USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the Old South church (Third church) Boston, 1669-1884, Vol. I > Part 1
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GC 974.402 B65hi v. 1 1820168
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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01188 7087
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/historyofoldsou1166hill 0
HISTORY
OF THE
OLD SOUTH CHURCH
(Chiro Church))
BOSTON
1669-1884
BY HAMILTON ANDREWS HILL
IN TWO VOLUMES VOLUME I.
----
bienou
rien.
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
The Riverside Dress
BOSTON AND NEW YORK HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY Che Riverside Press, Cambridge, ftlass.
1890
------
1820168
Old Washington Uneel.
THE NEWBERRY i! . WARY CHICAGOS
1:
Hill, Hamilton Andrews, 1827-1895.
.4
D 28441 History of the Old South church (Third church) Boston, 1669-1884, by Hamilton Andrews Hill ... Boston and New York, Houghton, Mifflin and company, 1890. 2 r. fronts., Illus. (Incl. plans) ports., incelms. (part fold.) 24jem. Bibliography, by A. P. C. Griffin : v. 2, p. (5811-653.
1. Boston. Old South church. 2. Boston. Old South church-Bibl. I. Griffin, Appleton Prentiss Clark.
6-40400
Library of Congress
F73.02.04TIG
SHELF CARD [31c1)
18618
محمـ
PREFACE.
SIXTY years ago the Rev. Dr. Wisner preached four sermons on the History of the Old South Church in Boston. These sermons were published, with a series of notes which turned to the best account all the information relating to the church then accessible. In 1883 an Historical Catalogue was printed, containing a list of the members from 1669 to 1882, together with the names of those who had owned the covenant. At the annual meeting of the society in 1884 the preparation and publication of a more complete history were determined upon, and, soon after, the present work was undertaken.
The author's plan at the beginning was to print in full the records of the church and society down to a recent date, and all the more important papers which had been preserved, with sketches of the ministers, officers, and members, so far as mate- rial could be found for this purpose, and, as a setting to the whole, and in order to its better understanding, to make mention of the principal events, secular as well as religious, which the church had witnessed, and to recall, to some extent, the circum- stances in the midst of which its members had lived and la- bored. It soon became apparent, however, that so far as related to the records, if the work were to be compressed within rea- sonable limits, it would be necessary either to give only an abstract of them for the entire period of the church's history, or to print them in full for a portion of the time. The author decided upon the latter course, and those with whom he con- sulted concurred in the decision. Accordingly, the records are given in full for about a century and a half, or down to and including the ordination, in 1821, of the Rev. Benjamin B. Wisner, while only the more noteworthy events of his pastorate, and of the pastorates of Dr. Blagden and Dr. Manning, have
vi
PREFACE.
been dwelt upon. The history closes with the installation in ISS4 of the present minister, the Rev. George A. Gordon.
After the first part of the history had been written, the attention of the author was called, during a visit in New Haven, by Professor Franklin Bowditch Dexter, to an old manuscript in the library of Yale University relating to the Old South Church. Upon an examination of this manuscript it was found to be an account, prepared by a committee of the church in 1693 or 1694, of the circumstances which led to the formation of the church and of its early experiences. This long-forgotten docu- ment, to which we have given the name of the Third Church Narrative, was so much more complete than the record books of the church, and contained so much that seemed interesting and important, that the rewriting of the first two or three chap- ters became necessary. Professor Dexter superintended the copying of the Narrative, and has taken a most kind interest in its publication. This document, with the diaries of John Hull, Samuel Sewall, and Joseph Sewall, throws much light on the history of the church and its membership for nearly a hundred years. In the transcription of the records and other papers, as the aim of the work is historical rather than antiquarian, the original spelling has been followed for the most part, but not the old-time abbreviations, which too often perplex the reader of the present day and obscure the meaning of the documents.
To any one engaged in historical investigation it is a great privilege to have access to such libraries as those of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, the Massachusetts His- torical Society, and the Boston Athenaeum, and to the Congre- gational Library, the Boston Public Library, the University Li- brary, Cambridge, and the Seminary Library, Andover. This has been the privilege of the author, and he hereby expresses his appreciation of the courtesy which has been extended to him in his frequent use of these rich depositaries. He desires to make, special acknowledgments to his honored and much es- teemed friend, Mr. John Ward Dean of the Historic Genealogi- cal Society, whose advice and assistance from time to time have been most valuable. Important suggestions and aid, also, have
vii
PREFACE.
been received from the Hon. Peter Thacher, Professor Edward E. Salisbury, the Rev. Dr. Samuel E. Herrick, Mr. George Lamb, Mr. Samuel Sewall, Dr. Samuel Abbott Green, the Rev. Edward G. Porter, Dr. George Frederick Bigelow, and Mr. Samuel Johnson. To the chairman (Mr. Joseph H. Gray) and members of the standing committee of the Old South Society, the author returns his thanks for their hearty and appreciative cooperation.
To this list it was intended to add the. name of the Rev. Henry W. Foote, the beloved minister of King's Chapel, but he has been called away from the associations of earth to join the generations of the redeemed in heaven.
The etchings of Old Washington Street and Old Milk Street, which appear as the frontispieces of these volumes, follow two very interesting pictures owned by Mr. Abbott Lawrence, and painted probably between the years 1830 and 1840. Mr. Law- rence cordially allowed the pictures to be drawn for this work, and took much pains personally that the best result might be secured. Dr. Fitch Edward Oliver, also, afforded every facility for copying the portrait by Copley of his ancestor, Lieutenant- Governor Oliver, and Messrs. Ticknor and Company gave their ready permission to take drawings from the Memorial History of Boston of the mansion houses of Edward Bromfield and William Phillips. The Bibliography appended to the second volume has been compiled by Mr. Appleton P. C. Griffin of the Boston Public Library.
There never, perhaps, has been a better understanding of the fathers of New England, or more clear and just discrimination in reference to them and their work, than now prevails. Their descendants are beginning to judge them not so much by what was external, incidental, and accessory in their lives, as by their character, their principles, and their purposes, and, also, by what they accomplished. Even the Puritan theology, in its spirit and essence, is beginning to be understood more intelligently, and estimated more fairly, under the influence of the intellectual and spiritual quickening which has come, of late, to the Congre- gational and other churches of New England. The annals.
viii
PREFACE.
contained in these volumes have been collated and edited with some appreciation of the earnest lives and faithful labors which they serve to illustrate, and with the highest admiration for them. On the part of those who shall read the record, may there be at the least as much appreciation of these lives and labors, and as hearty a sympathy with them.
BOSTON, October 10, 1889.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I. 1669.
INTRODUCTORY. - THE SEPARATION FROM THE FIRST CHURCH.
PAGES
New England Congregationalism. - The First Church. - Death of Mr. Nor- ton and Mr. Wilson. - The Proper Subjects of Baptism. - The Synod of 1662. - The Rev. Jonathan Mitchell. - The Third Church Narrative. - The . Minority in the First Church. - The First Church asks the New Haven Church to release Mr. Davenport. - Reasons of Dissent signed by Thirty Brethren. - Letter from Mr. Davenport to the First Church. - Letter from the New Haven Church. - A Second Letter from Mr. Davenport. - Mr. Davenport comes to Boston. - The First Church calls a Council. - Result of Council. - The Dissenting Brethren request a Dismission. - Mr. Daven- port formally called. - A Letter from the New Haven Church concealed. - A Church Meeting. - The New Haven Letter as read and as written. - Dismission of the Minority refused. - Four Churches advised with. - Further Advice sought. - Mr. Davenport ordained, - Charges against the Dissenting Brethren. - Letter from the Rev. Nicholas Street. - The Dea- cons called to Account and dismissed from Office. - Memorial of the Dis- senting Brethren to the Governor and Council. - A Church Meeting in the Town House. - A Second Council called by the Minority. - Letter from John Allin and John Eliot. - Further Charges against the Minority. - The Case stated to the Second Council. - The Council's Letters to the Elders of the First Church and their Replies. - The Council's Letter to the First Church. - Result of Council. - Letter from the Rev. John Allin. - Letter from the Dissenting Brethren. - Their Third Declaration to the First Church. - Approbation of Six Magistrates. - The Governor and Others pro- test. - The First Church protests. - The Third Church constituted. - Mr. Davenport's Statement. - The Testimony of many Ministers. - A Fast Day appointed I-89
CHAPTER II. 1669-1671.
THE DISPUTE BECOMES A POLITICAL QUESTION.
John Hull's Diary. - Extracts from the Records of the Salem Church. - Mr. Davenport's Election Sermon. - Differences in the General Court. - Memo- rial from Hadley and Northampton. - A Joint Committee appointed. - Two Reports. - Communication from the Magistrates. - A Paper from the Dep- uties. - Another Paper from the Deputies. - A Letter from the Deputy- Governor. - A Day of Humiliation appointed. - An Election. - The House of Deputies changed. - Memorial of Fifteen Clergymen. - Report on the Memorial. - Seventeen Deputies dissent .
90-112
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER III. 1669-1674. ORGANIZATION.
The Founders of the Third Church. - Mrs. Norton. - The Rev. Thomas Thacher. - Covenant of the Third Church. - Opposition to the Erection of a Meeting-House. - Land given by Mrs. Norton. - Governor Winthrop's Estate, the Green. - Mrs. Norton's First Deed. - The First Church and the Green, 1639. - Meeting-House completed. - Call for a Meeting of the Coun- cil. - Judgment of the Council. - Meeting of the Selectmen. - Petition to the Governor and Council. - Action of the Council ; its Letter to the Elders of the First Church. - Church Officers chosen. - Mr. Hull's Mission to England. - Letter Testimonial to Ministers and Brethren in England. - Mr. Thacher's Dismission from the Church in Charlestown. - Letters-Missive. - Reply of the First Church. - Mr. Thacher's Ordination. - Request of the Women for Dismission from the First Church. - Death of Mr. Davenport. - Refusal to dismiss the Women. - A Second Request. - Perplexities of the Women. - A Letter to the First Church. - An Essay for Accommoda- tion. - The Attitude of the First Church. - An Appeal to the First Church for Peace. - Its Reply. - Letter from the Church in Plymouth. - The Rev. Leonard Hoar. - Called to the Presidency of Harvard College. - His Ad- ministration. - His Resignation and Death. - A Vote of the Church. - Death of Governor Bellingham. - His Will. - Mr. Oakes's Election Ser- mon. - The Extreme Men rebuked. - Another Appeal for Peace. - Reply of the First Church. - Fast-Day Sermon by Mr. Thacher. - Request of the Women for Admission to the Third Church. - Judgment of the Ministers in their Favor
· 113-204
CHAPTER IV. 1675-1683. PHILIP'S WAR. - THE QUAKERS. - RECONCILIATION.
A Brief Period of Quiet. - Philip's Intrigues. - Attack on Swanzey. - Cen- tral Massachusetts desolated. - Soldiers in Philip's War. - Mrs. Rowland- son. - A Letter from Mr. Thacher to his Son in London. - Samuel Sewall. - Mrs. Norton's Second Deed. - The Quakers. - Margaret Brewster. - Mrs. Norton's Death. - Her Will. - Her Estate. - The Rev. Samuel Wil- lard installed. - Mr. Thacher's Last Sermon. - His Death. - The Rev. Peter Thacher. - The Reforming Synod. - The Confession of 1680. - A Large Accession to the Membership. - Death of Mr. Shepard of Charles- town. - The Ordination of his Son as his Successor. - Simon Bradstreet. - Letter from the Church in Andover. - Renewal of the Covenant. - Death of Edward Raynsford and Thomas Savage. - Reconciliation between the First and Third Churches. - Death of John Hull . 205-248
CHAPTER V. 1683-1696. THE INTER-CHARTER PERIOD. - WITCHCRAFT.
Edward Randolph. - The Charter threatened. - A Public Fast. - Regulation of Seats. - Ordination of a Deacon. - A Council at Malden. - The Rev. John Bailey. - The Rev. Charles Morton. - The Anglican Hierarchy. - The Rev. Robert Ratcliffe. - The Charter vacated. - Letter from John Eliot. -
محسن
xi
CONTENTS.
Arrival of Sir Edmund Andros. - The South Meeting-House seized. - Death and Funeral of Lady Andros. - An Exciting Interview with the Gov- ernor. - A Declarative Deed. - Edward Lilley's Funeral. - The Revolution of 1689. - Simon Bradstreet. - The Woeful Decade. - Peter Sergeant. - The Province House. - Council at Lynn. - Witchcraft in New England. - A Special Court constituted. - Trial of John Alden. - Mr. Willard's Attitude. -Judge Sewall's Penitence. - His Public Confession. - Death of Jacob Eliot. - A Subscription for Mr. Willard. - Council at Salem Village. - The Rev. Benjamin Wadsworth. - Church gathered at Lexington. - The Rev. William Brattle
· 249-300
CHAPTER VI. 1696-1707.
A PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT. - THE PRESIDENCY OF HARVARD COLLEGE. Death of the Rev. John Bailey. - A Church Meeting at Judge Sewall's. - Mr. Willard asks for a Colleague. - The Rev. Simon Bradstreet and the Rev. Ebenezer Pemberton. - The Latter chosen. - Cases of Church Disci- pline. - Roger Judd and Others. - A Party of Progress. - President Math- er's Attack on the Tutors at Cambridge. - New Church formed by Thomas Brattle and Others. - Its Manifesto. - The Rev. Benjamin Colman. - Fast at the New Church. - Mr. Pemberton called. - His Ordination. - Judge Sewall's Tract on Slavery. - Sickness of Mr. Willard. - Death of Deacon Frary. - The Artillery Company. - The Mather Controversy. - Resignation of President Mather. - Mr. Willard chosen Vice-President of the College. - Mr. Willard's Influence. - A Sabbath at Brattle Street. - Death of Robert Gibbs and Nathaniel Oliver. - A Second Parsonage to be built. - The Ob- servance of the Lord's Supper. - Baptism of Benjamin Franklin. - His Father, Josiah Franklin. - The Proposals of 1705. - John Wise on the Rights of the Churches. - Jonathan Belcher. - Death of Mr. Willard. - Funeral Sermon by Mr. Pemberton. - Mr. Willard's "Body of Divinity " 301-340
CHAPTER VII. 1707-1717. CHURCH WORK AND GROWTH.
Fast at the South Church. - The Rev. John Leverett. - Mr. Pemberton and the Mathers. - James or St. James ? - The New Parsonage completed. - Judge Sewall and his Minister. - The Fire of 1711. - Meeting-House of the First Church burnt. - The Church invited to worship with the South Church. - Death of John Walley. - Mr. Joseph Sewall called to the South Church. - He accepts. - Arrangements for the Ordination. - The Ministers' May Meeting. - Episcopal Parishes organized. - Primitive Congregational- ism. - Mr. Sewall ordained. - The Rev. Joseph Stevens. - Death of Peter Sergeant. - Sickness and Scarcity in the Town. - The New North Church gathered. - The Rev. John Webb. - Ministers' Meeting at Mr. Pemberton's. - John Wise's Second Book. - The Rev. Thomas Bridge. - The Rev. Wil- liam Cooper. - Loss of the Amity. - David Jeffries. - Death of Mr. Pem- berton and Mr. Brattle. - Mr. Colman's Funeral Sermon. - A Great Snow Storm . 341-382
xii
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VIII. 1717-1730.
THE BEGINNING OF A LONG CO-PASTORATE.
Confession of Nathaniel Oliver. - The Rev. Thomas Prince. - His Travels. - A Subscription for Mr. Sewall. - Death of Judge Sewall's Wife. - Death of Andrew Belcher and Wait Still Winthrop. - The Rev. Thomas Foxcroft. - Mr. Prince called to the South Church. - A New Precentor. - Mr. Prince's Ordination. - His First Sermon as Pastor. - The New South Church. - The Rev. Samuel Checkley. - Two Deacons chosen. - Marriage of Judge Sewall and Mr. Prince. - Votes of the Church. - Council at the New North Church. - The Rev. Peter Thacher of Weymouth. - The New Brick Church gathered. - Enlargement of the South Meeting-House proposed. - Increase Mather preaches before the Ministers. - The Small-Pox. - Judge Sewall's Third Marriage. - A Council at Watertown. - Days of Fasting with Prayer. - Death of Increase Mather. - A Council at South Braintree. - A Sabbath at the New Brick. - Death of President Leverett. - Mr. Sewall called to Harvard College. - The Rev. Charles Chauncy. - Depreciation of the Cur- rency. - Collections for Benevolent Purposes. - The Earthquake of 1727. - Death of Cotton Mather. - Proposal to build a New Meeting-House. - Pro- test from Judge Sewall. - A Building Committee chosen. - The First Duel in Boston. - Arrival of Governor Burnet. - Terms of Membership. - Leg- acy of Mrs. Mills. - Hospitality of the First Church. - The Gift of Timo- thy Cunningham. - The Old Meeting-House taken down. - Death of Judge Sewall · 383-445
CHAPTER IX. 1730-1740.
THE NEW MEETING-HOUSE. - COLLECTIONS FOR CHARITABLE USES.
Tenure of Pew Property. - First Services in the New House. - Description of the Building. - Arrival of Governor Belcher. - The Governor's Pew. - The New Bell. - Death of Daniel Oliver. - Collections for Charitable and Pious Uses. - Hollis Street Church. - Jonathan Simpson. - Ordination of Missionaries. - Dr. Sewall's Sermon. - Death of Edward Bromfield. - A Day of Fasting and Prayer. - The First Church in Salem. - Sentence of Non-Communion. - Death of George Bethune and Thomas Fitch. - Confer- ence with Indian Chiefs at Deerfield. - Death of Mrs. Belcher. - The New England Chronology. - Death of President Wadsworth. - Public Reading of the Scriptures. - The West Church. - Death of the Rev. Nathaniel Wil- liams. - The New Brick Church. - The South Kingston Lands. - Death of Samuel Checkley. - Thomas Hubbard. - A Charitable Fund. - Organized Benevolence. - Ordination at Newport . . 446-499
CHAPTER X. 1740-1744. MR. WHITEFIELD'S FIRST VISIT. - THE REVIVAL PERIOD.
The Rev. George Whitefield. - Mr. Prince's Retrospect. - Times of Religious Awakening. - Mr. Whitefield's Arrival. - First Sermon at Brattle Street. - Visit to Cambridge. - He preaches the Lecture. - Journey to the Eastward. - His Return to Boston. - His Impressions of the Town. - His Departure. - Mr. Whitefield and the Governor. - Dr. Sewall preaches before the Gen- eral Court. - The Rev. Gilbert Tennent. - A Large Ingathering. - Governor
xiii
CONTENTS.
Belcher superseded. - Governor Shirley. - The Rev. Eleazar Wheelock. - Division in the Second Church. - The Rev. James Davenport. - The An- nual Convention, 1743. - Testimony against Mr. Whitefield. - A Second Convention. - Counter - Testimony. - A Separatist Church. - Nathaniel Wardell admonished and suspended. - A Letter to the Separatists. - Church Troubles in Newbury. - A Second Letter to the Separatists. - A Letter from Deborah Prince · 500-549
CHAPTER XI. 1744-1749-
MR. WHITEFIELD'S SECOND VISIT. - THE FRENCH WARS. - THE SEPARATISTS. Mr. Whitefield lands at York. - Communion Service at Brattle Street. - Dis- cussions and Divisions. - Action at Cambridge. - The Various Testimonies. - Mr. Whitefield and Dr. Chauncy. - Great Popularity of the Former. - The Expedition against Louisburg. - William Pepperrell. - Richard Gridley. - The Capture of Louisburg. - Death of Thomas Cushing. - The Rev. Sam- uel Cooper. - A Thanksgiving Sermon. - The Destruction of the French Fleet. - Mr. Prince's Prayer, and his Thanksgiving Sermon, "The Salva- tions of God in 1746." - The Rev. Jonathan Mayhew. - Death of Dr. Col- man. - The Rev. Samuel Checkley. - Election of Seaters. - The Church in Ipswich. - Nathaniel Wardell excommunicated. - A Second Separatist Church. - The Rev. Andrew Croswell. - Protest of the South Church. - Reply from Mr. Croswell. - A Council at Medfield. - The Drought of . 550-602 1749
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
OLD WASHINGTON STREET ( Etched by Sidney L. Smith) Frontispiece I
PORCH IN BOYLSTON STREET
JOSHUA SCOTTOW'S CERTIFICATE 12
OLD CHARLESTOWN S9
JOHN NORTON'S HOUSE, IPSWICH 90
95
NEGATIVE VOTE ON THE REPORT OF 1671
III
DOOR FROM MR. NORTON'S HOUSE, IPSWICH
112
MILTON CLEVEDON CHURCH, SOMERSET 113
PORTRAIT OF THOMAS THACHER 123
SIGNATURE OF JOHN DAVENPORT AND OTHERS 1 59
174
LEONARD HOAR TO SIMON BRADSTREET
184
VOTE RELATING TO LEONARD HOAR
189
SIGNATURES OF THE WOMEN, 1674
202
MEMORIAL TABLETS 205
PORTRAIT OF THOMAS SAVAGE 208
CUP GIVEN BY HEZEKIAH USHER
212
RECEIPTS UNDER MRS. NORTON'S WILL
224
PORTRAIT OF SAMUEL WILLARD .
226
LETTER FROM THE CHURCH AT ANDOVER 239
ACTION OF THE FIRST CHURCH, 1682 . 244
248
PROVINCE HOUSE . 249
PORTRAIT OF SIMON BRADSTREET . 279
PORTRAIT OF SAMUEL SEWALL 292
CARVED VANE FROM THE PROVINCE HOUSE . 300
330
SIGNATURE OF JOSIAH FRANKLIN 345
GROUND PLAN OF PARSONAGE HOUSE
347
BAPTISMAL BASIN GIVEN BY MRS. SALTONSTALL
358
PORTRAIT OF JOSEPH SEWALL
366
PORTRAIT OF EBENEZER PEMBERTON
379
OLD GRAVESTONES, OLD SOUTH PORCH
382
SACRAMENTAL SILVER
383
PORTRAIT OF THOMAS PRINCE
390
FLAGON GIVEN BY SAMUEL SEWALL
442
MEMORIAL TABLET TO SAMUEL SEWALL
445
OLD SOUTH TOWER, WASHINGTON STREET 446
PORTRAIT OF JONATHAN BELCHER
454
CORNER STONE, MILK STREET 499
EDWARD BROMFIELD'S MANSION . 5.50
OLD DOORWAY, MILK STREET 602
PORTRAIT OF EDWARD RAWSON .
ESSAY FOR ACCOMMODATION, 1670
TOMB OF PETER THACHER, SALISBURY .
RECORD OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN'S BAPTISM
فقد مر
CHAPTER I.
1669.
INTRODUCTORY. - THE SEPARATION FROM THE FIRST CHURCH.
T HE history of the several Congregational churches in New England is the history of New England Congregationalism. These churches are not constituent parts of a compact and comprehensive ecclesiastical organization. John Cotton, in his "Keyes of the Kingdom of Heaven," insists that each single congregation "is endowed with a charter to be a body-politic to Christ." There is no Congregational Church in the United States, in the sense in which there is a Presbyterian or a Prot- estant Episcopal Church. Should there ever be such a Church, there will be no longer Congregational churches. It is true, there is a fellowship or sisterhood of churches ; but those who have entered it have done so without any surrender of their
2
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
individuality or individual rights, and they continue in it as peers. The Cambridge Platform says : " Although churches be distinct, and therefore may not be confounded one with another, and equal, and therefore have not dominion one over another ; yet all the churches ought to preserve church communion one with another, because they are all united unto Christ, not only as a mystical but as a political head, whence is derived a com- munion suitable thereunto." The enduring basis of this com- munion is not an inflexible uniformity or absolute sameness in relation to all questions of faith and polity, but a spirit of har- mony, the result of Christian sympathy, confidence, and charity.1
To understand New England Congregationalism, therefore, we must know what has been "professed and practised " in the churches of New England,2 and, so far as possible, in each of them. Every historic church is a source of supply, from which information of value may be communicated, and its records and traditions should in some way be made available for the pur- pose of adding to our knowledge on the general subject.
The history of the Third Church of Christ in Boston - the
1 " A company of conscientious Chris- tians, fleeing from an oppressive hie- rarchy because it hinders the development of pure Christianity, making the wilder- ness their home because it affords them ' freedom to worship God,' selecting their own religious teachers by popular vote, and these teachers taking the Bible as their ' professed, perpetual, and only di- rectory' in the administration of their affairs, - such a company commence their career in this secluded spot, free from all other restraint than that which Christ, their acknowledged sovereign, imposes. In these untrammelled circumstances, each body of believers assumes its own inde- pendent form, -a form which, owing to a similarity of sentiment and condition, will be very likely to have a sameness in its essential features, with considerable variety in its minor details. At length they come together, not to enact a code of ecclesiastical laws, not even to con- struct an original system of church polity, but simply to compare notes and usages, and commit to writing that system which had already sprung up into use among them, and thus make 'a declaration of the church order wherein the good hand
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