"who, then, dare say, that the children of such Gentile nations or people have not as universal a right to the initiating seal of this visible covenant, as the Jewish children had ?"

These, then, are the conclusions drawn from the argu

ment.

"1. That God does take into visible covenant, whole communities or nations of people, as such.

"2. That the English nation, as such, having universally received the Christian religion, and established it," &c., "according to the rules left them by Christ and his apostles, and having formed all their laws and regulations of civil society, agreeable to its holy precepts, have a right to look upon themselves as much in visible covenant with God, as ever the Jews had.

"3. God never takes a nation or people into visible covenant, but he takes their infant seed with them, and gives them a right to its initiating seal: this might be made evidently to appear from scripture and reason.

"4. The breach of any rule or precept belonging to a visible covenant, even in the case of persons apostatizing into infidelity, and renouncing the covenant, has never, since the covenant made with Adam, excluded their infants from its external privileges; for, as long as their education in it is provided for, their obedience to its rules is presumed.

"5. As the partaking of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is enjoined in such a manner, and with such precautions, that, under some circumstances, we are in effect commanded not to partake of it; therefore, under such circumstances, the omission of it is rather a duty than a breach of covenant, and cannot deprive the parent or infant of any other of its external privileges.

"6. As ministers are, by the law of the provinces, and of the whole nation, provided for, and their order kept up and supported, therefore it is not more their duty to teach men the way to heaven, than to answer the ends of preserving rule and good order, by preserving and strengthening the bands of society; and therefore they ought to adopt such methods of administration, as will tend to preserve peace and good order in civil societies, that the people may lead quiet and peaceable lives, in all goodliness and honesty."*

The practical operation of the Congregational covenantscheme, was to discourage and dissatisfy a large number of persons, among whom were many "truly pious but weak Christians," who, "through diffidence and tenderness of conscience," dared not make the professions of some that were more unfit, but less scrupulous; and these persons, unable to attain the "experience" that was required, before being "admitted into church communion," and finding their children, on this account, denied Christian baptism and all its benefits, naturally resorted to “the Episcopal church," saying, "we will take refuge in the bosom of that church, whose doors, like the heavenly, stand wide open to receive us."+

It was after careful study, and much serious reflection on the subject, that Dr. Whiting, at this period, united with Colonel Dwight and a few other persons, in "openly professing themselves members of the Church of England."‡ "They invited the Rev. Richard Mansfield, D. D., Mis

* Parishioner, p 22.

+ p. 23.

+ MS. Letter from the Rev. Daniel Burhans, D. D., dated Oct. 5th, 1848. This venerable man was ordained, June 4th, 1793, nine days before the death of the Rev. Mr. Bostwick, and was appointed his Assistant

sionary at Derby and the adjacent parts, to visit them. He did so, performing divine service, preaching, baptizing several children, and organizing a parish, by the name of St. James' Church." The people immediately made provision for lay-reading. Mr. Gideon Bostwick, of New Milford, a graduate of Yale College, who had charge of a classical school at Great Barrington, under the patronage of Dr. Whiting and Colonel Dwight, performed the duties of lay-reader for six months; and then, on the Rev. Dr. Mansfield's visiting the parish a second time, became a candidate for Holy Orders. "In due time, he was ordained deacon by the Bishop of London; in three months after, he received Priest's orders; and, leaving England, returned to St. James' Parish, in 1766 or '7, where he remained, successful in his labors, universally esteemed by all who knew him, and dearly beloved by his own people, until June 13th, 1793, when he died."*

Dr. Whiting, having attached himself to "the Episcopal Church," as the Church of England in America was then called, and being well grounded in the knowledge of its doctrine, discipline, and worship, was recognized as an intelligent Churchman. It was ever a source of pleasing reflection to him, that he was one of the founders of the first Episcopal parish in Great Barrington. He always liberally contributed to its treasury, and especially to its alms and oblations, at the holy communion. In his last moments, he received the blessed sacrament of Christ's body and blood, from the hands of his beloved and revered pastor, the Rev. Mr. Bostwick; and, having served God

*MS. Letter of the Rev. Dr. Burhans. A Sketch of the Life and Character of the Rev. Mr. Bostwick, will be found in the fourth chapter of this volume.

in his generation, was gathered unto his fathers, “having the testimony of a good conscience; in the communion of the catholic Church; in the confidence of a certain faith; in the comfort of a reasonable, religious, and holy hope; in favor with" "God, and in perfect charity with the world."*

He was always remarkable for his humble opinion of himself, and especially of his spiritual attainments. Yet, in the near approach of death, he seemed to have ascended to an eminence, from which he enjoyed a full prospect of the promises of God; and there, like him who breathed out his soul on Pisgah, with these promises spread out before him, he also gently composed himself to sleep, lulled by the serene hope of a better country, that is, a heavenly.

Four of the seven children whom he left, were sons; and three were daughters.†

The third child, and eldest daughter, MARY ANNA, is the subject of this Memorial.

While we reflect upon her pedigree, and see the family current, in the meanderings of its numerous branches, traversing our land, we rejoice to reflect upon the blessedness which it has conferred, and is still conferring; and we derive from the contemplation a generous impulse to preserve the stream inviolate, that it may, generation after generation, awakening the remembrance of the Whitings and the Masons of old time, prompt their descendants, to the remotest period, to think of the blood that courses in their veins; and to study the characters, meditate upon

* Prayer in the Order for the Visitation of the Sick.

+ Samuel, William, Mary Anna, Abraham, Elizabeth, Mason, and Fanny. An account of them and their families, is given in the Appendix H.

the actions, and follow the bright examples, of their great and good family progenitors; leaders of the people, colonists, and cultivators of the soil; soldiers, magistrates, judges, legislators and statesmen; physicians, lawyers, and divines; "honorable women, and men, not a few," exemplifying domestic and social, as well as public virtues; and, while busied with the duties of the world that now is, actuated by the motives of that which is to

come.