The sermon contains, as might be expected from Dr. Pierce, an immense amount of historical facts, some of them of a general, but most of them of a local character. The town of Brookline was incorporated Nov. 13, 1705, O. S., and the first Congregational church was gathered Oct. 26, 1717, O. S., of which Dr. Pierce is the fifth pastor. Since his settlement nearly all who were then around him have departed this life, while he, now enjoying a "green old age," stands almost alone. The discourse is very valuable for the history it contains, and is written in a candid and an affectionate manner. Appended is an exceedingly interesting account of the proceedings of the day, which was published in the Christian Register, and other papers in Boston. We regret that we have not room to insert extracts from it. Dr. Pierce will go down to the grave beloved and respected by all ministers and people who knew him, whether of his own or other denominations.
A Discourse on the Cambridge Church-Gathering in 1636; delivered in the First Church, on Sunday, February 22, 1846. By William Newell, Pastor of the First Church in Cambridge. Boston: James Munroe and Company. 1846.
The text is from Psalm xliv. 1-3. "We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days in the times of old. How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedest them.... For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them; but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favor unto them."
This discourse contains an account of the formation of the church in Cambridge, and of some of the events preceding it, and brief notices of the principal actors. It contains also many other valuable facts. There is an appendix containing nineteen pages of great value, embracing among other things a list of the members of the church, "taken and registered in the 11 month, 1658," and brief genealogical notices of one hundred and seventeen individuals. In giving this sermon to the public, Mr. Newell has rendered an important service.
[FOOTNOTES:]
[1] This Memoir is an abstract, (taken by permission,) of a "Memoir of John Endecott, First Governor of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, by Charles M. Endicott, a descendant, of the seventh generation;"—a work well prepared, and handsomely printed in folio form, containing 116 pages, and just issued from the press, solely for the private use of the family. Our Memoir will be introduced with a few preliminary remarks, and, occasionally, will be interspersed with passages respecting the early history of the country.
[2] See Morton's New England Memorial. The Planter's Plea notices the event as rather the effect of accident from the prevailing winds, than any design on the part of the master.
[3] Letter to the elder Adams, among the MSS. of the Massachusetts Historical Society.
[4] The Rev. Mr. Felt has recently found among some papers at the State House, Boston, a bill made out in Gov. Endecott's own hand-writing, and presented to the General Court, for the cure of a man committed to his care. He there styles himself "Chirurgeon."