PREFACE. A RIGHT view of the past, will contribute to wise conduct in the future. A true knowledge of those who have gone before us, will facilitate an acquaintance with ourselves. To separate the present from the past, were it practicable, would be ruinous; we could not do it if we would, we would not if we could. Yet there is great danger, in the hot excitement of present life, of practically forgetting the wholesome lessons that are read to us by other days and other scenes. Long ago, it was said by John Owen, "The world is at present in a mighty hurry, and being in many places cast off from all foundations of steadfastness, it makes the minds of men giddy with its revolutions, and disorderly in the expectations of them." If this was true two centuries ago, it is true with an emphasis to-day. There is nothing of caricature, scarcely a spice of exaggeration in the remark of one of our elegant writers, that "men seem resolved upon bringing the time speedily about, when they may look around them, and reversing the declaration of the wise man, be able to say, There is nothing old under the Sun!" It is wise, then, at times to withdraw from the hurry of the present, and expatiate amid the dim, but instructive silences of the past. 'What were prospect to us, without retrospect? A strange land without a guide.' A wise forecast is becoming in man; but to look forward wisely, we must often and thoughtfully look backward. Whatever, therefore, has a fitness to turn men's thoughts to the lessons of history, is so far valuable. Impressed with these views, the writer of this volume has aimed to bring together, in a readable form, the more important facts respecting the church and the pulpit of Worcester: for if general history has its useful bearings upon the mind and life, the history of the church, addressing itself to the spiritual nature of man, must have pre-eminent importance From the inception of the undertaking to the present moment, he has found an increasing interest in it, and he is not without hope that the work will in some degree, combine both instruction and entertainment for the reader. He has been much indebted to Lincoln's History of Worcester in his preparations for the press, and hereby expresses his thanks to the brother of that author, the Hon. John W. Lincoln, for permission to make free use of its facts and statements. To all others who have kindly lent him their aid in furnishing illustrations for the Pulpit, he would return due acknowledgment. He would also express his regret that he could not find room for all the contributions forwarded by his friends. At first, he doubted whether he should be able to command the materials requisite for a respectable volume; but the work in its progress so grew upon his hands, and the matter for its pages became so abundant, that a severe abridgment was often found indispensable in order to keep the work within reasonable dimensions. It will be seen that the Pulpit illustrations not only exhibit great diversity in respect of style and literary excellence, but also contain opinions that are not in precise accordance with each other. Where selections were to be made from the pulpit ministrations of several denominations of Christians, of course no other result could be anticipated. The candid reader will doubtless recognize and cheerfully allow the right of each one who speaks in this Pulpit, to express his own thoughts in his own way, and hold the Editor responsible for no sentiment which he has not either directly, or indirectly endorsed. It was no part of his intention to prepare a work which should gratify a few at the expense of being offensive to the many. He desired that each denomination, with its pulpit, should be presented fairly; and, although he could wish that the work were a far less imperfect realization of his intention, yet, such as it is, he now commits it to the indulgent regards of those for whom it was principally intended, with the hope that its historical notices, and biographical sketches will increase their respect for the men who have passed away, and that the counsels and admonitions of its Pulpit may fall upon willing ears, and aid in making better the heart and the life. CONTENTS. 1. First Settlement. When begun, p. 13. Its name, 14. Re- port of Committee as to the aspect and capacity of the place, 15. Deed from the Indians, 16. Progress of the place, 16. Destroyed 2. Second Settlement. Its obstacles, 18. Change of name, 19. Survey and distribution of territory, 20. No record extant, 20. When begun, and by whom, 21. Pro- Mode of living, 22. Remarkable lon- 1. Gathering of the Church. First meeting-house, 26. Second meeting-house, 27. Sentiments respecting church-organization, 28. Date of organization, 30. First Deacons, 30. 2. Rev. Andrew Gardner. When ordained, 31. Complaints against him, 32. Measures to remove him, with advice of Cotton Mather, 32-33. Dismissed, 34. Early history of, settlement in Lunen- burg, difficulties there, and his dismission, 34-36. Becomes a teacher, 37. Sketch of his character, 38-42. 3. Rev. Isaac Burr. His ordination, 44. Happy ministry for fifteen years, 45. Trials, 46-48. Dismissed, 48. Early life and sketch 4. Rev. Thaddeus Maccarty. Preceded by numerous candidates, 52. Officiates with Rev. Jonathan Mayhew, 53. When installed, 54. Continuance of his ministry, 56. Early life, settlement in Kings- ton, and dismission, 57-59. Sickness and death, 60. Monu- mental inscription, 61. Character and qualities as a preacher, 66-67. Sermon on Spiritual Freedom, 68-84. Extracts from discourse delivered July 14, 1774, 86-98. 5. Rev. Samuel Austin, D. D. Preceded by Rev. Daniel Story, 99. Haven, 104. Reasons for his dismission thence, 105. His labors 6. Rev. Charles A. Goodrich. When settled, 173. His success and trials, 174. His early life, 175. Literary labors, 176. His sermon on 'sin universal, and reasons for preaching the doctrine,' 7. Rev. Araetius B. Hull. When ordained, 198. Early history, 199. Sickness and death, 200. Character as a man, a Christian, and a Christian minister, 201. Epitaph, 202. His sermon on the 8. Rev. Rodney A. Miller. His early life, ordination, ministry and 9. Rev. George P. Smith. When educated, when settled, and § 1. Formation of the church. State of things at the time of Mr. Maccarty's decease, 226. Efforts to settle two clergymen over the same society, 227. Diversity of religious opinions, 228. sion, and the formation of a new Society, 228. Regarded as a bold innovation, 229. The church organized and minister settled, 2. Rev. Dr. Bancroft. When settled, 232. Early history, 233, 234. Tribute to Mrs. B., 235. His literary labors, 236. Character as a man and a minister, 238-249. Sermon on the Ministry of Christ in human salvation,' 251-262. Sermon on 'Lessons from 3. Rev. Alonzo Hill. Colleague of Dr. Bancroft, 274. When set- tled, and principal facts in his ministry, 274-276. Extracts from |