Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-05-06
The Address.


81 am thankful, my Christi1n friends,
that providence hath so far favored us in
the erection of this place, that it is now
completely finished; that a regular Chris
tan church is established amongst us; and
that we are met together for the first time
on such an occasion as this. May provi-
dence preserve this building, which has
been erected with so much cheerfulness, for
many ages; and may great numbers who
are yet unborn meet together here, to sup
port Christian ordinances, and worship God
in spirit and in truth when our heads shall
| all be laid in the dust, and our names for
| gotten amongst men.
Or Doddridge observes, in his introduce
tory sermon to his lectures against popery,
which | have in manuscript: Such of you
who have frequently attended my ministry,
well know that it has not been my custom,
to insist on subjects of controversial divin-
ity. As my temper does not incline me tC
dispute, so | confess, when | seriously con
slider the Importance of that eternal world
to which we are fastening, | can seldom
persuade myself to employ in matters OF
criticism and debate, those sacred and inn
portant moments, which we separate from
our common time, with a view to more
immediate preparation for it. Practice
preaching is under God, the great support
of the gospel as practical precepts have
everywhere the greatest stress laid upoI
them in it.
81 most sincerely and heartily assent t
the sentiments contained in the above quo
tation And you, my friends can witnes
for me, that | very seldom indeed brinl
matters of controversy into my public dis
courses. | shall, however on tn
present occasion, give you my opinion, a
briefly as may be, on some controversial
points.
Before | came into this country, wrot
to Dr. Morse respecting a removal hither
informing him | was no great stickler TO
particular sentiments in religion; being wei
assured that many wiser and better thai
myself differed from me, both on the on
side and on the other. But as it was gen
orally reckoned there should be some con
siderable agreement between a minister an
his people, l would observe, | might per
haps be Justly stiled a moderate Baxterian
there being no other | was acquainted with
who more generally agreed with me on re
ligious subjects than he did. The docto
answered, there were many ministers il
New England of similar sentiments wit
mine.
81 landed in Boston the 18th of June
| iJO anu III mdICLi l'Of, came W ibi III
family to marlborough, to settle on
farm. Immediately after my arrival her
/ was desired to preach, and was the onl
minister in this town for 20 years; t
which Office l was chosen annually, that
to say, 90 times in 20 years, always, as
have been told, by large majorities, an
often without dissenting voice.
Here | lived in great peace and comfor
with my parish, having never had any dill
ference, nor even dispute with any one
l shall always reflect with pleas
ure on that part of my life, having reaso
to hope my labors were not without d
vine blessing. l consider man
people in this town, who do not now atten
my labors, as my old friends, for whom
shall retain an affectionate regard to m
dying hour. And | can appeal
S my late flock to say whether | was negl
, gent of their spiritual welfare.
= "The latter end of March, 1914, in col
sequence of i'll health, and other caus'
' that need not be mentioned, l gave up m
pastoral charge. The very next Sabbat
/ was invited to preach at the village; Il