EARLY BAPTISTS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. BY REV. EBENEZER E. CUMMINGS. THE events of time-fleeting, wasting time, urge us to the solemn inquiry," Our Fathers, where are they, and the prophets, do they live for ever?" They pass one after another into eternity, but we would not be so insensible of their worth as to suffer either their characters or their labors to slumber in forgetfulness. And with equal earnestness should we labor to wrest from the hand of oblivion the history of the first churches, planted in the wilderness of New Hampshire. The first settlement within the limits of New Hampshire, was made at the mouth of Piscataqua River in 1623. No account, however, is given of any persons among the first settlers who embraced the sentiments of our denomination. The first minister of whom we have any account, who embraced and defended the Baptist sentiment, was the Rev. Hanserd Knollys, who preached for some time to the people of Dover, about the year 1639, but his sentiments furnished his enemies with abundant occasion to oppose and persecute him, until at length he returned to Boston, where, after suffering imprisonment, he returned to England, his native country. Nothing more is heard of our denomination until 1720, when a pious and very devoted lady moved from Rehoboth, Mass., to Stratham. She was most firmly established in her faith on the doctrines and duties of the gospel, and labored most devoutly to spread divine light around her. She did not, however, witness much fruit during her life, but it appeared in ripening harvest after her death. There might EARLY BAPTISTS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 175 indeed have been many at this period who were Baptists in sentiment, but when we survey the oppressive measures that were adopted to prevent the introduction of our sentiments into the State, it is not at all surprising that they were so slow in making their appearance. It should be understood, that however mild the laws of this State may be at present, in regard to religious matters, at the time of which we are now speaking, the jurisdiction of Massachusetts extended over New Hampshire, and made provision for the due administration of justice. From eighteen years after its first settlement to the year 1679, the laws of Massachusetts operated through all the province. So that, whatever laws were imposed in one State would be in the other, if circumstances demanded it. And the merest glance at the laws in Massachusetts at this time will show that they were most severe on this subject. The laws at this period required the inflicting of corporeal punishment upon any person who should be guilty of holding a religious meeting or speaking against pedo-baptism. It is moreover very apparent these laws were prosecuted with great energy on the part of the civil authority. Public sentiment went also against the prevalence of all intruding sects, and of the number of such intruders, who, in the apprehension of the guardians of the public morals, threatened to sap the foundation of the institutions of religion, the Baptists were not the least spoken against. Surrounded by such circumstances, it is not at all surprising that we find the cause progressing very slowly. There was indeed a gradual gaining of strength from the time of the formation of the church in Newtown, until 1770, though it was almost imperceptible. In 1770, commenced a new era in the history of our denomination in New Hampshire. It would be doing manifest injustice were I not to refer to the character and labors of our Fathers in the ministry, who were instrumental in the hands of God, of planting the first churches in New Hampshire. They were men of God, and no one can look back upon their history without admiring the wisdom of the Great Head of the church in choosing such men, at such a time. They were called to labor in peculiar circumstances, and God gave them peculiar endowments. Their advantages were not such as are now enjoyed, to acquire an education, but they were men of great industry, and therefore were enabled to rise with the improvement of society. But most of these devoted men have rested from their labors. We look around upon our beloved brethren and fathers, and see but here and there a hoary head which may be numbered with the first ministers of New Hampshire. They have departed, one after another, to rest with their Redeemer. We follow them. And while standing on the ground which they occupied, we would cherish their memory, and wish to copy the piety, zeal, and singleness of purpose, which was so strongly developed in their life and character. We now occupy the place of our fathers. In turning our minds from them, and looking around us, we see the goodly heritage which they have bequeathed to us. Let us most solemnly feel that an important trust has been committed to our hands. While, therefore, we are called upon to admire the character of the churches, and their former ministry, may we so imitate their excellences as to be followers of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. The circumstances upon which we are thrown, may not require of us the same kind or the same degree of sacrifices, as was required of our predecessors. Temptations, however, to forsake the right way may be spread before us, which may be equally subtle and resistless. But in the midst of such temptations, may we turn and look back at the firm and undaunted courage, portrayed in those that have gone before us, and then let us consider that every particle of truth which now EARLY BAPTISTS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 177 attaches to our declaration of faith and practice, is committed to us in sacred charge, to keep inviolate amid all the efforts that may be made to wrest it from our hand. Much has been said for half a century to fix a reproach upon our faith and practice. We have met the charge of bigotry, ignorance, undue tenacity about small matters, and are even ready to meet them again; yes, we will meet them as often as they are charged upon us, for in this respect we can defend ourselves on scripture ground. We will always try to meet such unkind charges in the spirit of the gospel. May we always retain the consciousness that all such charges are unfounded, and bear fruits of our innocence to the world! May other generations, when they shall stand and survey the history of our churches, and find us on the record of her departed sons, have the assurance that we were not unworthy of a place with them on the pages of history! "WHAT read'st thou there, my fair-haired boy, "Hand me the book, my gentle friend, "Spirits of Evil,' ah, my child! They are of fearful might: "T is well thou seek'st to shun their guile; Be sure thou seek'st aright! yes, in this world of wo, They throng each trodden street, But dread them not in shapes like this, "In glossy suit, - perchance of black, While the dapper boot on his sinister foot Ah! not by outward shape of fear Is the cunning Devil shown; But the gamester's wile or the scoffer's sneer "Witches!' Ah yes, they too, abound; They rather in silks than rags are found, |