Full text of "Memoir of Alfred Bennett: First Pastor of the Baptist Church, Homer, N.Y ..."

This is a digital copy of a book that was preserved for generations on library shelves before it was carefully scanned by Google as part of a project
to make the world's books discoverable online.

It has survived long enough for the copyright to expire and the book to enter the public domain. A public domain book is one that was never subject
to copyright or whose legal copyright term has expired. Whether a book is in the public domain may vary country to country. Public domain books
are our gateways to the past, representing a wealth of history, culture and knowledge that's often difficult to discover.

Marks, notations and other marginalia present in the original volume will appear in this file - a reminder of this book's long journey from the
publisher to a library and finally to you.

Usage guidelines

Google is proud to partner with libraries to digitize public domain materials and make them widely accessible. Public domain books belong to the
public and we are merely their custodians. Nevertheless, this work is expensive, so in order to keep providing this resource, we have taken steps to
prevent abuse by commercial parties, including placing technical restrictions on automated querying.

We also ask that you:

+ Make non-commercial use of the files We designed Google Book Search for use by individuals, and we request that you use these files for
personal, non-commercial purposes.

+ Refrain from automated querying Do not send automated queries of any sort to Google's system: If you are conducting research on machine
translation, optical character recognition or other areas where access to a large amount of text is helpful, please contact us. We encourage the
use of public domain materials for these purposes and may be able to help.

+ Maintain attribution The Google "watermark" you see on each file is essential for informing people about this project and helping them find
additional materials through Google Book Search. Please do not remove it.

+ Keep it legal Whatever your use, remember that you are responsible for ensuring that what you are doing is legal. Do not assume that just
because we believe a book is in the public domain for users in the United States, that the work is also in the public domain for users in other
countries. Whether a book is still in copyright varies from country to country, and we can't offer guidance on whether any specific use of
any specific book is allowed. Please do not assume that a book's appearance in Google Book Search means it can be used in any manner
anywhere in the world. Copyright infringement liability can be quite severe.

About Google Book Search

Google's mission is to organize the world's information and to make it universally accessible and useful. Google Book Search helps readers
discover the world's books while helping authors and publishers reach new audiences. You can search through the full text of this book on the web

at jhttp : //books . qooqle . com/

•• ; V, ' it ■"" :<L ,« J v

Digitized by LiOOQ IC

■f. '•'.

y / . / v

-, Digitized by VjOC

T ; '\

* V ■"* ^

Digitized by VjOOQlC

mmmmmmmmmmmmm

m WW TORI
POBUC UBRART

-OTOJl, UNIX
T1U>«N /OUKDATXOlff

>. \\»> e.

(^$$L^L

Digitized by VjOOQlC

MEMOIR

Digitized by VjOOQlC

rio^^^

Digitized by VjOOQlC

MEMOIR

ALFRED BENNETT,

FIRST PASTOR OP THE BAPTIST CHURCH, HOMER, N. T.,

AMD

SENIOR AOIlfT

01* Tin

AMERICAN BAPTIST MISSIONARY UNION.

BY H. HARVEY.

SECOND EDITION.

NEW YORK:
EDWARD H. FLETCHER.

141 NASSAU-STRUT. . ... , .

1852. - V:- V

Digitized by VjOOQlC

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1888,

By E. H. FLETCHER,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern

District of New York.

ADVERTISEMENT.

In presenting this -work to the public, the publisher would
bespeak the kind attention and interest of the friends of the
lamented subject of its pages, and mention that the arrange-
ments of its publication are such as to secure to his widow a
share, in the proceeds of its sale;

Digitized by VjOOQlC

TO THE

HOMER BAPTIST CONGREGATION,
Sl)i0 Memorial

OF HIM

WHO FIHtfF MINISTERED TO THEM THE WORD OF LIFE,

AND, AFTER LONG AND FAITHFUL TOIL IN THE WORK OF CHRIST,

DIED WITH PEACEFUL TRIUMPH IN THEIR MIDST,

Xs affectfonatels Betrfcate* to

THEIR PASTOR.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

Digitized by VjOOQlC

PREFACE.

Tma volume, prepared m the midst of feeble health
and the pressure of pastoral duties, is now with diffi-
dence submitted to the Christian public. The subject
of it held no classic pen. He belonged to a generation
of men whose chief power was in oral, not written com-
munication. In speech ho was richly gifted ; but the
vivacity, force, and ardor which characterized his dis-
course, ho was never able to transfer to the written
page. As his biography must necessarily be made up,
to no inconsiderable extent, from his correspondence, the
reader will, it is feared, be painfully conscious- that the
portraiture here given lacks the glow and richness of the
living original. *

The materials were not abundant. Most of his let-
ters have been lost. The account of his conversion and
exercises respecting the ministry was given by him only
at the urgent request of the church in Homer. Of the
remaining part of his life, he declined making any state-
ments, remarking that it had been public, in the midst of
1*

d by Google

VI PREFACE.

his brethren, and he would say nothing about it. This
was characteristic of him.

His memory will live long in the hearts- of the
churches, and with a -freshness with which, from these
circumstances, it can never be embalmed in the printed
volume. He was emphatically a man who " served his
own generation ;" and while the results of his life will
doubtless continue to be felt on earth until the consum-
mation of all things, he has left no written memorials to
represent adequately, in after times, the rare excellences
of his character.

The writer oan only say, he has used to the best of
his ability the limited materials within his reach; and
the work is now committed to the press, with the ardent
hope that it may excite many to emulate the exalted
Christian virtues of this venerated servant of God, and
may thus subserve the interests of vital godliness, and
receive the approbation of the Heavenly Master.

Hoicks, January 20th, 1852.

d by Google

CONTENTS.

»▲•■

Chapter I — Youth 9

H— CONVERSION 19

m— A Dream 88

IV.— Entrance on ties Hihibtry 50

Y. — Pastoral Labors 69

VI — Revivals 85

VR— Contemporaries 101

VHL— Closing. Pastoral Work 118

IX. — Missionary Agrnot 188

X— Tours South and Wist 144

XI— Tours East and Wist ^ 169

XIL — Illness and Death 186

XHX— Character 200

d by Google

Digitized by VjOOQlC

MEMOIR OF REV. ALFRED BENNETT.

CHAPTER I.

YOUTH.

Alfred Bennett was born September 26, 1780,
in Mansfield, Windham comity, Connecticut, His
parents, Asa and Mary Bennett, were both pious;
the former a member of the Baptist church at
Hampton, the latter connected with the Congrega-
tional church in Mansfield. In later life, how-
ever, his mother also became a Baptist.

The influences of home were strictly religious,
and many circumstances are mentioned which
attest the godly character of Mr. and Mrs. Bennett.
At the family altar, morning and evening,' they
were' accustomed to seek instruction from the
sacred Word, and bow in thanksgiving and sup-
plication. The lofty moral principles which nur-
tured the manly virtues of the earlier Puritans had
not then passed away, as among the defects of a
Bterner age; and in this domestic circle they still

d by Google

10 MEMOIR OF

exerted their .potent influence, in the healthfiil
restraints placed around the young, and the sacred-
ness with which they invested the institutions of
religion and virtue. The attendance of their chil-
dren upon the public worship of God was also
strictly enjoined, and the Sabbath seldom found
their place vacant in the sanctuary. In obedience
to the apostolic injunction, they earnestly endeav-
ored to bring up their offspring " in the nurture
and admonition of the Lord." Nor was their pious
zeal unrewarded. They had the happiness of
seeing the whole family group become members of
the family of God, and attain to positions of emi-
nent usefulness in the earthly church ; and though
they have long since entered into rest,, their chil-
dren's children, at this day, rise up and call them
blessed.

Alfred was their second. $on. The eldest, Asa,
became a subject of Divine grace early in life, and
for many years subsequently, as an officer in the
Baptist church at Homer, was a worthy coadjutor
of his brother, and distinguished few his enlight-
ened Christian zeal and eminently godly life. * The
next younger is Bev. Alvin Bennett, of South
"Wilbraham, Mass., who still survives, widely
known and revered as a devoted and successful
minister of the Gospel. ,The remaining son, Elea-

d by Google

EEV. AUHOSD BENXEIT. 11

aar, continued to reside for many 'yean on the
paternal estate, and tired and died a member of
the church to which his father was attached. The
only daughter, Sarah, became wife of Be v. William
Palmer, an esteemed minister of Christ, in Nor-
wich, Conn.

Thus God honored parental faithfulness. The
seeds of life early sown, and watered with many
prayers and tears, at last sprung up and have
borne a rich harvest. From that pious home,
where the fear of God dwelt and His commands
were obeyed, have flowed streams of spiritual
blessings, which must continue to extend and
multiply, till the latter day glory burets upon the
world and the Most High sets up the Throne of
Judgment.

The nearest Baptist church was at Hampton,
about fifteen miles distant. The churches of this
religious denomination had been until lately com*
paratively few in the land, and though less re-
stricted in Connecticut than in Massachusetts,
their growth was much repressed by oppressive
legal enactments. Congregationalism was the
State religion, and the law required every person
to contribute' to that form of worship, unless a
certificate was obtained certifying that he regu-
larly attended and paid at some other church.

d by Google

12 MEMOIR OF

This union of State and Church necessarily cast
the whole influence of- government against every*
form of dissent, and made it the secular interest
of men to attend upon the ministry thus recog-
nized by law. It was generally deemed schismat-
ics! to differ from the established religion, and
those who ventured to do so were commonly ac-
counted restless disturbers of good order and the
general religious welfare. The Baptist church,
had' been of late, indeed, rapidly increasing, not-
withstanding these adverse influences; yet they
were not even then numerous, and their members
were often widely scattered. Mr. Bennett's fam-
ily, therefore, usually attended the Congregational
church in Mansfield, and received their religious
education under the public instruction of the min-
istry there.

■Alfred was distinguished in boyhood for that
vivacious, buoyant spirit which, chastened by
grace, was ever characteristic of him in maturer
life. He was the acknowledged leader in all the
frolics and sports of the boys. If any wild, boyish
prank had been played in the neighborhood, no-
body would believe that Alfred Bennett was not
at the head of it. Never profane, or malicious, or
immoral, and always having great tenderness of
conscience, he loved what was deemed innocent

d by Google

REV. ALFB3ED BENNETT. 13

mischief as he loved his life. This gay, mirthful
spirit made him a universal favorite among his
companions, and surrounded him continually with
increasing temptations to levity. He afterwards
ever regarded this disposition to lightness and
trifling as the great sin of his youth.

It is not known that any serious religious im-
pressions were made upon his mind until he was
about twelve years old. One evening, at his
mother's request, he read to her from Hervey's
Meditations, and the thoughts then suggested
awakened within some anxieties respecting his
eternal welfare. The influence of this, however,
was only transient ; it disappeared soon in greater
frivolity and waywardness.

The great awakening which was experienced
under the labors of Whitefield, Edwards, and other
distinguished men in the first half of the eighteenth
century, had long since ceased, though its mem-
ory lingered still in the breasts of the fathers in
the churches, and many who had then experienced
the riches of grace lived as monuments of those
mighty manifestations of the power of God. The
lax theology, against which those holy men had
so earnestly contended, again largely pervaded
the teachings of the schools and the ministrations
of the pulpit. The doctrines of grace which had

d by Google

14 MEMOIR OF

then been mighty, through God, to awaken the
conscience and bow the heart before the Throne,
were extensively discarded, and looser sentiments,
exalting the sinner and abasing God, were followed
by their legitimate result, the decrease of true
spiritual life. The sovereignty of God, the effect-
ual calling of the Holy Spirit, and other kindred
truths, which lie at the basis of the Gospel, and
were weapons attended with supernatural energy
when wielded by those early revivalists, were now
often thrown aside and. exposed to popular odium.
Many faithful men, indeed, yet lifted up their
voice for the truth, and numerous were the pulpits
where the light of these great doctrines was never
quenched; but the' popular tendency in the
churches was in the other direction. And the
ministry under which Alfred Bennett was reared,
as he afterwards Vemarked to the writer, was wont
to teach, what was then a common sentiment, "If
you do on your part, God will do on His part ;"
intending in that expression to direct the sinner
to his own good works as a means of justification,
instead of the righteousness of Christ, and over-
looking the total natural depravity of the soul and
the need of the Spirit's renewing power.

The year 1797, as well as a number previous,
was marked as a period of great religious declen-

d by Google

EEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 15

sion throughout New England, among all denom-
inations of Christians. The faithful wept in secret
over the utter indifference to vital religion gener-
ally manifested, ajid many a godly minister was
fainting at his post on account of the apparently
increased hardness of heart among the people.
But God is not unrighteous to forget the work and
labor of His servants. In the Spring of the fol-
lowing year an extensive revival began, and with
great power spread rapidly over the country. The
annals of that period furnish the following record :
" A great work came on in the spring of 1798, in
many parts of America. It began at Mansfield,
in Connecticut, in a remarkable manner. A letter
from "Windham, in October, mentions it and says,
'The Spirit of the Lord seemed to sweep all before
it, like an overflowing flood, though with very
little noise or crying out. It was wonderful to
see the surprising alteration in that place in so
short a time. I conclude there are not less than
an hundred souls converted in that town since the
work began. • It soon after began in Hampton, but
did not spread with the same degree of rapidity
as in Mansfield. The same happy work has lately
taken place in Ashford.* Soon after # this, Hart-
ford, the capital city, experienced the like work
among the Congregational and Baptist societies."

d by Google

16 MEMOIR OF

This great awakening was felt in all parts of NW
England, and multitudes were made to rejoice in
hope of eternal life. Dr. Tyler remarks, in his
memoir of the excellent Nettleton, "During a
period of four or five years, commencing with
1798, not less than one hundred and fifty churches
in New England were favored with the special
eflusions of the Holy Spirit; and thousands of
souls, in the judgi&ent of charity, werfe translated
from the kingdom of Satan into the kingdom of
God's dear Son."

Of this gracious work, which began in his native
town, Mr. Bennett was among the earliest sub-
jects ; and during the years in which it continued,
he labored with all the energy of his ardent mind
for its promotion. Many others, also, of the emi-
nent men who have been leaders in the church of
God during the past half century, date' their con-
version during this extraordinary outpouring of
the Holy Spirit. The reader will, therefore, be
gratified with further extracts from the history
of those years, illustrating the character of thia
revival and the manner in which the work was
carried on. The first is from a letter of Rev. Mr.
Blood, pastor of a Baptist church in Shaftsbury,
Vermont. " In about two months after the wort
began, the whole town seemed to be affected.

Digitized by VjOOQlC

KEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 17

Conference meetings were attended two or three
times a week in almost every neighborhood ; and
it was surprising to me that scarcely a single in-
stance appeared of any overheated zeal or flight
of passion. Both sinners under conviction and
those newly brought into the liberty of the Gospel,
conversed in their meetings with the greatest
freedom. They spoke one at a time a few words
in the most solemn manner I ever heard people
in my life. And in general they spake so low,
that their assemblies must be perfectly still, or they
could not hear them ; yet a remarkable power at-
tended their conversation. Sinners "would tremble,
as though they felt .themselves in the immediate
presence of the great Jehovah. Some of all ranks
'and characters have been taken, from the most
respectable members of society to the vilest in the
place. Some of our most noted Deists have bowed
the knee to King Jesus ; and a number of TJniver-
salists have forsaken their delusions and embraced
the truth."

Rev. Mr. Powers, a Congregational minister on
Deer Island, in Penobscot Bay, writing in March,
1799, says : " Perhaps there hath not been a work
bo powerful and so much like the work of fifty-
eight years ago. In a time of such extraordinaries ,
it could not reasonably be expected but some
2*

d by Google

18 MEMOIR OF

things would be a little wild and incoherent, con-
sidering the various tempers, infirmities, and dis-
positions of mankind; but I believe my young
dear brother Merrill, together with experienced
Christians, was very earefu} to distinguish the
precious from the vile; to correct errors, to set
them in the way of his steps, so that there appears
to be no prevalence of enthusiasm among them,
according to the best information. How great the
number is of those who have been brought to
hope, I am not able to give any tolerable account;
Some say there are about an hundred ; others, about
double that number. I believe they Are all very
uncertain. Blessed be God, the work is yet going
on, though not with equal rapidity. And now,
dear sir, let your imagination paint to your view
the striking scene of an hundred souls, men, wo-
men, and children, at the same time under the
work of the law. The tears, sobs, groans and cries
issuing from scores pt a time ; all the terrors of
the law crowding and pressing in upon them;
their sins, in "infinite number and aggravations,
staring them in the face; all their old vain hopes
gone, and cut off, and every refuge failing 1 Hear
them freely confessing their old abominations,
their former enmity to the great doctrines of ori-
ginal sin, election, the sovereignty of divine free

d by Google

KEV. ALFEED BfcN JUtlT . 19

grace, the power of God displayed in effectual
vocation; above all, the justice of God in their
damnation! How often are souls brought out
into peace and comfort of the love of God, and
the sweet consolations of the Holy Spirit ! The
dead hear the voice of the Son of God, and live."
This revival, of which the above extracts will
give the reader some conception, broke ont in Mr.
Bennett's nineteenth year. It found him careless
respecting the welfare of hid soul, and the great
concerns of the eternal world ; it left him a dis-
tinguished monument of Divine grace, humble,
penitent, believing, earnestly seeking the ever-
lasting well-being of souls around him.

CHAPTER II.

CONVERSION.

Thb narration here given of his religious ex-
perience was taken from his own lips, during the
painful Alness whicb dosed his life. The language
is for the most part his own; it has been subjected
only to such revision as seemed to be required for
brevity and clearness.

d by Google

20 " MEMOIB OF

a In the spring of 1798 I went to live with a
farmer, a neighbor of my father, to assist for the
season as a hired man. Soon after, it began to be
mentioned that there were serious impressions and
signs of revival among the people. i Well,' thought
Ij 'I have no concern with, that. There may bo
occasion for it in others : I want nothing to do
with it.* In a day or two it was again remarked
that there certainly was some revival, for such and
such persons were under awakening. I thought,
if I were as bad as they there would be need of
reform, but as it is I am good enough without. In
this state of mind, returning from worship on the
Sabbath, I called at my father's, and before I
left my mother took occasion to talk with me
about my sins and my soul. I sought to put her
off, as I had done before ; but she remarked, * My
son, Jesus Christ is passing through this town, and
you will need his blessing by and by : you better
seek it now.' This word took deep hold of my
heart. I returned home foil of anxious thought,
settled in my mind that I needed religion. I said,
4 What right have I to expect to be saved, when I
have never asked God for salvation ? I will now
seek the welfare of my soul. I have been an
awfully wicked sinner. Beligion, however, is a
matter between God and my own soul. I will

d by Google

BEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 21

attend to it, but will not make such ado about it
as others, bo as to make my feelings public'
With this resolution I passed the evening in much
thought, reflecting upon my sins and my eternal
interests.

I " The next day, while I was revolving my lost
condition, an old man came into the field where I
was at work ; and by-the-by , he was a poor, wicked,
profane, Sabbath-breaking, drunken man, whom,
though a near neighbor, I had never before heard
speak a word on the subject of religion, nor did I
afterwards. He said, ' Did you hear the bell toll}'
It had just tolled for a man of about his age and
character. I said I did, and supposed it was for
Mr. H. He replied, 'So I suppose; but only
think what has become of that man ! Eeligion is
an important thing: it is indispensable.' And
bursting into tears, and pulling his* hoary locks
over his shoulders, as they hung in ringlets, he
said, 'Look here, I am an old and gray-headed
sinner; it is impossible for me to be saved. I
must die and go to hell. But, Alfred, you are
young; you may be religious ; and I conjure you
by all the mercies of heaven, by all the painp of
hell, attend to it now : don't put it off.' I wept
much, and he wept, and we parted. Notwith-
standing this solemn admonition, to avoid giving

d by Google

22 MEMOIR OF

any impression that there was seriousness on my
mind, I went that evening among my young com-
panions, and perhaps was never more heedless and
volatile than during that night up to a late hour.
On my return, however, my sorrows were re-
doubled, arising from the fear that I had now
ruined my soul forever.

" The next day found me exceedingly wretched.
I attended the funeral of the man above alluded
to, but passed through all the exercises of the oc-
casion without feeling. It seemed to me I could
not feel ; my heart was hardened. I looked upon
the corpse, and thought, 'Well, were I in his
place, were would my poor soul be?' hoping thus
to break my hard heart, but it seemed to grow
harder still. The revival broke out with increased
power at that ftmeral, and I found myself sur-
rounded by a number, weeping and conversing
about their souls and the prospects of the future;
I retired in company with a cousin, M. B., about
my own age, and my greatest earthly friended
confidant, who seemed as gay and trifling aa ustiaL
We stopped at his father's house, and were soon
followed by several other young friends with whom
we were wont to associate. Seeing me quiet and
grave, they began to inquire the cause, and, on my
answering evasively, insisted that some one must

d by Google

BEY. ALFRED HKNMKIT . 23

have offended me. My cousin E. took me aside,
and reminding me of our long and confidential
friendship, besought me to disclose the reason of
my unusual sadness. The waters of affliction had
by this time risen so high in my soul as to bear
away all idea of secresy, and I said, 'I am an un-
done man. I am a sinner. My dear E., I am
lost.' He burst into tears, and we sat down and
wept together. On my return home, my employer
went out with me upon the farm, and kindly inquir-
ed what was the matter, whether I was dissatisfied
with him, or something had made me discontented
with my situation. The disclosure already made
to my cousin had only increased my wretchedness,
and I resolved to be perfectly frank with him. I
replied, ' I am undone. I am going right to hell.
I see no way to avoid it. There can be no mercy
for me.' And I supposed that he would sympa-
thize with me. Instead of this he smiled, and I
thought, c ISWtoyny sorrows are full. I am going
to hell, and all are glad of it. I am so wicked
that it^vill be a relief to others when I am gone.'
This more deeply impressed me with the certainty
of my miserable doom.

"In awful apprehension of the loss of my soul,
I retired to a barn, and walked the floor for some
hours that evening. I tried to repent, but could

d by Google

24 MEMOIR OF

not; I tried to pray, bat had no utterance. I
would have loved God, but had no power; I
sought to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, but it
was in vain. My heart was as adamant; and
sinking deeper in despair, I resolved that some-
thing must be done, my soul must not be lost
through neglect; and having always been in-
structed under a* ministry which taught, 4 If you
do on your part, God will do on Hi^part,' I de-
termined my soul should not be lost through any
fault of mine. I therefore marked out a rigid
course of duties to be performed, agreeing with my
heart that I would pray, so many times each day,
and often read the Bible ; attend all the religious
meetings within my power, and converse with all
religious people who could give me instruction;
for I cared not now who knew that I was under
concern for my sins : and above all, I determined
that I would no more indulge in trifling conversa-
tion, neither should any man eja^see another
smile upon my face ; for the terrors of the law en-
compassed my soul, coming over me like an ava-
lanche, from the text, For every idle word that
men shall speak, they shall give accownt thereof in
the day of judgment; and how many idle words
had I spoken !
"This course of duties I adhered to during

d by Google

EEV. ALFRED BENHBTT . 25

eight or ten days most firmly. At one time I
had to put my hand npon my month and hold my
Eps together till I left the company, fearing I
might say some idle word and thns peril my sonl.
At length I began to grow better, as I esteemed
it, and wondered that God did not convert me.
I was conscious I needed forgiveness, and thonght
I had now arrived at the point where I might
expect it; I had done all I could, and had done
it again and over again. At this Btate of my feel-
ings, some one meeting me one evening, said, 'E.
B. is converted.' With the sound of that word,
there arose in my bosom a feeling of which till
that time Thad remained unconscious. I could
not have believed my heart was so desperately
wicked. For there burst forth a spirit of enmity
against God which I had no power to control. I
said God is unjust, I am as good as E. B. is. I
have prayed as much ; I have attended meetings
as much : I am as much entitled to salvation as
he ; and if God saves him and leaves me, I hate
Him. I wish I could destroy Him. My heart
said, just give me the power that you possess and
I will put you off the throne. I never saw any
object which I hated as I then hated my Maker.
My misery was extreme; for I plainly saw that
God was on the throne, and I was in His hand,

d by Google

36 MEMOIR OF

entirely at His disposal ; yet I hated Him. I felt
then the pains of hell get hold upon me. No one
has had need since to prove to me there was a
hell ; I found if then in my own experience. It
seems that God graciously designed to make me
a monument of His mercy, or He would have de-
stroyed me in that awful and blasphemous spirit
in which I then gloried. I can only say of that
night, let it not be numbered among the days of
my life.

" Next morning, being May 25, 1798, as the sun
was coming forth, something seemed to question
me, evidently with reference to the exercises of
the previous evening, saying, 'What have you
been doing?' I said, Fighting against God. 'But,'
said the inquirer, 'What has God done?* I re-
plied, He is going to save E. B. arid not me ;
and I am as good as he is. 'But has God done
you wrong ? Has He not done you good and not
evil all the days of your life ? Eaised you up
friends ; taken care of you when sick ; healed you ;
given you the Gospel to enjoy V And the goodness
of God passed before me with a flood of light,
astonishing and confounding me. I said* God has
done all this. Ah ! more. Yet I have hated TTim
with all my heart. Again the inquirer seemed to
address me : ' Gird yourself now and meet your

d by Google

REV. ALFRED BENMETT . 27

own engagement. Yon said, last evening, that
God was unjust. Put your finger now upon the
instance in which God ever acted unjustly, if you
can.' I found myself in trouble., I looked this
way and that for evidence, determined to establish
the injustice of God; but I utterly failed. It
pressed me, tod pressed me to the issue ; and I
felt that I was condemned. - In an instant it burst
upon my mind, God is surely right, and I am
wrong. My soul is lost. Ton have destroyed
yourself; God cannot be blamed. He is clear
when He condemneth. Yet I exceedingly wish
I could have been saved. The character of God
does not look to me as it did last night. Com-
panionship with Him looks delightful. I would
that I could dwell with Him. But that is now
forever impossible; my presence would spoil
Heaven. I dare not ask Him to save me. He
may well^save E. B. and everybody else; He will
only need me as a monument of His just and holy
indignation against sin forever ; and there could
not have been a fitter one selected to illustrate the
batefulness of a rebel and the forbearance of God,
still, I wish I could have been saved ; thera ap-
pears something attractive and glorious in the holy
eociety of Heaven.

" Again something seemed to say to me, 'How

d by Google

28 MEMOIB OF

do yon know bnt yon might have been saved,
except for the wickedness of last night?' I re-
flected upon my past life, and said, That might
have been possible, bnt what good to think of it
now, when my sin then was nnto death? Then I
said to myself, That was yon, my wicked heart ;
yon pnt me beyond the reach of God's mercy by
the blasphemous indulgence of your enmity against
God. And I fell out with myself there, and I
believe I hated myself then as much as I had God
the evening previous. I thojjght there could not
be another such an abominable, hateftd, loathe-
some wretch in the universe as I was ; I wished I
could be annihilated ; not that I would lose my
existence, but the identity of my being; I thought I
would be ashamed even to go to hell, and be known
there .as Alfred Bennett. It seemed the devil
would be tormenting me, making isport of my
misery, and that justly, on account oLmy sin
against a just and holy God; I, a w orm of the
dust, had dared to blaspheme His name and defy
Him. But such a wish I saw was unavailing, I
had sinned in my own person and I must be
punished in my own person. "While reflecting
upon the compassion of God, a glow of delight
sprang up within me, which caused a smile upon
my face. This alarmed me exceedingly; for I

d by Google

REV. ALFRED BENKBIT . 29

thought I had committed the unpardonable sin
and laughed in the presence of God. And I said,
That was yon, my wicked heart. Why will you
longer provoke God ? I know I must go to hell ;
there is no possible hope for me ; bnt I would not
sin again against God. He is good, and though
my poor soul is lost, I would not sin any more
against Him** It seemed that I could not live
through that day ; I had no anticipations of con-
tinuing till £ght upon the face of the earth. la
view of this, I said to the family at breakfast, I
do not expect to live till night, and shall probably
not come in again ; I wish you to say to my
parents and others, if need be, thp re is no hope in
•my case; no mercy for me; I am lost — justly
lost ; It^annot die "without leaving my testimony
behind me that God is just. He is right, and I
am wrong— altogether wrong; I am my own
destroyed ;

" Thus I went forth to my labor, an object of
the deepest self-detestation, not wondering that
God should hate me, for I hated myself; I thought
the very trees on the road-side scowled and
lowered at me ; the grass seemed to grudge my
touch as I walked. Nature appeared as if at war
with me on account of my wickedness. My bur-
den seemed' to weigh a ton, and I was sinking
3*

d by Google

80 MEMOIR 0*

gradually down, down$ down to the pit without a
bottom. But suddenly the strings seemed to
break, and it slid off my burdened soul ; and,
wonderful to relate 1 starting up, I found, as it
appeared to me, all nature was changed and I was
in a new world. The sun shone with a splendor of
which I had before, no conception. The trees,
waving in beauty, had not begrtHged me exist-
ence, nor the grass ; they were only praising their
Maker and acting up to their natu|p and being.
Some passages of scripture, also, came sweetly into
my mind; such as these: He was made sin for
us, who knew no sin, that we might he made the
righteousness of God m Him. He ha/re our sms
m His own body on the tree. And something
whispered sweetly to my soul: This is4he way
God saves sinners; Jesus Christ died for them.
My soul melted and became like water. I said,
O blessed Jesus ! Thou art altogether Jpvely ! la
it possible that Thou canst have mercy on such a
rebellious, sinful worm! And while considering
the love of God and the plan of salvation revealed
by the Lord Jesus Christ, my soul was lifted
above the world ; I laid down my implements of
husbandry, for it seemed to me I would not have
stooped down to pick up the world ; I was over-
whelmed with joy, and said, O that I could make

d by Google

REV. ALFRED BENNETT. 81

the world hear! How I would tell them about
Jesus Christ dying for sinners! I immediately
went to the nearest house* not doubting that they
would believe me when I told them what was to
me manifest of the glory of God. But they
seemed alarmed. The woman asked me a question
which led me to suppose she thought the change was
in me (for up to this time I had conceived that it
was in the real appearance of the world); and I
said, What if it be true that this change is onfy
in me and this prove all delusion now? Still,
thought I, it is a bappy delusion, and I cannot
give it up yet. I left and went to my father's,
where I found some congenial spirits who under-
stood the real import of such language. From
thence I sought E. B., and spent the day most
happily from house to house in company with
converts. I loved God ; I loved the Saviour ; and
it was the high purpose of my soul to live for His
glory.

"In this resolution I was firmly settled. For
why Bhould I transgress the law of God again?
Why not live to please Him ; then die to praise
TTi'm ? Sin seemed too degrading to be thought of
by such a favored one, as it now appeared I had
been. With this happy frame of mind I took my
place in social worship, exhorting the godly to

d by Google

32 MEMOIR OF

hold fast their profession without wavering, and
sinners to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus
Christ. In Him there seemed such glorious ful-
ness; He was able to save to the uttermost all
that came unto God by Him."

CHAPTER III.

A DBEAM.

At this point a mysterious event occurred,
which cast a dark shadow over his spiritual hopes
for many years. Different views will doubtless bo
entertained respecting its nature ; but affecting so
deeply as it did his religious character and enjoy-
ments, it claims a conspicuous place in the annals
of his life. The fervor of his imagination, indeed,
combined with emotions of heart capable of the
most intense excitement, is sufficiently marked in
the history of his conversion, and must have re-
minded the intelligent reader of the peculiarities so
strikingly developed in the character of Bunyan,
as delineated in his inimitable autobiography —
grace abounding to the chief of sinners. But the
exercises of his mind previous to the night hem

d by Google

BEV. ALFRED BENOTTTT. 33

referred to, during the month which had now
elapsed Bince his conversion, were those of joyful
fruits and hope, and it does not appear that, any
thing had occurred which, by the ordinary laws
of mental action, would naturally lead to such a
dream. Not one dark hour had dimmed his view
of Christ, or thrown its baleful shade over his
prospects of blessedness.

" One night," he remarked, " I retired to rest as
usual, and in my sleep thought I was dead. I
could look back, and .see them preparing to bury
my body. It seemed to me I was conscious that
I was dead, but I was miserable. I had come up
almost to heaven, but stepped one step short of it,
and was sinking gradually but certainly down to
hell. I did not see God, nor heaven, nor hell;
but was in indescribable anguish of spirit through
fear of the great white throne and Him that sat
upon it, which appeared to be approaching in all
its terrors. Looking up, I said, There ! He is
coming. The heavens will break, and I shall see
Him, and He will frown upon me. At this mo-
ment my father passed me. He was unspeakably
happy in anticipation of the very thing which I
dreaded — the coming of the Just One. We recog-
nized the relations which had existed, but they
remained no longer ; «all natural affections had

d by Google

84 MEMOIR OF

ceased on the part of both. And here eternity
seemed to open to my mind as it is, and as, it
now seems to me, it will appear again in reality —
endless, boundless. On the right hand, the state
of the righteous, on the left hand, the condition
of the wicked, was unalterably fixed; G-od's
immutable purpose being the great gulph be-
tween. Here I awoke, and was in such a state
of nervous agitation, that the bed was rocking
beneath me.

" Something seemed immediately to say, 4 Ton
are a hypocrite.' My heart replied, I fear I ana.
4 Why yes,' said the accuser, 4 God has just shown
it to you,' and my trembling soul fell in with the
suggestion.. I said, Woe is me! I am undone I
Darkness came over my mind, dense as that over
Egypt ; it was darkness that could be felt. My
comfort in religion was gone, for I had no hope.
My pleasures in this life were lost, for I had nothing
worth living for. My prospects were all blasted.
I was but almost a Christian, and should never be
permitted to enter with joy the pearly gates, and
tread the golden streets of the New Jerusalem.
The scene was changed. From the heights of the
most buoyant hope, I was cast down to the depths
of despair. My friends sought to know the cause.
I could only say, I am deceived ; I am a hypocrite ;

d by Google *

BEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 85

I am lost. I dared not reveal to them the reason ;
for, I thought, these young converts are Christians
— I have no donbt of that ; and this was not given
for their benefit, but for mine. If they should see
that I am not a Christian, they might donbt the
reality of their own exercises, and give themselves
needless sorrow. I kept my place in the room
for prayer, laboring to establish Christians, warn-
ing them of the danger of deception, exhorting all
to a careful, Scriptural, prayerful examination of
their hope, and entreating sinners to be reconciled
to God, with more fervency than ever before.
For, I thought, if I must be finally lost, I would
not have them. When godly ministers preached,
the description they gave of the righteous and
their prospects^as to me glowing and animating ;
my heart would warm under it. But still it was
not for me ; I was but a hypocrite, and might not
take the children's bread ; I had no right to be
in their society, however desirable it appeared.
And when they described the wicked and their
awful doom, my soul revolted at the thought of
eternal companionship with them, for I loathed
sin. I said, Would God I could have been saved
from such a doom !

" Thus I would go home, finding nothing to re-
fresh my wounded, sinking, perishing soul, and

d by Google

86 • MEMOIR OF

for three months I had no quiet. A Christian's
hope appeared to be forbidden : God had said I
must not indulge it. Still sin was a burden to me,
and it was my delight to pray and mingle with
Christians and read the Holy Scriptures. I had
continual sorrow at my heart, and was sinking into
a settled melancholy. My parents and friends,
with much patience and affection, sought to remove
the difficulty, fearing that I should become derang-
ed under it ; but I strove the rather to fortify my-
self, and resist their kindest efforts. At last my
mother said, 'My son, do you not think you have
had light!' I admitted I had, and great light too.
She replied, i Zwe up then to the light you have
had) This was effectual. I saw at a glance that,
let nje go to heaven or hell at last, it was my duty
to serve God: I had light enough to direct my
course in that. I saw that for a man to serve
God because he was going to heaven, was mere
selfishness. It was my duty to serve God in holi-
ness, leaving my future destiny in His keeping
entirely. This led me at once into the perform-
ance of all the duties enjoined upon a Christian.
I had light enough to see that His claims upon me
were paramount. After this, some little "glimpse
of hope would occasionally appear to my mind,
but vanish almost as soon as seen. In this state

d by Google

BEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 37

of anxiety respecting my spiritual condition, my
mind continued about fifteen years.

"This event in my religious experience has
been seldom referred to during my life ; and if I
am here asked, after fifty years' observation and
reflection, what is my own opinion of it, I must
answer: There can be but two views taken of the
matter. The impression it made upon me was
either true or not true. If the former, then I am
what it at that time seemed I was, a hypocrite, a
deceived person, lost to all hope of heaven forever.
And if this be so, it is just. God has shown me
that I have destroyed myself; though it is a most
fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living
God, a subject of His punishment. If it was not
true, then it was directed to exercise my mind, as
a disciplinary antidote against the uprisings of
my naturally volatile disposition, and as a thorn
in my flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, to
keep in check those workings of spiritual pride
which might otherwise have proved my ruin.

"After my public profession of Christ," he con-
tinues, "fearful forebodings of my fdture ruin
would still stand as a sentinel at the presentment
of every duty, to keep me back from its perform-
ance ; and I went as a man with a rope about his
neck, conscious of deserving only execution, yet
4

d by Google

38 MEMOIR OF

desirous of serving and pleasing God. With little
hope of success, and much less of my personal sal-
vation, I entered the ministry, impelled only by
the all-controlling principle of acting up to the
light given me. 'For,' I said, 'it is my duty to
endeavor to prevent others from going down to
destruction, if I must at last go thither myself?
Thus shut out from hope, I was urged to duty by
the sternness of circumstances, scarcely free for
an hour at a time from the awful apprehensions
arising from the suggestion ever sounding in my
ears, c You are a hypocrite, you are a hypocrite.'
Years passed on with fearful conflicts and fore-
bodings in my own soul, unknown to any human
being. Occasions occurred when my mind en-
joyed enlargement, peculiar comfort in prayer
and in the ministration of the Word. This would
cheer me for the time. I would say, Is it not
possible after all that 1 am a Christian ? I will
ke candid in the examination of the matter, and
not look only on the dark side. I have enjoyed
comfort in my own soul, both in private exercises
and the .public labors of the ministry. The evi-
dence is before me that the chtirch has been built
up and prospered under my labors ; sinners, also,
have been converted and added to the church,
making sound and healthy members. And is this

d by Google

BEV. ALFRED VmNKTT. 89

no evidence ? Would God thus show me favor if
I was not His child ? Then it would return upon
me, What evidence is all this ? Do not the Scrip-
tures say, The stronger shall feed your flocks, and
the sons of the olden, shall be your vinedressers?
This also accords with the ordinary workings of
nature. Does not the farmer have his ploughs, and
drags, and implements of culture, to fit the soil and
aid in maturing his crop ? But when their work
is done, they are broken to pieces and burned up.
So it will be with you when God has done with
your service. Did he not speak the truth by
Balaam, although he loved the wages of unrighte-
ousness, and died among the profane ? Was not
Saul among the prophets for a time, although he
sought to witches before he died ? Had not the
Saviour a Judas in His company, till he accom-
plished as an hireling his day, when he died, and
went to his own place ? What right, then, have
you to think you are a Christian because of these
incidental tokens of usefulness ? Thus was I har-
assed with fears, which constantly kept me hum-
ble at the feet of Christ. I could do nothing
without Him.

"During those seasons of revival which were
experienced in Homer, my mind would be so much
engrossed with the welfare of others, that I had no

d by Google

40 MEMOIR OF

time to devote to my own state. Although in-
wardly there were heavy conflicts which wasted
my physical strength, I dared not reveal the secret
of my suffering to the people : it seemed that it
could do no good, and it might do much harm.
Now, it was like the secret whisperings of an
enemy, piercing through every avenue of my soul ;
and again, it would be a loud and boisterous as*
sault, like an army rushing to victory, and saying
with trumpet tones, "What right have you here ?
You are a hypocrite. And my quivering heart
would answer, I fear I am. The scenes of that
night would again vividly pass before my blind
and sink me in despair. Thus I went bowing
under sorrows, goaded with fears, and would pften
cry, Thou Lamb of God ! to whom should I go,
but unto Thee? Thou hast the words of eternal
life. My soul clings to Thy cross, and pleads Thy
precious, pardoning blood. With Thee to sustain
rne, I will venture on. in the midst of these har-
rowing sensations, there would be occasionally a
temporary relief. Perhaps during the public ex-
ercises of the Sabbath, I would forget myself, lost
in the charms of the Saviour. I would have great
freedom in prayer, and peculiar nearness to the
Throne ; unusual light and power would attend the
opening of the Scriptures, aiding me in the argu*

d by Google

BEV. ALFRED BENNETT . 41

ment and carrying me beyond myself in the
blessed work of preaching the Gospel of the grace
of God, Heaven would appear with snch bright-
ness, as the place where God reigns and Jesus
dwells, that I would urge the saints to look upward
and take courage, press on and be faithful unto
death ; the conflict' would soon be over, and then,
oh then! what a rest remained beyond! What
rejoicings would fill the bosoms of saints in that
world of glory ! My heart would yearn over sin-
ners. With overwhelming interest in my own
bouL, I urged upon them arguments to repent and
believe the Gospel, till many in the congregation
would be melted into tears; and I would say,
How shaU Igvoe thee up, OEph^aimt while still
there would be an inward consciousness that I had
discharged my duty, and should they perish, I
was pure from their blood. Yet immediately after
this, perhaps while some brother was closing the
meeting by prayer, it would come rushing upon
me, like a tornado : ' You have been telling Chris-
tians about the blessedness of Heaven, but you
will never go there ; it is not for you. You are a
hypocrite.' And my spirit would fall in with the
suggestion, and again that night and its dream
would pass with terrible distinctness before me.
I would be manacled and carried back to that ex-
4*

d by Google

42 MEMOIR OF

ercise which, filled me with such darkness and
confusion, and before the brother had closed his
prayer, my thoughts would be in such tumult,
that I could not tell what to say in dismissing the
assembly. Fearing I might use some improper
expression, I took much pains to fix firmly in my
mind the benediction of the apostle : The grace of
owr Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the
corwnwn&on of the Hol/y Ghost, he with you aR.
Amen.

" Bound thus, hand and foot, I knew not what
to do, nor whither to fly. I dreaded appointments
to preach ; and time passed on with little or no
comfort in my own soul in the work of the minis-
try. Sometimes encouragement came from this
expression : He hnoweth the wa/y that I take, and
when He hath tried me I shall come forth like
gold. Again, I was distressed and cast down lest
He should say — and if He did, I knew it would
be just — as He did to Israel whqn in the hand of
their enemies: Why seek ye vm,to met Seek ye
imto the gods that ye have chosen; for I will de-
Uver you no more. It seemed to settle, at length,
like a disease upon my mind, until my health gave
way under it. My appetite and strength failed.
It was as an incubus constantly pressing upon me
above strength, so that I despaired of life.

d by Google

REV. ALTBED BUNKUTT. 43

"One afternoon, after haying preached in a
neighboring town and enjoyed much comfort du-
ring the exercise, darkness had as usual succeeded,
making me exceedingly nervous. About dusk
two men called at the house, where I was enter-
tained, to obtain refreshment for the night. I was
introduced to them as a Baptist minister who had
preached that afternoon in' the neighborhood.
They said in return, i We are very glad to meet
yon, sir, and become acquainted. We, also, are,
friends of the Lord Jesus Christ, members of the
Presbyterian* denomination. We are from the
State of Vermont, on our way down the Ohio
river into the new country.' I replied, I do not
know what advantage it can be to you to make
my acquaintance; for I am but a hypocrite at
best. There, thought I, what did I say that for?
Fool that I was, to utter that expression. If it is
true, I need not have told them of it; they are
strangers. Too many are disposed now to make
accusations against us as a denomination. These
men, as they go their way, may hear reproaches
cast upon us, and will join the accusers, saying,
no doubt these things are so, for as we came
through the State of New York, we fell in with a
Baptist minister in reputable standing who hon- ,
estly told us he was nothing but a hypocrite. The

d by Google

44 MEMOIR OF

expression I had used so preyed upon my mind,
lest it might become matter of reproach to the
cause, that I resolved to give them the full reasons
for it; thinking, also, that N as they were men of
experience, something might be suggested to my
benefit. I therefore rehearsed to them in detail
the exercise I had in my sleep. They listened
with attention, and at the close one of them look-
ing at the other said, ' Do you believe a Christian
ever felt the pains of hell? 5 'No,' replied his
companion, c I'do not.' 'Nor I either,' said the
first, with a significant nod of the head and wink
of the eye. Now, thought I, my case is hopeless.
For I am sure I have tasted the bitterness of the
cup of sorrow, and these men, who are compe-
tent to judge, do not believe I am a -Christian.
My friends, when at any time I, have hinted at the
- thing, have wondered that I should be so foolish
as to let a dream trouble me so : but these men
are candid, they have no interest in the matter,
and have judged impartially. Thus my sorrow^
increased and the floods overwhelmed my soul.
For several weeks my mind was a prey to every
alarming thought. I did not so much dread the
pains of hell, as I did the loss of holy society : my
fear was to be shut out of Heaven.
"One day, while musing, these words came

d by Google

REV. ALFRED BENNETT. 45

suddenly with power upon my mind : The pains
qf hell gat hold upon me; I fownd trouble and
sorrow. It seemed to lift me a thousand feet high
in a moment ; for I said, David was certainly a
saint Yet he says the pains of hell gat hold npon
him, and who knows but I may be a Christian yet !
I had no evidence that I was, but the possibility
that I might be, the bare idea that there was a
chance of my being a Christian, was sweeter and
more precious to my soul than all the pleasures of
earth of the gold in a thousand mines. From this
time my mind underwent a great change in regard
to my spiritual state. It became a mount of ob-
servation. I thought, I have now been for many
years filled with apprehensions respecting my fu-
ture welfare. My anxieties have been intense. A
careful survey and review of my evidences of
Christian character has been carried as far as it is
possible for .me to carry it this side of positive
certainty, and what have I gained ? It has broken
my rest and wasted my strength. I will therefore
give up this long-agitated question of my future
happiness or misery, leaving my soul in the hands
of God, to be disposed of by Him. I will endeavor
to live in such a manner that I may enjoy the
company of the saints in this life, even if I am
excluded from them in another. My mind at once

d by Google

46 MEMOIR OF

became more calm and steadfast in the exercise of
confidence in Jesus Christ. About the .same time,
also, the remark was made in my hearing by a
Christian friend whose judgment I much respect-
ed, that people would 'doubtless have in another
world the company of such as they preferred in
this. I was greatly encouraged by this thought ;
for I certainly knew that here I loved Christian
society best. Thus, through the rich grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ, I obtained such a victory over
the temptation as, in a great measure, to Secure a
stable peace ; notwithstanding, even to this day,
which is more than fifty years, the impressions
of that night will at times distress me.

" In reflection upon this trial, I have often been
led to remark that God has brought from it gignal
good to others in my ministry. During those
seasons of revival which were so riqhly experienced
here, I had frequent occasion to scrutinize the
workings of the depraved heart, and detect in
others the various deceptive windings of sin, and
pride, and unbelief, with which I had become fa-
miliar in my own exercises. It was thus of much
service to me in helping young converts to settle
upon a light foundation, and preventing deceived
souls and hypocrites from taking shelter in some
refuge of lies. After service one Sabbath, an

d by Google

REV. ALFRED BENNETT. 47

honest, sincere soul came to me and said, 4 You
have taken away to-day all the hope I have that I
am a Christian.' I replied, My dear young friend,
if yon have no better hope than that, the sooner
yon are rid of it the better. A Christian's hope
is based on Jesus Christ and sustained by the
truth; therefore the ministry of the Gospel will
not harm it, but strengthen it Go to your home
now ; take your Bible and enter your closet, and
let this question be settled between God and your
souL This issued in a most blessed state of con-
fidence in Christ, which was attained very soon
after. Again, when a disposition was manifested
among young converts to enter the church, I would
take occasion to bring before them the solemnity
and, importance of such a relation, showing the
awful condition of a soul there, if mistaken in the
foundation of its" hope ; because, having obtained
fellowship with the church as a Christian, there
was imminent danger of slumbering over its true
state, to its eternal destruction. This course, while
it put them upon great self-examination respecting
their own case, also tended to elevate the character
of the church, both in their estimation and in the
eyes of the world ; fixing the impression upon
every mind that there could be no possible good
resulting from a connection with it as members,

d by Google

48 MEMOIR OF

unless the Spirit of Christ reigned within the
heart."

This narrative has anticipated, in the order of
time, much that is now to follow, but it was
deemed best to present the remarkable exercise
here related, with its effects at one view. The
reader will, therefore, return to the scenes of
revival in Mansfield.

The spiritual despondency occasioned by the
painful impressions of this dream was not allowed
to interfere with the discharge of Christian duties.
Settled firmly in the principle that, however it
might please God to dispose of him at last, though
his portion should be assigned among the lost, as
he felt it might justly be, it was still his solemn
duty to devote himself, with every faculty of «his
eoul, to the service of God ; he continued to fill the
position of an active Christian, earnestly engaged
in the work of religion and the scenes of stirring
spiritual interest around him. He saw many
others pass from the agonies of conviction and
despair into the blessedness of pardon and hope.
The songs of praise from new-born souls were con-
tinually sounding in his ears, and revived saints
who had long been walking in darkness, filled
now with clearer and richer anticipations of enter-
ing the presence of God, spake of joys unutterable

d by Google

REV. idCVBKD BENNETT. 4$

and full of glory. But the shades of death hung
with dark and portentous gloom over the future
before him. There was to his ear a holy melody
in the praises of God, while yet he anticipated,
with awful dread, an eternity amidst wailing and
gnashing of teeth. His soul joined with heavenly
fervor in the supplications which rose to "FTinx
" within the veil," and longed for that hope of the
children of God which is fastened there upon the
eternal throne ; but fear still drove him as an
outcast even from the mercy-seat. He loved the
companionship of the saints far above all worldly
associations, and it was the prospect of being
separated forever from their holy society and
mingling with the wicked, which formed the chief
ingredient in his prospective cup of misery* like
good Mr. Fearing, whose character <ta described
with such graphic power in the Pilgrim's Pirogress^
he never thought of turning bade to the world.
The paths of sin had lost their attraction* "Diffi-
culties, lions, or Vanity Fair, he feared not at all ;
it was ofily sin, death, and hell, that were to him
a terror, because he had doubts about his interest
in that celestial country.**

He was baptized on the first Sabbath in February,
1800, and united With the Baptist «bureh in
Hampton, Conn.,— then under the .pastoral cam

d by Google

50 memoir os>

of Rev. Abel Palmer. This step was taken, as lie
remarked, only "after strong conflicts of mind,
much self-examination, and fervent prayer and
wrestlings with God for direction."

CHAPTER IV.

ENTRANCE ON THE MINISTRY.

Mb. Bennett was united in marriage with Miss
Bhoda Grow, a daughter of Deacon Thomas Grow,
of Hampton, in November, 1802.

A general spirit of emigration was beginning at
that time to prevail in New England, and its
course turned mainly towards Central and Western
New York. That region was then " the *West n
and much of it which is filled now with an active,
intelligent population, and covered with the pro-
ductions of industry and art, was an unbroken
wilderness. Nearly all the cities west of Albany,
whose streets are at this day thronged with a busy
populace and lined with the mansions of opulence
and refinement, were then unbuilt. No steam-
boat had yet plied upon the waters of tBe Hudson,

d by Google

BEY. ALFRED BENNETT. 51

or disturbed the quiet of the Indian in his hunting
grounds upon the lakes ; and the most enthusiastic
imagination had not conceived the magnificent
palaces which now float there. The iron horses
which fly through the length and breadth of that
country, and the canals bearing upon their bosoms
the wealth of a nation, had not once entered the
thought of man. But the emigrant, with his ox-
team, conveying the whole of his earthly posses-
sions, might be seen threading his way slowly
through the wilderness, directed often only by
marked trees to the place. of his destination.
Here and there a log cabin, with a small clearing
around it, gave indications of the hand of industry
and civilization ; while a tavern and a rudely con-
structed school-house, which served also for a
church, formed the nucleus of some future village.
The hardy adventurer here contended with the
forests* for subsistence; and in much privation,
with vigorous arm secured for himself a habitation
and an earthly competence.

Many of these emigrants were from the best
families of New England. They brought with
them, in frequent instances, the religious fruits
and elevated morality which characterized the
home of their fathers. The institutions of religion
were immediately established among them. . Often

d by Google

52 MEMOIR OF

was the family found, remote from other dwellings,
gathered morning and evening around the domestic
altar; while on the Sabbath, the neighbors for
miles round, coming through the forests to some
appointed place, would assemble for praise and
prayer. Sermons they seldom had, except when
read by some of their number from the printed
Volume; but their prayers went up no less fer*
vently before the throne, and the earnest exhorta-
tion fell with the greater sweetness upon the soul.
Not a few are the villages and towns in Central
New York on which the godly principles and
moral habits of these early settlers have left a holy
impress that is not yet effaced : the order, intelli-
gence, and piety still apparent are a sacred legacy
which their children now enjoy.

Mr. Bennett became a resident of the town of
Homer, Cortland (then Onondaga) Co., N. Y., in
February, 1803.

That region was then comparatively a wilder-
ness. The first family had taken up its residence
there in 1703; and in the following year, being
joined by a few others, mostly religious people,
from Connecticut and Massachusetts, meetings for
prayer and exhortation were established, in which
all united. Churches, however, were subse*
queatly formed. When Mr. Bennett arrived, no

d by Google

EEV. ALFHED BEFNETT. 63

house of worship had been built; the Baptist
church, which was the first organized in the town
of any denomination, worshipped in private dwell-
ings, and the Congregational church met in the
only framed building in the village' (with one
exception), which was also used as a town and
school house. Here he began life as a former, in
a log-house, with the forests around him to be
felled by his own arm.

The little Baptist church, with which he united
in April, 1804, was subjected to much trial in its
early history. It was rarely they enjoyed the
ministry of the Word; and, with few experienced
members, widely scattered and exposed to all the
temptation as well as privation of a new country,
it may well be supposed that, though gifted with
some of the excellent of the earth, there were some
also whom Satan would lead astray. In a letter
directed tqJiis brother Alvin, dated Homer, Sept.
2, 1804, ace the following remarks :

" I am exceedingly happy to learn that God has
deigned to visit you in that country and display
some of His glorious perfections ; that the cries of
the wounded and the shouts of those who sing for
joy have been heard among you. O that I could
say that this is the case here ! But, alas, quite the
contrary. Iniquity abounds, and the love of many,
5*

d by Google

51 MEMOIR OF

who appeared to be zealous advocates of Jesus,
grows cold ; some deserting the cause, others halt-
ing between two opinions. Infidelity rears ita
head, and what Truth calls damnable heresies are
fast creeping in among us. As a people, we are —
I had like to have said, on the eve of destruction.
But I recall it ; for the foundation standeth sure.
For God the Omnipotent Lord is at the helm of
government, and He cometh upon princes as
upon mortar and as the potter kneadeth clay,
smiling at the weak efforts of sin and the powers
of darkness to oppose Him. For of the increase
of His government and peace there shall be no
end." v • ■

The country was then in almost primitive wild-
ness. Dense forests extended over large tracts, as
yet unbroken by the hand of civilization,, from
whose recesses the bear and the fox often issued'
and made depredation^ in the barnyards of the
scattered settlers. Amusing incidents are handed
down of the warfare between the early pioneers
and the wild animals which prowled around their
habitations. On one occasion, it is related, a huge
bear having come out at nightfall from a neigh-
boring thicket and carried off a large hog, Mr.
Bennett hearing the alarm hastily took his gun
and went in chase. It was loaded only with buck-

.Digitized by VjOOQ

KEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 55

©hot, and having no balls at hand he thrust the
Tamrod into the barrel as a substitute. The bear,
finding itself pursued, turned and showed a dis-
position to do battle for his prey. His pursuer
fired, and the ramrod passing directly through the
animal was lost in the ground. The beast fell
lifeless and was borne home in triumph by the
victor. . Circumstances of this character were not
uncommon, but this will suffice to illustrate the
condition of the country at that period.

Mr. Bennett entertained the thought of entering
the ministry with great reluctance ; not from any
personal aversion to it, but from a painful sense of
his deficiency in Christian attainment and literary
culture*' He had received nothing more than the
mere ^rudiments of an English education, and, de-
t vo£d^of .scholastic accomplishments and mental
\ discipline, and compelled to rely upon the labor of
his hands for temporal support, he must be thrown
in his pulpit efforts solely upon the native vigor
of his intellect and the teachings of the Spirit of
God. It was only after nearly two years of
severe mental conflict, he yielded to his convic-
tions of duty and became a publip minister of the
Gospel.

The Baptists were then few and feeble. Eccle-
siastical oppression in New England, which sought

d by Google

;S$ wmam op

to craali them, had not yet ceased. With few
learned men in the ministry and little control of
the. press, the great truths for which they are dis-
tinguished, were imperfectly understood and widely
misrepresented. The vital principle of religions
liberty, for which they had struggled almost alone
for many centuries, though it was now inscribed
upon the national constitution and was rapidly
effacing from the statute, book enactments which
invaded the freedom of conscience, had not yet
thoroughly imbued the minds of even good men 5
and many were the annoyances and persecutions
to which at that time persons were often subjected
who ventured to unite with them. It was not
pnfrequent that the public avowal of their ob-
noxious- tenets involved the confessor in general
odium, the loss of personal friendships, and §ven
the dissolution of family ties. The early annals
qf nearly all the churches in this country present
oonstaut illustrations of the intolerance and bigotry
experienced at the hands of men endowed with
many excellencies of: xeligious character, but pro-
fessing a different ecclesiastical faith. Under such
circumstances, the position of a minister, it may
well be supposed, was one in nowise to be coveted ;
either for its ease, its popularity^ or its emolu-
ments^ flwLthe men who entered upon it were

d by Google

BEV. ALSTKED BENNETT. 57

ordinarily impelled by an ardent love of souls and
convictions wrought within them by the Spirit of
God which they could not resist.

The exercises through which his mind passed
in reference to entering the ministry, he related to
his pastor before his death nearly in the following
vrords:

"The work of the ministry had peculiar attrac-
tions for me, even in the most thoughtless and
wildest period of my yonth. It would often rise
in my mind, O that I could have been a minister !
I cared not who obtained political distinction, or
wealth, or worldly honor, so I could have preached
the Gospel. But this was impossible, as the Con-
gregational church in which I was reared allowed
none to be put into that office except such as had
enjoyed collegiate advantages. Yet for my own
amusement I would often on the Sabbath, when
the preacher had read his text and was making
some preliminary remarks, take the subject and
spread it out and arrange it for discussion. Some-
times I found myself very happily agreeing with
him in the arrangement, at others, I at once saw
my mistake in making the division, as he opened
it ; and then again, I would say, Now Rev. sir,
you have not got that subject right; you cannot
preach so.

d by Google

58 MEMOIR 07

" After I had obtained hope in Christ, my mind
still much desired the work of the ministry ; for
interests now appeared associated with it which
were spiritual and eternal. But it still seemed
impossible for me to attain to it; the work ap-
peared so holy, and I looked so vile in my own
eyes, that it forbid my ever reaching it ; I therefore
dismissed the matter from my mind, as useless to
think of, was married, and removed to Homer,
and locating myself as a citizen, engaged in sub-
duing the forests and tilling the soil for joay sup-
port. My course, I supposed, was fixed for life ;
and lest impressions in relation to the ministry
should again interrupt me I resolved on my first
coming into the town to take no part in religious
services, but live in quiet, endeavoring to maintain
a fair religious character. It so fell out, however,
that soon after, in attending meeting with the little
Baptist church in the village, there were only a
very few persons present, "and I was called to take
part in the service and offer prayer. I objected,
but the good sister who called on me so reasoned
the matter that conviction fastened on my mind,
and before the season closed I was again happy
in the discharge of duty. After tKis I was ex-
pected to take part with my brethren in reading
the Scriptures, exhortation, and prayer on the Sab-

d by Google

REV. ALFRED BENNETT. 59

bath, as there was then little preaching, and sermons
were few and far between.

" For a time my mind was satisfied. At length
the suggestion came upon me : With wham hast
thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I
would repel it, bnt again it would return: With
whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilder-
ness t And it would be renewed with increasing
force, as if some one spoke behind me, so that I
would instinctively turn my head: With wham
hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness t
I would still reply, God has a little flock here and
I would gladly feed them, but I cannot ; I have
nothing for them. And this was repeated perhaps
a hundred times, and often ten times a day it
would come bursting into my mind till my atten-
tion was completely absorbed. Also in my musings,
the state of sinners around would arrest my thought.
The people were coming from the East, invited
by the pleasantness of the situation, the fertility
of the soil, and the prospects of gain; but as money
was the great object, they were engrossed with
the cares of this life, the deceitfulness of riches,
and the lust of other things. I said, Surely they
will lose their souls unless there be one to warn
them of danger and direct them to Jesus the friend
of sinners. But I have no influence ; they would

d by Google

<M) MEMOIR O*

not believe me. Should I attempt to warn them
they might say, Is Saul also among the prophets t
The work is. too great; I cannot perform it. One
day, while reflecting on the state of the people and
the prospects of the church, the thought rushed
upon my mind with great, force, Yoa will yet have
to preach. At this my heart strongly revolted:
I thought, God knows that I wished to be a minifi^
ter, and should have felt honored to be* intro-
duced into tha£. work under circumstances which
VQuldhave enabled me to rise to a. mediocrity of
standing in it. But with my limited education,
no schools to improve my mind, no elder ministers
to counsel me, no library ; let me. oo the best I can
under add these embarrassments here in the wilder^
ness, I shall be nothing more than a miserable,
Significant- preacher; and I* will not. Lord, 1
am willing to exhort, or pray, or devote my time
otherwise tq aid the little church, as a brother;
but I can go no farther. 'Tie subject, however,
opuld mot be thus thrown off. I durst, not pray
©od to show me my duty for fear He would show
me the ministry. Having then no other books in
the house but a Bible, a volume of hymns* and a-
spelling-book, I said, I do not know any thing, nor
have I any means of knowing except from the-
Bible*. And to this I betook myself with great'

d by Google

BEV. ALKRED BENNETT. 61

ardor: I read much by night and by day, as I had
•opporttmity ; I would carry it abont my person to
my labor ; while chopping down the forest I would
work a while, then sit down upon a log and read
a while, and pray a while, and weep a while ; then
to my labor again* I begged God to forgive me
if I had done wrong. in refusing to consider the
subject ; and yet was wholly unwilling to entertain
the matter under my circumstances.

" Thus my mind was troubled for nearly two
years, supposing that my trials were wholly un-
known to others.. At length, to my surprise, I
found' matey had the impression that I was exer-
cised :resp*eting tfiat duty ; and they took occasion
to suggest the matter to me, urging me to consider
it favorably. Also, as we had no pastor, oppor-
tunity offered to speak with a little latitude upon
the Scriptures, which would occasionally afford
me great satisfaction in my feelings. At other
times, for fear it might "be looking towards the
SGrinistryj the very point I wished to discuss I
dared not touch ; and after speaking of every thing
else I could think of but that which really filled
*iy mind, I would sit down, ffcdl of confusion and
covered with mortification. Thus weighed down
with continual conflict, my flesh wasted and I*
feaoameL almost a skeleton; and by degrees oner
6

Digitized by VjOOQlC

62 MEMOIR OF

objection after another was providentially re*
moved. I knew I had the approbation of my
brethren ; they were more than willing I should
preach.

" In the spring of 1805, 1 became exceedingly
anxious to converse with my honored father, and
Rev. Mr. Palmer, my former pastor; for I felt
sore that Mr. Palmer was called of God to preach
the Gospel, and I had been told my father once
thought he ought to preach, but never did. There-
fore I thought, if I could only see them, between
them both, I am sure I could ascertain whether
my exercises are to be encouraged or not. But to
see them seemed impossible ; for they were living
some three hundred miles distant, and knew
nothing of my feelings, as. I supposed ; I had not
the remotest thought that they would come to me;
and I was wholly unable to make the journey.
My location was in a small opening in the forests,
and it was necessary to labor constantly to obtain
sustenance for my family. One day, while at
work, looking up, I saw my father coming; I was
filled with joy at the sight of him ; but my emaci-
ated, haggard appearance so affected him that he
burst into tears and wept profusely. After inquiring
after my welfare and the causes of my wasted
appearance, to which I replied by saying that I was

Digitized by VjOOQlC

BEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 68

not unhappily situated ; brushing away the tears,
he remarked, * Well, I am glad if you are enjoying
life; come, Mr. Palmer is down at the house. 9
This filled me with astonishment ; it seemed to be
of God ; and I could not but regard it as a special
Providence manifesting His condescension towards
me. It seemed their journey was suddenly planned
and prosecuted, and I could interpret it only as
showing the design of God to give me every evi-
dence I could ask. Before they left I was satisfied
respecting the real character of my exercises. The
last refuge under which I had hid myself was now
taken away ; I stood out all exposed to guilt if I
did not discharge the duty which was now plainly
before me ; I therefore resolved to make one effort.
"I honestly supposed it would be needful to
make but one attempt, in preaching, to satisfy my
brethren and my own feelings forever, that it was
not my duty. I made engagement in my mind,
if life was continued to me till such a Sabbath,
when the church would be together more generally,
that I would make the effort. Accordingly, I se-
lected a text, not suspecting that I should ever
need another one ; it was Eph. v. 8. For ye were
sometimes darkness, hit now are ye light m the
Zord; walk as chUdrenr of the light. This, I
thought, would afford me opportunity to exercise

d by Google

9t WBMfffB 09

my gift in the ministry, if any in the Bible could ;
for it seemed to allude to our depraved condition
in nature by the 4 darkness' spoken of; and to the
blessed and hopeful condition of the Christian un-
der the figure of 'light in the Lord;' of both which
I thought I had some knowledge in my own expe-
rience, and could therefore make out some interest-
ing discourse from them. If not, and my mind
was not fruitful, I could fell back upon the last
clause, 'Walk as children of the light,' which
would bring me upon ground with which I was
familiar, having long been permitted to exhort my
brethren. iWith this plan, I conned the subject,
and adjusted my thoughts, and, at the time ap-
pointed, went to the meeting, confident that if it
was my duty to preach I should be sustained" in
that service. The chapter having been read, at
the proper time I rose and remarked that, as the
brethren well knew, my mind had been much ex-
ercised in. respect to the duty of preaching the
Gospel ; and I had, therefore, concluded to venture
forward, leaving it to God and my brethren, until
they bade me stop. Then, reading the text, I
commenced an exposition of it~ But the pride of
my heart deceived. me ; the fear of man brought a
* snaare. I . lost my arrangement^ became <3ofefased
in my thoughts, apd exceedingly mortified in the

d by Google

KEV. icLFiBElr BENNETT. 66

issue of the effort. Dismissing the meeting for an
hour, I went into the forest, threw myself down,
and wept bitterly. I prayed jGod to forgive me
for having had a thought that I could preach.
But at length the suggestion rose that the time for
meeting was come again. My first impression
was not to return : I thought I could not appear
in that congregation* again. Then the thought,
came that I was a professor of religion, and my
conduct, should I desert the meeting, might wound
the cause ; and this I could not bear. On rising
up to return, something said, 'Are you going to
preach again this afternoon?' Preach,! No, in-
deed, I am not. I am ashamed of this morning's
work ; I shall not . try that again. Then it came
to me that I had stated in the morning I would go
forward, leaving it to God and my brethren ; the^
had not bid me stop, and I stood under public
engagement to continue preaching. I was sorry
I had said it, but, being said, I felt under obliga-
tion to make another effort. Then arose the ques-
tion of a subject, What shall be the text f Oh !
thoilght I, may God have mercy upon me ! I am
a fool ! For, going by the way, my wisdom has
failed me, and my folly must be apparent to all
the people. Having enjoyed many sweet reflec-
tions upon different passages of Scripture, during
6* ~

d by Google

66 MEMOIR OF

the preceding two years, I thought I most select
some one of them and do the best I could with it
My mind went through the Scriptures with great
rapidity, but could light on no passage, nor catch
one ray of light from any part of the Bible, from
the beginning of Genesis to the end of Revelation.
I became much excited, and trembling and groan-
ing in spirit, set out for the house, which was only
a few rods distant. Suddenly, these words fell
upon my mind with great power and sweetness :
My kingdom is not of this world. I put them
from me, as not having been investigated. But
they rushed again upon my mind with force, and
upon the repetition of them the third time, just as
I reached the door, there seemed some light to
spring up in my mind. There was no alternative
but to read these words ; I had no other subject.
Accordingly, the meeting was opened, and I read
them as the foundation of discourse. I had not
proceeded far, when light broke in upon my mind,
astonishing my whole soul, as the sun would break
forth in its full-orbed glory on the slumbering
darkness of midnight. That kingdom and its
King — its laws and order, its principles and its
precepts, its promises and pleasures, its power and
prospects, its subjects and objects, its life-giving
influence on the^inner in this dying world, and

d by Google

BEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 67

its consummation in glory — all burst upon my
mind with such intense interest and expansion of
thought, that I said to myself, I shall never need
another text. If I am permitted to live till three
score years and ten, this contains all the matter I
need to preach about ; it can never be exhausted.
My heart was in sweet composure, overflowing
with joy. I preached and wept ; the people wept
and listened. I only wondered we had never seen
such beauty before in the Saviour and in the Gos-
pel, and before I closed, I thought, if my brethren
would let me, I would preach as long as I lived.
And this I may honestly now say, being seventy .
years old* by the mercy of God being kept, I have
been permitted to have a place in the ministry,
and that text I have found containing more than I
have been able to preach, occupying my whole
attention up to this time. Still there are heights
in it which have not been scaled, and depths which
have not been fathomed, and extents and measure-
ments which have never been compassed.

" This experience was a lesson of rich instruc-
tion, leading me to distinguish between exercises
merely intellectual in the ministry of the Gospel,
and those which are truly spiritual ; and however
important the former are — and a man must study
to show himself apptwedr— still fjpm the latter he

d by Google

68 MEMOIR O*

derives his sweetest personal enjoyments arid only
effective power in the work."

Having thus been introduced to the work of the
ministry, he continued to preach with increased
acceptance to the little church gathered in Homer.
In November of 1805, he was unanimously licensed
to preach the Gospel anywhere within the bounds
of the church ; and in April of the following year,
this license was made unlimited, and he was au-
thorized to proclaim the tidings of life in Christ
Jesus "wherever God in His providence should
open the door." In February, 1807, the church,
by solemn resolution, called him to ordination,
which took place publicly, June 18, in the same
year. The services of the occasion were conducted
in a large barn, then new, on the premises of Hon.
John Keep, now connected with the County Poor
House. Eev. Ashbel Hosmer, pastor of the Bap-
tist church, Hamilton, preached the sermon, from
Gal. i. 10-12. Delegates were present from the
following churches: First Church, Milton (now
Genoa), Lisle, Dryden, Locke, Cazenovia, and Fa-
bius. Thus, with trembling hope, he was solemnly
consecrated to the pastor's work, and put in charge
with the feeble church in Homer, which, under
his pastorship, was yet destined to rise a monu-
ment of his faithfulness and the rich grace of God.

d by Google

BEV. ALFEED BENNETT. OT

CHAPTER V.

PASTOBAL LABORS.

Matty embarrassments attended his earlier labors
as a pastor. Without the advantages of education,
without access to an extensive library, his dis-
courses must necessarily be devoid of any of the
attractions of learning or the graces of rhetoric;
though the natural vigor of his mind gave to them
great power, and studied, as they often were, upon
his knees with the Bible before him, they were
usually rich in biblical expression and illustration,
and attended with an unction imparted only by
the Holy Ghost. The church had no house of
worship, and were accustomed to assemble on the
Sabbath at different places in the town, which
much affected the permanency of the congrega-
tion. Widely scattered over a region twenty miles
in extent, it was not easy to gather the flock into
one assembly, or discharge faithfully to them, in
counsel and visitation, the duties of a pastor.
Valuable additions had, indeed, been made to
{heir number, of some who. in after life stood aa
distinguished pillars in the church, but there were
others also who occasioned the watchful servant of

d by Google

70 MEMOIR OF

God much anxiety. Added to these, was the
limited amount of his salary, which compelled him
to labor much with his hands for temporal sup-
port The extract which follows, from a letter
addressed to his brother Alvin, August 18, 1809,
furnishes an interesting view of his trials and
character at this period :

"As to the situation of my mind in the things
of religion— sometimes the clusters from Eschol's
brook cheer my fainting soul. The same truth I
try to preach to others is the only support of my
soul ; for all my dependence is on sovereign grace.
However, much of my time is spent in trials. I
have trials about my adoption, trials about preach-
ing, trials about my worldly concerns, trials about
my stupid manner of living, trials about the dis-
orderly walk of some members in the church, and
trials arising from temptations numberless as the
sands. I hope you have fewer discouragements
to encounter. Pray, be encouraged, my brother,

" For the weakest, Jesus shall win the day,
Though death and hell obstruct the way."

Let us not seek to please men ; for such are not
the servants of Christ. Seek not the favor of par-
ties, but of Christians. Do the work of cm evcm*
gdist; makef^M^roofofthyrnkfdsbryP

d by Google

REV. ALFRED BENNETT. 71

* At this early period, some of the pastors were
wont to devote a part of almost every year to mis-
sionary effort, itinerating in the new settlements
forming west of them. By this means the scat-
tered members of the fold of Christ were collected,
and churches organized; while the Gospel was
published to many who would otherwise have
been left nninstructed. Meetings for prayer were
set up and encouraged, and the influences of reli-
gion spread where they were before unfelt. The
ardent missionary zeal of many of the fathers in
the ministry, some of whom have already entered
their rest and others are now waiting the Master's
call, is still fresh in the memory of the elder mem-
bers of the churches, among whom not a few lis-
tened to the Word of life they ministered, and
then first felt its saving power. Allusion is made
to a-totq^pf this character in a letter written Sep-
tember 18, 1810. It contains the following re-
marks : " The things of religion are not so much
engaging my mind as they ought I have to
write bitter things against myself; yet by the
grace of God I am what I am. I expect, the Lord
willing, to leave my family next' Monday on a
journey of seven or eight weeks to the westward,
the most of it to bye spent in missionary labors by
appointment from the Hamilton Baptist Mission-

d by Google

73 MEMOIR 09

ary Society. Our church enjoys comfortable union :
I think there are some proBpects of a reformation.
The Lord grant I may not be deceived. Last
Lord's day I baptized one ; our present number is
seventy-eight. The Lord add more by His grace."

Another tour of similar character was under-
taken to Holland Purchase, in 1811, during which,
in an absence of a little more than seven weeks, it
is recorded, he rode five hundred miles, and
preached fifty-seven sermons.

Religions discussions at -this period turned
mainly upon the points at issue between the Cal-
vinistic and Arminian theology. Many good men
even took extreme views. Some denied the sove-
reignty of Divine grace in conversion, and made
salvation wholly the result of the sinner's strivings.
On the other hand, there were not a few who, for-
getting that the Most High, in working q}l things
according to the counsels of His own will, effects
His gracious purposes by appointed means, refused
to exhort men to repent and believe, on the ground
of man's natural incapacity, and hpldly taught
that men were under no moral obligation respect-
ing such spiritual exercises except they received
special grace from God, in which case they would
become Christians, whether exhorted or not. In
such a ministry, the more mysterious and awful

d by Google

BEV. ALFRED JUmJUglT . 7S

truths of God's Word would sometimes be set
forth with extraordinary power, and the saints
filled with adoring wonder in view of the riches
of grace abounding in distinguishing, eternal love ;
but upon the ear of the sinner no words of expos-
tulation and entreaty fell, and no heavenly invita-
tions called him from the paths of sin and danger
to the refuge in Jesus Christ. Of these opposing
parties, the former, from the acknowledged fact of
our moral agency, inferred the necessary existence
in the sinner of moral ability to perform the spir-
itual acts required in the Gospel, thus overlooking
the blinding and depraving effect of sin: the
latter, from the equally well established feet of the
sovereignty of God, deduced the consequence, that
the soul is passive in conversion and the sinner
under no obligation to make effort for salvation,
except an intimation of the Divine intention to
save was first given by special influences of the
Holy Spirit. The controversy upon this subject
was rife, both in this country and in England,
eliciting wu# and often angry disputation; and
while ApjPr Fuller, in Europe, was dealing
sturdy blows on either side against these extreme
opinions, and marking out that middle ground in
theology which receives both the facts, but rejects
both the inferences, the most godly and influential

d by Google

14 lOMcas cor

m th* ianistry en <hm side the Atlantic, though;
with much contention, occupied the same position,
The following extract from a letter of Mr. Bennett,,
directed to ids brother, August 18, 1811, will be
reed with interest, as indicating his doctrinal ten-
dencies at this period. It was in answer to one
requesting his opinion as to the proper position ta
be taken between the Antinomian and Arminiaa
doctrines.

"Dear Brother: Christ and His apostles preach-
ed a doctrine between them. Search, the Scrip-
tores. We find there the Divine sovereignty,
particular and eternal election, justification by
grace, the perseverance of saints, man's moral
agency and accountability, and the eternal pun-
ishment of the wicked, all clearly supported by
Divine truth; and though it may be impossible
for us to reconcile these together, we may yet tell
tbs world of them. We may declare that God w?
sufficient to defend the truth, and will at tht last
make it plain. We ought to be willing to become
fools far Christ's sake. It is beyo dfeuu' reach to
make the natural man understand tfl Bigs of the
Spirit of God ; for they are foolishnedHKto him."

With smeh views the ministry of Mr. Bennett
waa one of untiling activity. Depending only on
the, grace of God, he wrought with a holy energy

d by Google

BEV. ALFRED BEKNETT. 75

which was inspired by love to Christ and love to
souls, and a just sense of the freeness and richness
of the Gospel. In the log houses of his people his
friendly counsel and ardent prayers were fre-
quently enjoyed. In the conduct of meetings for
prayer and conference he was especially gifted;
and in the familiar neighborhood gatherings, which
were then so common, his presence always seemed
to increase the freedom felt in experimental re-
ligious conversation. And from the pulpit he set
forth, with godly fervor, the lost condition of the
sinner, the obligation of immediate repentance
and faith, and the necessity of holy living ; not,
indeed, as the ground of justification before God,
but as the legitimate result and essential evidence
of it. Tab church, gradually augmented in num-
ber and strengthened by a stated ministry, at
length reared a house of worship, located about a
mile and a half south of the village of Homer,
whicfi was dedicated to the service of God in June
1819. The tflftt from which the pastor preached
on tltis outtHUL wm from Zeph. iii. 12: I wiU
also leaiM Whe midst of thee cm afflicted cmd
poor peop^xmd they shall trust in the name of
the Lord / and though it was a day of much glad-
ness to him, the subject well illustrates the outward
circumstances of the people.

d by Google

76 MEMOIR OB"

But God was about to manifest His grace in
the work of conversion. An increased fervency
of spirit appeared in the church, and meetings for
religious conversation were much multiplied.
Brief notes in a diary he kept during this period
give indications that his own soul also was more
than ordinarily awakened to the condition oi*$he
lost around him. In an historical discourse
preached in 1844, he thus alludes to the revival
which followed :

"The commencement of this period found the
church worshipping in the new meeting-house,
which had brought them into debt about one
thousand dollars, or nearly half * the value of the
house, without any means of payment. However-
such was the abundant grate bestowed, that
before the year closed the church had more thi
doubled her numbers, the debt was paid ofel
the congregation large and respectable. Ism
revival there were eighteen husbands, witM
wives, and thirteen whose companies were ^3
bers before, making forty-nine hea^k^atnilies,
who were permanently settled in^ land re-
spectable in society, converted to Godma brought
into the church, many of whom remain at this
present time as pillars in the house of God, but
some have fallen asleep. Such was the feeling

i by Google

BEV. ALFRED HENJUff l T . 77

cultivated, the amount of intelligence possessed,
the deliberation, integrity, and decision with which
they came forward and connected with the church,
that tfeere seemed no occasion, for change, or even
a desire to turn back again to the world. It is
believed that for one or two years after the close
oyhe revival there was not an instance of de-
feraon in any member sufficient to call for even a
reproof from the church.

"In those days the Scripture was fulfilled in
them : 'Then they that feared the Lord spake often
one to another, and the Lord hearkened and heard,
and a book of remembrance was written before
Hinij for them that feared the Lord and thought
upon Hia name.' God did remember them, and
aed tbeir souls and prospered the work of their
da. Hie opportunities, time afforded before or
Gen hours of divine worship on the Sabbath,
profitably spent by an interchange of Christian
, and a kind inquiry after the state of soul
individual, or of the progress of the cause in
inundate neighborhood : thus in some
measure i 5ng each member responsible for the
state of regions feeling among their neighbors.
But this was not enough; the church as a body
agreed to assemble at the meeting-house (when, at
the time of which we -are now speaking, there were
7*

i by Google

98 MMOOt Of

not probably five members within one mile of it)
once in two weeks,, and spend half a day in prayer
and social Christian conversation together as mem-
bens of the same body and partakers of thg* same
rich grace. These social conference meetings gave
opportunity for the exercise of the various gifts in
the ehurch, which God has given that all nag be
edified and comforted. They served to brii^^ut
occasionally those pious and sage remarks which
are Uheupples of geld m pictures of dl/ver.

" We give a few specimens. On one occasion
the conversation turned on the meaning and im-
portance of our Lord's words: 4 Inasmuch as ye
have done it unto one of the least of these my
brethren, ye have done it unto me.' A member
said, How shall we understand when an yet comes
within the range of His approbation? how shall we
know when we do a good work ? A sister replied,
I do not know, unless we can do the work and
forget it. The righteous had done all Jhoir good
works and forgot them, for they had done them oat
of love to Christ; but the wicked J^^Aoxie theirs
and remembered them, for they S|Red pay for
them. On one of those conference dkys, another
sister addressed those present in the following
strain : Brethren and sisters, let us trust God. It
is not so easy to trust the bare word of God, but it

d by Google

REV* ALFRED BENNETT. V9

is our duty. He says, I will never learn thee nor
forsake thee^ and it ought to satisfy us. Now, she
continued, we can trust God with our barns fid!,
cellartaull, and hands full ; but to trust Him when
destitute, when want presses, when no prospect of
relief appears, — to trust Him i although the fig-tree
shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be on the
vines, the labor of the olive shall fail, and Hie
fields shall yield no meat, and the flocks shall be
cut off from the folds, and there shall be no herd
in the stalls' — to trust Him thus, is religion; this
is what God requires of His children. And when
Christ is enjoyed alone and has no rival in ota*
heart, and we live on Him hjf&itTi, and eat His
flesh and drink His blood, 'tis then we enjoy
peace; this is health to the soul, this is sweet
living.

u A brother who was a large farmer, and yet was
seldom absent from any week-day meeting ap-
jpointed by the church, being asked how he could
be so constant at meetings, replied, These meetings
are appoiqflfcjby the church, and it is my duty to
be here ; lam bound to respect the claims of the
church. It is presumed, said he, the church would
not make an appointment unless it were important,
and if it is important for the church to meet, it is
necessary for me to be there, as I am one oHhe

d by Google

80 MEMOIR OF

church. May the Spirit of the living God im-
press this truth, this important, this immensely
important practical truth upon every church mem-
ber's heart, that it may enlighten the conscience
and result in a punctual attendance on the ap-
pointments of the church."

Of those who professed godliness during this
revival, ninety-two were added to the church, and
among them the . middle-aged were the most
numerous. The steadfastness of the converts and
the increased union and heavenly-mindedness
among the saints, continuing in their midst a
sweet and holy influence for several years, are
facts worthy of special remark. They attest the
excellence of the measures then employed in the
work of God. The truths preached were the sim-
ple doctrines of the cross. " The holiness of Jeho-
vah's character," he says, "the depravity of
human nature, the eternal love of God, the benevo-
lence of the Saviour, the fulness of the atonement,
salvation by grace, the subject of death, the judg-
ment to come, and the eternity of fotee rewards
and punishments, were the common topics in con-
versation and exhortation among the people." No
hasty zeal seems to have sought increase of num-
bers by lowering the standard of godliness ; on the
contrary, when persons were about to relate their

d by Google

BEV. ALFRED BBNXEflT. 81

exercises with reference to baptism, it was cus-
tomary for the pastor or some of the elder brethren
to "remind the church of the solemn responsibility
they incurred in encouraging the hopes of a can-
didate respecting acceptance with God, and set
before them the fearful consequences to the indi*
vidual and the church, should there be mistake
upon this vital point. Nearly two years after this
revival, he wrote to a friend : " You are not unac-
quainted with the work of grace among us in
years past. The fruit of it is still manifest. There
is a remarkable establishment of mind in the con-
verts ; but one has been laid under admonition as
yet, and the whole church appears in lovely
union.

While attending an ecclesiastical council in
Pharsalia, it pleased the Lord to visit him with
severe illness. He was seized with a fever then
prevalent, which' after his return home seriously
threatened his life. In reference to this he thus
wrote in his journal:

"May 25. — It is fifteen years this day, since, I
trust, Jesus delivered my soul. I thought it would be
my dying day, but God preserved my life. Thanks
be to His holy name ! my'mind has enjoyed some
peace."
P In a few weeks he was again engaged in his

d by Google

82 MEMOIR GX

work with wonted vigor and success. This year
he closed with the following minute in his
journal:

"Thus ends the year 1813 — a period marked
with great love from God to Zion, in the numerous
revivals which have occurred and the great peace
of the churches ; and with wrath towards his ene-
mies, in the wan and pestilences which have
visited the nations. My soul, let thanksgivings
Abound to God for His goodness in continuing my
life and family, and above all in prospering the
dear people with whom I labor, by preserving the
peace and fellowship of the church, and disposing
the congregation to continue their attention in the
house of God : so let it be. Amen."

During the summer of 1814, under direction of
the Hamilton Baptist Missionary Society, he per-
formed a tour of six weeks among the destitute in
the counties of Tioga, Steuben, and Alleghany, in
reference to which he remarks :

"I passed through a very needy part of the
land. Little do those who always enjoy preaching,
appreciate their own good situation, or the mis-
erable condition of others deprived of such a bless-
ing. My mind was employed very agreeably for
the most part, enjoying some degree of freedom in
mediation and communication. I felt something

d by Google

BEV. AXJHBD BKKNEIT. 83

of the spirit of the work, flmragh the btaiaBg of
God. I made use of a new subject every time,
wliich kept my thoughts occupied in efcase after
heavenly instruction that might feed the hungry
saint and awaken Hie poor sinner to see himself
lost and Jesns lovely. It was to me a most kiterv
eating season, and I trust, also, to many of Godfe
dear children." In this excursion he preached
forty-one sermons, and rode about 500 miles.

A letter addressed to his brother, Rev. Alvin
Bennett, February, 1815, exhibits the tenderness
of his fraternal affection, as well as tbe retigiow
exercises of this period:

" Far distant as I am from you in body, I stffl
feel the drawing of those ties which, beginning in
nature, have grown in strength by fellowship in.
the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ I often
recall in memory those pleasurable days we once
enjoyed in each otter's society, and ask myself
Are they never to return again t God, (he adora-
ble friend of sinfid man, hath disposed «f m as He
saw fit; and we ought to fed submission. Bat
my unruly heart often betrays me into the enemyfc
hand, and there how am I bandied ! Surely,

' Sin's promised joys are turned to pain,

And I am drowned with grief
Till my dear Lord return again.'

d by Google

. 84 MEMOIR OF

What infinite mercy is it to poor sinners that we
have such a Saviour, who saves the worst, cleanses
the foulest, and does it all freely, without merit m
us or reward from us ! Here is all my hope."

A portion of another to the same in a season of
affliction, August, 1815, will further illustrate his
character at this period :

u * Through tribulation deep
The way to glory lies'—

and is not rest sweet to the laboring man? What
then will Heaven be to the saints after this dreary
life is over? I long to see you, my brother, and
your dear wife, but God knows what is best. Ton
are not forgotten in our prayers, and I hope you
share largely in the Divine blessing upon the soul,
by which you can say that the pleasure overcomes
the pain. I am glad to hear that you have em-
ployment in the Lord's vineyard; for I have no
good opinion of indolent servants. Oh, for grace
to be humble and faithful, till death draws nigh
to discharge us from all our toil, and that sin
which.so disturbs our peace in this world ! Our
church are in good harmony and fellowship at
present. There are some additions ; but we need
another reformation among us to make ' the spices
flow out' "

d by Google

BEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 85

This year terminates with the following brief
record in his diary :

"December 31. — Thus closes the year 1815.
And why is my life spared ? For what does God
continue me, but to witness His goodness and be
useful in His cause? Thanks be to His holy
name! I am partaker of His love in my soul,
. and experience His favor in my family ; but, above
all, I would praise Him for the salvation of sinners
around me, and the prosperity of the church of
which He has given me the oversight."

CHAPTER VI.

REVIVALS.

" Oh, that this year may be peculiar for the
enlargement of Zion, both in the increase of con-
verts and the spread of Gospel principles !" was
the fervent prayer with which he begun the year
1816. Nor was his petition unanswered. A rich
outpouring of the Holy Spirit was again experi-
enced, cheering the pastor's heart and much en-
larging and strengthening the church. A few no-
tices of this will here be inserted from his journal:
8

d by Google

"Ftkrwuy 12, 13.— I -spent these days with
great pleasure in the east part of the town, preach-
ing and visiting. The Lord as there, of a truth.
Oh, that many may be converted!

" 14. — A good day in conference at the meeting-
house.

" 18.— Lord's day. Preached, A. M., from. Lol
xii. 1 : P. M^ a funeral sermon from Mark iv. 2#.
In the evening, attended a good conference meet-
ing. The Lord, in His good pleasure, having seen
fit to bless His people in this place again by the
outpouring of His spirit, my heart has been so
drawn to Him and His people, and my time so
taken np from home, preaching and visiting, that
I have neglected to continue my journal as
usual.

"March 15. — Preached at Bro. Keep's, npon
the importance of entering in 'at the strait gate,'
and then baptized six. This day thought I felt
something of the value of souls and the fveoeat&y
of regeneration. Yet, oh my soul ! what if Aon
at last art found without, among the 'many' that
shall not 4 be able to enter! 5 My God, pityiajr
.soul; forgive my sm. Make me &%, then shall
I be humble, then shall I be happy.

"March 17.— Enjoyed a good season at the
water and at the table of osrLoriL

d by Google

EEV. ALJW© «BNNETr. 87

Hoy oondeacmding and new fcind
Was God'a eternal Son.'

It was pity brought Him down, end when here,
what examples did He set! Tie institutions of
the Chapel, how wisely adapted for the refresh-
ment of the saints ! Never can Jesus be praised
eaongh for His tmspe&kable mercy,

u April 14. — I preached and administered the
<i*dinances of G-od's house in the church of Christ
•a* Dryden. It was a good day to many. Jesus
unveiled His lovely face and gave His eainte de-
light. The church there is surrounded with many
eaemaes, and I found some freedom in preaching
to diem from this text : These are they that hate
*ome nip met of great trSnilatiwi."

A brief account of this revival is also given m
the historical discourse before alluded to: it is as
follows::

"" In Uovambear, 1815, the truth ministered by
the pastor, from Prov. xsl 4, The duggwrd mil
not plow ly reason cf the wld, therefore shall he
beg in harvest <md have nothing, though sown m
weakness, was so blessed of God as to be the com-
mencement of another season of refreshing, which
continued with undiminished and delighftfcd inter-
est more than a year in the church and congrega-
tion, bringing many excellent and efficient «xem-

d by Google

88 MEMOIR OF

bers into the church, whose prayers and piety are
still useful to the world. There were very few
days, for more than twelve months, in which a
meeting was not holden somewhere in the town
for religious worship. And during the whole
summer, when meetings were held in the after-
noon, so common was it for members of the church
to attend, and even go miles to attend, that it be-
came a common saying among the wicked, that
there would be scarcity of provisions that year,
for Christians did not work half their time. After-
wards it was as proverbial with the brethren, that
they- had seldom if ever had better crops, or had
them gathered in better season, or in better state,
than they were that year ; showing most clearly
that those who trust in God and do good, dwell in
the land and wrefed"

It appears that more than a hundred were added
to the church during the progress of this work of
grace, of whose steadfastness in the Gospel, under
the faithful watch-care of their pastor, the same
cheering account is given as of those in the previ-
ous awakening. A letter to his brother Alvin,
dated November 18, 1817, contains a view of his
religious exercises at.that period:

" Bro. Asa arrived at home the Saturday after
he left your house, in good spirits and satisfied

d by Google

BEV. ALFRED BgNNETT . 89

with his journey and visit. He thinks it may be
the last he shall ever make. Indeed, how im-
portant to act ever as if it was the last act; the
last visit we shall ever make, when we call on
friends ; the last prayer we shall ever offer, when
in the closet we reflect npon our own and others'
wants, and supplicate God for help. Oh, that the
last of time and the length of eternity lay with
more sensible weight upon my spirits ! Methinks
it wotdd greatly help me to seek the glory of God
in all I do. I rejoice, my brother, that God has
given you a privileged place in Zion, compared
with many of our dear brethren in the ministry,
but far more do I rejoice to learn of your firmness
in the faith and usefulness in your lot. God
grant you many souls q# the fruit of your labor,
and make you abundantly instrumental in farther-
ing the work of righteousness and holiness among
the dear people of your care, while you endure
with much long-suffering the opposition of the
wicked, in meekness instructing those that oppose
themselves to the truth, that God may give them
repentance to the acknowledgment of the salva-
tion which is by grace, through Jesus Christ, to
the praise and glory of God."

Few experimental Christians are always on the
mount of vision. The hill of Difficulty, the valley
8*

d by Google

90 MEMOIR OF

of the Shadow of Death, and the Enchanted
Ground, lie in the Christian^ pilgrimage to the
Celestial City. Bitter draughts must often be ad-
ministered by the Great Physician in healing the
soul's maladies and making ns "meet to be par-
takers of the inheritance of the saints in light :"
nor is it unfrequent that remaining depravity is
permitted to remind the Christian of his inherent
weakness, and thus lead him to the Bock of refnge.
And if we look upward to the throng now rejoicing
in perfected love before the Throne, of them also
is it true :

* Once they were mourning here below,
And bathed their couch with tears ;
They struggled hard as we do now
With sins, and doubts, and fears."

A letter of May 13, 1818, contains the passage
which is here inserted, giving an interesting view
of his inward experience :

" God wa& manifest in the flesh. What a wonder
is here ! Angels see Him united to a race of

. beings below them, and that, too, a race of sinners.
They desire to look into this mystery. God was
mcmifest in the flesh ; yea, more, He was made

flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His
glory. When I consider the stupendous grace of
God to men, I am so lost in the amazing deep that

d by Google

REV. ALFRED KNNETT. 91

I can only exclaim, jft pas$eth hwwledget Do
job, my brother, ever find your thoughts so drawn
oat upon this subject as to be unable to express
the vie*s before yon, there being a want in words
to convey the feelings of the soul? It is pleasant
dwelling on the mount where, with Moses, we
may look eastward and westward, northward and
southward, and still be in the boundless prospect
lost. But I often meet much harm in getting
down the hill, from unbelief on the one hand, and
pride on the other. Those Mis ! they almost take
- my life. And then, also, I am sure to meet Apol-
lyon, Many a time has he seemed to think him-
self sure of me. Tis grace that keeps my soul
from first to last Again, do you ever find your-
self so stupid and dark as to see nothing in the
glorious mystery of godliness, no beauty in Jesus
Christ, no light in the Bible, no importance in
truth, no delight in the saints, no value in souls, no
difference in men, no virtue in yourself, no harm
in sin! Feelings resembling these are to be
dreaded more than the judgments of God.

"Far more the treacherous calm I dread.
Than tempests bursting o'er my head.'

I would hope that you areaoteompefled to groan,
being burdened with such eiufiil propeostties. I

d by Google

92 MEMOIR 07

think, however, of late I have felt more the weight
of truth, and realized more fully the importance of
walking with God. At some seasons, I have
found enlargement of mind in prayer and in
preaching the "Word. Some have of late been
called to hope in the mercy of God, but the revival
is not yet extensive. There is a pleasing prospect
of its increase, but the residue of the spirit is with
the Lord. Oh pray for us, that saints may live to
Christ, and sinners bow before Him."

The most powerful of the revivals whieh distin-
guished the ministry of Mr. Bennett, occurred in
1820. It seems to have been attended with re-
markable manifestations of Divine power, affect-
ing in a peculiar manner the whole town. Many
who then first experienced hope in Christ are now
pillars in the Church of God, and live to attest the
pure and permanent character of this work of
grace. Its general features cannot be described
better than in the language of an article from Mr.
Bennett's pen, published in the "Western New
York Baptist Magazine," of 1821, and addressed
to the editors, from which we make the following^
extract :

" In December, 1819, there were some symp-
toms of another gracious revival; the saints seemed
more fervent in prayer, and there was a greater

d by Google

BEY. ALFRED BENNETT, 93

solemnity visible in assemblies convened for pub-
lic worship. There was also one instance of hope-
ful conversion, with one or two signal instances of
reformation in backsliders. About the first of
January, at a meeting of an ecclesiastical council
in the Presbyterian church, the work broke forth
in a more visible manner, with great power, ex-
tending into different parts of the town, engaging
the attention of all classes in society. Many of
the saints experienced great enlargement of mind,
and entered into the work with all their souls.
Some who had made a profession of religion for
many years, under serious apprehension that they
had built upon the sand, were brought to great
searchings of heart, and at length gave account of
their views q£ the Saviour with such transports of
joy, as resembled the day of their espousals. It
was hardly possible to find a person in the place
unaffected ; all seemed to be moved.

" Meetings became unusually crowded, even in
the largest places devoted to conferences ; and the
houses of God upon the Sabbath were filled with
numbers assembled to hear the Gospel of Christ,
and an indescribable solemnity was visible among
the people. The language of the oldest persons
and most experienced saints among us was, "We
never saw it on this wise before. For two or three

Digitized by VjOOQlC

94 MEMOIR OF

weeks the cloud seemed to hang over us wit&oofc
distilling its contents. This was a time when
much feeling, and, I trust, much faith was exer-
cised in prayer. At length the cloud seemed to
burst, diffusing blessings all around; the saints
could now say, the joy of the Lord is owr strength,
while converts daily appeared in the assemblies
of the .saints compassing God's altar with songs of
deliverance. In one neighborhood on East Kiver,
sixteen souls hopefully experienced the forgiveness
of sins in one week, within the compass of a mile ;
and * young men and maidens, old men and chil-
dren, 9 united in praising the Lord. There was
very little secular labor performed for two or three
months, and many devoted the whole of their
time to meetings and visiting from lipase to house.
Some went two and two (as our Lord sent forth
His disciples), through (Jifferent parts of the town,
calling upon every family on their way, endeavor-
ing to do them good in their conversation and
prayers with* them. And, no doubt, this was one
great means in the hand of God, in extending the
work.

"The first that united with the church were

baptized the third Sabbath in February. On that

. day, there were thirteen baptized, ten of whom

were young men in single life, who followed each

d by Google

REV. ALFRED BENNETT. 95

other in succession in the ordinance, in the pres-
ence of a large and deeply affected assembly.
From that time, during the spring and summer;
scarcely a Sabbath passed without waiting upon
some ia this institution of God. The whole num-
ber added to the church by baptism, since the
work began, is one himdred cmd twenty-six^ and
fifteen by letter. "We still enjoy good seasons
among ourselves, and hope that God will always
enable ns to walk in love, but the Spirit seems
now in a measure to be withdrawn from among
the people."

Tlds extensile ingathering of souls, so for from
lifting up the pastor* heart with pride, seems to
have led him to increased self-abasement and
watchfolnes*^%svere conflicts," indeed, he men-
tions, u arising from pride and unbelief," but the
grace of God made him a victor over all.

In these revivals, as well as in ordinary seasons,
he was remarkably aided by the co-operation of
the church. There were active Christians around
him, whose views of the responsibility of the Chris-
tian profession were not satisfied with a mere at-
tendance upon the worship of the Sabbath and a
pecuniary contribution for its support; but they
established and conducted meetings for prayer,
and went from house to house throughout the

d by Google

96 MEMODBt OF

town, often thus spending days and even weeks
for the promotion of religion. The machinery of
modern revivals was then unknown, and the mul-
titudes thronged the sanctuary, not drawn by the
eccentricities of the preacher, but by solemn influ-
ences from on high, accompanying the earnest
exertions of many devoted children of God. The
church, not the preacher only, were the chief hu-
man agency connected with these manifestations
of heavenly grace ; and that, not merely in reli-
gious meetings, but in direct, personal exertions in
the community.

Another distinguishing feature iff these revivals
was the union of spirit among Chijptians of differ-
ent denominations. Mr. Bennett, in his descrip-
tion of these seasons, thus speaks :

" By union of Christian effort, we do not mean
any combination of influence by agreement, either
among members of the same church or of different
churches, but a most hearty co-operation among
the' people of God in the work, as the work of God,
or because it was the work of God. In none of
these revivals, is it believed, the spirit or feeling
prevailed to any great extent, that it was a Bap-
tist, or Presbyterian revival, or that the revival .
was among any denomination as such, but among
the citizens of Homer, as sinners against God.

d by Google

REV. ALF2&) JEtf&NtfJLT. $7

As a oonsequence, the weekly meetings for confer-
ence and prayer were by mutual consent set up in
school-houses in different districts in town, and
attended in common by all the neighbors, and by
the pastors and leading brethren in both the Bap-
tist and Presbyterian churches, nearly every night
for monttis together, in such harmony, that a
stranger might not have suspected they belonged
to different denominations. The evenings were
almost exclusively employed in fervent prayer to
God for the influence of the Holy Spirit, conscious
tl^t His agency was indispensable, attended with
most humble and hearty confession of sin, and
earnest, spirited appeals to the people for their
eternal benefit in the name of leeus Christ
' " The preaeMng, in these revivals, was distinctly
marked with that truth which vindicated God'*
government ever His creatures, *nd charged Hb6
sinner with the guilt of violating Hk holy law.
It was that kind of preaching which seemed more
careful to please Godtiban to be approved of men;
whiph showed the sinner that, whfle hfe misery
was the result of his own choice, his Salvation and
ultimate happiness depended entirely on God 5 *
choice. Of course, it was his only hope and in-
dispensable duty^to xepent and believe the Gospel,
and look to God through the atonement of Christ
9

d by Google

98 MEMOIR OF

for pardon and justification as an act of His sov-
ereign grace. Convictions for sin were deep and
pungent, both in saints and sinners, and at times
it was hard to know in which they excelled, for
backsliders returned in deed and in truths and not
in word only.

"The conviction of the sinner arose at f&st
from a sight of his life ; he had done wrong, and
he feared justice, dftd awfully irembled in view
of hell; but soon he saw his heart was worse,
much worse than his life had been, and was the
seat of the difficulty, for it was enmity against
God ; that the imaginations of the thoughts of the
heart were evil, and had been evil Continually,
and therefore there was no hope but in tEe mercy
of God. Truth led them to discover that nothing
but the righteousness of Christ imparted to them
could give them such a character as they needed
for acceptance with God. The length of time con-
viction for sin continued, varied from one day to
three weeks; generally, from one to two weeks.
It was not a common thing for a convicted sinner
to find peace of mind in ^public meetings. Few,
it is believed, date their conversion in the confer-
ence-room, or while others were praying with
them. The greater number gained evidence of
pardon from God, against whom they had sinned, •

d by Google

BEY. ALFRED BENNETT. 99

•while they were alone, in humble prayer, reading
the Bible, or in silent meditation.

u The prevailing exercises of the converted were
love, joy, and peace: love to God as the sov-
ereign^of the world, to Christ as the Saviour of
sinners, to the Bible, the people and service of
God. The holy law of God, which was their chief
trouble before, now. afforded exquisite delight.
f 9tey would often say, Oh,%ow love I thy law! it
is my TYieditaticni all the day. But Christ, the
blessed Chiftt, was the theme on which all loved
to dwell. He seemed to occupy most of the
thoughts and affections, and out of the abundance
of the heart the mouth spoke. Christ crucified
occupied a large place in all the exhortations and
addresses, in which the saints gave vent to their
feelings in the public assembly, and by which
they sought to win back their fellow-sinnere from
the paths of the destroyer."

We are apt to indulge in illusion respecting the
past: as in the recollection of some departed
friend, we forget the faults and magnify the virtues.
Nestor, the sage of the Hiad, is ever dilating with
the garrulity of dotage upon the majestic warriors
and deeds of mighty daring, familiar in his recol-
lections of other days, and contrasting with the
fathers the puny and degenerate virtues of their

Digitized by VjOOQlC

100 MEMOIR OF

eons. This is human nature. The venerated men
who were the fathers in our churches, as they pasa
from oar midst, doubtleBB often become enshrined
by our imagination in exalted excellencies which
exceed the reality. So also of events. The revi-
vals of former years, as they are now recounted
to us, might seem to be attended with none of the
evils which, in the present, sere often seen to ac-
company them, because memory recalls only the
good accomplished.

While, however, we make all proper abatement
for this obliviousness to the evils of the past ; the
disunion in churches, the great defection in con-
verts, and the general deterioration of piety, so
often following revival efforts now, cannot fail to
impress the reader with a conviction that other
tod evil elements are at work to produce results
so diverse from those above recorded. The Chris-
tian ought, indeed, still to utter the fervent prayer
of the prophet, Zord, revive Thy work, as the
only hope of true spiritual progress ; but it may
well be coupled with the earnest entreaty that the
work of man, in the temporary excitement of the
religious passions, be not impiously substituted
for the work of God, and disaster and desolation
come in the stead of blessing and the fruits of

d by Google

BEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 191

CHAPTER VII.

OONTEHPO BABIES.

During his earlier life as pastor, Mr. Bennett
occupied a conspicuous position amidst a group of
men in the Madison Association, distinguished by
their extraordinary mental endowments, the depth
and power of their spiritual exercises, and the
wide-spread influence they have exerted. The
memory of these godly men still lingers with rich
fragrance in the hearts of the fathers in our ,
churches ; but as that generation is rapidly disap-
pearing in the tomb, their remembrance must soon
pass away, and their record be left only on high.

Mostly without scholastic education, there was
yet a native vigor and compass of intellect, an
intimate acquaintance with the letter and spirit of
the Bible, and an entireness of self-sacrifice on the
altar of Christ, which gave them a power now
seldom wielded in the ministry or the church.
Their temporal support was secured chiefly by
their own toil : thev held the plow and swung the
9*

d by Google

102 MEMOIR OF

axe with the sturdy force of pioneers in the forest.
The Scriptures were their chief library ; the woods
and fields, where upon their knees they wrestled
with God, were the place of their study. They
went thus into the log-cabin, or the humble school-
house, and in the midst of the gathered crowd,
spake of Christ and His salvation with, a Divine
unction and power which was evidently from the
Holy Ghost. Often held in deep distrust by
Christians of other names, and menaced with petty
persecution, the hearts of these early ministers
were only knit the more closely in their own
brotherhood.

Nor were the ministry alone distinguished*
There were men of peculiar force of character and
godly zeal in less public station. Nearly every
church numbered a few such among its founders ;
men mighty in the Scriptures and in prayer, full
of faith and of the Holy Ghost. Their houses
were the hospitable home of the weary minister
on his way to some distant appointment, the place
where the neighborhood assembled for prayer and
preaching, and noted in the spiritual history of
many around as associated with their conversion
to God. These holy men often spent weeks in
visiting from house to house, to converse upon the
interests of the soul- and plead with God for the

d by Google

BEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 103

salvation of their fellow-men. At the close of the
sermon on the Sabbath, it was customary for some
one or more of them to take up the preacher's
theme and make a practical application of it to
the congregation ; and not seldom was the exhor-
tation of the deacon attended with mightier energy
than the discourse of the "Elder" — this last being
then the common designation of a pastor, whether
lie were in youth or age. Among them stood
Jonathan Olmstead, with Samuel and Elisha
Payne, of -Hamilton; the now venerable Ebenezer
"Wakely, of Pitcher; with Asa Bennett and John
Keep, of Homer. These, with other distinguished
laymen, whom the limits of this work do not per-
mit me to mention, were men of peculiar might.
Their intellectual power was associated with great
depth of experimental religion ; in maturing plans
for extending the kingdom of Christ, they were
gifted with extraordinary wisdom; and seldom
was there a revival of religion whose approach
was not betokened by the increasing fervor and
strengthening faith of these holy men.

The Association was the meeting of chief inter-
est. To this hallowed gathering the elders and
brethren came up with great gladness, as to one
of the richer feasts of Zion. Their garments were
only of homespun, but beneath them beat hearts

d by Google

10± MEMXHS O*

glowing with lore to Christ and to one another,
* and the greetings had a warmth and godly sincer-
ity, which the " progress' 9 of nearly half a century
has not increased. Happily, an Association had
not then become a merely fiscal organization, or a
place where every agitator went, to quarrel for hie
peculiar " resolutions ;" but Christian brethren
met to mingle holy sympathies in mutual trials,
invoke in unison the presence and anointing of
the Holy Ghost, and give themselves afresh for
the work of Christ. In the earliest times, no
person was previously appointed to deliver the
annual sermon; but when they were assembled,
by general consent, some member was requested
to speak to them the Gospel ; and often these ex-
temporaneous effusions were attended with great
power. * When they parted, it was usually with
tears, and many were the revival influences which'
went forth from this holy convocation.

Prominent among the compeers of Mr. Bennett
was J^sKbd H<mwr y pastor at Hamilton. Without
classical education, he was a man of rare natural
eloquence, sound in judgment, quick of discern-
ment, and indefatigable in his exertions. "Great
and unwearied were his labors for the cause of
truth ; travelling night and day,, in heat and frost, -
snow ajid rain, through dismal wilds and unbeaten *

d by Google

EEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 105

roads, oftentimes hungry, wet, and cold, without,
any prospect of pecuniary reward.'* One of the
first in the ministry who had settled west of the
Hudson, he was a pioneer in the wilderness, and
stood until his death a leader among the churches.
He died, 1812, "with unshaken confidence in that
Redeemer whose cause he so zealously espoused,
and whose Gospel he preached with so much fer-
vency."

Younger, but of higher mental power, was
Salmon Morton, the pastor of Madison. The
"law-work" in his religious experience had been
deep and powerful ; it was through fearful mental
struggles he^passed from darkness and despair to
the light and glory of the Cross. He was a man
of giant intellect, with wonderful compass and
power of expression. Often would he hold an
assembly for two hojirs in rapt attention, while
he unfoldoA^he profound mysteries of redemption.
Learned, in the technical sense, he was not; but
educated he was, if powers disciplined to rigid
investigation, a wide grasp of thought, and ex-
tended acquisitions in biblical and theological
knowledge, are tyue marks of education. Deficient
in the practical wisdom of the pastor, his power
lay in the pulpit, especially in the development of
the profounder themes of the Gospel : the oppose*

d by Google

106 MEMOIR OF

and the skeptic have often trembled before him.
"His zeal in a day of persecution would have
brought him speedily to a martyr's stake. Though
valiant in soul, he was often tender and humble as
a child. Seldom did he preach a sermon without
tears flowing, under a sense of the condition of the
impenitent, or the infinite depth of divine com-
passion." He entered into rest in 1822.

Obed Warren, of Eaton, wa%y another among
the worthies around the earlier life of Mr. Bennett.
Above the ordinary stature, .of ruddy countenance,
expressive of great resolution and energy, he was
always in motion. He feared notihejace of man,
but with an unflinching faithfulnes^ which re-
minded you of Paul, he sfouwned not tia declare all
the counsel of God, <md ceased noSko wa/rn every
one night amd day with tears. Sound in doctrine,
"his preaching was plain, praptical, jtnd impres-
sive." In council, he was quick, incisive ; his
conclusions seemed rather the re|pl| of intuition
than of reasoning, yet they were f>rdiikrily verified
by the most extended investigation; and his
prayers, added to his counsels, would always in-
spire you with confidence and hope. The dying
words of this man of God were the natural con-
clusion of his life : Fa/reweU ! I am pwre from
the Uood of all men.

d by Google

BEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 107

John Lawton, of German, was one of the seniors
among his brethren. Above the medium height
and somewhat slender in person, a countenance
grave and mild was expressive of the qualities
which distinguished him. He was a "Mr. Stand-
fast ;" not a man to be turned from the right path
either by passion or by novelty, but always sound
in the Scriptures, pursuing with steady, unosten-
tatious zeal t^holy work of the ministry. Judi-
- cious in coiureel, kind, earnest, and dignified in
manner, the universal affection with which he was
regarded would be naturally blended with feelings
of veneraiipau^ His power in the pulpit was not
in those JK artling thoughts and bursts of passion
which ^flddenly arouse the intenser emotions;
but his woKs, distilling as the dew, with refresh-
ing influence, calmed the agitated soul and awoke
gentler And hoiier trains of thought and emotion.
He wA -tile man to be implicitly trusted, of
weighty opinion, and whose character the breath
of reproaA e#«ld never tarnish. " The wilderness
and theJBolitary place" were made glad by him;
his indefatigable labors, though now without written
record, are indelibly marked in the earlier history
of many churches in that region, and in the " book
of remembrance" before the Lord.
Peter P. Boots was for several years the only man

d by Google

108 memoir or

of classical education. For eighteen years, lie was
almost incessantly engaged as a missionary, often
at his own expense, daring which he ordinarily
rode three thousand miles a year, and preached
three hundred sermons. Portly in form and of
countenance benignant, his life, though intensely
active, was overcast for the most part by religious
depression. His discourses were " evangelical,
sensible, plain, and richly stored Jfith Scripture
truth." His wap the learned pen which the less
literary of his brethren invoked, to point their
crude sentences and aid in giving just written ex-
pression to their* sentiments. Like ftpod "Mr.
Fearing, 9 ' though his life had been lull of doubts,
his dying hours were filled with holy comfort and
triumph ; and it was observed, " the #ater of that
river was lower at this time than ever Lspw itMn
my life, and he went over at last, not much above
wetshod."

pf somewhat different characteristics w$n John
Peck, then in youth, the active pastor of Cazenovia.
Gentile and winning in manner, he touched the
tenderer chords in the heart with a persuasive
power, which often effected more than the most
masterly reasonings and the loftiest bursts of elo-
quence. Simple and unpretending, grave and
earnest, there was & heavenly-mindedsess in con-

d by Google

BEY. ALFRED BJNMK1T. 109

yersation and prayer, an unaffected sincerity in
his discourses, and a weeping compassion in his
appeals, which carried conviction to the conscience
and disarmed all opposition. He was wise in
winning souls, and revivals were continually
around him. Prudent in counsel, and eminently
blessed as a peacemaker, there was no man who
ruled with greater power in the hearts of his
brethren. Love was the element he breathed,
and it was diffwed all around him.

JSathanid E&adrick^ of Eaton, was a man of
more capacious mind. Though devoid of classical
attainmentSjhe was even at this period a profound
thinker in theology. Tall and muscular in form,
slow and measured in speech, except when roused
by the glow and energy . of mental action, com-
bining in the expression of his features great force
of character with high intellectual power, he was
always a leader whose weighty judgment gave
direction to the counsels of the brotherhood. On
occasions of great inagnitude, when the cause
needed a powerful advocate, the lot commonly fell
on "Elder Kendrick," whose literary acquire-
ments, deptfi of thought, and disciplined powers,
eminently fitted him to make the proper impres-
sion. His library was the common resort for the
resolution of doubtful theological questions, and
10

d by Google

110 MEMOIR OF

" the counsel, which he counselled in those days,
was as if a man inquired at the oracle of God."

Others there were, also distinguished, as the
venerated Thomas Pwri/nion^ of Truxton, and
Darnel Hascatt, of Hamilton, then in their prime
and might, whose revered forms are still among
us, and whose eulogies, therefore, we may not be
permitted to record.

Probably few preachers of the present day have
equalled in pulpit power these earlier servants of
God. They were mostly men who had been forced
into the work by the urgency of conviction. A
woe was upon them, if they preached not the Gos-
pel. Without educational advantages, they were
men of original thought, and drank in truth from
no secondary springs, but at the pure fountain of
God's Word. Their dependence on the Spirit of
God was constant and heartfelt. In this lay their
great strength. They preached, as well^as prayed,
m the Holy Ghost. The effects following were
often of the most striking character, and such as
are v now rarely witnessed, except in seasons of
special revival. Experimental religion was the
theme of their ministry ; gnd if they dwelt much
upon the deeper doctrines of the Gospel, it was
because these foundation truths were closely asso-
ciated with their own profound religious exercises.

d by Google

BEY. ALFRED BENNETT* 111

The " strong meat" dealt out by these faithful
stewards of God, made healthy and vigorous
Christians, rising "unto the measure of the stature
of the fulness of Christ ;" of whom not a few re-
main, exhibiting a distinctness of doctrinal
-views, a ripeness of religious experience, and a
pureness of Christian character, which attest the
mighty power of the doctrine of grace, as an ele-
ment of Christian development.

From the men thus associated went forth influ-
ences of great power. Among them originated
the Hamilton Baptist Missionary Society, under
whose auspices a large number of churches in
Central New York were organized and grew up
to strength, and which subsequently became a
chief constituent element in the New York Baptist
State Convention. From agencies in their midst,
also, arose the New York Baptist Education So-
ciety and the Hamilton Literary and Theological
Institution, over whose destinies Kendrick and
Hascall long presided, and by which multitudes
have been aided in a preparation for the ministry,
and sent forth to bless the world. Men of self-
denial, faith, and prayer, not of titled learning,
but of great mental and moral strength, they were
honored of Heaven in the pioneer work connected
with the Redeemer's kingdom.

d by Google

112 MEMOIB OF

Among these men, Mr. Bennett held a distin-
guished position. His presence was always hailed
with joy in the association, the council, or other
.gathering of the brotherhood. Eminently warm
hearted and social, frank and genejous, he was a
universal favorite in the ministry. The announce
ment that he was to preach on any public occasion
would always collect a crowd. The effects of his
preaching in later life, though often remarkable,
probably never equalled those produced by his
efforts at this period, while the fire and energy of
youth were undiminished by physical exhaustion
and infirmity. Often has a whole assembly sat
and wept, as from his capacious soul, vfrhich.
seemed filled with the Holy Ghost, he poured
forth the melting truths of the Gospel, and spake
of the value of the soul and the realities of an
eternal world. A heavenly glow would seem to
light up the speaker's mind, and his lips had
utterance in burning words, as if touched with a
living coal from the altar of God.

d by Google

BEY. ALFEED BENNETT . 113

• CHAPTER VIII.

CLOSING PASTOBAL WORK.

The missionary spirit, which was already burning
in the bosom of the pastor, he songht to enkindle
in the hearts of the converts gathered into the
church during the revivals which have been men-
tioned. At his suggestion a missionary society
was organized among the young people, two of
whose members afterwards went forth to labor
among the heathen : this association continues a
means of much usefulness to the present day.

The Oneida Indians, then a tribe of very con-
siderable extent, early attracted the attention of
the Hamilton Baptist Missionary Society;, and
at the close of 1819, a * deputation, consisting of
Messrs. Bennett and Lawton, was sent to explore
the field, with reference to the establishment of a
mission among them. They were received with
much cordiality on the part of most, and, after a
season of great interest, returned with a report
favoring the proposed enterprise. He was en-
gaged in 1820 and 1821 in temporary agencies
10*

d by Google

114 . MEMOIR OF

for the above society, and his journal shows the
great interest he felt in the extension of the Gospel.
Numerous societies for missionary purposes were
organized during these tours. In 1822 we find
the following record in a brief journal :

" Oct. 8. — Commending my dear family and
people to Almighty God, I set out as agent for the
Hamilton Baptist Missionary Society, to visit the
Eastern States, and make collections. My spirits
were much depressed, but found them a little
raised by Christian society on the way.

"9. — Met with the Board at Oneida, and re-
ceived instructions for my journey. How incom-
petent to the work upon which I am entering !
O Lordy except thy presence go with me, send me
not up! In the afternoon attended a council with
the Indians : found them anxious for instruction.
Meditated upon their deplorable situation, and
said, with more than common feeling, Who hath
made me to differ f After the setting of the sun,
when we had commended each other to God, on
whom we believed, I took my leave of the brethren
with a heavy heart."

During this journey, upon which he seems to
have entered with many misgivings respecting his
adaptation for such a work, he visited Connecticut,
Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, and was every-

d by Google

EEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 115

where received with great respect and kindness.
His interviews with Dr. Gano, at Providence, and
Dr. Baldwin, in Boston, are mentioned with spe^
cial interest. A visit to his parents is thus de-
scribed:

"it. — Arrived at my father's house, and found
my parents in usual health. In the mutual indul-
gence of social and natural feeling, we sat down
together, and together knelt down before the
Throne. I then retired, and was led to reflect
upon the blessings of a father's house. The chil-
dren of God shall always live in their Father's
house, and eat at their Father's table."

He was absent on this tour seven weeks, during
which he travelled in his own conveyance more
than one thousand miles, and collected for the
Indian Mission nearly five hundred dollars — a
result which was regarded then as most successful.
• Though constantly engaged thus in active exer-
tion for the Redeemer's kingdom, his cup was not
one of unmingled joy. A letter of December 27,
1823, reveals some of the trials with which he was
encompassed :

" Surely, the goodness and mercy of God are
from everlasting to everlasting. If I ask myself
why I have hope in Christ, I can only say, because
God would have it so.

d by Google

116 memoie or

4 Twm the same lore" that spread the feast

Which sweetly forced me in ;
Else I had still refused to taste,
And perished in my sin.'

I am compelled to say and write bitter things
against myself. My heart is cold and hard ; my
understanding, dark. I feel a great want of hu-
mility. Oh, that I were as in months past, when
the candle of the Lord shone round about me, and
by His light I walked through darkness ! That
which I find in. myself, which occasions sorrow, is
not all my grief. Zion here is languishing. Many
churches are without ministers; some in deep
difficulty. Nearly all are without any special
revival."

The spirit of emigration at this time, also, began
to come over the church like an overwhelming
flood, and very many of the younger members
removed westward. Though it was pleasant to
him to know that they went forth in the spirit and
power of the Gospel, the loss was also deeply felt,
especially as death began now to take away some
of the pillars in the church. His brother, Deacon
Asa Bennett, was removed by death in 1825 ; and
Judge Keep, also, became enfeebled, and though
he lingered longer, a few years after was taken
up to rest. These were the companions of his

d by Google

BEY. ALFRED BENNETT. 117

e**ly ministry, men upon whom he had been wont
to leaa for many years. Their sound judgment,
earnest, practical godliness, and enlightened zeal,
had contributed much to his success as a pastor.
Of the former it is recorded, " he devoted his time
frequently for weeks, and, in one instance, for
three months together, in visiting from house to
house by day, exhorting and praying with families,
and in the evening attending conference and
prayer meetings, or otherwise laboring for the
extension of the cause of Christ in the world."
The loss of two Such men bore heavily upon the
heart of the bereaved servant of God. *

The dying hours of Deacon Asa ^Bennett, which
were eminently characteristic of his active life,
are thus described in the language of his brother
Alfred:

"For months before he died, he wished to hear
no conversation upon things earthly; he would
say, I have done with these things ; they afford
me no entertainment; talk on death, judgment,
heaven, eternity ; these things I am approaching,
and these are all-important to me and others also.
Much useful instruction was from time to time
communicated by him: the following remarks
will serve as a specimen.

"At one time he said, I have much company of

d by Google

118 MEMOIR OF

the best kind, such as ministers, deacons, and
eminently pious Christian friends ; yet in them I
can discover mnch that is unlike the glorious So
vknvr. What then must we think of many pro-
fessors, and in what an awful condition must the
world be, which lieth in wickedness about us !

" To the pastor of the church, who had been for
some months laid by from pulpit labors, through,
bodily indisposition, he said, My work is done,
but I think God will yet raise you up for further
usefulness in the church, and if you ever do get
able to preach again, he faithful to God, and deal
with souls in earnest ; urge upon the people the
necessity of personal, practical holmess. Many
mistake the object entirely, while they live stupid
and encumbered with the cares of this world, and
yet hope that when they come to be sick and die,
they shall enjoy religion. Tell them that afflic-
tion, sickness, and death will not give comfort, or
secure to. them any evidence of their good estate :
it is the Spirit and love of God in the heart which
will give this, and that must be secured by a life
devoted to God in holy obedience through Jesus
Christ. Some depend much upon the last moments
of life, and inquire with much earnestness, how
did the person feel? what did he say? This is no
certain test of a sinner's good estate. Necessity

d by Google

REV. AJJFBED BENNETT. 119

may induce a person then to say that which the
heart never subscribed to. It is an awful place to
make a wreck, just as they think they are entering
the port of Heaven ! Men will die as they live ;
the character ia formed for heaven or hell in life,
not in death. Oh, that they could see this as it
appears to me ! Tell sinners to repent and believe
the Gospel; urge the necessity of it; exhibit the
holiness of the law of God ; hold up the glorious
character of a crucified Redeemer in the Gospel ;
persuade, beseech them to be reconciled to God.
Death, judgment, and an awful hell are just before
them, and they heed it not ; they are asleep, yea,
dead in their sins.

"At another time, some of the youth of the
church and congregation visited him, and spent
some time in singing hymns, one of which begins :

* From whence doth this union arise f

In the last stanza the following words delighted
him much :

' And all His bright glory shall see.'

It was his favorite hymn, but it seemed new to
him then. I am, said he, going into that glory
immediately — it is near — it does not seem to be
an arm's length — no, it is here, right before me!

d by Google

120 tffiMbra o*

The special savor of this lasted with hiin several
days."

The departure of this excellent servant of God,
'though thus triumphant, left the bereaved brother
and pastor in deep affliction ; for it pleased the
Lord, also, to visit him with severe ilfness. In
March, 1825, as intimated above, he was laid
aside from all public labors, and for seven months
did not fesume his place in the pulpit. Much
alarm was felt lest death should remove him, too,
from his earthly usefulness. Of this period he
remarks, in a letter dated May 1, 1825 :

"It seemed to me quite likely my time had
come to die. But I could not say that I was in
perfect readiness to go. I thought of my com-
panion and children: they were dear to me. I
looked on them and loved them ; yet felt as though
I could leave them with more composure than I
could part with the dear people of my charge.
The condition in which the church would be left
affected me much, and sometimes held my eyes
waking in the night watches. Deacon Bennett has
served his generation, I believe, according to the
will of God. He is going down to the grave, and
has probably done all he ever will do for the
Church. "Well, thought I, must Zion be deprived
of one of her beat members, and this church of

d by Google

REV. ALFRED BENNETT. 121

its most useful deacon, and its poor, unworthy
pastor at the same time! When, also, I consid-
ered the state of the world lying in wickedness
around me, with few to lift their warning voice, or
point inquiring souls to the Lamb of God, I was
inclined still to remain in the flesh, and labor a
little longer for the establishment of saints and
the conversion of sinners. At present I am
slowly recovering, and am now concerned, should
I come back again to life, lest I be a burden rath-
er than a blessing. How unhappy must be be
who, under the reign of grace, does not return
Offcrin according to the mercy received !"

These trials, however, were only as the gloom
of night which deepens before the coming day.
While he was yet in feeble health, another gra-
cious revival began its work in the congregation,
{he effects of which were hardly less extensive
than in 1820. From a letter addressed to his
" Honored Parents," December 23, 1825, descrip-
tive of the beginning of this work, we take the
following :

" I attended a conference last week on Thursday
evening at the East Settlement. The school-house
is-large and convenient, but it was filled to over-
flowing. The meeting opened about six o'clock,
and until nine the time was well occupied. Thirty*
11

d by Google

12$ MEMOIB OF

eight different persons spoke on the subject of
religion with great solemnity and interest, while
the most profound attention prevailed through
the assembly, notwithstanding they were uncom-
fortably crowded. Among the number who spoke
were three lads, about fifteen years of a^b, who
told us of the joy in religion which they had ex-
perienced within a few days past. Tuesday and
part of Wednesday I spent in visiting from house
to house on East River, when I conversed with
about fifty persons, old and young, nearly all of
whom seemed more or less affected by the Spirit
of Truth. The members of the church living in
that neighborhood were much engaged, and others,
who had once indulged hope, began to feel the
importance of either acting in accordance with it,
or seeking a better one : sinners viewed them-
selves in much danger, and were deeply troubled
to know what they must do to be saved.

" What will be the event of this excitement
among the people, I know not. My soul's desire
is that they may be saved. God is Me to work
by His Holy Spirit, building up the Church, and
appearing in His glory. Without Him we com
do nothmg. I was always unworthy of the min-
istry, and very incapable of fulfilling its important
work : if God has ever accomplished any good by

d by Google

EEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 123

me, it has been by taking one of the weak things
to confound the mighty, and to Him be all the
glory. My mind has been much quickened of
late. The Gospel and the Saviour appear pre-
cious: the Scriptures are full of sweetness, the
souls of men seem valuable, time looks short,
and death, judgment, and eternity appear near.
What sweet entertainment will the saints have
with the Saviour in the heavenly state ! free from
sin, and made like unto their Lord. When the
powers of the soul become sufficiently strength-
ened (as they will at death) to endure those visions
of glory which will break upon the enraptured
sight, and enjoy that exceeding and eternal weight
of glory before the throne of God, now so far
above the reach of earthly conception, how will
this world, with its interests and pleasures, appear
insignificant and contemptible !"

Of this awakening, he elsewhere writes : " The
work has been good, gradual, and powerful. It
has also been quite general over the town, al-
though in some neighborhoods it has not been
very thorough. If we reckon all as converted to
God who have expressed hope in Christ, we
should number nearly four hundred in this town
as having been of late subjects of renewing grace ;
probably more than three hundred will at last

d by Google

124 HEHOIR OS 1

shine as stars in the kingdom of their Father.
All the religions denominations have shared in
the work." As the immediate result of this rich
manifestation of grace, ninety were added to the
Baptist church ; but its influences continued long
afterwards in the increased enjoyment and union
among the people of God,

The family of Mr, Bennett, consisting of four
sons and one daughter, had hitherto been unbro-
ken by death. He had often been called to stand
at the grave of the dead among his flock, and
mingle his sympathies with bereaved parental .
hearts ; but never had personal experience bowed
his own soul with that form of grief. This cup
was now given him to drink. His daughter, Elsi- ,

na, while on a visit to Truxton, was suddenly at-
tacked by disease, and in a few days hurried away
by death, in her fourteenth year. During the
recent revival, her mind had been much exercised, J

but she had as yet made no public profession of j

hope in Christ. A letter, Sept. 25, 1826, in which }

he says, " Her corpse lies beside me in the joom / ]

while I am writing," contains the following re- *
marks indicative of the manner in which he bore
this afflictive stroke : " This I can say, God is
just and good, and hath jdone as seemed good in
His sight. I thought I had sopoe freedom afr

d by Google

SEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 125

times during her sickness, in prayer, that her
spirit might be saved in the day of the Lord Je-
sus ; and with Him the Judge of all, I must leave
the case. I desire greatly that I may not come
out of the deep waters of this affliction, without
gaining much lasting good to my soul. I needed
just such a stroke from the correcting* hand of my
Heavenly Father; but oh! how unwilling I was
to meet it! My unbelieving heart said, Lord,
keep Thy chastening hand away. But shall we
not be in subjection to the Father of Spirits and
live?"

The church had now become so large, that their
house of worship was wholly inadequate for the
accommodation of the congregation, and in 1827
F a harmonious division of the body was effected,

forming the three churches at Homer, Cortland-
ville, and McGrawville ; in each of which there
k are still many who recall with fervent gratitude

m the holy ministry of their former venerated pas-

r tor. He continued in the pastoral office with that

f '■ part which located in the village of Homer. Here

an efeeient church gathered round him, and in
1830, the Divine Presence filled their new sanctu-
ary, and reviving influences were again felt In
a communication to Dr. Bolles, Jan. 30, after sta-
ting his previous intention to comply so fir with
11*

d by Google

126 MEMOIR OF

the request of the Foreign Missionary Board as
to spend a number of weeks among the churches
in behalf of missions, he remarks: "And now,
dear sir, I must say the way is closed up for the
present against my leaving home. There are very
flattering appearances in the town, and especially
in the church and congregation with which I am
connected, of an extensive revival of pure religion.
The church is awaking out of sleep, and meet-
ings on devotional occasions, a few weeks past,
have been exceedingly interesting. Besides, in
the village and other neighborhoods, the youth to
the number of from one hundred and fifty to one
hundred and seventy-five are engaged in Bible-
class instruction ; and in three out of the four
classes there is great solemnity, some having deep
conviction for sin. A few have found peace by
the blood of Christ^ while many others are still
inquiring."

These signs of promise were not fallacious. The
interest continued to increase, and in March of
the same year he wrote : " The revival is still in-
teresting : my attention is almost wholly engrossed
with it. Perhaps forty or fifty souls have of late
expressed hope in the Saviour, and many more
are under deep impressions of mind."
■» A sermon he preached July 4, 1830, entitled

d by Google

KEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 127

The Kingdom of Christ distihgv^sTied from the
JKtngdom ofCcBsar, which was subsequently pub-
lished at the request of his congregation, involved
him in an extended newspaper discussion. The
discourse was a distinct enunciation and defenee
of the great scriptural principle, " That civil gov-
ernment is to be respected and supported under
the Gospel dispensation as a distinct thing en-
tirely from the interests and government of the
Church ;" that in matters purely civil Christians
ought to render obedience to the civil magistrate,
but in things appertaining to religion they owe
fealty alone to Christ. To some of the positions
assumed in the illustration of this truth, much
exception was tak^en by Pedobaptists, and the
public discussion, long and warm, elicited at that
time great interest. As the correspondence is not
now before me, its points cannot here' be stated.
It gave, however, not only publicity but additional
reputation to Mr. Bennett in the denomination
with which he was connected.

Tha following "tribute, as the blessing of one
who was ready to perish," is from a_ letter ad-
dressed to the writer of this work by Mrs. E.,
now residing in Michigan, and will be read with
interest, as illustrative of his life as pastor.

"In the summer of 1818, having been a mem-

d by Google

128 MEMOIR OF

ber of the church, of which Mr. Bennett was pas-
tor, about a year, my mind became exceedingly
distressed and driveb nearly to despair, respecting
the change of heart which I had professed. At
length coming to the conclusion that I ought to
withdraw from the church, I wrote to him, stating
my case, and asking his advice and direction. He
replied briefly, in something like the following
language:

u l Very dear Sister in Christ—

a 4 1 do most deeply sympathize with you un-
der the discouragements of which you complain.
After all Iiiavfc experienced^ when I take a view
of the corruption of my own heart, I have many
misgivings, lest all may yet be wrong. But still,. H
I do hope in the mercy of God through the aton-
ing blood of Christ, that I shall yet obtain the vic-
tory over all my inbred corruption and all the-
machinations of the adversary.

" 6 1 see nothing in your case except what Chris-
tians in all ages have had to contend with ; and
I trust these trials will in the end work for your
good. Besist temptations. Walk close with God.
Cast all your care upon Him ; for He careth for
you.*

" The next winter, while I was attending school

d by Google

BEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 129

in the village, and boarding at his house, he un-
derstood that I was in need of a few shillings in
order to prosecute my studies to advantage, and
unobeervedly and silently placed in my hand the
requisite amount.

u In the spring of 1831, hearing that I wished
to see him, as I had been long in feeble health, he
called, and kindly inquired respecting mysituar
tion. After patiently listening to the story of my
destitution, he said : * All that I can do for you
now, is to ask God to do every thing that He sees
best: let us pray.' Father B. had visited and
prayed with me many times before in sickness,
but that was especially a prevailing prayer. I
seemed carried by it away from pain, and fear,
and care. I appeared enveloped in the devotion
of his soul, and warmed by the fervor of his pe-
tition. My tempest-tossed spirit experienced a
tranquillity that the world cannot give. It was
prophetic; and my life in regard to temporal
things since appears to have been sketched in that
prayer, but it will never be fully answered until
in a good old age, as a shock of corn fully ripe, I
am garnered iif the rest which remains for the
people of God.

a A few dayB afterwards, he called one morning
as he was passing, and gave me some mosey, say-

Google

130 MEMOIR OF

ing, i Your Mend authorizes me to leave this with,
you, to be appropriated to your present want.' I
might add much more, but I know that thousands
can give a like testimony if they would speak." *■

Again, in 1832, a visitation of the Holy Spirit
was experienced, in connection with faithful
Christian efforts. It was customary then for
neighboring pastors to aid each other in special
meetings for religious exertion ; and the Divine
blessing often richly attended these united labors.
Of one of these seasons, he wrote, March 3, 1832 :
" It has truly been a precious season to many,
both in the church and out. Probably one hun-
dred have been aroused to a serious inquiry about
their souls, and about thirty have expressed hope
in the Saviour already during the meeting. We
hope others may soon find peace in believing on
Jesus Christ. My time and attention have been
all occupied, but it has been a blessed season to
Dje. It is good to see the Spirit of Christ controll-
ing the affections of the saints, and elevating their
desires towards the throne of God, and behold the
subduing power of redeeming love bowing the
hearts of sinners, once impenitent, to the obe-
dience of the faith."

During his ministiy he baptized more than
seven hundred and seventy persons, who gave evi-

d by Google

KEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 131

dence to the church of their conversion to God,
and nearly all of whom made their public profes-
sion of religion while he was pastor. Many of
these are still living, and adorn the doctrine of
,God our Saviour.

These seasons of religious interest are here re-
corded, not as filling up the whole of his expe-
rience as a pastor, but as indicating the blessings
that attended his unremitting exertions. They
were harvests ; the bleak and dreary winter, and
the laborious seed-time which preceded them,
were not less filled with patient watchfulness and
earnest effort ; but the fruits were mainly garnered
in the ingathering of revival. The pastor's heart
was often depressed beneath the cares and toils of
his responsible station. Many a sermon seemed
to fall powerless upon the careless ear ; many a
social prayer-meeting was to him a scene only
of sorrow, on account of the wintry atmosphere
which pervaded it ; many a difficulty needed kind
and careful interposition for its adjustment ; many a
valued Christian, on whom he leaned, was stricken
down by his side, and borne to the grave ; and,
what brought still more poignant anguish, temp-
tation also had its victims, and some, who once
bid fair for heaven, fell beneath its malign power.
But the jEaithfdl sower, heeding the divine prom-

d by Google

182 MEM0IB or

ise, in due time ye shall reap, if ye faint not,
amidst sunshine and storm, ceased not to scatter
broadcast the seeds of life ; and though he often
went forth weeping, it was permitted him to re-
turn again rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with
him.

d by Google

KEV. ALFBED BKKNETT. 133

CHAPTER IX.

THE MIS8I0NABY AGENCY.

The spirit of missions is everywhere the same,
whether developed in the home or the foreign field.
The sickly sentimentalism which has tears to shed
over the lost millions of paganism, but puts forth
no effort for the evangelization of the iminstructed
and guilty multitudes around us, possesses no
higher virtue than the contracted sympathy which
extends not beyond its own church-walls. Nei-
ther has its origin at the Cross. That benevolence
whose outgushing is only at the tale of distant mis-
ery, while the widow and the fatherless at our door
are unvisited, and the lost in our midst are un-
sought and unreclaimed, does not flow from the
"pure river of the water of life, clear as crystal,
proceeding out of the throne of God and the Lamb."
Jesus wept over Jerusalem. His healing power,
with words of heavenly wisdom and invitation,
was exerted throughout Judea, while yet before
Htm stretched the millions of heathendom, and
12

d by Google

134 MEMOIR OF

His compassionate heart yearned over the lost con-
dition of a world. The active Christian at home
is ordinarily the true-hearted friend of Christian
exertion abroad.

The men who toiled in otir ministry during the
past generation possessed much of the missionary
spirit. But the moral desolation around them
claimed their efforts. We find them, while their
own churches were still in infancy, organizing mis-
sionary associations to spread the Gospel. Labo-
rious and extended tours were undertaken through
the wilderness, when the avenues of travel were
yet unopened, dispensing the words of life to the
destitute; and in the humble log-cabin many a
soul was made to rejoice in pardon and hope,
through these self-denying exertions. When Prov-
idence called the Baptist denomination to engage
in the work of foreign missions, these men were
among the first to respond to the summons, and
enter actively into the field. The Madison Asso^
ciation, at its annual session, 1814, on receiving a
communication from Luther Bice in behalf of the
" General Convention of the Baptist denomination
in the United States," after the report of a com*
mittee, of which Mr. Bennett was a member, re*
sponded with high and grateful enthusiasm, and
solemnly " agreed to unite with their brethren.

d by Google

BEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 135

in exerting all their energies to promote the glo-
rious cause of the Kedeemer, not only by their
prayers, but by contributing of their worldly prop-
erty."

The ardent zeal for missions, with which the
Homer pastor sought to inspire the young in his
congregation, produced its effect, not only in con-
tributions, but in personal consecration to the work.
In 1829, his eldest son, Cephas, who had then re-
moved to TJtica, left a lucrative business at the
summons of the Master, and entered the service of
the board at Burmah, as printer, and subsequently
as preacher, among the heathen, where he still
labors with eminent fidelity and success. The
Triews of the father on this occasion are briefly ex-
pressed in a letter to Kev. Alvin Bennett, Septem-
ber 24, 1828:

" I have at present one source of trial to my
natural feelings, of which you as yet know nothing
by experience. An acquaintance is forming be-
tween the Board of Foreign Missions and Cephas,
with a view to his location in Burmah as a printer,
to spend his life in that distant land. Should such
«n event occur, you will see it must be a trial to
parental hearts. Cephas and his wife are willing
to go ; yea, rather wish it. Indeed, his mind has
been leading that way, I have known, for some

d by Google

136 1CEM0IB OF

years, but no door seemed to open until jxow.
Whether he will yet go or not remains to be deter-
mined. Should he go at all, he will probably
leave America some time next summer. Now,
all this, I know, is in perfect accordance with the
prayer of faith — Thy kingdom eome — and with the
conversion of the heathen to Christ, for they are
to be given to Him for His inheritance. I wish
to be still, and let the Lord send by whom He
pleases, and in the fulness of my heart say, Thy
will he done"

The missionary zeal and eminent qualifications
of the revered subject of these pages had long
attracted the attention of the Executive Board of
Foreign Missions, and in 1828, at their urgent
solicitation, he accepted a temporary agency to visit
churches and associations as far as would consist
with the discharge of his pastoral duties. These
solicitations were often repeated, and for several
years the church, among whom his own ardent
love of missions was diffused, permitted him to
devote a portion of his time to the interests of that
cause. The reports of these labors submitted to
the Board show that he was unwearied in hi» ex-
ertions, travelling much through the central and
western parts of the State ; yet at their close ia
usually appended the statement; "All I have done

d by Google

REV. ALFRED BEK2JTE T T. 137

ihis year has been* without cost to the Board."
Such was the generous devotion with which he
gave himself to this work, that in 1831 the Board
placed upon their record a resolution expressive
of their gratitude for his disinterested and holy
zeal.

The providence of God now evidently called him
to devote his undivided energies to the home work
of missions. His sound judgment, the veneration
widely felt for his godly character, and the holy
enthusiasm he awakened everywhere in the mis-
sionary enterprise, all eminently adapted him to
arouse the slumbering zeal of the churches in the
effort to give the Gospel to the heathen world.
But the loved church over which he had so long
presided lay near his heart. The thought of dis-
solving the pastoral . relation was one of painful
interest. Most of its members had first gained
their hopes of heaven under the word of life minis-
tered by him; they now clung around him as
their father in the Gospel. It was an occasion
of deep emotion when the revered pastor laid
before them the communication of the Board, pro-
posing a permanent separation from his people,
and the devotion of his remaining days to the in-
terests of foreign missions. The church appointed
a special meeting for prayer and consideration!
12*

d by Google

138 MEMOIR OF

the result of which was announced by Mr. Ben-
nett in a letter to Dr. Bolles, corresponding secre-
tary of the Board, June 13, 1832 :

" They were unanimous in their desire for me
to continue with them, but in view of the import-
ance of the missionary enterprise, the call of the
Board, and my convictions of duty on the subject,
they acquiesced, concluding it was of God, that
it was my duty to go, and they ought to submit.
Scarcely a brother spoke his mind on the occasion
without giving vent to his emotion in tears ; but,
I think, grace triumphed, and love to the cause of
God, with desire for the wide extension of the Ke-
deemer's kingdom in the earth, made us all willing
at length cheerfully to pursue that course which
seemed tQ be marked out for us in Divine Provi-
dence, looking to God for direction and sup-
port.

"This subject has oppressed me exceedingly.
For a long time the foreign mission has seemed
to have claims paramount to other objects, and
the churches have not been thoroughly awake to
its importance. But for two years it has engross-
ed my feelings more intensely, and almost unfitted
me for other duties. The. decision, however, is
made, and now my chief solicitude is whether I
shall please God, and meet the wishes of the

d by Google

EEV. ALBBKD BENBETT. 139

Board. I tremble in view of the responsibilities
of the 6tation."

His life as a pastor, uninterrupted for twenty-
five yean, had been one of great laithfulness.
Hie Spirit of God wrought effectually by him, and
in every direction, for miles around, was ground
hallowed by his prayer and toil, and associated
with recollections of the triumphs of grace. And
such was the affection and respect with which he
ever inspired his congregation, that when at length
he deemed it his duty to propose a separation, it
is believed there was not a single member, either
of the church or the congregation, who did not ar-
dently love his ministry, and deplore his absence
as a personal loss.

u The General Convention of the Baptist de-
nomination in the United States" was then the
only organization in America by which the work
of foreign missions was carried on in this denom-
ination. Its operations, even at this period, how-
ever, were not extended. God had, indeed, richly
blessed the labors of Mr. Judson and his coadju-
tors in the Burman mission, and every year bore
to our shores intelligence of new triumphs of the
Gospel. The sainted Boardman had just breathed
his last in the Karen jungle, after witnessing the
first large ingathering of that " people prepared

d by Google

140 MEMOIR 0*

of the Lord," among whom Bach wonders of mercy-
have since been wrought. Nine additional mis-
sionaries had just sailed, to join the devoted band
toiling amidst the pagodas of India. Every aspect
of the missions abroad gave occasion for thanks-
giving and hope. But at home the work moved
glowly. The total of contributions from all parts
of the Union in 1832, was only sixteen thousand
five hundred and fifty-6ix dollars. Many of the
churches which are now wealthy and efficient, were
then struggling for existence ; many of this char-
acter, also, in the rapid growth of cities and states
have since been formed. Benevolent effort was
then, for the most part, unregulated by system,
and under the dictates of impulse only was liable
to great fluctuations. "The Macedonian," diffu-
sing missionary intelligence at a cost within the
means of all, did not then enter the family circle,
and act as a monthly monitor to a perishing world ;
nor was the religious newspaper so generally re-
garded as essential to a Christian home. Opposi-
tion to missionary effort was not uncommon, even
in the Middle and Eastern States, and in the West
and Southwest large districts were infected with
the anti-mission spirit.

- In all this the last twenty years have witnessed
a vast change. Cheap periodicals, with cheap

d by Google

EEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 141

postage, and readier means of inter-communica-
tion, have diffused information, and prejudices
have gradually given place to enlightened views
of Christian duty. The press has been teeming
with publications illustrating and enforcing the
.great commission. The Sabbath-school has been
a nursery of missionary influence, and the thou-
sands continually issuing from its hallowed walls
.upon the arena of Christian action, have entered
the Church educated for missionary effort. Chris-
tians generally have made much advance towards
an intelligent appreciation of responsibility re-
specting the evangelization of the world; and
though still far, very far, from the elevation to
which they must rise before the Gospel shall be
universally published, the signs of upward prog-
ress are clear and hopeful. The contributions to
the treasury pf the American Baptist Missionary
Union, reported 1851, fell but little short of one
hundred thousand dollars, nearly six times the
amount received in the whole country twenty
years ago.

Among the human agencies employed in effect-
ing this auspicious change, no individual filled a
more useful place than the venerated man whose
Jife is here delineated. From his resignation of
the pastoral office to the hour when his spirit en*

d by Google

142 MEMOIR OF

tered into the presence of the Master, the diffusion
of the pare spirit of missions was the ruling pas-
sion of his life. Though associated with various
other religious enterprises, to which he gave an
intelligent and earnest support, all the energies of
his vigorous mind were devoted directly or indi-
rectly to this one great end. It was in him a
principle, rising higher than the love of kindred,
causing him, with life already advanced, to for-
sake the comforts of home, and prosecute steadily
for many years a laborious and often thankless
mission, exposed to every variety of climate, and
every form of physical ill. He writes, in a letter
addressed to his family, near the close of a long
and toilsome tour in the West, May 6, 1840 :

" Perhaps this will be the last copy of my feel-
ings you will receive before you have the original
in person; for I begin to count upon the days,
much more than the miles, which separate us.
Sometime in June I devoutly hope to greet my
dear family again, and none the less dear because
I am long absent. If I am not a Christian, the
deception is great. I believe I love my family as
well as ever, and desire their happiness as much ;
but I can be sundered from them cheerfully to
promote the cause of the Lord Jesus Christ in the
world. If this is not from love to the frwth> I am

d by Google

REV. ALFRED BENNETT. 143

deceived, awfully deceived. It is not affection
growing cold towards my dear family, but desires
increasing to extend the knowledge of the Lord,
laboring daily, and so much the more as toe see
the day approaching."

It was with such views the servant of God en-
tered upon the new sphere to which Provideace
called him. Love to Christ, loye to souls, and
an ardent desire for the elevation of Christian
character in the churches, seemed to be the per-
vading principles of his life, while during many
years fulfilling his high commission. "So pecu-
niary inducement was offered. He was appointed
" at a salary of four hundred dollars, including
his travelling expenses." No permanent agent
before him had been in the employ of the Board,
and the office was then new in the denomination.
He always regarded himself as a pioneer; and
with him the determination with which he en-
tered the work became a fixed principle through
life, to regard " the raising of money a secondary
matter, and make it his first concern to spread
information, and lay the foundation of a steady
support of the enterprise in future years," by awa-
kening an intelligent elevated missionary spirit in
the churches, and giving permanency and system
to benevolent action.

d by Google

144 MEMOIR OT

CHAPTER X. .

TOUES SOUTH AND WEST.

His agency, during the first eight years, was
chiefly in the South and West, where he was a
pioneer in the advocacy of missions. He trav-
elled for the most part on horseback, exposed to
all the changes of the seasons, and amidst hard-
ships under which a frame less robust or a spirit
less resolute would have sunk. This period was
filled with incidents of deep and often thrilling in-
terest, illustrative of the providence of God and
of human character in its various phases ; but
they were left unrecorded, except on his memory,
and are now unknown, only as occasionally rela-
ted by him, in his own graphic manner, to the
friends with whom he was intimately conversant.
An outline of his tours, therefore, gathered most-
ly from letters, is all which can here be pre-
sented.

Virginia was his first field, on which he entered
at the close of November, 1832. Setting out from

d by Google

BEY. ALFRED BHN2ffETT. 145

Richmond, he travelled more than nine hundred
miles on horseback, visiting numerous churches,
and everywhere awakening a deep interest in the
cause of missions. Though successful beyond ex-
pectation, he says, " My chief consolation, after
all, has arisen from the enjoyment of God in my
own soul. I have rarely felt such a comfortable
flow of feeling in preaching the Gospel of Christ,
for so long a time together, as I have enjoyed for
some weeks past Whether the hearers were few
or many, it was no embarrassment. I felt a
pleasure in spreading out before them tih[e wretch-
ed condition of the world, the unspeakable glory;
fulness, and adaptation of the Gospel, under the
influence of the Holy Ghost, to change the heart
and elevate the affections to God, in whom there
is fulness of joy, and at whose right hand there
are pleasures for evermore ;— and then affection-
ately inviting them to co-operate in the work of
sending this blessed Gospel to every creature."

When he was about to leave the State, the
brethren sent earnest letters to the Executive
Board, importuning them to permit his continu-
ance there ; and if this could not be granted, that
he might return a few months, or even weeks, the
succeeding winter. At the close of this tour, we
find the following memorandum :
13

d by Google

146 MKMOIB OF

"March 18. — Arrived at Homer after an ab-
sence of four months, in which I have enjoyed
good health, travelled in all over twenty-five hun-
dred' miles, and collected for the Foreign Mission
one thousarfd two hundred and seventy-one dol-
lars, besides various articles of jewelry."

The amount collected was not, indeed, large;
but at that time it was deemed an indication of
unusual success, especially in a field comparative-
ly new, where no organized system of benevolence
had then been formed.

• After spending the summer in New Jersey and
New England, he was occupied the following win-
ter at the West, in the States of Indiana, Ken-
tucky, and Ohio, laboring with earnest zeal, but
not with the same immediate success as in Vir-
ginia. Much opposition encountered him from
the anti-mission spirit, which was at that time rife
in those sections of the country. In reference to
this he remarked : " I intend to be kind, affec-
tionate, and faithful, explaining the subject ac-
cording to the Scriptures, and keeping a con-
science void of offence towards God and the peo-
ple: then I will abide the consequences." In
Kentucky, while travelling, he was suddenly at-
tacked with severe illness, occasioned by expo-
sure, and for a time seemed in imminent peril of

d by Google

BEY. ALFRED BENNETT. 147

hi& life ; but it pleased the Lord to raise him up
again. The kindness experienced in a land of
strangers much affected him. " During my sick-
ness at Elizabethtown," he writes, "I felt peculiar
peace of mind and confidence in God. I knew
He would do right. I felt quiet in His hand. I
think, in reviewing the dispensation, I am much
quickened in prayer, and desirous that I may not
live in vain. God has heard prayer, and given
me favor in the sight of the people of the land.
The physicians were very attentive, and would
charge nothing; they said it was their highest
pleasure to render me aid. Neither of them pro-
fesses religion. I could not have been in a kinder
family than that of brother H. Himself and wife
and children, servants, and every thing, were de-
voted to my service, and every effort made to ren-
der me comfortable by night and by day. All
this, too, was gratuitous ; they seemed to exult in
the idea of being counted worthy to wait upon
one of the servants of their Lord. All things
work together for good to those who are the call-
ed according to God's purpose, and sincerely love
Him. And may I hope that He will put me
among His children % I have always been fearful
about my adoption ; yet, as I find such abundant
proofs of His kindness towards me, I am encour-

d by Google

148 MEMOIR OF,

aged to hope that, when the storms of life are
orer, I may be allowed rest in heaven, where Je-
ans is, and where the saints shall be ever with
Him"

After this" visitation of sickness, he continued
his labors in Kentucky, returning to Homer in
the spring, by way of Ohio. Of this tour, he
writes to Kev. Alvin Bennett, June 29, 1834 :

" My journey was prosperous, and I hope prof-
itable, both to the people among whom I trav-
elled and to the cause generally, especially in
stirring up a spirit of benevolence in the churches
of the Far West, so that they will be more en-
gaged hereafter in thinking, feeling, praying, and
acting for the benefit of the world. How hard it
is for us to realize that the field is the world, to
act with reference to th« good of all mankind,
and to live with a regard to the whole extent of our
being/ I was absent about eight months, trav-
elled about three thousand miles, chiefly with my
own team^ preached two hundred times, besides.
a considerable amount of other labor, and col-
lected one thousand dollars for the Foreign Mis*
sions. The getting of money, however, was re-
garded as a matter of very little account in com-,
parison with other objects, such as the removal of
prejudices and the diffusion of information, to

d by Google

EEV. ALFRED KE&NETT. 149

«x>rrect and settle public opinion in favor of the
noble enterprise of giving the Gospel to every
creature. Prejudice among many is deep rooted,
requiring much labor to subdue it."

When a few weeks of repose had"been enjoyed
with his friends, he again set out for the West.
Mrs. Bennett accompanied him as far as [Roches-
ter, whence, he remarks in a memorandum, "I
was destined to go on alone towards the 'Far
West,' with all the feelings that solitude, a sickly
season, and occasional remains of cholera could
produce within. But God is my strength^ whom
should Ifea/r t God is the support of my life, of
what shall I be afraid? Believing Christ will
sustain me, as long as he has aught for me to do
in advancing His kingdom, I cheerfully venture
forward, relying on Him." Though the cholera
was making fearful ravages in many places around
him, this terrible scourge did not deter him from
his work. He felt that the heathen still needed
the Gospel, and demanded unremitting effort to
send the messengers of salvation to them. Wri-
ting to Dr. Bolles, from Cleveland, he says : " My
health is % yet good. I feel it my duty to confide
all to the care of the Chief Shepherd of Israel,
and do what I can to benefit a sinning, dying
world by the ministration of the glorious Gospel
13*

d by Google

150 MEMOIR OF

of the blessed God. The prospect for my work ia
this country is good, excepting the embarrassment
occasioned by the cholera. This is the engrossing
subject of conversation. At this moment a man
has come in from Detroit, and reports that deaths
occur there from twenty to thirty per day. They
average here perhaps five or six. May the love
of God be shed abroad more abundantly in my
heart, and increase the exercise of all the graces
of the Holy Spirit, that, whether I live or die, I
may be the Lord's."

An affecting appeal respecting the welfare of
the soul, addressed to two of his sons, dated Mont-
gomery Co., Tenn., Jan. 1, 1835, belongs to this
period. After speaking of the nature and enormi-
ty of sin, he adds :

" Will you longer neglect the great salvation ?
Will you resist the Holy Spirit's influences, and
despise Christ, the adorable Saviour, who died to
pardon and lives to bless ? Remember, my sons,
it is not alone the sins of past life that now makes
you unhappy, though seventeen years have been
spent by you in *m, which is an awful fact. Sev-
enteen years spent in open rebellion against God,
exposed continually to his eternal vengeance!
Yet even all the guilt contracted during that
time, though you have sinned under most aggra-

d by Google

BEV. ALFRED BENNETT, 151

rating circumstances, would be pardoned in a
moment, if your hearts were right now. It is
present impenitence and unbelief that keeps the
soul from God. My dewr children, I beseech you,
think on these things, and receive the Lord Jesus
Christ. Receive Him cordially, that you may
live, and live forever in heaven.

" You will excuse a father who loves you, and
loves you none the less for being more than a
thousand miles from you at this moment, for wri-
ting thus earnestly to you. Indeed, you could
hardly forgive me, if I did not deal faithfully with
your souls, while I am depriving myself of all
domestic happiness for the benefit of the souls of
others.

" I was only a little more than seventeen years
old when, I trust, my wicked heart was broken
before God for sin ; the Saviour appeared to my
soul the one altogether lovely, and I felt it my
highest honor to serve Him. And I may say to
you to-day, that all the trouble I have had since
has grown out of my unlikeness to Him. When
I enjoy His love, I am happy. The trials of life I
can then bear with patience, and* feel a pleasure
in the toilsome labors of the Gospel, even in a
land of strangers, when I can say, I know that rrvy
Redeemer Uveth."

d by Google

152 -MEMOIR OF

He continued his labors in the West, through
Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee, until
April, when he attended the General Convention
in its triennial session, held at Kichmond, Ya.
In the report rendered to this body respecting his
service for two years and five months, we find the
following paragraphs :

" During this time efforts have been put forth
in many large and important assemblies, such as
the 'Convention of Western Baptists,' State Con-
ventions, and anniversaries of societies for spread-
ing the Gospel at home and abroad. More than
six hundred sermons have been delivered, while
in performing this labor he has travelled over ten
thousand miles, and a large portion of this on
horseback.

" In conclusion, the sufferings, exposures, and
labors, with the sacrifices made, of personal ease,
domestic comfort, land social enjoyment, have
been more than made up in the soul by l#e enjoy-
ment of the Divine favor, the sweet, peace-perva-
ding spirit of the Gospel, the friendship of the
pious and prayerful with whom acquaintance has
been formed, the conviction of per^al useful-
ness in the Gospel, and the hope of instrumentally:
spreading it abundantly in all the earth; and
above all, from the persuasion, in view of the

i by Google

REV. ALFRED BENNETT. 153

prophecies and commandments of God our Saviour,
that His will was doneP

At the close of the session of the Convention,
he permitted himself a brief period of rest, when
lie made another tour through Illinois, Tennessee,
and other States, where he met with much suc-
cess. The collection of money, however, was not
the primary object in Mr. Bennett's Western
agency. A false Calvinism was extensively prev-
alent in the churches, producing much opposition
to Christian exertion for the salvation of sinners,
whether at home or abroad. It paralyzed the
active power of religion. A proper understand-
ing of his usefulness there will require, at this
point, a more Ml view of that spirit than has
been before given, He thus writes to the secre-
tary, Dr. Holies, from Alabama, February 22,
1836 :

"That you inaj have some idea of the moral at-
mosphere which I am compelled to breathe, I will
begin by quoting verbatim from the minutes of the
Richland Creek Association, the following pream-
ble andjresolutiop. :

"'Whereas this Association views with pain
and Christian abhorrence the rise, the progress,
Mid deleterious effects of various societies, or
combinations of men, claiming the specious and

i by Google

154 MEMOIR OF

flattering names of benevolence and humanity,
such as the Missionary and Abolition Societies,
and many others actuated by the same spirit, the
work of which combinations we believe to be sub-
versive of all good order, peace, and quiet of
both civil and political, as well as religious so-
ciety :

" * Be it, therefore, resolved by this Asqpciation
unanimously, that we hereby declare to all men
our sincere, undeviating, and decided opposition
to all and every such society, whose ways and
works are wasting and destroying the happiness
of society in every part of our otherwise happy
country ; and we sincerely desire our brethren at
large, and particularly advise the churches we
represent, to hold all such societies in utter detest-
ation and at a distance ; and farther, we advise
that the churches uncompromisingly use the dis-
cipline of the Gospel on all and every of their
members who may be known in any way to coun-
tenance such unscriptural and disorganizing socie-
ties or combinations. 9 The above passed the As-
sociation September, 1835."

This was not a solitary instance. Many were
the religious bodies in which similar sentiments
were avowed. Antinomianism, which has since
much declined, from lack of essential vitality, was

d by Google

REV. ALFRED BENNETT. 155

then at the zenith of its power in the Southwest.
Immense numbers of professing Christians were
involved in this error, among whom were some
men possessing great excellencies of character,
and swaying an extensive influence. From a
memorandum made at this time, a still more
definite statement of these pernicious views is

" I spent twenty-four hours with Eev. A. H., a
chief man in the Association, and found him im-
pressed with the conviction that the commission
to preach the Gospel to every creature was ful-
filled by the Apostles, and is now binding only as
it requires pastors to feed the flock ; that the Gos-
pel is not a means of salvation to the impenitent,
for the heathen may be saved without it (for which
he quotes Romans ii. 14, These, hawing not the
law, cure a law untfthemselves, etc) ; that no proof
is found in the Bible that religion has any thing
to do with money, and those who receive it come
more or less under the idea of hirelings. These
views are connected in his mind with the opinion
that all the efforts of the Church are unauthorized
in Scripture, and have been introduced within
fifty years, since which the Church has gone back
and become degenerate, and saints are not as
numerous now as in the days of persecution and

d by Google

156 MEMOIR OF

darkness in the valleys of Piedmont : for the devil
has turned Christian. With these views he asso-
ciates an humble, conscientious spirit, and seems
much distressed that good men should be so blinded
as he deems them to be."

' "Effort" and "Anti-effort" were the distinctive
badges of religious parties in the South and West,
producing frequent divisions of churches and
associations, with much contention and violence.
Many of the churches were closed against him in
his earlier tours, and much misrepresentation and
personal abuse were met. One instance among
many is thus related : " On Lord's day an effort

was made by Rev. , with two otter brethren,

to prevent my preaching, because I was a mission-
ary man. More than an hour was spent in debat-
ing the subject with those who took my part, while
most of the congregation were in the open air arid
cold, rambling about, and no acts of worship were
performed until after one o'clock, p. m. Whea
another person had preached, an appeal was made
by a friendly minister to the assembly, who, with
the exception of about three, voted to have me
address them." When he was excluded from the
ordinary house of worship, such was his reputation,
the citizens would frequently throw open to him
the court-house, or other public building in the

d by Google

REV. ALFRED BENNETT. 157

place, where, by his eminently Christian spirit,
lucid statement of facts, and fervid appeals for
Christ and a perishing world, he would put to
shame the opposition ; and (to use an expression
then common- in describing his efforts) he " took
away the doors, posts, bars, and all from the
enemy's citadel."

For this work l£r. Bennett possessed peculiar
adaptation. . His soul was glowing with mission-
ary ardor. His acquaintance with the Scriptures
was intimate and practical. His mental resources
were, always at ready command, and an apt Scrip-
ture quotatipn, or a well-turned reply, often covered
an objector with no small confusion. To this was
added a holy earnestness and benignity of man-
ner, which at once impressed and attracted the
hearts of his opposers. His services were eagerly
sought by active Christians everywhere, as con-
ducing to a deeper tone of spirituality in the
churches, and a more just sense of responsibility
respecting a lost world. Kev. Dr. Howell, then of
Nashville, Tenn., thus wrote to him in reference
to these labors :

" I am delighted to hear that you will probably

be at the next meeting of our State convention.

Be assured, should the Lord favor us so much as

to direct your way to us at that time, we shall feel

d by Google

158 MEH01K OF

grateful to Him, and receive you with open hearts
and hands. I think yon ought to labor much in
Hie West, especially in the Southwest Your col-
lections for the good cause in Burmah may not be
quite so large, but the deficit mil be more than
made up to the cause we love, by the good yoti
will do us."

God has associated the work of foreign missions
with the highest prosperity of the churches ill
the home field. The auspicious- change which has
been passing over the spiritual character of many
of the churches in the Southwest, though attribu-
table to no single agency, is largely a result of Mr:
Bennett's labors. The striking views he presented
of 'the great commission, the stirring appeals he
made in behalf of the heathen world, the exposi-
tions he gave of the purpose of the Gospel, as in-
dicated in the prophecies and in the teachings of
Christ— illustrated and enforced, as the whole was,
by his Christian temper, his earnest zeal, and hid
life of irreproachable godliness — gave anew direc-
tion to Christian thought, and awoke in the hearts
of thousands the more active impulses of religious
character. The compassion awakened among Chris-
tians for the distant heathen, and the obligation
distinctly presented to send them the Gospel, in
turn awoke an interest in the perishing conditio**

d by Google

KEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 159

of the ungodly around them ; and the tears of pity*
falling over the miseries of a lost world, were often
the precursors of a refreshing from the presence of
the Spirit of God, and the blessed ingathering of
a revival. ♦

An extract from a letter written at Lawrence-
burgh, Ind., at this period, addressed to his son,
Dolphas Bennett, in which he notes some valuable
thoughts in Sidney's " Life of Kowland Hill," will
be here read with interest.

" In coming down the Ohio I read Wm. Sidney's
4 Life of Kowland Hill.' The devotion, zeal, and
activity of Mr. Hill are worthy of imitation : every
good man will find his own heart strengthened by
such an example. There were a few choice sen-
tences which I marked, and some of them I will
mention. ' If you wish to gain a character as
a minister of the word of life, you must first lose
it entirely in the esteem of the world, and then
gain it by your upright and holy zeal, by your
complete deadness to the world, that you may
give yourself wholly to the work of the ministry,
and spend and be spent in the sacred cause. Half-
way work is odious in every profession, but in the
work of God most abominable : such as honor
Christ shall be honored of Him. You have suf-
ficient knowledge of the Gospel to know that it is

d by Google

160 MKMOIB OF

a glorious Gospel, while the thin, meager religioto.
of the world is beneath contempt.' Again, 'The
messenger of the Gospel becomes the truest patriot,
when he is most diligently employed in winning
his fellow-countrymefl to the religion of Jeans
Christ, whose precepts obeyed from the heart are
the firmest pillars of the social system, and the
surest antidote to anarchy or misrule.'

" Mr. Hill felt his dependence much, as every
good man will, upon the Holy Spirit's influence in
the ministrations of the Gospel. c There is some-
thing,' says he, 4 in preaching the Gospel with the
Holy Spirit sent down from heaven, which I long
to get at. The nearer we live to God, the better
we are enabled to serve Him. Oh how I hate my
own noise when 1 have nothing to make a noise
about ! Heavenly wisdom creates heavenly utter- *
ance.' He said he liked Dr. Eyland's advice to hid
pupils : Mind, no sermon isjfamy value, or likely
to be useful, which has not the three JS's in it :
Rwm, by the fall; Redemption by Christ ; ^Re-
generation by the Holy Spirit. - A minister hav-
ing observed to him that, notwithstanding the fault
found with his dry sermons, there were still hopes
of their usefulness, for Samson had slain the Phil-
istines with the jaw-bone of an ass— -'True,' he
replied, * but it was a moist jaw-bone.' Mr. Sid-

d by Google

REV. ALFRED BENNETT. .161

ney utters a good sentiment on doctrinal contro-
versy : * Let Calvinist and Arminian join in one
common acknowledgment that they never should
have sought God by nature, had he not first sought
them by grace — that the only way to eternal life
is through the all-sufficient atonement of a dying
Saviour, and the only evidence of our interest in His
blood is a heart sanctified by His Spirit and dedi-
cated to His glory.'

"But, my dear son, while we are looking at
other men, desiring to copy their virtues, how much
need we have of great grace to overcome our own
vices ! To elevate our own habits of thinking, feel-
ing, acting, that we may continually be assimi-
lating to the likeness of Christ, is of vast moment
for usefulness in the church or in the world."

A letter from him in Kentucky, 1836, addressed

to his nephew, Asa Bennett,* whose heart was then

turning towards the qpnistry of the Gospel among

. the heathen, is in part here inserted : reference is

•-

* This excellent young man, after pursuing a course of study at
the Hamilton Literary and Theological Institution, with refer-
ence to the missionary work in Burmah, fell a victim to con-
sumption before entering his contemplated field His death was
in the calm assured bope of Christ; it is yet profoundly felt in a
large circle, who appreciated the virtues which adorned his char-
acter..

d by Google

162 MEMOIR OF

also made to his niece, a young lady of much
promise, who was wasting in consumption,

" It distresses me much to hear of C.'s state of
health ; but as God has ordered it, all is right, and
we should submit. Youth, beauty, intelligence,
activity, and hope are cut down and wasted in her.
This must be another great affliction to the dear
family, who have already suffered so much from
the same disease. The Saviour said, What I do
thou Tcnowest not now; but thou shalt know here-
after. Draw near to God ; cast all your care upon
Him, for He carethfor you. Let this be your con-
solation. Should O. be yet alive, tell her my
heart's desire and prayer to God for her is, that
she may be saved. The blessed Saviour died for
sinners ; tell her to look to Him, to cast herself at
His feet, and say, Zord, save, or I perish. It is *
safe trusting in His grace, and His power to saye
is infinite. May she shine before the throne of
God, with her parents, and brothers, and sisters,
and with all the saints.

"You speak of trials in relation to the ministry
in heathen lands. I would say, pray much, and *
examine your heart carefully. To labor for God
anywhere is an honor, and to be sent by him to
teach the Gentiles is a distinguished honor, but a
very difficult task. I know not why you may not

d by Google

BEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 163

be called to serve God as a missionary, but all
who think they are called to that work should be
careful to know that the call is of God. The mis-
sionary is like a man upon the top of a mount-
ain, in the view of all the world, with the eye of
God and the enmity of devils directed towards
him* He occupies one of the most responsible
places in the universe : if he succeed not, it will
be a great defeat ; but if he does, it will be a gf eat
honor. In view of all this, how important it is
that a man should know himself, his inmost self,
touching all the motives and desires of his heart,
that he may be thoroughly acquainted with the
principles which stimulate him to action, and un-
derstandingly decide upon his course! for, not
only his own happiness is involved in the decision,
•but the well-being of many others, upon whom his
course will have influence."

The views Mr. Bennett took of his work were
eminently spiritual, and throughout his official
communications the pervading tone is that of
humble reliance upon God. He thus concludes a
report of his labors, February 22, 1837, for the
winter just closing: "The ministration of the
Gospel among the people almost daily, the infor-
mation spread over a wide extent of country,
which will do good in future, together with the

d by Google

161 MKMOIE OT

moral and religious influence set in motion in the
denomination, have more than compensated for all
the toil, fatigue, privation, and danger encountered
in making this laborious tour. It becomes me
also to acknowledge the goodness of God all the
way, and his special mercy, in many instances, in
preserving my life, limbs, and health amidst ex-
posures from high waters, bad roads, dangerous
ice", inclement seasons, and bewilderment in dreary
forests and prairies. But most of all are my thanks
due to God for the light of His countenance, the
influences of His Spirit, and the supports of His
grace in the discharge of the important duty as-
signed me."

Many instances occurred, during his tours, of re-
markable providential preservation, in which lie
could clearly see the hand of God. On his way
from Erie, Penn., to Cleveland, Ohio, a journey
which it was then necessary to perform by stage,
the coach was twice overset in one night, occa-
sioned, in both instances, by the driver's intem-
perance and culpable ignorance of the way. In
the last instance, the horses were in rapid mo-
tion, descending a dangerous hill, and the force
with which the coach struck the ground was such
as to cause it to slide some distance on the
ground after being overset. He was sitting on the

d by Google

REV. ALFRED BENNETT. 165

forward seat, having only the curtain between him
and the earth, and that was badly torn in the con-
cussion.

The labor and exposures of this winter, however,
proved too severe for him. Always unwilling to
fail in his appointments, a hoarseness, contracted in
this inclement season, finally induced what seemed
to be a serious affection of the lungs. Weakness
at length compelled him to relinquish all effort for
several weeks, and apprehensions were felt that
it might terminate his life. But he so far recov-
ered as to reach Pittsburg, whence he wrote:
44 Although this sickness is to me a sore calamity,
and falls heavily on the mission cause, yet it has
not been lost upon me. My heart has been much
stirred up, instructed, and humbled, all which it
greatly needed. Sweet and interesting views of a
Saviour have cheered me, and caused me to hope
that even so vile a wretch as I may yet be holy as
God is holy. That is the standard of moral excel-
lence to which all must come who enter heaven.
Hence the "value of a Saviour's merits, the pre-*
ciousness of His atoning blood, the priceless worth
of His imputed righteousness, and the importance
of His Spirit dwelling within us, t<} quickep the
affections, strengthen and direct the desires in
prayer, and comfort and sanctify the whole soul."

d by Google

16t MEMOIR OF

Though he did not entirely recover his wonted
health until the close of summer, the intermediate
time was spent ^n active exertion, chiefly in cen-
tral New York. Autumn found him again in the
, West, passing through Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan,
Indiana, and Illinois, " addressing both churches
and individuals on the claims of missions, and,
whenever practicable, attending public meetii^s
of conventions and other religious bodies." The
condition of the field had greatly changed since
he first entered it. Opposition had in many places
entirely ceased," and where he was driven away^
or coldly received, in earlier ydars, the people 4
now met him gladly. He wrote from Illinois :
" The ministering brethren are now favorable, at
least such as have influence with the people, and
there are revivals jjfljt- many of the churches, or
have lately been, which gives things an entirely
new aspect. In no year since the commencement
of my agency, have I seen so much evidence of
strong, united, and deep-toned religious feeling,
putting itself forth in benevolent effort, as in this :
in view of which I would thank God, devoutly
hoping the signs of the times will brighten, until
the whole eatfh is filled with the knowledge of
the Lord."

On returning from the West, his time was occu-

d by Google

KEY. ALFRED BENHETT. 167

pied chiefly in the inferior of the Stale of New
York and in Connecticut, addressing the churches
-with his usual success, until September, 1839.
He then returned westward, and from Springfield,
Illinois,, thus writes Dr. Bolles, Sept. 26 :

" In dating my letter, I am forcibly reminded*
g£ the flight of time, and the brevity of human
life. TTdsAay commences my sixtieth year on
earth. Fifty-nine years' time have been allotted
me in the world, forty-one and a half of them
have passed since I acknowledged allegiance to
^he Lord Jesus Christ as King, and nearly thirty-
five since engaging in the ministry. How much
ought I to have known by this time under such a
Teacher! How much ought I to have done in
obedience to such a King ! How much more I
might now be able to do, had- 1 always been what
Christ required me to be ! How much is lost by
sin ! But thanks be to God, there is perfection in
prospect, through the blood of the Lamb. Oh, my
soul, praise Him I therefore praise Him ! praise
the great Redeemer's name 1"

While absent upon this tour, he received intel-
ligence of the illness of his son, Cephas Bennett,
in Burmah, and the intended return of that ex-
cellent missionary to this country for a season,
seeking restoration. To this he replied: "The

ed by Google

168 MKMOIB Olf

loss of my eon's health, and his consequent re-
turn, is grievous to my heart; yet I hope God
will be glorified In him, whether it be by life or
death. I should be happy to see my children, but
more happy to hear they were turning the heathen
to God from dumb idols, and laboring successfully
in health, as the instruments of God in gathering
in His elect." And when, early in 1840, his son
reached this country, the father, who was laboring
in Kentucky, could not be induced to hasten his
return, remarking, " It would give me great sat-
isfaction to come home and enjoy the pleasures o£ a
domestic life with my dear family, but the cause
here demands my attention." The interests of
the Redeemer's kingdom seemed to surpass in his
view the claims of all earthly objects ; and though
possessing a heart glowing with the warmest nat-
ural affection, love to Christ burned there with
yet higher intensity.

Digitized by VjOOQlC

KEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 169

CHAPTER XL

TOUBB EAST AND WEBT..

To follow the venerated man, of whose life the
memorials are here gathered, through all the de-
tails of his numerous tours, would swell this vol-
ume beyond its appropriate limit Nor is it need-
ful. The purpose of a biography is to give a
picture of the man, which is often more fitly done
by a few characteristic incidents than by crowded
circumstantial detail.

The later years of his life were employed chief-
ly in New York *md the adjacent States, though a
few months of each yew were commonly spent in
the West. Much importance was attached to his
annual visit to that region. A multitude of new
churches were springing jip amidst the rapidly
growing communities there. The worldly thrift
and enterprise, so characteristic of the West, and
often so disastrous to the vitality and purity pf the
churches, required the influence of those elevating,
ennobling views associated with giving the Gospel
to the world. A missionary spirit needed to be

d by Google

.170 MEMOIB OF

early infused, and a system of benevolent contri-
bution established. This was the peculiar mission
of Mr. Bennett His success is not to be meas-
ured by the amount of funds collected. His was
a work of faith : he laid the foundations of mis-
sionary effort, on which others are rearing the su-
perstructure. God by him opened springs of be-
nevolence in the western churches, whose streams,
at first small, but ever widening and deepening,
will ultimately bear far and wide over the earth
the peace and gladness of the Gospel.

The summer of 1840, with the winter succeed-
ing, he passed in his agency in the Middle and
Eastern States, inspiring, as usual, interest every-
where in the missionary work by his heart-stirring
appeals. On some of the tours of this period,
he was accompanied by Rev. Cephas Bennett,
whom he was permitted to greet again, after an
absence of more than ten years among the hea-
then in Burmah. After attending the triennial
session of the Convention at Baltimore, April,
1841, he passed over the mountains to meet with
several important public bodies in Ohio and Ken-
tucky. From the latter State he thus writes Dr.
Peck, secretary of the Board : " Very little has
been collected for foreign missions the year past,
especially beyond Ohio, and from the scarcity of

d by Google

REV. ALFRED BENNETT,. 171 .

money I fear little will be done for the year to
come. I made three attempts at collection in L. :
one in the first church, one in the convention, and
one in the colored church. The last was thirty-
two dollars, and more than both the others. At
the close of the sermon in the colored church,
Rev. Mr. A., their pastor, himself a colored man,
after making some excellent remarks, concluded
by saying: 'When we have had our monthly
concerts, I have noticed there was often a groan
of approbation over the house, as desire was ex-
pressed for particular things, especially when the
heathen were mentioned ; and now I want you to
come forward and lay down your money, or I
shall think you did not groan, honestly? Per-
haps," continues Mr. Bennett, " there are some
white people who will need to groan again, or pay
more money before all will be done right. But
we will bless God for His mercy hitherto received,
and devoutly pray for greater displays of His
power."

Great agitation respecting the institution of sla-
very existed at this time in the churches, both
North and South. "While some of the former re-
garded the Board of Missions with distrust, charg-
ing them as the abettors of slavery, and clamor-
ously demanded a distinct denunciation of that

d by Google

173 MEMOIR OP

institution, and an entire separation from the
southern churches; many in the latter were de-
nouncing the Board as ultra-abolition, and requir-
ing some definite, statement or act which would
identify them officially with that obnoxious institu-
tion. Public religious gatherings in all parts of the
country were filled with exciting discussions upon
this subject, and agitators, on either side, were
passing among the churches, stirring up a spirit
of opposition. Collections were much impeded,
as many forgot, in the wild excitement, their obli-
gations to give the Gospel to the heathen. It re*
quired much watchfulness and wisdom, in these
circumstances, to keep steadily before Christiana
the claims of a perishing world ; and in the midst
of frequent and violent opposition, to mingle pa-
tience and gentleness with that firmness which the
crisis demanded. The influence of Mr. Bennett
at this period was of great value. Ever kind
and conciliatory, though uncompromising where
he thought the truth at stake, his counsels often
calmed the agitation, and directed the eye from
sectional jealousies and lower interests to the one
great object, around which he would concentrate
the eneigies of the people of God. The venera-
tion universally felt for his piety, the holy fervor
with which he plead for the heathen, as well as

d by Google

BEV. JlLFKKD BKNNE1T. 178

tlie wisdom of his course, contributed much to
the preservation of the missionary interest during
that stormy period, until the final separation of
lie northern and southern churches in their mis-
sionary operations, in 1845, restored some degree
of tranquillity.

The summer of 1841, as well as the winter fol-
lowing, he employed mostly in the State of New
York. It was, however, a time of great pecuniary
embarrassment, which, conspiring with the above-
mentioned occasion of dissension, caused an unu-
sual falling off in the amount contributed. Of
this he wrote to Dr. Bolles, from Kochester, Feb.
5, 1842, just before that excellent man was com-
pelled by enfeebled health to relinquish his post,
so long and honorably filled, as secretary of the
Board:

" I had anticipated sending from this place nearly
fifteen hundred dollars, but shall fail. The cause,
however, will not fail. God, the everJtlessed God,
will accomplish His purposes of mercy among the
heathen, and when we have done all we can, we have
done our duty. I told the brethren at the Monroe
Association, it was folly to complain of hard times.
It was not so in Christ's kingdom : the times were
easy there. The pressure was in another king-
dom, and because they had put their money in
15*

d by Google

174 KSMOIB OF

the wrong place. No one in the country had put
his money into the Lord's treasury, and failed on
that account. In all the States through which I
had passed, and among the thousand bankruptcies
which had occurred, and among them hundreds
of church members — among all, not one could be
found who attributed his ruin to his giving in the
cause of God. No — it was putting his funds in
the wrong place, where the blessing of God could
not rest upon it.

" Our hope is in the Lord, and may His Spirit
and presence be with the Board and its officers.
May their feet be guided in wisdom, and the
work of their hands established. Our national
councils seem to be distracted ; still the cause of
God in the earth will prosper to its consumma-
tion. This is cheering. God is a refuge for vs.
And blessed be Sis glorious name forever , and
let the whole earth befitted with Sis glory."

His steps were again directed westward in the
following autumn, visiting Ohio, Michigan, and
Kentucky. From Maysville, Ky., he thus ad-
dresses Mrs. Bennett, under date of Dec. 10,
1842:

" This is dedicated to you, as the companion of
my life. Forty years last month we engaged to
each other, to suffer and enjoy in union, amidst

d by Google

REV. ALFRED BENNETT. 175

the changes which should come over us. Our
hope was in God, and we have not been disap-
pointed ; for God has been faithful, and His hand
has helped us at all times. His promises have
been the support and comfort of our souls, while
His word has been food and strength, wisdom
and consolation. Truly we can say, Christ has
been precious^ very precious. How often have we
found pardon and peace, when as guilty we have
gone before His throne !

" And now when I look back upon all the way
the Lord has led us these forty years in the wil-
derness, to prove us, and see what was in our
hearts, whether we would serve Him or not, I
think much has been disclosed in my heart offen-
sive to Him, and dishonorable to me ; and I pray
JSim to forgwe, and still bless us both, while we
remain below. I hope you find access to the
throne of God from day to day, and leaving your
burdens with Him, are passing the time in par
tience ; for while you are patient in tribulation,
and continuing instant in prayer, you can rejoice
in hope — a hope which maketh not ashamed, be-
cause throve of God is shed abroad in our hearts
by the Holy Ghosf which is given unto us."

His labors were continued through the winter in
different parts of the West, without interruption.

d by Google

176 memoib or

No record of them, however, is now found, except
in occasional letters ; from one of which, addressed
to A. M. Beebee, Esq., Utica, 1843, from Kentucky,
we make the following extracts:

" My health is good, generally. My life, which
has always been in GocPs hand, was again put in
jeopardy on the 14th inst., by being thrown sud-
denly from my carriage upon the Macadamized
rock road. No bones were broken, but the bruise
was dreadful. I fell into the hands of sympathiz-
ing friends, both in the family and the physician.
After being confined to my room and bed several
days, my labors were resumed, but much pain is
Buffered yet in the side and shoulder.

" Some time since I heard a leading Campbellite
discourse on the first chapter of Colossians. When
he came to verse 14, By whom we have redemption
through Sis blood, even the forgiveness cf sins,
he paused a moment and said : ' Some people think
the blood of Christ has something to do with the
forgiveness of sins, and,' said he, ' I have no doubt
they are honest in thinking so, but they are greatly
mistaken. The blood of Christ has nothing to do
in putting away sins, under the new covenant,
any more than the blood of bulls and goats had
under the Old Testament. The blood ratifies the
covenant, and we must obey its commands to be

d by Google

BEV. ALFRED BENNETT. ITT

saved.' Is not this do and live? of rather, doing
and dying !

" A gentleman of high standing handed me the
following statement in writing a few days ago:
* I heard a sermon in Frankfort, in Jan., 1843,
delivered by Mr. Fall (who is a prominent Camp-
bellite minister), on the subject, in part, of the
new birth, in which he stated the new birth was
an outward ordinance altogether. He said, a man
might have faith, repentance, a new heart, and a
good conscience, yet he had not experienced the
new birth. He said baptism was a figurative
death. The last breath an individual drew before
he was put into the water he was out of the king-
dom, while under the water his breath was stopped,
and the first breath he drew after he was raised
from the water he was in the kingdom and a child
of God.'

" Mistaken views of human depravity occasion
much of this error, in my opinion. Man is not
viewed as a poor, bankrupt vagabond, while in
gin— utterly wretched, helpless, and miserable —
lying in the wicked one, dead in trespasses and
sins — justly deserving eternal damnation — and
needing such help as only God can give him in
Jesus Ohrist, according to the riches of His grace.
Blessed be God for a Eedeemer that can save sin-

d by Google

178 MKMOm OF

nera! This is the precious troth which' comforts
my heart amidst the toils and solicitude of life.
Ghrist is all my confidence still, after forty-five
years of experience. I have no righteousness to
mention but His righteousness, and I have to go
in the strength of the Lord,God from day to day.
My prayer is, Now also, when lam old and gray-
headed, O God, forsake me not, till I home showed
Thy strength unto this generation, and Thy power
to every one thai is to come?

The missionary meeting at Hamilton, during the
commencement anniversaries of Aug., 1843, will
be remembered with deep interest for many years.
An immense assembly was gathered in a large,
shaded grove, forming an amphitheatre — a spot
hallowed in earlier days by the prayers of the
lamented Thomas. Rev. Eugenic* Kincaid, re-
turned missionary from Burmah, had preached,
depicting with graphic power the signal triumphs
of grace in that heathen land, holding the vast
auditory intensely interested for nearly two hours
and a half. No ordinary man could have safely
followed him. Mere reasoning, or learning, or
oratory would have seemed cold trifling. It re-
quired a soul, elevated and capacious, burning with
love to Christ, and melting with compassion for a
perishing world. Mr. Bennett was the preacher

d by Google

EEV. ALFRED BENNETT. . 179

chosen. He selected as his theme the words of
the Apostle, Brethren, pray for vs; and an unc-
tion from the Holy One seemed to rest upon him.
He spoke as one fresh from the throne of God,
and standing beneath the cross of the great Re-
deemer. The sermon, thongh in the midst of other
exercises of thrilling interest, left an impression
not yet effaced from the hearts of the multitudes
then assembled.

Early in 1844 we find him again in Michigan,
where, for the first time, he was attacked with the
ague, so common in the West. By this, however,
he was not laid aside from his work, but pursued
it with usual ardor, until by powerful remedies the
disease was at length broken up.

The Southern churches having withdrawn from
the General Convention, a special meeting of that
body was convened, Nov., 1845, in the city of
New York, for the purpose of reorganization;
when a new constitution was adopted, and the
society took the name of "The American Baptist
Missionary Union." Dr. Judson, the veteran mis-
sionary,wa8 providentially present, in feeble health,
and having recently, on his homeward voyage,
deposited the lifeless remains of Mrs. Judson in
their grave on the Island of St. Helena. Deep
emotion was experienced at the sight of the vener-

d by Google

180 MEMOIR OF

able man of God, whose career for thirty years
had been marked with a noble devotion, amidst
sufferings and labors for Christ. " Father Ben-
nett" was requested to address the Throne of Grace.
A live coal from off the heavenly altar seemed to
have touched his lips. A petition so fervent and
touching, carrying the assembly with it, as it were,
into the presence of God, and spreading the wants
and interests of the occasion at the foot of the
Throne, has seldom been heard from the lips of
man. It appeared to be from the inspiration of
the Holy Ghost Every heart was melted and
borne irresistibly with it, and the immense assem-
bly was bathed in tears.

After the organization of the Missionary Union,
much dissatisfaction was felt with that article of
the constitution which prescribes the terms of
membership. Many preferred the principle of
church representation to that of life-membership
which had been adopted. The discussion in many
sections was warm, and not seldom acrimonious.
It was seriously apprehended that a rupture would
be occasioned by it. The subject, however, was
finally disposed of, by referring it for final decision
to the whole body of members ; the result of which
was a large majority in favor of the life-member-
ship basis. During the progress of this contro-

d by Google

REV. ALFRED BENNETT. 181

versy, which continued several years, Mr. Bennett's
labors were unremitting to calm agitation and
prevent the dissatisfaction from prejudicing the
interests of the missions. The harmonious co-
operation of the churdies in the Union, which re-
mains, for the most part, unbroken in New York
and the Western States, is to be attributed in
no small degree to the happy influence he ex-
erted. ,

To the Baptist ecclesiastical polity, especially
the independence of the churches, he was warmly
and conscientiously attached, and his views on
this subject had remarkable distinctness. This
gave to his counsels great value, as he passed
among the churches and participated in the de-
liberations of Councils, Associations, and other
public religious bodies. The following incidents
will illustrate at once the opinions he entertained,
and the practical use he made of them.

During his early ministry, a Presbyterian cler-
gyman, with whom he was on terms of intimacy,
once remarked, what a desirable gradation of
courts the Presbyterian church polity furnished
from one to another, to which difficulties might
be referred for adjustment ; and wished to know
what the Baptists did when their only tribunal —
the church in which the difficulty originated —
16

d by Google

182 MEMOIK OF

failed to reach a satisfactory decision. He had to
reply that there was no way but to " hang it up*
for adjudication at the day of final account. Mr.
B. then asked him, in tun, what they did when
their Session failed to give satisfaction. He re-
plied that their resort was to the Presbytery.
But, rejoined Mr. B., suppose the Presbytery in
like manner fails? The appeal then lies to the
Synod, was the answer. But suppose the Synod
fail too ? The next resort is to the General As-
sembly, was of course answered ; and when Mr.
B. inquired for the resort beyond this, the Pres-
byterian brother, already anticipating the end to
which he was coming, pleasantly replied, that he
supposed they would have to "hang it up" like
their Baptist brethren. Mr. B. then wished to
know if it would not have saved much trouble,
expense, and asperity of feeling, if they could
have "hung it up" after the first trial. He then
gave an account of a difficulty which originated
in a joke about a member of a church, at the
South, walking home with a lady whose husband
was not a member of the church. It was at first
of no account, but one joke originated another ;
and they together grew into something serious.
The members of the church and community took
sides with one party or the other, and the difficul-

ty Google

REV. ALFRED BENNETT. 183

ty, like all others commencing in nothing and re-
ceiving constant accretions from the spirit which
they generate in their progress, proved incapable
of adjustment, and after travelling the whole round
of tribunals, had to be "hung up" in reserve for
the Judgment, both by the* original parties and
those who had attached themselves to either side
in the progress of the trials.

He had frequent occasion to correct errors on
this subject, and always did it with great kind-
ness, and in a manner to leave good feeling be-
hind. At a State Convention in one of the West-
ern States, he noticed at one time a great disposi-
tion, in the circles of brethren in which he moved,
to bring up for discussion the subject of secret so-
cieties and pass strong resolutions upon it. He
went among them privately, and sought to dis-
suade them from bringing it up. It was not prop-
er, he said, and the result would always be bad
for other bodies to anticipate and control the ac-
tion of the churches, by passing general resolu-
tions which they could apply to no particular
case. He thought these societies bad in their in-
fluence, but that the individual churches ought to
deal with those who went off to such organiza-
tions, untrammelled by the decisions of the Con-
vention. The subject was not introduced.

d by Google

184 KEMOIE OF

His usefulness on these tours, as a sound advi-
ser and clear expositor of biblical principles of
church polity, will long be felt in its influence in
different parts of the Union.

The years 1846-7 were employed mainly in the
State of New York, with occasional visits to his
original field in the West. Many mass mission-
ary meetings were attended during this period,
where, with undiminished ardor, he plead the
cause of the heathen. He also made a trip to
Ohio, in company with Bev. Mr. Osgood, return-
ed missionary, during the spring of 1847, the re-
sults of which were highly beneficial. In the re-
port of his labors, given May, 1848, for the year
then closed, it is stated that he had visited one
hundred and twelve churches in New York (some
of them twice), with twelve Associations ; besides
spending April and May chiefly in Ohio, and
September and October in Wisconsin and Michi-
gan. He had travelled about eight thousand
three hundred and fifty-two miles, and preached
two hundred and fifty-two sermons, besides ad-
dressing different assemblies, on other occasions,
nearly as many times more.

It was thus he toiled, while his head was al-
ready whitened for the grave, and his frame bow-
ed under the weight of almost seventy years.

d by Google

REV. AJLFRED BENNETT. 185

The work was God's. The interests of a dying
world lay upon his heart. The reward was near
and glorious.

16*

d by Google

186 MEMOIR OF

CHAPTER XII.

ILLNESS AND DEATH.

The first intimation of the presence of the pain-
ful disease, which at length terminated fatally,
was given at Hamilton, during the Commence-
ment anniversaries of Madison University. The
excitement respecting the removal of that institu-
tion to a more western location was then at its
height, and rendered the occasion one of deep,
and often painful, interest. This, may have been
the occasion of the attack at that time ; the
causes, however, ate to be found in the long-con-
tinued privations and exposures necessarily inci-
dent to his agency. The disease then speedily
yielded to medical treatment, and he was able in
a few days to resume travelling.

Early in the next month, he was called to
preach the funeral sermon of Rev. Dr. Nathaniel
Kendrick, who, after a protracted period of ex-
cruciating suffering, under which the eminent ser-
vant of God was signally supported, died in peace-

d by Google

BEV. ALFRED BENHETT. 187

fill triumph at the village of Hamilton. The text
assigned him by his departed friend was from the
forty-third Psalm : Hope m God; for I shall yet
previse Him, who is the health of ?ny countenance
and my God. The occasion deeply affected him ;
and from the fulness of his capacious soul, he
set forth "The Christian's grounds of consolation
and triumph," with an ardor and unction which
will not soon be forgotten by his auditors. He
felt himself standing over the grave of an early
and long-tried friend, with whom were associated
many of the most precious recollections of life,
while his own enfeebled frame reminded him, also,
of approaching dissolution. Of this event, he
thus writes to Mrs. Bennett: "So, then, that good
man has received an honorable discharge forever
from all his sufferings. I am looking with pleas-
ure and strong hope, that soon you and I shall
also be removed from this state of tumult and
trouble — of privation and toil — of imperfection
and sorrow. May it be alike safe and honorable
for us !"

Soon after, he felt constrained, by increasing fee-
bleness, to propose a partial release from his
agency. " The labor and responsibility, 9 ' he *e*
marks, " are becoming a burden, in prospect of a
^cold winter, with windy and stormy days and

d by Google

138 MEMOIR O*

nights, when appointments rrmst be met, or the
cause suffer. My age and infirmities are the only
plea. My heart is in the work, and I am willing
to do what I can ; but what was once easy for
me in travelling and preaching, and visiting from
house to house, and from town to town, is now
impossible." The Executive Committee did not,
however, release him, but left it discretional
with him to labor or refrain, as health would
permit.

In the view of advancing age, he thus wrote to
Bev. Alvin Bennett, November 29, 1848 : .

" The journey of life with us will soon be over,
and the joys and sorrows incident to the way may
now be mentioned freely. My oWn. experience
tells me of much for which I have to nfourn, and
over which to battle hard, that I may T>e a victor
at last. For < he that overcometh shall inherit all
things.' It is difficult to overcome Satan and all
his devices ; they are artful and powerful. Then
the world comes in at the door of the enemy,
but in the garb of friendship, and seems to have
a demand on our time and attention, carrying us
along with its spirit in search for its perishable
treasures and seductive pleasures. . . And last,
but not least, self, beloved self, enters and claims
the throne within. Now, what should I do, what

d by Google

SEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 189

could I do without a Saviour, and such a Saviour
as is Jesus Christ, who receiveth sinners, and
maketh them holy, and crowneth them with glory
and honor ? In His name, and by His blessing,
I am still in the field, laboring to promote right-
eousness and truth in the earth."

A few weeks during the autumn of this year
were spent, as often before, in the West. On his
feturn, he addressed a letter to Eev. William
Palmer, Norwich, Conn., December 16, from
whicti we take the following paragraph :

u ' God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform ;'

and we may &dd, in a majestic way ; yea, more,
in a merciful way. The greatest wonders are
seen in the works of His grace in this fallen
world, preparing citizens for heaven; and it seems
to me, if I am permitted citizenship there at last,
it will be the greatest wonder of all. Still, my
heart is not affected as much with tfie truth as it
ought to be. I fear I am depending more on past
experience than upon present communion with
God, for my evidence of acceptance with Christ.
I know not how it may be with you, but I find in
old age a disposition to sink into a habit or form
of religion, which I fear I may substitute fop the

d by Google

190 MEMOIR OF

living principle, and so deceive myself. Weil r
we shall soon know our future destiny; and it
will be peculiarly joyful, if we may be necur and
like our Lord Jesus Christ That will he heaven
indeed?

This winter and the pummer of 1849 were em-
ployed in the State of New York, with his accus-
tomed zeal and success ; and during the closing
months of the year, he performed one of the se-
verest journeys in the West which it had fallen
to his lot to experience. He was accompanied on
this trip by Rev. Mr. Bronson, returned mission-
ary from Assam. Of this tour, he remarks : " My
health has been good during the whole journey,
except fatigue from excess of travel. The meet-
ings were so near together in time, and so far
apart in distance, there was no rest. I was absent
from home forty-eight days, in which ,1 travelled
a little over three thousand miles, and attended
meetings twenty-four days, or parts of days, in
that time. God has blessed us in our journey-
ings, and to His name be everlasting praise."

The venerable " Father Peck" closed his long
and useful life December 15, 1849. According to
an arrangement made between them many years
before, that the survivor should minister at the
grave of the first deceased, Mr. Bennett was call-

d by Google

BEY. ALFRED BENNETT. 191

ed to preach the funeral sermon of this, another
of his early co-laborers. His text was Acts xiii.
36 : David, after he had served his own generar
tion, by the will qf God^feU on sleep: when he
paid a just and feeling tribute to the memory of
his excellent friend. They had been associated
intimately through life : first as pastors in the
Madison Association, when they regularly ex-
changed pulpits once a year; and subsequently
as agents, the one of the Foreign, the other of the
Home Mission Society. At our national anniver-
saries, these two venerable fathers in the ministry,
for many years, were always seen, calm amidst
agitation, wise in counsel, fervent in spirit, and
mighty in prayer before the Throne. The death
of this loved fellow-servant of God came to him as
a premonition of his own approaching departure.
A letter to Rev. William Palmer, in April,
from Homer, remarks : " We have buried two of
our old citizens the past week. Those of our age
are becoming scarce. Our brother Eleazar has
gone to rest before his brethren : he went qtrick,
but safe. Brother Peck, of Cazenovia, has also
laid off his armor, and at the Saviour's call gone
up to his habitation, where he will ever be with
the Lord. I believe now there is but one man
left among the ministry of New York, who was

d by Google

192 MEMOIR 0*

in that office here when I entered the State.
Life seems very short, but the prospect is not
gloomy."

Another of the same month, to his only remain-
ing brother, Eev. Alvin Bennett, thus records the
reflections of this period :

" How few families have more reason of grati-
tude than ours, for the distinguished mercy of
God ! Parents pious : with this is connected the
Christian education of their children. They, in
turn, grow up all professing godliness. Through
the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, they have
lived and died in faith ; or are living, with good
hope, through grace, of meeting each other, their
parents, and the Saviour, in heaven. 'My times
are in God's hand, and will be consummated
soon.

" In reviewing the way the Lord has led me, I
fifrd much cause for astonishment, both as regards
my disobedience and ingratitude to Him, and Hfq
compassion and patience towards me. "Well may
I say, ' Bless the Lord, O my soul, said forget not
all His benefits.' I hope, however, God has
blessed me with His approving presence even this
winter, notwithstanding all my backslidings from
Him. I have enjoyed some sweet seasons in
preaching the glorious Gospel of Christ, while

dbyGodgle

REV. ALFRED KKMflElT . 193

laboring to persuade men to aid in preaching it
to others. I have found it good to draw near to
God in prayer, and it has been with sweet satis-
faction I have had the high honor at a throne of
grace of pouring out my soul before Him. One
thing is a comfort to me in my old age: it is, that
I have been counted worthy to be put into the
ministry, and that I have nof been left of God so
to wander from that ministry, as to engage in
politics, or worldly business, or become connected
with any secret societies, so as to be brought un-
der their power. To feel that I am independent
of the world, and permitted to call God my
Father, Jesus Christ my Saviour, the Holy Spirit
my Comforter, and Heaven my home — is enough.
I am satisfied, and looking up, can say, Father \
Thy will be done"

At the opening of summer, he made his last
visit to the Western States, accompanied by Rev.
Mr. Haswell, returned missionary from Burmah.
The tour was successful, but he experienced a re-
currence of the ague, which, with a severe and
painful inflammation in one of his limbs, compel-
led»him on returning to Homer to desist from ac-
tive labor. To Eev. Edward Bright, Home Sec-
retary of the Union, he wrote, July 16 :

"I sometime* become exceedingly uneasy, say-
17

d by Google

194 MEMOIR OF

ing, What shall We do to meet the outfit of that
blessed cargo of missionaries* now about to sail,
and supply the current expenses of the year?
Then I look up to God, who has the Hearts of all
men in His hand, and submit the matter to Him.
Faith in His purpose and .promise tends to give
peace to my mind. So here I am, old and infirm,
compelled to submit to the providence of God con-
cerning me : still, I think I rejoice to be inffLis
hand, as the clay is in the hand of the potter.
Tou are now exceedingly busy preparing for the
embarkation of the missionaries. May God's
presence go with them to their fields of labor I
Could I see them, I would say,

1 "Now, here's my heart, and here's my hand/

to tofornow in'His work, and meet you there,
above, where together and forever we may bow
before the Lord our Redeemer, and with all our
hearts praise Him who has counted us worthy to
labor and suffer for His sake. Oh, it is am, honor P
Again, July 22, he wrote in reference to the
same event : " To-day, I suppose, is filled up with

* Rev. Eugenio Kincaid, John Dawson, M. D, and tneir wives,
designated to Ava or some other place in the interior of Burmah ;
Rev. Messrs. S. M. Whiting and William Ward, and their wives,
with Miss Mr S. Shaw, jdesignated to Assam.

d by Google

£EV. ALFRED BENNETT. 195

activity and anxiety connected with the departure
of the-missionaries. "Well, if I were able to share
any part of the labor, it would give me pleasure,
as I think ; and yet I know it is not according to
the will of God, for His providence has otherwise
ordered. It is a consolation to feel that the mis-
sion cause is under the immediate care and eye of
the adorable Saviour, who has His elect subjects
in all lands and among all languages, and they
will be gathered in at the appointed time; for
He hath purposed it. Also the means are all at
TTih disposal, by which He will accomplish His
design. If He has ought more for me to do,
ability will be given me to effect it ; but I know
that He can carry forward His work to comple-
tion without me, and I ought not to repine. I
am unworthy of the honor connected with such
an enterprise. I only am troubled now in view
of the past, lest He has laid me aside, being of-
fended that I did not honor Him more, that I had
no higher respect for His majesty, no more exalt-
ed views of His holiness and glory, and no great-
er measure of that self-loathing, hatred of sin,
and confidence in Christ, which ought ever to
dwell in the heart of a sinner, saved by the grace
of God from deserved and eternal ruin."
His active work was now done. He expe-

d by Google

196 MEMOIR Of

rienced soon after a recurrence of the disease
which had temporarily prostrated him at Hamil-
ton, attended with great physical suffering. The
severity of it passed away in a few days, but the
complaint was never removed. "Writing of it
soon after, he remarked : " The affliction has been
wholly confined to my body. My soul has been
(U ease. I could say with Samuel Pearce —

' Sweet affliction, sweet affliction,
Singing as I wade to heaven.'

It seemed I was lifted up by a hair, and swung
out into space, entirely beyond the reach of Mends,
or of medical influence, where I was held by an
Almighty agency, and in doubt whether I would
land again in this world or not. But oh ! how
sweet it was, to be there ! all was peace, for I*waa
in the ha&d.of my best Friend."

He made a brief visit to Saratoga Springs with
apparently beneficial results to his general health,
especially in removing the ague, which had long
been upon him ; but he left soon, anxious to at-
tend to the interests of the Missionary Union, in
several associations about. to assemble, where he
became much exhausted. His last public effort,
before any considerable body of his brethren in
the ministry, was November 4, when he preached

d by Google

BEV. ALFKED BENNETT. 1QT

the fiist annual sermon before the New York Bap*
tist Union for Ministerial Education, at the open*
ing of thefTTniversity of Eochester — an institution
of which Ae was one of the most generous found-
■ ere, and in which to the last he took the liveliest
interest. His theme on this occasion was, The
knowledge of Grod, the true basis <md highest end
of education: in the discussion of which he tu*-
folded the most impressive views of the indisso-
luble relation between godliness and true learning,
and the necessity of sacred principles as the only
foundation of the educational work.

He subsequently returned to Rochester, at the
invitation of Dr. H. W. Dean, a warm personal
friend, whose hospitality and medical attention he
enjoyed for several weeks, and of whose unwearied
kindness, with that of his family, he always en-
tertained a most grateful sense. Several other
eminent medical gentlemen of that city were also
consulted, but human help had become powerless,
except to alleviate suffering. Dr. Dean, in a let-
ter to the writer, remarks : " At the time 'he first
submitted his case to me, October, 1850, he was
suffering from a disease of his digestive organs
of a chronic character, just such as might be ex-
pected to result from his *long-protracted habits of
exposure to inclement weather, long" fasting, and
17*

d by Google

198 MEMdK OF

the consequent evil of improper food untimely
taken. This had proyoked a more serious malady
— an organic disease of the kidneys, 'v&ich, with
the certain prospect of a fatal issue, dotted to us
the physician's comfort. His sufferings were al-
most constant, and at times extreme. Allow me
to add, that I have rarely witness^Lmore pa-
tience, submission, and uniform gooa feeling in
suffering, than in our lamented ' Father Bennett.'
He was a living testator to the worth of Chris-
tianity in a needy hour."

On his return to Homer, he continued gradur
ally sinking. He thus addressed the Rev. Alvm
Bennett, December 31, 1850:

"The date of this reminds me of the flight of
time, and the close of the first half of the nine-
teenth century, in which great changes have taken
place. Well, blessed be God for HiB goodness to
us t The change of all changes, and the one \ by
which we have been the most affected, was that in
our affections, which occurred before the com-
mencement of the present century. We go back
to thrilling scenes in Mansfield for the cause of
those hopes and efforts which have characterized
our lives. That God to whom I then committed
the keeping of my soul, has been my unfailing
support ; yea, He is the God of my life. Jesus

d by Google

REV. ALFRED BENNETT. 199

Christ, that precious Saviour, to me the chiefeet
among ton thousand, was then and is now the
One altogther lovely."

His last meeting with the church in Homer,
. <tyer which he so long presided, was at the cele-
bration.of the Lord's Supper, on the first Sabbath
in Febru^yr, the fifty-first anniversary of his pub-
lip profes^n of Christ, when his emaciated coun-
tenance and tremulous voice gave to all sad pre-
monitions of his approaching departure, and added
sorrow to the deep solemnity of that occasion.
Once a week his Christian brethren were accus-
tomed to gather round him, to unite with him in
prayer and receive his dying counsels ; and many
of those seasons will live in their remembrance
till they join him in the skies. His house was fre-
quently thronged by those, coming from far and
near, who sought one more word of counsel before
he should depart.

Hifl mind was, from the first, calm and peace-
fid. The prospects before him were bright and
blessed, and the rays of glory seemed to fell upon
his soul with intenser brilliancy as he drew nearer
the eternal world. There werQ no ecstasies, but a
calm, sweet, unshaken confidence in the Eedeemer.
In one of the last conversations, he spoke to this
effect : " More than fifty years ago I had a view

d by Google

800 MEMOIR GOP

of God upon the throne. I saw that He ruled, and
would rule in spite of me ; and it was *ny greats
est misery. I would,gladly have hurled Him froni
His seat, if it had been in my power, but I could
not I saw that He was sovereign, and I hatad
Him ; it was my terror and misery that I couM
not dethrone Him. But," he contittttd, "this
winter I have enjoyed another view or God. I
have seen Him upon the throne, and the sight has
filled me with rejoicings. I love to see Him there.
I am glad He is Sovereign. I love His character ;
I love His Gospel; I love His government; I
would not have one alteration in His plan. All-
His ways are holy, just, and true ; and they are
just as I would have them. His sovereignty, which
was once my greatest dread and anguish, is now
the chief source of my comfort and hope." As at
few Mends had gathered round him, at the cloee r
of worship on Lord's Day, he remarked: "I do
not know where I shall spend the next Sabbath.
I am in hope soon to put off this old garment, and
enter where I can worship God in the beauty of
holiness."

The church in Homer was especially dear to him ;
and among his latest petitions those for the loved'
brethren there seemecf to rise with peculiar fervor.
"When asked if there was . any message he would*

d by Google

KEY. AEFMB> SBNNETT. 201

have the pastor bear them as his dying counsels,
he replied : " I have been delivering my message
for more than forty years ; and now my work is
done." The life he lived among them ; the truths
of God, which, when in vigor, he so faithfully dis-
pensed ; the admonitions, and counsels, and coi*-
Bolations^^ninistered to them for nearly half a
century-^Hese were his dying bequests. " There
are two questions," said he, " which I could wish
put to the church, and to all the world. They are
these : Which is of greatest value, the body or the
Boul? and for which are you making the most
effort?" Tuien raising his enfeebled voice, he ex-
claimed : " Oh that all could see the priceless worth
of the soul, as it now appears to me 1" His pastor
one day speaking of the Gospel as sustaining him
in this hour of trial, he replied with great empha-
sis : "I would it could be proclaimed wide as the
world, that the Gospel I have feebly endeavored
to preach for many years is now my only and all-
sufficient comfort" Some gentlemen of wealth
having called to pay respect to him in his illness,
when they were gone it was remarked by one pre-
sent that they were without a Christian's hope ; he
answered with an expression of deep humility and
gratitude to God : " I would not now exchange the
blessed consciousness of having honestly endea-

d by Google

202 MEMOIR OF

vored to serve the cause of God and the spiritual
interests of men, for all the wealth they have accu-
mulated. Apart jrom any good which may have
been done, or any results which may follow, there
is a heavenly sweetness in the very consciousness
of having sought to live for the Gospel."

He frequently desired those who ^tod him to
sing some of the familiar songs of Zot, remark-
ing : " I expect soon to be where there will be
much singing, and I would fain hear a little now."
One occasion was specially marked, when a little
company assembled round his bed, and sung a
number of well-known Conference hymns, select-
ing those which were common years before, when
he was pastor. It deeply affected him ; and, at
his request, they closed by singing :

* There is a fountain filled with blood," Ac,

which he thought best expressed his feelings.
When his body became emaciated and disagree-
able even to himself, he would sometimes say:
" That is a sweet promise, He shall change our
vile body, that it may be fashioned like vmio Sis
glorious body ;" and would add, "Yes, Jesus has
an interest in this poor body yet." As hia end
drew near, he remarked to the pastor : " The world
is receding, and I am glad of it. I leave it aa one

d by Google

EEV. ALFRED BENNETT.

•would some unpleasant company with which he
has been .compelled for a time to associate; the
society above loots infinitely giore precious." The
missionary cause lay nrach upon his heart. When
extended conversation seemed to weary him in
his feebleness, his pastor was wont to read to him
from ftApophecies relating to the future triumphs
of the gospel, and the hymns composed on the
wide extension of the Kedeemer's kingdom. This
gave to the dying man of God apparently much
comfort. The kindness experienced at the hands
of the <&uens of Homer filled him with gratitude,
and he gave special charge that it should be ac-
knowledged at the funeral. His sufferings were
protracted beyond what was anticipated : for sev-
eral weeks he seemed to be dying, and during the
last two weeks he could receive no nourishment at
all, except a few grains of medicine, mixed in a
little water, and taken at intervals during each day.
In reference to this, one remarked to him that God
arranged all his concerns, and knew just how long
and how much it was needful for him to suffer.
He replied : " I sometimes feel ready to exclaim :

' How long, dkar Saviour, oh how long,
Thy chariot wheels delay Y

But then I think, why should all the powers of

d by Google

204 MEMOIR OF

nature be tasked, just to save me a few days of
suffering? Why wish the way of God altered?
It might — so complex are God's plans — cause last r
ing injury to thousands of souls, to spare me a
short time of pain. The plan of God k all right ;
I would sink into His will/' When too weak to
converse with freedom, he waa wont tofcgply to
inquiries respecting the state of hia minc^^ 4 1 arn
almost home, Jesus is precious," h Peace;" " All
is clear." "Not a cloud, not a shade."; And in
this state he continued, till on the morning of May
10, 1851, in the seventy-first year of his^ige, hia
body sunk peacefully in death, and the K chariot
of fire and horses of fire," ascending, bore him
beyond our sight.

The concourse at his funeral, which occurred
May 12, was immense. Rev. T, JK, Fessenden,
pastor of the Congregational Church m Homer,
led the deeply affected multitude in prayer before
the Throne. The funeral sermon, by request of the
deceased, was preached by hia early friend and
brother, Rev. Lewis Leonard, of Cazenovia, The
text selected by the preacher was Rev.- adv. 13:
Blessed a/re the dead which die m the Lord from
henceforth: Yea, saiih th$ Spirit^ thai tliey may
rest from their labors y and thevP works do follow
them. The mourning circle was then addressed,.

i by Google

KEV. ALFRED BENNET T. 205

and prayer offered, by the venerable "Father
Purinton," of MacLean, who had for nearly forty
years been intimately associated with the departed
servant of God, The closing hymn was that singu-
larly beputifel and ^expressive eflhsion of Mont-
gome2^'cdnutfe$ing —

/- v "**

■' /.•-**'• 'flPfiead rfter friend departs ;"

the last %ejga..of 'which awoke in many bosoms
touching memories, of the departed fathers, Ken-

drick and Peck, who had so lately preceded him
whose lifeless form lay before them :

" Thus star by star declines,

Till ull are passed away ;
As morning high and higher shines,

1ft> pure and perfect day :
Nor sink thoato etara in etupty night,
Bat Jude thenQSidves in Heave a'u own light"

During the solemn services, the stores were closed
and all business suspended ; the Academy, its
trustees, officers, and students, united in the mourn-
ing concourse ; ( and the whole community gathered
in the house of God, where, amidst the sacred still-
ness of death, the falling tear and the heaving
breast attested their grie£ as for a departed father;
On the following Sabbath, in accordance with the
wish of the deceased* his pastor addressed the
18

i by Google

206 jiemoib of

congregation and community, on which occasion a
discourse was delivered from 2 Kings iL 12 : My
father, my father, the chariot of Israel cmd the
horsemen thereof! presenting a brief outline of
his life and character.

The intelligence of his death reached Boston as
the Missionary Union was about opening its session
in that city, and spread the deepest sorrow through
the assenjj)led body. Public expressions of grief,
and testimonials of his worth, were placed upon
their records;^ which they were followed by
numerous other rgli^*us bodies, both East and
West, attesting their high (appreciation of his
character and services, and deploring lps removal
as no ordinary loss to the churches of^Jhrist.

The following minute in Vglatiou to his death
was adopted by the ExecutiTO Committee of the
Missionary Board, and entered upon their records :

"The Bev. Alfred Bennett, of Homer, Kew
York, was for nearly a third of a century more or
less intimately identified with the cause of Foreign
Missions ; and it is but just to k his endeared
memory, to declare that he uniformly gave tha
most unequivocal evidence of sincere, considerate,
earnest devotion to its highest, holiest ends- He
apprehended the object by an intelligent faith, %nd
pursued it with a perseverance that never faltered.

d by Google

BEY. ALFRED BENNETT. . 207

At an early period he joyfully gave a son to the
foreign service, who still survives, a useful laborer
among the heathen. Subsequently, at the call of
the Board, he gave himself to the home service,
as an agent for the collection of funds, and the
culture of the missionary spirit in the churches.
In this department, for nineteen years, he was
laborious, indefatigable, judicious, and eminently
successful. His labors were widely extended ; and
in all his intercourse with the ministers and
churches, his conduct vm remarkably free from
the breath of reproach. Livery part of the field,
his presence and devices were cordially welcomed.
His cheerful pipt* his w$rm spirituality, his pru-
dence, patience, and fidelity, caused him to be
loved, respected, and trusted. Over a very wide
surface his influence was such as to render the
repetition of his visits an object of general desire.
To tins committee, and its predecessor, the Acting
Boam, the fruits of Ids agency were, in all respects,
entirely satisfactory, and there was not an hour
wh^a his withdrawal from the service would not
hate been deprecated as a great loss. And it is
clue to his memory to bear testimony to the fact,
at while he was industrious in efforts to supply
needy treasury, he was himself a liberal contrib-
p. Though his compensation was always quite

d by Google

808 MEMOIR 0*

limited, yet, by carefal economy and exemplary
self-denial, he regularly spared a generous portion
of his salary, and returned it as a free-will offering
to the cause which he served.

"The Executive Committee regard his removal
as a peculiarly afflicting dispensation ; and while
they would bow submissively to that sovereign
will which has transferred him from his work to
his reward — from his sufferings to his rest — they
would unite in devout supplication to the King in
Zion, that others may be raised up to supply the
breach, who shall as faithfully demonstrate their
attachment to the missionary enterprise, by a simi-
lar spirit of love to Christ, and R>ve to the souls of
the perishing heathen."

An admirable sketch of his life and character
was afterwards published in the " Missionary Mag*-
azane," from the discriminating and eloquent pea
of Prof John H. Eaymond, of the TTniveitfitj of
Rochester. A most touching and truthful tribute
to the memory of one of the fathers in the home-
work of missions, was thus placed among the per-
manent records of the missionary eaterprise.

d by Google

KEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 209

CHAPTER XIII.

OHABACTEB.

Jesusj the Son of God, though ascended up into
heaven, and- in His glorified human nature, adored
by the innumerable throng of saints and angelflj,
is still present in the midst of His disciples on
earth. Now invested with all power, He select?
and adapts His own servants for the distinct po>-
sition assigned each in the work of the world's
evangelization. He calls unto Him whom He
will, directs . their preparatory discipline and in-
struction, and sends them forth to the station
where their work is appointed. The vast plan of
human redemption, in its detail as well as its ex-
tent, in its means as well as its ends, is distinctly
sketched before His infinite mind ; and as the
world rolls onward to the Judgment-bar, the
changing epochs and the varied characters of its
history are but developments of His government
and illustrations of His wisdom.

It is from this stand-point we would view the
18*

d by Google

210 MEKOQt OF

man of God, whose career has now been delinea-
ted. He was raised np for a peculiar work; and
we may properly adore the wisdom displayed in
the adaptation of the man to the age- and events
amidst which he was called to act But it is not
permitted us to repine, if the same Unerring Wis-
dom selects men of somewhat modified external
qualities to carry on that work, ijow at a more
advanced stage and progressing under aHfered cir-
cumstances. The lofty principles which animated
him are of eternal excellency ; hut the outward
characteristics were only adventitious, and must
of necessity alter with the altered form of society.
The hardy pioneer, whose axe rings in the west-
ern forests, at the outposts of civilization, might
not, with the same external peculiarities, be the
man to occupy an influential position amidst the
generation, whose thronging population a century
after shall densely fill the region, where now the
solitary wilds echo the crack of his rifle, and the
earth resounds with the crash of the lofty cedar
felled by his hand. No man could live his own
life over. The world can never have a second
Luther, or Calvin, or Knox;. the conjunction of
circumstances in which each acted can never
recur. The only niche in tffe temple of history
fitted for such a man is filled. The building of

d by Google

KEV. ALFRED J3ENNKTT. 211

God, in the progress of its erection, requires at
each successive period a class of workmen differ-
ing in exterior character from those who preceded
them ; and this doubtless will continue to be the
fact, until, beneath the hand of the Divine Archi-
tect, the magnificent structure rise to its comple-
tion, and stands in " the perfection of beauty."
The servants of our God are all, indeed, parta-
kers of the same grace; they eat of the bread of
life, and drink of the heavenly fountain. One in
heart, one in aim, one in hope ; they are gather-
ing, under .the guidings of the one Heavenly
Spirit, into the common home of their Father
and their Redeemer. But the parts assigned them
in the one work are widely diverse, and their sta-
tions are fixed at differing epochs in its progress.
He who toils with effective force in the quarry,
might not be adapted, with careful chisel, to shape
and adjust the block to its position in the edifice ;
while the man who could perform well the latter
service, might still fail in ability to accomplish
the polisher's work. The fathers in the ministry
did nobly the work of their generation ; they are
passing from their toils to their reward. We may
emulate their godly lives and holy zeal ; we may
seek to catch their ^elevated spirit, and take up
their falling mantles. But we may not despond,

d by Google

MEMOIR OF

or impeach the wisdom of the Heavenly Builder,
if, in appointing those who shall enter into their
labors, He calls men of somewhat modified capa-
bilities. As wise master-builders, they laid the
foundation: others build thereon. But let every
?nan take heed how he huttd thereupon.

The writer would not here indulge in the lann
guage of indiscriminate eulogy. The expressed
wishes, both living and dying, of the departed ser-
vant of God, forbid any tribute to his memory be-
yond the plainest statement of facts. It is proper*,
however, that a brief sketch of the prominent fea-
tures in his character should close these pages.

He was gifted with a powerful physical frame,
fitted to endure great hardship. In the early
settlement of Homer, when the settlers reared
their log houses, no man was more effective at a
"raising" than the "Elder," as he was usually
designated. Though his constitution received sev-
eral severe shocks from sickness, he continued to
possess, almost to the last, extraordinary bodily
power. Without this, he could never have a#
complished such an amount of labor, amidst the
exposures and privations to which he was sub*
jected.

His natural disposition wA buoyant and viva,
cious. He walked on the sunny side of life. Hiq

d by Google *

BEY. ALFRED BENNETT. 213

thoughts were ordinarily cheerful; his manners
frank and social ; his conversation enlivening and
abounding in illustrative anecdote and pithy ex- .
.pression, by which hiB thoughts would print them-
selves deep in the memory of the hearer. This
cheerfulness of spirit contributed much to his
health and vigor.. Obstacles could not daunt him:
care did not crush him.

Unceasing activity was one of his chief charac-
teristics. When a pastor, besides the ordinary
duties of the Sabbath, he was accustomed during
the week to preach in different neighborhoods,
wherever a congregation could be collected ; and
ids earnest labors in the school-houses for miles
.around are still remembered by many living.
" Better wear out than rust out," was his common
motto. In his agency he was restless in the pros-
ecution of the work before him. The amount of
labor performed was immense. His plans were
commonly laid with great precision, and it was
rarely the tim$ for their execution exceeded that
which he had assigned. And often, while others
were considering the obstacles and calculating the
consequences, his energy had already accomplish-
ed the work. On his dying bed, reviewing the
Scenes of his active *iife, he said, when referring
to some who had blamed him for what had seem-

ly Google

214 MEMOIR OF

ed to them overexertion : * I am not sorry I have
tried to work for Jeans, bat I wish I had done a
great deal more"

As a citizen, he was distinguished by an emi-
nently public spirit. . Though never allowing him-
self to be associated with political movements,
except on one occasion, which he ever regretted,*
he took a deep interest in passing events as affect-
ing the welfare of our country. The prosperity of
his own village especially lay near his heart. And
though in later life called to visit nearly all parts
of the Union, he always returned with apparently
increased affection to the scene of his earlier min-
istry. No man loved Homer more. As a trustee
*of the Academy, he was warmly interested in the
promotion of its welfare ; and it is not too much to
remark that the noble institution there located has
found no warmer advocate of its character abroad,

* He was a candidate for the convention to revise the Consti-
tution of the State of New York, in 1821, but the party nomina-
ting him was in the minority. He was defeated. He allowed
his name to be used by advice of his brethren in the ministry,
and others whose judgment he esteemed ; but though it seems
in no respect to have injured his ministerial character and useful-
ness, maturer reflection led him always to regard it as a mistaken
step. His successful competitor was Samuel Nelson, now Judge
in the Supreme Court of the United States.

d by Google

BEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 215

and perhaps to no single citizen, if we except the
gentlemen who compose its excellent faculty of
instruction, is it more largely indebted for its wide
reputation in this and other States.

He was a liberal man. At the close of his
pastoral labors, he found himself worth, by the
rise which had taken place in the value of prop-
erly, about two thousand dollars ; and it was his
settled principle never to accumulate more than
this. His salary when pastor never exceeded four
hundred dollars ; during the larger part of the
time, it was only three hundred, and a portion of
this was ordinarily paid in produce. He gave
largely to objects of benevolence, and the needy
alwayB found in him a sympathizing heart and a
ready hand to help. For the support of public
worship in the church of which he was a member,
he was one of the largest contributors. The com-
modious lecture-room connected with their house
of worship was erected exclusively at his ex-
pense, and by him presented to the society. The
tours he took in his agency usually cost the Mis-
sionary Union nothing, as he defrayed his own
travelling expenses ; and a large sum was annu-
ally contributed from his salary, -in addition, 9 to
support that sacred cause for which his voice was
ever pleading. There was a large-heartedness in

D,g*zedbyC

S16 MEMOIR or

all his pecuniary transactions, which evinced al-
ways the slight estimate he put upon the wealth,
of this world when compared with treasures laid
up in heaven.

Integrity was a marked trait in him. He did.
nothing in the dark ; his nature was frank and.
open. A blunt honesty distinguished his manner,
and so transparent was his life, that even the sus-
picion of misdealing could never fasten itself upon
him. There was that in his countenance and air
5 — a godly sincerity, devoid of all art and mystery
— which bespoke your confidence and command-
ed your respect. His was not an intriguing spirit,
acting under a mask and seeking sinister ends ; but
with a face open as the day, and with a heart out-
spoken in words of unmistakable import, he pursued
with clear and steady view the noblest objects. Here 1 -
in, doubtless, was a main element of his power.
It was a common remark with the ungodly at his
death, "Whatever may be true of other Christians,
Tie was a good man." Men who seldom attended the
services of any sanctuary, would go when he was
announced as the .preacher, saying, they liked to
hear Father Bennett preach, because they thought
he* believed what Jie said. And to the last, fe*
tnen were able to command so large a congrega-
tion in Homer as the earliest and revered pastor.

d by Google

BEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 217

He was much sought as a counsellor. The
younger pastors were wont for many years, in his
later life, to seek his advice as that of a father.
Churches often asked his counsel in cases of diffi-
culty, and in the settlement of ministers. In the
appointment of agents, the Executive Committee
relied much upon his judgment. He became ear-
ly a member of the Foreign Mission Board, in
which office he continued until death. He was
officially connected as an adviser in most of the
benevolent institutions of the Baptist denomina-
tion. At his decease, he was President of the
New York Baptist State Convention, and first
Vice-President of the New York Baptist Union
for Ministerial Education.

His views of the agency were pure and eleva-
ted. He regarded the office of agents as essential
to the progress of the missionary enterprise. In
a letter addressed to Eev. Edward Bright, Home
Secretary, April 12, 1850, he says :

" In all my acquaintance with pastors, church*
es, and their collections with and without an
agent, for almost eighteen years, I am convinced
that travelling agents are indispensable to suc-
cess, if much is expected to be gathered. There
are pastors who do not need assistance, and
would do well if no agent was* in the field, some
19

d by Google

818: MBMOIB 07

of whom, however, are always glad to hare an
agent call on them, as it renders their labors
lighter. There are good people, also, who would
live religion faithfully, if there were no ministers
to preach the Gospel, who are still very glad to
enjoy the ministrations of the Word, because it
strengthens them. I deliberately think that
agents are about as necessary to success in benev-
olent enterprises, as preachers are in church
building. But they must he good men. An in-
different man will do more hurt than good. The
reason why we cannot obtain more first-rate men
as travelling agents, is because there is not conse-
cration enough to the service of God. Jesus
Christ went about. Paul travelled night and day,
and labored in the temgje, in the deep, in the
wilderness, in the city, and in the country."

The collection of funds was always with him a
secondary object. Speaking of agents as often
estimated by the number of dollars and cents
they collect, he said : " That was never mjjfftt
object, but to promote a rdigwux principle^ and
instruct the churches in their obligation to keep
the commands of Christ, especially to carry out
the great commission. I have ever considered
myself rather as a pioneer, to break ground and
put in the seed for others to harvest from ; and if*

d by Google

BEY. ALFRED BENNETT. 219

after I am dead, some good does not result from
my labors, it will be apparent that I have failed
to accomplish what I intended." With a fixed
adherence to this exalted view of his work, he
never sought to create a temporary excitement,
by appeals to the passions, for the sake of a large
collection; but his object was to inspire and
strengthen the principles of benevolent action,
from the high and holy motives furnished in the
Gospel. Each visit to the churches, thus con-
ducted, prepared the way for a heartier welcome
and more generous contribution on his return.

His character as a Christian was marked by
fixedness of principle. His was no hot-house
piety, which flourished only in the heat of a revi-
val, but withered and * died in the bleak atmos-
phere and chilling blasts of a spiritual winter ;
but you saw it as a true plant of Heaven, planted
by our Heavenly Father, growing and blooming
at aS seasons. He always insisted that the dis-
charge of Christian duties ought not to be affect-
ed by the fluctuation of mere personal feelings,
but be guided by fixed religious principle; and
his own earnest, energetic life was a striking ex-
emplification of his teaching. For more than
fifty years, from that solemn hour when he pub-
licly dedicated himself to Christ, till he left the

i by Google

220 MEMOIR OF

world, through sunshine and storm, his Christian
career was one of steady progress, and his Chris-
tian character unstained by any $erious blot.
Many instances of his faithfulness are related,
which illustrate the remark of the wise man, A.
word spoken in due season, how good it is! One
recently reported may perhaps be properly men-
tioned here, as an example of many. In a West-
ern city, a Mend took him to a Daguerreotype es-
tablishment, to obtain his likeness. As he was
passing from the room, a young man who had
performed the work, looking at him, remarked
that he had impressed an exact image of the
original. Mr. Bennett, laying his hand upon his
shoulder, replied, " True, and may the Saviour's
image be impressed on your heart!" The re-
mark was forgotten by him who uttered it. But
on returning to that city, a few weeks after, hav-
ing occasion to visit again the establishment, he
found the young man rejoicing in hope. That
word had proved the arrow of conviction to his*
soul.

There was, also, a simplicity of faith in God,
which preserved him from desponding in regard
to the cause of Christ. Though during his earlier
years subjected to painful fear respecting his per-
sonal salvation, he never doubted the safety of the

d by Google

REV. ALFRED BENNETT.

church. It was a common remark with him : " I
have no doubt that all the saints will finally reach
Heaven ; for that is revealed in the "Word of God.
But I find no statement in it that Alfred Bennett
will get there. He that overcometh shall inherit
all things." In the seasons of affliction through
which the church in Homer passed, as well as in
the darker providential dispensations which at-
tended the missionary enterprise, his voice was
always heard in tones of cheerful hope. There
was a simple-hearted dependence upon God, which
at such times banished despair from his own bosom,
and seemed to inspire courage and confidence in
those associated with him.

To learning he made no pretensions. The lack
of a thorough course of mental training for the
ministry was always to him a matter of deep re-
gret. His vigorous intellect, however, and strong
powers of observation, made much compensation
for this defect; and his extended general knowl-
edge, attained rather from intercourse with men
than from books, enriched all his communications,
and gave great value to his counsels. A painful
sense of his own deficiencies in literary culture,
made him for many years past an ardent friend of
the cause of education, especially as connected
with the preparation of the youthful ministry.
19*

d by Google

SSS MEMOIR OS

His theological tendencies were Caivinistie;
though he always preferred that his view of the
Gospel should not receive its designation from any
name of man. He loved " the old paths ;" the
doctrines of grace were so intimately interwoven
with his religions experience, that he spoke of
them as " out of the abundance of the heart." He
wielded these ponderous weapons of the Gospel
with singular power. On the subject of the Atone-
ment, he inclined strongly to the views of Andrew ,
Fuller, whose works were always with him a
favorite study. Among the theological books in
his library, which appear to have been most used,
may be mentioned the works of Isaac Backus,
Scott, Bunyan, Edwards, and Dr. Hawker, with
Hervey's Dialogues, and Buchanan's Missionary
Treatises; some of which have now ceased to
attract the attention of the religious public. But
his chief text-book in theology was the Bible. In
the closet or the fields, at the fireside or on the
journey, this was his constant companion; and few
jnen have become more familiar with its letter, or
more thoroughly imbued with its elevated spirit.

He was a decided Baptist. The distinctive prin-
ciples of his denomination, he regarded as consti-
tuting an important part of the Gospel, and essen-
tial to the ultimate triumph of Christianity in the

d by Google

BEY. AI.FCTD TjaMlT. $98

-world. He had no fellowship for that sickly,
.sentimental liberalism, which, for the sake of a
-seeming peace, would modify or even forsake fun-
damental principles of the Gospel. The tendency,
now so widely prevalent, to clip and shorten our
creed, for the alleged sake of union, met no favor
.at his hands, He admired and loved a decided,
conscientious man, who believes his religious faith
based on the Bible, and reverences it as the truth
of God ; and however far such an one might di£
fer in conviction from him, he was ready to accord
to him the honor of integrity. But of the com*-
promising trifler in things sacred, who seeks to
please men rather than God, and is ready to barter
his convictions and sacrifice truth, for the sake of
making his platform square with another's, he waft
not over tolerant, and his rebukes would commonly
be pointed and strong. Yet none could properly
pharge.him with bigotry. The right of private
judgment which he claimed for himself, he cheer-
fully conceded to others, and ever maintained the
most fraternal intercourse with Christian brethren
of other names; During the earlier years of his
ministry in Homer, Christians of the different de-
nominations were accustomed to assemble together
fer social worship ; and in many precious seasons
of revival enjoyed there, some of Ms choicest co-

d by Google

22* MEMOIR OF

laborers, for whom he always retained the warmest
affection, were members of the Congregational
Church — many of whom ascended before him, but
some of them remain unto this day.

He had extraordinary fervor and power in
prayer. Though never irreverent in his addresses
before the Throne, he spoke as one accustomed to
hold communion with God ; and none who listened
to his petitions in public could doubt that he en-
joyed richly the devotions of the closet. His heart
readily entered into sympathy with the immediate
circumstances around him, and the wants and in-
terests then pressing he spread out in simple, fer-
vent language, and often with overflowing emotion.
Few could remain inattentive during his public
prayer: its adaptation and earnestness made that
exercise, which to many is the most difficult ser-
vice of the sanctuary, one of much interest, and
not unfrequently of deep feeling. It is related,
that, at the designation of Rev. J. Wade to the
Burman Mission, in 1823, the services of which
wefre held at Utica, Mr. JBennett was called to
offer the prayer^ The Spirit of the Lord seemed
to come upon him; the auditors were borne with
him in spirit, as if into the presence of the Throne ;
and such was the holy earnestness with which he
commended the departing missionaries to God,

d by Google

EEV. ALFRED JUmilJglT . 225

that all present stemed to feel an assurance of their
protection. A gentleman present remarked that
he would insure, at half the usual rates, the vessel
that bore them ; for it could not be lost while they
were on board. This prayer is still remembered
with great interest by many who were then pres-
ent. At the services at Philadelphia, in 1829,
when his son Cephas was publicly set apart as
missionary to Burmah, it was the father's lot to
offer the prayer of consecration. A similar Divine
influence seems to have been manifest on this
occasion. In the record of the proceedings, pre-
served in the public papers of that day, it is said :
Mr. Cephas Bennett " was then committed, with
his companion, by Alfred Bennett, his father, in
an appeal to God most solemn and affecting, melt-
ing every heart and drawing tears from every eye.
This part of the scene was of too intense a charac-
ter for description either by the tongue or the pen."
These effects were not produced by studied pre-
arrangement, but it was the spontaneous outgush-
ing of a capacious soul, in ardent sympathy with
the interests of the occasion, accustomed to give
expression to its inmost emotions at the Mercy-
Seat, and pervaded by holy influence from on high.
Here undoubtedly was one of the chief sources of
his strength. He had power with God ; aiid the

d by Google

VKMOSBL car

conviction of this, everywhere felt, gave him abo
power with men.

As a preacher, he was one of a class whosef de-
pendence on the aid of the Holy Spirit was habit-
ual and heartfelt. " Utterance" was sought from
God as a matter of high practical moment ; and if
he was not "in the spirit" while speaking, no
amount of premeditation could supply the lack.
This calamity, as he ever deemed it, sometimes
befel him : it seemed to paralyze his mental pow-
ers, and put him to utter confusion. On some oc-
casions of special public interest, he thus suffered
from spiritual desertion, and, after ineffectually en-
deavoring to unfold his subject, entirely failed to
present the intended view, and sat down not a little
confused and mortified. Ordinarily, however, he
was « full of faith and of the Holy Ghost," and spoke
the word with power. In seasons of revival, or on
public occasions of absorbing religious interest, he
would often speak as if in the presence of God,
with an overflowing heart and heavenly fervor,
and his auditory, borne with the powerful current
of his emotions, would be melted to tears under
the affecting exhibitions he gave of the Gospel.
His resources were at ready command ; and prob-
ably some of the most powerful of his public ef-
forts were made whto unexpectedly summoned to

d by Google

KEV. ALFRKO BENHETT. 297

preach. This sent him upon hi? knees* and called
into action all the powers of his soul.

In'his ordinary ministration he was eminently
simple and evangelical. His discourses, though
not marked by the grace and finish of scholarship,
and, often from necessity, slightly studied, bore
the evidence of much biblical knowledge and
strong practical sense. They were the outgush-
ings of a glowing heart and a rich religious expe-
rience ; and few ever heard him, in even his most
unstudied efforts, without gaining some new con-
ceptions of divine truth. There was a fervor and
holy unction attending his preaching, which often
woke the slumbering conscience and touched the
heart, when lofty speculation and mere logical de-
duction could have effected nothing ; and the ear-
nestness of his appeals forced the. conviction upon
you that he felt the value of the undying soul, and
dwelt in near prospect of the realities of judgment
and eternity. Up to his death, there were few
public men in his denomination who possessed
more power to command the attention and awaken
the holier feelings of the heart among all classes.
Others there were whose learning was more varied
and profound, whose diction had more of polish,
and whose arguments were arranged with more of
logical exactness; but few, if any, had greater

dbyGoogk

238 memoir of

power to move the hearts of the masses, and ani-
mate the church of God to high and holy exer-
tion.

It is chiefly, however, in the character of a de-
voted friend and advocate of missions he has been
distinguished in public life. He took enlarged
and comprehensive views of the design of the
Gospel. The world stretched out before him with
its wants and woes, and all the sympathies and
energies of his capacious soul were enlisted in the
work of diffusing abroad God's great remedy. On
his dying bed, the conversation once turned on
the prospects just opening before him in the eter-
nal world ; and his pastor, speaking of the reunion
of saints in the presence of Christ, alluded to some
with whom he had been familiar, and who had
entered into rest before him. He replied : " I do
not know that I anticipate greater pleasure in meet-
ing them than in mingling with redeemed spirits of
converted heathen, for whom I have labored, and
whose eternal welfare I have sought." His prayers,
as well as his heartiest toils, ever contemplated the
general diffusion of the religion of Christ over the
whole world. And at the last, the spiritual inter-
ests of the perishing millions of earth lay near his
soul, and the long predicted glories of that ap-

d by Google

REV. AliFEED BENKETT.

proaching day, when the knowledge of the Lord
shall fill the whole earth, were among the latest
thoughts he breathed, and seemed to fill his mind
with holy delight.

But I will here pause. He has gone from earth
and entered the presence of God. His venerable
form lies cold in the grave, and the emancipated
spirit, we trust, rejoices before the Throne. But,
though dead, he yet speaketh. Defects, no doubt,
he had, and none were more painfully sensible of
it than himself; but a consistent Christian life of
half a century, unstained by one dishonorable blot,
spent with all the ardor of a powerful mind in self-
denying energetic effort for the welfare of others,
and closed in peaceful triumph, has a voice full of
instruction. It speaks of the power of the Gospel
to subdue and sanctify the strongest natural pas-
sions, and devote them to the holy work of blessing
a perishing world. It utters the high praises of
the grace of God, in reclaiming and pardbning one
who was once in bitter enmity with Him, and
keeping him through strong temptations and fear-
ful conflicts safe unto the end. It bids us be fol-
lowers of Him as he followed Christ, ever toiling,
ever trusting, assured that Christian faithfulness
is the certain precursor of Christian triumph.
20

DigitizeeHrGoOgle

880 MEMOIR OF

The memory of " Father Bennett" wiH linger
long in the hearts of the people of God. Asso-
ciated with hallowed recollections of the venerated
Kendrick and Peck, and others of kindred spirit,
his name will be transmitted to after times as one
of the pioneers of the Gospel, and a stalwart de-
fender of the truth of God. The sonnd practical
wisdom, the effectual fervent prayer, the holy
character, and earnest zeal of these godly men
were a tower of strength in the midst of the de-
nomination, and as one after another of them has
parted from us and gone up into glory, the cry
has risen from the bereaved heart of the earthly-
church : My Father, my Father, the chariot of
Israel and the horsemen thereqf! They were
among the earlier prophets of our people ;

"holy men,
"Who lived and walked with God f

and their power before the Throae, their heaven-
directed counsels, and their mighty deeds are re-
corded, not so much on the written page as upon
the moral enterprises they originated, the sacred
institutions they founded and reared, and in the
hearts of the people of God. When the scroll of

d by Google

BEY. .ALFRED BENNETT*

history, as written in heaven, shall be unrolled
before the assembled world in the day of final ad-
judication, these servants of God will doubtless be
seen conspicuous among the eminent witnesses for
the truth and actors in the moral scenes of the past
generation.

THE END.

d by Google

v !

oqIc

CATALOGUE

BOOKS,

fc\ '

PUBLISHED

A1TD

FOR SALE TO THE TRADE, OR AT RETAIL,

EDWARD H. FLETCHER,

141 NASSAU STREET,

NEW YORK.

1852.

Digitized by VjOOQlC

d by Google

EDWARD H. FLETCHER,
141 NAS8AU-STB T,
3SrB^0T-XGB.K,

Keeps constantly on hand a complete assortment of RELIGIOUS
AND MISCELLANEOUS

|JB®®!&!

which are sold at very Vow prices.
Attention is particularly requested to the following list of

MsahU aid Smportimt ^ahluatiosi.

ALEXANDER, J. W.— The Young Men of Cities urged to the
work of Mental Improvement.

O ARSON, L. L. D., Alexander, The Life of, by Rev. Geo. C.
Moore. " The Jonathan Edwards of the 19th century."

M * The Knowledge ofJeeut the moot excellent of the Sci-
ences.
M A charming booh, and we could wish it were in every
Christian family." Lutheran Observer.

_ •• A book of vigorous thought, worthy of careful study."

Rel. Herald.
41 Would do hdhor to any pen that ever wrote."

Troy Budget.
** *■ The Ood of Providence. (In press.)

CONVERSATIONAL COMMENTARY on Matthew, John
and the Acts. By Wo. Hague, D. D.

OOBBIN, Ingram. The Illustrated Domestic Bible.

OHEEVER, D. D., Geo. B.— A Plea for Children and the Chris-
turn Sabbath,

DOWXilNCr, D. D., John.— A Collection of Hymns for use in con-
ference and prayer meetings.

M •*• The Old-Fashioned Bible, or ten reasons against the
proposed Baptist version of the New Testament

d by Google

BVBRT8, Win. W.-Tke Life and Thought* of John Footer.

• « The Social Position and Influence ofOitiU.

« " The Theatre.

FOSTER. John.— The Spirit of Million*, with an Essay by Rev.
J. P. Thompson, pastor of the Broadway Tabernacle Church.

HEAVEN'S ANTIDOTE to the Ouree of Labor, a priae essay

on the Sabbath.
HARRIS, Mr* 8. M.— Memoir of Jacob Thomas, missionary to

KAGK7B, D. D., Wm, Conversational Commentary on Matthew,
John and the Acts.

- " The Duties of Employers and Employed.

MOORE, Geo. C— Life of Alexander Careen, T.L. D.

MATTISON, H.— The Trinity and Modem Arianiom.

PAINE, Martyn— Tas Soul, InsUmot and Life, physiologically
distinguished from Materialism.

SABBATH ESSAYS; comprising the Pearl of Days, Heaven's
Antidote, and the Light of the Ween.

THE GrOD OF PROVIDENCE, the &od of the Bible; by
Alex. Carson.

THE PEARL OF DAYS, by a Laborer's Daughter.

THE LIGHT OF THE WfiER, or the Advantages of the
8abbath to the Working Classes. A prize Essay.

WILLIAMS, D. D., Wm. R., Miscellaniee ; consisting^** Dis-
courses and Essays. This volume contains the most elaborate
and finished of Dr. Williams' productions.

" A volume which is absolutely necessary to the completeness of a
modern library."— /V. Y. Weekly Review.

" Dr. Williams is a profound scholar and a brilliant writer."— N.Y.
Evangelist.

u * * * from the pen of one of the most able and accomplished
authors of the age."— Ban. Memorial

u We are glad to see this volume. We wish that such men abound*
ed in erery sect."— Ohn. Register. ,

" This volume -contains some qjf the choicest emanations of a mind
of the highest order."— IT. Y. Com. Advertiser.

** This is one of the richest volumes that has been given to the pub-
lic lor many years."— N. Y. Bap. Register.

" The author's mind is cast in no common mould. * * a delightful
volume."— Methodist Protestant.

>V^WS^»W>«*^r»^^/W»^WS*>^^* -

d by Google

-K

M A rich literary repast"— AJbnws JtmrnmL

"His charmcter presents a rare union of the highest qualities- of
the scholar and the Christian."— Olive Branch.

" Dr. W. is one of the leading minds of our country, and this vol-
ume one of the richest gems of literature."— Urns Rook QmtetU.

WORDS IN EARNEST; by Rer* T. W. Alexander, W.W
Ererts, Wm. Hague, and Geo. B. Cheever.

S. S. HYMNS.— The Baptist S.S. Hymn Book.

TURNS Y, Rer. E.— Tim Scriptural Lsm of Bsptism.

NOEL, Rer. and Hon. B. W^-Esaay on Christian Baptism, with
an Introduction by John Dowliag, D. D.

BBLOHER. Rev. Joseph.— Tfcs Bapti&t Pulpit of tic Daitse*
States, with fine portraits.

FISH, Rer. H. a— Tk* Bmptist OmUckism, iu two rob.

ARTICLES OF FAITH m generally held by the Baptist De-

WHEBLOOX, Rer. A — Baptism and the Lord's Jasper.

MANLY, Rcts. Basfl and Basil Jr.— 71* Baptist P—moiv, a
Collection of Hymns for the Worship of God.

BLANKS.

MARRIAGE OERTIFIOATES, a new andbeautttW article,

with a eilrer border.

Per Quara,
LETTERS OF DISMISSION OF CHURCH

MEMBERS 90 eta.

LETTERS OF NOTIFICATION OF REOBF-

TION OF MEMBERS. 80 eta,

CALLS OF COUNCILS ~ 50 eta.

ASSOCIATIONS LETTERS 50 eta,

d by Google

WntU in <BuuibU

OR,

THE PATH OP WISDOM MADE PLAIN.

Wf KEYS*

WILLIAM W. EVERTS, J. W. ALEXANDER,

WILLIAM HAGUE. G. W. ANDERSON.

GEORGE- B. OHEEVER.

" This is a most capital work for young men. It con-
sists of essays on the social position and influence of cities ;
the temptations of city life ; young men of cities urged to
the work of mental employment ; the theatre ; duties of
employers and employed ; punishment not preventive ; a
plea for children ; and the Sabbath."— Lutheran Observer.

" These discourses have been prepared in vioftrf the
actual necessities and dangers of the times, and t^m a di-
rect application to the condition of thousands. "W^^hould
be glad to see hundreds of copies of this volume in the
hands of our Church members in this city; for we are per-
suaded its careful and prayerful perusal would be attended
with good results on a large scale."— Central Christian
Herald, On

" On the whole this is one of the most useful as well as
attractive series of essays which have fallen under our no-
tice."— Christian News.

d by Google

tytnitouxt ftttfdhi:

COMPRISING,

THE HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE AS UNFOLDED IN THE

BOOK OF ESTHER, also, THE GOD OF PROVIDENCE,

THE GOD OF THE BIBLE, and also, THE TRUTH

OF THE GOSPEL DEMONSTRATED FROM THE

CHARACTER OF GOD MANIFESTED

IN THE ATONEMENT.

BY ALEXANDER OARSON.

12mo. cloth, P&ice, 76 cente.

" This volume contains an able and highly interesting
elucidation of the wonderful disclosures of divine Provi-
dence, narrated in the book of Esther. The facts re-
corded in that book reveal the unseen hand of the Most
High, directing the most minute events, as well as those
esteemed great, to accomplish the hallowed purposes of
his own will. The work before us draws out and illus-
trates this consolatory truth." — Chn. Obterver."

" We have already in former numbers of the Memo-
ri^^ticed " the Life of Carson " by Mr. Moore, and
'^^Mnowledge of Jesus," written by Dr. C. We have
noWffe third volume in the series, and we hope there
will be many more, if they are all as good as the one
before us. It contains a clear, cogent, and incontrovert-
ible argument in favor of the cardinal doetrine of a spe-
cial Providence of God. The skeptic maintains that all
events occur in accordance with the general laws of
nature: but Dr. Carson shows conclusively, that even in
the general laws of his government, God specially super-
intends them so that particular events transpire by the
efficiency of particular agents, and usually in accordance
with general laws."— Bap. Memorial*

d by Google

WOEDS IN EARNEST:

on,

THE PATH OF WISDOM MADE PLAIN

BY REVD*.

WILLIAM W. EVERTS,
J. W. ALEXANDER,
WILLIAM HAGUE,
6. W. ANDERSON,
GEORGE B. CHEEVER.

Tfefe work has been elaborately prepared, and makes -
excellent book for young people, especially, to penwe.

y Google

IN PLAIN AND ELEGANT BINDINGS,

FOR SALE BT

EDWARD H. FLETCHER,

141 NASSAU STREET, HEW YORK.

MISCELLANIES.

BT WILLIAM R. WILLIAMS, D J>.

FWn lfeno, *1 35; da 8ra $1 75; half morocco, tSSS; doth, M

gOt,*3 00; TBrkej,faflgflt,f5 00; dc, dupe, *6 60.

BOWLING'S CONFERENCE HYMNS.

Plain, 25c; gOt, 40c

THE LIGHT OP THR WEEK:
Or, ft* Afcrutagw of ft* Nfttfh to ft* Working Omm.

A PRIZE ESSAY.
Pldn, 25c ; cloth, fan gilt, 60c

PROVIDENCE UNF0JDED.

... BT ALEXANDER CARSON, LLJ>.
:, M Plan, 73c; doth, fall gilt, $2 00.

IIE^T)* ALEXANDER CAR80N, LL.D.

BT REV. GEO. C. MOORE.
Plain, 60c. ; cloth, fan gilt, $1 50.

W0RD8 IN EARNEST.

AH EXCELLENT WORK JOR THE YOUNG.
Plain, 75c ; fell gflt, $St 00.

MEMOIR OF JACOB THOMAS, MISSIONARY TO ASSAM.

Tar. morocco, $2 00.

d by Google

FOSTER ON MISSIONS.

AN ESSAY ON THE SCEPTICISM OF THE CHURCH.

BT BEY, JOSEPH P. THOMPSON,

rAiTom or thi bboadwat tabibnacli chubch.

(Froi%tke New York Evangelist.)
TUs essay of Foster's is one of the grandest and most eloquent of all
his writings, the reproduction of which, in this inviting form, will do
much gcxxL* The missionary work assumes a dignity and importance,
mder the glowing tints of his masterly pencil, which ought to shame
the languid interest off the church, and which very naturally and appro-
priately suggests Mr. Thompson's preliminary essay on the skepticism
of the church. This essay is Very well written, and an impressive pres-
entation of the causes and effects of a deficient faith in the promises of
God, in respect to the world's conversion. The work is neatly printed,
and we hope will find many readers.

(From the New York Recorder.)
This is the substance of a discourse preached by its celebrated author,
and subsequently prepared by him for the press. It is one of the most
able and comprehensive discussions of the subject of missions that has
ever been written. It contains that remarkable fragment of Foster's, en-
titled "God Invisible," conceived inthe very spirit of the old Hebrew
prophets. The preliminary Essay, by Rev. J. P. Thomps on^ ad ds to the
value of the original work.

(From the Baptist Messenger.)
John Foster on Missions, is all that need be said. To aay more, would
>*like an attempt to gild the sun.

(From the Christian Chronicle.)
It is one of the grandest productions of its author, exhibiting, In a high.
degree, the comprehensive grasp of thought, the lofty .-■■* ■ cp of imagin-
ation, and the rugged and massive style which made h::n far bo many
years the acknowledged Jupiter Tonans among English Di enters,

PUBLISHED BY

EDWARD H. FLETCHEn,

141 NASSAU STREET, NEW YORK.

npson^adds

d by Google

RXCOMMXNDATIOMS

THE KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS.

BY MU CARSON.

^N*WS*S^*N*W%»N*^^S*N^^

(From the Primitive CtarehMajtuim, Loota.]

"In illustrating this glorious theme the anther's
mind expands in the full strength and vigor of its con-
ceptions, and pictures realities of Divine "nth almost
too brightly to be beheld with the eye of '«& undim-
med.

" The present volume (' The Knowledge of Jesus')
is full of invaluable principles, cast in an attractive
mould. Every page lives with interest; there is no-
thing dry, nothing tedious. Its style flows transparent
and free as the mountain stream."

[Pram the Orthodox Presbyterian, Belfast]

BDITBD BT DA. BDttAR.

" On matters of church order, it is well known we
differ from him; but as a scholar we honor him — as a
Ch rist ian brother we embrace him. In the knowledge
• of th|nilosophy of the language, he is far in advance
oT U^present age ; and with, respect to metaphysical
— . acuteness and powers of reasoning, he has been called
* 'the Jonathan Edwards of the nineteenth century.'
His character as a philosophic theologian, t and a pro-
found, original, independent thinker, stands in the very
^Jiighest rank ; and he is only justly designated, when
called one of the most, philosophic reasoners of the pres-
ent age."

EDWAfiS H. FLETCHER, Pnblither,

141 Nassau St., N. Y.

d by Google

ALEXANDER CARSON, LLD.

THE KNOWLEmFoP JESUS,

The most Excellent of the Sciences.
BT ALBXAR0BB CARSON, LL.D.

(From cat Lutheran Observer.)
IMS to a charming book, and we could wish it were in every Christiaii
family. Tbe author k a writer of rare merit : learned, philosophic, pro.
found, devout, and singularly fluent and beautiful in hi* style. We take
great pleasure in recommending "h. He has been called " the Jonathan
Edwards of -fee* nineteenth century,* and those who read this admirable
i will not be unwilling to admit his claim to this distinguished

(From the Religious Herald, Hartford.)
This is a book of rigorous thought, deserving of attentive perusal and
careful study by ministers and intelligent laymen. It discusses in a con-
densed manner the facts respecting God and His government which are
presented by nature, and then passes to the more explicit revelation of
the Bible, and shows the identification of the gospel with the divine char*
acter, as manifested Utthe work of redemption through the operation of
the Trinity* and its self-evident truth.

(From the Watchman and Reflector.)
Hie late Dr. Alexander Carson, of Ireland, possessed an intellect of
great logical power and a hearTof warm affections. His worl
characterized by depth and clearness of thought, and by vig<
of expression. His views of the gospel, as of the framewoi
nances of the church, are as luminous as day. The present vof
rank among the best of the productions of his pen,

(From the €ongregotUma2iet.)
The work shows tor itself that it was written by a n&n of hold
strong thought U has no reference to the distinguishing doctri:
his own denomination, though Dr. Carson has some celebrity for '
of this class.

PUBLISHED BY

EDWARD H. FLETCHER,

141 NASSAU STREET, NEW TOUL

an intellect of
orkBurehflnce

rot^Hbli.
tvoltt^retake*

d by Google

Tflft

LIFE OF ALEXANDER CARSON, LLD.

BY REV. GEORGE C. MOORE.

OPINIONS OF TH* PRESS.

(From the Independent, N. T.)

Mr. Moore has rendered a good service to the memory
of his preceptor by this sketch of bis private and inward
life, and he has rendered also a service hardly less valua-
ble to Christian truth and charity.

(From the Religious Herald, Richmond, Va.)

This is an interesting work. Indeed, it could scarcely
fail to be so, for its subject was not only one of the most
learned and able theologians of our own denomination,
but one of the great men of the present age.

(From the New York Tribune.)

The biography of that eminent scholar and divine in a
le of unusual vivacity and point.

PUBLISHED BY

EBWABD E FLETCHER,

141 NASSAU STREET, NEW TORE

d by Google

THB

sb a ip Bus-sp s> nr Sd ip n v

OP THE

UNITED STATES;

CQMUTore or eloquent and ursTaucTivs passages pbom

THE 8EEM0NS OF 200 BAPTIST MINISTERS.

By JOSBPH BBLOHBB, D. D.
EMBELLISHED WITH FINE PORTRAIT8.

«^^^^m%^^^»««

M The portraits are worth more than the cost of {he entire work-
It cannot be otherwise .nan gratifying to every Baptist, to find
that the leading minds of his denomination hold " the truth as
it is in Jesus" with such a vigorous grasp, and commend it to
others with so much power. The passages are generally short,
nut they are pure gold/ — Baptist Messenger.

"This publication will, we think, prove interesting to Baptists
everywhere."— i?e%iou* Herald.

"The selections cover the whole range of theology, and the
volume will be curious, agreeable and useful."— N. IT. Recorder.

"Its editor is a man >f judgment and taste, and of considera-
ble distinction as an author ; and as it regards the typography, «.
nothing better can be asked or expected. The parties have out
best wishes for their encouragement and success. The moral
•fleet of the publication cannot fail, of course, to be in favor of
religion and "Virtue."— Biblical Recorder.

EDWARD H. FLETCHER, Mliitor,

141 Nassau St., N. T

d by Google

BOWLING'S CONFERENCE HYMNS.

Tn publisher begs leave to submit a few of the many unsolicited re-
commendations of this little volume, which have been received. It if
eminently adapted for use In the family, and for private devotion. The
low price bring* it within the means of all, and its large type adapts it to
the old as well as the young. .

A prominent pastor in Illinois writes: "I received the copy of Dr.
Bowling's hymns, which yon sent me some time ago. I have examined
them thoroughly, and have shown them to many others. The universal
expression Is, * This is just the book we want in the West Here are the
old, soul-cherished revival hymns, which everybody knows, and with
which everybody Is delighted.' The mixed nature of our population
here renders it difficult to obtain hymn books which all will like. But
this little volume is almost known to ajl by heart, whether from the east,
west, north, or south. The hymns are those which almost every Chris-
tian has learned and loved; not for their poetic elegance, but for their
spirit and good religious sentiment I have also taken pains to obtain
copies of the Social Psalmist, the Christian Melodist (by Br. Banvard),
and the Baptist Harp. These are generally very good, but everybody
■ays Dr~ Bowling's hymns are the ones for the West to use in conference,
prayer, and Inquiry meetings. Thousands of them can be sold in this
State, if they are introduced."

; From Rev, John M. Peck, qfMissouru

•It is exactly such a book as thousands want and will buy in these
great, central States."

From the Vermont Gazette.

« This work is designed especially to meet a want existing in the Bap-
tist denomination. The high literary character of the author is a sure
guarantee in this respect But, after all, it is not so much finely finished
sentences as soul-stirring truths, hymned by warm hearts, that impart
to the social interview its greatest zest 1 '

From the Michigan Christian Herald.

M From a hasty examination, we should think that Mr. Do wling had ex-
ecuted the work in a judicious manner."

From the Baptist Memorial

■The people generally will say— give us the old-fashioned hymns, if
the poetry is not quite as good; while some critics will think otherwise
Most of the hymns are, however, unobjectionable in respect to poetic
merit"

From the Western Christian Journal

M Hymn books are multiplying, but we shall be mistaken tf this does
not prove to be a popular collection. It contains 360 hymns and many
of them the sweetest in tbe language."

From the Christian Secretary*

« We can cheerfully commend this little book to the churches, as being
— — •— -*«7 adapted to the purposes for which it is designed."

EDWARD H. FLETCHER, Publisher,

141 Nassau St., N. T

d by Google

THE CONVERSATIONAL COMMENTARf ;

OOMBIJflJNJ

THE.QUESTIOF-BOOK AND EXPOSITION:

OaRONSD TO* THE 178E OF SABBATH-SCHOOLS AMD FA]

V»l« *., «a Matthew*
If ok II*, on JoJui*
Vol. III., om tiu A***

BY WILLIAM HACHTB.

11 The plan of Dr. Hague is these several books to meet
the wants of the higher classes in Sabbath-schools, we have
never seen surpassed nor even equalled by any other author,
according to our taste and judgment."— -Christian Chronicle.

" It is a species of Commentary quite original, combining
all the most valuable results of archeological and critical
learning, without the lumber and parade which often render
the perusal of the ordinary Commentaries and ' notes ' an
onerous and unwelcome task. Mr. Hague's plan, renders
everything clear, impressive, and practical, so that the mind
is held, by an increasing interest, to those truths which are
most important to be remembered."— Western Watchman.

" The method of imparting instruction in this book is a
novel but happy one. The author remarks in his preface,
1 The teacher who would give instruction in any department
of knowledge so as to awaken in his scholar a spirit of in-
quiry, cannot easily satisfy himself with abrupt and insu-
lated questions ; in order to arouse the mind to action and
bring himself into sympathy with it, he must cawmmUaU
something. The remark which imparts Knowledge, quickens,
thought, and then conversation proceeds with a rational and
easy flow.' " — Michigan Christian Herald. ?

Published by EDWARD H. FLETCHER,

141 Nassau Street, New York.

d by Google

THE

BAPTIST SCRIPTURAL CATECflISM

Ha vino examined the Baptist Scriptural Catechism prepared .by Rev.
B. C Fish, we cordially recommend it to the churches, believing it to
possess peculiar excellences; among which may be mentioned especially
the following*

1. It is based upon the catechetical plan of instruction.

2. The general use of Scriptural language in the answers.

3. An important peculiarity of this work is, that it contains an extended
examination of the evidence* of Christianity—* department of biblical
instruction which has been too much neglected.

We earnestly hope thai it may be generally adopted by oar Sabbath
Schools.
S. H. CONE, Pastor of First Baptist Church, New York,

S. REMINGTON,

Stanton St Bap.

Oh. «

JOHN DOWUNG,

Broadway

u «

W. S. CLAPP,

Olive Branch

tt «

LEVI PARMELY,

Sbiloh

tt «

A. D. GILLETTE,

Eleventh

« Philadelphia.

R.T.MIDDLEDITCH

M Lyons Farms, N.J

WM. B. TOLAN,

" Morristown, M

DAVID B. STOUT,

First

« Middletown, "»

WM. H TURTON,

« Blixahethtown, *;

J. M CARPENTER,

" Perth Amboy •

JOHN TEASDALE,

u < Schoolers f
c Mountain,

H. V. JONES,

M Piscataway, "

D. HENRY MILLER,

Mt. Olivet

• Yonkers, N 1

SAMUEL WHITE,

First

M Staten Island, «

D. F. LEACH,

« PortJervis, •»

C. A. BUCKBBE,

" Conway, Mass.

L. O. GRENELL, Missionary to California.

The first volume is designed for the younger members of the Sabbaft-i
School, and the language is simple and plain. Price GOcta. per dozen.

Volume second is for those more advanced, and contains a review of
the doctrines and evidences of Christianity. Price #1 20cts per dozen.

EDWARD H. FLETCHER, Publisher,

141 Nassau St., N. 1

d by Google

CHEAP CASH BOOK STORE.

EDWARD H. FLETCHER,

Vo. 141 Nassau street,

NEW YORK.

Has constantly on hand, at wholesale and retail, a geneisj
assortment of Theological, Classical, Miscellaneous, School
and Blank Books ami Stationery.

A complete Depository of Sabbath School Books.

Booksellers, Traders, Teachers, Schools, Academies and
Individuals supplied, wholesale and retail, on the most lib-
eral terms.

Religious hooks of every variety which are to be found
in the market, may be obtained here at the very lowest
prices.

8EC6NMAM) BOOKS.

Valuable Standard Theological and other Books from
private libraries wiU be sold at a fraction of the price of
new.

IAREIAGE CERTIFICATES.

A new and beautiful article, with a silver border, sam-
ples of which will be sent gratis to post-paid applications.
Published by

EDWARD H. FLETCHER,

No. 141 Nassau street.

d by Google

The copartnership heretofore existing between the Sub-
scribers, under the firm of LEWIS COLBY & COM-
PANY, is this day dissolved by mutual consent. All ac-
counts will be settled by Lewis Colby, who is authorized
to use the name of the firm in liquidation.

LEWIS COLBY.
EDWARD H. FLETCHER.
New Yortc t September 5th, 1848.

CIRCULAR.

The subscriber respectfully announces to his friends and
the public tijat he has opened a store at 141 Nassau street,
i where he will continue the same line of the BOOKSELL-
ING and PUBLISHING business which has been pur-
sued by the late firm.

Having been regularly knd to the business, added to
which is his experience i? ,he late concern from, its com-
mencement, he feels confiaesw that he can offer to his patrons
advantageous terms.

The primary object of this establishment will be the pub-
lication and sale of Religious Books.

A large assortment of Sabbath School Books will be
kept, and to this department much attention will be paid.
If Sabbath Schools, wishing to replenish their libraries, or
to purchase new ones, will forward their funds, and a list
of such books as they already have, their orders will re-
ceive prompt attention, and the selection will be carefully
made.

Also will be kept School and Blank Books, and Sta-
tionery of every variety—Sermon Paper, Marriage Certifi-
cates, Ac.

Foreign Books imported, for a small commission.

EST X liberal discount will be made to Booksellers,
Ministers, and Teachers.

EDWARD H. FLETCHER.
New York, September 23d, 184&

d by Google

BAPTIST

SCRIPTURAL CATECHISM.

FOR THE USE OF SABBATH SCHOOLS
AND BIBLE CLASSES.

VOLUME IJ.

0* TBM WWIBMHCm AVB POCTUHM OP CBSI^TIAVXTT.

> FOR THE MORE ADVANCED MEMBERS OP SABBATH
8CHOOL8, AND FOB BIBLE CLASSES.

BY HENRY 0. JffBB,
Pastor of (ha Baptist Church, JSomenrUla, K. J.

Ya snail lay op fhsss my words In your hurt, and In your somL

Daw. xL IS.
Hit word ha* I hid In mtoa haart ~Ba adx. 1L

SECOND JUDITION.

NEW YORK:
EDWARD H. FLETCHER,

141 KUOAU STRICT.

1850.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

^CONVERSATIONAL .COMMENTARY, '

COMBINING THI

QUESTION-BOOK AND EXPOSITION.

DESIGNED FOR

BIBLE CLASSES, SABBATH SCHOOLS, AND FAMILIES.

GOSPEL ACGO&DING TO MATTHEW.

WILLIAM HAGUE.

In Tree discourse, new thoughts are struck out, and the seeds of truth sparkle and
blaze, which in culm and silent reading would never have beea* excited. By conversa-
tion, you both £ive and receive this benefit : a* flints, when put in motion, and strik-
ing agftinat each other, produce living Are on botb sides. — Da Watts.

NEW YORK:

EDWARD H. FLETCHER.

1851.

d by Google

Digitized by VjOOQlC

I. -\

Digitized by VjOOQlC

^ 1 ' *9LJ

Digitized by VjOOQlC