This book contains twenty-four sermons delivered to what was likely a
Congregational church in Hartford, Connecticut, around 1795. Your
Transcriber, a Baptist layman, obtained access to the book 220 years
later and half a continent away, in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois.
The dedication provides some information on the occasion for
publishing the book. However, the details of its production were not
presented. The source material may have been the minister's notes or
one or more of the congregants could have transcribed the messages as
they were delivered. At the print shop, it appears that the task of
setting and printing was completed over a number of days by a number
of different craftsmen, of varying skill and interest in the project.
On some pages, almost every line ends with a hyphen as one tried to
put as many words as possible on a page. On other pages, very few
words end with a hyphen and there is a bit more white space between
words. The orthography ("labor" vs. "labour") and capitalization
("Christian" vs. "christian") varies from page to page and may vary
within a given sentence.
The book includes spellings that the electronic spell checker flags
for correction. The Transcriber consulted the Oxford English
Dictionary and retained some spellings that were termed obsolete
because they may reflect the time when the book was published.
Changes to the original are documented in the Transcriber's Notes at
the foot of the document.
The Transcriber followed Project Gutenberg style guidance by removing
drop capitals and small cap text from the beginning of paragraphs.
The book includes many dashes. They have been standardized to either
one or two em-dash characters. In the original text, some of the
dashes are quite long.
Rev. Perkins refers repeatedly to the "Christian Religion." The
Transcriber prefers to refer to Christianity as a relationship with
Jesus Christ, rather than a religion. Over time, religion may
degenerate into ritual and tradition, and lose its relevance and
vitality.
Rev. Perkins speaks enthusiastically about the New Testament
ordinances, Baptism, and the Lord's Supper. While he does not provide
specific details, he evidently considered these practices to require
justification and defence, which he provides, at some length. He
interchanges the terms "sacrament" and "ordinance" as if they were
similar or equivalent. The word "sacrament" may give the impression
that participating in the act is a means of gaining merit or favor.
The word "ordinance" indicates that the act was instituted or
ordained by Christ who set a pattern or model for His worshippers to
follow.
When Rev. Perkins discusses baptism, he states that if a minister
performs the act, water is employed in some manner, and the proper
words are spoken, one is baptized. He discusses only in passing, the
death, burial, and resurrection symbolism that is reflected only in
full immersion baptism. See Romans 6:4 and Colossians 2:12.
The Bible tells us:
- Everyone is a sinner. Romans 3:10-12, 23.
- The penalty for sin is death (eternal separation from God).
Romans 6:23a.
- Our good deeds (works) do not save us. Isaiah 64:6.
- Salvation is available as a free gift. Ephesians 2:8-9;
Romans 6:23b.
- Salvation is available to everyone who chooses to receive it.
John 3:16.
- Good works are the proper response of a grateful heart.
Ephesians 2:10.
- "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved."
Acts 16:31.
- The Gospel in four verses: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.
TWENTY-FOUR
DISCOURSES
ON SOME OF THE
Important and Interesting
TRUTHS, DUTIES, and INSTITUTIONS of
the GOSPEL,
AND THE GENERAL EXCELLENCY
OF THE
Christian Religion;
Calculated for the People of God of
EVERY COMMUNION,
PARTICULARLY FOR THE BENEFIT OF
PIOUS FAMILIES,
AND THE
INSTRUCTION OF ALL, IN THE THINGS WHICH
CONCERN THEIR SALVATION.
------------------
By NATHAN PERKINS, A. M.
Pastor of a Church of CHRIST in Hartford.
------------------
HARTFORD:
PRINTED BY HUDSON & GOODWIN.
==================
MDCCXCV.
_DEDICATION._
To the people of my Pastoral Charge--The following discourses are
most affectionately dedicated. I account it a happiness to contribute
to your establishment in the truth--to unfold to you the great
principles, duties, and Institutions of the Christian Religion--to
defend them against such as may rise up and deny them--and to lead
you and your children in the right way of the Lord.
I can bear you witness, that when these discourses were delivered,
you afforded an uncommon attention. You have been very solicitous to
have them made public, for your own instruction and benefit; and for
the use and benefit of your children, when you shall be gathered to
the great Congregation of the dead. They contain not the DISPUTED
PECULIARITIES of a party, but the grand principles and truths of our
common Christianity, held sacred by our CHURCHES in this Land, and by
THE WHOLE PROTESTANT CHRISTIAN WORLD, as appears clearly from all
THEIR PUBLIC CREEDS AND CONFESSIONS OF TRUTH.
They are published, as you will easily recollect, nearly word for
word, as they were delivered. _Particular reasons_ have induced me to
do this. In one discourse only is there a deviation from the original
form; _that_ on the Apostle's caution _Be not carried about with
divers and strange doctrines,_ or the danger of instability, and
pernicious tendency of error. What was merely local is omitted, but
the sentiments in substance are carefully retained.
Many learned and judicious Characters, both of the Clergy and Laity,
have urged to the publication of THESE DISCOURSES, as being
_peculiarly_ adapted to the day in which we live, and the state of
Religion in our nation: as _calculated_ for, and greatly _needed_ in
Christian Families; there being no such series of discourses to be
found in any Volume already published. The design of them is to
convince such as need conviction--to reclaim such as may be wandering
into error--to confirm the wavering--to console the Christian,--and
to exhibit to all; some of the important, essential practical
principles of pure and undefiled Religion.----It is only necessary to
add--My prayer to God is, that they may, by his divine blessing, be
the means of preventing the spread of error and irreligion, and of
reviving the decaying interest of piety and holiness, which can only
be revived and supported by a more strict and conscientious regard to
ALL DIVINE INSTITUTIONS.