SECTION IX.GENERAL SUMMARY.
The reader who has followed me through this brief and imperfect sketch of the history of the Seventh-day Baptist Denomination, cannot fail to perceive that our churches have gradually and healthfully increased in numbers, notwithstanding the continual opposition which is manifested to the cause we advocate, and the continual discouragements that we have to encounter both in society and business. It is now about one hundred and seventy years since the first Seventh-day Baptist church was organized in America; and the efforts which have been made within the last thirty years have accomplished more to advance the interests of the cause than what was done for nearly a century and a half preceding. This has not been produced by any special excitement, but by increased energy and courage, and by the multiplication of means for disseminating the truth; and those means have but just begun to develope their influence. Our Education, Missionary, and Tract Societies are yet in their infancy; our denominational paper is only beginning to acquire a circulation corresponding to its merits, indicative to other denominations of Christians of our literary resources,—and yet effects that would have astonished our ancestors have been realized. In 1805, we numbered eight churches, and about one thousand five hundred communicants. Twenty-five years increased that number to three thousand four hundred; but the five subsequent years to more than four thousand five hundred. In 1840, we numbered a fraction over five thousand members, which in three years increased to six thousand. At this period, there are about seven thousand communicantsin the connexion. There are sixty-five churches united with the Conference; sixty ordained ministers, and about thirty licentiates.
In dating the organization of the churches, I have had recourse to Clarke's History, and to the old Conference Minutes; between which and the minutes for 1849, I discovered some discrepancies. Should the reader wish to institute a comparison between my work and other documents, he will please refer to these sources, by which, for several reasons, I consider it safest to be guided.
Besides these churches, there are many scattered families of Sabbath-keepers in different parts of the Union. The Rev. Isaac P. Labagh, a minister of eminent ability and attainment, in connexion with the Episcopal Church in New York, is an observer of the Sabbath.
It may be observed, in conclusion, that these churches exhibit nothing peculiar in their forms of worship. Psalmodyis universally practised, and the science of vocal music is cultivated in all the older churches.
Previous to 1822, Rippon's Collection of Hymns was generally used. About that time a new collection, designed particularly for this denomination, was made and published by a committee appointed for that purpose by the General Conference. Recently that collection has been superseded by another, which is in present use.
Sabbath schools and Bible classes have been instituted, and generally receive attention in all the churches; and the same may be said of conference and prayer meetings.
There are also tract and missionary societies within the bosoms of the different fraternities, whose officers constitute the board for the transaction of business.
[36]It is questionable, however, whether Mr. Jones will be an addition to our society or not, since he appears to be a man of inferior abilities and attainments, and one disposed to meddle with subjects above his capacity or information.[37]In the autumn of 1850 Elder Rogers was removed by death.[38]The large and respectable families of the Swinneys, Tomlinsons, and Thomases, were among the earliest members of the Shiloh Church.[39]Since the above was written, this church has been visited by a most extraordinary and afflictive dispensation of Providence. Elder Crandall, supposed to be labouring under a temporary fit of insanity, put a period to his existence by suspending himself from a beam in his barn, in September, 1850.[40]Since writing the above, I have been verbally informed that Elder Joel Green was called to preside over the church at Hounsfield, as colleague to Elder William Green, to the great dissatisfaction of the latter, and in consequence of which, such a great difficulty arose, that the ministrations of both were suspended,—but I will not vouch for the accuracy of this statement.[41]For all the incidents relating to the early history of this organization, I am indebted to Rev. John Davis, of Shiloh.[42]One of these fathers, who was considered no mean preacher in his day, and who was instrumental, not only in organizing, but in supporting and bringing to maturity an infant church, used to remark that he desired no better time for studying a sermon than when following the plough.
[36]It is questionable, however, whether Mr. Jones will be an addition to our society or not, since he appears to be a man of inferior abilities and attainments, and one disposed to meddle with subjects above his capacity or information.
[37]In the autumn of 1850 Elder Rogers was removed by death.
[38]The large and respectable families of the Swinneys, Tomlinsons, and Thomases, were among the earliest members of the Shiloh Church.
[39]Since the above was written, this church has been visited by a most extraordinary and afflictive dispensation of Providence. Elder Crandall, supposed to be labouring under a temporary fit of insanity, put a period to his existence by suspending himself from a beam in his barn, in September, 1850.
[40]Since writing the above, I have been verbally informed that Elder Joel Green was called to preside over the church at Hounsfield, as colleague to Elder William Green, to the great dissatisfaction of the latter, and in consequence of which, such a great difficulty arose, that the ministrations of both were suspended,—but I will not vouch for the accuracy of this statement.
[41]For all the incidents relating to the early history of this organization, I am indebted to Rev. John Davis, of Shiloh.
[42]One of these fathers, who was considered no mean preacher in his day, and who was instrumental, not only in organizing, but in supporting and bringing to maturity an infant church, used to remark that he desired no better time for studying a sermon than when following the plough.