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Mr. STRONG'S
ELECTION SERMON,
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S E R M O N ,
PREACHED ON THE
G E N E R A L E L E C T I O N
AT
HARTFORD in CONNECTICUT,
M A Y 13, 1802.
B Y JOSEPH S T R O N G , A.M.
PASTOR OF A CHURCH IN NORWICH.
HARTFORD :
PRINTED BY HUDSON hf GOODWIN.
1802.
At a General Assembly of the State of Connecticut, holden
at Hartford, on the second Thursday of May, A. D. 1802— •
DELIVERED AT
H E B R O Nt
ANNIVERSARY OF
AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE,
By C Y P R I A N S T R O N G , A. M .
PASTOR OF THE FIRST CHVRCH IN CHATHAM.
HARTFORD:
PRINTED BY HUDSON AND GOODWIH.
1799.
A DISCOURSE, &c.
DELIVERED AT
NORTH-COVENTRY,
BEING THE
TWENTY-THIRD ANNIVERSARY
A M E R I C A N INDEPENDENCE,
By ABIEL A B B O T .
HARTFORD;
*79fc
A D I S C O U R S E , &c.
GENESIS Xll. 2.
/ will make of thee a great nation.
HIS joyful anniverfary and the afpedt of this
T affembly promife m e a candid attention,
while I endeavor to fhow what is neceffary to con-
ftitute a great nation, point out fome alarming
figns of danger to our national greatnefs and glo-
iy, and call upon you to avert thefe impending evils.
A country favorablyfituatedand fufficiently ex-
tenfive is neceffary to make a great nation. An.
equino£tial and polarfituationis nearly equally un*
favorable to vigor of mind and body, and yields
its puny inhabitants but a fcanty fupport. T h e
vertical rays of the fun and an almoft entire abfence
of his influence have nearly the fame effect upon its
inhabitants. They turn the one into a barren
heath, and diminifn and enfeeble the other. Hence,
probably, w e find no nations in fuch a fituation
diftinguifhed for numbers, power, wealth, or civil
and moral improvements. If w e would find na-
tions refpeftable for greatnefs, refinement and hap-
pinefs, w e muft turn our eyes to or near the tem-
perate zone. Here the mind is vigorous, m a n feels
hisftrengthand dignity, arts and fciences flourifh,
and moral obligation is known and revered. Here
are found thofe nations, which have made the
greateft figure and enjoyed the moft happinefs.
This is the foil moft favorable to civil and religious
advantages, and in which the root of defpotifm
cannot long flourifh. Wherever it has pleafed
G o d to plant a great, free and happy nation, w e
fhallfinduniverfally temperature of climate and a
sonfiderable degree of fruitfulnefs of foil*
4
D I S C O U R S E ,
DELIVERED AT
COLEBROO K,
ON THE
TWENTY-FOURTH ANNIVERSARY
OF
AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE.
HARTFORD:
i8oo#
D I S C O U R S E , 8ft
GENESIS ifi. 2, 3.
A n d the w o m a n faid unto the ferpent, W e may eat of
the fruit of the trees of the garden ; but of thefruit
of the tree which is in thz midfl of the garden, G o v
hath faid, ye Jhall not eat of it, neither fhall ye
touch it, left ye die.
Text. Tranflation.
vice, faints and finners, re-
wards and. punifhments, it is
equally arbitrary—wholly un-
founded in reafon or nature.
It is all a farce. Too long al-
ready have you been gulled of
your rightful liberty, by the
pompous rant of Heaven and
Hell. Death is an eternalfleep,
where hope and fear are buried
together, and neither forrow,
nor joy exift beyond it. T h e
Sun of Liberty now fhines.
A w a k e from your long delu-
fion and be free.
" F o r G o d doth Y o u are held in ignorance
fcnow that in the of your rights by m e n in pow-
day ye eat thereof, er, whofe intereft it is to keep
then youreyes fhall you in ignorance, the better to
be opened and ye fupport their own pre-eminence
fhall be as gods and domination, and infure
knowing good and your fubjedtion and fervitude.
evil," For they know that in the very
day thefe fhackles are taken off,*
the blindingfilmsof prejudice,
Fear, and fuperftition removed,
and the arts of pricftcraft and
arifiocracy ceafe to operate, your
eyes will be opened to the knowl-
edge of your juft rights, the
rights of Liberty and Equality
— Y o u will k n o w that you are
gods as well as they, as great,
as wife and as good—that all
m e n are equal'—equally deferv-
ing to rule—that all fubordina-
tion is tyranny, and all author-
ity, however vefted, exercifed
by one m a n over another is un-
*4
Text' Tranflation.
fufferable oppreflion ; and that
therefore their ufurped domin-
ion, muft immediately tumble.
— W o u l d you then deferve
well of your country, Eden
muft be revolutionized—no
longer be a monarchy, but a
republic, one and indivifible.—
Affert your rights.—Expunge
the tyranny of fubordination.
Rife fuperior to the reftraints of
law. Eat freely of the tree of
knowledge in the midft of the
garden. Say what you wilL
D o what you will. Write,
print and publifh what you will,
true or falfe, provided your
end be the deftrudtion of all
conftituted authority. Shake
off thefe impofing fhackles of
religion & government, by which
the h u m a n mind is enflaved,
genius crampt, the freedom of
inquiry fettered, the liberty of
the prefs reftrained, and the
fource of human enjoyment
and perfectibility, muddied and
choaked up. D o this and re-
ceive the fraternal embrace.
T h e other paffage of facred writ comes next un-
der confederation. In it w e find the fame fentiment
exprefled equally clear and pointed ; and the theory
of the tempter adtually carried into pradtice.
" They facrificed unto devils, not to G o d ; to gods
w h o m they knew not, to new gods that came new-
\y up, w h o m your fathers feared not." This is a
part of that memorable fong, which the great lead-
er of God's ancient people, wrote and left on re-
cord for the inftrudtion and warning of his people :
*5
Original. Comment.
19. A n d when the
Lord faw it he abhorred The divine example
them, becaufe of the held up for our imita-
provoking of his fons tion.
and daughters.
Accordingly it is fully
20. And he faid,I will proved by experiment;
hide m y face from them, we all fee what their end
I will fee what their end is—Confufion andanarchy,
(hall b e — revolution and uproar, ra-
pine and murder.
— f o r they are a froward Difciples of Voltaire j
generation, children in obftinate, incorrigible in-
w h o m is no faith. fidels.
21. They have moved America, rejoicing in
m e to jealoufy with that their fucceffes—imbibing
which is not G o d ; they their principles—follow-
have provoked m e to an- ing their footfteps—re-
ger with their vanities ; figning her national In-
and I will move them to dependence, and haften-
jealoufy with thofe which ing to the fame fate.—
are not a people : I will This fate is pointed out
provoke them to anger in what follows—
with ifoolifh nation.
Foreign
23 andand civil
25. wars
I will
heap mifchiefs upon — t h e rage of fadtion—
them, I will fpend mine private and public affaf-
arrows upon them. T h e finations. The fyftem
fword without, and terror of terrorifm—the indif-
within fhall deftroy both criminate flaughter of
the young m a n and the the guillotine, and all the
virgin, the fuckling alfo horrors of the reign of
with the m a n of grey Robefpierre.
hairs.
cloud
Such, whith now broods
citizens, is the
over our political horizon, Thefe are the horrible
profpedts of democratic revolution. Here w e be-
hold in clear light, thofe new gods that have newly
come up, w h o m our fathers feared not, and the
*7
ON THE DEATH OF
GENERAL WASHINGTON.
D I S C O U R S E ,
DELIVERED AT HARTFORD
GENERAL
GEORGE WASHINGTON,
By ABEL FLINT,
PASTOR OF THE SOUTH CHURCH IN HARTFORD.
HARTFORD:
PRINTED BY HUDSON AND GOODWIN.
l800.
D I S C O U R S E ,
MY HEARERS,
I S A I A H ilL 1, 2 , 3.
Mr. ELLIOTT'S D I S C O U R S E ,
ON THE death of
GENERAL WASHINGTON.
D I S C ( f e j R S E ,
DEL|VEr^£D ON
GENERAL
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
By JOHN ELLIOTT,
PASTOR OF A CHURCH IN GUILFORD.
PUBLISHED BY REQUEST.
A D I S C O U R S E , ®c.
delivered at
NEW-HAVEN, >
O N THE CHARACTER
OF
G E O R G E W A S H I N G T O N , Efq.
AT THE
R E Q U E S T of the CITIZENS;
By T I M O T H Y D W I G H T , D.D.
PRESIDENT OF YALE-COLLEGE.
^AAA
JOHN ADAMS.
B y the Prefident,
_ A Fjneral Anthem.
i
2. A n appropriate Prayer, by the Rev. James
Dana, D. D.
3. Mufic.
4. A Sermon, by the Rev. Prefident Dwight.
5. T h e reading of Gen. Wafhington's farewell Ad-
drefs, to the Citizens of the United States, on
declining public Life, by the Rev. Bela Hubbard.
6. A pertinent Prayer, by the Rev. John Gemmil.
7. A Funeral Dirge.
4
A T a Meeting of the Committee of Arrangements, Febru-
ary 24, 1800, R e s o l v e d , That the thanks of the citizens
of N e w - H a v e n be prefented to the Rev. Timothy Dwight,
D . D . for his pertinent and eloquent Difcourfe, delivered
on the 22d inftant, and that a copy be requefted for publi-
cation.
* Vcrtot. § Ruffcll.
*5
* Hia Minifler.
i6
* Sec Note A,
*7
See Note F,
^3
* S«e Note G.
16
NOTES.
A.
It is a curious fact, that H u m e , although he is obliged
to recite the extraordinary piety of Alfred, yet totally omits
the mention of it in his paLegyric on his character.
B.
For fpecimens of the peculiar modefty of General Wafh-
ington fee his written acceptance of the chief command of
the army, and his acceptance of the Prcfidency. Obferve,
alfo, the fact; that he never made his great actions any
part of the fubjed of his converfation.
C.
. There have been many doubts concerning the character
of General Wafhington, as a writer- Various perfons
have denied, that he was at all, or in any refpectable de-
gree, the author of the feveral compofitions, which are
prefented to the public, as his. It may be a fatisfaction to
m y readers to be informed, that the addrefs to the officers of
the army in reply to the letters of Major Armftrong, was
penned by his o w n hand, and never feen by any perfon,
until after it was publicly delivered. T h e originals of his
anfwers, alfo, to the addrefies prefented to him, inhislaft
tour through the Eaftern State?, are n o w on file (as I a m
informed from high authority), in his o w n hand.
W h e n he began to read the abovementioned addrefs to
the officers, he found himfelf in fome degree embarrafied
by the imperfection of his fight. Taking out his fpectacles,
he faid, " thefe eyes," m y friends, " have grown dim,
and thefe locks white, in the fervice of m y country, yet I
have never doubted her juftice."
T h eftyleof General Washington, it is obferyed by the
authors of the Britifh critic, isftronglymarked with that
dignified limplicity, which k the proof of a great mind.
Ji
D.
Upwards of 9000 m e n , together with the great body of
artillery, ammunition, horfes, carriages, cattle, provifions,
&c. were conveyed from Long-Ifland to New-York, while
the Britifh army was fo near, that their m e n were diftinctly
heard at work with their pick-axes and fhovels. T h e river
is near a mile wide, and the decampment laffed thirteen
hours ; yet the enemy were perfectly ignorant of the mea-
fure, until it was completed. It ought here to be obferv-
ed, that, about 2 o'clock in the morning, a thick fog pro-
videntially favoured the retreating army.
E.
T h efirftknowledge, which Lord Cornwallis had of the
retreat of General Wafhington, was in the morning ; a few
minutes before the noife of the cannon at Princeton was
heard at Trenton. Sir William Erikine, it is afferted, ur-
ged Lord Cornwallis to place a ftrong body of troops at the
bridge over Sanpink Creek; apprehending, that General
Wafhington would retreat into the heart of New-Jerfey
rather than attempt to crofs the Delaware. This, howev-
er, wasrefufed. Very early in the morning, Lord Corn-
wallis, while in bed, was informed, that General Wafhing-
ton had decamped. Sir William at that moment came in.
His Lordihip afked him, whither he believed the American
General to be gone. A t that inftant, the artillery was heard
from the neighbourhood of Princeton. u M y Lord," faid
Sir William, " General Wafhington tells you where
he is. D o you not hear him calling to you to come after
him?"
So filently was this retreat conducted, that the American
centinels at the bridge knew nothing of it, until themfelves
were ordered to quit their poft.
F.
T o the fuperintendant of his eftate he wrote from the
army in the following terms.
" Let the holpitality of the houfe be kept up with re-
flect to the poor. Let no one go hungry away. If any of
this fort of people ihould be in want of corn, fupply their
neceilities, provided ?t does not encourage them in idlenefs,
I have no objection to your giving m y money in charity
when you think it will he well beflowed ; I mean that it is
m y defire, that it mould be done. Y o u are to confider,
37
that neither myfelf nor my wife are in the way to do thefe
good offices." See Doctor Trumbull's Sermon. Note.
PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS.
T
JL H E period for a n e w election of a Citizen, to admini-
flef the executive government of the United States, being
not far diftant, and the time actually arrived, w h e n your
thoughts muft be employed in defignating the perfon, w h o
is to be cloathed with that important truft, it appears to m e
proper, efpecially as it may conduce to a more diftinct ex-
preffion of the public voice, that I mould n © w apprife you
of the refolution I have formed, to decline being confidered
a m o n g the number of thofe, out of w h o m a choice is to be
made.
I beg you, at the fame time, to do m e the juftice to be
afTured, that this refolution has not been taken, without a
itrict regard to all the considerations appertaining to the re-
lation, which binds a dutiful citizen ro his country ; and
that, in withdrawing the tender of fervice which lilence in
m y fituation might imply, I a m influenced by no diminution
of zeal for your future intereft ; no deficiency,of grateful
refpect for your paft kindnefs : But a m fupported by a
full conviction that theftepis cbmpatable with both.
T h e acceptance of, and continuance hitherto in the office
to which your fufFrages have twice called m e , have been
a uniform facrifice of inclination to the opinion of duty, and
to a deference for what appeared to be your defrre. I con-
stantly hoped, that it would have been m u c h earlier in m y
power confidently with motives, which I was not at liberty
to difregard, to return to that retirement, from which I
had been reluctantly drawn. T h e ftrength of m y inclina-
tion to do this, previous to the laft election, had even led
to the preparation of an addrefs to declare it to you ; but
mature reflection on the then perplexed and critical pofture
of affairs with foreign nations., and the unanimous ad vies of
4*
perfons entitled to my confidence, impelled me to abandoa
the idea.
I rejoice, that theftateof your concerns external as well
as internal, no longer renders the purfuit of inclination in*
compatible with the fentiment of duty, or propriety : A n d
a m perfuaded whatever partiality m a y be retained for m y
fervice, that in the prefent circumftances of our country,
you will not difapprove m y determination to retire.
T h e impreffions with which Ifirftundertook the arduous
truft, were explained on the proper occafion. In the dif-
charge of this truft, I will only fay, that I have with good
intentions, contributed towards the organization and admi-
niftration of the government, the beft exertions of which a
very fallible judgment was capable. N o t unconfcious, in
the out-fet, of the inferiority of m y qualifications, experi-
ence in m y o w n eyes, perhapsftillmore in the eyes ©f others,
has ftrengthened the motives to diffidence of myfelf: A n d
every day the increafing weight of years admonifhes m e
more and more, that the fhade of retirement is as neceffary
to m e as it will be welcome. Satisfied that if any circum-
ftances have given peculiar value to m y fcrvices, they were
temporary, 1 have the confolation to believe, that while
choice and prudence invite m e to quit the political fcene,
patriotifm does not forbid it.
In looking forward to the m o m e n t , which is intended to
terminate the career of m y public life, m y feelings do not
permit m e to fufpendthe deep acknowledgment of that debt
of gratitude which I o w e to m y beloved country, for the
m a n y honors it has conferred upon m e ; (till more for the
ftedfaft confidence with which it has fupported m e ; and for
the opportunities I have thence enjoyed of manifefting m ^
inviolable attachment, by fervices faithful and pcrfevering,
though in ufefulnefs unequal to m y zeal—If benefits have
refulted to our country from thefe fervices, let it alway&be
remembered to our praife, and as an inftructive example in
our annals, that under circumftances in which the paffions,
agitated in every direction, were liable to miflead, amidft
appearances fometimes dubious—viciffitudes of fortune, of-
ten difcouraging in fituations, in which not unfrequently
want of fuccefs has countenanced the fpirit of criticifm—the
conftancy of your fupport was the efTential prop of the ef-
forts, and a gurantee of the plans by which they were $fr
"42
G. WASHINGTON.
United States, 1
%qtb September* 1 7 9 6 . J
Mr. STRONG's DISCOURSE,
ON THE DEATH OF
GENERAL WASHINGTON.
D I S C O U R S E ,
DELIVERED ON
the DEATH of
by N A T H A N S T R O N G ,
PASTOR OF THE NORTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN HARTFORD.
HARTFORD:
PRINTED BY HUDSON AND GOODWIN,
1800.
FUNERAL SERMON.
MY BRETHREN,
EXODUS XI. 3.
The Lord hath fet his king upon his holy hill
of Zion, w h o is the C r e a t o r , R e d e e m e r , and
Judge of men. He is G o d forever on the
throne in heaven, and thro the earth, and to
fulfil his counfel s he works thro inftruments pre*
pared by himfelf, and made worthy of acting in
his name, afld bearing the marks of a divine
commiffion. There have been but few m e n in
the worl<J eminently great, and thofe have, in
general, been on the fide of virtue. There
have been many tyrants and deftroyers, for it
requires only fmall talents to work ruin; but to
build up, to blefs, to humanize fociety, to de-
fend the opprefied, to vindicate h u m a n liberty,
and at the fame time reftrain licentioufnefs, is an
arduous tafk ; where none but good m e n will
be inclined to expofe themfelves, and which
none but great m e n are able to accomplifh.
pledged himfelf to ufe all his faculties and influence in their fa-
vour, and urged them to rely on the rlfrure juftice of their coun*
try. H e conjured them " as they valued their honor, as they
refpected the rights of humanity and as they legarded the mili-
tary and national character1 of America, to exprefs their utmoft
deteftation of the man, w h o Was attempting to open the flood-
gates of civil difcord, and deluge their rifing empire with blood."
His attempt Was fuccefsful; and the officers and foldiers return-
ed to their duty and confented to wait for the tardy juftice of
their country. ,
A t the return of peace, General W a s h i n g t o n repaired to
Annapolis, where Congrefs was in fefHon, for' the purpofe of
refigninghis command. T h e 23d day of December 1783, was
fixed for the ceremony of his refignation. H e attended Con-
grefs on the day with many 'diftinguifhed perfons, where he ad-
dfeffed- the prefident in the following fpeech :
" M r , Prefident,
" T h e great events on which m y refignation depended, having
at length taken place, I have n o w the honor of offering m y fin-
ccre congratulations to Congrefs, and of prefenting myfelf before
them to furrender into their hands, the truft committed to m e , and
to claim the indulgence of retiring from the fervice of m y country.
" Happy in the confirmation of our independence and fove-
reignty," and pleafed with the opportunity afforded the United
States of becoming a refpectable nation, I refign with fatisfac-
tion the appointment I accepted with diffidence ; a diffidence in
m y abilities to acqomplifh fo arduous a tafk, which however was
fuperfeded by a confidence in the rectitude of our caufe, the fup-
port of the fupreme power of the Union, and the patronage of
Jieaven.
" T h e fuccefsful termination of the war has verified the moft
finguine expectations, and m y gratitude for the interpofition of
Providence, and the afliftance I have received from m y coun-
trymen, increafes with every review of the momentous conteft.
" While I repeat m y obligations to the army in general, I
fhould do injuftice to m y o w n feelings not to acknowledge, in
this place, the peculiar fervice9, and diftinguifhed merits of the
perfons w h o have been attached to m y perfon during the war:
it was impofrible the choice of confidential officers to compofe
m y family fhould have been more fortunate; permit m e , Sir, to
recommend in particular thofe w h o have continued in the fervice
to'the prefent moment, as worthy of the favorable notice and
patronage of Congrefs.
" I confider it as an indifpenfable duty to clofe this laft folemn
act of m y official life, bv commending the interefts of our dear-
eft country to the protection of Almighty G o d , and thofe w h o
have the fuperintendence of them, to His holy'keeping.
" Having n o wfinifhedthe work afligned m e , I retire from
the great theatre of action 5 and bidding an atfe&ionate farewel
GENERAL WASHINGTON. 31
to this auguft body, under whofe orders I have long acted, I
here offer m y commiffion, and take m y leave of all the employ-
ments, of public life."
F r o m this time General W a s h i n g t o n refided at his retreat at
Mount•,Vernon, until the derangedftateof our public affairs, and
the total inefficiency of our confederation, had convinced the
leading characters of our nation that a new .form of government
Was neceffary. A t this time a convention was called, which
met in Philadelphia in the year 1787. T o this convention Gene-
ral W a s h i n g t o n was/ent as a delegate from theftateof Vir- r
ginia, and was chofen their Prefident during the term of their ''
feflion.
In the'year 1789, he was unanimoufly chofen Prefident of
the United States. N o fooner was he informed that he was again
called to exchange his happy retirement for the ftormy fcenes of
public life, than he prepared to meet the wifhes of his country ;
and in a few days arrived at New-York. Here he accepted his
appointment of Prefident of the United States, and informed
both houfes of Congrefs, that he fhould decline any compenfa-
tion for his fervices—in the following manner ; " W h e n I was
firft honored with a call into the fervice of m y country, then on
the eve of an arduousftrugglefor its liberties, the light in which
I contemplated m y duty required that I fhould renounce every pe-
cuniary compenfation. From this refolution I have in no in-
ftance departed. A n d beingftillunder the impreffioRS which
produced it, I muft decline as inapplicable to myfelf, anyfliarein
the perfonal emoluments which m a y b e indifpenfably included in
a permanent provifio-n for the executive department; and muft
accordingly pray that pecuniary eftimates for theftationin which^
I a m placed, may, duriDg m y continuance in it, be limited to fuch
actual expenditures, as thepublicgood maybe thought to require."
In the year 1793 the time for which his firft appointment was
m a d e being expired, he was again elected ; and having a fecond
time officiated in the chaiacter of Prefident of the United States,
he chofe to retire from the public fcene and fpend the remainder
of his days in rural quiet and domeftic tranquillity. H e pub-
lished his intention in an addrefs to the people of the United
States, which, while it breathes the pure fpirit of^benevolence
and patriotifm, recommends to them in the moft winning and im-
preffive language the xaufe of virtue arid religion.
After his farewel for a fecond time, to all public honors, he
retired to his favorite feat at M o u n t Vernon, where he refided in
the character of a private citizen, uptil the profpectof a rupture
with France turned the eyes of the government towards him as
their only refuge during the impending ftorra. His cheerful acqui-
efcencein accepting'the office of Lieutenant General of the A m e r -
ican forces, at a tirhe when his age and former fervices might
have juftified a refufal, will long be remembered with fentiments*
of affection and graiitiade, by a generous people.
• .>'•
CENTURY SERMON.
O N T H E UNIVERSAL SPREAD OF T H E GOSPEL,
S E R M O N ,
by N A T H A N STRONG,
Paftor of the North Prefbyterian Church in Hartford, Conne&icut.
HARTFORD:
PRINTED BY HUDSON AND GOODWIN.
. l80I.
O N T H E UNIVERSAL SPREAD OF T H E
GOSPEL.
* 2 Theffalonians ii. 7.
32 O n the universal spread of the Gospel.
Let all the humble and holy wait for the com-
ing of the Lord in his earthly kingdom ; let them
46 On the universal spread of the Gospel.
CENTURY SERMON.
C E N T U R Y S E R M O R
PREACHED AT
M A N S F I E L D ,
January i, 1801.
By M O S E S C. W E L C H ,
PASTOR OF THE CHURCH IN MAN8FIELD, NORTH SOCIETY.
HARTFORD :
PRINTED BY HUDSON AND GOODWIN.
l80I.
A C E N T U R Y SERMON.
e i g h t e e n t h century.
by C H A R L E S BACKUS, a. m.
PASTOR OF A CHURCH IN SOMERS.
HARTFORD:
PRINTED BY HUDSON AND GOODWIN.
1801.
%^/t C&nturu ^f&rmon.
job viii. 8, 9.
O N
G O D L Y F E A R .
D I S C O U R S E ,
GODLY FEAR:
CONTAINING ALSO,
B Y C H A R L E S B A C K U S , D. D.
PASTOR OF A CHURCH IN SOMERS.
HARTFORD :
PRINTED BY H U D S O NfcfGOODWIN.
1802.
A D I S C O l / R S E , &c.
I PETER I. 17.
I proceed to confider,
II. T h e manner in which w e ought to pafs the
time of our fojourning in the prefent world. W e are
commanded in the text to pafs it in fear. This fear
is that holy fear of G o d which is every where incul-
cated in the fcriptures. Pfalm cxi, 10. " T h e fear
of the Lord is the beginning of wifdom." A rever-
ential fear of G o d is the offspring of love, and diftin-
guifhes his friends from his enemies. Thefe laft have
fometimes, in the prefent world, fuch apprehenfions of
8 O n the Nature and Influence
* Luke xix.
12 O n the Nature and Influence
* Pfalm cxxx, 3, 4.
16 O n the Nature and Influence
* 1 Peter, v. 8.
32 O n the Nature a n d Influence
* Rom. xii. i, %.
of Godly Fear. 33
* .
w h o m you derived your birth ; and by whofe care you
were nuifed in your helplefs'iyears. GBadden their
hearts by dutiful behaviour, and minifter to their ne-
ceflities and comfort, wheneith^ykrough poverty, or
the infirmities of age, they may loq»*o you for fup-
port. Ever keep in view thefilialfto^enceof Chrift,
and his conduCt on the croftfrin comflending the care
of his Mother to the difciple w h ^ m he loxed. " Y e
fathers, provoke not your *cjlildra#» to wrath : but
bring them up in the nurture *nd ifcnonition of the
Lord." Addrefs the throne of grace before your
houfholds, morning and evening. InftruCt your off-
fpring, and all under your direction, in the doCtrines
and duties of chriftianity, and enforce your inftruCti-
ons by a pious example. Feel the worth of the fouls
committed to your care, and you will open your lips
to them in warning and counfel. " Wives, fubmit
yourfelves unto your o w n hufbands, as isfitin the
Lord : Hufbands love your wives, and be not bitter
againft them." Conftantly endear yourfelves to each
other by mutual kind offices : A n d walk " as being
heirs together of the grace of life ; that your prayers
be not hindered." Art tnou united in marriage with
one w h o is an unbeliever, be faithful in thine attempts
to win to the faith the friend of thy bofom. " For
what knoweft thou, O wife, whether thou fhalt fave
thy hufband ? O r h o w knoweft thou, O man, whe-
ther thou fhalt fave thy wife ?"
world, and lofe his own foul ? Or, what fhall a man
give in exchange for hifc foul ?" Let not your hearts
be charmed with the honor which cometh from m e n ;
but feek that honor which cometh from G o d only. In
your prefent aCtive period of life, devote your talents
to the divine fervice. K n o w and fee that it is an evil
thing and bitter that you have forfaken the Lord, and
that his fear is not in you. Turn unto him by un-
feigned repentance, and be obedient to his holy will
in all things.** Let a crucified Saviour be your hope
and joy, in life and in death. T o him dedicate your-
felves, and every thing which you hold dear.
Dear Youth,
" T a k e faft hold of inftruCtion ; let her not g o :
keep her ; for fhe is thy life. Enter not into the
path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil
men. Avoid it, pafs not by it, turn from it, and pafs
away." B e not the companions of fools, but walk
with the wife. B e convinced of your'fins, confefs
them to G o d , and feek for pardoning mercy through
the Son of his love. Spend your days under the in-
fluence of holy fear, and you will experience the di-
vine protection in life and in death. " Like as a
father pitieth his children, fo the Lord pitieth them
that fear him." Jofeph, Samuel, David, Obadiah,
Daniel, Timothy, and other pious youths, are witnef-
fes of the gracious care which the Lord taketh of his
people in times of temptation, and under allfliecir-
cumftances of life. Forget not that you are mortal,
and that you may be cut down in the bloom of youth.
Prepare to die. I pray that you may long be continued in
the world, and be made bleflings to fociety. Y o u are the
hope of the commonwealth, and of the church of God.
M a y you be faithful in both thefe relations j and be
highly inftrumental of promoting the caufe of righte-
oufnefs an(J peace, when w e w h o are n o w in the me-
ridian, or in the decline of life, fhall be numbered
with the dead.
Dear Children,
W h i l e I am addrufing the people of my charge,
I cannot forget you. Remember the texts which I
of Godly Fear. 43
UPON
B A P T I S M .
By A A R O N P U T N A M ,
PASTOR, OF THE FIRST CHURCH IN PoMFRET.
H A R T F O R D :
PRINTED BY
H U D S O N ® GOODWIN.
1801.
A S E R M O N , &c.
THANKSGIVING DISCOURSE.
DELIVERED
A DAY OBSERVED AS AN
ANNIVERSARY THANKSGIVING.
By HENRY A. ROWLAND,
H A R T F O R D :
PREACHED BEFORE
MASONS,
AT
GRANBY, in CONNECTICUT,
CALLED
HARTiFORD :
l80O.
,, S E R M O N , &c.
acts xxiv. 5, 6.
r •'•"- -— \ y . s * * / i
, -*- :'' .- < • ' - &
doctor S)anad
SER MO N
AT THE
O R D I N A T I O N
OF T H E
S E R M O N
PREACHED AT EAST-HARTFORD,
IN THE
STATE OF CONNECTICUT,
A T T H E ORDINATION OF THE
R e v . A n d r e w Tates,
AS A C O L L E A G U E - P A S T O R W I T H T H E
R e v . Eiliphalet Williams, d. d.
1
B Y JAMES DANA,\>. D.
Paftor of thefirftCongregational Church in New-Haven.
HERTFORD,
PRINTED BY HUDSON AND GOODWIN,
l802.
A S E R M O N .
* The pious and learned Mr. tfowe obferves, that an unregenerate perfon,
tho' he " cannot a<5l holily as a faint, can act rationally as a man. You can attend
B
io There is no reason to be ashamed of the Gospel.
upon the difpenfation of the gofpel, which is Gad's porter untofahation•, the feal
ty which he imprefleth his image; the glafs through which his glory fhines to
the changing of fouls into the fame likenefs. You are as able to fit in the
ailembly offaints as of mockers. You can confult the written word of God,
and thence learn what you muft be and do. Your eyes will ferve you to readi
the bible as well as a gazette or play-book. You can enquire of your minif-
ter, or of an underftanding neighbor, concerning the way and terms of blef-
fednefs. Your tongue can pronounce thefe words, What Jhall I do to be faved,
as well as thofe, What news is there going. You can apply your thoughts to
what you meet with fuitable to your cafe, in your attendance upon preach-
ing, reading, or difcourfe. You can felect an hour on purpofe, wherein to
fit alone, with this refolution, Well, I will now fpend tkis hour in confider-
ing m y eternal concernments. True, you cannot think a good thought with-
out God. But afk thy confcience, Whether upon trial thoufindeftnot an
afjiftance fufficient to carry thee thus far ? Poflibly thou wilt fay, Yea, but what
a m T the better ? I a m only brought to fee myfelf in a diftreifed perifhing
condition. 'Tis well thou art got fo far. W h a t courfe wouldft thou take
in any other diflrefs, wherein thou knoweft not what to do to help thyfelf I
Would not fuch an exigency force thee down on thy knees, and fet thee to
cry to the God of mercy for relief and help ? Reprefent then the deplorable
cafe of thy foul before him that made it, and crave his merciful relief—
Shouldft thou, when the great God fends abroad his proclamation of pardon
and peace, refufe to attend it, to confider the contents of it, and thy own cafe
in reference thereto, and thereupon to fue to him for the life of thy foul ? T h y
refufal muft needs be more provoking than thy defective performance. This
fpeaks difability ; but that rebellion and contempt.
Canft thou pretend, though thou haft no pre-affuring promife, thou haft n©
hope, ? Is it nothing to have heard fo much of God's gracious nature ? — D o
his giving his own Son, his earneft unweariedftrivingswith finners, his long
patience, the clear beams of gofpel light, the amiable appearances of his grace,
give ground for no better, no kinder thoughts of him ? Yea, hath he net
exprefslyftiledhimfelf the God hearing prayer^ taken a name on purpofe to
encourage allfejb to come to him ? Wilt thou then dare to adopt thofe profane
words, What profit is it to pray to him ? and fay, It is better to fitftill,refolv-
ing to perilh, than addrefs to him, or feek his favor ; becaufe he hath not by
promife affured thee of the iffue ; and that, if he fufpend his grace, all thou
doft will be in vain ?
H o w wouldft thou judge of the like refolution ? If the hufbandman fhould
fay, when I have fpent m y pains and coft, in breaking up and preparing the
earth, and cafting in m y feed ; if the fun fhine not, and the rain fall not in
feafon ; if the influences of heaven be fufpended ; if God withhold, his blef-
fing ; or if an invading enemy anticipate m y harveft, all I do and exj>end is to.
no
fclfpurpofe:
promife A n das God
both:together."
'Tis goodhath not afcertained
therefore m e ofbleffednefs
fitftill.Howes
Cenfure the
and contrary,
anfwer by
of thehim exprefs
rightsoiu.
and thy
There is'no Mason to be ashamed of the, Gospel. 11
The Holy Spirit was given to confirm the gofpel > to turn
the difobedient to the wifdom of the juft ; to direct, fupport
and fucceed our religious enquiries and labor. T h e Spirit
ihews the things of Chrift to his difciples, Through him
itrengthening us, w e can do all things. B y the refurre&ion of
our Lord, w e are begotten to a lively hope of an inheritance
incorruptible and undefiled in heaven. This hope influ-
enceth to purify ourfelves even as he is pure. T o a well
placed confidence in Chrift, it is unalterably requifite, that
w e poflefs his Spirit. T o no others is the gofpel the power
of G o d to falvation. 4( There is no condemnation to them
w h o are in Chrift Jefus." T h e following words point out
their character : " W h o walk not after theflefh,but after
the Spirit." T h e atonement is the purchafe and m e d i u m of
juftification and life. « G o d hath made him, w h o k n e w no
fin, to be afin-offeringfor us, that w e might be m a d e the
righteoufnefs of G o d in him." Faith in his expiatory fac-
rifice is the term of acceptance. Through faith in his blood.
Faith involves the love of the truth, an heart purified by
obedience. u W h e n the truths, promifes and precepts of
the gofpel influence the affe&ions and aftions, this gives n e w
ftrength to all the proofs alledged in favor of Chriftianity. It
colle&s every ray of evidence in the heart, and excites that
calm fatisfa&ion and anticipation of future felicity, which
none but the Chriftian can feel. H e has an intimate con-
viction, that the gofpel is not the fruit of error or impofture,
but the offspring of heaven." While his temper and life
exemplify the power of the gofpel, let infidels confefs, that
G o d is in him of a truth.
cannot be afhamed, nor can any reproach him with his credu-
lity, after death. Should he, on the contrary, exift hereafter,
he has embraced the only w a y to make his pofthumous life
happy. His faith will be applauded, w h e n all his hopes
fhall be accomplifhed, exceeding, abundantly above ail he can
n o w imagine. R e m a r k the great difference between the
believer and the fceptic. If the former is deluded, he is
yet no lofer, but rather a gainer, by his delufion \ as is evi-
dent from his prefent peace and hope. A n d if not deluded,
he fhall receive the end of his faith, the falvation of his foul.
T h e fceptic, if right in fpeculation, is practically wrong.
H e finds no fatisfa&ion in vain imaginations, which exalt
againft the knowledge of G o d 5 or in any fecular purfuits.
'He travaileth with pain all his days. Without G o d , he is
without hope. Should he exift hereafter, he will find to his
coft, that the gofpel, which he ventures to treat as a fable,
and loads with reproach, came from G o d , and that irretriev-
able ruin is the confequence of defpifing it. W i t h fallen an-
gels, he will believe and tremble.
They who are juftified by faith, and have therefore all joy
and peace in believing, have no reafon to be afhamed of
Chrift, through w h o m they have attained to their happy
ftate-^no reafon to be afhamed of the gofpel, which mani-
fefts plenteous redemption by the well-beloved Son of G o d
— n o reafon to be afhamed of the perfect rules, and perfect
pattern of Chrift.
The fcoffer affronts the good fenfe of all who have been
bred to decency. For this dictates reverence of G o d , of his
providence, and of found morals. T h e fcoffer violates all
duty and decorum ; and, as far as in him lies, faps the foun-
dation of fociety.
Lord, the God of the fpirits of all flefh, fet a man over the
congregation, w h o m a y go out before them, and w h o m a y
go in before them, and w h o m a y lead them out, and m a y
bring them in ; that the congregation of the Lord be not as
fheep w h o have no fhepherd." G o d heard this prayer, and
<c provided a m a n in w h o m was the fpirit." Knowing that
fhortly he muft put off his earthly tabernacle, naturally car-
ing for thisflock,of which he has had the overfight^/fy-
four years, its aged minifter fees his prayer anfwered. W e
blefs G o d , that he hath continued the life and labors of our
m u c h efteemed father, and made him an ornament to the
miniftry. W e participate in the fatisfaclion it gives him,
that one, in w h o m is the fpirit, is this day introduced with
perfeft unanimity to the facred office with him, n o w that
he himfelf can but fay, The hour of my departure is at hand.
It is the fupport of his advanced age, that he can take thofe
to record, a?nong w h o m he has fo long preached the gofpel, that
he is pure from.the blood of all men, not having Jhunned to declare
the whole counfel of God. M a y he not add, " According to
m y earneft expectation and m y hope, that in nothing I fhall
be afhamed ; but Chrift fhall be magnified in m y body,
whether it be by life or by death." H e thus addrefleth his
flock : " M y brethren, dearly beloyed and longed for, m y
joy and crown, fo ftand faft in the Lord, m y dearly belov-
ed." H e exhbrteth the paftor ele£t ; " Stir up the gift of
G o d which is in thee. For G o d hath not given us the fpirit
of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a found mind."
Says the Apoftle, " We are not as many who corrupt the
word of G o d : But as offincerity,but as of God, in the
fight of G o d fpeak w e in Chrift." O u r Mafter fpake and
lived as never m a n did. But an hoft of enemies, as bold as
they are malignant, are confederate to pull d o w n and de-
ftroy. A H our wifdom is required, I fay not to convince,
but tofilence,fuch foes. All our wifdom is required, to
warn every m a n , and teach every m a n , would w e prefent ey«
cry m a n perfect in Chrift.
There is no reason to be ashamed ofthe Gospel. 23
Public chriftian affemblies ever have been, and will be, the
principal means of preferving and fpreading the knowledge
of the fcriptures, the obfervation of the Lord's day, and the
profeflion of the gofpel.
Before that day fhall come, this gofpel of the kingdom fhall
be preached in all the world. T h e faithful and true witnefs
hath faid it. T h e prefent triumph of earth and hell cannot
prevent it. W h e n Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gen-
tiles and people of Ifrael, combined, and crucified t h e L o r d
of glory, it w a s their hour, and the power of darknefs. This
wrath, far from defeating the divine defigns, was overruled
to accomplifh them. Glory to G o d in the higheft, peace on
earth, and good will to m e n . T h e church is founded on a
rock; and refts aflured, that no combination of enemies
{hall prevail againft it. T h e kingdoms of m e n are divided
and perifhable : That of Chrift is uniform in power : Itfhall
break in pieces and confume all oppofing kingdoms, andflandfor
ever. The Lord Jhall be King over all the earth : In that day
there Jhall be one Lord, and his name one.
The God of all grace, who hath called us to his eternal glory
hy Jefus Chrift, after that ye have fuffered awhile, make you
perfecl,fiabliflj,flrengtheny fettle you. To him be glory and do*
minion for ever and ever. A m e n .
Dr. WEST'S
SERMON
PREACHED AT THE
O R D I N A T I O N
OF THE
NEW-HARTFORD,
B Y STEPHEN WEST, D. D.
Pastor of the Church in Stockbridge.
TO W H I C H ARE ADDED,
HARTFORD :
PRINTED BY HUDSON £if GOODWIN.
—1802.—
THE GOSPEL MINISTRY A GOOD WORK.
A n Ordination Sermon.
I TIM. III. I.
f Heb. i. 14.
14 A N ORDINATION SERMON-
APPLICATION.
* Jofhua i. 9.
16 A N ORDINATION SERMON.
AN ORDINATION HYMN,
Sung previous to the imposition of bands.
THE CHARGE,
Given by Rev. Ammj R. Robbins.
Rev. Sir
AT THE
O R D I N A T I O N
OF THE
Rev. J O S I A H B. A N D R E W S .
S E R M O N ,
DELIVERED AT THE
ORDINATION
OF THE
OF THE
SECOND CHURCH IN
KILLINGWORTH,
By A B E L FLINT,
Pastor of the South Church in Hartford.
HARTFORD:
PRINTED BY HUDSONto1GOODWIN.
18020
A S E R M O N . ®c.
A C T S xxviii. 31.
My Dear Brother,
Y o u are about to be confecrated to the work of
the evangelical miniftry, by prayer and the imposi-
tion of the hands of the prefbytery. T o this w o r k
I truft you are alfo called of G o d , elfe thefe public
ceremonies will be of no avail. W e can give only an
external commiffion ; the real qualifications for the
w o r k muft c o m e from a power infinitely fuperior to
m a n . Y o u r duty, as regards the fubjeCts on which
you are to preach, together with the general manner
of your preaching has been, tho in a very imperfeCt
manner, fet before you. Permit m e again to turn
your attention to it. Y o u are to preach the religion
of the bible in diCtinCtion from the fyftems of unin-
fpired m e n . Y o u are to preach Chrift, to have a ge-
neral reference to him in the difcuffion of all religious
fubjeCts; to inculcate the peculiar doCtrines and duties
of his religion; and to m a k e the advancement of his
caufe your great aim. Y o u are to proclaim the truth
with all confidence, at the fame time with prudence,
that you m a y be faithful to your o w n foul, and the
fouls committed to your care. In the difcharge of
your office you muft expeCt to meet with m a n y tri-
als and difficulties ; remember that your fufficiency
is not of yourfelf but of G o d , and that he hath pro-
mifed his grace fhall be fufficient for you. L o o k
therefore to him ; be a m a n of prayer-,afk for wif-
d o m from above j and as a faithful foldier of jefus
A N ORDINATION S E R M O N . 21
My Hearers,
W h a t hath been at this time delivered may ferve
to teach us what land of preaching w e ought moftly
to value. B y m a n y , at the prefent day, the great
and effential truths of the goipel are too little regard-
ed. Like the Athenians of old they require fomething
new, fomething that m a y gratify an itching ear, and
22 A N ORDINATION S E R M O N .
D
26
R I G H T H A N D O F F E L L O W S H I P , &c.
jfft#