New-York, Feb’y. 27, 1834. FOR THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES. New York, 20th Feb. (Westervelt)

New-York, Feb’y. 27, 1834.

FOR THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
New York, 20th Feb.

BROTHER BEEBE:—Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings &c. According as he hath chosen us in Christ Jesus before the world began, in consequence of which we are made to sit together in Heavenly places, where there is fullness of joy and life forevermore. But do you inquire what it is that constitutes a heavenly place in Christ Jesus? In answer, I will refer you to the following two witnesses, which will abundantly demonstrate, not only the existence of such a place, but will also testify what it is that constitutes the same an Heavenly place.

The first witness I shall introduce is the infallible word of truth, viz: “This God is our God forever, and ever; and will be our guide even unto death.” God will therefore guide us by his counsel and afterward bring us into glory. Though, my Brother, the words above quoted are but few, yet they are so comprehensive as to embrace the whole of God’s conduct towards us, in relation to his New Covenant; yet in the absence of a home application of the same by the spirit to our own hearts, we can know nothing what it is to sit together in Heavenly places, or in a place of Heavenly joy; but are rather represented by the Word of God, as setting in the regions of darkness, and in the shadow of death: having no hope, and being without God, in the world which is hardly one step from Hell; and it is abundantly evident that mere external hearing of New Covenant blessings can give us no real comfort or any such joy, as will constitute an Heavenly place while we remain in that condition.

My second witness (Christian experience) will establish the fact that there is a place provided for Ransomed Sinners appropriately denominated a heavenly place.

The limits of a single sheet would be too circumscribed for the development of all that might be gathered from the testimony of the experience of a regenerate sinner on this subject; hence, a few particulars under this head must for the present suffice, and as I cannot demonstrate this truth by the experience of others, of which we can at the best have an exterior view, I shall be under the necessity of offering my own.

Oh! my Brother it is a great consolation to my soul, to hear of an Heavenly place, but it affords me much stronger consolation to be enabled to believe that Sovereign Grace has made me a citizen of that place, and still greater joy to experience in my own soul the very blessedness of that place of delights; it sooths my mind; it drowns my fears, and lifts my soul to God. Observe, “He hath raised us up [out of that state of abject wretchedness] and has made us (caused, yea, forced us, by his invincible grace) to set (to rest, yea here the weary find rest to their souls, and all who believe do enter into rest) in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus, who is the only place of refuge for a poor sin oppressed soul. It is impossible to describe this Heavenly place without preaching Christ, who is in and of himself the very Heavenly place. What I understand to be implied by the term Heavenly place, is not only a place of perfect happiness, but a place of eternal safety, where fear and danger can never enter, or should it admit the shadow of doubt and fear it would cease to be an Heavenly place, but would assume the appearance of what we should denominate hope and despair. But I have not so learned Christ. I claim him as my Heavenly place, for “In him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” Precious thought! precious hope! precious Christ!! In him we find a heavenly place indeed, a place of unclouded light, and most refulgent glory. In this place are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, in this place is concentrated all power in Heaven and on earth, and here, the Sovereign Throne of grace, from which goeth forth (not a fiery law,) but burning love to consume the dross, and to purge away all corruption. The Bulwarks of this place are invincible, its duration eternal, its beauty the perfection, its greatness inexpressable! This is the place of his rest, for he has desired it, and here he maketh his flock to rest at noon; and here they pluck immortal fruit. In this place, the Lamb’s Wife sets down with great delight, and his fruit is sweet to her taste.

The inhabitants of this Heavenly place shall not say they are sick, for he has forgiven their iniquities. Blessed be his name for his pardoning grace; it is their healing balm, and he is the Great Physician. The foundation of our Heavenly place is laid in infinite wisdom and is supported by immutable love, Oh! My brother, this is a place at hand, and no? afar off. It is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

G. WESTERVELT.
Pastor of the Ebenezer Old School Baptist Church, NYC

Note:

1850–1899: Located at 154 West 36th Street, Manhattan.
1909–1925: Located at 1216 Intervale Avenue, The Bronx (the building still stands).
Later Locations: The congregation met in various rented spaces, including the Barnard Club at 221 West 57th Street starting in 1939.
Archival Records: Historical documents, including meeting minutes from 1825 to 1902, are held by the New-York Historical Society.