times exceed twenty. And the church was so scattered and divided, that it was scarcely known whether there were any of them left."

This is discouraging indeed. And it could have been only strong principle and a high value of privileges, that carried them on. Mr. Bass graduated at Harvard College in 1737, and after closing his ministry of six years, lived as a Physician in Providence until 1762. In the Providence Gazette of that year, a friend has found for us a brief notice of his death and character. He is there spoken of as "a gentleman, who in his public performances, was evangelical, learned, rational and accurate; and in private life was amiable, beneficent, compassionate, instructive and exemplary."*

In 1761, this people made a vigorous effort to rise from their depression. For direction and encouragement, they convened an Ecclesiastical Council, from the three churches in Bristol, Medfield and Rehoboth. In all humility, they asked them first to determine, "whether they would consider the remaining members as the Congregational Church in Providence; and proceed to add to them." This was decided in the affirmative, and after prayers and other services, a covenant was submitted and subscribed by eleven males and ten females, of whom several were then members of other churches. This covenant is different from the first, resembling more nearly that now in use.

Being thus confirmed, the church obtained more regular supplies, and in the next year, 1762, invited DAVID SHERMAN ROWLAND, of Plainfield, to become their Pastor. He accepted the invitation, but there is no record of the exact time of his ordination. He brought his family here

*Appendix, Note I.

in the Fall of 1762, and from that time devoted himself to the service of his people, with no little self-sacrifice and with encouraging success,

The congregation now increased and accessions were made to the church. Still their resources were very limited, and their embarrassments at times so great, that they were compelled to send messengers repeatedly to other and distant places to solicit aid. They commissioned even their Pastor to go out for this purpose. In one of the minute-books of the Society, we find a resolution passed in the year 1771, commending the unwearied care and labor of Mr. Rowland, wishing to retain his services, but lamenting their inabilaty to support him unless they can have immediate relief from abroad, and therefore requesting him "to proceed to such place or places, on this continent, as he shall think proper, for and in behalf of this Society, to solicit and to receive the charity of such person or persons, whom God hath blest with affluence and liberality, &c." We find several instances of members of the Society who were travelling on their own account, being charged with the same commission. These facts show us how great and protracted were the difficulties with which they had to struggle. They show us also how many are the obligations under which we are laid to render aid to others, now that from a beginning so small we have greatly increased. Is it for us, in the plenitude of those means and the independence of that strength, which have been drawn, in part at least, from the benefactions of strangers, to turn away from the calls of destitute societies, pressed down by the hard necessities, or torn and racked by the divisions, under which our own church once groaned? While we thank and serve that God who hath prospered us, let us resolve, "as we have opportunity, to do good unto all men, especially to those who are of the household of faith."

It

And here I may notice, both in commendation and exhortation, the origin of that peculiar name, by which this Society is sometimes called-" the Benevolent Congregational Society." It is a mistake to give this name to the Church, or the religious Society, as such. It belongs to a distinct body, formed with corporate powers about this period, consisting neither of worshippers nor pew-holders exclusively, but of those in either relation who voluntarily associate, "for the purpose of raising a fund for the permanent support of the institutions of religion, and for such charitable purposes as the Society shall think proper, after the other object shall be accomplished." This association was incorporated in 1770, by the name of The Benevolent Congregational Society in the Town of Providence. continues still a separate body, holding the funds by which the ministry is supported here, and directing all the financial concerns. And though it must be regarded as somewhat an anomaly in the external character of our churches, it has undoubtedly rendered important services to religion, and may continue to do so, as it is formed for "charitable purposes," beside the direct support of public worship. It is to be hoped, at least, that we shall vindicate our title to the character of Benevolent, in other and better features than that of a name. Our obligations multiply by the force of example. One of the churches to which we have given birth, be it remembered, is called Beneficent, and another Pacific. It were au offence indeed, should either of these distinguished Societies leave it to be inferred from any of their deeds, that there is not only a peculiar taste in names, but also an incongruity between names and things.

In 1774, Mr. Rowland, finding new difficulties in the way of his continuance with the Society, asked and received a dismission after an arduous ministry of twelve years. Thus was the third minister removed, not by death, but from the feeble

ness of the Society, and the divisions and difficulties of the times. There are intimations here of an uneasiness in the church, and tares that were sown; but there is no explanation, and we are left to infer that it was a part of the same difficulties that occasioned the loss of Mr. Rowland, of whom we would now speak more particularly.

Mr. Rowland was not an ordinary man. He has left evidences, not only of diligence and acceptableness in the pastoral relation, but likewise of more than common study and learning. I have seen but one of his publications, but that, though a sermon, would make no contemptible volume; enough, at least, to alarm those modern hearers, who grow uneasy the moment a preacher trespasses beyond a half-hour. The discourse before me was delivered by Mr. Rowland, in 1772, at the Congregational Convention assembled at Bristol. Its title is Catholicism, or Christian Charity, and it extends to seventy-five full octavo pages. It shows a well-furnished and vigorous mind, an easy writer, and a christian of discriminating and liberal views. Its doctrine, so far as it presents doctrine, would be called orthodox, but it is orthodoxy of a very safe kind. It was not every minister of that day, nor is it of this day, who would have the disposition and the courage, to quote with commendation that noble passage of DR. Watts, which Mr. Rowland gives entire, and which shows what was. his own spirit.

"It is a very uncharitable practice, to think that a man can never journey safely to heaven, unless his hat and his shoes be of the same color with ours, unless he treads in the very track of our feet, and his footsteps too be of the same size. It is a curious and perverse fancy to pronounce a man no Christian, because every thought of his soul, and all the atoms of his brain, are not just ranged in the same posture as mine.— How ridiculously unreasonable is it, for a man of brown hair

to shut his brother out from the rank and species of men, and call him an ox or a lion, because his locks are black or yellow? I am persuaded there is a breadth in the narrow road to heaven, and persons may travel more than seven abreast in it. And though they do not trace precisely the same track, yet all look to the same Saviour, Jesus, and all arrive at the same common salvation. And though their names be crossed out of the records of a particular church on earth, where charity fails, yet they will be found written in the Lamb's book of life, which is a record of eternal love, and shall be forever joined to the fellowship of the catholic church in heaven.”*

Whatever have been or may be the peculiar doctrines of this church, so long as it breathes or recommends this spirit, it is liberal enough. We are prepared to hear Mr. Rowland, as he does in the conclusion of his discourse, exhort his brethren in the ministry-" to receive into their affection and communion, sober regular Christians, whether they are called by the name of Lutherans, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Independents, or Baptists, that there may be no schism or rent in the visible body of Christ."+

It would seem, that as regards theological attainments and pulpit powers, this church has at no time been more favored or honored than in the gifts of Rowland. And to his standing with his brethren, the associated pastors of the colony gave their public testimonial, after he left, commending him, as "a brother, whose praise is in all the churches, a brother deservedly beloved."

In the following year, Dr. John Lathrop, pastor of the Second Church in Boston, came here to reside. It was the year 1775, when the British had possession of Boston, and he, with most of the inhabitants, being compelled to leave, this Society

* Convention Sermon, 1772, page 64. + Ibid, page 74.