CHAPTER XIX.
MINISTRY, PUBLISHED WRITINGS AND IMPORTANT EVENTS, FROM MAY, 1839, TO MARCH, 1848.
On leaving the Palladium office, in 1839, Mr. Badger repaired to his residence at Honeoye Falls, Monroe County, New York, where his friends built for themselves a new and commodious chapel, the best in the town; it was dedicated by Mr. Badger in 1840. He was unanimously chosen pastor of this society. He was now in the centre of his former field of labors, a field he had occupied nearly twenty years. His congregations were large, equal at that time, it was stated, to the other four congregations combined. The pastoral relation furnished him a good field for success, as his wise management, social spirit, attractive preaching, and compromising, conciliating turn of mind, gave him strong ability for establishing and enlarging the prosperity of a new congregation. He held this relation till the autumn of 1842.
But the death of his second son, Joseph Badger, Jr., who died May 27, 1839, in the sixteenth year of his age, was indeed an affliction that deeply shaded his spirit. He was a n.o.ble and an ingenious youth. He had fine abilities, was truthful and genial; and in the execution of business plans, so far certainly as they related to publishing, he was his father"s main reliance. Great were the parental affections that centred in him; and when he departed, the gigantic spirit of his father, which had ever dealt easily with great adversity, now was deeply stirred, like the patriarch"s of ancient time. Though he shed no tear over the death of his son, though he opposed a serene temper and countenance to the great bereavement, no event had ever bowed him so deeply, or struck so centrally into his inward composure and peace.
Often, as night came on, refusing his accustomed slumber, he walked the garden in lonely meditations, and blended with the serious light of moon and stars the more sober workings of his own mind. Never before had calamity the power to bring out the evidences of a deeply disturbed and broken spirit; and these were now so well controlled by him, that the world neither saw nor dreamed of their existence. At times, he arose from his nightly rest to walk the grounds of his pleasant mansion, and for hours seemed to invite the holy and beautiful sympathy of nature to soften his grief. Deep, exceedingly deep was this sorrow over his worthy son.
There were plans occupying his mind at this time, which, though unannounced to the world, were of large moment. Aside from ministerial duties, at home and abroad, he contemplated the publication of several works. He intended to have given the world the biography of several distinguished ministers whose lives were closed in the field of arduous labor. Among these, he had selected, for a prominent place, the life and writings of Joseph Thomas, of Ohio, a man of eloquence and interesting ability. All the materials for this book now lie in Mr. Badger"s desk, in the order in which he arranged them. In ministerial biography, how capable had been his pen! His acquaintance and experience were so extensive that, from memory alone, he could have drawn the largest contributions for his object. He had also determined on editing a Church History which should have reflected the success of Christian principles preached for half a century. In this, also, how largely was he qualified to do justice to his undertaking! No inconsiderable quant.i.ty of material gathered for this purpose now remains in his library; but the hand that would have edited them is motionless for ever, and the son whose age and capacity then qualified him to second and to render effectual his enterprises, was taken from the earth. Notwithstanding these breaks in these cherished aims, his life continued active, and the churches felt the weight of his counsel and the worth of his influence.
In June, he attended three conferences in the State; at Rock Stream, Yates County, where the attendance of both ministers and people was great, he preached, on Sat.u.r.day, a sermon of marked character, full of the calm and harmonizing spirit of Christianity, founded on Ps. 119: 165: "Great peace have they which love thy law, and nothing shall offend them." It had a visible influence, it was thought, on the proceedings of the body, and on the tone of all the meetings. In dwelling on the peace of the divine law, he spoke of the trials of brethren against each other as wholly wrong; as unnecessary; he dwelt on the repose of spirit, on the fine feelings and peaceful sentiments of the true Christian, explaining the latter part of the pa.s.sage as meaning that "nothing shall cause them to offend." At this time, he was appointed chairman of the committee on education, who met in the new chapel at Honeoye Falls, September, 1839, and there decided the location of the contemplated seminary in favor of Starkey, N. Y.
This season, Mr. Badger attended several dedications of new chapels in western New York; one at Union Springs, on the sh.o.r.es of the Cayuga, one at Searsburg, one at York, one at Laona; whether he was present at the dedication of the churches at Springwater and Machias, no evidence informs us. At Marion, Wayne County, N. Y., September, 1840, he preached eleven sermons, which were followed by good effects. I here quote a paragraph, as it embodies his opinion on the subject of revivals:
"Some would call our meeting at Marion a protracted effort; but I care not what it is called, provided G.o.d is honored and souls are saved. A protracted meeting, conducted by enthusiastic, proud, extravagant, and ranting leaders, is a curse to any well-organized congregation. Some men think it is no matter what means are employed if an effect is produced; the end will justify the means. But this is a dangerous sentiment. Let a meeting be conducted for days or weeks, with prudence, candor and solemnity, let an appeal be made to the understanding of rational men, let their judgment be informed; then the experience will be sound, the effect lasting, and the revival will be a blessing and an honor to any congregation."
It were, indeed, a lengthy task to record the history, in detail, of his various labors from 1840 to 1848. Justice, however, demands a condensed statement of facts. In 1840, his labors were very successful in Stafford, Genesee County, N. Y. About sixty were added to the church.
Under his labors, the Christian society of that place merged out of many discouragements. In the spring of 1841, he speaks of a revival in his own a.s.sembly; of some sixty who had made religion a fact of inward experience; of the reception of about forty members into his church; of the baptism, at one time, April 25th, of twenty-nine persons in the waters of the Honeoye; of other important seasons of administering this symbolical rite to persons in whom had just opened the new epoch of a spiritual life. The first year of his retirement from editorial labor was spent in considerable devotion to study and reflection. This year, he visited Castile, Wyoming County, N. Y.; also several other places whose condition required his a.s.sistance. He said:
"No energy should be suffered to slumber, no rational and scriptural means should be left unimproved, for the conversion of sinners, and the perfection and holiness of the church of G.o.d. In such exciting times as these, what a steady and constant care should every Christian exercise in order to "discern between the precious and the vile," and be suitably guarded against the extravagant inventions of men, which direct the mind from Christ and from that holy work which devolves upon our hands as disciples. How many have followed vain speculations and empty theories until they have lost their Christian meekness and zeal, and have become proud, haughty, heady, self-righteous sectarians, the sport of the infidel, or stumbling-block to sinners, and a reproach to the cause of G.o.d. In this state of things, ministers should be awake, divested of the world, harnessed for the holy war, and, in Christian meekness, should lay the axe at the root of every evil tree, whether within or without the church. In this view of things, I have not dared to engage in any worldly enterprise, and now feel strong, as in my youth, to go forth into the harvest of the Lord. It will be thirty years next August since I engaged in the work of the ministry. I mourn that I have done no more good. The past year, I have preached as many sermons, and labored as hard, as in any other year of my life, and I trust it has not been in vain. To be useful to the souls of men, to produce a healthy and saving influence in the church, should be the great motive to govern all good ministers of our Lord. With this object in view, every man who puts forth an untiring effort will a.s.suredly see the fruit of his labor."
"When our American fathers fought for liberty, the love of country inspired their bold and worthy devotion. Their voluntary suffering and sacrifices were the loud clarions to proclaim immortality upon their names and virtues. It is so with ministers and people; where a suitable degree of love to the Redeemer"s cause is felt, the sacrifices will be voluntary and hearty, and the blessing is sure to follow as that they put forth a suitable effort from the right motive. But we too often ask and receive not, because we ask amiss, by asking or laboring with a wrong or impure desire. Whether the minister is suitably remunerated or not, he should do all he can for the cause of G.o.d, and leave his hearers to answer in the judgment for their treatment to him. Let us, as ministers and people, do our duty, come what will. It will be a poor apology for a minister in the judgment day, when asked why he was no more active in G.o.d"s vineyard, to say that he was poorly paid; and it will be a poor apology for the miserly professor, when asked why he has sustained the Gospel ministry no better, to say he did not like the minister, that he never signed subscriptions, or any of the thousand excuses the covetous urge in this life. When we behold all the beauty of nature, all the splendid works of art, and all the wealth of this vast world melted down in the general conflagration, how will Christians mourn over the pernicious worldly spirit which has choked the good seed, rendered them nearly useless in the church, and presented them mere dwarfs in the presence of G.o.d. Oh, foolish Christians, to be so worldly now; of what blessings do you deprive yourselves in this life, and what a reward you lose in heaven! Oh, precious Zion, how she bleeds and suffers, and how indifferent her professed friends! Who will put forth a helping hand to rebuild her waste places?"
As his own congregation was now established on a good foundation, numbering upwards of a hundred members, he began to think of devoting his labors one half of the time to the churches generally, to raise in them a higher tone of religious feeling. In the winter of 1842 he visited Yates County, preached thirty-one sermons in the village of Dundee to large a.s.semblies. His sermon on temperance raised one hundred and four signers to the pledge; his personal visits to the liquor-sellers took every drop from their stores, so that none of it could be bought. His sermon on profane swearing changed the tone of language among young men, and gave rise among them to an a.s.sociation whose object was the cultivation of a pure speech. Being unable this year to comply with the invitation of his brethren in Michigan to attend their Conference, he addressed them a letter, in which he offered the counsels he supposed adapted to their condition in a new country, among which was the idea, that if they would prosper as a people, they should, in building chapels, be careful to select the best locations, to build in thriving villages and in cities; for he pleaded that a village, however small or wicked it might be, is a far better location than can be gained a mile or so distant, inasmuch as it is sure to finally centralize the interest of the surrounding region.
In the fall of 1842, Mr. Badger resigned his pastoral care of the church at Honeoye Falls, that he might travel among the churches, and be free to attend the many calls for ordination, dedication, and other services that were made upon his time and labor from abroad. This separation was in the kindest feeling, and on the part of the society was accompanied by a commendatory letter that expressed the highest regard for his services and character, a regard based on an acquaintance of twenty five years. The society, with the counsel and approval of their former pastor, engaged the labors of Rev. Oliver Barr, whose tragical death in the late railroad disaster at Norwalk, May 6th, 1853, has given occasion to many expressions of appreciation and sympathy. Under the labors of Mr. Badger, this society stood on a solid basis of prosperity and union; all in all, their position was stronger and their influence sounder under his pastoral care than they ever have been since they were organized as a church. Mr. Badger is again free to obey the miscellaneous calls of his brethren and of the community in general, December 7th, he attended the dedication of the church at Shelby; the 8th, he preached the ordination sermon of Chester Covel, and for several weeks continued meetings with success. He valued this revival, because its subjects were persons of character, talent and influence, "who would do honor to any cause," and because they embraced Christianity understandingly, and not from excitement and fear. "Where men are frightened, abused and stormed into sectarian measures," said Mr. B., "they may make professions, and like slaves may submit to Christian ordinances, but they will seldom walk worthy of their avocation. Such persons will generally make warm partisans and proud worldly professors, rather than humble, useful Christians." He also visited Ogden and Barry, and gave several discourses. He did not preach six sermons in any place during his labors in the bounds of the Western Conference, without seeing a revival commence. He speaks highly of that a.s.sociation of churches and ministers.
The latter part of the winter, 1843, he visited the congregation of Rev. C. E. Morrill, at Union Springs, Cayuga County, N. Y., and delivered over twenty sermons to his people; under their united labors several were converted to G.o.d. Soon after this, he visited Lakeville, twelve miles south of his residence, where, twenty-five years previous, he had a.s.sisted to organize a church, and had, for the first nine years of their history, held the pastoral charge over them. Here he continued his efforts for three weeks, baptized twenty persons, collected and concentrated the scattered strength of the society, and continued with them one half of the time through the year. They put on strength and were revived. He speaks of the general complaint throughout the country of religion being at a low ebb, as having its primary cause in the wild zeal with which new theories are pursued to the neglect of prayer, the church, the simple Gospel and its claims. He strongly persuades professing Christians to return with fresh zeal to their holy devotions, to the simplicity of the means of grace as their only hope for securing the prosperity of Zion.
"What a state society has been in far two years past.[58]
The sun is darkened by the locusts from the bottomless pit, and the Christian atmosphere in every neighborhood in the land seems impregnated with some poisonous vapor to ruin the soul and to paralyze the energies of the innocent child of G.o.d. Never shall we see the evil remedied until ministers come home to the gospel, rely on _that_, and on _that alone_, for the salvation of men; know nothing among the people but Jesus Christ and him crucified; leave their wild speculations, encourage the improvement of all the gifts in Zion, and teach and encourage practical religion in every heart. Never shall we be delivered from the incubus that hangs so heavily upon us until church members leave their high-headed racing after new theories and come home to the prayer meeting and conference, be content with the simplicity of the Gospel, know their Master"s will and do it, and sit at the feet of Jesus clothed and in their right mind."
In September, 1843, the death of his son-in-law, Rev. Seth Marvin, a man of good ability, of fine and n.o.ble nature, of rich fountains of religious experience, and of an oratory peculiarly divine for the awakening of all the heavenward feelings of the human heart, was an event that called out the sympathies of his inmost life; and in the Palladium, vol. 12, p. 97, is a long obituary from his pen, possessing the grace of tender love, combined with a clear, comprehensive statement of the life and qualities of that lamented man.
To this year also belongs his action in regard to that great excitement, which took a temporary hold on the different denominations, known under the name of Millerism. Though we would speak reverently of every form of human hope, regarding all that is strong in religious phenomena as being at least mythologically true, we cannot but honor the independent position Mr. Badger a.s.sumed on this subject, at a time when many others either embraced the doctrine, or favored it as a means of promoting popular revivals in their congregations. With a clear vision he penetrated its claims, acknowledged the degree of truth he thought it contained, then spoke of its defects of doctrine, logic, and temper, declaring its probable future results on the welfare of religion and the churches. He early saw the effect in the cause, and in 1842, withstood the tendency of the paper he had so long conducted, whose editor was then guiding it into the service of that system.
Let it not be thought that we speak sectarianly on the subject here introduced, for substantially we concede all that man ever has or can hope for. "New heavens and new earth" were promised us in 1843; and though Nature did not condescend even to frown or smile at those who told her fortune, she knows very well that new heavens and new earth will ultimately come. The progress of the solar system through s.p.a.ce will alone bring new heavens physically; and changes now at work in terrestrial nature shall yet exhibit a new earth. Be patient; myriads of years, which are G.o.d"s seconds, will do the work. Is not the earth now good enough for thee, thou latter-day saint? Be patient; it is now much better than you are; it flowers are more fragrant than your virtues, its fountains are purer than your actions, its music of bird and brook is sweeter than your Sabbath melody, and it rolls in its...o...b..t far more majestically and truthfully than you have ever pursued the circuit of your duties. He who has divine life in him _always_ sees a new earth and a new heaven. "The Lord shall come;" yes, more and more in proportion as man is capable of receiving him. He has come, does come, and shall come; and in the symbolical, higher sense, who that believes in G.o.d or man dares to despair of a new heaven and a new earth in the mental, moral, and social conditions of humanity? Who does not hope for a more perfect state? In the great _substance_ of these questions there is never a quarrel; this only fastens on the details which make up the form. Texts may be skilfully quoted; but we are to reverence the whole of G.o.d"s scripture. _Creation_ is full of holy, living texts; and he who sees His laws in nature as an everlasting scripture will never be moved by alarming interpretations that men may put on the visions of Patmos and Palestine, or the princely dreams of old a.s.syria. Mr. Badger believed, doubtless, in the personal second coming of Christ; he held firmly to the law and the prophets; but there was a _certain something_ in him which no _proof_ texts could ever dupe into theories anti-common sense or anti-natural. We give a few quotations, which show earnestness, decision and strength.
"MR. EDITOR: SIR,[59]--Night before last the Palladium came to hand, which I hastily read, and retired from the scene with disgust. Last evening I read carefully the articles which to me were offensive, with the hope that I might be so far reconciled as to excuse myself from the task of offering my dissent publicly to some opinions which you have taught and endorsed. But, Sir, I retired again with grief and increased dissatisfaction. I said, Is it possible that I have lived to see the "Palladium," which was brought into existence by a few choice spirits, (some of whom are gone to their graves,) over whose destinies for seven long years I watched with such vigilance, now become the slave of a deluded party, and a channel through which error, delusion and ruin shall be poured into the bosom of the church of G.o.d? I have not written for the Palladium these many months only when I could not avoid it; and would not now if a sense of my duty to the public would allow my pen longer to slumber.
"The error of which I complain is not that you and others teach that the Saviour will come personally the second time, to reward his saints and destroy his enemies. This all Christians believe. But the great error lies in the fact that Mr. Miller and his followers teach what plain contradicts common sense and existing facts in relation to the Ottoman dominion and the Holy Bible. They teach that Christ has no kingdom on earth; of course, no laws, no subjects, no inst.i.tutions, and no government. Also they fix the time of the Saviour"s coming. In this they a.s.sume to be more knowing than the angels of G.o.d, or Jesus Christ when he was on earth. This looks like being wise above what is written, or like the old-fashioned Calvinists divulging the _secret will_ of G.o.d. They also denominate their mission the "_Midnight Cry_." This I most cordially approve, and think that nothing could be more appropriate; for certainly such obvious errors could never proceed from the kingdom of light. The apostle represents his brethren as being the children of the day, not of the night or of darkness. Those who walk in darkness know not at what they stumble. Mr.
Miller and his disciples have thrown about themselves such a cloud of absurdities that they are all enveloped in midnight darkness, and thus make their midnight cry.
Essential pillars may fall out in their temple and they know it not. The day of grace was to close in 1840, and they in 1842, at the very close of the year, boast of their converts, spread abroad their canvas, and declare their chain is yet perfect.
"_Its motive to action is wrong._ The lever used and the means employed is terror; the principle which moves to action is fear. A cla.s.s of orators are got up who a.s.sume uncommon sanct.i.ty, have a set of arguments founded on mathematical calculation upon the prophecies, which common sinners are not capable of contradicting. Another cla.s.s of arguments drawn from history, which common men have not the means at hand to contradict, are presented; then bringing all to bear on the one great point that G.o.d will burn up the world next year, is it strange that converts are multiplied? They serve G.o.d for fear he will burn them up if they do not. Take away this fear and they will hate him still. Such repentance is very liable to be spurious. Men are sick and afraid to die, and they repent; but I venture to say, there is not one instance out of fifty in which they carry out the principles and sustain the character of Christians when restored to health. The love of Christ should constrain men, the goodness of G.o.d should lead them to repentance, and they should appreciate all his claims upon their service. They should, from choice, submit to his government, and love him because he first loved them. The Gospel plan is the best. Light and intelligence are the great influence to be applied to the n.o.ble intellect of man, to move him to virtuous actions and reforms. I do not see how we can say it matters not what motives we present, or what means we adopt, if we only get men to repent. The Mormons put on sanct.i.ty, put forth efforts and make converts by wholesale; but this is no proof that their doctrine is true, or that the cause of pure religion is essentially benefited by their revivals.
"2. _Its spirit is wrong._ It is a peculiar trait in the Christian religion that it always inspires its subjects with humility, kindness, charity, whilst error is generally attended with pride, egotism and cruelty. For thirty years past I have seen many false prophets and false religions rise and fall, and uniformly a vain, vaunting, self-righteous spirit has attended them all. But I have never witnessed more of it in any case than in Mr. Miller and his followers. Just look at Mr. M."s reply to Simon Clough, as published in the Palladium. The egotism and insult seen in that reply can scarcely be found in the English language from the pen of any man who makes any pretensions to Christianity. I have not conversed with one of them who could hear a cogent argument against their doctrine without exhibiting pride and pa.s.sion. They cannot bear contradiction. They are the _wise virgins_, and the rest of their brethren are the slumbering and foolish who will be shut out of heaven; they often refer to a pa.s.sage in Daniel which says "the wise shall understand," and have no hesitation in considering themselves "_the wise_" and their brethren as the "wicked" who shall not understand.
They know it all, and are more confident than seven men who can render a reason.
"3. _Their heads have a peculiar shape._ There are men in every church, and have been in every age, who are const.i.tutionally inclined to fanaticism. They cannot stand in excitement; they cannot hold still. There are two cla.s.ses of them, who have ever been an annoyance to the church. The first are fond of the marvellous, are always driving into speculative theories, are never at rest. The last or new theory is always the true one, and they soon ride the new hobby to death, and then seek another. It matters not how absurd the doctrine. It may contradict the Bible, it may rend the church asunder, it may prostrate all good order in society, it must be forced and driven ahead, and have its day. They are always a cla.s.s of Jehus ready for a new scheme. The second cla.s.s are those of weak minds, who are moved by pa.s.sion. Any excitement takes them along with the mult.i.tude. Human nature being thus const.i.tuted, is it strange that converts are made? I know of several of Mr. Miller"s a.s.sociates whose lives have been one scene of changes. Should 1843 pa.s.s away and the world not be destroyed, they will in no wise be discouraged. Instead of repenting of their folly and mourning over the havoc and disorder they have caused in the church, and the infidels they have made, they will be driving ahead in some new scheme, and will wonder that the poor backslidden church and the poor blind ministers cannot see _their_ great light, and will not appreciate _their_ astonishing usefulness."
In other articles he went more particularly into the discussion of the question, which, as the entire excitement has pa.s.sed away, could not be of much interest to readers of the present time. These articles were rejected by the partial editor; only the first one was published, which was done by order of the committee. Had the three been printed, we are confident that no editorials could have effaced or marred their strong impression on the public mind. In justice, however, to the proper mental dignity of that periodical, I should say that its editorial advocacy of Adventism was but temporary, that through the faithful action of the executive committee, the Palladium was soon restored to its original aims. Indeed it was a luckless event to that paper, its finances, and its power over the community that Mr. Badger left it. Had his wise head and strong hand guided it through the action and reaction of excitement until 1845, the effect on the union, concentration, and sanity of the religious interest would have been great. It is folly to think that a weak, or a half-and-half man, whatever may be the sanctimony of his carriage, can ever fill the place of a bold, great man. It never was done, and never can be. Mr. Badger not only used his influence at an early day to prevent this perversion of the Palladium from its former high character, but when it occurred, with much toil and decision, he, with a few others of similar force, labored until it was effectually emanc.i.p.ated. The real value of Joseph Badger, in all great emergencies, his ability to conduct a cause to honor and prosperity, though seen by the discriminating, and in a degree acknowledged by all, is not even yet truthfully appreciated. There are not many who so a.n.a.lyze past events as to see the full worth of a real man; some flaming humbug, that dazzles the ma.s.s with words and extravagant zeal, is much more taking and congenial to the general stupidity. I here dismiss this part of his public life, with the remark, that some who read his articles will probably never find a cla.s.s of ultraists gathered about their one idea without first looking to see whether "_their heads_ have not a _peculiar shape_."
In August, 1843, Mr. Badger began to write a series of articles in the Christian Palladium, under the head of "Sketches," which were extended to 1848. In these his various labors are reflected; also his views on subjects particular and general, in the most frank and open manner. In some numbers belonging to 1844, in answer to the resolution of a New England Convention which declared that ministers should sustain a lay membership with some local church, as essential to their general good standing, Mr. Badger argued, that the minister, by virtue of his office as public teacher, by virtue of his relation as pastor, and by virtue of his relation to _all_ the churches, cannot be required to become a member of a local church, and to submit to its local authority all the interests of his character and ministerial position in the world. He pleaded that a minister of the gospel is not created officially, or ordained by a single church, that it is in the united wisdom of several churches and ministers that he is appointed to his work, and that it requires an authority equally general to try, acquit, or exclude him, as the evidence may demand. He conceded not only to each local church, but to any individual within or without its pale, whose candor should ent.i.tle him to respect, the privilege of bringing a minister to account for any conduct that is contrary to the ethics of the Gospel he was ordained to preach, but that the determining tribunal is nothing less than the a.s.sembled virtue and intelligence of the several churches and ministers who are to be, as nearly as the limits of convenience will permit, the whole body to which he belongs. "I only contend," said he, "for what the old English code of common law established as a fundamental principle, that "every man shall be tried by his peers."" In this protracted discussion, in which his own powers were not fully awakened, he penned some strong and cogent paragraphs; nor did the two or three opponents who answered him as he advanced, at all embarra.s.s his progress or disturb the composure of his argument on the question. The whole bearing of his views as expressed on this and kindred topics, from 1819 to 1845, goes against every theory which seeks to separate ministers from churches, or churches from ministers. Their _united_ action was his idea of church government.
In 1845, he preached mostly within the region of his early labors in that country, at Lakeville, South Lima, and occasionally at Greece. At the latter place, he was called to dedicate a new and beautiful chapel, January 3, 1845; Rev. F. W. Holland, the Unitarian minister of Rochester, N. Y., A. Crocker and L. Allen were with him. He spoke from Ps. 84: 1: "How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts!" Speaking of the effect of this sermon, Mr. Holland observes:--
"Many venerable faces were wet with tears, and the audience listened eagerly for an hour. This excellent brother has labored a third of a century in this country, erected the first church west of the Genesee river,[60] and prides himself on bearing his years so well as not to feel a pulpit effort of several hours. I was much pleased with this interview, and was strongly moved to accept his invitation to add a codicil to his last words. I then made the prayer of consecration, and, after the anthem, a Methodist minister gave the benediction from a full and gushing heart."
In union with Mr. Crocker, of Parma, and Allen, of Greece, he continued his labors there constantly for one month. Mr. Badger gave about thirty sermons. At the close of his eleventh discourse, thirty-three persons obeyed his invitation to take a decided stand for G.o.d and his service, three-fourths of whom were men, and among them persons of talent, wealth, and influence in the community. "The good work," says Mr. B., "proceeded gradually through the month, without fanaticism, extravagance, or disorder." Among those who were reached by redeeming influence was a German, who had been with Napoleon in many of his wars, had crossed the bridge of Lodi by his side, and been wounded at the battle of Agram; also another of seventy-five years, who had stood by Commodore Perry in the battle on Lake Erie. Two-thirds of the building committee, who were men of the world, were also numbered with the converts; and of his refreshing seasons with the people of Greece, at baptisms, communions, and other times, he speaks in words of pleasure.
But he closed his labors with them near the last of 1845; likewise the same with the church at Lakeville, which he had planted twenty-seven years before. He also visited Canada in the month of August, which he said was invigorating both to his bodily and spiritual health. "There are," said he, "in Canada, some of the most pious spirits and some of the most valiant souls that ever adorned the church of G.o.d. They live to do good, and love the Saviour"s cause above all things." He is now free from all pastoral confinement, and designs to visit the sea-sh.o.r.e of New England as soon as proper opportunity shall open, that he may there regain his usual health.
We are now at a crisis of his life which makes us sad as we cast our eyes upon it. Thus far, through his long career, we have traced the energetic man, the man of full and overflowing resources of physical power. But here the scene must change, not gradually as age and as even disease commonly execute their mutations on human frailty, but suddenly as from the lightning"s stroke, the oaken form receives a.s.sault. July 2, 1845, while employed for an hour in a.s.sisting his hands at work, and using an uncommon amount of vigor, he paused a moment to rest, when he received a paralytic shock on his left side, which never after allowed him the enjoyment of his former health. His ancestors on his mother"s side were subject to this fatal affliction; and whatever may be justly said in favor of active habits and frugal diet as preventives of a disaster so terrible, it is certain in this case that the fact has a close relation to laws of hereditary descent. Alluding to this event, Mr. Badger observes:--
"I have felt, during this affliction, the most perfect resignation to the will of G.o.d. I have stood upon the walls of Zion over thirty years; I am weary _in_ the work, but not _of_ it. Many of my early a.s.sociates have left their stations before me. I have baptized about forty who have become ministers of the Gospel, several of whom have entered upon their rest. I now stand upon the isthmus between two worlds, ready to depart and be with Christ, or still to toil on amidst the ills of life as the great Master may direct. While I do live, I am determined to stand firm against what I know to be the delusions of the present age, which are spreading death and devastation among the flock of Christ, and to hold fast that system of revealed truth on which the hopes of this lost world must rest for salvation. I do as I think all ministers should in such an age of speculation in theology as the present; place my confidence in, and consecrate my energies to, the promotion of the one blessed Gospel, which is the power of G.o.d unto salvation, and declare, to a divided and excited public, "I am determined to know nothing among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified.""
He continues:--
"Again, I cannot go with the tirade of persecution which some of the sects are getting up against the Catholics. Let us hold up truth, and scatter light to refute error. If we take the sword, we shall perish of the sword. G.o.d has shaken every other sect to its very centre, and the work has just commenced among them. G.o.d will, in due time, effect his own purposes. In Germany, and in this country, the work of dissent and reform has commenced. At Rome, their main temple begins to crumble, and soon a howling will be heard among the merchants of Babylon. Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord. Let Christians in every case be careful how they grasp the sword of vengeance.
"This whole State is missionary ground; and there is no part of the world where funds can be expended and labors put forth to greater advantages than among ourselves. As soon as the citadel is manned and ammunitioned, I say go forth to conquest, and the Great West is our next field. If I were in health, I would now sooner risk a support among the new settlers at the west, than among three-fourths of the old churches in this State. Let us all put shoulder to the wheel, and strengthen the things that remain which are ready to die; and extend our efforts to all the world as soon as possible."
Though half of him was paralyzed July 2d, these, and very many other paragraphs and sermons that might be quoted, indicate that the remaining half was adequate to all practical needs. December 8th, he started for Plainville, Onondaga County, N. Y., to visit the strong and prosperous congregation of Rev. E. J. Reynolds, to whom he preached twenty-two sermons. Mr. Badger, after complimentary remarks on the success of Mr.
R., said, "Many churches suffer great loss by frequent changes in the ministry, and thereby keep themselves in a fluctuating state. When a minister is known, he has acquired an amount of influence which the church should regard as so much capital; this it may take another a long time to gain. A church should guard against the excitement which a change in the ministry always occasions, the consequences of which are frequently fatal."
From this place he started for New England; visited Boston and New Bedford, and by invitation of the committee of Franklin-street church, Fall River, Ma.s.s., he went to occupy the pulpit of that society. His first letters from this place describe, with comprehensive exactness, the condition of society, the advantages and improvements of the places he had visited in New England. He saw a new town as he saw a new man, comprehensively, and in one paragraph would group together the main features in its temporal prosperity and in its spiritual state. Turning his eye back upon the field he had left, he said:--
"In the State of New York I have labored in the ministry near thirty years. I have in that great and interesting field of labor sacrificed the best part of my frail life. I have there devoted my strength in youth and middle age, have there seen great displays of G.o.d"s glory in the conversion of sinners and in the planting and growth of many of the tender branches of Zion. But I have failed _in_ the work--failed amidst my labors, with the best of prospects before me, when it seemed that the infant churches most needed my counsel and a.s.sistance. But I can do no more for them; I cannot face the storms, endure the fatigues, and meet the opponents with that vigor and success I did a quarter of a century ago. No; let me retire in peace, with the consolation that I have fought a good fight, and that my labors have not been in vain in the establishment of Christianity in the State of New York.
Young men who will come after us in the ministry, and enter into our labors, can never appreciate the toils and sufferings pioneers in this cause were obliged to endure, to raise and sustain the standard of Christian liberty in that State."
After the first six weeks of his stay in Fall River, not finding that strength and rally of bodily faculty he had hoped from the sea-breeze, he thought of going to Virginia, or to some more genial climate of the South. But he remained a while longer; and, realizing a moderate improvement, he continued his labors in that town, preaching three sermons every Sabbath, attending three social meetings through the week, visiting the sick, calling on his parishioners, reading and writing as much as the accustomed duties of clergymen require.
His first sermon, delivered January 4, 1846, was founded on 1st Cor. 2: 2: "For I determined to know nothing among you save Jesus Christ, and him crucified,"--a text which was the key-note of his whole theologic harmony. In the plot of this sermon there are three simple divisions: 1.
Why did St. Paul bring his labors and efforts to bear on this one point?
Why would he know nothing else? 2. What is it to know Jesus Christ and him crucified? 3. The danger of mixing other things with the Gospel, thereby dividing and polluting the minds of the hearers. The reasons a.s.signed under the first division are: 1. Christ is the only hope of a lost world, the only medium by which we can approach G.o.d. 2. He wished that his hearers should be rightly taught, that their faith might stand in the power of G.o.d, not in the wisdom of men. "To know Jesus Christ,"
he said, "is to understand his history, to know his doctrine, to have him in our experience, to know the power of his resurrection, which is eternal life." It is, however, impossible to form any adequate idea of a sermon of his from a plot, as he was so richly extemporaneous, and never committed to paper anything more than the guiding points of his discourse; the minutiae were wholly in his mind. If the several hundred plots of sermons found amongst his papers were presented to the world, it would soon appear that only those who have heard him in the days of his strength could form any just idea of the discourses he gave, for his spoken language was infinitely more eloquent and free than his written, and there was so much that made up the total interest in his manner, voice, and expression, that cannot, by any known skill, be transferred to paper. Like the speaking of Whitfield and Henry Clay, the _occasion_ only was the true witness of his power. The written report, though it reads well, carries but little of the peculiar life-impress, the fine pathos, the delicate humor, the ready turn of thought, the quick imagination, and the falling tear of the listening auditor. It is only by _hearing_, we say, that Joseph Badger"s pulpit abilities can be judged.
Casting his eye over New England society, he pleaded the necessity of broader sympathy and union, of greater confidence between ministers and people, and for a giving up of local prejudices between the east and the west, as the cause of Christ is a unit over all the world. He extols the spirit and labors of Benjamin Taylor in the Bethel cause, at Providence, R. I., which served to send over the wide seas the pure principles of unsectarian religion; the same praise was bestowed on the efforts of Moses How, of New Bedford, whose labors for years in the seaman"s cause, have been catholic in nature and efficient in result. In glancing at the generally low state of religious interest, whose causes he thought lay deeper than the lack of human science, he said:--
"These times are doubtless suffered to come upon the earth, to sift the church, to purge it from its dross, to try and purify the people of G.o.d and to prepare them for a greater work and a holier state. Oh, merciful G.o.d! grant this may be the result of all the conflicts which now surround the dear people, who are pressed down, grieved, discouraged and tempted. Oh! let them once more arise in their strength, put on their beautiful garments, exert their influence and see thy glory as they have in years that are past.
"The anxiety I feel for the Christian cause at the present crisis exceeds anything I have felt in years past; and in my feeble state it presses heavily upon my spirit night and day. I know our doctrine, our order and our spirit are right; I know our cause is good, and many have sacrificed their precious lives and labored valiantly to sustain and establish it. It must come up again. It must and will yet live; it must be the general centre to which all sects must approach, when their revolutions and reforms bring them fully into the liberty of the Gospel of Christ. Oh, brethren, stand fast in the liberty of the Gospel, hold fast whereunto you have attained, endure to the end, and salvation is sure. I may not live to see better days upon the earth; but they will come. "Why art thou cast down, Oh my soul! hope thou in G.o.d, for I shall yet praise him." The storms will blow over, the darkness will pa.s.s away, and G.o.d"s true people will come forth like gold seven times tried in the fire. Courage, courage, my brethren. Remember the fate of the fearful and unbelieving.
"I suppose it is the design of the great Founder of religion, that all his followers should be placed in a state of trial here, and that Christianity should grapple with the powers of darkness, and overcome all the influences which can be raised against it. We never know our own strength, or the strength of other Christians, until we are placed in a state of trial and affliction; and the strength and virtue of Christ"s religion are never fully developed until tested by the sword and the f.a.got.