I 
 
JUf^f'i£i 
 
 i^^B 
 
 I^^^B 
 
HIJ^TORY 
 
 FIRST CHTTRCH AND SOCIETY IN RAYNHAM. 
 
HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 FIRST CHURCH A]¥D SOCIETIT 
 
 IN RAYNHAM, 
 
 IN TWO DISCOURSES, DELIVERED JAN. 1, 18S2. 
 
 BEFNG LITTLE MO&E THAN A CENTURT 
 
 SINCE THE CHURCH WAS CONSTITUTED. 
 
 BY ENOCH SANFORD, 
 
 I* 
 
 FASTOR OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 TAUNTON: 
 
 EDMUND ANTHONY — OFFICE OF INDEPENDFNT GAZETTE. 
 
 1833. 
 
LOAN STACK 
 
\23Z 
 
 CI£RI!IOIV I. 
 
 PSALM 78: 5. 
 
 For he established a testimony in jacob and appointed a 
 law in israel, which he commanded our fathers that they 
 should make them known to their children. 
 
 As it is our duty to maintain the institutions of religion not 
 only for our own sakes but the benefit of posterity, we may re- 
 ceive a powerful motive to this duty by often considering at what 
 expense and with what zeal these sacred institutions were 
 maintained by our fathers. 
 
 It is the business of history to record the important events of 
 an age for the instruction of succeeding ages. The wisdom and 
 faithfulness of our fathers whose praise is in the churches, should 
 not be forgotten by us who share so richly the fruits of their 
 toils. 
 
 One hxindred years since this town was iiicorporated,were com- 
 pleted the 5th,or by the new style the 16th of last April. (A) And 
 it was a hundred years the 19th, that is, by the present style, the 
 80th of last October since the church connected with this socie- 
 ty was organized. I have hence thought it proper to begin this 
 new year by reviewing the history of the town and also of the 
 church. Such a history, embracing the general and more im- 
 portant events of the century now closed, may be interesting 
 and doubtless may be made profitable to us and our children. 
 
 No one is now living of the first members of the church or of 
 the town : — all have many years since slept with their fathers. 
 What remains of them is to be obtained only from public records 
 and undoubted tradition. 
 
 This tract of country in which we now see so many busy and 
 prosperous people, was not visited by civilized man till the year of 
 our Lord 1621. During numerous ages the river had rolled it» 
 
 
waters; — ^the towering forest had waved, and spread around an 
 almost unbroken wilderness which never echoed to the sound of 
 the mill, or the axe of the woodman, but all was possessed as 
 the indisputed domain of the wild beast and the untutored sav- 
 age. The sun and the golden seasons, which in other climes 
 had caused the fields to wave with abundant harvests, had here 
 rolled, for centuries, over a virgin soil. The whole country 
 seemed a wild vacuum waiting to be filled with the labors of in- 
 dustry, the achievements of the arts, and the blessings of rehg- 
 ion. But all this waste as to natural advantages was nothing 
 compared with the waste of intellect. No traces were to be 
 found that the Indian tribes during the many centuries they had 
 possessed New England, had made any advance toward civiliza- 
 tion, or any of the useful arts. Though naturally endowed with 
 intellects equal to that of the white man, their fondness for sav- 
 age life seemed invincible. 
 
 In July 1621, Edward Winslow and Stephen Hopkins were 
 sent by the Governor of Plymouth to explore this part of the 
 country, to visit Massasoit the king of the Wampannoags who 
 resided principally at what is now called Bristol, to assertain 
 their strength, and open trade with them. Having passed Mid- 
 dleborough, then an Indian town called Namasket, they arrived 
 at Titicut, where they exchanged hospitable offices with the na^ 
 tives, whom they found fishing. There they lodged one night 
 in the open fields, the banks of the river on both sides being 
 cleared and adapted to cultivation. 
 
 These embassadors then proceeded six miles down the river* 
 on the south side to a fording place near King's bridge, or the 
 New Forge, When preparing to cross the river, they were 
 opposed by two aged Indians on the opposite bank, who were 
 the only individuals in this whole region that had survived the 
 pestilence which two years before had nearly depopulated this 
 section of the country. These two Indians, however, being as- 
 sured that Winslow and Hopkins, with their Indian guides, 
 were come in a friendly »ianner, no longer opposed their pas- 
 sage, but received them with kindness. These then were the 
 first Englishmen who set foot on the soil of Raynham. Here 
 they ascertained the ebb and flow of the tide. The weather be- 
 ing extremely warm, they quenched their thirst with the clear 
 water of the springs which were numerous. Their Indian com-r 
 panions showed them much attention, carried them across the 
 small streams on their backs, and assisted ia transporting their 
 t)aggage. 
 
In passing along tlie southern border of this town by the river, 
 they discovered many places vi^hich had once been inhabited by 
 Indians. The ground near the river was cleared, but all around 
 were signs of the ravages of the plague, which a little before had 
 swept away the red inhabitants. The soil was rich and luxuri- 
 ant, but silence and desolation pervaded the deserted region, 
 which farther than the eye could reach was covered with huge 
 forests of oak, walnut, beach, and gigantic chesnuts.* 
 
 Taunton, which at first included Rayuham and five other 
 neighboring towns, began to be settled in the year 163S-9, by 
 emigrants principally from Taunton in England. The lands of 
 Mrs. Elizabeth Pool one of the chief proprietors, were specially 
 laid out by order of the Colonial Government at Plymouth in 
 May 1639. She and other proprietors purchased their lands of 
 the Indians. 
 
 In 1675, the proprietors set forth a declaration of their right- 
 ful possessions with the following preamble. '^ Whereas by 
 the providence of God in the year 1638 and the year 1639, it 
 pleased God to bring the most part of the first purchasers of 
 "Taunton over the great ocean, into this wilderness from our 
 4ear and native land, and after some small time here, we found 
 this place, called by the natives of the land Cohannet, in the 
 Colony of New Plymouth; and of the Court of said Colony we 
 vobtained grants of tracts of land fdr a plantation or township, 
 as by the records of said Court, it may and doth appear, and 
 then we also made purchase and bought the said tracts of land, 
 for our money, of the right proprietors and owners, the Indian 
 sachem or prince of this part of the country, as by deed under 
 >their hands it may appear ; and in honor and love to our dear 
 and native country, we called this place Taunton, and owing it 
 a great mercy of God to bring us to this place, and setting us 
 on lands of our own, bought with our money in peace, in the 
 midsts of the heathen for a possesion for ourselves and for our 
 .posterity after us." 
 
 Settlements began to be made in what is now Raynham as 
 early as 1652. Then it was that James Leonard, Henry Leon- 
 ard, and Ralph Russel, who came from Pontipod in Wales and 
 settled first in Braintree, came here and erected extensive iron 
 works on Two Mile River which were the first Iron works 
 erected in North America. (B) 
 
 During the Indian war in 1675 which spread terror and des- 
 
 « 
 * Seid Baylies' Memoir of Plymouth Colony, Vol. 1. 
 
olatioii through many of the towns of Plymouth and Massachu- 
 setts Colony, the inhabitants of Taunton and this place were 
 mercifully preserved from savage invasion. Philip the great 
 instigator of the whole war, who, by combining the Indian for- 
 ces, had laid a plan for exterminating every English family was 
 particularly friendly to the people of Taunton who had often 
 shown him favor. He had often made Raynham his summer re- 
 treat. He therefore designed, it is said, to have destroyed all 
 the other settlements in Plym Duth colony, before he attacked 
 this, and gave strict orders to his Indians to this effect. Fre-- 
 quent massacres of the white people and the burning of their 
 houses were occuring in the neighboring towns. But here, 
 though one house was garisoned, to which some of the inhabitants 
 resorted, the dread chief who was properly called " terror of 
 New England" never inflicted his ravages. (C) 
 
 These deliverances from savage invasion, which threatened 
 and well nigh accomplished the extermination of the English 
 settlement in this Colony,deserves to be remembered among the 
 signal interpositions of Divine Providence in behalf of this coun-' 
 try. (D) 
 
 We perceive from these sketches what was the character of* 
 those who first levelled the forests and tilled the soil in the places 
 which we now occupy. Their object was enterprising and no- 
 ble : — it was to maintain th^truths and institutions of the chris- 
 tian religion. In pursuing this object, they could submit to 
 hardships with fortitude, and were sustained by an unwavering 
 reliance on Divine Providence. Their bodily strength was un- 
 impaired by the poison of intoxicating liquor, for it was not used 
 by them. A plain diet and unwearied industry, gave vigor to 
 their animal spirits, and left their minds free for religious con- 
 templation. 
 
 This town, when it was set off from Taunton into a distinct 
 township by the General Court, was said to be ^' competently 
 filled with inhabitants," though it contained then only about 
 thirty families. Abraham Jones was a principal advocate for 
 the separation, his name appearing first on the petition for that 
 purpose. It does not appear, that party spirit, or any differ- 
 ence as to political or religious views produced this separation. 
 But it arose principally from the local situation of the people. 
 At that time parish and town limits were generally the same ; 
 and as most of the inhabitants here were too far from the meet- 
 ing house in Taunton Village, to be able to attend public wor- 
 ship there conveniently, it was natural that their desire to be 
 
formed into a separate parish, should dispose them to be set off 
 into a separate town. 
 
 Few as were the inhabitants here, they thought themselves 
 able to support the ministry of the gospel. This in their view 
 was a great object to be secured ; and the General Court incor- 
 porated them into a town with this proviso, *' that the inhabi- 
 tants of said town of Raynham, do within the space of three years, 
 from the publication of this act procure and settle a learned 
 and orthodox minister of good conversation, and make provision 
 for his comfortable and honorable support ; and likewise pro- 
 vide a school master to instruct their youth to read and write." 
 
 Anticipating the duty or rather the priviledge of supporting 
 public worship, they had erected a meeting house two or three 
 years before the town was incorporated, though it was not en- 
 tirely finished. The first town meeting for the choice of a board 
 of selectmen and other town officers, was on the 22d of April 
 17S1. On the tenth of May following they assembled in town, 
 or which is the same thing, in parish meeting, and voted to pay 
 all the expences which individuals had incurred in building tho 
 meeting house thus far, by levying a tax. At the same meeting 
 they made choice of Mr. John Wales as their minister, who had 
 been preaching to them about one year commencing March 16 
 1729. They voted him his stated salary,* and voted also 
 to finish the inside of the meeting house, by plastering it, erect- 
 ing pews and laying the gallery floors. 
 
 Undertaking all these expences, would be considered, at this 
 day, a heavy burden for so small a number of people. Their 
 number was not only small, but many of them doubtless were in 
 very limited circumstances. But they knew that the way to 
 honorable prosperity, is to maintain virtue, and generously sup- 
 port an enhghtened and pious ministry. 
 
 Mr. Wales accepted the call of the town to be their minister, 
 and was ordained on the 20th of October 1731. The church 
 was organized only the day before the ordination, and consist- 
 ed of fifteen males and seventeen females who were dismissed 
 from the first church in Taunton. It is probable that the 
 same council who ordained Mr. Wales organized the church. 
 Their not being organized sooner, accounts for their voting in 
 
 * His salary at first was £100 per annum, old tenor: and he received 
 £200 settlement. His yearly income was afterwards increased to £400, 
 old tenor, which was £53 6s. 8d. lawful money, or $178 77, and was a 
 more ample income, other things being equal, than most ministers re- 
 ceive now. 
 
 I 
 
connection with the society in the call of their pastor. It was 
 the ahnost universal practice of that day, as it ever should be» 
 for the church themselves to choose their own pastor. They nev- 
 er should suffer a pastor to be imposed on them against their 
 choice, by the society with whom they are connected. The soci- 
 ety, it is true, have their right of choice, and should exercise it ; 
 and when the church and society, voting in distinct bodies, choose 
 the same person, he should be established as their minister* 
 This course of proceedure in the choice of a pastor has been 
 found the most adapted to promote harmony and mutual profit 
 in our churches and societies, as iheyare connected in the sup- 
 port of the ministry. 
 
 Mr. Wales having served in the gospel ministry 34 years, died 
 Feb. 23, 1765, in the 6Gth year of his age. He was blessed with 
 talents which rendered him very amiable and entertaining in so- 
 cial life. In public prayer his performances were eminent, and 
 on some occasions almost unequalled. In his preaching he was 
 faithful, and exhibited the doctrines of the gospel in a plain and 
 affecting manner. In his answer to the unanimous call of the 
 people to settle among them, he says " I rejoice to see you thus 
 united for the settlement of the gospel amongst you,and can do no 
 less than with gpatitude acknowledge the respect that you have 
 shown to me in giving me the offer of settling with you ; but as 
 the work of the gospel ministry is hard and difficult, so I dare 
 not rush myself into that office with precipitation, but have, as I 
 hope, sincerely laid the case before God by prayer and earnest- 
 ly sought direction from him ; — further I have taken the advice 
 of sundry of my fathers in the ministry ; — and therefore looking 
 upon the call to come from heaven, as well as from man, I dare 
 not refuse it, but accept it — earnestly asking your prayeris to 
 God for me that I may so faithfully acquit myself in the office of 
 a gospel minister, as to save my own soul and those whom God 
 shall commit to my watch and care." It was with these devottt 
 sentiments that he entered on his responsible work. That wis* 
 dom, and direction which he sought from above were bestowed 
 upon him ; for his labors were not in vain. Prosperity attended 
 him not only in his public ministry, but, in the education of hi» 
 family, two particular blessings which are very likely to be en- 
 joyed in connection by the faithful minister. His son the late 
 Dr. Samuel Wales was professor of Divinity in Yale College ^ 
 His daughter was the wife of his successor in the ministry in 
 this pl«ce. 
 
 During Mr. Wales ministry the doctrines of the gospel w*te 
 
I 
 
 but very little controverted in this country. Differences of re- 
 ligious opinions which now set altar against altar and temple 
 against temple, bad not then arisen. But this state of things 
 was like a dead calm in the natural world, and like that gave 
 opportunity for the gathering of principles and substances, quite 
 incongenial with vigorous health. The people' indeed, accord- 
 ing to the most excellent practice of that age, remembered the 
 sabbath day to keep it holy, and with great pains and punc- 
 tuality attended public worship; yet there was arising in the 
 churches a disposition to make religion consist too much in for- 
 mality and outward observances. 
 
 It was under this mistaken view of religion that this church as 
 did most churches in New England, early began to practice on 
 what was calle^ the half-way-covenant. This, as the term shows, 
 was adopting halfway measures, which in religion as in other 
 things, are ever found to be worse than none. In the course of 
 twenty two years, 35 persons were admitted to this church in, 
 this way; that is, by professing their belief in the doctrines of 
 the gospel, and receiving baptism, though they did not profess 
 to have experienced regeneration; and in consequence of this 
 they were excused from partaking of the Lords Supper. They 
 were also entitled to the privilege ^ offering their children in 
 baptism. This practice began to be adopted in the churches of 
 New England thrgugh the recommendation of a council compos- 
 ed of delegates from Connecticut and Massachusetts, which 
 met in Boston in Juue 1657, and more especially by the recom- 
 mendation of a Massachusetts council which assembled in 1662. 
 The practice was slow in its beginning. It originated in part, in 
 the unreasonable and strange rule early adopted by our fathers, 
 that none should be admitted to the privilege of freemen or be 
 eligible to office who were not church members. Many doubt- 
 less sought to bo nominal church members for the sake of the 
 honors and privileges it confered. But though this practice 
 at first was adopted with diffiulty, it was with as much difficul- 
 ty laid aside, when it had prevailed for an hundred years, and 
 was found to be unscriptural, and to have a tendency to destroy 
 the very existence of the churches. — It began to be laid aside in 
 this church in 1760, and the scriptural rule of the Puritans was 
 restored ; that they only be received as members of the church, 
 who give credible evidence of piety, or regeneration. 
 
 During Rev. Mr. Wales' ministry, 350 infants and adult per- 
 sons were baptized in this church, and 126 persons were ad- 
 mitted to full communion. Professing christians who had fam- 
 
10 
 
 jlies, almost universally practiced family prayer; instructed theJt' 
 children in the doctrines and duties of the gospel, and taught 
 them the obligations of the sabbath and of public worship. 
 
 It was therefore in the belief and practice, and under the 
 preaching of evangelical doctrines, that this church was gather- 
 ed, and nurtured; the same religious doctrines and truths which 
 gave origin to the civil institutions, the religious freedom, the 
 republican government, and eventually the independence of our 
 country. The constitution and best laws of our Commonwealth 
 were framed by men educated in these peculiar sentiments. — 
 They were true sons of the Puritans, respecting whom the his- 
 torian Hume declares, though an enemy to them, that they were 
 the only people in England who possessed the true principles of 
 liberty. 
 
 The influence of those divine truths in which this church was 
 established was not transient. In about two years after the 
 death of Mr Wales, July 29, 1766, the church chose Mr. Peres 
 Fobes as their pastor. On the 18th of August following, the 
 town concurred in this call, and voted him his stated salary.* 
 He graduated at Cambridge College 1762, and was ordained 
 over this church and society Nov. 19, 1766. (E) In speaking of 
 him some who hear me willbe able from their own remembrance 
 to bear witness to his virtues. But as it is 19 years the 23d of 
 last February since his decease, a great part of this audience 
 probably never saw him, so rapidly da the generations of maa 
 arise and pass away. 
 
 Though of feeble health, he was exceedingly diligent in the 
 acquisition of knowledge. As he had a peculiar taste for scien- 
 tific pursuits, he greatly excelled in deducing facts from the nat- 
 ural world to illustrate moral and religious truth, thus evincing 
 that the God of revelation is the God of nature. Plis was the 
 happy talent of communicating the fruits of his literary re- 
 Bearches and acquirements in a familiar manner and without 
 any parade of learning. 
 
 During the revolution such was his patriotic spirit, that not- 
 withstanding his natural feebleness of constitution, he volun- 
 teered as a chaplain in the American army. In 1786, he offic- 
 iated as President in Brown University, during the absence of 
 President Manning. The next year he was chosen Professor 
 of experimental philosophy in that Institution. He rendered 
 very important services to the University, — was chosen to its 
 fellowship in 1787, and received the degree of Doctor of Laws 
 
 His salary at first was £78, — $'260, which was increased afterwards 
 as the price of labor and provisions increased. 
 
n 
 
 in 1792. The advancement of education employed much of 
 his time and efforts. It has been said, and I doubt not but tru- 
 Jj, " that the schools in this town under his patronage and in- 
 aspection, were for many years an example for the country, and 
 bear an honorable testimony to the public of the vast impor- 
 tance of a learned clergy to our country." He instructed a 
 large number of youth in their preparatory studies for college, 
 and many candidates for the ministry pursued, under his in- 
 spection and at his house, the study of Theology. 
 
 But Dr. Fobes, as many now living can testify, excelled as a 
 preacher. lie often preached unwritten sermons, but they were 
 not unstudied or unmethodical. His biographer says of him, 
 that "Founded on Christ and his Apostles, so happily did he 
 blend in his creed the excellences of Calvin and Arminius, that 
 he seemed a friend to both : though an acute metaphysician 
 and theologian, yet knowing the gospel designed for all, plain 
 and practical discourses were His chief aim." 
 
 In the course of his ministry, he published several sermons. 
 One was an address to young persons on the importance of 
 early piety. One was on the subject of the Divine and human 
 agency being united in effecting the sinner's salvation. One 
 was preached at Taunton at the execution of John Dixon who 
 was the only white person ever executed in this county. An- 
 other was a Funeral Sermon at the death of Dr. Manning. He 
 published a sermon also on the wise appointment and happy 
 consequences of death to the righteous ; and another preached 
 at Marshfield at the ordination of his son-in-law. Rev. Elijah 
 Leonard, in which he shows what are the principal doctrines 
 which a minister should preach. He there says, (page 13.) 
 that, "the Divinity of Christ, the Deity of the Holy Ghost, the 
 doctrine of the Trinity and of human depravity, are doctrines so 
 €vidently taught in the scriptures,'that the christian minister will 
 not fail to teach them." Hence he says, page 15th, ♦' we can 
 understand the nature and necessity of the atonement, the ne- 
 cessity of regeneration, of justification by Christ, sanctification 
 by the Spirit, and salvation by grace." Some have insinuated 
 that these were not his leading sentiments in the last years of 
 his life, but that there was a change in his views of religious doc- 
 trines. I have conversed with a number who were among his 
 constant and most attentive hearers, and their testimony is, that 
 the doctrines in the sermon above referred to, were among the 
 principal themes of his preaching while he lived. He preached 
 several other ordination sermons which were published. He 
 
12 
 
 published a scriptual catechism after the manner of one by Dr. 
 Watts, in which the answers were mostly in the language of 
 scripture. It had been his practice, as Sabbath shools Avere not 
 then instituted, to instruct the children from the Westminister 
 Assembly's catechism, which received his recommendation with 
 that of many other eminent divines. 
 
 Such was his ministry and such his sentiments. And as he 
 was deservedly beloved by the people to whom he ministered, it 
 is easy to infer what were their sentiments also. It cannot be 
 doubted that the religious sentiments of this church, as a body, 
 have ever been in agreement with the prevailing sentiments of 
 the New-England churches. 
 
 " Feb. 24, 1767. The church met and voted to receive the 
 Cambridge Platform as their standard and rule of church gov- 
 ernment, except the articles of Ruling Elders, Teacher sepa- 
 rate from a pastor and lay ordination, and not to reject these 
 absolutely as unscriptural, but only suspend our assent to them 
 till we better see their divine authority." This platform of 
 church government was drawn up by a synod or council of 
 ministers and delegates of the churches assembled in Cam- 
 bridge in 1648. They designed it as a supplement to the As- 
 sembly's Catechism, as may be inferred from several passages 
 in the preface, — *' having perused the public confession of faith 
 agreed upon by the reverend assembly of divines at Westmin- 
 ster, and finding the sum and substance thereof in matters of 
 doctrines to express not their own judgment only, but ours 
 also ;" — they then except some sections in that confession res- 
 pecting church discipline, and add, " touching which we refer 
 ourselves to the draught of the church discipline in the ensu- 
 ing treatise." This treatise or platform was approved in sub- 
 stance by a synod which assembled in Boston in 1679 and rec- 
 ommended to the churches. They express their desire " that 
 the churches may continue steadfast in the order ot the gospel 
 according to what is therein declared from the word of God." 
 This platform of church government is still, in substance, ap- 
 proved as the standing rule in the Congregational churches. 
 It was designed to promote their purity, fellowship and liberty. 
 This church, doubtless, received it from these same motives — 
 that as they had received Christ Jesus the Lord, they might 
 so walk in him ; be no more children tossed to and fro, and 
 carried about by every wind of doctrine ; and stand fast in the 
 liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free. 
 
 Those were times when controversy slumbered, -when Con- 
 
13 
 
 gregational ministers in this country, were agreed in the chief 
 doctrines of the gospel, " saw eye to eye," had little false Chris- 
 tianity to contend against, and spent their time and strength in 
 promoting the truth. 
 
 By divine permission this history will be resumed and con- 
 icluded in the afternoon. 
 
SERMOW 3 
 
 PSALM 125: 2. 
 
 As THE MOUNTAINS ARK ROUND ABOUT JERUSALEM SO THE LORD IS 
 ROUND ABOUT HIS PEOPLE FROM HENCEFORTH, EVEN FOREVER. 
 
 I HAVE thought this passage particularly applicable to the 
 later history of this church, and the friends of truth in this town. 
 *' Had not the Lord been on our side," — had not his arms been 
 around his people, "they would have been swallowed up quick, 
 — the proud waters would have gone over our soil." May we 
 ever trust in him who is round about his people forevermore. 
 
 Dr. Fobes' ministry, as we have seen was prosperous. It 
 was 45 years; in which time 136 persons were admitted to the 
 communion of this church, and 304 infants and adults were 
 baptized. 
 
 The first meeting-house was conveniently situated for the 
 first inhabitants, and continued as the place of worship for 
 more than 42 years. On the 3d of November 1773, this house 
 in which we are now assembled, began to be used for public 
 worship. When first built, it had no bellfrey, or steeple, and 
 the body of it contained square pews, after the ancient fashion. 
 It was erected and finished by Mr. Israel Washburn, at his owu 
 cost, and sold to those who purchased pews in it ; and the old 
 meeting-house which stood three-fourths of a mile south-west 
 from this, was given to him by the town. Much opposition 
 arose to the plan and proposals which he made to the town for 
 erecting this house: 34 voted for accepting them and 27 against 
 it. Those opposed to building a new meeting house, living most- 
 ly in the southern part of the town, undertook to repair the old 
 one. In this undertaking about one third of the church took nn 
 active part. Upon which the other two thirds, living mostly in 
 the nothern part of the town, entered a complaint against 
 
15 
 
 them for their illegal and unchristian conduct. Neighboring^ 
 ministers, Rev. Mr. Toby and Rev. M. Conant were resorted to 
 for counsel and advice. These ministers met the church and after 
 prayer to God for direction, and after hearing a long represen- 
 tation of existing difficulties on each side, they advised the breth- 
 ren of the north part of the town, to pass over the offence which 
 they supposed .they had received from the brethren of the south 
 part, who had been concerned in repairing the old meeting house 
 and to forgive them, and accordingly it was done. At length 
 general unanimity and harmony were restored, by considering^ 
 doubtless, that the general good is the object to be pursued by 
 every individual. 
 
 The land on which this house stands and the common con- 
 nected with it, was purchased or obtained of Mr. Amariah Hall. 
 
 Dr. Fobes describes the people of this town, forty years ago, 
 as being generally noted for industry, virtue and patriotism. — 
 *'The inhabitants, he says, especially those who attend public 
 worship here, have been distinguished for their zealous attach- 
 ment to learning, to military disipline and church music. The 
 unanimity and order of their public decision during the late war, 
 their cautious, but spirited exertions, their prompt and peacea- 
 ble compliances with the numerous calls of government in the 
 days of exigence and danger, are well known : — and perhaps 
 ought the rather to be remembered as their patience long en- 
 dured the trial of cruel opposition, and the shocks of ridicule, 
 from the tongues and pens of great numbers around them. — 
 Fired at the name of insurgency, and hearing that a conspiracy 
 was formed to prevent the sitting of the October Court of 1766, 
 the troops of this little town consisting of two small companies 
 roused unanimous, and at the call of their leaders, mustered in 
 arms, marched alone to Taunton, entered the Court-house as a 
 preocupant guard ; there lay upon their arms through the whole 
 night preceding the day of the Court's sitting; and in open de- 
 fiance of all the bloody threats af an unprincipled mob, in con- 
 stant expectation of hundreds in arms ready for battle, they 
 stood firm but alone, until the next day about noon, when by a 
 re-inforcement of troops from the county of Plymouth and a 
 number gleaned from different parts of the country, they formed 
 and under command of General Cobb, the insurrection was 
 crushed, the Supreme Court sat, and government was triumph" 
 ant. But from the whole county of Bristol not another whole 
 company appeared, except the two from Raynham."* 
 
 * Collections of the Historical Society, V0I 8—1793. 
 
16 
 
 These accounts, given by one perfectly acquainted with their 
 correctnes show us the character of the times; — that the love 
 of freedom of order and justice, which warmed the breasts of 
 revolutionary patriots, was not easily quenched. Taking sides 
 with religion and conscience, it held on its way ; and it devolves 
 on us in our turn to transmit the same spirit to those who shall 
 come after us. Many states having made ajnoble beginning in 
 executing measures to obtain civil and religious freedom, have 
 through a want of prudence or wisdom lost, the treasure, just as 
 it was within their reach. But our patriotic fathers had wis- 
 dom and virtue, which taught them not only to achieve, but 
 rightly to improve a victory over their oppresssors. They were 
 careful not to destroy the precious grain in gathering it in. 
 What avails all the toil of acquiring property or learning 
 liberty, if we have no discretion in using them 1 
 
 In April, 1753, Dr. Watts Psalms and Hymns began to be 
 used by this church and Society in their public worship. * 
 
 It is stated by Dr. Fobes that, in 1793 about one sixth of the 
 inhabitant of this town were Baptists : that the number of fami- 
 lies was near two hundred, and that by the census, the town 
 contained about a thousand souls. The Baptists at that period 
 were frequently opposed in withdrawing their support from the 
 established societies, and were sometimes compelled by law, 
 though unjustly, in my view, to render to them their proportional 
 support. But the Rev. Mr Bachus, in his history, gives an account 
 of but one person in this town who was compelled to pay a tax 
 against her will, to the support of the ministry. In 1783 the 
 town passed a vote not to distress those who, on the ground of 
 their being Baptists, had declined paying their ministerial tax; — 
 they gave this reason for the measure, that to compel them 
 to pay it, '^ would endanger that peace and harmony which ever 
 ought to subsist in a town society." (F) It appears that religious 
 freedom was here at an early period uniformly allowed and en- 
 joyed. 
 
 Seventy years ago, repeated instances occured of persons who 
 withdrew from this church and became what were then called 
 " separatists," but most of them after a few year's consideration, 
 returned, confessed their error, and were restored. 
 
 After the decease of Dr. Fobes, this church was destitute of 
 a pastor about seven months, till Rev. Stephen Hull, formerly 
 
 * At first they were used but once a day, Mr. Dunster's being used 
 the remamder of the time. In 1 764, Dr. Watt's wero used exclusively. 
 
11 
 
 of Amesburj but now of Carlile, was installed here Sept 9j 
 1812. He continued minster of this society till obout the first 
 of May 1823, when at his own request, he was dismised. Dur- 
 ing his ministry wliich was nearly eleven years fifty two per- 
 sons were received into the church. There was in this socie- 
 ty an extraordinary season of revival, as most of you well re- 
 member, in 1820, whicli year about 40, mostly middle, aged 
 persons, publicly professed their faith in Christ, gave an ac- 
 count of their religious experience in v/riting in this house, and 
 were received by the church. 
 
 My ordination took place October 2, ! 823. From that time 
 to the present, seventy-seven persons have been received to the 
 communion of this church, and, perhaps half that number of 
 infants and adults have received baptism. 
 
 The Sabbath School v/as instituted in this society in June 
 1823, and has increased from 50 to 130 scholars. 
 
 At the time of my settlement you are aware, there had been 
 for several years an inclination in some ofthis church and soci- 
 ety to embrace sentiments different from those in which this 
 church was founded, and which it had embraced and maintained 
 for more than three fourths of a century. Opposition soon arose, 
 which in April 1828 resulted in the withdrawment of 25 mem- 
 bers from the church, and in the formation of the new church 
 and society in this town. 
 A meeting ofthis society had been called on the 20th of August 
 1827, to see if the society will request their pastor to exchange 
 with those ministers in this vicinity, with whom he has declin- 
 ed exchanges — and after mature deliberation it was voted by 
 about two thirds of the members present, — That it be left dis- 
 cretionary with the pastor of this society to exchange with such 
 ministers as he may think proper. 
 
 That God has shown his approval, my brethren, of your going 
 forward as you have gone in the belief and support of the doc- 
 trines on which this church was founded, is fully evident to my 
 mind, from his merciful visitations to us the past season. You 
 have experienced the days of the right hand of the Most High. 
 In the course of five months past forty four have embraced the 
 covenant of God, and united in your communion ; and about a 
 dozen more have in the same time expressed a hope in the all- 
 sufficient Saviour. The marked and solemn attention given to 
 the truths when preached; the diligence shown in attending pub- 
 lic worship; the anxiousness expressed by members respecting 
 the eternal interest of their souls ; the fervent charity, perfect 
 union, and increased spirit of prayer, which have been appar- 
 
18 
 
 ent among the members of the church; ail evince the divine 
 work of Gwd's spirit. 
 
 The number of members in this church now is 120, — a great- 
 er number than it ever contained at any one time before. Four- 
 teen persons in all have sustained the office of deacon in this 
 church. The first were John Staples and Samuel Leonard, 
 who were among the original members of the church. Jona- 
 than Shaw, was chosen deacon in 1741. Jonathan Shaw a son 
 ©f the former, was chosen in 1780. Jonathan Hall and Edmund 
 Williams in 1750. Elijah Leonard in 1761. Israel Wash- 
 burn, in . Abiel Williams, and Oliver Washburn in 1797. 
 
 Lloyd Shaw in 1819. Horatio Leonard in 1824, and Eliab 
 B. Dean and Elijah Gushee, jr. the present deacons, in 1828.^ 
 Edmund Williams withdrew from the church, and united with 
 the Baptists. 
 
 Prom the history which has now passed in review, I re- 
 mark, in the first place. 
 
 1. That christian dicipline appears to have been maintained 
 in this church, from its commencement. Jt was evidently the 
 object of its early members to live in the observance of all the 
 ordinances and commands of Christ. They certainly possessed 
 great fortitude and moral courage in declaring and supporting 
 what they believed to be the doctrines .of the gospel. They 
 were fearless in the discharge of their duty. Possessing the 
 general character of the age, they did not for slight reasons, as 
 many do now, omit to assemble on the Sabbath where God's 
 name is recorded. Who, in coming to the close of life, and in 
 going to give an account of all his time, 'ever regretted that he 
 had spent a part of one day in seven, in attending at the house 
 of God, "to behold the beauty of the Lord and inquire in his 
 temple?" On the other hand, what confidence can they have 
 of God's mercy who uniformly slight this privilege ? What 
 hope can they have of enjoying, or knowing how to engage in 
 his worship, the moment they die, if all their life time, they 
 have never loved, or practised it ? 
 
 One striking feature in the former character of this church, is 
 the particular watch and care which they exercised over thei^ 
 children. On the records appears, in substance, the following 
 notice: Aug. 2, 1749, at a public meeting of the church, it was 
 proposed by the pastor, that since meetings for singing and 
 dancing have become so common among the youth in this place, 
 and there were some of the church concerned in them, wheth- 
 er it was not the duty of this church to use their influence as far 
 as it would extend, for the suppression. of them; and the church 
 were of the mind that it was their duty. Forty years after 
 
I 19 
 
 wards is the following record : The church met and after'prayer 
 to God and mature deliberation, they unanimously agreed, that 
 it was the duty of churches to exercise and extend a particular 
 care and watch over all baptised persons ; — and resolved, that 
 we of this church in particular, will in future consider this to be 
 our duty, in regard to all baptised members. 
 ^ It seems to have been impressed on their minds, as it ever 
 should be on the churches, that they as welk as the pastor, 
 ought to be well acquainted with the moral character and senti- 
 ments of every one in their particular communion ; and to edu- 
 cate their children for Christ and his church. They aid more 
 than is usually done now in restraining them from vicious com- 
 pany, and in exhibiting to them the important and salutary ex- 
 ample of family worship. They brought them often and at an 
 early age to the sanctuary. As habits are lasting, when form- 
 ed, if we would have our chidren embrace the truth, and love 
 the sabbath and the public worship of God, we must early bring 
 our children within their influence. 
 
 2. We may see what has been the practice of this church ia 
 the admission of members. The indispensible qualification 
 for admission to the Lord's table, has been ^ftredible profession 
 of experimental piety. Candidates in being received into this 
 church, as far as my practice has extended, acknowledge their 
 belief in the scriptures, as given by inspiration of God ; — that 
 there is one God existing in Father, Son and Holy Ghost, to 
 whom they consecrate themselves; — ^that their hearts before be- 
 ing sanctified by the spirit of God were of choice destitute of 
 holiness; — that they hope for salvation through Christ's atone- 
 ment, engage to submit to the discipline of this church, and to 
 live a holy andvirtuQUS life in view of the retributions of eter- 
 nity. 
 
 Persons desirous of the fellowship of this church, have usually 
 been conversed with repeatedly by the pastor, and when he has 
 obtained satisfaction of their qualification, he has propounded 
 them to the church, usually a fortnight, before their admission. 
 The candidates have generally given in, either in writing or 
 verbally, an account of their religious experience and hope in 
 Christ. It was formerly the case, and has, as you are aware, 
 been practised more of late, to have the written relation read 
 in public. By this course, it has been found that sufficient op- 
 portunity has been given for all to become acquainted with the 
 moral and religious character of the candidate. 
 
 3. It is manifest that the reUgious doctrines enri3raced in this 
 church now, are substantially the same which it embraced a hun- 
 dred years ago. But we have been represented as exclusion- 
 
so 
 
 ists, and blamed for discontinuing ministerial exehanges with 
 some of the neighboring pastors. But why should we be blamed 
 for practicing according to our conscientious belief, and refusing 
 to renounce what we conceive to be the true doctrines of the 
 gospel, and which the great majori:y of this church have ever 
 received ? Why should we not be left to the same liberty which 
 we grant to others ? 4^ 
 
 We deeply regret tlmt we were obliged to discontinue minis* 
 terial exehanges with some of the neighboring pastors. But 
 the cau«5e of this discontinuance was in themselves. They had 
 inbibed fnd are teaching a system of doctrines which neither 
 we nor our fathers could find in the scriptures. As they have 
 essentially departed from our conscientious behef, why should 
 we be blamed for not seeing our way clear to follow them. We 
 have not altered from our former belief, but it is they who have 
 dissented from us. But we condemn them not. You have nev- 
 er heard from me in this sacred place or any other, the language 
 of denunciation. |*for, I trust, will you ever hear from me such 
 language. 
 
 ^rhe step therefore which your pastor deliberately, from con- 
 scientious motives, and with the approbation of more than two 
 thirds of this church and society, adopted in 1826, of dis- 
 continuing the exchanges which I have mentioned, was adopt- 
 ed as an important duty. Without adopting this step we fully 
 believed that this church would have been drawn away from 
 "the good old paths" in which our fathers walked; that it would 
 gradually and inevitably have fallen into a state of skepticism 
 and unbelief, as to what we consider the leading truths of the gos- 
 pel, and that we should have occasioned in a great measure 
 the withdrawment of the presence of God and the spirit of revi- 
 vals. 
 
 I do not mean to imply that we or our denomination alone, 
 have the truth, or are infallably right. It is suitable that we 
 should hear the admonition, " Remember therefore how thou 
 hast received and heard, and hold fast ;" and this also, *' Let 
 him that standeth take heed lest he fall." 
 
 4. I may suggest from this history, what is the duty of church- 
 es in the call and settlement of their ministers. It is their right, 
 from the authority of the scriptures, and according to the gen- 
 eral usage in New England, to choose their own pastor. It is 
 the duty of every church in sslecting a pastor, to require of him 
 a fair statement of his doctrinal belief. They should ascertain 
 whether he p(tssesses the spirit of Christ, and what are his views 
 of religion which he designs to present in his preaching. By 
 requiring him to be thus explicit, they may avoid much disap- 
 
21 
 
 pointment, and self reproach ; and derive far greater profii 
 from his ministry. He, if possessed of the spirit of the gospel, 
 \vill be ready to give a reason of his faith as well as of his 
 hope, in christian meekness to any one who may desire it; and 
 tfi« -council who ordains Iiim, in being faithful to their trust, 
 Will not hasten to lay hands on him before satisfying themselves 
 on these points. 
 
 Be faithful, beloved brethren, in these things whenever di- 
 vine Providence shall call yoa to select one who shall minister 
 10 you in word and in doctrine. It is a duty which you owe 
 to your divine Master who has called you to act in his name. 
 It is a duty which you owe to yourselves, for can it ever be a 
 matter of indifference whether truth or error is preached to 
 you? If you would employ able and faithful men to defend 
 you-r temporal interests when they are in danger, much more 
 should you be anxious not to entrust the guidance of your souls 
 to men who Lave not the truth. To select as your teachers 
 holy men who declare the truth, is a duty which you owe also 
 to your children, for they will be influenced by your example 
 in spiritual as well as in temporal things. 
 
 5. How happy is a diurch who are united in the one Lord and 
 one faith; among whom there are no divisions — no root of bit- 
 terness, but are at peace, and have fej^vent charity among them- 
 selves. Such at present appears to be the state of this church. 
 Let us remember the new commandment of Christ to love one 
 another; and let this brotherly love continue. By trampling on 
 this command chiuches have sometimes become infected with 
 pride, envy and jealousy, divided into parties, and resorted to 
 numerous councils for the healing of their difficulties. But they 
 are never healed till a spirit of mutual forgiveness and broth- 
 erly love, is revived. Let the most excellent and divine direc- 
 tion of Christ, Matt. 18: 15, be observed respecting an offend- 
 ing brether, and difficulties would rarely exist in any church. 
 
 6. In view of the kind dealings of God with this church and 
 people during the century now closed, we should feel special 
 cause for gratitude. He hath wrought great things for us. But 
 while we are congratulating ourselves on our high advantages, 
 let us consider whether we are uniformly acting as becomes the 
 descendants of those holy men who once sojourned in this place, 
 walked the streets which we walk, worshipped where we wor- 
 ship, but have long since enteredinto their rest ? If we do not 
 follow up with zeal the holy work which they nobly begun, and 
 left for us to pursue, how shall we be prepared to meet them 
 at th e final day 1 — how shall we be worthy to share in their 
 eter eal rewards ? They have toiled, and we have entered into 
 
2^, 
 
 their labors. They have left us as their best legacy, the exam- 
 ple of their integrity, and patience, and fortitude. Their 
 graves are among us, but their praise in the churches, is their 
 memorial that shall never die. 
 
 How solemn a thing to live where God has thus long been 
 carrying forward such a work of grace ! How alarming to live 
 impenitent where such displays of truth and mercy have been 
 making, evinces no ordinary measure of guilt. And he who 
 goes impenitent and unsanctified to eternity from this place, 
 where Jesus Christ has been set forth in all h»s divine excel- 
 lence — where such numbers have felt his love and witnessed 
 for him, must in the retrospect be filled with all the bitterness 
 of remorse. He will doubtless forever bemoan the day of his 
 birth and say, *'Let that day be darkness ; let not God regard 
 it from above, let a cloud dwell upon it, and the darkness of 
 night terrify it.'* O ye neglectors of the Gospel, who now live 
 where you are invited to enter Christ's kingdom, no longer re- 
 fuse the invitation. 
 
 Entreat, brethren of this church and congregation, that those 
 doctrines and that ministry which five successive generations, 
 without much interruption, have operated here in preparing 
 sinners for heaven, may continue to operate ; — that this place 
 which is none other than the house of God and the gate of heav- 
 en, and has proved so to multitudes, may yet prove to be such 
 to multitudes more. 
 
 Surely we may take encouragement from the deliverances 
 which God has wrought for us. He has preserved this church 
 as a body in the enjoyment of its primitive doctrines and order, 
 while some other churches around us have fallen from the faith 
 of their fathers. Here the divine Spirit which Christ promised 
 as the Comforter, hath descended from time to time, and of late 
 more copiously than lormerly. May we not beiieve that this 
 Spirit shall continue to descend as generations shall successively 
 arise; that when this house shall have gone to decay, there shall 
 be those here who shall rebuild the waste places. What would 
 have become of this church, in times past, and what will be- 
 come of it in future, without the visitations of God's Spirit? — 
 *'Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build 
 it." To him, then, should we look for the support of tibe inter- 
 ests of his kingdom among us. 
 
 Time, in its rapid flight, is hurrying us away. Not one of 
 this congregation will be living when another centur 7 shall 
 have expired. O how soon will our work on earth be fin ished, 
 and our eternal destiny fixed. What is that destiny for ^vhich 
 we are preparing, and for what object are we living? 
 
23 
 
 Let me charge you, my beloved friends,^ as I charge myself, 
 to be faithful in the awfully responsible Avork entrusted to us, 
 for we are set for the defence of the gospel. Let us see that 
 Me handle it not deceitfully or carelessly. Be clothed with hu- 
 mility. Take the Saviour as your invariable pattern. Ask 
 how he would have spoken and felt and acted in your circum- 
 stances, and when you see the course which he would have pur- 
 sued, make that course your own. 
 
 Note A. Page 3. 
 
 What is meant by Old and New Style requires some explanation. 
 By the Old Sw^le, the year began the 25th of March, which was hence 
 called the first month, April the second, and so on. By the New 
 Style, the year is made to begin the first of Januaiy. It also coiTects 
 the mode of reckoning which formerly made the year too long by 
 11 min. and 14 1-2 sec. which amounted, in 130 years, to a whole 
 day. In 1582, when the New Style was introduced by Pope Gregory 
 XIII, the time as computed had advanced ten days beyond the true 
 time. The New Style was not adopted in England or this country, 
 till 1752, when the difference between the Old and New Style had in- 
 creased to about eleven days. All civilized nations use the New 
 Style except the Russians. The rule for reducing Old Style to New, 
 is this : If the date according to the Old Style, is in the present century, 
 carry it forward twelve days; if in the last or eighteenth century, carry 
 it forward eleven days, if in the century before, ten days, Stc. 
 Note B. Pape 5. 
 
 October 21, 1652, the following record was entered on the town 
 books of Taunton: — " It was agreed and granted by the town to the 
 said Henry Leonard and James Leonard his brother, and Ralph Rus- 
 sel, free consent to-Come hither, and join with certain of our inhabi- 
 tants to set up abloomery work on the Two Mile River." — " It was 
 agreed and granted by a free vote of the town, that such particular in- 
 habitants as shall concur together with the said persons in their design, 
 shall have free liberty from the town so to do, to build and set up this 
 work, and that they shall have the woods on the other side of the Two 
 Mile River wheresoever it is common on that side of the river, to cut 
 for their cord-wood, to make coals, and also to dig and take mine or 
 ore, at Two Mile Meadow, or in any of the commons appertaining to 
 the town where it is not now in propriety." 
 
 According to this vote and the encouragement received, the persons 
 above mentioned established the " bloomery," and the manufacture of 
 iron from the native ore was extensively carried on. At that time beds 
 of iron ore were far more abundant in this town than at present. The 
 decrease is owing probably to the levelling of the forests and draining 
 the meadow^s. These iron works, then called a "bloomery," have 
 been enlarged by the addition of a rolling mill and anchor shop. They 
 were owned by the descendants of James Leonard, more than a hun- 
 dred years. Henry Leonard tempted by the advantages j»articularly 
 of ore wliich New Jersey afforded, lemoved there and erected the 
 first iron works in that province. 
 
 Note C. Page 6. 
 
 Philip's having given orders that Taunton and Bridgewater should 
 be spared till all the other towns in the colony were destroyed, and thus 
 saving many precious lives, shows that, though a savage, there was in 
 his heart a place for kindness and gratitude. His summer residence 
 in Raynham was the rising gi'ounds east of the Fowling Pond. While 
 here, he had frequent intercourse with the Leonai'd's, who repaired 
 his guns, supplied him with beef, iron, and with such tools as are most 
 prized by savages. This induced him to charge his Indians never to 
 
24 
 
 Injure a Leonard. — 'A vei*y noticeable fact in savage history, and shows 
 lis how great a reward we may often receive by a few humane and 
 kind attentions which cost us nothing. 
 
 Note D. Page 6. 
 The inhabitants of Taunton, Bridgewater and Rehoboth, were 
 strongly urged to forsake their dwellings and to remore to Barnstable, 
 Sandwich, ITarmouth and Eastham, on the sea-side, where they might 
 be in greater security, from the dangers of this direful war. But they 
 declined accepting the friendly invitation, preferred remaining at their 
 own dwellings, and courageously meeting all the dangers which threat- 
 ened. The town of Taunton, by their committee, replied to the invi- 
 tation thus: "We bless God that he hath given us much room in 
 your hearts, that you so freely tender to us a part with you in j^our 
 houses, fields and provisions, at such a time when the Lord is threat- 
 ening us with the bereavement of our own. It much conflforteth us in 
 this day of darkness and distress — we shall want no succour you are 
 able to afford us. We, therefore, return a^ou all serious thanks, for 
 your sincere and abundant love, beseeching the Lord to continue and 
 increase your peace and ability and promptness to relieve distress in 
 this evil day. Nevertheless upon our serious and mature deliberation 
 upon, and consideration of your great offer, we cannot at present com- 
 ply with a motion to remove, and quit our places, and leave our habi- 
 tations to be a desolation, and that because we fear, we should in so 
 doing be wanting to the name of God, and the interest of Christ in this 
 place, and betray much diffidence and cowardice, and give the adver- 
 sary occasion to triumph over us to the reproach of that great and fear- 
 ful name of God which is called upon us." This answer was signed 
 among others, by Richard Williams and Walter Dean, from w-horn- 
 the numerous families of these names in this region, have doubtless 
 descended. 
 
 Note E. Page 10. 
 
 The churches and pastors invited to assist in his ordination, were 
 the six following: The church in West Bridgev^ater, Rev. Mr. Per- 
 kins pastor; the church in Bridgewater, Rev. Mr. Shaw; 1st church 
 in Middleborough, Rev. Mr. Conant; church in Berkley, Rev. Mr. 
 Toby; church in North Middleborough, Rev. Mr. Reed; and the 3d 
 church in Middleborough, Rev. Mr. Turner pastor. The committee 
 chosen by the church to write, sign and send letters missive to said 
 churches, were, Dea. Jonathan Ilall, Mr. Israel Washburn and Mr. 
 Joseph Shaw. 
 
 Note F. Paj^e 16. 
 
 The method long pursued of supporting the Congregational minis- 
 try by taxation, has occasioned manj'^ difficulties, and greatly retarded 
 the spread of pure Christianity. This law has been modified and evad- 
 ed till it has. grown obsolete, and hence ought to be repealed. It is 
 sufficient for the Legislature to protect religion without prescribing^ 
 the measures by Avhich it shall be supported. All attempts to enforce 
 the law for the ministerial tax when it has been resisted, have been 
 exceedingly injurious to the very object for which the law was profess- 
 edly made. 
 
 It has been found by experiment, that the churches need no 
 such dependence on the civil ])ower. Religion will doubtless hold on 
 its way by the virtue and faithfulness of its professors, the purity of 
 its truths, its own divine efficacy, and the blessings of its Author. The 
 third article in our Bill of Ptights, it is hoped, will soon be laid aside. 
 Then our societies of all denominations will be left to support their re- 
 spective preaching and worship in their own way, and will be vol- 
 untary associations. All would be protected in the exercise of their 
 corporate powers and rights, and in the forms and usages of the several 
 denominations with which they are connected. No person would be 
 compelled to belong to any religious society against his own consent. 
 "My kingdom, saith Christ, is not of this world." 
 
GENERAL LIBRARY - U.C. BERKELEY 
 
 BODOBinm 
 
 
 
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