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1717.

ces.

SEC. XIII. preserved by keeping clear of entangling allianThere is however a partial coalescence between churches, which rather promotes, than hinders, the general objects of religious association. Some congregations, from local proximity, affinity of theological opinions, or other circumstances, are more likely to associate, than others; but such associations have no effect on the discipline or interiour regulations of individual societies. Thus there is a certain indefinable union among all the congregational churches in the metropolis. Their ministers are united in holding an association at each others' houses, every other monday, in supporting a Theological Library, in preaching a weekly lecture, and a quarterly charity lecture; and the several congregations tacitly agree in attending these lectures and favouring these institutions. The First Church is united with the Fourth, the Second with the Fifth, and the Sixth with the Seventh, in support of a monthly lecture, attended commonly, on the friday, immediately preceding the sunday, on which is celebrated the Lord's supper. The union, for this purpose, between the First and Fourth churches commenced, in the beginning of the year 1720.† The lecture is

This institution, which was founded, 1 June, 1807, invites however, and receives, subscriptions from both clergy and laity of all denominations.

↑ "The sacrament of the Lord's supper being administered on the first Lord's day of every month, as in our old church, so in that neighbouring one, of which the Rev. Mr. Colman and Cooper are pastors; their church, by a letter dated January 18, 1719, made a motion to ours, that a lecture, on every friday, in the afternoon

1720.

attended in Brattle-street, and preached by the SEC. XIII. pastors of the two congregations alternately. There is indeed no express warrant for such an exercise in the christian scriptures; and some have doubted the propriety of upholding the custom. They have alleged, that it tends to bring the ordinance of preaching into contempt with some, by making it too frequent, and that its effect is injurious to others, by inducing a belief, that some unusual, peculiar preparation is necessary for commemorating the death of our Saviour. But it ought to be remembered, that an attendance on this lecture is by no means considered an indispensable requisite for communion, on the following sunday; and that any religious institution, which brings people voluntarily together, naturally expands the mind, and can hardly be unfavourable to the progress of charity. In the case just mentioned, the effect of the lecture has been happy. It has contributed to the harmony of both the ministers and brethren of the two societies.†

In 1725, Mr. Wadsworth was chosen president of Harvard college. His flock parted with him reluctantly, yet amicably, not without deliberation and prayer, yet without the formality of a

might be attended, in their meeting-house, by these two churches, and the lecture sermons be preached by the ministers of both churches. This letter was read with us, on the Lord's day, Feb. 7, 1719-20, and, after a week's time for consideration, our church, by a (silent) vote, complied with the motion they made to us.

"This vote, was on February 14, 1719-20.” First Church "ecords, p. 110.

X

† Dr. Thacher's Century Discourse.

1725.

1725.

SEC. XIII. dismissing council. He continued to preach to them in his turn, for some little time, after he was installed at Cambridge; ever afterwards enjoyed their friendship; and, at his death, left a legacy for the poor of the church.†

President Wadsworth was born at Milton, in 1669, and graduated at Harvard college, in 1690. He was the first minister of this church educated at the neighbouring university. He was the son of capt. Samuel Wadsworth, who distinguished himself by his courage, and, in 1676, fell a victim to the Indian war. The president, with filial piety, erected a monument to the bravery of his father and his valiant soldiers.*

In

The powers of president Wadsworth's mind were rather strong, than brilliant; and his manners rather grave, than animated. His memory was uncommonly retentive. He could easily quote almost any verse in the bible, without recurring to the page; though he wrote his sermons with care, he always delivered them memoriter. the office of president of the college, he wanted not prudence and fidelity; but, in bodily stature and dignity of deportment, he was inferiour to his predecessor Leverett ; nor were his science and literature so various and conspicuous, as preeminently to distinguish him, as the head of the university. Yet he was a practical, useful character. As a preacher, he was perspicuous and solemn; as a pastor, watchful and exemplary; and, as a christian, so liberal and exact in his charities,

F. C. records, p. 412.

* Holmes's Annals. i. 429.

as to give to the poor a tenth part of his income. SEC. XIII. He was author of several publications.*

This gentleman was dismissed from his pastoral office, 16 June, 1725, and from the labours of human life, 12 March, 1737, in the 68th year of

* 1. An artillery election sermon, 1700.

2. Exhortations to piety, 1702.

3. Three sermons, entitled, Men worse in their carriage to God, than one another; Psalms sung with grace in the heart; A pious tongue an enriching treasure, 1706.

4. Discourses on the day of judgment, 1709.

5. A sermon on assembling at the house of God, 1710... 6. The well-ordered family, 1712.

7. Five sermons, viz. The first, on 30 September, 1711, from Psalm lxxiii. 1. being the last delivered in the old meetinghouse, which was burnt, 2 October, 1711. The second, from Lamentations ii. 31. at the south meeting-house in Boston, 7 October, 1711, being the first Lord's day after the fire. The third, on 18 December, 1711, from Psalm xxvi. 8. being a fast kept by the Old Church, occasioned by the burning of their meeting-house. The fourth, on 3 May, 1713, from Hag. ii. 9, being the first in the Brick meeting-house, where the former was burnt. The fifth, on 12 November, 1713, from Zech. iv. 7. A thanksgiving sermon, for God's goodness, in providing a new meeting-house for the Old Church; with a preface, giving some account of the fire, 2 October, 1711.

8. Explanation of the assembly's catechism, 1714.

9. Invitation to the gospel feast, in eleven sermons, 12mo. Saint's prayer to escape temptation; a discourse on the death of Isaac Addington, 1715.

10. Election sermon, 1716.

11. Twelve single sermons on various subjects, 1717.

12. Zeal against flagrant wickedness; essay for spreading the gospel into ignorant places, 1718.

13. Christ's fan in his hand; Imitation of Christ, a christian duty, 1722.

14. A dialogue between a minister and his neighbour, on the Lord's supper, 1724.

15. It is honourable not shameful to suffer, 1725.

16. The benefits of a good, and the mischiefs of an evil conscience, in fourteen sermons; None but the righteous saved, 1725,

1725.

SEC. XIII. his age. He was minister of this church,twenty-nine years, and twelve, a president of the university.

1725.

*

Upon the removal of president Wadsworth to 17 Aug. Cambridge, a fast was immediately kept by the congregation, and measures were taken to supply the vacancy with another pastor. 12 June, 1727, a choice was made. Of one hundred and ten votes given in for a minister, three were scattered, Mr. Welsteed had forty-three, and sixty-four were for Mr. Chauncy, who was declared duly chosen, and who was ordained, on the 25th of October following.* At a meeting, on the second of that month, the brethren of the church passed a number of votes, preparatory to the ordination, selected their council, and assigned the principal parts of the consecrating service.

1727.

During the twelve years, ending with 1727, two hundred and forty-one persons had been admitted into the church, one hundred and fifty-six of whom were females. In the same time, four hundred and seventy-four children were baptized, two hundred and fifty-eight of whom were males.

* "October 25, 1727, Mr. Chauncy was accordingly ordained. Mr. Wadsworth being sick, and not at the ordination, Mr. Foxcroft began with prayer. Mr. Chauncy preached the sermon from Matt. xxviii. 20. Mr. Thacher prayed after the sermon. Mr. Colman presided, as moderator, in taking the votes, and giving the charge; praying both before and after. Dr. Mather gave the fellowship of the churches." First Church records, 122.

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