and all the succeeding generations who should be more frequent, and more shall enjoy the benefit of these noble earnest in our prayers to almighty benefactions, ought not only to feel, God, and the adorable Head of the but suitably to express our gratitude church, that he will send labourers to the pious donors. To make the into his harvest,-pastors after his ministers of the gospel rich, or to sup- own mind; and that he will direct ply them with the means of luxury, and prosper those who now are enwould, generally speaking, be more gaged in the sacred ministry. It is likely to injure than to promote their much to be feared ibat there is among usefulness. They ought to be exam- us a very great deficiency in this duty, ples of temperance, good economy, without which, you well know, all we and self-denial. Their circumstances do else is to little purpose.

Our should be that temperate mean, be- blessed Lord has particularly comtween want and abundance, which is manded us, as the most effectual reasonably competent to the faithful means of obtaining labourers for bis discharge of their many and very im- work, to apply directly, by prayer, to tant duties. In a diocese which is him, the Lord of the harvest. That he large, a bishop cannot do credit to his may inspire, direct, and hear our office, no, justice to his charge, whilst prayers, God mercifully grant through encumbered with the whole parochial Jesus Christ. duties of one church.

ALEX, V. GRISWOLD. It is not, I trust, necessary even to remind those who compose

this convention, how essential to the prospe

To the Editor of the Gospel Advocate. rity of our churches is the diffusion of Among those who came to Salem in religious knowledge, and chiefly " the the second embarkation, in 1629, were first principles of the doctrine of Messrs. Samuel and John Brown, the Christ." For ibis end, you will rea- one a lawyer, and the other a merchant, dily perceive that we ought to have, both men of wealth, and recognised throughout the whole diocese, one among the first patentees. Whether uniform and well devised plan of ca- they left England to escape persecutechetical instruction. It should be, tion, or from mercenary consideraas I conceive, a systematick digest of tions, does not appear ; it is evident, the rudiments of Christian theology, however, that they were strongly atwell calculated for instructing children tached to the ritual of the English in the church catechism ; youth re- church, and entertained the reasona. specting confirmation,and young people, ble expectation that the church about and all who need it, what is the nature, to be organized in Salem, would adand what the benefits of receiving, the here to the formulary and government Lord's supper. Whether it is expe- of the establishment. But they were dient for this convention to appoint a soon undeceived. Governour Endicommittee, or to take any measures on cott, previously to their arrival, had this subject, you will judge.

communicated his views to the church In no one thing, as I conceive, can in Plymouth, and two articles were we better promote the interests of re- mutually agreed on,viz, that the church ligion, than in selecting, encouraging, at Salem should not acknowledge any and aiding pious young men, of suita- ecclesiastical jurisdiction in the church ble qualifications, to labour as mis- at Plymouth, and that the authority of sionaries in the remote parts of this ordination should not exist in the clerdiocese. Or, if there be any one gy, as in the protestant churches in duty of still greater importance, it is, Europe, but should depend entirely that all the members of our churches upon the election of the members of

a

* " to exe

>

the church ; and that there should be mined,” says Mr. Bentley, * a representative of this power continu- cute his plan of church government. ally in the church. Mr. Endicott was Unexperienced in the passions of men, resolved to disown all connexion with and unaccustomed to consult even his the church of England, to establish an friends, he was resolved to admit no independent form of ecclesiastical go- opposition. They who could not be vernment, and to abolish the use of the terrified into silence, were not comEnglish liturgy. Soon after the arri. manded to withdraw ; but they were val of the Browns, a publick meeting seized and transported as criminals. was called to obtain the sanction of The fear of injury to the colony in. the colony to these measures.

Mr. duced its friends in England, to give Endicott was successful, but not with- private satisfaction, and then to write out a vigorous opposition from a very a reproof to him who had been the respectable minority, who had been cause of such outrages, and Endicott active in promoting the settlement. never recovered his reputation in EngAt the head of this minority were the land.” Browns, both of whom were members Of Episcopacy and Episcopalians in of the council. Finding their efforts Salem we hear nothing further until a to restore the ancient worship and or century from this period. During that der of the church ineffectual, they time, however, it is presumed the withdrew from the society, and as. number of persons attached to the sembled in a private house, for the worship of the church was gradually purposes of devotion. They did not increasing ; for, in 1733, a large and continue long, however, in the enjoy. respectable society was formed, and ment of their religious rights and privi- the present church erected upon land leges. The magistrates, or rather Mr. given by Philip English, Esq. Endicott, having sent to demand a rea- The first minister of St. Peter's son for the separation, they replied,that, church, was the Rev. Charles Brock“as they were of the church of England, well, A.M. This gentleman was eduestablished by law in their native coun- cated at St. Catharine's Hall, (Camtry, it was highly proper they should bridge,) and left England for this counworship God as the government re- try, May 11, 1737, having been apquired from whom they received their pointed missionary to St. Andrew's charter : surely they might be permit. church, Scituate, (Mass.): but finding ted that liberty of conscience, which all neither the place nor the people to anconceived so reasonable when they swer his expectations, he accepted an were on the other side of the water.", invitation from the church in Salem, and Their arguments, however, were pro

united with them in a petition to the nouliced mutinous and seditious hy society for propagating the gospel in most of the first settlers, who, notwith foreign parts, to sanction bis removal. standing their recent sufferings for re. He entered on his official duties at ligious liberty, were resolved that none Salem, October 8, 1738, and May 9, sbould participate the blessings of this 1739, was the first appointed mis. promised land, but“ saints of levelling sionary. In a letter to the society in principles and puritanical feelings." England, soon after this period, the The Browns, refusing to comply with wardens and vestry of the church ex. the wishes of Endicott and his partic pressed the highest satisfaction at the sans, were transported back to Eng. land. Governour Endicott was de

* See a description and history of Salem, cidedly inimical to the interests of the the Massachusetts Historical Society, vol. 6.

2

appointinent of Mr. Brockwell, and the bishop of London, as successor to spoke of him in the warmest terms of Rev. Mr. Roe. approbation.

On the petition of the church in Sa. The Society in return, forwarded a lem, the society in England sent over large number of the book of common the Rev. William M Gilchrist, A. M. prayer and tracts, for gratuitous dis- to succeed Mr. B. Mr. M Gilchrist tribution, and also furnished books for was born in Scotland, A, D, 1703, and a parochial library. The indefatiga. graduated at Baliol college, Oxford, in ble exertions of this venerable society 1731. He was ordained deacon by in the service of religion, deserves the Dr. Reynolds, bishop of Lincoln, May warmest praise of every Christian, and 20, 1733, and priest' by Dr. Benson, demands the gratitude of every church- bishop of Gloucester, Aug. 17, 1735. man in America. It commenced its In 1741, he was sent out by the sooperations in the first year of the last ciety to South Carolina, where he ar. century, with special reference to the rived in September of the same year, American colonies, and its disinterest and officiated in St. Philip's church, ed efforts in furthering the cause of Charleston, as assistant to the Rev. primitive Christianity, by the support commissary Garden, until May, 1745, of missionaries, catechists, and school. when he was obliged, in consequence of masters, were continued without inter. indisposition, to resign his charge and ruption, through a period of more than return to England. He carried with him 70 years, until the war of the revolu- the esteem and respect of the people, lion drove its missionaries from the and testimonials from the commissary field of their spiritual labour, and pros- of his “ excellent moral character his trated in the dust all the hopes of the diligence in the sacred office, and his church of England America. Be. allaininents in literature.” On the sides the Christian liberality displayed restoration of his health, he was apin the support of missionaries, &c. the pointed to succeed Mr. Brockwell, in society annually expended a conside. Salem, and entered on the duties of his rable sum in the purchase of books for office in 1747. distribution and for the establishment Under the long and faithful ministry of parochial libraries for the benefit of of Mr. M.G. the Episcopal church the clergy.* From its formation, to gradually increased, until it was found the year 1728, the society forwarded necessary, in 1771, to make an addition to the colonies more than 8000 volumes of 20 feet to the church. The same of religious books, and caused to be year the congregation engaged the Rev. distributed by the missionaries, up. Robert B. Nichols, as an assistant miniswards of 100,000 tracts of devotion ter. Mr. Nichols was educated at and instruction. Some of the books Queen's college, Oxford, and is said to sent by the society to St. Peter's have been a very popular and eloquent church still remain in the hands of the preacher. He continued to officiate present rector.

until Dec. 1774, when he removed to The Rev. Mr. Brockwell continued Halifax. to officiate in Salem, until Nov. 27, On the commencement of the revo1746, when he resigned the rectorship, lutionary struggle, most of the Episcoand removed to King's chapel, Boston, pal clergy in New England consciento which he had been appointed by tiously refused to omit the prescribed * The number of volumes usually furnish: not because they were opposed

prayers for the king and royal family,

the ed by the society for this purpose was 160, consisting of the most valuable and scarce war, but because they believed thembooks in English theology.

selves under the inost sacred obliga

)

tions to the church and society in Eng, and an address delivered Oct. 26, 1804, land, and bound to adhere strictly to at the annual exhibition of a writing their ordination vows, until the contest school in Salem. In 1818, some of should be decided in favour of the colo. his friends, in order to cherish his memonies. Among those who entertained ry, and to express their regard for their these scruples, so destructive to the in- deceased pastor, published from his terests of the church, was the Rev. Mr. manuscripts a volume containing twenM.Gilcbrist. He continued, bowever, ty-seven sermons on moral and practito perform bis publick duties without cal subjects. Among these is the sermuch serious interruption, until Feb. mon above alluded to. In the preface 1777, when he was compelled to shut to this volume it is justly said of him, the church, and the parish became al- that“ to clearness of apprehension, he most extinct.

joined a sprightly imagination, which His constitution having become great was exercised with ease and modesty, ly impaired by age and infirmities, and and contributed equally to illustrate especially by the unkind and injurious and enliven bis sentiments. This, as treatment which he received, in com- well as the other faculties of his mind, mon with most of the clergy, during the was regulated and enriched by a dewar, he died April 19, 1780, aged 73 voted study of the ancient classicks, years. As a token of his gratitude wbich, to the latest period of his life he and respect for the venerable society read with the ardour of a true scholar." in whose service he had been faithful. His consort, Mrs. Silence Fisher, died in ly and creditably employed for forty Salem, in Dec. 1821. The church was years, he bequeathed to it three years occasionally supplied by the neighsalary, which was due hiin, and all his bouring clergy and candidates for orbooks to the minister who should suc- ders, until Trinity Sunday, 1814, at ceed him in the parish.

which time the present recior, the Rev. The church remained without a pas. Thomas Carlile, A. M. commenced tor until 1782, when the Rev. Natha- officiating in the capacity of reader. niel Fisher, A. M. was chosen rector. Mr. Carlile was born in Providence, Mr. Fisher was born in Dedham,Massa- R. I. and educated at Brown univer. chusetts,in 1742, entered Harvard Col- sity, where he received the degree of lege, Cambridge, in 1759, and receiv- A. B. in 1809, and that of A. M. in ed the degree of A. B. in 1763. He course. He was admitted to the holy went to England, and received holy or- order of deacons in St. John's church, ders in 1776, from the hands of the Providence, Jan. 10, 1816, by the right reverend doctor Lowth, bishop of right reverend Alexander V. Griswold, London. He officialed as minister D. D. the present bishop of the eastern and schoolinaster, in Granville, N. S. diocese. He received priest's orders until 1781, when he removed to Sa- from the same hands, in St. Peter's lem, and became the rector of St. Pe- church, Salem, Jan. 21, 1817: and on ter's church, where he continued until the following day, was instituted rector his death, which took place suddenly, of the church.* immediately on his return from per- The number of communicants, at forming morning service on Sunday, present belonging to the church is about Dec. 22, 1812. On the Sunday pre- sevenly persons. vious to his death, he preached from 2 Sam. xix. 34,“ how long have I to live?" The writings of Mr. F. published learn that the Rev.Mr. Carlile resigned the

• Since the above sketch was in type, we during his life, were, a sermon, deliver. rectorship of St. Peter's church, on the 6th ed Dec. 29, 1799, on the death of of October. The church, therefore, is now Gen. Washington, from Psalm cxii. 6, vacant.

Worcester Committee,

Collins.

none

To the Editor of the Gospel Advocate. not be displeased at seeing a speciThe right of private judgment in men of the discourse on free-thinking, matters of religion is made the per- and of the answers to it. The first petual theme of observation. Scarcely will be designated by the name of the a sermon is preached upon a publick author ; the last three by the titles of occasion, which has not the liberty of “rightly stated,” “free-thoughts,” and thinking, as its burden. Now a stran- "plain English." Your readers will ger would be led to imagine from all have only to substitute “the right of this, that thinking was a very new ex. private judgment,” for “free-thinkercise in this community; and that we ing,'' and the wbole subject will at were all a set of prisoners just releas. once be arrayed in the garb of the ed from the manacles and fetters of a present enlightened period. long captivity, whose chief delight consists in stretching their legs and

“ Doctrinal dis- the dictates brandishing their arms, and shouting, courses from the of artificial design" we are free.”

pulpit are now sel. ing men, or crackSuch would be the first and most dom heard with sa- brained enthusiobvious conclusion ; but the sagacious tisfaction, or even asts; for as inquirer who is accustomed to pene- with patience, if the else presume to be trate a little under the surface of preacher proposes guides to others in things, will be apt to view this matter to do more than to matters of

speculawith some degree of suspicion. Where aid the inquiries of tion, so none who general truths, which all acknowledge, bis hearers.” Pre- think they ought and concerning which there is no dis- face to Dr. Ban- to be guideil in pute, are so perpetually asserted, it is croft's Sermons. those matters make iinpossible not to suppose that there is

D. Huntington.
“ Frequent expe- such

choice of any but some ulterior design. There must be

for their

riments must be some sapping and mining going for

made upon (the

guides." ward, while the attention of the garrison is called off by a false alarm.

common people's) What greatly strengthens this sus

credulity and good

nature. picion, is the fact, that the open and

hear it inculcated avowed enemies of Christianity have

with uncommon made their attacks precisely in the

ardour, that a few same manner. In the year 1713, An. thony Collins, esquire, a notorious speculative points

a infidel, published a pamphlet entitled in theology are the

essentials of relia discourse of free-thinking, occasioned by the rise and growth of a

gion, no doubts may

be entertained.”sect called free-thinkers." To this

Elec. Serm. 1822. production a number of answers were

Bentley. written, among

remarks “No man must take Euclid or Archiupon a late discourse of free-thinking, medes, our Leibnitz, or your Newton, by Phileleutherus Lipsiensis," (Doctor or any one else dead or living, for his Richard Bentley ;) “ free thinking guide in speculation. They were de. rightly stated, wherein a discourse, signing men or else crack-brained enfalsely so called, is fully considered,” ibusiasts, when they presume to write “ free-thoughts upon the discourse of mathematicks and become guides to free-thinking,” and “ Mr. Ce-ns's others. He's a great astronomer discourse of free-thinking, put into without Tycho or Kepler, and an arplain English, by way of abstract, for chitect without Vitruvius. He walk'd the use of the poor. By a friend of the alone in his infancy, and was author.” Your readers, perhaps, will led in hanging sleeves. Erasmus,

p. 4.

If they

which were,

66