UCSB LIBRARY
 
 CHURCH 
 
 BRIEF HISTORICAL NOTICES 
 
 OF THE 
 
 FIRST CONGEEGATIONAL CHURCH 
 
 IN BRAINTREE, 
 AND ITS PASTORS, 
 
 FROM THE DATE OF ITS ORGANIZATION, TILL THE 
 CLOSE OF 1859. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 BOSTON: 
 HAYDEN & RANDALL, 23 CORNHILL. 
 
 18GO.
 
 BRIEF HISTORICAL NOTICES 
 
 Jfirst Caitjregdiral Cjmrrjj in $nriittm 
 
 THE original " Church of Braintrec," known as the " First 
 Congregational Church of Quincy," was gathered September 
 17, 1639. Braintree then included the whole territory now 
 divided between the present incorporated towns of Quincy, 
 Braintree, arid Randolph. 
 
 What is now known as the " First Congregational Church 
 of Braintree," was organized September 10, 1707. Of the 
 causes operating to its separation from the mother church, we 
 have little or no information except what is derived from 
 " two discourses " of Rev. Mr. Lunt, late pastor of the 
 Quincy Church, delivered September 29, 1839, on the two 
 hundredth anniversary of its gathering. From the " appen- 
 dices " and notes illustrating these discourses, we learn that 
 as early as January, 170i 5, "two church meetings were 
 held that occasioned much debate, and some misapprehension 
 about church discipline ; " that " nine of the church with- 
 drew from the Lord's table, and in many things acted disor- 
 derly ; " and that difficulties and dissensions were so great, 
 as to render necessary the calling of a council of Elders and 
 Messengers. This council met, May 7, 1707. 
 
 Previous to this date however as early as May 2, 1706, 
 " a new house was raised in Braintree for a meeting-house ; " 
 of course a secession from the " original " church had been 
 determined on ; this was more than two years before the 
 eeceders became recognized by civil authority, as forming a 
 distinct precinct. The reasons assigned for this movement, 
 were briefly that the old meeting-house was not large 
 enough to accommodate " above two-thirds of the inhabi- 
 tants ; " that "its position was near one end of the town,
 
 4 CHURCH MANUAL. 
 
 and of inconvenient access to half the population ; " that 
 " for near a dozen years, they had petitioned in vain for a 
 larger and more central house ; " and that in their judgment, 
 no alternative remained but to establish separate worship, 
 and maintain it as God should enable them to do. Whether 
 for good or ill, it is clear that the mantle of the father's logic 
 has not been cast away by the children. 
 
 The alienation between the mother and daughter churches, 
 seems to have continued some two years ; when, agreeably to 
 " the advice of ministers for reconciliation," "the acknowl- 
 edgment of haste and irregularity " on the part of the daughter 
 church, was made to the mother church, Feb. 19, 170910; 
 a month later, Eev. Mr. Adams preached in the old meeting- 
 house, in token of mutual forgiveness and forgetfulness of 
 past offences. 
 
 Eev. Hugh Adams, who had graduated at Harvard Univer- 
 sity in 167G. was ordained first pastor of the newly organized 
 church, on the 10th of September, the same day on which 
 the organization took place. 
 
 The sermon, on occasion of the church's organization, was 
 preached by Rev. Cotton Mather, of Boston, from Eph. 2 : 22, 
 " In whom ye also are builded together," from which the 
 doctrine was deduced, that ' Every particular church of the 
 Lord Jesus Christ, is to be together built in the glorious Lord 
 as a temple of God." In applying the subject to the members 
 of the newly constituted church, he says : 
 
 " Brethren ! 'tis a very great glory which is this day put 
 upon you by this Glorious One ! But as you must beware of 
 being haughty, because you now stand in the Lord's holy 
 mountain, so your standing there should make you very cau- 
 tious, very watchful, that your whole behavior may adorn the 
 doctrine of God your Savior. You have the eyes of the most 
 Holy Lord upon you eyes that strike and pierce like light- 
 ning pure eyes that cannot look upon iniquity ! The people 
 of God, and all your neighbors have their eyes upon you ! 
 
 aeiinqiiency ana trespasses or nis parishioners praying 1101 only lor justice to 
 himself, but that a neglect to pay a ministiT might be made pi-nal and piesuntable 
 by the "grand jury." Thes", a:;d olhur facts not necessary lo be ri-p-ali-d, led 
 Dr. B:lknap (Hist. Colls. If. 305) to pronounce him "oue of the most eccentric 
 clergymen ever settled in N. EL"
 
 how much ought this to be your prayer ' Teach me thy 
 way. Lord, and lead me in a plain path ! ' It is equally to 
 be desired greatly to be advised that you endeavor great- 
 ly to approve yourselves the children of God, without rebuke, 
 in the midst of those who may be ready eno' to condemn you 
 that you may keep close to the faith and order of the gos- 
 pel, and the right way of the Lord that you may be much 
 in supplications to the Lord, and often set apart whole days 
 for extraordinary supplication, that the work of God may be 
 happily carried on among you ; in a word, that you may all 
 be true citizens of Zion ! This is greatly to be desired ! " 
 
 The discourse closes thus : 
 
 " May this church be such a temple; then, as there were 
 cherubims on the walls of the temple, the very angels of God 
 will take pleasure to behold you, to befriend you ; yea, then 
 the Glorious Lord himself will afford a most gracious presence 
 of His to you ! And, Lord ! if thou will be here, we shall 
 not die, nor shall the souls of our children die ! The name of 
 this church will be, Jehovah Shammah the Lord is there ! " 
 
 The covenant upon which the church was originally gath- 
 ered, is found appended to Rev. Mr. Mather's sermon, preached 
 at its organization and is there noticed, " as a perpetual 
 monitor of the flock, to be steadfast in the covenant, in per- 
 petuam rei memoriam." 
 
 " We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, apprehending 
 ourselves called of God, to join together in church commu- 
 nion, (acknowledging our unworthiness of such a privilege, 
 and our inability to keep covenant with God, or to perform 
 any spiritual duty, unless Christ shall enable us thereto,) in 
 humble dependence on free grace for divine assistance and 
 acceptance ; we do, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, 
 fully covenant and bind ourselves, solemnly, in the presence 
 of God himself His holy angels, and all His servants here 
 present, to serve the God whose name alone is Jehovah, 
 Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the only true and living God, 
 cleaving to Him as our chief good ; and unto our Lord Jesus 
 Christ, as our only Savior, prophet, priest, and king of our 
 souls, in a way of gospel obedience ; avouching the Lord to be 
 our God, and the God of our children, whom, we give unto 
 Him ; counting it as a high favor, that the Lord will accept 
 t
 
 MAxr.vr,. 
 
 of us and our children with us, to be His people. We do 
 also give ourselves one unto another in the Lord, covenanting 
 to walk together as a church of Christ, in all the ways of his 
 worship, according to the holy rules of his word, promising 
 in brotherly love, faithfully to watch over one another's souls, 
 and to submit ourselves to the discipline and power of Christ 
 in his church ; and duly to attend the seals and censures, or 
 whatever ordinances Christ has commanded to be observed by 
 his people, so far as the Lord, by his word and Spit-it, has or 
 shall reveal unto us to be our duty ; beseeching the Lord to 
 own us for his people, and to delight to dwell in the midst 
 of us. 
 
 " And, that we may keep our covenants with God, we desire 
 to deny ourselves, and to depend wholly on the free mercy of 
 God, and upon the merits of Jesus Christ ; and wherein we 
 shall fail, to wait on him for pardon, thro' his name ; beseech- 
 ing the Lord to own us as a church of Christ, and to delight 
 to abide in the midst of us." 
 
 The following " covenant" appears on the records, without 
 date or name; whether adopted in the days of Mr. Niles, 
 or Mr. Weld, we have not the means of ascertaining. Its 
 greater particularity chiefly distinguishes it from the fore- 
 going : 
 
 CHURCH COVENANT. 
 
 "We do at this time, and in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in 
 dependence on the influence of his Holy Spirit, enter into covenant with 
 God and one another according to the following words: 
 
 I. That having chosen the Lord Jehovah to be our God, we will fear 
 and cleave unto him in love, and serve him in truth with all our hearts, 
 giving up ourselves to him to be his people, to be at his direction and 
 disposal in all things, that we may enjoy and hold communion with him. 
 as members of Christ's mystical body, according to his revealed will, to 
 the end of our lives. 
 
 II. We promise to keep close to the truth of Christ, endeavoring with 
 lively affection toward it, to defend it against all opposers ; and that we 
 may do this, we resolve to use the Holy Scriptures, as onr rule and plat- 
 form to walk by ; by which we may discern the mind of Christ, and not 
 be led away and entangled with the unscriptural inventions of men. 
 
 III. We oblige ourselves to the faithful improvement of our abilities 
 and opportunities, to worship God, according to all the institutions of 
 Jesus Christ, taking the great Emmanuel to be our Savior, in all his 
 offices ; endeavoring with the help of God to give reverend attention to 
 the word of God, to pray to, and to praise him, to hold communion with 
 each other, in the observation of all the holy institutions of Christ, which 
 he hath established for his Church under the gospel, especially in both the 
 seals of the covenant of grace, viz : Baptism, and the Lord's Supper.
 
 CHURCH MANUAL. 7 
 
 IV. We engage, with the Lord's help, to have a careful inspection over 
 our hearts, so as to endeavor, by the virtue of the death of Christ, the 
 mortification of all our sinful passions, worldly frames, and irregular 
 affections; to abstain from all open and scandalous sins, by which the 
 enemies of our holy religion may be encouraged to blaspheme the blessed 
 Jesus, and from all secret and private sins, by which we shall depart from 
 the living God. 
 
 V. We promise, with the help of God, to maintain the worship of God 
 in our families, evening and morning ; to read the scriptures to them, and 
 to pray with them ; to bring up our children in the nurture and admoni- 
 tion of the Lord ; to instruct them, and all under our care, in the knowl- 
 edge and fear of God, according to our best abilities, particularly by the 
 use of the Orthodox Catechism of the Assembly of Divines, the truths of 
 which we profess ; that so, true religion may be maintained and known 
 by our families, while we live ; and that our posterity may know and fear 
 the Lord and obey the living and true God aright, and adhere to his truths 
 when we are dead. 
 
 VI. We promise that we will peaceably submit to the holy discipline, 
 appointed by Christ in his Church for offenders, obeying them who have 
 the rule over us in the Lord ; and will endeavor to maintain a holy ortho- 
 dox ministry among us in this place. 
 
 VII. We bind ourselves to walk in love, one toward another, endeavor- 
 ing our mutual edification ; Visiting, exhorting, and comforting, as occa- 
 sion may be, our brother or sister that offendeth ; not divulging private 
 offences irregularly, but carefully following the several precepts laid down 
 by Christ in the gospel for church discipline, willingly forgiving all who 
 manifest to a judgment of charity that they truly repent. 
 
 VIII. We will endeavor with the help of God, to govern and regulate 
 ourselves, in the management of church discipline, according to the advice 
 and direction given us in the word of God, and we trust according to the 
 method of the Congregational Churches in this land, of which particular 
 denomination we publicly profess ourselves, standing in a near and sisterly 
 relation to all such Churches of Christ, and desirous to maintain all special 
 acts of communion with them, which the communion of saints allows and 
 requires, according to the Platform of Church Discipline agreed upon by 
 the elders and messengers of the Churches in the year 1648, at Cambridge, 
 in New England. 
 
 IX. And now we beseech God, who is witness to this our covenant 
 transaction between him and us, and one another, to enable us to keep 
 this covenant inviolably to his glory and to our own edification and sal- 
 vation. And that wherein we shall fail of obedience, he may give us 
 repentance, pardon and healing, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 AMEN. 
 
 Through disagreement with his people on the subject of 
 salary, Mr. Adams relinquished his charge, August 22, 1710, 
 having held it less than three years. He was next settled at 
 Chatham, but took his dismission April 25, 1716 ; afterwards 
 he was installed in Durham, N. H., March, 1718, and there 
 labored in the ministry till January, 1739, when he was dis- 
 missed, though he lived till 1750, and died at the age of 74.
 
 8 CHURCH MANUAL. 
 
 After the dismission of Mr. Adams, several candidates 
 were employed on probation, through nine succeeding months ; 
 from among these, Mr. Samuel Niles was chosen to the vacant 
 office, by a vote of great, though not entire, unanimity. His 
 ordination occurred May 23, 1711, when the sermon on the 
 occasion was delivered by the pastor elect, agreeably to the 
 usage of those days, from Romans 15:30 " Strive together 
 with me in your prayers to God for me." In behalf of the 
 Council he was introduced to the communion of the church 
 by Rev. Joseph Belcher, of Dedharn ; the charge was given by 
 Rev. Peter Thatcher, of Milton ; the right hand of fellowship, 
 by Rev. John Danforth, of Dorchester ; and the imposition of 
 hands in the consecration service, by Rev. Messrs. Thatcher, 
 of Milton, Danforth, Belcher, and Thatcher, of Weymouth. 
 The council, though small compared with similar bodies in 
 later times, was sufficiently " venerable," as viewed from the 
 stand-point of 1860, and probably embraced all the then 
 existing "neighbor churches" and pastors of unquestioned 
 orthodoxy. 
 
 In this connection it is pertinent to say that Rev. Mr. 
 Niles was born at Block-Island, May 1, 1674, and graduated 
 at Harvard University, in 1699. After leaving college, and 
 preparing himself for the sacred vocation he had chosen, he 
 commenced preaching in a district of Rhode Island, then 
 called " ministerial lands," now known as South Kingston ; 
 it does not appear that he had there a pastoral charge, but 
 labored as a missionary, or " stated supply," for several years. 
 His life and labors closed in Braintree, May 1, 1762, being 
 then eighty-eight years of age, to a day, and having continued 
 his public services down to the last sabbath preceding his 
 death; 
 
 It may not be out of place to record here a few additional facts concerning this 
 able and devote 1 s^rvmt, of Go 1 for which we are chiHy ind>-bted to the kindnest 
 of Rev. J. B. Felt. He himself records the place of his nativity, as above, in hit 
 "Manuscript History of the Indian and French Wars;" "lie was a descendant, 
 most probably a grandson of John Niles, who was of Uraintree from 1039 to hit 
 decease in Fobr ury, 1696. aged 94, and had sons. John, Joseph, Nathaniel, Samuel, 
 Increase. B-nj ami n and Isaac." From which of these sons he disc tided is noi 
 clear. His first wif: was daughter of Rev. Peter Thatcher, of Milton, and died in 
 1716. His second wifj was Ann Coddington, who died 1732. Rev. Mr. Niles pub- 
 lished "Trista Ecclesiarum " or, "A sorrowful account of the churches in New 
 England, 1745; " "Vindication of divers Important Doctrines," 1732: "The True 
 Scripture Doctrine of Original Sin, in answer to Dr. John Ta\lor, 17.V7." He wai 
 grandfather of Rev. Saimii;! Niles, of Atiingion, who died Jan. 16. 1814. aged 70, 
 and of Jirlge Nathaniel Niles of Fairlee, Vt., who died Oct. 31. 1828, aged 88. The 
 Drst President Adams, who personally knew-him, observed of him, " I then revered 
 and still revere the honest, virtuous and pious man." Rev, John Barnard, ot Mar-
 
 CHURCH MANUAL. 9 
 
 The following is a list of members in full communion with 
 the Church at the time of Mr. Niles' settlement : 
 
 MALES. 
 
 Caleb HuUbard, Dea., Samuel Paine, Thoma? Wales, 
 
 Joseph Allen, Dja., Tlicuphilus Curtts, John Thayer, 
 
 Sannu-l Mass, Josiah Faxon, Ebeuezer Spear, 
 
 Nehemiah Hayden, William Thayer, John Niles, 
 
 Edmund Littlefluld, John Niles, 3d., Benjamin Niles, 
 
 Thomas Nash, Francis Nash, William Nightingale, 
 
 Samuel Allen, John Hollis, Samuel Nash, 
 
 Ephraim Thayer, John llayden, Thomas White, 
 
 Peter Huhbard, Samuel Thompson. Ebenezer Thayer. 
 
 Samuel Niles, Samuel French, 
 
 FEMALES. 
 
 Mrs. Hubbard, Hannah Hayden, Mrs. Wales, 
 
 Lyclia Allen, Hannah Curtis, Sarah Towers, 
 
 liclhiah Bass, Muhiiable Faxon, Elizabeth Littlefleld, 
 
 Rebecca Nightingale, Mary Niles, Mary Bagley, 
 
 Mrs. Spear. Mary Janes, Rachel Spear, 
 
 Elizib eth French, Mary Nash, Susannah Nash, 
 
 Widow Durin, Mrs Vining, Sarah Wild, 
 
 Mrs. Hollis, Mrs. White, Abigail Allen, 
 
 Widow Thayer, Sarah Thayer, Abigail Bass. 
 
 At what period the half-way covenant was adopted by the 
 Church, docs not appear from the records. It was in use, 
 however, during the whole of Mr. Niles' ministry, and was 
 not given up till several years after his death. It seems not 
 to have been in a high degree popular, since the average 
 number of admissions was but about six a year. 
 
 The following is the record, made by Mr. Niles, of ad- 
 missions to full communion during his ministry : 
 
 1712. 
 Hannah Spear. 
 
 1713. 
 Wid. Margaret Thayer, 
 Mary Thayer. 
 Mary Wales. 
 Lydin Pain'-, 
 Mehitable Paine, 
 Samuel Wild, 
 George Chessman, 
 
 1714. 
 Jonathan Hayward, 
 Richard Thayer, 
 Hannah Faxon, 
 
 Thuuias Yin ton. 
 
 1715. 
 Wrtfiam Hunt, 
 Benjamin Allen, 
 Mrs. Jemima Clark, 
 Mrs. Jemima Clark, 3d., 
 
 1715. 
 Elkanah Wales, 
 Elizabeih Wales, 
 Mrs. Sarah Ludden, 
 John Holbrook, 
 John Wild. Jr., 
 Mrs. Sarah Hunt; 
 1718. 
 Rebecca Thayer, 
 Hannah Thayer, 
 Samuel White, Dea, 
 
 tdehead, places him among the excellent ministers of New England ; of whom he 
 says, " these were, all men of learning; pious, humble, prudent, faithful and useful 
 men in their daj." It may be added, that tradition reports him to have looked, 
 with distrust, on the " new measures" adopted by not a few men of eminent piety 
 and z.ial, during the period of " the great awakening," in the former part of the last 
 century, and to have declined the opening of his pulpit to Whitefle.ld and other 
 shining lights of that day, lest the progress of truth and godliness among his people 
 should be rather hindered than promoted. Probably this is true, as it well com- 
 ports with the conservative character of a thoroughly read theolugian and an acute 
 metaphysician, who had already passed the grand climateric of life. It should not 
 be fjr^'itten. however, that hi error in judgment was followed by a fearful suspen- 
 sion of tho special influences of the Holy Spirit as they appear in the glory of "tl)9 
 revival," for some sixtj years.
 
 10 
 
 CIIURCII MANUAL. 
 
 1717. 
 
 1728. 
 
 1735. 
 
 None. 
 
 Hannah Iloughton. 
 
 Widow Sar.ih Allen. 
 
 1718. 
 
 Mrs. Elizabeth Faxon, 
 
 Samuel Curtis, 
 
 John Wild, Sen.. 
 
 Samuel Thayer. 
 
 Mrs. Grace Curtis, 
 
 Mary French. 
 
 1729. 
 
 Mrs. Mary Thayer, 
 
 1719. 
 
 Abigail Duggett. 
 
 Mrs. Marv Allen. 
 
 Mrs. Mary Thayer, 
 
 Mr:-. Eliz,u.eth Thayer, 
 
 1736 
 
 Dependanci- French, 
 
 Benjamin Clark, 
 
 William Allen, 
 
 Mrs. Mary Thayer, 2d, 
 
 Mrs. Mary Clark, 
 
 John White, 
 
 Mrs. IVborah Faxon, 
 
 Joseph Thayer, 
 
 Hannah Ulanehard, 
 
 Thomas Hunt, 
 
 John Trusk, 
 
 Mary Blanehaid, 
 
 Susannah Thayer, 
 
 Mrs. Pent-lope Trask, 
 
 Judith iMrman, 
 
 Jonathan Bass, 
 
 Kebecca Spear. 
 
 John Hulbiouk Jr. 
 
 Susannah Hags. 
 
 17, 'JO. 
 
 17 i7. 
 
 1720. 
 
 Mrs. Mary French. 
 
 Joseph Havward, 
 
 Thomas Wales, 
 
 Atherton Wales, 
 
 Samuel llaYd>-u. Jr., 
 
 Mrs. Mary Wales, 
 
 John Hunt, 
 
 Mrs. Mary 'itowditeh, 
 
 Mrs. Belhiah Wild, 
 
 Mrs Rebecca Hunt, 
 
 Kuth Whitmaish. 
 
 Mrs. Jar.e Chessman, 
 
 Joseph White, Jr., 
 
 1738. 
 
 Mrs Sarah Xewcomb, 
 
 Mrs. Hannah Bass, 
 
 James Thaye.r, 
 
 Mrs. Abigail Penuiman, 
 
 Mary Thaver. 
 
 Moses Fr Dch, 
 
 Phillip Thavt-r, 
 
 1781. 
 
 Edward Fax >n. 
 
 Mrs. Euth Wild. 
 
 Mrs. Ruth Hunt, 
 
 Kliashili F xun, 
 
 1721. 
 
 John Tliayer, Jr., 
 
 Mrs. Abigad I'haycr, 
 
 Mrs. Anna French, 
 
 Anna French, 
 
 Mis. Kliz'iU-th Nilea, 
 
 Thomas Holbrook, 
 
 Mrs, Heliecca French, 
 
 Nathan \Vliiiing, 
 
 Mrs. Kachel Thayer, 
 
 Mrs. Kuth Penniman, 
 
 Mrs. Mary Firiich, 
 
 Jonathan Wild, 
 
 Mrs. Elizabeth Hoburt. 
 
 John Jllandiard, 
 
 Mrs. Sara Wild. 
 
 17:12. 
 
 Mary Blain-liaid, 
 
 Mrs. Lydiu Tliayer, 
 
 John Luddcn, 
 
 Mrs. S'isa n nah Copeland, 
 
 Mrs. Sarah Harden. 
 
 Nathaniel Wales, 
 
 Nathanifl Tliayer, 
 
 17M. 
 
 Samuel Wales. 
 
 Mrs. Mary Thayer, 
 
 Josiah Hi.liart, Sen. 
 
 Mrs. Wales, 
 
 Mrs Sarah Co| eland, 
 
 1723. 
 
 Ebeuezer Tliayer, 
 
 Mrs. Hannah Thayer, 
 
 Elizabeth Linsfteld. 
 
 James Bagley, 
 
 Mrs. Sarah Hayward. 
 
 1724. 
 
 Mrs, Uachcl 'lhayer, 
 
 1788. 
 
 Joseph White, 
 
 Mary Jones, 
 
 William Noves, 
 
 John \Vrb!>, 
 
 Mrs. Sai ah Hayden, 
 
 William Bowditoh, 
 
 . Mary Webb. 
 
 Mis. Mary Jones, 
 
 Mary Dornian, 
 
 Joshua 11. iy ward. 
 
 Abigail White, 
 
 Mehitabel Yin ton, 
 
 Mrs Klizabeth Hayward, 
 
 Mrs. Mary Hunt, 
 
 Jonathan Allen. 
 
 Jonathan Claik. 
 
 Peter Tliayer, 
 
 1740. 
 
 Nathaniel Blanchard, Jr.. 
 
 Eunice Ludden. 
 
 Penelope (colored woman) 
 
 Mrs. Sar.ih White, 
 
 1733. 
 
 John Capen, 
 
 Thomas Fivnch, 
 
 Mrs. Anna Thayer, 
 
 Mrs. Ruth Capen. 
 
 Mrs. Marv French. 
 
 Mrs. Priscilla Uayden, 
 
 1741 
 
 1723. 
 
 Mic.ih Allen, 
 
 Samuel Arnold, 
 
 Walter Mortamore. 
 
 Bathsheba Kilbee, 
 
 Sarah Thaver, 
 
 Samuel Bass, 
 
 Mrs. Sarah Ludden, 
 
 Mrs. P,"thi.ih Arnold, 
 
 David Stone, 
 
 Abigail Thayer, 
 
 Mrs. Christiana Thayer, 
 
 Mary Hayward, 
 
 Mrs. Ann Nash, 
 
 Ruth Cap n, 
 
 Mrs. Mary liowditch, 
 
 Seth Copeland. 
 
 Sarah Hoibiook. 
 
 Mrs. Sarah Paine, 
 
 Benjamin Copeland, 
 
 17-12. 
 
 Shadraeh Thayer, 
 
 Benjamin Nash, 
 
 Ruth Wild, 
 
 Mrs. Rachel Tliayer, 
 
 Ebenezer Hayden, 
 
 Anna Wild. 
 
 Lydia Tliayer, 
 
 Mrs. Mary Havden, 
 
 John No.ves, 
 
 Richard Faxon. 
 
 Elizabeth Green. 
 
 Elisha Niles, 
 
 1726. 
 
 
 B'-njamin Thayer, 
 
 Christoi h.-r Thayer, 
 
 1734. 
 
 Sarah Cnpen, 
 
 Benjamin Hunt, 
 
 Ephraim Jones, 
 
 Esther Cupeu, 
 
 Mrs. Sarah Hunt. 
 
 Isaiah Thayer, 
 
 Anna Thayer, 
 
 1727. 
 
 James Thayer, 
 
 liuth Tliayer, 
 
 Mary Powd, 
 
 Abigail Clark, 
 
 Elizabeth Bowditch. 
 
 Mrs. Mil-all Arnold, 
 
 James Penniman, 
 
 Elizabctfi Ludden. 
 
 Mrs. Zip) orali Curtis, 
 
 Thomas Allen, 
 
 Anna Lnddnn. 
 
 William Copeland, 
 
 Mrs. Hepzibah French, 
 
 Mary Bowditch, 
 
 Esther Thayer. 
 
 Samuel White, Jr. 
 
 Abigail Uwen,
 
 CHURCH MANUAL. 
 
 11 
 
 1742. 
 
 1749. 
 
 1757. 
 
 Ruth Thayer, 
 
 Micah Thayer. 
 
 Samuel Hunt, 
 
 Samuel Nil< s, Jr. 
 
 Mrs. Debonih Thayer, 
 
 Caleb Thayer, 
 
 1743. 
 
 Ephraim Hunt, 
 
 Mrs. Abisail Thayer, 
 
 Hannah Tliayor, 
 
 Mrs. Miriam Hunt, 
 
 George Hunt, 
 
 Mary Robinson, 
 
 Mioah French. 
 
 Elisha French, 
 
 Dr. Benjamin Ludden, 
 
 17/iO. 
 
 Mrs. Mary French, 
 
 Ebeni'Z.T Wliitmarsh, 
 
 Mrs. Rachel Sawin. 
 
 Mrs. Elizabeth Hollli 
 
 Mrs. Hannah Niles, 
 
 1751. 
 
 Mrs. Mary Denton, 
 
 John Hollis, 
 
 John Havward, 
 
 Joseph Ludden, Jr., 
 
 John Newcomb, 
 
 Mrs. Elizabeth Thayer, 
 
 Atherton Thayer, 
 
 Mrs. Mary Nt-wcomb, 
 
 Mrs. Mary Allen, 
 
 Mrs. Ruth Thayer, 
 
 Mary Wliitmarsh, 
 
 Mrs Susannah White. 
 
 Moses French, Jr., 
 
 Mrs. Ruth Clark. 
 
 1752. 
 
 Mrs. Elizabeth French, 
 
 1741 
 
 Mrs. Mary Spear, 
 
 Mrs. Sarah Thayer, 
 
 Mrs. Sarah Hunts 
 
 Widow Hannah Hollis. 
 
 Anna Wales. 
 
 Priscilla Faxon, 
 
 1753. 
 
 
 Kbenezor Newcomb, 
 
 Nathaniel Wales, 
 
 1758. 
 
 Benjamin Clark, Jr., 
 
 Widow Hannah Stevens. 
 
 Silas Wild, 
 
 Mrs. Bethiah Clark. 
 
 1754. None. 
 
 Mrs. Ruth Wild, 
 
 174.) 
 
 
 Mrs. Dorcas Thayer, 
 
 Samuel Wild, Jr., 
 
 , 1755. 
 
 Mrs. Deborah Wild, 
 
 Mrs. Susanna Wild, 
 
 Micah Wild, 
 
 Mrs. Lydia Pratt, 
 
 Deborah Ludden, 
 
 Mrs. Rachel Wild, 
 
 Ichabod Holbrook, 
 
 Mrs. Marv Holbrook. 
 
 Mrs. Joanna Ludden, 
 
 Mrs. Hannah Holbrook, 
 
 1746. 
 
 Mrs. Sarah Thaj er. 
 
 Mrs. Rachel Hollis, 
 
 Abigail Arnold, 
 
 1756 
 
 Randal Wild. 
 
 Widow AU Kail Thayer, 
 
 Hannah Hay ward, 
 
 
 Mrs Rachel Thayer, 
 
 Rebecca Hunt, 
 
 1759, 
 
 Widow Sarah Trask, 
 
 Samuel Hunt, 
 
 Ephraim Blanchard. 
 
 Mrs, Rachel Hayden, 
 
 Mrs. Hannah Hunt, 
 
 
 Ebenez -r Thayer and 
 
 Benjamin Allen, 
 
 1760. 
 
 bis witr. 
 
 Mrs. Deborah Allen, 
 
 Anna French. 
 
 1747. None. 
 
 Benjamin Ludden, 
 
 
 
 Mrs. Deborah Wild, 
 
 1761. 
 
 1748. 
 
 Mrs Zilpah Thayer, 
 
 Hobart Clark, 
 
 William Whito, 
 
 Ann Capon, 
 
 Richard Faxon, Jr., 
 
 Mrs. Sarah White, 
 
 Thomas Vinton, Jr., 
 
 Jesse Wild, 
 
 Thomas Thayi-r, 
 
 Johnathan Thayer, 
 
 Mrs. Judith Wild, 
 
 Mrs. Lyd a Thayer, 
 
 Enuch Hayden, 
 
 Wid. Margaret Thompson, 
 
 Richard Faxon, Jr., 
 
 Mrs Amey Flayden. 
 
 Nathaniel Capen, 
 
 Joanna Thavcr, 
 
 1757. 
 
 Mrs. Deborah Capen, 
 
 Elizabeth Thayer, 
 
 David Hoi brook, Jr., 
 
 Sarah Thayer. 
 
 Hannah Blanchard, 
 
 Widow Jane Noyee, 
 
 
 Abigail liianchard. 
 
 Sarah Thayer, 
 
 1762. 
 
 Benj. Hayden and wife, 
 
 Richard Thayer, Jr., 
 
 Mrs. Esther Thayer, 
 
 John Fiold and his wife. 
 
 Mrs. Esther Thayer, 
 
 Mrs. Sarah Penniman. 
 
 OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH DURING REV. MR. NILES' MINISTRY. 
 
 Peter Hobart and Samuel White were chosen deacons 
 April L>8, 1719. 
 
 William Hunt and John Holbrook were chosen deacons 
 October 13, 1742. 
 
 James Penninian and Jonathan Allen were chosen dea- 
 cons July 14, 1757; and on the IGth of the same month 
 Thomas Allen was chosen to the same office, in conjunction 
 with them.
 
 12 CHURCH MANUAt. 
 
 John Holbfook, Jr., was chosen to the same office February 
 8, 1761. 
 
 Beside these officers, whose time of election is recorded, 
 there were others who held the same office how many, and 
 what were their names, cannot now be ascertained. Inci- 
 dental notices only, apprise us of the fact that the records 
 are defective in this point. 
 
 Joseph Allen was the first deacon of the Church ; and died 
 March 22, 1726, in the 77th year of his age. Mr. Niles sub- 
 joins, " He with others, made up the first hundred." 
 
 Elkanah Wales was also a deacon, but at what period is 
 not known. He was once suspended from his office, and after- 
 wards restored. 
 
 Jonathan Hayward was also a deacon; and died July 13, 
 1757, in the 90th year of his age. 
 
 From September 3, 1 758, to July 1 , 1759, the administration 
 of the Lord's Supper was suspended, owing to the pulling 
 down of the old Meeting-house, and setting up a new one ; 
 which was first used Thursday, June 28, 1759. 
 
 The Eev. Mr. Niles administered the ordinance of the Sup- 
 per 301 times, during his ministry ; baptized about 1200 
 persons ; and received 312 to full communion. 
 
 Mr. Ezra Weld succeeded Kev. Mr. Niles, and was inducted 
 into the pastoral charge Nov. 17, 1762. He was a native of 
 Pomfret, Conn ; born June 13, 1736; and graduated at Yale 
 College, in 1759. 
 
 The unanimity of the call is certified by the parish-book 
 in the absence of any church record on the subject in words 
 following : 
 
 " Aug. 19, 1762. Voted, by written votes, for a minister 
 in this place ; and every vote was for Mr. Ezra Weld : which 
 vote concurred with the Church's vote, Aug. 11, 1672, and 
 consisted of fifty members, forty-seven of which voted for 
 Mr. Weld ; the others did not act, being of the opinion we 
 were too hasty in our proceedings." 
 
 Eleven Churches were requested to assist in the ordina- 
 tion ; viz., three in Pomfret Con. ; the Church in Danvers, 
 Eev. Mr. Clark ; Canton, Eev. Mr. Dunbar ; Weymouth, 
 Eev. Mr. Smith ; Bridgewater, Eev. Mr. Porter ; Abington, 
 Eev. Mr. Dodge ; Milton, Eev. Mr. Eobbins ; Quincy, Eev. 
 Mr. Wibird ; Randolph, Eev. Mr. Taft.
 
 CHURCH MANUAL. 13 
 
 The ordination sermon was delivered by Rev. Josiah Whit- 
 ney, of Pomfret, from 2 Timothy, ii. 3. " Endure hardship 
 as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." 
 
 During the early part of Mr. Weld's Ministry, the half-way 
 covenant scheme that most happy device for filling up the 
 Church with hypocrites, and the world with infidels was 
 steadily and firmly assailed, till, in 1768, May 18th, the 
 Church came to the following vote, viz. : 
 
 " The Church will receive those only to own the covenant, 
 who are in a judgment of charity partakers of such qualifica- 
 cations as entitle them to the benefits of all the ordinances, 
 however they themselves may not see their way clear to come 
 to the Lord's Supper ; and that, in such cases, it is expected 
 by the Church that they be in the use of all appointed means 
 for the clearing of their scruples respecting that ; and, by 
 their endeavoring the same, the Church promise to exercise a 
 tender and affectionate forbearance towards them in that re- 
 spect." Attest, E. WELD, Clerk. 
 
 Subsequent to the passing of this vote, it is understood 
 that none came into the Church, except through the "strait 
 gate." 
 
 1795, Sept. 6. The Church appointed a Standing Com- 
 mittee, " to be assisting in any difficulties, which, in future, 
 may arise between the members of the Church." The breth- 
 ren chosen for this Committee were five, viz. : Deacons Moses 
 French. Caleb Hayward, and Adam Hobart, and brethren Si- 
 las Wild, and Elisha French. 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CHURCH IN REFERENCE TO THE CALL OP 
 REV. S. SAGE. 
 
 Sept. 2, 1807. A meeting of the Church was held this day, 
 being opened with prayer for light and direction in the choice 
 of a colleague pastor, by the moderator. The following votes 
 were then passed, viz. : 
 
 1. To desire the Ecv. Sylvester Sage, who has been preach- 
 ing to us sometime, to settle with us in the work of the Gospel 
 ministry. 
 
 2
 
 14 CHURCH MANUAL. 
 
 2. That Gen. Ebenezer Thaycr, David P. Hay ward, Elisha 
 French, Dea. Adam Hobart and Lemuel Veazie, brethren, 
 be a committee to report to Rev. Mr. Sage the doings of 
 the Church, and agree with him upon the conditions on which 
 he will settle with us ; and, also, make request to the town, at 
 their meeting, Monday next, [to unite in the call], 
 
 Attest, E. WELD, Pastor. 
 
 Sept. 25. The Church met, and voted that the Installation 
 he [held] on the first Wednesday in November next. 2d, 
 that the following Pastors and Churches be sent to : Rev. Dr. 
 Porter, R>.rbnry ; Rev. Mr. Reynolds, Wilmington ; Rev. Mr. 
 May, Jlfarblehead ; Rev. Mr. Emerson, Reading ; Rev. 
 Mr. Niles, Abington ; Rev. Mr. Norton, N. Wei/mouth ; 
 Rev. Mr. Williams, & Wei/mouth; Rev. Mr. Strong, Ran- 
 dolph ; I'cv. Mr. Whitney, Quincy. These, and a few others, 
 viz. : Rev. Mr. French, of Andover ; Rev. Mr. Emerson, of 
 Boston ; Rev. Mr. Peirce, of Brookline ; Rev. Dr. Thayer, 
 of Kingston, N. H. ; and Rev. Mr. Gile, of Milton (afterwards 
 invited), constituted the Council. Rev. Mr. Niles was chosen 
 Moderator, and Rev Mr. Norton, Scribe. 
 
 The doings of the Church and town in the case were read ; 
 the dismission and recommendation of Rev. Mr. S., given by 
 the Church in Westminster, Vermont, were presented, together 
 with his confession of faith. He was then examined more 
 particularly as to his religious sentiments, and experimental 
 religion. 
 
 It was then voted, " That the Council were ready to proceed 
 to the services of the installation." 
 
 The introductory prayer was assigned to the Rev. Mr. 
 French; the sermon to Rev. Mr. May; the charge to Rev. 
 Mr. Williams; the consecrating prayer to Rev. Dr. Thayer; 
 the right hand of fellowship to Rev. Mr. Strong ; the conclu- 
 ding prayer to Rev. Mr. Whitney. 
 
 The pastoral relation of Mr. Sage to this Church was brief, 
 continuing but eighteen months, and terminating May 4, 
 1809. This was owing to no fickleness of purpose on his part, 
 nor to dissatisfaction or alienation on the part of the people, 
 but entirely to failure of health in his family, consequent upon 
 the change of a dry, inland climate, for the more damp and 
 heavy atmosphere of the sea-coast.
 
 CHURCH MANUAL. 15 
 
 The Council called for his dismission, of which Eev. Mr. 
 Williams was Moderator, and Eev. Mr. Strong, Scribe, say, in 
 their result : 
 
 " Under existing circumstances, Eev. S. Sage is called in 
 duty to request that the ministerial relation between himself 
 and the Church and Congregation in Braintree should be dis- 
 solved, and that the society stand justified in granting his 
 request." 
 
 The Council add : " We rejoice that no impeachment is 
 attached, either to the moral or ministerial character of 
 Mr. Sage ; and most heartily recommend him to any people 
 where he may be called to labor, as a wise, prudent, and faith- 
 ful minister of the Gospel." 
 
 " We are happy to add, that the conduct of the Church and 
 town of Braintree, under the trying dispensation of divine 
 Providence which renders the dismission of their pastor neces- 
 sary, has in our opinion been such as to reflect honor on them- 
 selves, and to meet our entire approbation." 
 
 Four persons were admitted to the Church, during his 
 ministry, viz. : 
 
 1808. 1809. 
 
 Mr. Caleb Thavrr, Mr. Obaciiah Thayer, 
 
 Mrs. Anna Uolbrook. Mrs. Betsy Thayer. 
 
 The baptisms, during the same term, were 27. 
 
 It is worthy of record, that the Eev. Mr. Sage was born in 
 Berlin, Con., in 1766 ; graduated at Yale College, in 1787 ; 
 was settled over the Congregational Church, in Westminster 
 (East,) Vt, Oct. 13, 1790; and, with the exception of the 
 time spent in Braintree, was sole clergyman of that parish, 
 till near his death. October 13, 1800, he preached his semi- 
 centennial sermon,, and died January 21, 1841. Not only was 
 he steadfast in his adherence to the faith once delivered to 
 the saints faithful in delivering the whole counsel of God, 
 and earnest in enforcing the claims of the Gospel on the 
 heart and conscience ; but in spirit he was kind and affection- 
 ate, in manners dignified and courteous, and in his wide- 
 spread intercourse with the high and the low, the rich and the 
 poor, he commanded universal respect and confidence : while 
 among the intimates of his life, he was the object of most ar- 
 dent affection,
 
 15 CIITTKCII MANUAL. 
 
 At the time of Mr. Sage's induction to the pastoral office 
 here, no record could be found, if any had been kept, of those 
 who had been admitted to the watch and fellowship of the 
 Church. By much and laborious inquiry, Mr. S. obtained 
 some seventy names, of those who claimed, and were allowed, 
 a place among the professed disciples of Christ. 
 
 INTERIM. 
 
 After the dismission of Mr. Sage, numerous candidates 
 were employed for short terms. 
 
 While the Church were destitute of an active pastor, they 
 passed the following vote, Feb. 5, 1810, viz. : 
 
 " No person, being a member of any other Church, shall 
 commune with this Church at the Lord's table more than 
 once after the passing of this vote, without a certificate from 
 the Church to which he belongs." 
 
 At the same meeting, the Church solemnly renewed its 
 covenant ; and being aware of the dangers that threatened 
 the Churches, from errors newly brought in. and deceitfully 
 propagated, by men who called themselves still ministers of 
 Jesus Christ, the following articles of faith were agreed upon, 
 and subscribed to, by the Church : 
 
 CHUECH CONFESSION. 
 
 ARTICLE I. We believe in the existence of but one God, 
 the Creator, Upholder, and Governor of all worlds and beings ; 
 and that he is unchangeably possessed in the highest degree 
 of all perfections, natural and moral. 
 
 Deut.,vi. 4; Isa., xlii. 8; Heb., iii. 4, i. 3 ; Mal.,iii. 6; John, iii. 27; Rev., iv. 8. 
 
 ART. II. "NVe believe that there is a Trinity of persons, 
 the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, whose mysterious union is 
 such as to constitute them but one God. 
 
 Matt., xxviii. 19; 3 Cor, xiii. 14; Matt., vii. 21, viii. 29, xiv. 33; John, i. 13; 
 Isa., ix. 6 ; Acts, v. 31 , 2 Cor., iii. 17. 
 
 ART. III. We believe that the books contained in the Bi- 
 ble (which is in common use) were all given by inspiration of 
 God, and that they contain a complete and consistent system 
 of truths for the regulation of our faith and practice. 
 
 Tim., iii. 16 ; Jolm, v. 39, xvii. 17 ; ULV., xvii. 18. 19.
 
 CHURCH MANUAL. 17 
 
 ART. IV. We believe, that known unto God were all hig 
 works from the beginning ; that he made all things for him- 
 self ; that he governs all things according to the counsel of his 
 own will, and therefore that we have the highest reasons for 
 the exercise of holy joy and rejoicing. 
 
 Isa, xliii. 6, 7; Rom., xi. 36; Acts, xv. 18; Dan., iv. 35; Psalms, xxxiii. 11; 
 Rev., xix. 1, 2. 
 
 ART. V. We believe, that God created our first parents in 
 his own image, perfectly upright in a moral view ; and that 
 by transgressing his righteous command, they lost that image, 
 became sinful, arid justly exposed themselves to his everlast- 
 ing wrath and curse. 
 
 Gen., i. 20, 27, 31 ; Eccl., vii. 29 ; Col, iii. 10 ; Gen., 2, 17, iii. 3, 6. 
 
 ART. VI. We believe that, in consequence of the first 
 transgression, all mankind in their natural state are the sub- 
 jects of that carnal mind, which is enmity against God, not 
 subject to his law, neither indeed can be, and therefore that 
 by nature they are the children of wrath. 
 
 Rom., v. 12, 1518; Gen., vi. 5, 1113, and viii. 21; Matt., viii. 22; Tit., 1, Ifl; 
 John, iii. 6. 19; Col., 2,13. 
 
 ART. VII. We believe, that all who are saved from wrath, 
 and obtain everlasting life, are those saved by the sovereign 
 mercy of God, through the atonement which was effected by 
 the obedience, sufferings and death of Christ. 
 
 Matt. xxvi. 28; Rom. vii. 32, iii. 24; Eph., i. 7, ii. 5, 8; Peter, i. 13, 19 ; Act*, 
 xx. 28 ; John, i. 10; Titus, iii. 7 ; 1 Peter, v. 10, 12. 
 
 ART. VIII. We believe, that notwithstanding the pro- 
 visions of the Gospel are sufficiently ample for the salvation 
 of sinners of every description, yet that none will accept the 
 salvation thus provided, but those only who are made willing 
 by the special and renewing influences of the Holy Spirit. 
 
 Rev., xxii. 17 ; Isa, xiv. 22; John, iii. 19, v. 40, vi. 44, x. 3; Gal., vi. 15; Tltut, 
 iii. 5 : 2 Peter, i. 10. 
 
 ART. IX. We believe, that those only will accept the 
 great salvation by truly believing in Jesus Christ, who are 
 ordained to eternal life ; and that all such believers will be 
 kept by the power of God unto salvation. 
 
 Acts, xiii. 48 ; Eph., i. 4 . 11 ; Matt., xx. 23 ; Rom., viii. 1 ; John, iv. 14, vi. 87 
 1 Peter, i. 5 ; Hub., x. 39 ; Col. iii. 3. 
 
 ART. X. We believe, that none ought to be admitted to a 
 visible standing in the Church of Christ, but such as in the
 
 18 CHURCH MANUAL 
 
 judgment of Christian charity are the subjects of faith, or a 
 moral change of heart ; and that none but those who are ad- 
 mitted to such a standing, have a right to the Lord's Supper, 
 and baptism for their children. 
 
 Matt., xvi. 18: Acts, Ii.47 ; 1 Cor., i. 2; Gen., xxii. 10 ; Rom., iv. 11, xi. 1742 ; 
 1 Peter, iii. 21 ; Heb. ix. 10. 
 
 AKT. XI. We believe, that in God's own appointed time 
 there will be a general resurrection of the bodies both of the 
 righteous and the wicked ; that they will stand before the 
 judgment scat of Christ ; that they will by him be impartially 
 judged, and sentenced to a just and final retribution, accord- 
 ing to the respective deeds they had done in the Body ; and 
 that the wicked will go away into everlasting, or endless pun- 
 isnment, but the righteous into life eternal. 
 
 Isa., xxvi. 19 ; Matt., xxii. 29 33; Rev., xx. 12; Eccl.ix. 9, xii. 14; Acts, xviL 
 SI ; Matt., xxv. 3116; Dan., xii. 2, 3; Rev., xx. 4, xxii 11. 
 
 ART. XII. Believing, as we do, that the above articles 
 comprise the fundamental doctrines of the Bible, we give our 
 solemn assent and consent to them. 
 
 We also solemnly pledge ourselves to each other, that we 
 will not invite any man to take the oversight of us, or to be 
 our pastor, whose religious sentiments, in our opinion, essen- 
 tially differ from those above specified, and unto which we 
 subscribe our respective names. 
 
 COVENANT. 
 
 Under the influence, we trust, of the truths contained in 
 the preceding articles ; with a view to our own edification and 
 growth in grace ; with a view to honor Christ, to advance his 
 kingdom, and to glorify God, 
 
 We do now solemnly devote ourselves to the great Jehovah 
 in the Covenant of Grace ; we do cordially embrace the Lord 
 Jesus Christ as our Redeemer, and final Judge ; and the Holy 
 Ghost as our Sanctificr, Comforter, and Guide. 
 
 We do religiously and solemly promise, that by Divine as- 
 sistance, we will renounce all fellowship with the unfruitful 
 works of darkness, and walk as children of the light, and 
 adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things, all the 
 days of our lives, that others seeing our good works, may glo- 
 rify our Father, who is in heaven.
 
 CHURCH MANUAL. 19 
 
 We do also solemnly engage to maintain mutual watchful- 
 ness over each other, in the spirit of brotherly love and 
 Christian charity ; and that in maintaining Christ's discipline, 
 we will adopt, execute and submit to, that mode which is 
 pointed out in the eighteenth chapter of Matthew, which we 
 consider as eminently calculated to promote the best interests 
 of his Church. 
 
 Thus we solemnly covenant, humbly imploring the Great 
 Head of the Church, that he would impart to us wisdom and 
 grace, faithfully to perform the vows which are upon us. 
 
 Ezra Weld, Pastor, Robert Tlayden, David P. Hayward, 
 
 Isaac Tlrsyor, Jesse Pratt, Adam Holiart, 
 
 Lemuel V<-;izie, Solomon Thayer, Lovi Wild, 
 
 Jonathan Wild, Cal.-h Thayer, Klii-haz Thayer, 
 
 Saimu-1 Tr.itt, Oliadiah Thayer, Kichard Thayer, 
 
 EUsha French, Elisha French, jr., Asa French. 
 Daniel Fogg, 
 
 The following form of covenant, differing slightly from the 
 above, has been invariably read and accepted, on occasion of 
 the admission of new members, since July, 1811, with the full 
 consent and approbation of the Church : 
 
 COVENANT. 
 
 You do now, in presence of the heart-searching God, and 
 before angels and men, choose the Lord Jehovah to be your 
 God and portion ; and you do hereby receive the Lord Jesus 
 Christ for your Redeemer and Savior, and the Holy Spirit for 
 your Teacher and Sanctificr. 
 
 You do wholly and openly renounce the power of sin and 
 Satan, and resolve to live in universal obedience to all the 
 Divine commandments. 
 
 You do submit to the government of Christ in his Church, 
 and to the regular administration of it, at all times. 
 
 You covenant to attend the worship and ordinances of the 
 Gospel with the Church, so long as God continues you in the 
 world, and you are able to do it. 
 
 You promise to be accountable to this Church of Christ BO 
 long as you live, unless regularly dismissed from it. 
 
 Thus you coyenant and promise, before God and his people 
 
 [ Here the brethren and sisters of the church rise in their places, in 
 token of their cordial admission of the candidate to their privileges ; and 
 the pastor adds:]
 
 20 CHURCH MANUAL. 
 
 In behalf then of this Church, and by the authority of Him 
 who sitteth on the holy hill of Zion, I say to you 
 
 AYc do now receive you affectionately into our communion 
 and fellowship ; and we promise to watch over you with all 
 Christian tenderness, treating you as a member of the body 
 of Christ, according to his commandment ; and expecting 
 from you a cheerful reciprocation of all the kind offices re- 
 quired by the fraternal relation into which a gracious God 
 permits us to enter. 
 
 " The Lord bless thee, and keep thee ; the Lord make his 
 face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee ; the Lord 
 lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace I" 
 
 [ If the occasion require, or the impulses of the heart prompt further 
 utterances of brief counsel or exhortation, the pastor is at liberty to 
 " speak on."] 
 
 1810. May 22. At a meeting of the Church, fifteen mem- 
 bers being present, it was voted " to give Mr. Allen [then 
 holding office in Harvard university] a call to settle with us 
 in the Gospel ministry ; eleven members voting for it." This 
 call was declined ; and soon after, Mr. Allen was chosen to 
 the Presidency of Dartmouth College, and after a few years 
 service, was elected to the same office in Bowdoin College, at 
 Brunswick, Me., where he accomplished much for God and his 
 generation. He still lives, and though not occupying a public 
 station, devotes himself to literary and religious labors for 
 the benefit of present and future generations. 
 
 Oct. 18. "The Church met, and voted unanimously to 
 give Mr. K. S. Storrs a call to settle with them in the Gospel 
 ministry." The town was requested to unite with them in 
 said call. 
 
 The call was accepted on condition that the pastor elect 
 be at liberty to fulfill an engagement he had made, for six 
 months' missionary service, in the State of Georgia. This 
 condition was accepted by the Church. 
 
 Mr. Gordon Hall, who at this time was waiting a fit oppor- 
 tunity to proceed on his mission to India, consented to supply 
 the pulpit during its six mouths' vacancy ; and never was it 
 more usefully or acceptably filled. His name will be had in 
 everlasting ^membrance.
 
 CHURCH MANUAL. 21 
 
 1811. April 26. The Church met, and voted "to set 
 apart the first Wednesday in June, for the ordination of Mr. 
 Storrs , " also, " to send letters for assistance in the ordina- 
 tion," to certain pastors and Churches. 
 
 The " letters missive " were responded to by the following 
 pastors and their Churches, viz.: Rev. Mr. Niles, Abington ; 
 Rev. Mr. Williams, Weymoutk ; Rev. Mr. Norton, N. Wey- 
 mouth ; Eev. Air. Strong, Randolph ; Eev. Mr. Codman, Dor- 
 chester ; Eev. Mr. Gile, Milton ; Eev. Mr. Storrs, Longmead- 
 ow ; Eev. Mr. Eeynolds, Wilmington ; and Eev. Dr. Griffin, 
 Boston. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Williams was chosen Moderator, and Eev. Mr. 
 Norton, Scribe, with Rev. Mr. Codman, assistant scribe. 
 
 After the usual devotional exercises, the proceeedings of 
 the Church and parish in relation to the call were read, and a 
 verbal declaration of acceptance was made by Mr. Storrs be- 
 fore the Council: who also presented a written confession of 
 his faith. " The Council, having attended to these things, 
 and having obtained satisfaction, that Mr. Storrs is a regular 
 member of the Church of Christ, and that he has been licensed 
 by the Presbytery of Long Island to preach the Gospel, vo- 
 ted to proceed to ordination." 
 
 The introductory prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Strong : 
 the sermon was delivered by Rev. R. S. Storrs, sen. ; the con- 
 secrating prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Niles ; the charge to 
 the pastor, by Rev. Mr. Williams ; fellowship of the Churches, 
 by Rev. Mr. Norton ; concluding prayer, by Rev. Mr. Gile. 
 The irrelevant service of "a charge," or "address to the peo- 
 ple," in those days was an unknown work of superrogation. 
 
 The object of this " manual " being the preservation of 
 facts, it may not be out of order to note the following, though 
 of little importance. 
 
 Mr. Storrs was born in Longmeadow, Feb. 6, 1787 ; gradu- 
 ated at Williams College, 1807; first studied theology with 
 Eev. Dr. Woolworth, of Bridgehampton, L. I. ; was licensed 
 by the Suffolk Presbytery ; supplied the then collegiate pul- 
 pits of Smithtown and Islip six months ; afterwards spent a 
 year and an half in the Theological Seminary at Andover, leav- 
 ing that Institution in Sept., 1810. 
 
 At the request of the pastor elect, this day was changed to Wedneeday, 
 July 3d.
 
 22 
 
 CHURCH MATJUAI,. 
 
 LIST OF CHURCH MEMBERS. 
 
 ABBREVIATIONS, dec. deceased, dis. dismissed, ex. excluded, L, Letter. 
 
 Rev. Ezra Weld, dec. 1816 
 
 Elisha., R. of M. French, " 1818 
 
 Richard, s. of 11. Thayer, " 1823 
 
 David P., a. of J. Hay ward, dis. isll 
 
 Robert, s. of B. lluy.len, dec. 1322 
 
 Gaius, s. of T. Thayer, ex. 1820 
 
 Ebenezer, s. of !i. thayer, dec. 1809 
 
 Jesse, 8. of J. Pratt, " 181) 
 
 Lemuel, s. of B. Veazie, " 182") 
 
 Dea. Adam, s, of 0. Hobart, " 1824 
 
 Dea. Eliphaz, 8. of J. Thayer, dis. 1811 
 
 Jonathan, s. of S. Wild, dec. 1840 
 
 Isaac, s. of A. Tiinv r, " 1827 
 
 Solomon, s. of, I. Thayer, " 183) 
 
 Levi, B. of 11 .Wild, " 1848 
 
 Elisha, s. of E. French, " 182C 
 
 Asa, s. of M. French, " 18-W 
 
 Samu'l, s. <if,T. Pratt, dis. 1815 
 
 Daniel, s. of J. Foirir, dec. 1810 
 
 Caleb, s. of I. Tliayer, " 185-J 
 
 Obadiah, s. of il Thayer, " 1841 
 
 Rachel, w. of E. Thaver. " 1819 
 
 Elisabeth, w. of H. Iluydcn, " 1820 
 
 Jemima, w. ofT. Vintoa, " 1816 
 
 Mary, w of N. Wales, " 1841 
 
 Sarah, w. of L. Veazie, " 1824 
 
 Phebe. xv ot'L \Yazie, Jr., " 1847 
 
 Miriam, v/. (jf B. Hayiieii, " 
 Mehitabel, xv of I). Holbrook, dis. 1811 
 
 Miriam, w. of Xasli, dec. 18'9 
 
 Melutabel. xv. of A. French, 1819 
 
 Lois, w. of D. P. Hay ward, dis. 1811 
 
 Elisabeth, w of N.. Hay ward, dee. 1848 
 
 Abigail, xv. or \V. Allen. dis. Isl', 
 
 Ma:y, xv. of 1). Hayvvavd, dec. 1810 
 
 Eunice, w. of M. French, " 18% 
 
 Rhoda, v. of L. V.'ild, " 1840 
 
 Joanna, \v. of J. I'ratt, dis 181o 
 
 Persis, w. of S. Pratt, " IS 15 
 
 Susannah, w. ',' E. French, dec. 1818 
 
 Sarah, w. of K. D.-n ton, " 18:31 
 
 Hannah, w. of A. Stetson, dis. 18il 
 
 Rebecca, \v of J. Rowilitch, " 1811 
 Relief, xv. of S. Peiiniman, 
 
 Elisab th, d. of S. French, dec. 1822 
 
 Dorcas. o* ? Thayer, " 1815 
 
 Deborah, v.: of P. Wild, " 1813 
 
 Rachel, xv. (.f P. Wild. " 1829 
 
 Ruth, w. of K, IVnuiman, " 1839 
 
 Rachel, xv. of A. Faxon, " IS'.O 
 
 Deborah, xv. otJ. Wild. " 18J5 
 Deliverance, w. of Dea. E. 
 
 Thayer. dis. 1S11 
 
 Lydia, xv. of E. Harmon, dec. l^-ii 
 
 Abigail, c.f Tliayer, " 1811 
 
 Mary, of Wild," " 1828 
 
 Elisabeth, xv. of T. Ctirtis, " W2r, 
 
 Sarah, w. ..f,J Ilayward, " 1812 
 
 Barab, w. ofT. Capron, 1839 
 
 Itucy, w, of S. CUessman. " 1821 
 
 1823 
 
 1856 
 1842 
 
 Anna, W. of E. Holbrook, dec 
 
 Alethea, of Hollis, " 1816 
 Mary, of Holbrouk, 
 
 Hejizibah, w. ol'J. Vinton, " 180S 
 
 liutli, xv. of,T. Arnold, " 1850 
 
 Sally, d. of J. Bowdituh, " isis 
 
 Molly, d. of J. I'rat', dis. Isis 
 
 Betsy, w. of O Thayer, dec. 
 
 Susanna Fojig, " 
 
 Uanuah Clark, " 
 
 1811 
 
 R:-v. R. S., s. of Ilev. R. S. Storrs, 
 
 Huth, w of J. Den ton, dec. 1838 
 
 Rath, d. olJ. llayxvaid, " 1818 
 Nathaniel E., s. of Richard 
 
 Thayer, " 1842 
 
 Avis, \v. of Dea. A. llobart, " 1830 
 
 Betty, xv. of S. Tliayir. 1847 
 
 Abigail, w. of V. J. Hullis, dis. 
 
 1812. 
 
 Dorcas, d. of N. Hayden, " 
 
 Benjamin, a of N. Wall 8. dec. 1838. 
 
 Theodcri, xv. ol 11. \Va|. . " 1843 
 Abraham, s. of A. Ilubart, 
 
 Sarali, xv. of A. Hoburt, " 1821 
 
 Klisln, 8. <.f A. llobart. dis. 1859 
 
 Ruth w. of E. Uobtirt, dec;, is.v.) 
 
 Thomas, s of Hancock, did. 1S:."> 
 
 Levi, 8. L. Thayer, " 1829 
 
 lieliei; xv. ol'.t. Adams. " 
 l)eliverance, xx of.\. K. Tliayer, 
 Lucy, xv. of French, 
 Mary, d. cf S. (ii.-s>niun. 
 
 Elisabeth, d. of B. French, dec. 1825 
 Rachel, w. of 8. llayden. 
 
 Betsy, \v. of H. H.-ok r, dia. 1829 
 Clarissa, xv. of ('. U:ij x\ . r,l. 
 Sally, xv. of N. Wales, Jr. 
 
 Barzillai, s. of W. IViiiiimau, dec. 18.54 
 
 Mary, \v. of B. I'eiiniiiiiin, " 1831 
 
 Klisha, s. of Z. Thiiyi r. " 1857 
 
 Susanna, w. of K. Tuayer, " 1857 
 
 David, s. ofT. FIollis. " 1858 
 
 Mary, w. of D. Flollif, " 1847 
 
 Nelieini:ili. s. of N llayden, " 
 
 William. 8. of U. Thayer, dis. 1830 
 E!)enez-r, P. ol'E. IVnlon, 
 
 Sarah, w. of Arnold. dec. 
 Susanna, of Hollnook. 
 
 limb, xv. of K. Penninian, " 1839 
 
 Siiky, xv. of s. French, ' 1S29 
 
 Judith, xx. of A. French, " 1814 
 Sally, xv. of K. Tliayei . 
 
 Lydia, w. of H. lt\'i diteh, dis. 
 
 Klfeabi th, D. ofU. Thayer, dec. 
 
 Eliabelll, xv of Smith dis. 
 Elisabeth A., \v. of N. Peiiniman, 
 
 Margery, xv. ofC. White, dec. 1840 
 
 Jlinam, d. of B. Ilayilen. " 1829
 
 CHURCH MANUAL. 
 
 23 
 
 Phebe, w. of J. Sorter, 
 Abigail, w. of o. Hayden, 
 Buky, w. off. Holiis, 
 Elisabeth, d. of K, Clark, dec 1821 
 
 Rachel, w. ofs. French, 
 Sarepta, w. of J. P. Newcomb, 
 Charlottj, of Thayur, die 
 Saliy, w. of R. Packard, " 1829 
 
 Lydia, w. of i'. Hollis, dec 1829 
 
 Mehltabel, H. .if J. Hobart, " 1816 
 Hulilah, w. o' II. Haydeu, 1851 
 
 Mary, w. i.fj. Dyer dis 1829 
 
 Mehitabel. of Hayden, " 1829 
 Lydia, w. of J. French, dec 1850 
 
 1813. 
 Sarah a, w. of RJV. R. 8. 
 
 Storrs, " 1818 
 
 Phebe, w. of J. Glover, 1852 
 
 1814. 
 
 Polly, w. of R. Arnold, " 1857 
 
 Ma'y, w. of N. White, 
 Sally, w. of J. Dyer, dis 1829 
 
 1815. 
 Mary, w. of R. Sullen, 
 
 1810. 
 
 Robert, a. of R. Hayden, dec 1853 
 
 Nathaniel, s. of N. Thayer, " 1817 
 
 Alice, w. ofs. Capen, " 1840 
 
 Elisabeth, vv of Stowel, dis 
 Julia A., \v. . f Rev. T. Do Witt, " 
 Sally, w. of J. Hollis, 
 Atherton, s. of P Wild, " 1829 
 
 Lucy, w. of A. Wild, " 1829 
 
 Harvey, s. of E. French, dec 1824 
 
 Roland, s. < f U. I'aekard, dis 
 
 Eunice, w. of S. French, 
 Prudenc", w. .!" M. Hunt, 
 Lydia, w. ofJ. Holbruok, " 1850 
 
 Rachel, d. of K. S>p-r, dec 1859 
 
 Rachel, w. of X. Hurd, dis 
 
 Alethpa W., d. of E Penni- 
 
 man, dec 
 
 Esther A. w. of E. Porter, 
 Deborah, d. ..fG. Thayer, 
 Rachel, d. of J. Sarm.son, " 
 
 1817. 
 
 Abigail F., w. of P. D ivis, dis 
 
 Livia D., d. of N T . Thayi-r, 
 Ruth W.. w. of W. Baxter, dec 
 
 Rebecca, w. of S. V. Arnold. 
 
 1818. 
 
 Eliza, d. of \. Fivnca, " 1820 
 
 Ebenez^r T., a. of I). Fogg, ex 
 Susan N., w. or E N. Thayer, 
 Mary, d. of J. Bo wd itch. 
 
 1819. 
 Esther, d. of D. Loring. 
 
 182J. 
 
 Alice, w. of J. Spear, dec 1824 
 
 Rhoda. of Holhrook, 
 Betsy, w. of J. Warren, dia 1831 
 
 Harriet, w. of Rev. R. S. 
 
 Ston 8, D. D. dec 1838 
 
 1821. 
 None. 
 
 1822. 
 
 Sarah, w. of O. Harding, 
 Sally, d. of E. Clark, dec!85 
 
 Elisabeth, of Holbrook. 
 Huldah, w. ofZ. Wild, " 1832 
 
 1823. 
 Eunice, d. of N. Hayward. " 1832 
 
 1824. 
 
 Silence, w. of S. Hayden, 
 Susan, w, of J. Hobart, " 1842 
 
 Deborah, w. of S. Wild, dis 1829 
 
 D>;a. Charles, s. E. Dickerman, dec 1854 
 
 Esther, w. of J. Hayward, dis 1830 
 
 Rebecca N., w. of Rev. J. 
 
 Farnsworth, " 
 
 182S. 
 
 Rnth, w. of J. Dyer, " 1829 
 
 Hannah, d. of S. 'i h-iyer, 
 
 1827. 
 None. 
 
 1828. 
 
 Harlow, s. of Hooker, " 1829 
 
 Thomas s. of S. Penniman, " 
 John, s. of C. Thayer. 
 Charles M., s. of D. Fogg, dec. 1854 
 Ann, d. of J. Wild, dis. 1829 
 
 Sally, w. of C. French, 
 Samuel, s. of R. Hayden, dec 1859 
 
 Julia A., d. of S. Hayden, 
 Sarah, d. of Fov'g. dis 
 
 Jenisha, w of C. Paine, dis 1830 
 
 Phebe N., D of J. Glover, dec 1847 
 Esther, d. of Dja. N. E. Thayer, 
 Naomi, w. ofE. Hobart, dec 1859 
 
 Eliza, w. of E. D -nton, dis 
 
 Sylvia, w. of A Randal, " 
 
 Asa, S. of A. Penniman, 
 Elisabeth H., * . of A. Pen- 
 niman, ex 
 Louisa, d. of 9. Hayden, 
 J.-rusha T.. d. of N. Holbrook, dec 1844 
 Anthony, s. of A Dyke, dis 1829 
 Mary, w. of A Dvke, " 1829 
 Elisha, s of S. Wild, " 1829 
 Caroline, w of E. Wild, " 1829 
 Jonathan, s. of A. French, 
 Sarah B. w of J. French, 
 Nathaniel, s. of N. Hayward. 
 Abigail, w. of T Hancock, dec 1838 
 Rachel, d, of L. Vnazi ', 
 Sarah J. d of S. Thayer, 
 Rebecca T. w. of C. Hayden, dis. 
 
 1829. 
 
 Ebenezer, s. of J. D.-nton, dis 
 Nancy A w of G. Thayer, 
 Susan H. w. ,f J. H J. Thayer, L 
 Mary, w. of G. Blanchard, dec 1848 
 Mary, w of C. Faxon, " 1847 
 
 Deborah, d. of L. Veazie. 
 
 1830. 
 Amos H. s. of C. Hunt, L 
 
 1831. 
 
 Samupl, s. of A. H:\yden, 
 Joseph H. J. s. of S. Thayer, dig
 
 CHURCH MANUAL. 
 
 Zimri, s. of A. Heath, L 
 
 Buth, w. of Z. Heath. L 
 
 1832. 
 
 Samuel, s. of R. Hayden, dec 1859 
 
 Daniel H. s. of J. Denton, 
 Lemuel, s. of L. Veazie, 
 Dorcas, \v. of N. Thayer, dec 1840 
 
 Hannah d. of S Thayer, dec 1850 
 
 Polly, w. of J. Denton, dec 1S">0 
 
 Ruthy, w of E. Penniman, dec 1839 
 Elizabeth, w. of A. H. Hunt, dec 1842 
 Caleb, s. of T. Hollis, 
 George S. B. of N. Nason, ex 
 
 Oliver, s. of O. Hay.ien, 
 Samuel, s. of S. French, 
 Kmmons, s. of Dea X. E. Thayer, 
 David, s. of Dea. N. E. Thayer, 
 Hiram, s. of Hunt, ex 
 
 Thais, w. of J. Nottage, dis 
 
 Rachel, w. of J. French, 
 
 Sarah, w of Goocb, dec 1841 
 
 Irene, w. of N. Bunker, 
 
 Beulah. w. of M. Arnold, 
 
 Deborah, w. of A. Hobart, 
 
 Mary, w, of J. Tha\ or, 
 
 Hannah, of Thayer, 
 
 Mary A., w. of O. Wilde, 
 
 Laura, d. of A. Penniman, dec 1859 
 
 Beulah, d. of M. Arnold, 
 
 Harriet, d. of N. Wales, 
 
 Ann, d. of C. French, 
 
 Maria, d. of C. White, ex 
 
 Ellen, rl. of D. Gorham, 
 
 Sarah E d. of Dr-a. N. E. Thayer, dec 1841 
 
 Rhoda. d. of L. Veazie, 
 
 Deborah, d. of G. Thayer, 
 
 Lucinda, d. of E. F. Thayer, dec 1845 
 
 Ruthy, d. of S. Snell, 
 
 William, s. of Xottage, dec 
 
 Josiah, s. of Nottage, dec 
 
 Asaph, p. of 
 
 -Goodenow, dec 1854 
 
 Samuel D. s. of S. Hayden, 
 
 Ann, w. of S. D. Hayden, 
 
 Elisha, s. of E. French, 
 
 Lucinda, w. of E. French, 
 
 Josiah, s. of J. H oil is, 
 
 Elizabeth, w. of J. Hollis, 
 
 Margery A. d. of C. White, dec 1857 
 
 Mary, w. of r. Dickerman, 
 
 Eunice, d. of J. Hollis, 
 
 Susan, d. of J. Hollis, 
 
 Susan, d. .f E. Thayer, 
 
 Avis A. d. of E. Tlobart, 
 
 Deborah, d. of Z. Wilde, dec 1851 
 
 Mary A. w. of G. S. Nason, 
 
 Elias, s. of N. Hayward, 
 
 Elizabeth D. w. of E. Hayward, dec 1859 
 
 Rev. Edwards A. s. of Rev. C. Park, D.D. 
 
 David, s. of Gorham, 
 
 Mrs. Hannah, w. of D. Gorham, dec 1835 
 
 1833. 
 
 None. 
 
 1834. 
 
 Elizabeth, d. of J. Bowditch, dec 1847 
 Gharlotte, w. of C. M. Fogg, 
 
 1834. 
 
 Tliehnrd, s. of J. Allen. 
 Elizabeth, w. of E. Lovell, 
 
 - 
 
 dec 1851 
 
 None. 
 
 1836. 
 
 Charles, s. of - Dickson, L 
 Rebecca. \v. of C. Dink son, L 
 
 Ann, w. of Rev. R. S. Storrs, D D. L 
 Eliza, w. of B. F. Arnold, dee L 1843 
 Reiiecea, w. of S. Vcazi, dec L 1843 
 Sally, w. of N. Hayward, L 
 
 1837. 
 
 Rowen^, w. of B. Rvan, 
 Elizabeth, d. of N. Hayward, dis 
 Nancy L. d. of J. Wild, dec 
 
 1838. 
 Sarah H. d. of J. Thayer, 
 
 1839. 
 Jacob, s. of - Abbott, 
 
 dis 
 dis 
 dis 
 
 Harriet, w. of J. Abbott, 
 Haniiiih, \v. of S. Barrel, 
 Caroline, d. of J. Hullis. 
 
 1840. 
 
 Josiah s. of R. Hayden, L dec 1856 
 Dorcas, w. of J. Hayden, L dec 1854: 
 Hannah S. w. of J. Holbrook, L dec 1848 
 
 1841. 
 
 Charles A. s. of 0. French, 
 Caroline, w. of B. V. Fr-nch, L dec 1843 
 Sarah, d. of Dea. N. E. Thayer. 
 
 1142. 
 
 Jechonias, s. of S. Thayer, L 
 
 Abby H. w. of J. Thayer, dee L 1854 
 Eliza, d. of J. Thayer," dec L 1847 
 
 Thomas A. s. of R, Hayden, L 
 
 Mehitable, w. of T. A. 'Hayden, L 
 Reb-cca S. w. of C. Hayden, L 
 Emily P. d. of S. Reynolds, L dis 
 
 Dr. Jonathan, s. of J Wilde, 
 
 William, s. of Sawyer, 
 
 Lncy, w. of A. Penniman, dec 1859 
 
 Mary, d. of J. Wilde, dis 
 
 Nancy, d, of T. A. Hayden, 
 
 Sarah, w, of S. M. Capen, dec 
 
 Elizibeth. d. of E. Penniman, 
 
 Rachel, d. of J. Bowditch, 
 
 Clarissa, d. of 0. Hsyward, 
 
 Merinda, d. of W. H'llbrook, ex 
 
 Enoch H s of E. Fisher, 
 
 Ann. w of E. H, Fisher. 
 
 Ebenezer F. E. s. of K. F. E. Thayer, 
 
 Sarah S. S. w. of F. E. Thayer. 
 
 Sarah A. w. of D. H. Niles, 
 
 Nancy C. w. of T. Daniels, 
 
 Ruth, d. of E. Penniman, 
 
 Abigail, d. of C. Faxon, dis 1850 
 
 Abby H. d. of J. Thaycr, 
 
 Richard S., Jr.. s. of Rev. R.S. Storrs, dis 
 
 Henry M. s. of Rev. C. B. Storr?, dis 
 
 Joseph C. s. of Rev. C Williams L 
 
 Sarah w. of J. 0. Williams, L dec 1856 
 
 Thomas, s. of J. Daniels, L 
 
 Sarah B. C. w. of Rev. Thomas Noycs, L
 
 CHURCH MANUAL. 
 
 1843. 
 
 Dea. Jonathan, 8. of Jas. Cochran, L dis 
 Mary, w. Dea. .1 Coehrane, L dis 
 Lucy, w. of J. Hoburt, L 
 
 1841. 
 
 Jane B,, d. of C. French, L 
 
 dan nali, vv. of J. Arnold, L 
 
 Mary H., d. S. White. 
 
 1845. 
 None. 
 
 1846. 
 None. 
 
 1847. 
 Louisa, w. of T. Martin, dis 
 
 1848. 
 Lucy, w. of Dea. D. Hollis. 
 
 1849. 
 
 Dr. Cyras S., s. of Rev. C. Mann, L 
 Harriet F , w. of Dr. C. S. Mann, L 
 Frances B., w. of E Thayer, L 
 
 1850. 
 None. 
 
 1851. 
 
 Caroline, d. of C. Stetson. 
 Harriet, d, of J. Thayer, 
 Persia, d. of J. Thayer, dis 
 Ennicu, d. of B. Hayward, 
 Dr. Alex. II., s. of Rev. 8. Holmes, L 
 Ruth, d. of Ricker, 
 Charles, s. of M. Kreneh, L 
 
 Catherine L., w. of C. French, L 
 Mary A., w. of W. Hollis, L 
 
 1852. 
 
 Caleb, s. of A. Stetson, L 
 
 Susan H., w. of C. Stetson, I* 
 
 Sarah C. d. of C. French, 
 Sarah F., d. of E. Hayward. dis 
 Eunice C., d. of Rev. R. S. Storrs, L 
 Joseph A., s. of J Hollis, 
 Sarah W., w of \V. Gage, 
 Abigail L., d. of J. Wild. 
 
 1853. 
 
 Mary, d. of Parsons, L 
 
 Fidelia, w. of A. H. Hunt, L 
 
 1854. 
 
 Edward, s. of C. Thayer, 
 William, s. of J. Kincaid, 
 Laura A., w. of G. W. Currier, L 
 
 1855. 
 
 Maria, w. of P. Oilman, 
 Rlioda F., w. of H. Mann, 
 Lois, d. of C, Faxon. 
 Mary, w. of A. Arnold. 
 
 1856. 
 
 Frank W., s. of H. Reeves, 
 Sarah E., w. of F Reeves, 
 Norton, s of L. Pratt, 
 Emeliue M., w. of N. Pratt, 
 
 1857. 
 
 Catherine V , w. of E. Potter, 
 Sophia, w. of T B. Vinton, 
 Sarah, w. of W. Kincaid, 
 Surah A., d. of E C. Bowdltch. 
 Caroline E., d. C. French, 
 Thomas B., s. of B. Vinton. 
 Mercy L., w. of C. Briggs, 
 Elvira, \v. of E. Thayer," dec. 
 Charles W , s. of J. Hobart, 
 Adt-line, d. of dea E. Hayward, 
 Hannah E., d. of S. Thayer. 
 
 1858. 
 
 Elisha A , s. of E. Belcher, 
 Mary F , w. of A. Belcher. 
 Susan A., w. J. E Ilolbrook, 
 Harriet M., w. of J Fogg, 
 Franklin E., s. of B. F Arnold, 
 Susannah N., d. of E. N. Thayer, 
 Sarah H , d. of E N. Thayer, 
 Mercy B , d. of O. Cobb, 
 Ann S , d. of dea E. Hayward, 
 Helen L., d. of C. Stetson, 
 Anna M , d. of C. Stetson, 
 Susan M., d. of R. Sherman, 
 Phebe A., d. of W. Sherman, 
 Sarah E., d. of J. Sampson, 
 
 1859. 
 
 Henry M., s. of J. Hollis, 
 Eliza S., w. of A. Hobart, 
 Julia A., w. of S. Dustin, 
 Ruth, d. of N. Wales, 
 Delia, w. of S. Thayer, 
 Harriet S., w. of Dennett, 
 
 ACTS OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 1814. Sept. I. Brother David Hollis was chosen Deacon, 
 in place of Deacon Hobart, who resigned an office he had loi'g 
 held and honorably fulfilled, on account of the increasing in- 
 firmities of age. 
 
 Same day. Voted, that the Deacons be required to keep 
 regular accounts of the monies received at the sacramental col- 
 lections, and that if there be an overplus, after defraying the 
 3
 
 26 CHURCH MANUAL. 
 
 necessary expenses, it be subject to the disposal of the Church 
 for the benefit of the poor. 
 
 1815. Sept. 1. Brother Nathaniel E. Thayer was chosen 
 second Deacon, and set apart to the sacred office by prayer. 
 
 1817. Sept. 7. The Church Voted, To allow their Pastor 
 to spend the third week in this month in Missionary labor, on 
 the borders of .Rhode Island. 
 
 1820. May 14. The Church Voted, To take the Sabbath 
 School under their direction ; and appointed a Committee of 
 five, to make and carry into effect arrangements for the present 
 year. 
 
 1821. July 21. A Committee of seven was appointed, to 
 report, next Lord's day, on the best method of securing a fair 
 proportion of aid from this parish for the support of Mr. Tem- 
 ple, on his mission to Palestine. Deacons Hobart, Hollis, and 
 Thayer, with brethren A. French, K. Hayden, Jr., L. Wild, 
 and L. Thayer, were chosen. 
 
 1824. Dec. 2. The Church this day Voted, That a Com- 
 mittee of five be appointed, whose duty it shall be, in conjunc- 
 tion with the Pastor, to examine all persons offering them- 
 Belves as candidates for admission to the privileges of the 
 Church before they shall be propounded. 
 
 That it be the duty of this Committee to meet at least once 
 in three months, and as much oftener as they may find it 
 necessary or convenient. 
 
 That their meetings be open to any member of the Church 
 who may wish to be present. 
 
 1827. June 3. The Church Voted, That they highly ap- 
 prove of the plan of Church Conference, which has been re- 
 cently proposed by a Committee of the Norfolk Association. 
 
 Sept. 11. The Church Committee appointed a special meet- 
 ing for baptised children, on the 22d inst., requesting also 
 the attendance of their parents. 
 
 Though the proposed meeting was not numerously attend- 
 ed, owing to unfavorable weather, yet the attention and deep 
 feeling manifested, evinced the presence of the Holy Spirit. 
 
 1828. March 5. This day was observed by the Church 
 as a season of fasting, humiliation, and prayer, in reference 
 to the state of religion among us. The morning was spent in
 
 CHURCH MANUAL. 27 
 
 fasting and prayer " by every one apart." At 11 o'clock, the 
 Church met at the house of God, and spent two hours in 
 prayer, confession, and renewal of covenant. At 2 o'clock, 
 the congregation assembled, and a sermon was delivered by 
 Eev. Mr. Green, of Boston. At half past 5 o'clock, the Church 
 met again, and was addressed by several lay brethren from 
 Boston. An evening service was also held, in which Kev. Mr. 
 Green addressed the assembly ; and many were constrained to 
 say, "It is good to be here." 
 
 1829. Jan. 4. At a regular meeting of the Church, it 
 was Voted, 1. That a quarterly collection be taken up in the 
 congregation for the Massachusetts Missionary Society. 
 
 2. That a part of the proceeds of the Monthly Concert col- 
 lections be appropriated to the same object. 
 
 May 4. At a regular church meeting, it was Voted, unani- 
 mously, That the Pastor be at liberty to be absent for six 
 months during each of the two succeeding years, in aid of the 
 cause of Home Missions, as an Agent of the American Home 
 Missionary Society, it being understood that he furnish sup- 
 plies for the pulpit. 
 
 1830. Dec. 29. The old meeting-house having been 
 taken down by vote of the Parish, the new one, just completed, 
 was this day solemnly dedicated to the service of Almighty 
 God, 'Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Introductory prayer by 
 Kev. Mr. Perkins, of East Braintree ; reading of the Scrip- 
 tures by Kev. Mr. Huntington, of N. Bridgewater ; dedicatory 
 prayer by Rev. Dr. Codman, of Dorchester ; sermon by the 
 Pastor; concluding prayer by Kev. Mr. Matthews, of So. 
 Braintree ; the benediction by the Rev. Mr. Gile, of Milton. 
 The day was pleasant and joyous. The sale of the pews ex- 
 ceeded the cost of the house, $1725. 
 
 1831. Aug. 4. On the question of the Pastor's dismission 
 from the charge of this church, that he might accept the office 
 of " Associate Secretary and General Agent of the American 
 Home Missionary Society for the New England States " it 
 was voted, after much discussion, " That the church consent 
 to the settlement of a colleague pastor, leaving the present 
 pastor at liberty to devote himself to the duties of the pro- 
 posed office for a term not exceeding five years he relin- 
 quishing all pecuniary claims on the church and parish during 
 that term. In this vote the parish concurred.
 
 23 CHURCH MANUAL. 
 
 October 31. It was voted by the church unanimously, 
 " That Mr. Edwards A. Park be invited to settle with us in 
 the gospel ministry, as colleague pastor, on the conditions 
 that he discharge all the duties of the pastoral and ministerial 
 office, and relieve the senior pastor from all the responsibili- 
 ties of said office, for a term not exceeding five years." This 
 vote was concurred in by the parish unanimously. 
 
 This call was accepted by Mr. Park, with the following 
 modification suggested by him and adopted by the other 
 parties concerned, viz. : " That his connexion with the church 
 and pai ish be not limited to five years, but continued so long 
 as both parties agree to continue it, be the term more or less 
 than five years." 
 
 December 21. This being the day appointed for the ordi- 
 nation of Mr. E. A. Park, the following churches were re- 
 presented in council by pastors and delegates, viz.: 
 
 Bowdoin st. church Rev. Dr. L. Beecher and delegate. 
 
 Park st. church, , Josiah Hayden, del. 
 
 Dorchester Kev. Dr. Codman, and del. 
 Milton Rev. S. Gile, and del. 
 Dedham S. Rev. H. G. Park, and del. 
 Stoughton Rev. Dr. Park and del. 
 Easton Rev. L. Sheldon, and del. 
 Randolph E. Rev. D. Brigham, and del. 
 Randolph W. Rev. Mr. Hitchcock, and del. 
 North Bridgewater Rev. Mr. Huntington, and del. 
 Braintree S. Rev. Mr. Matthews, and del. 
 Braintree and Weymouth, union Rev. Mr. Perkins, and 
 del. 
 
 Weymouth S. , a del. 
 
 The Council having been organized, by the choice of Dr. 
 Park as Moderator, and L. Sheldon, Scribe, proceeded to the 
 examination of the candidate ; and, being satisfied therewith, 
 assigned the several parts of the ordination service, as fol- 
 lows : to Rev. Mr. Perkins, the introductory prayer ; to Rev. 
 Dr Park, the sermon ; to Rev. R. S. Storrs, the charge ; to 
 Rev. H. G. Park, the right hand of fellowship ; to Rev. S. 
 Gile, the consecrating prayer ; and to Rev. Mr. Matthews, the 
 concluding prayer.
 
 CHURCH MANUAL. 29 
 
 On the part of the church, a day of fasting and prayer had 
 been observed the week previous to the ordination, when they 
 confessed their faults and sins one to another, and voted to 
 hold a protracted meeting immediately after the ordination 
 services were over ; accordingly, meetings commenced on 
 Wednesday evening, were continued to the close of the week, 
 and happy results followed even a general revival of 
 religion. 
 
 1832. January 9. The church voted to instruct the 
 standing committee to propound for admission to the church 
 no one who would not pledge himself to a total abstinence 
 from ardent spirits, except when used as a medicine. 
 
 December 28. The church appointed a committee of two, 
 to " visit some communicants whose conduct deserved repre- 
 hension; " and voted to observe the seventh day of January 
 ensuing as a day of fasting and prayer, for the revival of 
 God's work. 
 
 1833. December 26. The junior pastor requested of the 
 church a dismission from his charge ; and the church voted 
 to accede to his request, " tho' with feelings of painful 
 regret." 
 
 1834. January 8. The parish having felt constrained, 
 though reluctantly, to concur in the action of the church, Dec. 
 26, an ecclesiastical council was called, and met, 
 
 January 17 to consider the question of the junior pastor's 
 dismission. Rev. Calvin Park, D. D., of S tough ton ; Eev. 
 Jonas Perkins, of Union church ; Eev. L. Matthews, of So. 
 Braintree ; and Rev. John C. Phillips, of N. Weymouth, with 
 the delegates of their churches, convened and organised, by 
 choosing Rev. Dr. Park, Moderator, and the Rev. Mr. Phillips, 
 Scribe. The request of Mr. Park, occasioned by an urgent 
 invitation to a Professorship in Amherst College, and a con- 
 viction of his duty to accept it, was then laid before the 
 council, together with the doings of the church and parish in 
 the premises. The proceedings having been regular and sat- 
 isfactory, the council voted the dissolution unanimously. 
 Their result follows : 
 
 " Voted, That the council entertain a high sense of the 
 faithfulness and devotedness of Rev. Mr. Park in the dis- 
 
 QO
 
 80 CHURCH MANUAL. 
 
 charge of his pastoral duties of his incessant and various 
 labors to promote the intellectual and moral improvement of 
 the people of his late charge, and they cordially recommend 
 him to the fellowship and confidence of the churches of our 
 Lord. The council, in view of the connexion which has hith- 
 erto so happily subsisted between this church and the late 
 junior pastor, and which has been so signally blessed by the 
 God of all grace, cannot but sympathise with them in the 
 dissolution of said connexion ; and knowing how happy this 
 connexion has been to the present pastor, they would express 
 their sympathy with him, in the loss which he has sustained, 
 in the dismisson of so able and beloved a colleague. And 
 the council commend him, with his beloved church, to the 
 guidance and care of Him who is able to sanctify to them this 
 affliction, and to build them up in the faith and order of the 
 
 Tor about two years from the date of Eev. Mr. Park's dis- 
 mission and during the continued Home Mission Agency, and 
 subsequent protracted illness of the pastor the church and 
 congregation were edified by the ministerial labors, chiefly, of 
 the Rev. Paul Jewett and Mr. William R. Jewett, who succes- 
 sively "stood in the gap" and "fed the people with know- 
 ledge." From that period the senior pastor resumed the 
 duties of his office so far as reduced health would permit, 
 relinquishing the Agency to which he stood pledged, after 
 four years' exhausting service. 
 
 Few things deserving of special notice, in this connection, 
 occurred, out of the ordinary routine of pastoral care. Here 
 and there cases of discipline arose, requiring firmness and for- 
 bearance on the part of the church ; and various action on 
 incidental matte; s was taken from time to time, as the records 
 will disclose to ail whose curiosity or necessity may prompt to 
 inquiry. 
 
 1841. December 23. The deacons of the church were ap- 
 pointed to act as a committee, in conjunction with the pastor, 
 to decide whether agents for other objects than those already 
 approved by the church, shall have liberty to present them 
 and take public collections. 
 
 1842. January 31. Dea. N. E. Thayer, wishing to be 
 excused from the active duties of the deaconship on account
 
 CHURCH MANUAL. 31 
 
 of many and increasing infirmities and Dea. D. Hollis pre. 
 ferring a similar request, and the request being deamed rea- 
 sonable this day was set apart for the choice of two assistant 
 deacons ; brethren Nathaniel Hay ward and Charles Dickerman 
 were unanimously chosen by ballot to the office. 
 
 On the same day a "standing rule," that had been in ope- 
 ration for thirty years, requiring applicants for admission from 
 other Congregational churches to submit to examination by the 
 committee, in like manner as those " coming out from the 
 world," was formally RESCINDED ; and it was voted, that " full 
 letters of recommendation " from " churches with which we 
 are in fellowship, be received as sufficient testimonials of 
 Christian character and standing." The occasion of the above 
 " standing rule" having passed away, when the dividing line 
 between Evangelical and Unitarian Congregationalists had 
 been fairly established and recognized, the rule had become 
 superfluous, and even derogatory to the character of sister 
 churches. 
 
 February 27. After a sermon on " the office, qualifications, 
 and duties of deacons," the previously elected brethren, Na- 
 thaniel Hayward and Charles Dickerman, were inducted into 
 office by solemn prayer, and the laying on of hands. 
 
 1854. October 19. Our beloved brother Dickerman, hav- 
 ing been called away from us by death at a special meeting 
 of the church, notified for the purpose, brother Elias Hay- 
 ward was chosen to succeed in the office of deacon, by an 
 unanimous vote of the members present. After due consider- 
 ation, on his part, 
 
 November 1-i. Bro. E. Hayward was publicly inducted in- 
 to office, at the close of the afternoon service, by prayer and 
 the laying on of hands. 
 
 1857. June 3. A new house of worship having been 
 erected in place of the former, which, in the judgment of 
 many, had become insufficient to accommodate the increasing 
 population, was this day solemnly dedicated to the service of 
 God agreeably to previous arrangements. Rev. Mr. Couch, of 
 N. Brid^ewater, offered the invocation and read the scriptures; 
 Rev. Mr. Means, of Dorchester, read the hymn ; Rev. Mr. 
 Russel, of E. Randolph, offered prayer ; Rev. R. S. Storrs, Jr., 
 of Brooklyn, preached the sermon ; the Pastor offered the
 
 32 CHURCH MANUAL. 
 
 prayer of dedication ; Eev. Mr. Perkins, of East Braintree, 
 gave the benediction. An overflowing congregation shared 
 the solemnities of the occasion, and many prayers went up 
 to God, that the glory of the latter house might exceed the 
 glory of the former. 
 
 September 6. The communion vessels hitherto in use in 
 this church being no longer needful here, since the generous 
 donation of a complete set by Mrs. L. Bliss, of Boston, for- 
 merly a member of this church, were donated to the use of a 
 feeble church in Ohio, at the suggestion of Kev. Henry M. 
 Storrs, Cincinnati ; the few articles presented as special 
 memorials by honored individuals being retained for continued 
 use. 
 
 1858. February 25. It was voted that the standing com- 
 mittee be authorised, if they see fit, to draft a code of By- 
 laws for the regulation of the action of the church in the 
 future, and present it for adoption at the next annual meeting, 
 or at a special meeting, duly notified, if they think proper. 
 
 1859. January 3. A report of "Rules and Regulations," 
 previously agreed upon by the standing committee, agreeably to 
 the preceding vote, was presented to the church, accepted and 
 adopted ; and the same committee was authorized to publish 
 it, in connexion with a revised edition of the church manual, 
 prepared in 1829.
 
 FIRST CHUECH IN BRAINTEE 
 
 . 
 
 I. ORDINANCES. 
 
 1. The Lord's Supper shall be administered, God willing, 
 four times a year, viz. : on the first Sabbath in the several 
 months of March, June, September, and December ; also, at 
 such other times as the Church or Standing Committee shall 
 elect. 
 
 2. Baptism shall be administered to the children of believ- 
 ing parents, on the same Sabbaths ; or, if greater convenience 
 require, it may be administered at other times. 
 
 II. ANNUAL MEETING. 
 
 1. The Church shall hold an annual meeting for business, 
 on or near the first day of January of each year; when the 
 Eecord of the preceding Annual Meeting shall be read, and 
 the Divine blessing implored. 
 
 2. Two permanent Committees for the year shall be chosen, 
 by ballot or nomination, as the Church shall direct ; 1 st, a 
 committee of business, called a " Standing Committee ;" 2d, 
 a committee for the management of the Sabbath School, called 
 the " Sabbath School Committee." 
 
 3. These committees shall consist each of six members, 
 beside the pastor, who shall be a member ex officio. 
 
 4. Othejf committees for special purposes may be chosen, 
 at the discretion of the Church.
 
 34 CHURCH MANUAL. 
 
 5. All these committees shall make report of their doings 
 at the close of the year, or at any special meeting of the 
 Church, if required ; and submit them to the action of the 
 Church. 
 
 6. At this meeting a Treasurer shall be appointed, to take 
 charge of the collections of the Church, and report thereon. 
 A Clerk shall also be chosen, to record the doings of the 
 Church, and keep them open to the inspection of members. 
 
 III. SPECIAL MEETINGS. 
 
 1. Special Meetings of the Church may be called at any 
 time, when judged necessary, by the pastor, Standing Com- 
 mittee, or any seven members of the Church, signing their 
 names to the call. 
 
 2. Such meetings shall be notified from the pulpit, on the 
 Sabbath preceding ; or, if the pastor refuse so to notify them, 
 a written notification, duly signed by seven members or more, 
 stating the business or object of the meeting, and posted on 
 an intervening Sabbath in the vestibule of the Meeting-house, 
 shall be deemed a regular notice ; and the business transacted 
 at such meeting shall be held regular and valid. 
 
 IV. MODERATOR. 
 
 1. In all meetings of the Church the pastor shall be the 
 Moderator, unless he decline to serve, or refuse to discharge 
 the duties of the office. 
 
 2. In case of the pastor's sickness, unavoidable absence, 
 or refusal to serve, the Church may appoint a Moderator for 
 the time being. 
 
 V. QUORUM. 
 
 1. A majority of the acting members present at the regu- 
 lar meetings of the Church, shall form a quorum for business. 
 
 2. All business transactions shall be determined by a ma- 
 jority of the votes actually cast on any given question ; and 
 any vote carried by more or less in the affirmative, shall be 
 declared unanimous, if no negative votes be cu.st.
 
 CHURCH MANUAL. 35 
 
 VI. STANDING COMMITTEE. 
 
 1. It shall be the duty of this Committee to meet at least 
 once in three months, and as much oftener as necessity shall 
 require, or convenience permit. These meetings shall be open 
 to any member of the Church wishing to profit by the delibe- 
 rations of the Committee. 
 
 2. They shall examine all those offering themselves as 
 candidates for admission to the privileges of the Church, and 
 if satisfied of their experimental piety and doctrinal correct- 
 ness, shall propound them for admission, three, or at least two 
 weeks, previous to calling for a vote of the Church ; the for- 
 mal vote being taken at the close of the preparatory lecture 
 preceding the communion. In the case of those bringing let- 
 ters of dismission and recommendation from sister Churches 
 held in fellowship, it shall suffice for the pastor to propound 
 them, as others are propounded, and call for the vote of the 
 Church, in the same manner ; it being understood, that no 
 member of another Church shall be received into this Church, 
 without proper letters of dismission and recommendation. 
 
 3. Cases of discipline shall be taken up by this Commit- 
 tee, on complaint regularly brought before them, and made 
 the subject of inquiry and kindly eifort to convince and re- 
 claim the offender, or to remove misapprehensions from the 
 mind of the complainant; but no person shall be cut off 
 from the Church, except by vote of the Church at a regular 
 meeting. 
 
 4. This Committee shall give letters of dismission and 
 recommendation to those removing to another place, or wish- 
 ing, for any reasons, to connect themselves with a sister 
 Church, if in good and regular standing at the time of making 
 the request. 
 
 5. This Committee shall look after the spiritual interests, 
 so far as they have the ability to do it, of such members of 
 the Church, as, through removal or other causes, fail to com- 
 mune regularly, or occasionally, at least, with this Church, 
 and neglect other duties pledged in their covenant engage- 
 ments.
 
 36 CHURCH MANUAL. 
 
 VII. RESIDENT MEMBERS OF OTHER CHURCHES. 
 
 Members of other Churches residing and worshipping with 
 us, arc expected, after the lapse of a year at the longest, 
 to present letters of dismission from the Church to which they 
 belong ; and in case no satisfactory reason for further delay 
 be assigned, they are expected to absent themselves from the 
 communion of this Church. 
 
 VIII. THE SABBATH SCHOOL COMMITTEE. 
 
 This Committee shall appoint the Superintendent and 
 teachers of the School ; determine what text-books shall be 
 used ; at what times and places the sessions shall be held ; 
 what books shall be placed in the library, and on what 
 conditions used by the scholars ; take up an annual collection 
 for the increase of the library ; and aid the active laborers 
 in the School, by their counsels, personal influence, and cheer- 
 ful efforts. 
 
 IX. DISPOSAL OF FUNDS. 
 
 1. A collection shall be taken at the close of every sacra- 
 mental lecture, for defraying the expenses of the communion 
 table. 
 
 2. Any surplus funds remaining in the hands of the 
 deacons, after supplying the Lord's table, shall be distributed 
 to indigent members of the church, if such there be ; other- 
 wise, they shall be reserved in the hands of the Treasurer, till 
 cases of want arise, or other appropriation is made by vote of 
 the church. 
 
 X. DISCIPLINE. 
 
 Believing that sound and wholesome discipline is essential 
 to the peace and welfare of any church, we adopt and abide 
 by the rules Christ has prescribed for its maintainance, in 
 Matt. 18 c., and which are elucidated by the records of the 
 primitive church. 
 
 We recognize two classes of offences, viz : those of a private 
 and personal character, and those that are public, or open to 
 the observation of all.
 
 CHURCH MANUAL. 37 
 
 1 . In the case of private or personal wrongs, the membei 
 aggrieved shall himself take the several steps prescribed by 
 Christ ; in the case of public offence, the Standing Committee 
 shall take the same course ; and if satisfaction be not given, 
 the matter shall be laid before the Church at the Annual 
 Meeting, or at a meeting specially called for the purpose. 
 
 2. If the Church approve the action of the aggrieved 
 member, in thcjirst case, or of the Standing Committee, in the 
 second, a written complaint, specifying the charges preferred, 
 and signed by the Clerk, shall be placed in the hands of the 
 offender, with a citation from the "Church or Committee, to 
 appear at a given time and place, and make answer to said 
 charges. 
 
 3. If he refuse to obey the citation, after a first and sec- 
 ond summons, he shall, if the Church so elect, be forthwith 
 excommunicated for contumacy, without further reference to 
 the truth of the charges alleged ; in case he appear, and an- 
 swer to the charges, and after all, is voted guilty by the 
 Church which shall never be done, without clear and indis- 
 putable evidence against him he must furnish satisfactory 
 indications of repentance to the Church, or be instantly sus- 
 pended from its privileges. 
 
 4. After this suspension, the Church shall delay action 
 only so long as they judge that duty requires; and then, in 
 case no satisfaction be given by the offender, the Church shall 
 proceed to vote his exclusion ; and this act of exclusion, 
 signed by the Moderator and Clerk, shall be read from the 
 pulpit, in presence of the congregation. 
 
 XI. VOTERS IN THE CHURCH. 
 
 Every acting member of this Church has the right, and 
 shall always share the privilege, of voting, on any and every 
 question that comes before it for its action, unless suspended, 
 after being found guilty of some disciplinable offence. 
 
 XII. SUSPENSION OF EULES. 
 
 None of the standing Eules and Regulations of this Church 
 shall be suspended, except by a vote of two-thirds of the mem- 
 bers present, at any regular meeting. 
 4
 
 38 CHURCH MANUAL. 
 
 XIII. RESCINDING or EULES. 
 
 No " Standing Rule " of this Church shall be rescinded or 
 changed, unless a written proposition, stating distinctly the 
 proposed change, be submitted at some regular meeting ; and 
 final action shall be delayed until the next succeeding Annual 
 Meeting. 
 
 XIV. ADDITIONAL RULES. 
 
 Any new " Standing 'Rule " hereafter proposed, shall be 
 first submitted to the " Standing Committee," or to a special 
 committee, to be by them considered, and reported to the 
 Church for adoption or rejection, at the next regular meeting 
 following. 
 
 XV. AUTHORITY OF PAST RULES. 
 
 Any Rules or Regulations heretofore adopted by this Church, 
 and put on record, or regarded as common law, being super- 
 seded by this Digest, shall no longer be referred to, as having 
 authority in the proceedings of this Church. 
 
 The foregoing " Rules and Regulations," prepared by the 
 " Standing Committee," as directed by the .Church at the 
 Annual Meeting of 1858, was read at the Annual Meeting, 
 Jan. 3, 1859; and it was "voted, unanimously, that said 
 Report be accepted and adopted ; and that the same Commit- 
 tee be authorized to publish it, in connection with the revised 
 edition of the Church Manual." 
 
 Attest, R. S. STORRS, Pastor and Clerk.
 
 ACTION OF THE CHUECH AT THE ANNUAL 
 MEETING, JANUAEY 2, 1860. - 
 
 VIOLATION OF COVENANT ENGAGEMENTS. 
 
 " You covenant to attend the worship and ordinances of the 
 Gospel with the Church, so long as God continues you in the 
 world, and you are able to do it." 
 
 Upon this article in the church Covenant, the " Standing 
 Committee " made report, at the annual meeting of the 
 church, January 2, I860-; which was accepted unanimously: 
 
 " This Covenant your committee understand to be violated, 
 
 I. When any member of the church, resident with us, having 
 ordinary health, and no special physical hindrance* yet ab- 
 stains from the regular commemoration of the death of 
 Christ, in the way of his appointment. If any brother or 
 sister be offended by the supposed or real misconduct of any 
 member of the church, his duty is plain, to go directly to the 
 offender, and obtain satisfaction in the mode prescribed by 
 the Savior, Matt. 18th, and not to cut himself off from the 
 communion of the whole church with her Lord and Master, 
 and thereby grieve all the brethren. Offences will come ; 
 but they often originate in misapprehensions, which a calm 
 and fraternal interchange of thought would remove ; and, it 
 is injurious to any brother to condemn him, before giving 
 him an opportunity to explain himself; and still more inju- 
 rious to the whole church to condemn it as a body, for the 
 real or supposed misconduct of an individual. No offence, 
 real or imaginary, is ever removed by the commission of 
 another offence." 
 
 Authority sustaining the^e views of the Committee. 
 
 Nearly two hundred years ago " the Cambridge Associa- 
 tion " discussed the question: 
 
 " What is the duty of the church to persons, who upon pri- 
 vate prejudices, withdraw from the communion of it?" 
 
 " The following propositions were agreed upon," and ever
 
 4-0 CHURCH MANUAL. 
 
 since have been accepted by the churches, as true and scrip- 
 tural bases of action : 
 
 " 1. Persons that have taken up any private prejudice 
 against any in the communion of the church whereto they 
 do belong, are directed by the commandment of the Lord 
 Jesus Christ, and are engaged by the covenant of watchful- 
 ness, to endeavor the repentance of the persons under sup- 
 posed offence, by a personal application. 
 
 "2. They, that upon offence taken, do neglect this way 
 of proceeding, are guilty of sin against the Lord's command- 
 ment, and their own covenant ; and by their withdrawing 
 from the table of the Lord, their sin is aggravated. 
 
 " 3. The withdrawing of persons thus irregularly from 
 the communion of the church at the Lord's table, does carry 
 a hard and high imputation upon the church itself, which 
 adds more of a fault unto so sinful a schism. 
 
 11 4. If the person that hath been offended hath done his 
 duty, and cither the pastor do refuse to lay the matter before 
 the church, for the insignificanc} 7 of it, or the church upon 
 hearing of it, do pronounce itself satisfied, the person is 
 obliged still to continue his communion with the church, 
 until a council of churches declare the contrary. 
 
 "5. Such a sinful separation from the communion of the 
 church, being a moral evil, the scandal is to be, by the dis- 
 cipline of the church, proceeded against, as other censurable 
 scandals. The pastor, upon observation of the sin, is to send 
 for the person withdrawing, [or otherwise see him, ] and instruct, 
 and convince, and admonish him ; and, upon contumacious 
 obstinacy, the church is to deal with him, as one unruly and 
 walking disorderly. 
 
 '6. Nevertheless, compassion towards the ignorant, or 
 injured, is very much to determine the more or less vigor 
 wherewith such offences arc to be prosecuted." 
 
 Upham's Eatio Discipline. Sec. 210. 
 
 II. On the withdrawal of pecuniary support from the 
 worship and ordinances of the Gospel a further and obvi- 
 ous violation of covenant the same Committee report, that 
 
 1. " Every church-member has a right, so long as in good 
 and regular standing, to claim letters of dismission to a sister 
 church, if, for reasons satisfactory to himself, he can better be 
 edified by worship with said sister church than his own. But,
 
 CHURCH MANUAL. 41 
 
 2. "The public worship of God the preaching of the 
 Gospel, and the observance of the sacraments the Lord's 
 Supper and Baptism, are divine ordinances not a human 
 device ; nor are they sustained by any other law than the 
 law of Christ, though civil law commend and encourage them. 
 
 3. " Whoever withholds his presence and pecuniary aid, 
 from all, or either of these ordinances, violates the law of 
 Christ ; and, if a member of the church, he violates covenant 
 obligations also ; and the church is bound by her engagements, 
 to " watch over him, with all tenderness and fidelity," en- 
 deavoring to remove his misapprehensions , and in failure 
 of this, to adopt with him the line of conduct prescribed by 
 Christ, as an offender against the law of his kingdom." 
 
 4. " However just and equitable is " the law of the land," 
 that each individual pay, in proportion to the property of 
 which God has made him the steward, your Committee do not 
 insist on this rule of contribution as fixed and invariable, but 
 leave it to the conscience and heart of each individual, in the 
 sight of God, to determine how much the divine law of equity 
 requires him to contribute to the honor of that Saviour who 
 gave his LIFE for the ransom of the church, and the individual 
 
 Bv order of the Standing Committee. 
 
 R. S. STOfiRS, Pastor and Clerk.
 
 UCS-B 1188.ARV 
 
 A 000 607 242 5
 
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