congregation in his favour, and apprehending that his services would not be useful to the church, voluntarily resigned his charge, shortly after his appointment. This circumstance was communicated to the venerable society, in a letter, dated August 31, 1767.

At a meeting of the proprietors of the church, on Easter Monday, 1768, the wardens and vestry were empowered and instructed to make application to Mr. Mather Byles, at that time settled as a Congregational clergyman in New London, Connecticut, to become their minister. In answer to his communication, Mr. Byles writes, April 22, "Yesterday, with great difficulty and expense, I obtained an honourable dismission from the first ecclesiastical society in this place. I now look upon myself at full liberty to enter into a communion which I conscientiously prefer, and to accept of the invitation you have given me. I accordingly, this day, declare my acceptance; and most sincerely pray the great Head of the church, that our union may be for his glory and our mutual advantage, in time and to eternity."

On the 29th of the same month, he arrived in Boston, in order to proceed to London, to obtain Episcopal ordination. Having been furnished by the proprietors with the requisite testimonials to the bishop of London, and also with a letter to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, soliciting the continuance of their mission to this church in the person of Mr. Byles, on his admission to holy orders, he embarked for England in May following. Having obtained Episcopal orders, and an appointment as missionary to this church, he returned the latter part of September, the same year. What success attended his ministerial labours, I have found no means of ascertaining. It ap pears, by the records, that he continued his services till April, 1775, when he resigned his charge, for what reason does not appear, and accepted an invitation from the church in Portsmouth, N. H. From this time, the church was closed, till August, 1778, when it was again supplied by the services of the Rev. Stephen Lewis. Mr. Lewis continued to officiate till the year 1784, or 1785. At what particular time, or for what reason, he discontinued his services, the records do not inform us.

At a meeting of the proprietors, on Easter Monday, 1786, it was voted, that Mr. William Montague be employed, on trial, as lay reader, for six months. At the expiration of this term, the engagement was renewed.. In June, 1787, Mr. Montague, at the request of the congregation, obtained holy orders, and continued his services, with some interruptions, till May, 1792, when he declined officiating any longer as their minister.

On the 29th of the same month, the Rev. Wm. Walter, D. D., who for some time previous bad officiated at the church in Cambridge, and occasionally in this church, was unanimously appointed its rector. This appointment was accepted by the doctor, and in this relation he closed his earthly labours. Dr. Walter was the son of the Rev. Nathaniel Walter, a Congregational clergyman in Roxbury. He was born in 1737; was educated at Harvard college, and received the honours of that university in 1756 He was ordained by the bishop of London; was appointed assistant minister of Trinity church, in this town, under the

Rev. Mr. Hooper, at whose decease he succeeded to the rectorship, which he held until 1776, when, on account of the troubles of the revolution, he was induced for a season to leave the country. In 1784, the honorary degree of doctor in divinity was conferred on bim by King's college, Aberdeen. He returned to the United States in 1791. On the 5th of Dec. 1800, in the 64th year of his age, he was called to give an account of his stewardship. The Rev Dr. Parker, rector of Trinity church, preached his funeral sermon. His remains were deposited in the family tomb under this church, in which, during the last eight years of his ministry, he faithfully dispensed the word of life. On the day subsequent to his death, the following respectful notice of the event appeared in one of the publick newspapers." Yesterday departed this life, in the 64th year of his age, after a short illness, sustained with the most exemplary resignation and fortitude, the Rev. William Walter, D. D., rector of Christ church in this town. In the death of this truly valuable minister, religion mourns the loss of one of her most obedient children and brightest ornaments; the church, over which he presided, a zealous pastor, and her great glory; humanity, a firm friend literature and science, a scholar and support; his disconsolate children, a fond, instructive, and dignified parent; his other relations and acquaintance, a most faithful counsellor; and the poor, an upright steward and benevolent almoner. So exemplary has been his whole life, and so religiously composed his dying hours, that we may well exclaim, Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his."

In May, 1801, the Rev. Samuel Haskell succeeded to the rectorship of the church, in which situation he remained till September, 1803, when he resigned his charge, and accepted an invitation from the church in Gardiner, in the state of Maine.

At the request of the wardens, your present rector officiated, for the first time in this church, as lay reader, on the 23d of October, following. In this capacity he continued his services till the summer of 1805, when, at the solicitation of the congregation, he applied for holy orders, and was ordained deacon, on Wednesday, July 31, and priest, on Friday, August 2, in Trinity church, in the city of New York, by the Rt. Rev. Benjamin Moore, D. D., Bishop of the diocese of New York.

And

During the last twenty years, my brethren, you have had the satisfaction of seeing your church gradually rising from a state of feebleness and depression, and going on from strength to strength. Through the Divine blessing on your united counsels, your zealous and persevering exertions, you now behold it in a more prosperous and flourishing state than it has enjoyed since the death of its first rector. may we not indulge the hope, that the same period has been mark ed by a corresponding grow th of its members in the virtues and graces of the divine life; that, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone, they have been growing unto a holy temple in the Lord?

Since the year 1805, the ordinance of baptism has been administered to 654 persons; 238 have been confirmed; 270 have been admitted to the holy communion; 240 couple have been united in the bands of

marriage; and over the remains of nearly 200 the funeral solemnities have been performed. The number of families, which compose the present congregation, is eighty. The number of individuals, including adults and children, about 500, of whom about 200 are communicants. In June, 1815, a Sunday school was established, to which more than 1000 children have been admitted, among whom upwards of 3000 books, of different sizes and descriptions, have been distributed, The school at present consists of 130 scholars, a superintendent, 18 teachers, and a visiting committee of 6. The average attendance of the children is from 75 to 100.

From this concise statement of the origin, progress, and present prosperity of our church, does it not become us, my brethren, to remember, and gratefully to acknowledge, the loving kindness of God in the midst of his temple? It is he who inclined the hearts of our forefathers to erect this house to his name, and crowned their labours with success. Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it. It is to his guardianship and protection that we owe its preservation. Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. If the ministrations of this house have contributed to the conversion and salvation of any who have worshipped within its courts, it is owing to his blessing on the means of grace; for, though Paul may plant, and Apollos may water, it is God who giveth the increase. Not unto us, therefore, but to his name be the praise.

By the view we have taken of the past, we are forcibly reminded of the flight of time, and of the desolations which mark its progress. Where are now the persons who built this house, and the congregation which first assembled within its walls? Not an individual is to be found among the living. All have been long since gathered to their fathers. The seats they once occupied are filled by others. The light of the returning sabbath cheers not their dark abode. Their ears are insensible alike to the sweet accents of mercy, and the fearful denunciations of a judgment to come. Their hearts no longer swell with the raptures of devotion. Hosannas to the Son of David no longer dwell on their tongues. Whether they were wise or unwise in their day and generation; whether they dissembled with their Maker, or worshipped him in spirit and truth; whether they persisted to the last in rejecting the counsel of God against themselves, or believed to the saving of their souls;-the term of their probation is ended, their warfare is accomplished, their destiny is unalterably fixed. How solemn, how affecting the thought! Soon, my brethren, will it be said of us, as it is now said of those who have gone before us. The places which know us will shortly know us no more for ever. Whether we are abusing or profiting by our religious privileges, whether we are working out our salvation with fear and trembling, or consuming our days in vanity and sin, we are hastening, with rapid step, to that "country from whose bourne no traveller returns." Before another century shall have rolled away, the congregation here assembled will be numbered with the congregation of the dead. Before half that period shall have elapsed, many, probably most, of us shall have finish7 GOSPEL ADVOCATE, VOL. IV.

ed our course. What manner of persons then ought we to be? If our interests through eternity depend on the use we make of our present privileges; if there be no repentance in the grave, if after death cometh the judgment, at which every one shall receive according to the deeds done in the body, whether they be good or evil; how highly should we estimate the means of grace and salvation, which we now enjoy? With what zeal and perseverance should we labour, in the use of these means, to become reconciled to God, and to make our calling and election sure. How assiduously should we watch and pray against whatever may divert us from our Christian course, or endanger the prize to which we aspire. Let us work the work of him that sent us, while it is day, remembering that the night cometh when no man can work. Let us be steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that our labour will not be in vain in the Lord.

The church, whose history we have been tracing, presents no ordinary claims to our reverence and regard. It has become venerable for its antiquity. It has survived three generations of our race, and will probably survive as many more. It is the place where our fathers worshipped, and under which their lifeless remains repose in peace and safety. Many, we trust, who frequented its courts in the days of their pilgrimage, were here made meet for the worship of a temple, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. At this sacred font, many of us have been solemnly dedicated to the service of our Creator, and made members of his visible church. Here, we have ratified and confirmed our baptismal engagements. At this altar, we have often kuelt and received the pledges of the Redeemer's love, in the consecrated symbols of his body and blood. Here, when life's silver cord shall be broken, we hope to sleep with our kindred and friends, till the morning of the resurrection, when, at the sound of the last trump, we shall rise to meet the Lord in the air, and to serve him day. and night in his temple. Associated with so many impressive and interesting recollections and anticipations, can we fail to regard this sacred temple with the liveliest emotions of veneration and love? Shall we not cherish towards it kindred sentiments with those of the Psalmist, when he exclaimed, It I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. It I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

Influenced by these sentiments, we shall be solicitous to preserve, as much as possible, this venerable monument of the zeal and piety of former days, from the ravages of time, and to transmit it, unimpaired, to posterity. Viewing it as a sacred deposite committed to our trust, not merely for our own benefit, but for that of future generations, we shall be anxious that it may pass from our hands under circumstances which shall endear it to their affections, and recommend it to their support, bearing the impress of our liberality, and perpetuating the lustre of our example. As a society, we shall study the things that make for peace. The only contention among us will be," that of the vine and the olive, which shall bear the most and the best fruit ;" who

shall do most to advance the glory of God and the salvation of his fellow creatures. Sensible that without him we can do nothing, our devout supplications will daily rise to the great Head of the church, who has promised to be with her even unto the end of the world; that peace may be a perpetual guest within her walls, and prosperity in all her palaces; and, as an evidence of the sincerity of our prayers, the pious resolution of each individual will be," For my brethren and companions' sake, I will now say, peace be within thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek to do thee good." That this house of prayer may prove, to each one of us, and to thousands and tens of thousands, who may successively worship within its walls, none other than the house of God, and the gate of heaven, may God of his infinite mercy grant for the Redeemer's sake. Amen.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.

It is a fact which all must acknowledge, that a vast number of modern professors of Christianity are living, and (if we may judge of feeling from conduct) are feeling as differently from the primitive Christians, as soldiers, in time of peace, live and feel differently from those who are vigorously engaged in war. If any one doubt this, let him attentively read the Acts of the apostles and their epistles, and he will be convinced. It is not the fact itself, but the cause of that fact which affords matter for speculation.

Has the Captain of our salvation then disbanded his soldiers? Has he countermanded his orders, of girding up our strength, of putting on the whole armour of God," of taking the shield of faith," and "the sword of the Spirit?" Is the good fight of faith over, and the mead of glory won? No! the church is yet militant, and the commands to strive,"* (in the original with all our might.) to watch, to contend for the faith, to leave the things that are behind, to press forward, are repeated from day to day. The world, the flesh, and the devil," are still as powerful as ever, and stand ready to contest every foot of ground the Christian would secure. Why, then, are Christians at ease?

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Let us consider for a moment the conduct of those early believers, that the comparison may be seen in a more striking light. Dr. Paley, in his evidences of the Christian religion, chapter 1. informs us, "that after men became Christians, much of their time was spent in prayer and devotion, in religious meetings, in celebrating the eucha rist, in conferences, in exhortations, in preaching, in an affectionate

*Luke xiii. 24. "Strive to enter in at the strait gate, for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in and shall not be able." Dr. Campbell has expressed the meaning of the Greek much better in his translation, "Force your entrance through the strait gate; for many, I say unto you, will request to be admitted who shall not prevail."