Charles Thayer, candidate for the ministry in Washing
ton, New York. Remarks on Revivals of Religion.
Having had repeated revivals of religion in this place, it
may not be deemed improper to suggest a few remarks, as the
result of experience, for serious consideration.
1. It is not merely excitement which constitutes a true revival
of religion. People may be greatly excited on subjects entirely
foreign to religion. But this no one would suppose to be a revi
val. Or, they may be excited about religion, and yet, having no
correct understanding of the nature of religion, may still be en
tirely destitute of it. Such revivals have often been, in which
the subjects of them have been much elated with the hopes
they have entertained ; but having no oil in their vessels, their
lamps have soon gone out.
2. A true revival of religion consists in having a just sense of
one's own sinfulness in heart and life, in becoming reconciled to
the holy character of God, and in cleaving to the Lord Jesus
Christ as the only foundation of hope. Accordingly no true re
vival of religion can take place without some knowledge of
God's perfect law, the depravity of the human heart, and the
sovereignty of divine grace. The best means, therefore, which
can be used to promote a revival of religion, is to preach, intel
ligibly, the distinguishing doctrines of the GospeL

29
3. A revival of religion may extend to great numbers, or be
limited only to a few ; or even to a single individual. On the
day of Pentecost, three thousand were converted under the
preaching of a single sermon. A great revival of religion!
But when Paul preached to the women at Philippi, the heart of
Lydia only was opened to attend to the things spoken by Paul ;
and this also was a genuine revival of religion, (as far as it went,)
and issued in most important results.
4. A gradual revival of religion may be as valuable and some
times more so, than a very general excitement. This was evi-
. dently the case in the first revival particularly noticed under my
ministry. 1. It continued longer; through several successive
years. 2. There was more reading of the Scriptures, more med
itation, and I apprehend more secret prayer. 3. There were
fewer who were excited only by sympathy. 4. There was oppor
tunity for a better acquaintance with such as offered themselves
to the church, and for a thorough and satisfactory examination.
5. There were fewer instances of those who apostatized, or who
brought a scandal upon their Christian profession by their walk
ing disorderly. 6. The reaction was not so great after the re
vival had ceased ; but the expectation was still kept up of a far
ther increase. Though therefore we would duly estimate more
extensive revivals of religion, and indeed are to pray for, and ex
pect greater outpourings of the Spirit than the world has ever
witnessed ; yet we should not despise the day of small things, nor
sit down discouraged as though nothing is to be done, or to be
looked for, till a multitude shall be awakened all at once.
5. Wherever a revival of religion commences, a dependence
upon the Holy Spirit is felt and acknowledged ; nor will a revival
of religion be continued any longer than the same dependence
is felt. When people, therefore, begin to imagine they can do

30
the work themselves ; when they begin to vaunt of what they
have done, or begin to predict what great things they will yet
accomplish, I view it as a sure prognostic, that the Holy Spirit
will soon be withdrawn, if it has not already departed. May not
this suggest the true reason, why there has been such an exten
sive spiritual drought succeeding a time of great excitement, and
on account of which the ways of Zion are now mourning ?
6. A revival of religion may again take place, and may be
near at hand, notwithstanding it is a time of great declension,
when the friends of religion are distressed, and earnestly praying
that God would revive his work. For this is what the church
has often experienced, and is in accordance with what God has
promised. " I will be inquired of by the house of Israel to do
these things for them. Whilst they are yet speaking I will hear."
Let the people of God therefore continue to pray and not faint.
" O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst
of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy. Wilt
thou not revive us again, that thy people may rejoice in thee ?
I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I
hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch
for the morning ; I say, more than they that watch for the morn
ing. Let Israel hope in the Lord ; for with the Lord there is
mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall re
deem Israel from all his iniquities."
Members of the Association of Windham County, fifty years ago.
Rev. Aaron Putnam of Pomfret.
Rev. Dr. James Cogswell of Scotland.
Rev. Dr. Josiah Whitney of Brooklyn.
Rev. Dr. Andrew Lee of Lisbon.
Rev. Elisha Atkyns of Killingly.

31
Rev. Dr. Moses C. Welch of North Mansfield.
Rev. Zebulon Ely of Lebanon.
Rev. Thomas Brockway of Columbia.
Rev. John Gurley of Exeter.
Rev. Job Staples of Westminster.
Rev. Israel Day of South Killingly.
Rev. Andrew Judson of Eastford.
Rev. Enoch Pond of Ashford.
Rev. William Storrs of Westford.
Rev. Ludovicus Weld of Hampton.
Rev. Eliphalet Lyman of South Woodstock.
Rev. Walter Lyon of Abington.
Rev. William Graves of North Woodstock.
Rev. Elijah Waterman of Windham.
Rev. Dr. Joel Benedict, (member of Consociation,) of
Plainfield. All dead!
Since my ordination, the following ministers have also been
settled in the County, and are now deceased.
Rev. Samuel P. Williams of South Mansfield.
Rev.  ¦ — Adams,

is, 7
J'

, of Scotland.
Rev. Jesse Fisher,
Rev. Erastus Larned of Westminster.
Rev. William Andrews of Windham.
Rev. Gurdon Johnson of Westfield.

32

Our fathers we behold no more,
Whom once we did so kindly greet,
Yet when life's fleeting scenes are o'er,
We hope, with joy, again to meet.
" There is a city fair and high,"
Prepared for all who love the Lord,
And to our faith is now brought nigh,
In the blest volume of his word.
Then let us all the path pursue,
The followers of the Lamb have trod,
And keep that better world in view,
Where they still live and reign with God.
They sang redeeming love on earth ;
They'll sing redeeming love again,
When all the men of heavenly birth
Shall join the song and shout, Amen.
Then on that distant, wished for shore,
All sanctified, a glorious throng,
We'll greet them all, to part no more,
And sing the everlasting song.