Farewell to the First Congregational Church in Norwalk, Conn. (bound with other addresses)

If the truth is so precious, then, how earnestly should we seek for it, as for hidden treasures ! With what child-like docility should we sit at the feet of Jesus to learn of him ; casting our own reason and judgment concerning the matter revealed, entirely aside. Our intuition, our con- sciousness as a source of truth on divine things, our philosophy, the phi- losophy of all mankind, has no place in this inquiry. The only use of reason here, is in the inquiry. What hath God taught ? Having found this, we should hold it fast, with absolute certainty that what God hath taught is the truth, " Buy the truth, and sell it not." Hold here : Con- vulsions may shake the earth ; the heavens may be removed out of their place; but the truth of God is a foundation that can never be moved. If the truth is so sacred, then we should beware of holding it in un- righteousness, or of incurring the curse denounced upon him who shall add to, or take from, the words of the prophecy of this book. We hold the truth in unrighteousness, if we ever set our wisdom to judge of the propriety of what God reveals. We hold the truth in unrighteousness, if we ever deny it or cavil with it. We do so, if we cover it up, or en- deavor to diminish its credit, or hinder its efficiency. We do so, if we give our attendance on false teachings, or in any way give them counte- nance or encouragement. " Cease, my son, to hear the instruction which causeth to err." If the truth is so sacred, then it is highly criminal to give to the teach- ings of fundamental error any ecclesiastical sanction, or the countenance of Christian fellowship. The word of God is peremptory here, even though the preacher of another Gospel be an apostle or an angel from 29 heaven. Hear also the Apostle John : " The elder unto the elect lady ■whom I love in the truth" — " for the truth''s sake which dwelleth in us, and shall he with us forever." — " This is the commandment that as ye have heard from the beginning ye should walk in it. For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the • flesh." This is a deceiver and an antichrist, — " Whosoever transgresseth, AND ABIDKTH NOT IN THE DOCTRINE OF ChBIST, HE HATH NOT GoD. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, hath both the Father and the Son. ^ there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not in- to your house, neither bid him Godspeed; roR he that biddeth him God SPEED IS PARTAKER OF HIS EVIL DEEDS." Why should H dlSCiple of Chrfst he partaker with him who denies the truth, any more than he should be partaker with adulterers and murderers'? To what purpose do any make provisoes that they do not receive the heretical doctrine, while they extend to the teacher of heresy the shield and countenance of ecclesiasti- , cal fellowship 1 In what way can they bid him a " God speed" more effectual than this 1 But it is too late in the day^ say some, to hold men responsible for their belief or unbelief. It is too late in the day to discipline church members, or even ministers, for heresy. Then it is too late in the day to obey a distinct command of God. Alas ! it did seem some slight indication of the character of modern Pro- gress, when men had become so wise as to sit in judgment upon the doc- trines of the Bible, and to pronounce them forms of absurdity. But what shall we say to this new notion of presuming to forbid expressly a duty, which God as expressly enjoins 1 What can we say but this.: that he who so practices, or teaches men so, is guilty of treason' against the truth, and of rebellion against God 1 But it is said that ecclesiastical organizations, other than the church, have not the power of trial or of judgment. If they have not for the church, they have, of necessity, for themselves, to remove from such countenance and fellowship as such organizations are able to give. Such organizations are under a Higher Law. No charter is warranted in the word of God in behalf of an ecclesiastical organization or association, formed for the purpose of enlarging and perfecting Christian 30 fellowship, -which shall be so constituted as to embrace and retain in the privileges of that fellowship them who reject fundamental truth. Either the law of Christ reigns, so far as that association can give the privileges of Christian fellowship, or the organization itself is but a fortress of re- bellion against Christ. So far as the privileges of fellowship, which they give, extend, they are bound either to preserve discipline, or to disband. If they do neither, then all churches, organizations, and Christians, are bound to withdraw from their fellowship and correspondence. But it is said. We must be charitable ; it is said. We must be liberal. Yes, charitable in consistency with fidelity to the truth, and not in un- faithfulness. Yes, liberal of what is our own, not of what is the Lord's. We are but " put in trust with the Gospel." It is not ours to betray. We are " set for the defence of the Gospel." If we prove unfaithful, the plea of liberality will not save us from the guilt of treason. With these provisoes I accede to all that can be said in praise of charity and liberality. When it is proper to do so, I would urge them as earnestly as I now urge the maintenance of the truth. But, if I mistake not the signs of the times, the temptation is now far stronger to prove unfaithful to the truth than to fail in charity. Let us not, however, forget that in zeal for the truth we may sin against charity. In things unessential, charity to the utmost. Any where within the bounds of truth, the most perfect liberty. But when error touches the vitals of Christianity, then not even charity pleads against the discharge of a painful duty. " I charge thee, therefore, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing in his kingdom, preach the word ; be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine : for the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears." And now, my young friends, having set before you the devices of error, and the importance of truth, together with the obligations which rest upon us for the maintenance and defence of truth, shall I be tmderstood to mean that it is the great business of the preacher to be hunting up and combating the errors which may prevail around him 1 Oh, no ! This, like the judgment of the Lord, is his strange work. For the most 31 part, error is to be forestalled by pre-occupying the field, or resisted by a simple manifestation of the truth. And, in general, truth finds readiest access to the heart when most free from the aspect of controversy^ There are green pastures and still waters, where, for the most part, the shepherd may lead the flock, and to these he will ever love to retire, far from the scenes of noise and strife. There, in peaceful and pleasant labor, he may feed the flock like a shepherd and gather the lambs with his arm. There his own spirit may expand with love, and ripen for heaven. But alas ! in this fallen world, where are the pastures wholly secure from wolves 1 And what shall the shepherd, who is a shepherd, do, when he seeth the wolf coming ? " For I know," said Paul, (and the Holy Ghost put it on record for all time,) " that, after my departure shall grievous wolves enter, in among you, not sparing the flock. Also, of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." What shall the shepherd do then? At such a time, he that is a shepherd, and not a hireling, will not flee — but with the greater delight he has fed the flock, the more he has loved to lead them into the green pastures and beside the still waters, the more earnestly will he stand in the defence, perilling, if need be, his very life. Nor should it be forgotten that, in the fierce encounters which are sometimes inevitable, a double guard should be set over the spirit, and the knee be bent thrice as frequently in prayer. Nor should we forget our own liability to err ; nor be careless whether we ourselves abide in the truth while we are jealous over others. And what is the truth, if it be regarded only as a system or science ? What is he who stands in its defence, if he never feeds his own soul upon it? Truth is to bring us to God ! Truth is in order to godliness ! It is for the edifying of the church and the salvation of dying men. It is of far more consequence for us to obey the truth than to stand in its defence. May it be your great work so to obey and to use the truth, if God shall call you into the ministry. May it be mine. " Put on, therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any ; even as Christ forgave you, even so do ye. And above all things put on charity, which is the bond of perfect- 32 ness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which ye are called in one body, and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly with all wisdom ; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." iiglteroess anl) t\t Iwlpit: DISCOURSE PREACHED IN THE FIRST CHURCH, DORCHESTER, On Sunday, Sept. 30, 1855. ! BY NATHANIEL HALL. BOSTON: CROSBY, NICHOLS, AND COMPANY, 111, Washington Street. 1855. BOSTON: printed by john wilson and son, 22, School Stbebx. SosCEEBTSR, Oct. 2, 1365. Rev. N. Pall. Dear Sir, — "We, the undersigned, members of the First Parish in Dorchester, fully responding to the Christian sentiments expressed in your sermon of Sunday morning, Sept. 30, request, in behalf of ourselves and many others, a copy for the press, believing its publication will aid the cause for which you have so manfully contended ; viz., the independence of the pulpit. Very truly yours. William Pope, jun. John G. Nazro. Thomas Groom. Elisha T. Loring. Daniel Denny. Samuel Downer. Plavel Moseley. DOROBISTEB, Oct. 3, 1855. Gentlemen, I have received your communication, containing a request for a copy of my sermon, of last Sunday morning, for publication. Confiding in your judgment, that its publication may serve, in some measure, a cause I have much at heart, I place its manuscript at your disposal. Its personal allusions the dictates of good taste would lead me to withhold from the public eye; but considerations, which I deem not unworthy, prevail with me to do othervrise. With respect and esteem, yours, Nathl. Hall. ■ To Messrs. WiiiUM Popjb, Jan., John ft. Nazbo, and others. ' ' DISCOURSE. Tsalm xl. 9 : — "I have preached kiqhteousness in the qbbat CONGBEGATION."