USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Stratford > The quarto-millennial anniversary of the Congregational Church of Stratford, Connecticut. The historical address by the pastor, and a full report of all the exercises, September 5th, 1889 > Part 1
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1639
THE FIRST CHURCH
IN STRATFORD
1889
Gc
974.602
St82s
1411083
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01150 7628
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, STRATFORD, CONN., ERECTED A. D. 1859.
1639.
1889.
THE
Quarto-Millennial Anniversary
OF THE
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
OF
Stratford, Connecticut.
THE HISTORICAL ADDRESS
BY THE PASTOR,
AND A FULL REPORT OF ALL THE EXERCISES,
September 5th, 1889.
BRIDGEPORT, CONN .: THE STANDARD ASSOCIATION, PRINTERS. 1889.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/quartomillennial00stra 0
1411083
THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN STRATFORD.
AT a meeting of the church held May 4, 1888, it was Noted, That the Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of this church be held in the month of September, 1889.
The Standing Committee of the church was appointed a general committee to take charge of the celebration, with power to appoint, from time to time, such sub-committees as might be deemed expedient.
The following is a list of the committees :
GENERAL COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS.
REV. JOEL S. IVES, Chairman. S. T. PALMER,
DEACON A. T. CURTIS,
CARLOS D. BLAKEMAN.
DEACON C. C. WELLS,
DR. W. B. COGSWELL,
DEACON S. T. HOUGHTON, Clerk, JAMES TRACY RICHARDS,
DEACON S. E. CURTIS. LEWIS BURRITT.
COMMITTEE ON RECEPTION.
T. B. FAIRCHILD, Chairman. WATSON H. SMITH,
DEACON C. C. WELLS,
S. T. PALMER,
W. E. WHEELER,
WILFRED M. PECK,
EDWIN F. HALL,
HENRY C. EVANS.
STILES JUDSON.
COMMITTEE ON ENTERTAINMENT.
MRS. G. A. TALBOT, Chairman, MRS. R. W. BUNNELL. MRS: G. H. SPALL.
3.50 2-24-67
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COMMITTEE ON COLLATION.
MRS. C. A. TUCKER, Chairman,
MRS. SYLVANUS DICKENSON.
MRS. A. S. CURTIS,
MRS. ROBERT MILLER,
MRS. S. T. HOUGHTON,
MRS. W. N. ELY,
MRS. C. C. WELLS,
MRS. JOHN W. THOMPSON,
MRS. ELBERT O. CURTIS, MRS. C. D. BLAKEMAN,
MRS. S. C. LEWIS, MRS. LEWIS F. JUDSON,
MRS. A. T. CURTIS,
MRS. ROBERT W. CURTIS,
MISS MARY A. DEVINNE,
MRS. H. F. MEACHAM,
MISS MAY CURTIS,
MRS JOSIAH BOOTH,
MISS MARY ANNA PECK,
MRS. CHARLES W. BLAKESLEE,
MRS. W. A. STAGG.
MISS ADA HUBBELL.
COMMITTEE ON DECORATION.
RUFUS W. BUNNELL, Chairman. MRS. HOWARD J. CURTIS,
HORACE H. JUDSON,
MRS. W. B. COGSWELL,
MISS JENNIE P. SMITH,
MISS MAY L. SMITH,
MISS ALICE C. JUDSON,
MRS. J. S. IVES,
F. C. BEACH.
MISS NELLIE U. SAMMIS.
COMMITTEE ON MUSIC.
HENRY P. STAGG, Chairman,
DEACON S. E. CURTIS, MISS JENNIE A. BOOTH.
MAYNARD T. SMITH, MRS. EMMA A. CURTIS.
MISS MYRA CURTIS,
1639.
PROGRAMME. 1889.
MORNING SERVICE BEGINNING AT HALF-PAST TEN O'CLOCK.
Organ Voluntary, - MR. MAYNARD T. SMITH. Doxology. "Praise God from whom all blessings flow." Invocation, - - REV. GEORGE F. PRENTISS.
Anthem.
Reading of Scriptures, - - REV. JOSEPH A. FREEMAN.
Prayer, - - REV. CHARLES RAY PALMER, D.D.
Hymn 1312. "O God beneath whose guiding hand."
Historical Address, REV. JOEL S. IVES. -
Hymn 1019. "O, where are kings and empires now ?"
Communion of the Lord's Supper.
REV. WILLIAM K. HALL, D.D., AND REV. FRANKLIN S. FITCH. Hymn 847. "Blest be the tie that binds."
BY THE PASTOR. Benediction,
COLLATION AT THE TOWN HALL AT 12.30 O'CLOCK.
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AFTERNOON SERVICE BEGINNING AT TWO O'CLOCK.
Organ Voluntary and Anthem.
REV. GEORGE W. JUDSON. Prayer, . Address of Welcome, . BY THE PASTOR. Greetings to the Children and Grandchildren of the Church,
REV. WILLIAM K. HALL, D.D., AND REV. FRANKLIN S. FITCH. Response from the First Church of Woodbury,
REV. J. A. FREEMAN.
Response from the First Church of Bridgeport. REV. C. R. PALMER, D.D.
Response from the Church in Newtown,
REV. J. P. HOYT.
Hymn 1309. "Great God of nations."
Response from the Church in Huntington. REV. A. J. PARK.
Response from the Church in Trumbull, DEA. H. L. FAIRCHILD. Response from the Church in Monroe, DEA. W. WELLS LEWIS. Hymn. "God of our Fathers."
Written for the occasion by the Pastor. Response from the Church in Southbury, REV. DAVID C. PIERCE. Response from the Church in Bethlehem,
REV. J. P. TROWBRIDGE.
Response from the Church in Washington, DEACON E. W. WOODRUFF.
Response from the Church in Roxbury. .
Hymn 1030. "Christ is our Corner-stone."
Response from the Church in South Britain, MR. JOHN PIERCE. Response from the North Church of Woodbury,
REV. J. L. R. WYCKOFF.
Response from the South Church, Bridgeport,
REV. R. G. S. McNEILLE.
Hymn 1046. "O God of Bethel."
Response from the Park Street Church, Bridgeport, REV. H. C. HOVEY, D.D.
Response from the Olivet Church, Bridgeport, J. J. ROSE, EsQ. Response from the West-End Church, Bridgeport,
DEA. J. W. NORTHROP. Hymn 1141. " Jesus shall reign where'er the sun." Benediction. REV. JOHN G. DAVENPORT.
/
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EVENING SERVICE BEGINNING AT SEVEN O'CLOCK.
Organ Voluntary and Anthem.
Reading of Scripture, -
- REV. CHARLES L. PARDEE.
Prayer, -
REV. ALFRED E. IVES.
Address, - REV. WILLIAM K. HALL, D.D.
Address, - REV. FRANKLIN S. FITCH
Hymn 366. "In the cross of Christ I glory."
Reading of Letters, etc.
Address,
- REV. HENRY M. BOOTH, D.D.
Hymn 155. "The peace which God alone reveals."
Benediction.
-
- REV. E. K. HOLDEN.
1639
1889
CHURCH DECORATIONS SEPTEMBER 5TH. (LOOKING WEST.)
This programme,-with the single exception of no response from the church in Roxbury, which did not have a delegate present, -- was carried out with prompt exactness.
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The exercises commenced punctually at the set time; and the morning services were concluded in season for all to be at the Town Hall at the time appointed for dinner.
The weather was exceptionally fine, neither too warm, nor too cool; a clear sunshiny September day. The various Com- mittees had each so performed the duty assigned to it, that nothing was left undone.
The afternoon services began promptly on time and con- cluded at about 5 P. M. The readiness, with which the dif- ferent speakers complied with the request of the committee to observe a time limit, enabled all named on the programme to speak, and there was no manifest weariness in the audience.
Supper was served in the Town Hall at 6 o'clock. Servi- ces were resumed at 7, and concluded about 9.
ANNIVERSARY HYMN.
BY REV. JOEL STONE IVES.
GOD of our Fathers, here we raise Our grateful hearts in joyful praise; Thy hand hath led us hitherto, Thy hand shall lead the journey through.
Two hundred years and fifty more Since there arose on yonder shore This ancient church ; she lives to-day, Though centuries have rolled away.
The story of her hopes and fears, Her struggles, victories, prayers and tears We tell to-day. The bright'ning page Unfolds our goodly heritage.
Faith, hope and love can never die; Recorded are her vows on high. Unnumbered souls-a glorious throng -- Are witness to our prayer and song.
Hai! Ancient Church! Lift high thy voice! Through centuries yet to come, rejoice! The Church Triumphant waits, and we Shall join the immortal company.
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The following is a verbatim report of the proceedings.
INVOCATION.
REV. GEORGE F. PRENTISS.
LET us invoke the divine blessing.
We render unto Thee, Oh God most High, our most sincere thanks for ancestors who were so clear in their convictions and steady in their testimony; that the mist of the years has not dimmed their conviction, or the clearness of their testimony. We thank Thee that we are this morning permitted to meet, so many of us, in this aged representation of their convictions that we can come and receive the advantage and the benefit of what they have done. Oh God, we thank Thee for Chris- tian fathers and grandfathers of the many generations back. And now, Father, we invoke Thy divine blessing upon this day, upon this celebration, upon this waiting congregation. May all things done here to-day be done to the honor and to the glory of Thy great and holy name. And as Thou didst in the days gone by, help those christians to do their duty well, to honor Thee with all their powers, so do Thou to-day help us to do our duty, to so stand up for the truth and righteous- ness, as that we shall be loyal to the thought and the convic- tion of truth and righteousness which is in our own lives. So add Thy blessing to us that what we shall do here to-day may continue in its influence to the generations to come. Do Thou be a God of righteousness and truth and of tender mercy unto our children even to the third and the fourth generation. Do Thou so mold our nation and the thoughts of our men, who are in prominent places, that their truth and their justice may be the truth and justice of God. So influence this nation that all may be transformed into a nation which shall fear God and honor his commandments. Do Thou hasten the time by the fidelity and the loyalty of Thy servants and children here upon earth; hasten the time by this means, when all men shall acknowledge God as Father of all, and King of Kings in all lands. And to the Father, and to the Son, and Holy Spirit we render thanks, not only to-day but in that endless eternity which is to come. Amen.
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An anthem by the choir, and the reading of the 89th Psalm, by REV. J. A. FREEMAN.
PRAYER.
REV. CHARLES RAY PALMER, D.D.
LET us unite in prayer.
Almighty and everlasting God, the hope of Thy Churches, the dwelling place of Thy people in all generations, to the uttermost ends of the earth, we rejoice to call to remembrance Thine eternity, Thy changelessness, in contrast to our trans- itory lives, and to the many changes by which they are chequered. We rejoice that Thy years have no end and Thy mercies are without number, and from one generation to an- other Thou art faithful, gracious, full of compassion, slow to anger, plenteous in mercy, giving liberally and upbraiding not. We thank Thee, O God, that in Thy providence the fathers of this church were led to associate themselves together and covenant with one another and with Thee, for the maintaining of the gospel, and for the furtherance of Christian education. We thank Thee from the beginning, through so many genera- tions, Thy favor has preserved this ancient church, and, as we believe, has made it a bulwark of truth and righteousness, a fountain of Christian influence, a blessing unto many. And we praise Thee for all by which Thou hast signalized Thine acceptance of the prayers, the labor and the sacrifices and the offerings of Thy people unto this day. We are reminded of many contrasts between the present and the past, the period seeming so long unto us, although but as yesterday when it is past, unto Thee. We recognize Thy good hand in the con- tinuance of this church unto this time; and we render Thee thanks that Thou hast here educated in Thy fear and in the knowledge of Thy truth and in godliness, so many who have gone hence into various parts of our land, carrying with them Christian knowledge and character to lead useful lives where Thy providence has called them. We thank Thee that there are so many that have here magnified Thy grace, the exceed- ing gracious words whereon Thou hast caused us to hope in
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every generation, and that so many have learned here the words wherein they have found eternal life and gone hence to join the Church Triumphant. We cannot but believe with great gratitude they rejoice with us in the memories that are revived this day, and feel a new thankfulness unto God that His grace was revealed unto them here. We pray Thee, Our Father, that these Thy servants, upon whom such an inheri- tance has descended, may ever be mindful of it. We pray Thee that they may not forget their goodly heritage of Chris- tian tradition, their goodly heritage of Christian memories, their goodly heritage of Christian opportunity; and we pray Thee that every one now connected with this church may feel this day that a new dignity attaches unto his calling in this church and a new burden of responsibility is pressed upon his heart. We pray Thee that Thou wilt continue to establish Thy faithfulness unto those who are here and unto those who shall come after. Show mercy unto Thy servants and salva- tion unto their children. Here may Thy name be honored, here may Thy truth be testified, here may Thy grace be shown, here may the power of Thy salvation be illustrated for gene- rations that are to come. We praise Thee, O Lord, that we may with so much confidence address ourselves unto Thee. We praise Thee that Thou hast so fully revealed unto us Thy character, that our hearts are filled with confidence and affec- tion towards Thee. O help us to be willing and obedient to Thyself. Help us to be loyal unto our Lord and Saviour, our Prince and the King of righteousness. Help us to be mind- ful of our own blessed heritage in His everlasting gospel. O that we may, every one of us, feel in the depth of our hearts the power of that gospel, and may our lives be sanctified by means of it, so that we shall show forth the excellen- cies of Christ our Saviour and hold forth the Word of Life, not only here, but whithersoever Thou shalt lead us in Thy providence. O Lord, our personal hope is in Thee. Our hope is in Thee concerning the families of this people and all the churches that are here represented and all the churches of our land. O Lord, build up Thy kingdom in this nation, Sanctify this nation unto Thyself. Make it a
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people to Thy praise. Make it a light unto the nations of the earth. Send forth Thy light and Thy truth from it, even unto the ends of the earth, and may the glory of God be revealed until all flesh shall see it. We humbly lay before Thee all the desires of our hearts. Especially do we pray that we may worthily perform whatever rests upon us to do this day, and may we humbly accept all that Thou hast appointed us to do and in all the ways in which Thou shalt lead us. We are mind- ful that we stand only in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ ; and we lift our hearts rejoicing that He hath made us a priest- hood unto God the Father. And in the access which we have unto him by grace do we pray as He taught us in His name: Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespas- ses as we forgive them who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
HISTORICAL ADDRESS.
BY THE PASTOR, REV. JOEL S. IVES.
SINCE the beginning of the world there never was a time, when history was made so rapidly, as during the lifetime of the present generation; and in all the world no other country has equalled ours in this respect. This fact makes it difficult for us to appreciate the condition of things two hundred and fifty years ago, while it also gives a special interest and value to every effort to bring down into the present the events of the long past and transcribe them for future reference. Since 1876 the historical spirit has been quickened and henceforth American History will take a place of increasing honor in the thoughts of men.
It is with just pride that we contemplate to-day, the long record of this Church of Jesus Christ. It is an honor, not lightly to be esteemed, to be a descendant of this
"Pure republic, wild, yet strong. A 'fierce democracie,' where all are true To what themselves have voted ;"
and, as well, to serve such a people, where
" They reverence their priest, but disagreeing In price or creed, dismiss him without fear."
Her long story is not now told for the first time. Swan, Cothren, Orcutt, and others also, have been faithful laborers in this field. Whatever of value this discourse may have will be the fulfillment of the Master's word, "others have labored and ye are entered into their labor."
The beautiful shores of Long Island Sound, with the inflow- ing rivers of sweet water, with the many inlets and land-locked retreats, with the abundant provision for food and clothing,
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were for untold years the favorite haunts of the North Amer- ican Indians. The Mohicans appear to have come from the region of the Hudson River to the valley of the Housatonic, which they named Poo-ta-tuck, meaning "falls river," from the falls near Kent, where they made their first camps. Sail- ing down the river in their canoes, they established camping places till they reached the Sound, and here there was found, by the first Englishmen who came to Stratford, a clan called Cuph eags, which means literally " a place shut in." For how many years this most beautiful haven, formed by the broad mouth of the river and the sheltering arms of Milford Beach and Stratford Point, had been occupied by the red man, it is impossible to say. Their records, though abundant, are rude and vague. But that, as early as 1637, white men had visited these shores, is shown by the testimony of Thomas Stanton, who was for many years the Indian interpreter at Hartford. He declares that the Connecticut colony conquered the Pe- quots and Pequannocks in 1637 and took hostages from the Pequannock Indians. He also writes that in March of that year they found in Milford "only one house or the karkise of one." In 1638, Roger Ludlow, the brother-in-law of William Endicott, with others, emigrated into Pequonnock and Un- cowa. We have, therefore, the record of John Winthrop with his company at Saybrook in 1635; of Mr. Davenport at New Haven in 1638; with earlier expeditions as far as Stam- ford in 1637 and 1638, while in the spring of 1639, Mr. Prud- den and his people settled in Milford, and the same year a number of families settled upon this most " beautiful spot of earth," with whose sacrifices, struggles, achievements, and far reaching results, through two centuries and a half-the Church of Christ of Stratford-our record has to do to-day.
There is no documentary evidence of the organization of this church, as the records to the year 1675 have been lost. But there is abundant circumstantial evidence that the church began its existence as early as 1639, and probably during the summer of that year. I will only take the time to give one item. According to the records of the General Court in Octo- ber, 1639, this plantation was so far settled that "Sergeant
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Nichols " was assigned "to train the men and exercise them in military discipline," and they were given "power to choose seven men from among themselves" who should decide " dif- ferences and controversies under 40s." The record also shows that there was a difference between Mr. Prudden and the " Pequonnock plantation " as to the boundaries between them. (Colonial Records i. 36.) It would seem evident that Rev. Adam Blakeman and his company had arrived from Wethers- field before this order of the Court, for without them there would have been too few to meet the conditions of the case. If, therefore, Mr. Blakeman, with a considerable number of families, was here in 1639, there is sufficient reason to put the date of organization in that year, for the sentiment of our fathers was well expressed by John Davenport when he said : "If we build the Lord's house, the Lord will build our house." And as the late Prof. Johnson says in his excellent study of the Commonwealth-Democracy of Connecticut: "It would hardly be too strong to say that the establishment of the town and of the church was coincident: the universal agreement in religion made town government and church government but two sides of the same medal, and the same persons took part in both."
Rev. Adam Blakeman was born in Staffordshire, England, in 1598, and entered Christ's College, Oxford, when nineteen years of age. Cotton Mather writes of him: "He was a use- ful preacher of the gospel, first in Licestershire, then in Der- byshire, England." A "desirable company of the faithful" followed this "holy man" from England, and by way of Wethersfield came to Stratford as early as 1639, making their settlement at the bend of the creek in Sandy Hollow where the Indians for many years had encamped. Except for this company the settlement seems to have been made by individ- uals and not by organized association.
Mr. Blakeman's ministry continued till his death, Septem- ber 7, 1665, at the age of sixty-seven years. Of his writings only his will remains extant, but from a brief notice by Mather, we may be confident of his learning, prudence, and piety. There is this testimony also from Rev. Thomas Hooker, who
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said of him: "for the sake of the sacred and solemn simplicity of the discourse of this worthy man, if I might have my choice, I would choose to live and die under Mr. Blakeman's ministry." His will makes plain that he was a member of the Synod from 1646 to 1648, which drew up the Cambridge plat- form, and concerning this he writes that he "could never (through the grace of Christ) see cause to receive any other judgment, nor fall from those principals so solemnly backed with Scripture, and arguments which none yet could overturn."
In 1651, "by the town in public meeting, it was agreed that Mr. Blakeman shall have sixty-three pounds and pay part of his own rate;" which would indicate a good degree of pros- perity at that early date. His home was at Sandy Hollow just west of the site of the first Meeting-House. The first Parsonage lot recorded was on Watch Hill, running south to Stratford avenue.
In April, 1655, five months before the death of Mr. Blake- man, the town voted to call Rev. Israel Chauncey "to help Mr. Blakeman in the ministry for a year," and in June, 1666, there was a "mutual agreement for his settling amongst us in Stratford." Mr. Chauncey, the son of Rev. Charles Chaun- cey, the president of Harvard College, was born in Scit- uate, Mass., in 1644, and graduated at Harvard in 1661. His studies included medicine and mathematics as well as theol- ogy, and during the troublous times of the Narragansett war, he was appointed one of the council of the army, and by this council was ordered to "go forth with the army as their chirurgion." He was actively engaged during the later years of his life in founding Yale College, and November 11, 1701, was chosen the Rector of the institution, but declined the honor, probably on account of failing health, for he died soon after, March 4, 1703. His nephew, Nathaniel Chauncey, who was the first graduate of Yale in 1702, was called, with but one dissenting vote, to the vacant pastorate, but he declined, and for six years the church was without a settled pastor.
Israel Chauncey was a prominent and honored name in the Colony. His ministry of thirty-eight years, including times of war with the Indians, ecclesiastical differences resulting in
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the division of the church, the building of a new meeting- house, with its change of location, proves not alone his "high reputation for scholarship," but his wisdom in affairs, patience and skill in guiding the thoughts of men, and a "dignity of character" and Christian spirit which secured for himself the respect and honor of all. It is an untold blessing that for more than one-third of a century this church grew up under the influence of such a man. It is the longest pastorate in the history of the church.
From the time of the first call to Mr. Chauncey by the town in April, 1665, there seems to have been a division in senti- ment, for at this meeting "word was given to draw to the west side of the meeting-house, and it was clearly evident " that the vote was carried by "the major part." A paper sent to the new pastor in 1666, by the selectmen, calls for a "mu- tual agreement " in regard to " the preaching of the word and the administering of the sacrament," in accordance with what is known as the "Half-way Covenant " practice. There are also two letters, written in January, and in February, signed by eight men, two of them being also upon the board of select- men, in which they tell their "loving brethren and friends " that "there hath beene difference about the calling of Mr. Chauncey, and several of us have declared our objections against his settling amongst us till those objections were an- swered, and we judge they never were unto satisfaction." The " church answer to the men " admits their desire for the "in_ crease and enlargement of ye church when it may be attained in a rulable and satisfactory way," but "plainly " declares "that we cannot at present see how it will stand with the glory of God, the peace of ye church and our and your mutual edification for you to embody with us in this society."
In December, 1666, by the vote of the town, the salary of Mr. Chauncey was fixed at sixty pounds, (this was afterwards increased to one hundred and twelve pounds,) and at the same meeting it was voted to divide the parsonage lot, giving one- quarter part of it to Mr. Peter Bulkley, "or any other man by that party obtained that now endeavors for Mr. Bulkley." Early in 1668, the minority engaged Mr. Zachariah Walker,
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and the two parties appear to have been recognized upon an equality before the law, although the use of the meeting-house was at first denied them. In 1669 the joint use of the build- ing was approved by the court. But till the spring of 1672 the Second Church of Stratford maintained its existence, at which time " fifteen of Mr. Walker's congregation started with their families for the wilderness of Pomperaug " and formed thus the First Church of Woodbury. No doubt questions other than that of the Half-way Covenant influenced this action, but differences of religious opinion surely were prom- inent from the beginning.
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