USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > History, standing rules, articles of faith, and covenant of the Second Congregational Church in Newton, Massachuxsetts with a catalogue of the members, 1852 > Part 1
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Gc 974.402 N48nes
Gc 974. 402 N48nes 1851430
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01067 9386
4484
HISTORY,
STANDING RULES.
ARTICLES OF FAITH, AND COVENANT
2dl. OP TILE
SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
NEWTON, MASS ..
WITH A
CATALOGUE OF THE MEMBERS.
1852.
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO .
BOSTON: PRINTED BY DAMRELL & MOORE, 10 DEVONSHIRE STREET. 1852.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/historystandingr1852unse
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
Owing to the distance from Newton Centre and con- sequent inconvenience of attending public worship, the few families in this part of the town resolved to hold a separate meeting during the winter seasons. Accordingly a meeting-house, about 30 feet by 43, was raised in June, 1764. A plan to some extent successful was adopted, of hiring a minister who should keep the public school during the winter months and preach on the Sabbath.
In the year 1778, the West Parish was set off by the General Assembly as a separate parish, and invested with all the privileges and immunities which were by law enjoyed by other parishes.
October 21, 1781, twelve brethren, mostly from the First Church in this town, were organized into a particu- lar church of Christ by the Rev. Joseph Jackson, pastor of the church in Brookline, who preached on the occa- sion. The Covenant was read in public, to which the above-mentioned persons declared their assent. They also voted themselves a Congregational Church, accord- ing to the Cambridge platform, and declared their assent to the general or leading doctrines of the Assembly's Shorter Catechism.
The Church made choice of Mr. William Greenough for their pastor, and the congregation, or parish, united with the Church herein. The pastor elect, after duo deliberation, accepted the call.
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Rev. William Greenough, a native of Boston, was a graduate of Yale College, and was honored at the time of his graduation, as the first scholar in his class.
He was ordained November 8, 1781. The Ordination Sermon was preached by Rev. John Lathrop, pastor of the Second Church in Boston, in which Mr. Greenough's father held the office of Deacon. Rev. Jacob Cushing of Waltham gave the Charge, and Rev. Joseph Jackson of Brookline the Right Hand of Fellowship.
In 1812 the parish had so increased, the Lower Falls village then being a part of it, that it became necessary to enlarge the meeting-house. The house was turned the side to the road, the roof turned, twelve feet added in front, making the house 43 by 42 feet, to which was affixed a porch surmounted by a tower. It was for the most part new seated, also provided with large galleries, and a liberal supply of windows above and below. At that time or not long after, a new and expensive pulpit was also built.
The congregation reassembled in the house on Thanks- giving Day, Nov. 26. In the autumn of 1827, the First Parish settled a colleague with their venerable pastor, Rev. Dr. Hosmer. Not long after, Mr. Greenough, solicitous to know whether his own people wished for a similar change, assembled some of the leading members of the church and society, and in his own frank manner put the question to them. The answer was in the nega- tive, - We are content. He then admonished them that his remaining days must be few, that he had felt and still felt a deep interest in the continuance of this church in the faith of its founders. He therefore wished to see his successor settled before he was called hence, - and made the following proposition : - " Settle a colleague
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whom I shall approve, and I will give up my salary, and preach once on the Sabbath while I am able."
The result of this proposition was the settlement of the present pastor, Rev. Lyman Gilbert, D. D., July 2, 182S.
In 1831, the house was again remodelled, the galleries were taken out, the pulpit lowered, the square pews gave place to slips, a few large windows with blinds took the place of many small ones without blinds, the walls and ceil- ing were entirely new plastered, and the outside new-cov- ered and painted. The congregation resumed worship in the house September 23, of the same year. Meanwhile the senior pastor was receiving admonition by a painful sick- ness, that his Master was about to call him to his reward. Having been pastor of this church fifty years and two days, honored and beloved, Rev. William Greenough died lamented, Nov. 10, 1831, at the age of 75 years. And the surviving pastor here asks the privilege of testifying, that his venerable colleague and himself lived together in all harmony, mutual confidence and love, to the end of their earthly connection.
December 10, 1832, a vestry was completed under the meeting-house, and occupied for the first time.
In 1838, the meeting-house was again vacated for a season, to give opportunity for lowering the pulpit, stain- ing the walls, and painting the pews.
March 26, 1848, public worship was held for the last time in the old meeting-house, which has been sold to the town, and with additions now constitutes a town hall and school-house.
March 29, 1848, the new meeting-house was dedicated. Sermon by the pastor, afterwards published.
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STANDING RULES.
I.
All meetings for business shall be opened with prayer.
II.
The Pastor shall be moderator - and in his absence the church shall appoint some brother to act in his place.
III.
The Church will hold an annual meeting for the choice of officers and other ordinary business, on Wednesday succeeding the first Sabbath in November.
IV.
The Officers to be annually chosen, (the first two by ballot, the others by nomination, ) shall be
1. A Clerk, who shall keep the records of the Church, and perform any other service which ordinarily belongs to that office.
2. A Treasurer, who shall be one of the deacons, or some brother acting in that office ; who, after supplying the elements for the communion, and affording such aid to needy members as the deacons shall think proper, shall hold any remaining moneys in his hands subject to the vote of the Church, and make a report at the annual meeting.
3. Three Brethren, who, together with the Pastor and Deacons, shall constitute a Standing Committee.
4. A Superintendent of the Sabbath School.
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V.
All applicants for admission to the Church shall be examined by the Standing Committee. Those who are to be admitted on profession shall be propounded at least two weeks previous to admission. Those who are recom. mended from other churches, and are approved by the Committee, shall be received by vote of the Church.
VI.
Members who by reason of removal cease to worship with us, are required to take up 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 to the church a satisfac- tory reason for delay.
VII.
On the principle that we receive whom Christ receives, the Church, through her pastor, will continue to invite members of other Evangelical Churches, who may be providentially present, to the communion. But it shall be required of members of the Congregational and Pres- byterian order, who have come to reside among us, if they wish to enjoy this privilege for more than one year, without transferring their church relation to this church, to give a satisfactory reason for delay to the Standing Committee.
VIII.
Upon the written request of five brethren, that a church meeting be called, the ol ject being stated, it shall be the duty of the pastor to stop the brethren on the next Lord's day, and lay the request before them ; and if they
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choose to have such a meeting, he shall then as soon as convenient appoint one.
IX.
For all matters not provided for in the b ove rules, the church will regulate itself according to former usage, and the platform and covenant on which it was founded.
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FORM OF ADMISSION.
ADDRESS.
Beloved Friend,
You have presented yourself before God, and his people, and 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 con- sidered 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 yourself away a living sacrifice, 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.
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ARTICLES OF FAITII.
1. You believe that there is one only living and true God, existing in three persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, infinite in all his attributes and perfections, the great Creator, continual Preserver, and Supreme Governor of the Universe.
Gen. I. Rom. 1. 20. Deut. vi. 4. Jer. x. 10. Mat. xxviil. 19. 2 Cor. xiii. 14. 1 John v. 7. John i. 1-14. Col. i. 16, 17. Rom. ix. 5. Phil. ii. 6. Acts v. 3, 4. and xiii. 2, 4. 1 Tim. i. 17. Mal. iii. 6. P.s. cxlvii. 5. Heb. iii. 4. 1 Cor. vii. 6. Neh. ix. 6. Rom. xi. 36. 1 Chron. xxix. 11. Mat. xi. 25.
2. You believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are a divine revelation, given by inspiration of God, and that they contain a perfect and the only rule of faith and practice.
2 Tim. iii. 16. 2 Pet. 1. 20, 21. John xiv. 26. 2 Pet. iii. 15, 16. John v. 39. Rom. ii. 12, 16. Ps. xix. 7-11. Rev. xxii. 18, 13.
3. You believe that Adam was created holy, and so constituted tho representative of his posterity, that in consequence of his fall all his descendants are dead in trespasses and sins.
Gen. i. 26, 27; ii. 17 : iii. 6. Eccl. vii. 29. Rom. v. 12-13 ; iii. 23 ; vijf. 6-3. Jer. xvii. 9. Eph. ii. 1-5. John iii. 5, 6.
4. You believe that by the obedience, sufferings, and death of the Lord Jesus Christ, all necessary provision is made for the redemption of men, and that through him life and salvation are fully promised to all who repent, believe in, and obey him. -
1 Tim. i. 15. Jolin iii. 16. Phil. ii. 6-8. Rom. v. 8, 15, 18, and iii. 25, 26. 1 John ii. 2. 1 Pet. ii. 21-24. Gal. iii. 13. John x. 27-29, and v. 21. Kom. viii. 1. Mark xvi. 15, 16. Rev. xxii. 17.
5. You believe, however, that such is the depravity of. men, that the special influence of the Spirit of God is
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
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necessary to renew their hearts, and thus make them willing to comply with the terms of salvation.
John v. 40. Mat. xxii. 3-5. Luke xiv. 18. 1 Cor. ii. 14. John vi. 44, and iii. 5-7. 2 Cor. v. 17. Gal. vi. 15. Tit. iii. 5.
6. You believe that Justification is an act of God's free grace, wherein he pardons all our sins, and accepts and treats us as righteous, only through the merits of Christ.
Luke xxiv. 46, 47. Eph. i. 7. Rom. iii. 20-28. Acts xiii. 38, 33. Rom. I. 4.
7. You believe that though we are justified by the righteousness of Christ, yet the law, as a rule of life, is binding on believers, and that the Gospel of free grace does not encourage or countenance a continuance in sin.
Mat. v. 17. 18. Rom. vii. 10, and viii. 13. Mat. vii. 12, 21. Tit. ii. 11-14. Rom. vi. 1-12. 1 Pet. i. 13-19, and ii. 24.
8. You believe that Christ has a visible church in the world, that Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordi- nances to be observed in it, that believers. only and their children have a right of admission to the former, and visible believers to the latter.
Mat. xvi. IS. Acts viii. 3. and xv. 41. Rev. ii. 7. 1 Cor. i. 2. Mat. xxviii. 19. Eph. v. 25-27. Acts viii. 12, and xvi. 15. Rom. vi. 3. 1 Cor. xi. 23-29. 2 Cor. vi. 14-18, and xiii. 5.
9. You believe in the resurrection of the dead and the general judgment, that all true Christians will then by divine grace be wholly recovered from sin to holiness, and be completely and eternally happy in the kingdom of God; but that the wicked, impenitent, and ungodly will go away into everlasting punishment.
John v. 28, 29 Eccl xii. 14. 2 Cor. v. 10. Rom. ii. 6-11. 1 Cor. xv. 2 Pet. ii. 5-9. Dan. xii. 2. Acts xviii. 31. 2 The3. i. G-10. Rev. xx. 12-15. Mat. xiii. 40-50. Mat. xxv. 46.
(The minister will here say,)
These truths you sincerely profess and believe.
You will now enter into solemn covenant with God, and with this church.
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COVENANT.
You do now in the presence of Almighty God, before angels and men, solemnly dedicate yourself to Jehovah, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, engaging through divine aid, to yield obedience to his commands, seek his glory, and conscientiously perform the duties of the Christian life.
2 Cor. viii. 5, and v. 15. Deut. xxvi. 17, 18. Jos. xxiv. 21, 22. Tit. ili. S. Col. iv. 5, 6. 2 Tim. ii. 13.
You acknowledge this to be a truc* Church of our Lord Jesus Christ, and promise so long as God shall continue you among us, to walk in communion with it.
1 Cor. xvi. 13, 14. Heb. xiii. 1. 1 Cor. xii. 12-27. 1 John iii. 14, and iv. , 20, 21.
You engage not to absent yourself needlessly from any part of instituted worship, to watch over your brethren, and submit to the discipline Christ hath established in his Church.
Heb. x. 23-25. Mat. xviii. 15-17. Tit. iii. 10.
Do you thus covenant and promise ?
(Here the Church will rise and acknowledge the reciprocal obligations of the covenant.)
We, now, the members of this Church, do receive you into Christian fellowship and communion.
We engage to watch over you with a spirit of love and tenderness, and, through divine aid, to perform all those duties towards you which are required of those who sus- tain the relation of brethren in Christ.
. A Church of true faith and profession.
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LIST OF MEMBERS.
. Deceased. t Dismissed. # Excommunicated. 7, Received by letter.
1781. Oct. 21. * Joseph Ward. 1785. Mar. 13. * Susanna Hervey.] *Jonathan Fuller. Apr. 21. * Enoch Ward. *Sarah Ward.
*Josiah Fuller. *Joseph Adams. *Joseph Jackson.
*Jonathan Williams.
*Joshua Jackson.
*Samuel Jackson. *Samuel Woodward.
*Samuel Craft.
*Josiah Fuller, Jr. *Joseph Adams, Jr.
Nov. 4. * Alex. Shepherd. Jr.
*Rev. William Green- ough. r.
16. * Elizi'th Shepherd, 7. *Abigail Fuller, r.
*Mary Fuller, r.
*Deborah Woodward,r. *Lydia Upham. r.
*Lois Jackson, r.
*Elizabeth Fuller, r.
*Tabitha Miller, r.
*Abigail Jackson, r.
*Experience Ward, T. *Lydia Knap, r. *Marcy Adams, r. *Ruth Durell, r.
Dec. 9. * Joseph Jackson, Jr. 21. * Rebecca Craft.
*Lydia Adams.
1782. Feb. 3. * Lydia Jackson. 24. * Phebe Child. Oct. 23. * Thomas Upham. 1797. Nov. 19. * Nathan Park, Jr. 1798. Mar. 11. Mary Park. .Martha Jackson. July 1. tMary Durell. 1.7. 26. Elizabeth Fuller.
Mar. 10. * Joseph Fuller. "Joanna Fuller. 31. * Samuel Jenks. "Mary Jenks. *Elizabeth Severns.
*Hannah Jackson. July 21. Mary Cheney. Aug. 4. Daniel Cheney. Dec. 29. "Jonas Ward. 1783. Mar. 2 .Elizabeth Hoogs. Apr. 20. * Beulah Fuller.
June 21. . Elizabeth Bacon. Dec. 7. * Simuel Dix, r. 11. Hannah Dix, r. 1784. Feb. 1. Mary Hyde. *Ruth Fuller. May 23. "Thankful Seger. Dec. 26. . Elisha Severns.
1791. May 22. * Betsey Pigeon. Oct. 30. * Susanna Cook. 1792. May 13. * Elizabeth Dana. Sept. 2. * Rebecca Buzzard. Dec. 23. >Nathan Fuller. 1793. July 28. +Chloe Park. Sept. 8. * Sarah Kimball. 1791. Jan. 19. * Jane Bacon. Aug. 17. * Elizabeth Smith. #Smith Adams. *Lucy Adams. Nov. 30. tJoseph Daniels.
+Mary Daniels.
| 1795. July 19. * Roger Adams, r. "Hepsibalt Adams, t.
1796. Jan. 17. * Nathaniel Masters. Feb. 7. tCalvin Park.
IS01. S. pt. 20. Sarah Upham. 1503. Oct. 22. tMarshall Shed. "Joel Fuller. 1804. April 1. tBenjamin Fuller. 29. tNabby Fuller. Dec. 2. 1Mansfield Bruce.
1805. Jan. 20. Sally Fisk. Oct. 22. 1Sarah Ware. 1806. Mar. 30. * Anna Fuller. Sept. 21. Lucy Kendall. 1811. June 16. . Daniel Jackson. ·Francis Jackson. "Mary Jackson.
Nor. 6. * Frances Jackson. 1786. Feb. 12. * Jonathan Dix, r. July 16. * Thomas Park. 30. * Thomas Eustis, Jr. *Mary Enstis. *Esther Hoags. Dec. 3. * Dinah Mannel. 1788. Mar. 23. * Thankful Weld. Apr. 27. * Abigail Hyde. June 22. * Rebecca Jackson. 1789. June 14. tEdward Durant. July 26. INabby Fuller.
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"Alfred Smith. +Ethel Jennings.
July 7. * Lois Alams. Abigail Wheelock. Ang. 11. tMatida Hobbs. Sept. 1. tElizabeth smith. Oct. 6. Katherine Winch. Henry Fisk.
1812. Apr. 26. 1Daniel Jackson, r. *Lucy Jackson. r. Dec. 6. $Abigail Brigham.
1813. Jan. 3. Sarah Green. Mar. 7. Leonard Jackson. Hepsibah Faxon.
1815. Mar. 5. Jonathan Allen *Jonathan Upham. Not. 5. tMehitabel Upham. 1816. Jan. 7. * Bonj. Richardson. Nor. 3. tAbel Richardson. 1817. Feb. 16. William Moore. May 4. Jane Fuller. 18. Betsey Hager. Aug. 17. tMary Abbot. 31. tSumner Fuller. +Milley Corey. *Mary Jennison. Oct. 19. Eveline B. Cooper.
1818. May 3. * Ruth Stearnes.
Sept. 6. tMary Ann Bolton. Nov. 1. * Eunice Fuller. 1823. July 6. tSukey Fuller.
1826. Jan. 1. * Solomon Flagg, r. Sarah Flagg, r.
Frb. 26. tMoses Keyes. r. 1827. Apr. 22. 1Sally McNamara, r. May 6. Joseph Stone. Nancy Stone. #Nathan Fuller. +Rebecca Fuller. tHannah Keyes.
Mary Barker.
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*tigail 'Houghton. Sarah Smith. Jonathan D. Dix. t Ephraim Jackson. #William Alden. tSeth Fuller.
July 1. * James Fuller.
Ephraim Jackson. Adolphus Smith. Mary Wentworth. Azobah Pratt. Beulah Fuller. tJane Smith. Sarah Fuller.
S.pt. 2. Anna Craft. Martha Craft. Mary Park. 1828. Jan. 6. * Ann Green. Elizabeth Allen. Feb. 11. . Daniel Jackson, r. June 29. * Sarah Fuller. tHarriet M. Bigelow.
Eliza Fuller. #Silvia Washburn.
Paulina S. Whiting. *Helen B. Whiting.
July 6. * Anna Craft. r. Benjamin Eddy, r.
Nov. 2. Mary B. Fuller. 1823. May 3. Rev. Lyman Gilbert. r. *Eugenia Gilbert, r. July 3. 7Rebecca Perkins. 1830. Mar. 7. tSarah F. Jennison. Sept. 22. 1Caroline Allen 1830 WHannah Greenough.
or *Fanny Greenough. 1531. ( "Elizabeth Wilton. 1832. Feb. 5. "Josiah Lawrence. ¡Joshua Washburn. Isaac Frost. Smanuel F. Dix. Nathan Craft. t.John Perkins. Nathaniel Fuller.
Mar. 4. Enoch Smith. Katherine Smith. t Elizabeth Wilton. tHarriet Haven. +Amos Corcy. Apr. 29. Solomon Houghton, r. Betsey Houghton. r.
May 6. * Ephraim Me Namara. William Treat. *Nancy Stone. Charles Alden. Elizabeth Houghton.
Sept. 2. Abigail Jackson. +Joseph Green.
1833. Jan. 6. * Henry Craft. Sarah Smith.
Mar. 3. Ann W. Trask. Serena Honghton. Solomon Houghton.jr. +William JJackson.
May 19. Jonathan Boutelle, r. Sarah Boutelle, r. tJoel Jennison, r. June 2. George Moseman. Sarah A. Moseman. 1994. Sept. 5. Marian Gilbert, 7. 1535. July 5. "Phebe Smith. r. Elina Smith. r. 1837. Mar. 5. tDaniel Whiting. tSusan P. Whiting. tMartha Ann Wash- burn. Elias Jennison. r. Elizabeth Jennison, r.
1838. Jan. 5. Relief Crafts. Mary Bingham. Sammel Warren. r. Katherine Warien, n. 1539. Mar. 3. . Elam Gilbert, r. 1-40. May 6. Patience Ware. Elisha S. Ware,
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Isaac Wentworth. *Betsey Jennison, r.
1941. Jan. 3. * Jane Pigeon.
tMary Ann Eustis. Mar. 7. * Nancy Johuston. Sarah HI. Chase.
1842. Sept. 4. tLucy W. Rice. J. Upham Smith. Oct. 23. * Hannah Spear, 7. Nov. 5. "Jane A. Allen.
1843. Aug. 20. John D. Park, r. Mrs. J. D. Park, r. +Benj. Myrick, r. +Mrs. Benj. Myrick, 7.
Nov. 2. * Allerton Claflin, r. *Sarah Claflin, r. 1844. May 3. Sarah Eager, r.
Nov. 3. Harriet N. Faxon.
1845. May 4. Fanny Lovel.
Jerusha G. Snow.
15. tHarriet Matthews, r. July 6. ¡ Salmon Buckm'ster,r. +Belinda J. Buckmin- ster. 1846. May 3. * Moses P. Greenleaf, r. Sept. 4. 1William A. Alcott, r. +Phebe L. Alcott, r. tGeorge Porter, r. Chester Judson, r. Harriet N. JJu Ison, 7. Orin F. Woodford, r. Mary A. Woodford, r. 1848. Jan. 2. Rev. Jos. S. Clark, r. Harriet B. Clark, r. +Samuel Wells, r.
1817.
July. 2. tJos. L. Partridge, r. 1Z. N. Partridge, r. *Lucy W. Wilson, r. Samuel A. Danforth, r. Cordelia R.Danforth,r.
Luther Turner, 7. Sulphina Turner, r. 1819. Mar. 4. Sylvia A. Carpenter. July 1. David Carver, r. Jane I. Carver, r.
1850. Jun. 6. +Benajah Cross, r. tAnna G. Cross, r. Joseph W. Stone, r. Mary Stone, r. Henry L. Whiting, r. Lucy J. D. Whiting, 7.
July 5. Eugenia S. Gilbert. Maria Allen. Charles Stone, r. Emeline Stone, r.
Nov. 3. Joel II. Brown, r. Sarah R. P. Brown, r. Daniel Baxter.
1851. May 4. Martha Smith. July 6. C. C. Cook. A. J. Cook. Mary Ann Jennison. Sarah Baxter, r. Sept. 7. Auna L. Bartlett. Mary E. Bartlett. John C. Bixby, r. Ruth G. Bixby, r. Nov. 3. Harriet S. Clark. Elizabeth S. Smith. Anne L. Woodford. 1852. Jan. 4. Sarah MI. Pearson. Anna R. Ramsdel.
Mar. 7 Aaron Barker. Caroline Barker. Eliza D. Whiting. Francis Fuller. Maria L. Stone.
May 2. James S. Withington. Jane Davison, r. June 13. Sarah Bartlett.
Lucy R. Jackson
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MAY 75
N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA
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