1845 144pp. SERMON MSS Sermons on Colonization, Revivalism, Eschatology, by "Colored" Preacher &c

A superb album of brief sermon MSs accounts, beginning on the Lords Day, September 7th, 1845 and running through March 15th, 1856. 144pp total. 

Our diarist, Mr. Merriam, notes on June 7th, 1846, our author notes it is his 75th birthday, he being born in 1771. The author seems to have been William Merriam, b.1771. His genealogical record is here:

https://merriamfamilytree.org/getperson.php?personID=I5367&tree=MFT001

The volume loaded with local and historical material of interest:

People and places mentioned: Rev. Mr. Sanford of Boylston; Rev. Mr. Biscoe; Rev. Ethan Smith [noted as a man over 80 years old]; Rev. Mr. Bates of Northbridge; Rev. Mr. Cary of Webster; Rev. Mr. Holman of West Millbury; Rev. Mr. Houghton of Northborough; Rev. Mr. Demmon; Rev. Mr. Dennis; Rev. Mr. Tracy; Rev. Mr. Edwards; Rev. Mr. Buckingham; Dr. Wood of Upton; Rev. Mr. Clark of Whitingville; ; Rev. Mr. Averil of Shrewsbury; Mr. Smith of Worcester; Rev. Mr. Fifield; Rev. Mr Tailor; Rev. Mr. Olcut of Uxbridge; Rev. Mr. Richards; Rev. Mr. Rice of Douglas; Rev. Mr. Burdet; Rev. Mr. Beach; Rev. Mr. Jennings; Rev. Mr. Emerson; Rev. Mr. Aucutt; Mr. Bushnell Preached for Communion [new Christians added]; Rev. Mr. Wild; Rev. Mr. Kitridge; Rev. Mr. Searle; Mr. Stowell from Maine; Rev. Mr. Levett; Rev. Mr. Rawson of Southboro; Rev. Mr. Griggs of Millbury; Rev. Mr. Ritchards [at the Baptist preaching house]; Rev. Mr. Smith [at the Baptist preaching house]; 

Texts and subjects included: Ye see then how that by works a man is justified and not by faith only; be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good; the earth shall be filled with the knowledge and the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the seas; Wherefore commit ye this great evil against your souls?; O death where is thy sting?; sermon by Joseph Tracy on Ephesians 3.10; I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter; Where is the Promise of His Coming [interesting in light of the eschatological expectations which had just passed]; 

Historical notes mentioned: Accounts of six being added to the church by profession and baptized; attended the funeral of our daughter in law at Leicester[Jane S. Merriam, Wife of D. E. Merriam, our youngest son] with address by Dr. Nelson; Four added to the church by profession; funeral sermon for Mrs. Eames; Communion Lord's Day; Public Fast Day; Traveling to Upton to hear Rev. Benjamin Wood deliver his half-century sermon [with brief account of the sermon]; Funeral of the Widow Aaron Kimball; Rev. Mr. Samuel Worcester - Agent for Foreign Missions Preaching; Rev. Mr. Grosvener Preaching as Agent of the ABCHM for the West; Visit ofMr. Pratt Addressing the Congregation on the Subject of Colonization [Slavery, Liberia];  Agent for the Seamen Society Preaching; Funeral of Mr. Dwight Mann; Visit of Rev. Mr. Butler - A Bible Agent; Installation Service of Rev. William Warren at Upton, Preached by Rev. Mr. John Wild; "This day Mr. Lovel Lowe committed suicide by cutting his throat;" etc. Funeral of Carolina Aldrich at the Unitarian Meetinghouse; 

There is also a fascinating note about a "Stranger, Rev. Mr. White" who come in at a late hour and was permitted to preach, which he did, on the text, "The Sabbath was made for man." Perhaps the adventist James White? He was in the area the following year, i.e. 1852. Worth a bit of digging. 

There seems to have been something of a religious revival in 1850 with 31 being added to the Church in one day. 

In addition to the several mentions of visiting preachers advocating for the Colonization Society, to patriate blacks in America to Liberia, there is a tantalizing little notice of a "colored" preacher from Worcester preaching on a Sunday. The church in Worcester had just been taken over by radical abolitionist, Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Commander of the South Carolina 1st during the Civil War, comprised entirely of freed Southern slaves, etc. He was also an Operator on the Underground Railroad. Perhaps the "colored" preacher was a Southern fugitive they had given shelter to. Probably identifiable. 

There is a 15 month break in the record where he notes, "It will be seen here, that 15 months past off and no record made. The reason was on the 5th day of February, 1847, I was thrown from a wagon to the frozen ground and so badly hurt that I have been unable to do any business since, but now am able to commence my record again."

Worn with boards nearly detached. Textually complete.