Andrews, Elisha. A Sermon, delivered at the opening of the Baptist Meeting-House, in Belchertown, March 2, 1814. Northampton: Printed by William Butler, 1814. First Edition. [12251]
Self-wraps, outer leaves stained and soiled, edges very tattered, small hole in last leaf affecting some words. 16 pages, foxing. Printed in old font with the long "s". Poor. Pamphlet.
No. A1434 in Starr, A Baptist Bibliography.
The text is Psalm 84:1, "How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of Host!" A sermon on worshiping God.
Elisha Andrews (1768-1840), b. Middletown, Connecticut; d. Hinsdale, New Hampshire. He moved with his family to Vermont when about 12 years of age, and, through close study, became expert in surveying, and in the beginnings of the classical languages.
While still a teenager he went to Galway, Saratoga Co., New York, lived with an aunt, and found employment both in surveying and in school-teaching. He was converted while living there, and joined with the Baptist Church of Galway.
He soon felt the call to the ministry, but, at first, his love of books and learning were a caution to the Baptists, who distrusted an "educated ministry." In 1793 he was ordained pastor of the Baptist Church in Fairfax, Vermont.
He became pastor of several small congregations before heeding the call, in 1800, to the pastorate of the Baptist Church in Templeton, Massachusetts. While there he also ministered to small congregations in outlying areas. Andrews's embrace of the Federalist position during the War of 1812 led to his dismissal from the church, the New England area being largely opposed to the new war with England.
In 1816 he became the pastor of the Baptist Church in Hindsale, New Hampshire, and once again ministered also to small groups in the surrounding area.
Rev. Andrews contributed to the religious press of the day, published several sermons, and polemical works against Unitarianism, Universalism, and John Wesley's view of Falling from Grace.
See Sprague's Annals, vol. 6. beginning at p. 268.
