USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Winchester > History, articles of faith and covenant of the Congregational Church in Winchester : with a catalogue of its officers and members > Part 1
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C 74.402 723wn 853270
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01102 7171
THE HISTORY,
ARTICLES OF FAITH
AND
COVENANT
OF THE
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
IN
Ti : NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
WINCHESTER; Mais.
WITH A
CATALOGUE OF ITS OFFICERS AND MEMBERS,
1850,1855
BOSTON: PRINTED BY ABNER FORBES, 37 CORNHILL. 1850.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/historyarticleso00unse
1853270
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH,
WINCHESTER.
1850.
Feil. 7-28-75
fis
ertify,
THAT at the date of this Certificate, M
is a Member of the CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHI in WIN- CHESTER, in good and regular standing, and as such, is affectionately recommended to the confidence and fellowship of God's people.
ÁÀ
Dastor.
1
WINCHESTER,
185
75 M
HISTORY.
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MARCH 3, 1839. A few individuals connected with the Church in Woburn Centre, met to consider the expediency of forming a CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH in SOUTH WOBURN. After discus- sion, it was " Voted, to request the Church with which we are connected to take this subject into consideration." A Committee was appointed to draft a petition and report the same at a subse- quent meeting.
MARCH 10, 1839. The petition was laid before the meeting. It was accepted and signed by twenty-one male members of the Church. This petition was read before the Church, March 21, 1839 ; and a second petition, more definite than the first, was submitted March 28, 1839. The subject was discussed at these public meetings, and in private conversation, until April 11, 1840, when it was again brought before the Church.
MAY 12, 1840. The inhabitants of South Woburn, feeling the need of another house of Public Worship, to accommodate the rapidly increasing population of the town, held a meeting, and "Voted, that the cause of Christ, in this place, demands the formation of a new Evangelical Religious Society ; and that it be called the SOUTH WOBURN CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY."
JUNE 1, 1840. The Parish was organized. The fifth article of the By-Laws is as follows :- " In the choice of a Minister, the Church connected with this Society shall in all cases have the right of nomination, and a call shall be given only by a concur- rent vote of the Church and Society."
OCTOBER 11, 1840. A meeting of those wishing to organize a new Church was held in the Vestry of the Meeting-House. A Committee was appointed to prepare a letter requesting a dismis- sion from the Church in Woburn Centre. It was signed by 101 members.
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NOVEMBER 15, 1840. The letter of dismission having been received, Articles of Faith and a Covenant were prepared and adopted. At a subsequent meeting, measures were taken to call an Ecclesiastical Council, according to Congregational usage.
NOVEMBER 19, 1840. The Council met. It was composed of the following members :- From the Church in South Reading, Rev. Reuben Emerson, Pastor ; Deacon A. Bryant, Delegate. From the Church in Tewksbury, Rev. J. Coggin, Pastor. From the Winthrop Church in Charlestown, Rev. D. Crosby, Pastor ; Deacon U. Manning, Delegate. From the Second Congrega- tional Church in Medford, Rev. A. R. Baker, Pastor ; Brother T. Magoun, Delegate. From the Church in Woburn Centre, Rev. J. Bennett, Pastor, and Deacon C. Thompson, Delegate. This Council having voted that the proceedings of the Brethren with reference to the organization of a new Church, were satisfactory, proceeded to perform the public services in the Vestry of the new Church. They were as follows :- Introductory Prayer by Rev. Mr. Dennis ; Consecrating Prayer by Rev. J. Coggin ; Charge to the Church by Rev. R. Emerson ; Right-Hand of Fel- lowship by Rev. A. R. Baker ; Concluding Prayer by Rev. J. Bennett. In the celebration of the Lord's Supper, the Moderator was assisted by Rev. E. Cleaveland. The Benediction was pro- nounced by Rev. James Boutwell.
The House of Worship was commenced July 20, 1840. It was dedicated to the service of God-the Father, Son and Holy Ghost-on December 30, 1840. The Sermon was preached by Rev. Daniel Crosby, of Charlestown.
The House was enlarged, and thoroughly repaired during the summer of 1849.
Rev. GEORGE P. SMITH was ordained first Pastor of the Church, June 17, 1841. The services on the occasion were as follows :- Invocation and Reading the Scriptures by Rev. T. P. Field, of Danvers ; Introductory Prayer by Rev. R. Emerson, of South Reading ; Sermon by Rev. Nehemiah Adams, of Boston ; Ordaining Prayer by Rev. Joel Mann, of Salem; Charge to the Pastor, by Rev. J. II. Towne, of Boston; Address to the People, by Rev. J. Bennett, of Woburn; Fellowship of the Churches, by
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Rev. A. R. Baker, of Medford; Concluding Prayer by Rev. W. I. Budington, of Charlestown.
Rev. GEORGE P. SMITH was dismissed, March 11, 1845.
Rev. WILLIAM T. EUSTIS, JR., was ordained Pastor, April 8, 1846. He was dismissed January 27, 1848.
Rev. JOHN M. STEELE was ordained Pastor, August 10, 1848.
OCTOBER 2, 1850. It was voted that the name of the Church be changed to the WINCHESTER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
STANDING RULES.
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1. The Annual Meeting of the Church shall be on the first Monday in January, when the following officers shall be chosen :
2. A Clerk, who shall keep the Record ;
3. A Treasurer, who shall have charge of all moneys and property belonging to the Church. He shall make a report at the Annual Meeting.
4. An Examining Committee, of whom the Pastor and Dea- cons shall constitute a part. They shall examine all applicants for admission to the Church. Candidates by profession shall be examined in the presence of the Church ; those by letter, by one or more of the Cominittee, privately.
5. Candidates for admission shall be propounded to the Church, and notice shall be given to the congregation, at least two weeks previous to their admission.
6. Admissions to the Church shall be made after the singing of the first hymn on the afternoon of the Communion.
7. The Lord's Supper shall be celebrated once in two months : on the afternoons of the first Sabbaths in January, March, May, July, September, and November.
8. Members of this Church who remove from town are ex- pected to dissolve their connection with this Church, and unite with some Church in or near the place where they reside, within one year from the time of their removal, unless they shall give satisfactory reasons for delay.
9. Members of other Churches who may wish to commune with this Church for more than one year, are expected to request a removal of their relation to us, unless they shall give satisfac- tory reasons to the Examining Committee for delay.
10. It is the duty of the members to attend such stated meet- ings as are appointed by vote of the Church, unless providentially prevented.
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11. Any Member having cause of complaint against another, shall proceed as directed in Matthew, 18th chapter, 15th, 16th and 17th verses.
12. This Church considers immoral conduct, breach of express covenant vows, neglect of acknowledged religious or relative duties, and avowed disbelief of the Articles of Faith assented to by the Members, as offences subject to the censure of the Church.
13. The censures inflicted on offenders are private reproof, public admonition, or excommunication, according to the aggra- vation of the offence.
14. The members of this Church are required to abstain from the use of, and the traffic in, ardent spirits, except so far as they may be necessary for medical purposes.
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICADO
FORM OF ADMISSION.
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ADDRESS.
BELOVED FRIENDS :- You have now presented yourselves before God and his people, and before the world, to make a solemn profession of your religious faith, and to take upon you the bonds of the everlasting Covenant. We trust you have well considered the nature of this transaction, (the most solemn and momentous in which a mortal can ever engage,) and that you are prepared by divine grace to give yourselves away, a living sacri- fice, holy and acceptable to God, through Jesus Christ. Having examined and assented to the Articles of Faith adopted by this Church, you will now profess the same before these witnesses.
CONFESSION OF FAITH.
1. You believe, that there is but one God, the Creator, Pre- server, and Moral Governor of the Universe ; a Being of infinite power, knowledge, wisdom, justice, goodness, and truth ; the self- existent, independent and immutable Fountain of good.
2. You believe, that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testa- ment were given by inspiration of God ; that they are profitable for correction, for reproof, and for instruction in righteousness, and that they are our only rule of doctrinal belief and religious practice.
3. You believe, that in the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and that these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.
4. You believe, that God has made all things for himself, that he governs ali things according to the counsel of his own will, and that the laws of his government are holy, just, and good.
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5. You believe, that God at first created man in his own image, in a state of rectitude and holiness, and that he fell from that state by transgressing the divine command in eating the forbidden fruit.
6. You believe, that in consequence of the first apostacy, the heart of man in his natural state is destitute of holiness, and in a state of positive disaffection with the law, character, and govern- ment of God, and that all men, previous to regeneration, are dead in trespasses and sins.
7. You believe, that Christ, the Son of God, has, by his obe- dience, sufferings, and death, made an atonement for sin; that he is the only Redeemer of sinners, and that those who are saved will be altogether indebted to the grace and mercy of God for their salvation.
8. You believe, that although the invitation of the gospel is such, that whosoever will, may come and take of the water of life freely ; yet the depravity of the human heart is such, that no man will come to Christ except the Father, by the special and efficacious influences of his Spirit, draw him.
9. You believe, that mankind do of their own accord refuse to comply with these conditions to the aggravation of their guilt and condemnation ; but that God, notwithstanding he perceived how mankind would treat the gospel of his Son, did always purpose to save from deserved ruin great multitudes of the human race, through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.
10. You believe, that those who cordially embrace Christ will be kept by the mighty power of God, through faith unto salvation.
11. You believe, that there will be a general resurrection of the bodies, both of the just and unjust ; that all mankind must one day stand before the judgment seat of Christ, to receive the just and final sentence of retribution, according to the deeds done in the body ; that, at the day of judgment, the state of all will be unalterably fixed ; and that the punishment of the wicked, and the happiness of the righteous will be endless.
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12. You believe, that the sacraments of the New Testament are Baptism and the Lord's Supper; that believers in regular church standing only, can consistently partake of the Lord's Supper ; and that these ordinances are to be observed in the Church to the end of the world.
All these things you profess and cordially believe.
[Here those who have not been baptized, receive the ordinance of Bap- tism.]
You will now enter into solemn covenant with God and with this church.
COVENANT.
ADMIRING the grace of God in providing a Saviour for lost men, you, who now present yourselves for admission to this Church, acknowledge with gratitude, your interest in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In the presence of God, and of this assembly, you do now solemnly avouch the Lord Jehovah,-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,-to be your God, the object of your supreme affection, and the source of all your strength and comfort.
You do cordially devote to God both yourselves and yours, according to the covenant of grace in the Lord Jesus Christ, promising to make the Scriptures of the Old and New Testa- ments the rule of your faith and practice. You acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ in his mediatorial offices-as Prophet, Priest, and King-to be your only Saviour, and the Holy Spirit to be your Sanctifier, Leader and Comforter. You promise, that by the help of God, you will walk before him in righteousness and holi- ness, giving diligent attendance to his word and ordinances, and seeking for the honor and interest of his kingdom.
You do also put yourselves under the watch and care of this Church, and the government of Christ herein, engaging to strive earnestly for its peace, edification, and purity, conducting toward
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all its members with faithfulness, circumspection, meekness, and sobriety.
Do you thus profess and covenant with this Church ?
[The Members of the Church are requested to rise.]
In the name of this Church, and on their behalf, I now wel- come you to our sacred fellowship and communion, engaging, through Christ's assistance, that we will watch over you, teach- ing, admonishing and reproving, or encouraging and comforting, as the rules of the Gospel enjoin on this solemn relation.
And now, beloved in the Lord, let it be impressed on your minds, that the covenant which you make this day, is with God and with his people. These vows will abide with you in time and in eternity. Your covenant is an everlasting covenant, never to be forgotten. Remember, that hereafter, the eyes of the world will be upon you ; as you demean yourselves, so religion will be honored or dishonored. If you walk worthily, you will be a comfort to the Church ; but if otherwise, it will be an occa- sion of grief and reproach. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
May the Lord guide and preserve you till death, and at last receive both you and us to that blessed world where our love and joy will be forever perfect.
OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH.
JOHN M. STEELE, PASTOR.
NATHAN B. JOHNSON,
BENJAMIN F. THOMPSON,
DEACONS.
MARSHALL WYMAN,
HENRY CUTTER, . TREASURER.
MEMBERS OF THE CHURCHI.
N. B .- The names of the Original Members of the Church are desig- nated by a t; the names of those received from other Churches by the letter r.
rZebediah Abbott, rCaroline W. Abbott, John Ayer, Tryphena R. Ayer,
rMary L. Bailey,
tPhebe Bell, rJoseph B. Blanchard,
rNathan Blanchard,
rWilliam J. Blanchard, rSarah Blanchard, Lydia L. Blood, rElizabeth D. Bridge, James Henry Bridge, r.Mary A. Bridge, Mary B. Bowker,
Ellen M. Burnham, John Buxton, +Linda Buxton,
Eliza Chapman, ¡Oliver R. Clark, +Julia A. Clark,
rJonathan Clark, rPersis W. Clark, Thomas Collins, Mary A. Collins, Lucretia C. Cotes,* Eliza J. Cram,
+Mary Cutter,* +John Cutter,*
+Martha S. Cutter,
+Stephen Cutter,
+Adaline W. Cutter, Henry Cutter, Nancy Cutter, Andrew Cutter,
+Elizabeth Cutter, Sullivan Cutter,
tAbagail B. Cutter, Stephen II. Cutter, Almira Cutter, Hannah E. Cutter, John A. Cutter,
· Deceased.
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William A. Dodge, rElizabeth W. Dodge, Julia A. Douglass, +Hepsibah Eaton, Elizabeth M. Edgecomb,
+Sylvanus Elliott, tLoring Emerson,
+Tryphena P. Emerson,
rPutnam Emerson, r Betsey Emerson, Rebecca Emerson, Edwin A. Fessenden, +John Fisk,
+Lydia P. Fisk,
r Dorcas Fletcher,
+Jefferson Ford,
+Lydia W. Ford,
+Matthew Griswold,
+Hannah G. Griswold, tAdaline A. Hall, +Alvah Hatch,*
+Mary C. Hatch,*
¡Maria J. Hatch,'
+Easter W. Hatch,
R. E. Holbrook,
Nancy W. Holt,
rSamuel S. Holton,
r'Tryphena S. Holton, William C. Homer,
r Abel Houghton,
+Nancy W. Houghton,
rJoseph Huse,
rMary K. Huse,
+Lucetta R. Hutchinson,
Samuel Hutchinson,
Thomas Hutchinson, Maria Hutchinson,
+Betsey Hutchinson,
+Nathan Jaquith,
Esther Jaquith, *
+Nathan B. Johnson,
+Almira Johnson, Mary Johnson, Harriette N. Johnson,
+Francis Johnson,
tMehitabel Johnson,
+Mehitable Johnson, +Francis Johnson, +Susan E. Johnson, r Abagail Johnson, Thomas A. Joyce, ¡Eli Kendall,
+Julia A. Kendall," Isaac H. Kendall, Edward F. Kendall, Elizabeth A. Kendall, Samuel Kendall,
rPatty Kendall, Mary J. Kimball, Mianda Knights,
r.James T. Langley, Mary R. Langley, rMary A. Lawrence, rLucy W. Lindley,
tAchsah J. Littlefield, Harriette L. McElroy, Levi Maxfield, Mary M. Maxfield,
r Asa Mead,
r Abagail Mead,
rStephen Nichols, rJane Nichols,
Deborah J. Nichols,
Harriette E. Nichols,
Lucinda Orcutt,*
+Harrison Parker,
+Hannah M. Parker, Hannah Parker, Margaret F. Parker,
+Clarimond W. Pierce, +Delia Pierce, rSamuel S. Porter,
r Mary W. Porter,
rBetsey J. Rice, +Jesse Richardson, rLora Richardson, +Caleb Richardson, +Mary E. Richardson, rLuther Richardson,
r Elizabeth Richardson,
+Thomas Richardson, * tMary L. Richardson,
· Deceased.
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+Sumner Richardson,
Eliza H. Richardson,
+Samuel S. Richardson,
+Lydia A Richardson,
+Polly Richardson,
+Susanna H. Richardson,
+Elizabeth Richardson, John Robinson,
rNancy Rogers.
Rebecca Rogers.
Elizabeth H. Russell,
Mary Russell,
Charles Russell,
+George Sanderson, Abby Sanderson,
rIsaac Shattuck.
rHannah Shattuck,
+Andrew N. Shepard,
rHarriette Shepard,
Benjamin A. Shepard, +Elizabeth Smith, Mary R. Stevens,
rPhineas Stone,
rLucy F. Stone,
+Sarah R. White,
rCharles W. Wilder,
rMary M. Wilder,
Martha Wilder,
rNancy Wood,
+Marshall Wyman,
+Susan P. Wyman,
+Samuel S. Wyman,
+Lucy A. Wyman,
+Lydia Symmes,
+Lucy Wyman,*
+Betsey C. Symmes,
+Joseph Wyman,
+Horatio Symmes,
+Charlotte Symmes,
+Henry W. Symmes,
Adaline M. Symmes,
Original members, 83
By recommendation,
57
By profession,
70
Total,
210
Deceased,
16
Present number,
194
·
. Deceased.
+Mary Symmes, +Sophia S. Symmes, Hannah Symes, Lucy A. Teel, Luthera Teel,
+Benjamin F. Thompson,
+Hannah Thompson, Abijah Thompson, Maria S. Thompson, John G. Usher,
+Rufus Wade, rSalem T. Ward,
rMary A. Ward, Jemima Ward, Susan E. Warland,
rWilliam A. Warren, rBetsey Warren,
rLucy Wetherbee, rLouisa Whittemore, Susan H. Whittemore, rJohn Whittemore, rEmeline Whittemore,
+Samuel B. White,
rDorothy Stone,
rNancy Stone,
+Abagail Stratton,
rBetsey T. Swan,
+Zachariah Symmes, *
+Nancy Symines,
Nancy C. Symmes,
+Joseph B. Symines,*
+Jerusha R. Wyman, rDavid Youngman, r v A. Youngman.
HISTORY.
ARTICLES OF FAITH,
COVENANT
OF THE.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN
WINCHESTER,
WITH .1
CATALOGUE OF ITS OFFICERS AND MEMBERS.
Th:
NEWB
RRY
LIBRARY CHI. 17
BOSTON : WILLIAM A. HALL. PRINTLR. 22 SCHOOL STREET. 1855.
Congregational Church, delinchester.
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HISTORY,
ARTICLES OF FAITH,
AND
COVENANT
OF THE
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
IN
WINCHESTER,
WITH A
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
CATALOGUE OF ITS OFFICERS AND MEMBERS.
BOSTON : WILLIAM A. HALL, PRINTER, 22 SCHOOL STREET 1855.
HISTORICAL STATEMENT.
THE CHURCH.
THE Congregational Church in Winchester was organized November 19th, 1840. It consisted originally of one hun- dred and two members, the greater part of whom were from the First Church in Woburn.
The Council called to advise and assist in the organization of the church was composed of the following members :- From the church in South Reading, Rev. Reuben Emerson, Pastor ; Deacon A. Bryant, Delegate. From the church in Tewksbury, Rev. J. Coggin, Pastor. From the Win- throp Church, Charlestown, Rev. D. Crosby, Pastor ; Dca- con U. Manning, Delegate. From the First Church in Woburn, Rev. J. Bennett, Pastor ; Deacon C. Thompson, Delegate. From the Second Church in Medford, Rev. A. R. Baker, Pastor ; Brother T. Magoun, Delegate.
Previous to the calling of the Council, meetings had been held from time to time by the brethren and sisters who proposed to unite in forming the new church. Letters of dismission and recommendation had been obtained by them, and Articles of Faith and a Form of Covenant prepared and adopted. 1*
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These proceedings were voted regular and satisfactory by the Council, who proceeded to the organization and recog- nition of the church. The services of the occasion were as follows :- Invocation, Rev. Mr. Dennis ; Prayer of Conse- cration, Rev. J. Coggin ; Charge, Rev. R. Emerson ; Concluding Prayer, Rev. J. Bennett. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was then administered by the Moderator, Rev. R. Emerson, assisted by Rev. E. Cleaveland and Rev. J. Bennett. The Benediction was pronounced by Rev. James Boutwell.
THE PARISH.
The Congregational Parish in Winchester was organized June 1st, 1840. By-Laws were subsequently adopted, the fifth article of which is as follows :
ARTICLE FIFTHI. In the choice of a minister, the Church connected with this society shall in all cases have the right of nomination ; and a call shall be given only by a concur- rent vote of the church and society.
HOUSE OF WORSHIP.
The Corner-Stone of the first house of worship was laid, with appropriate ceremonies, July 27th, 1840. It was completed and dedicated to the worship of Almighty God, December 30th, 1840. The sermon on this occasion was preached by Rev. D. Crosby, of Charlestown.
During the summer of 1849, the house was enlarged and thoroughly repaired. A new and valuable organ was placed in the church by subscription carly in the winter of 1852-3.
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On the morning of March 20th, 1853, the house, organ, &c., were destroyed by fire, through some defect in the fluc.
The Corner-Stone of the present house was laid September 5th, 1853. It was dedicated October 11th, 1854. Sermon by the Pastor.
PASTORS.
Rev. George P. Smith, the first Pastor of the church, was ordained June 17th, 1841. The exercises on the occa- sion were as follows :- Invocation and Reading of the . Scriptures by Rev. T. P. Field, Danvers ; Prayer by Rev. R. Emerson, South Reading ; Sermon by Rev. N. Adams, D. D., Boston ; Ordaining Prayer by Rev. J. Mann, Sa- lem ; Charge to the Pastor by Rev. J. H. Towne, Boston ; Fellowship of the Churches by Rev. A. R. Baker, Medford ; Address to the People by Rev. J. Bennett, Woburn ; Con- cluding Prayer by Rev. W. I. Budington, Charlestown ; Benediction by the Pastor. Rev. Mr. Smith was dismissed March 11th, 1845.
Rev. William T. Eustis, Jr., was ordained Pastor of the church, April 8th, 18-16. The sermon on this occasion was by Rev. R. S. Storrs, D. D., Braintree. Rev. Mr .. Eustis was dismissed, January 27th, 1848.
Rev. John M. Steele was ordained Pastor, August 10th, 1848. The sermon was by Rev. N. Lord, D. D., Dart- mouth College, Hanover, N. II. Rev. Mr. Steele was dis- missed, February 11th, 1852.
Rev. R. T. Robinson, the present Pastor, was ordained, October 27th, 1852. Sermon by Rev. E. N. Kirk, Bostou.
DEACONS.
Nathan B. Johnson, Benjamin F. Thompson, and Mar- shall Wyman were chosen Deacons, December 31st, 1810. They continued in office until February 18th, 1852, when they resigned.
April 8th, 1852, it was voted to choose two new deacons, and Charles W. Wilder and Zebadiah Abbot were chosen. . Deacon Wilder, being about to leave town, tendered his resignation, February 16th, 1854.
March 1st, 1854, three new deacons were chosen :- Joseph Huse, Luther Richardson, and Oliver R. Clark, who with Zebadiah Abbot constitute the present board.
BY-LAWS.
1. The permanent officers of the church are the Pastor, or Pastors, and Deacons.
2. To the Pastor pertains the office of Moderator at all meetings of the church, except when his own case shall be under consideration. In the absence of the Pastor, the Deacons shall preside in rotation. They shall also assist in the administration of the Lord's Supper, shall distribute the alms of the church, and aid the Pastor generally in the oversight of the flock.
3. There shall be an annual meeting of the church for business on the evening of the first Wednesday in January, at which time a Clerk, Treasurer, and Examining Commit- tee, consisting of six, (including the Pastor and Deacons,) shall be chosen by ballot.
4. The Clerk shall keep the records of the church, em- bracing all items of business, the admission of members by letter or profession, baptisms, marriages, deaths, and shall read the same at the annual meeting.
5. The Treasurer shall have charge of all moneys and property belonging to the church, excepting the communion service (which shall be under the care of the Deacons,) and shall report at the annual meeting.
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6. The Examining Committee shall examine all candi- dates for admission to the church, and present the names of such as they approve. Candidates for admission by letter shall be examined by one or more of the committee pri- vately. Notice of meetings for the examination of candi- dates to be given from the pulpit.
7. Candidates for admission to the church, approved by the Examining Committee, shall be propounded to the church at least four weeks previous to their admission ; and notice thereof shall be publicly given on the second Sabbath preceding the communion.
8. Members of this church who remove from town, are expected to take letters from us to some sister church in or near the place where they may reside, within one year from the time of their removal.
9. Members of other churches resident among us are expected to transfer their relation to this church, within one year from the time of their coming into the place, unless special reasons are given to the Examining Committee for delay.
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