Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-11-23
RELIGIOUS MISCELLANY.

We have received, in pamphlet form,
"A Farewell Sermon, preached to the
Church and Society in Cornwall, May
/ 29, 1886, by Jedediah Bushnell, late Pas
tor, new edition" From hasty glance
at the work, we think we'll Of most of it.
The following is the peroration.
1t now remains for me to take my leave
ofyou, as your pastor, which, all things
considered, readily do. | commenced
preaching the Gospel thiry-eiget years
ago last FEBRUARY. The first five years of
my ministry, except few weeks, | labor
ed In the new settlements Of our country,
most oil the time an itinerant missionary
in behalf ofthe missionary society of Con
necticut. ! have always considered that
as the most happy and useful period ofmy
whole life. have been the pastor ofthis
church and people thirty three years, on
the day of my dismission. have gener-
ally been happy with my people. re-
joice that have been located here in Prov
idence, and am we'll satisfied with my dis
mission, at the present time think the
time has fully come for that event.
thank you for all the respect, which YOU
have shown me through long ministry.
and for all the assistance you have afford
ed to my person, and family, and to the
cause placed under my labors. We all
have had our faults. l have had many.
thank you for the courtesy with which
you have overlooked my mistakes through
many years. 1t is true, and not too much
to be said, at this time, that you have in
clined to bury my faults, rather than hold
them up to public view. This has been
much to your credit, and for my comfort
thank you also, for the donation, which
you generously voted me, at the close Of
the sitting ofthe council for my dismission,
as expressive Of your respect and kindness
to me. Suffice it to say. that am entire
ly satisfied with the adjustment of my dis
mission, and of all things in the settle
ment Of afnrs, and am this day happy.
earnestly desire, that our affections
may continue to be mutual, and our inter
course free and happy, while we live. 1t
would be easy for me, though dismissed,
to make you some unhappy, and for you
TO make me and my family SO but l pray
God, that this may never be the case but
that we may live together, as those engag-
ed in the same holy cause, and bound to
the same happy world, where so many are
gone, who now rejoice in their once mu-
tual fellowship here below.
Live, my dear people, together in love.
Keep the unity Of the Spirit in the bond
of peace Make the sancti6cation Of the
church Of God, and the salvation of sin
ners, your ruling object here below
Subordinate all other valuable interests to
that last end Of God among men in this
world. Let past differences of opinion, il
there be any, be forgotten, and every per
son combine in sweet concert to build up
the house of the Lord Associate togeth
er, and bear the ark Of the covenant of the
Lord of hosts forward 10 the salvation Of
b this people.
A thousand tender emotions crowd on
:, my mind, in parting with you, and mingIe
). with my hopes and fears for your future
J.. welfare. Fourteen times, within the
space of thirty-three years, has the Holy
:, Ghost from heaven been sent down upor
I this people with divine power. Some O
these revivals have been very genera
through the town. Others Of them have
! been more limited in their influence
. But all Of them have been very happy, ir
, their results. During the same period
i six hundred and eighty-two persons have
been added to this church: some of then
. by letters, but far the greater portion o
. them by profession. Among these there
. have been some failures, which have
caused US grief. But the greater share
a OF them have maintained that consistency
OF character, which has enabled them tc
IS pass as believers among men. Many 0
them have removed to new settlements
e and it is hoped are building up Zion there
e In this respect we have swarmed like I
is hive. Many others have died. who it il
s. hoped, are now in glory: Some of them
ID IN their last moments, manifested holy
= triumph which death itself out-braved.-
ht ihey now sleep in the dust let then
or steep on, until the ArchangePs trum]
y snall raise their sleeping dust and we Sc
z them again in body and soul Many ais
:: :: from this church have been educated, an
- have gone into the gospel ministry: all q
= these, 1t IS believed, have been useful, an
Il some Of them have risen to eminence il
d, their work. A large class of others mr.