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Gc 974.402 B65boha
M.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
1
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 02885 9699
Gc 974.402 B65boha Mount Vernon Congregational Church (Boston, Mass. ) The confession of faith and covenant of the Mount
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THE
CONFESSION OF FAITH
AND
COVENANT
OF THE
MOUNT VERNON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH mt.
IN
BOSTON, MASS.
ORGANIZED JUNE 1, 18 42.
THE NEWBERRY
0
BOSTON : PRESS OF T. R. MARVIN, 42 CONGRESS STREET. 1852.
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THE
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Confession of Faith and Covenant
OF THE
MOUNT VERNON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH,
BOSTON :
WITH A
LIST OF ITS MEMBERS.
JUNE 1, 1852., 1857
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
BOSTON : PRESS OF T. R. MARVIN, 42 CONGRESS STREET. 18.52.
BRIEF HISTORY
OF THE
MOUNT VERNON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
IN BOSTON.
DURING the years 1840 and 1841, several brethren of the Orthodox Congregational churches in Boston, were impressed with the importance of forming a new church in the city, with a view of obtaining the services of the Rev. EDWARD N. KIRK as its pastor. These impressions having been strengthened in the latter part of the year 1841, during a season of special religious interest in the churches, a meeting of pastors and lay brethren was called to consider the subject, December 16, 1841.
The following is a transcript of the official record of that meeting.
"A meeting of the pastors and several lay brethren from the Orthodox Congregational churches in this city, was held at the house of Deacon Daniel Safford, on Thursday, December 16th, 1841, at 3 o'clock, P. M.
The meeting was called to consider the expediency of forming a new Orthodox Congregational church in this city, and inviting the Rev. EDWARD N. KIRK to become its pastor.
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There were present, of the pastors, the Rev. Messrs. Aiken, Adams, Winslow, Rogers, Blagden, and Towne, and the Rev. Seth Bliss, Secretary of the American Tract Society ; of the lay brethren, Deacons Samuel T. Arm- strong, Pliny Cutler, Daniel Safford, Lewis T. Stoddard, Eliphalet Kimball, Lemuel P. Grosvenor, N. P. Rogers, Charles Scudder, Daniel Noyes, James Tufts, and Charles Stoddard, Messrs. Moses L. Hale, George W. Crockett, Samuel Hubbard, Thomas A. Davis, Charles W. Homer, and William W. Stone.
Samuel T. Armstrong was called to preside, and Wil- liam W. Stone to act as Secretary.
The Rev. N. Adams led in prayer. The Rev. Mr. Aiken stated the object for which the meeting was called, and each individual present was requested to express his views of the proposal. The Rev. Messrs. Rogers, Aiken, Winslow, Adams, Blagden, Towne, and Bliss, were unan- imously of opinion that a new Orthodox Congregational church in this city should be formed without delay, and that the Rev. EDWARD N. KIRK should be obtained, if possible, for its pastor ; and expressed their readiness to render any aid in their power towards accomplishing the object.
The lay brethren present unanimously coincided in these views, provided satisfactory assurances could be given that sufficient funds could be obtained to erect a house of worship.
On motion of the Rev. Mr. Bliss, a committee of nine was appointed to take the subject into consideration, and to take such measures for the accomplishment of the object, as they should deem expedient, with power to fill vacancies in the committee.
The following brethren were appointed on this com- mittee :- Rev. Seth Bliss, Deacons P. Cutler, Charles Scudder, Charles Stoddard, Julius A. Palmer, Daniel
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Safford, Messrs. George W. Crockett, Moses L. Hale, and William W. Stone.
After the reading of the above records by the Secretary, and their adoption as the doings of the meeting, Rev. Mr. Aiken led in prayer, and the meeting was dissolved.
SAMUEL T. ARMSTRONG, Chairman. WILLIAM W. STONE, Secretary."
The committee of nine thus constituted, (Messrs. L. P. Grosvenor and George R. Sampson having been substitu- ted for Deacons Cutler and Stoddard, who were unable to serve,) held various meetings from December 16th to the 29th of March following, for prayer and consultation, in which the enterprise was often discussed in all its bearings ; and, after obtaining the names of twenty-five brethren, who professed themselves ready to be united with a new church, on condition that the Rev. Mr. KIRK should become its pastor, they dissolved, transferring to these brethren all their powers and instructions, and com- mending them and their enterprise to the Great Head of the church, and to the confidence and co-operation of their brethren in this city. Five of this committee be- lieved that duty required them to give theinselves person- ally to the enterprise.
During the months of April and May, the brethren who had thus associated themselves, met frequently to promote the object which they had in view, and held a weekly meeting for prayer. The Rev. EDWARD N. KIRK having signified to a committee of the brethren his inten- tion to accept the invitation of the new church to become its pastor, whenever such church should be formed; an Ecclesiastical Council was called, and convened in the vestry of Park Street meeting-house, on the morning of Wednesday, June Ist, 1842, when twenty-five brethren and twenty-two sisters, who, at their own request, were
*
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dismissed from their several churches for the purpose, were regularly organized into a church.
The consecrating prayer was offered by the Rev. William Jenks, D. D., pastor of Green Street church in Boston, and the fellowship of the churches expressed by the Rev. William M. Rogers of the Central church.
The churches represented in this council were, all the Orthodox Congregational churches in the county of Suffolk; Second church in Dorchester ; Mercer Street church in New York city; First church in Malden ; Evangelical Congregational church in Cambridgeport ; Eliot church in Roxbury ; First Congregational church in Charlestown ; Winthrop church in Charlestown ; First church in Cambridge.
Upon the same day the Rev. EDWARD N. KIRK was in- vited by the new church to become its pastor ; and having accepted the invitation, was installed in the afternoon, by the Ecclesiastical Council called to organize the church.
At a meeting of the brethren, holden upon the evening of June Ist, 1842, Thomas Adams, Daniel Safford, Julius A. Palmer, and Marshall S. Scudder, were chosen Dea- cons of the church.
The church held its first public religious exercise in the Old South Chapel, which was generously tendered for their use by the Old South Society, upon Sabbath, June 5th, when the Lord's Supper was administered, and several infant children received the ordinance of baptism.
On the 19th day of June, 1842, public worship was commenced in the Lecture Room of the Masonic Temple, and continued there till the 31st of December, 1843.
The first meeting with reference to the erection of a house of worship, was convened January 3d, 1843, by a public notice from the pulpit, on the preceding Sabbath. At this meeting it was determined, after deliberation and prayer, that the time had arrived, when we were called,
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in the providence of God, to go forward and erect another sanctuary for his worship. A subscription was accord- ingly commenced for the purpose, and subsequently the following gentlemen were elected a Building Committee, with full power to select the location and erect the build- ing, to wit :- George W. Crockett, William W. Stone, Daniel Safford, John Slade, Jr., Roland Cutler, Freeman L. Cushman, and George F. Homer.
After many ineffectual attempts to obtain a situation combining the requisite advantages, the committee in the month of May succeeded in contracting for an estate on the north side of Somerset Court, now ASHBURTON PLACE, a site unequalled perhaps by any in the city for the pur- pose, considering its quiet location, and its advantages for ventilation and light.
On the 23d of June, 1843, the church voted to assume the name of " Mount Vernon Congregational Church," adopting the name by which the western section of the hill has long been known, on which the building is erected.
The corner-stone was laid on the morning of July 4th, 1843, on which occasion an appropriate address was de- livered by the pastor, and the Rev. Lyman Beecher, D. D. led in prayer.
On the 7th of September, 1843, the stockholders met pursuant to a warrant duly issued by a justice of the peace, and were organized into a Corporation according to law, by the passage of the necessary votes, and the appointment of Standing Committees.
The house having been completed on the 4th of Janu- ary, 1844, just six months from the day on which the corner-stone was laid, it was solemnly dedicated to the worship of Almighty God. The pastor was assisted in the services of the occasion by the Rev. Messrs. Adams, Winslow, Rogers, Aiken, Blagden, and Jenks.
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The dimensions of the building are 75 feet by 97, con- taining 132 pews on the lower floor, and 50 in the gallery, in which 1,270 persons may be comfortably seated. The basement story contains, besides the several committee rooms, a commodious chapel, 63 feet long by 48 feet wide, and 15 feet high, which accommodates 600 persons with seats.
PASTOR.
EDWARD NORRIS KIRK, installed June 1, 1842.
DEACONS.
THOMAS ADAMS, chosen June 1, 1842 ; dismissed February 5, 1847. DANIEL SAFFORD, "
JULIUS A. PALMER, "
MARSHALL S. SCUDDER, chosen June 1, 1842; dism'd Nov. 21, 1845. HENRY HILL, Jan. 16, 1846 ; resig'd Jan. 18, 1850.
OLIVER B. DORRANCE,
Feb. 19, 1847 ; " Jan. 17, 1851.
JAMES W. KIMBALL,
ANDREW CUSHING,
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STANDING RULES.
Adopted June 18, 1842.
First .- All meetings for business shall be opened with prayer.
Second .- The annual meeting for the choice of Clerk, Examining Committee, and other business, shall be held on or before the third Wednesday of January ; the time to be fixed by the Deacons, and notice given from the pulpit on the Sabbath preceding.
Third .- The Examining Committee, of which the Pastor, Deacons and Clerk shall constitute a part, shall examine all candidates for admission, and present the. names of such as they approve.
Fourth .- All Standing Committees and Officers for the year shall be chosen by ballot.
Fifth .- Candidates for admission shall be propounded to the church at least four weeks previous to admission ; and notice thereof be publicly given on the second Sab- bath following.
Sixth .- All candidates for admission, having been ap- proved by the church, shall become members by public profession, and signing the articles of faith and covenant adopted by this church.
Seventh .- The Lord's Supper shall be celebrated on the first Sabbaths in January, March, May, July, Sep- tember, and November. The admission of members, together with the celebration of the ordinance, shall con- stitute the service of the afternoon, after which a contri- bution shall be taken.
Eighth .- There shall be a weekly meeting of the
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church on Friday evening, for devotional exercises and conference.
Ninth .- It shall be the duty of the Clerk to keep the records of the church, and act as Treasurer.
Tenth .- The expenses of all delegations of the church to Ecclesiastical Councils shall be paid by the Clerk from the funds of the church.
ECCLESIASTICAL PRINCIPLES AND RULES.
Adopted June 23, 1812.
Rights of the Church .- This church is independent, so far as relates to its internal organization and the regu- lation of its affairs. It is amenable to no other ecclesias- tical body, except by its own consent, or according to regular and established Congregational principles. With these exceptions, it controls the admission, discipline, and removal of its members, according to its own under- standing of the word of God.
Connection with other Churches .- This church will ex- tend to other Evangelical Congregational churches, and receive from them, that fellowship, advice, and assistance, which the law of Christ requires. It will extend the usual rights of communion, and practice the usual transfer of members, according to its own convictions of duty. It holds itself bound to regard the decisions of mutual councils, and to seek the promotion of peace with all the churches of our Lord.
Admission and Transfer of Members .- The church will examine all applicants for admission. It will grant dismissions, for good cause, to its members in regular standing, on their application in writing, and recommend them to the fellowship of other churches. All such appli-
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cations to be referred to the Examining Committee, when presented, to be reported upon at the next succeeding meeting of the church. Members removing from the city shall be required to obtain their dismission within one year from the time of their removal, unless circumstances be such as to render a union with any other church inex- pedient ; and in such case they shall inform the church why they have not requested a removal of their connec- tion. It shall be the duty of the Examining Committee to report to the church, at the annual meeting, the names of such members as shall have removed from the city, where they are, so far as may be known, the length of time they have been out of the city, together with any other information which they may possess in relation to them, and which they may deem it important to commu- nicate. It is expected that members of other churches who may wish to commune with this church for more than one year, will request a dismission from their respective churches, and an admission to this church, unless they give satisfactory reasons for delay to the Examining Committee.
Rights of Members .- Every member has a right to church privileges, unless forfeited by misconduct ; and when thus forfeited, he can be deprived of them only by regular process. The presentation of complaints shall, in all cases, be first made to the Examining Committee, who shall, upon sufficient cause, prefer charges before the whole church; and in case the Committee refuse so to do, the complainant may nevertheless, if he insists upon the charges, present his complaint to the church. When a member is accused, he shall be seasonably furnished with a copy of the complaint, and shall have a full hear- ing. While the trial is pending, the accused is expected to abstain from participating in the Lord's Supper.
Duties of the Church and its Members .- It is the duty
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of the members to attend such stated meetings as are appointed by a vote of the church, unless providentially prevented. Any member having cause of complaint against another, should immediately seek to have it re- moved in a Christian manner ; the directions given in Matthew xviii. 15, 16, being his guide, especially in cases of personal offence. Any member wishing to withdraw from this church and to unite with another, should signify his wishes and his reasons, and apply in a proper spirit to be first released from his obligations to this church. Any other mode of withdrawal will be deemed irregular and censurable; and this church holds itself bound to grant its members in regular standing, dismissions and recom- mendations to churches not only of our own, but of any other evangelical denomination.
Censurable Offences .- 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 to which the members have assented, as offences subject to the censure of the church.
Censures .- The censures inflicted on offenders, are private reproof, public admonition, or excommunication, according to the aggravation of the offence ; and in case of excommunication, notice thereof shall be given from the pulpit on the Sabbath.
Permanent Officers .- The permanent officers of the church shall be, the Pastor or Pastors, and Deacons. To the Pastor pertains the office of Moderator. It shall be the duty of the Deacons to preside in the absence of the Pastor, in rotation ; to assist in the administration of the Lord's Supper ; to distribute the charities of the church ; to aid the Pastor generally in the spiritual care of the flock ; and, in his absence, to provide a supply for the pulpit.
ADMISSION TO THE CHURCH.
ADDRESS.
BELOVED FRIENDS :
In uniting with this church, you avow an agreement with its belief of the Christian doctrines, and enter into a special covenant with its members. We will therefore now ask the expression of your assent to that Confession of Faith and Covenant which have been adopted as the symbol and visible bond of our fellowship.
Hear then the
CONFESSION OF FAITH.
We believe-
That the Scriptures of the Old and New Testa- ments were given by the inspiration of God, and are the perfect, and only infallible revelation to mankind of religious doctrine and duty.
And we believe that they teach us these great doctrines ---
That there is but one Gon, a Spirit, infinite in all natural and moral perfections, existing as Father,
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Son, and Holy Ghost ; and that these three are one, and in all divine attributes equal.
That He made the heavens and the earth, and all things therein, which he preserves and governs, for the accomplishing of his own most wise and holy purposes.
That man was made in the divine image ; but that since the first transgression, all men have lost that image, and are by nature without holiness, and alienated from God.
That it is only by the effect of a free and sove- reign purpose of God, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, that any are restored to holiness, and the divine favor, and secured to eternal life.
That the Son of God became incarnate, and by his obedience, sufferings and death upon the cross, the just for the unjust, made a complete atonement, which forms the only ground of the forgiveness of sin.
That salvation is fully, freely, sincerely, and earnestly offered to all men on the conditions of repentance toward God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
That Christ has instituted an external and visible church, whose sealing ordinances, to the end of time, are, Baptism and the Lord's Supper; that Baptism is to be administered to all who make a credible profession of their faith, and to their infant children ; that the Lord's Supper is to be admin- istered only to those who profess to have been renewed by the Holy Spirit.
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That there will be a resurrection of all the dead, both just and unjust.
That all must stand before the judgment-seat of Christ, and receive a sentence of retribution, accord- ing to the deeds done in the body ; and that the wicked will go into punishment, and the righteous into life ; both of which states will be without end.
This you severally profess to believe.
Attend then to the
COVENANT.
In the presence of God and this assembly, you do now solemnly avouch the Lord Jehovah, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, to be your God, the supreme object of your affection, and your portion forever. You cordially acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ to be your Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit to be your Sanctifier, Comforter and Guide. You cheer- fully devote yourselves to God, in the everlasting covenant of his grace, consecrating all your powers and faculties to his service and glory ; and you promise, that through the assistance of his Spirit, you will cleave to him as your chief good ; that you will give diligent attendance to his word and ordi- nances ; that you will seek the honor and interest of his kingdom ; and that henceforth, denying all ungodliness, and every worldly lust, you will live soberly, righteously and godly in the world.
You also cordially join yourselves to the whole body of Christ, called the church universal, regard-
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ing yourselves henceforward as so identified with all its interests, and so unchangeably in covenant with it, that if Providence removes you from one branch of it, you are bound to connect yourselves with another, as soon as you may be able.
You do also cordially connect yourselves with this church in a more direct and special union, engaging to submit to the rules of government and discipline which it has adopted ; to strive earnestly for its peace, edification and purity ; and to walk with its members in charity, faithfulness, circum- spection, meekness, and sobriety.
Into this covenant you severally enter.
[The ordinance of Baptism to be administered.]
[This church recognizes the membership in Christ's visible church of those who belong to other branches of it. But deeming it highly proper, that there should be a distinct recognition of the transfer of the relations of those who are now to unite with us from other churches, you are requested to rise as your names are called. ]
Do you express your assent to the Confession of Faith and Covenant which have now been read ?
In consequence of these professions and promises, we* affectionately receive you to our communion,
* The members of this church.
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and in the name of Christ declare you entitled to all the privileges of membership in this branch of his church. We welcome you to this fellowship with us in the blessings of the gospel ; and on our part engage to watch over you in Christian affec- tion, and to seek your edification so long as you continue to be with us.
And may we prove together, in this new connec- tion, the fullness of that blessing which our Lord has promised to them that are in covenant with him ; may his richest grace rest upon you to the end of your pilgrimage ; and then may an abun- dant entrance be administered to us all into the joy of our Lord. AMEN.
2 *
MOUNT VERNON CHURCH.
ORIGINAL MEMBERS.
Those marked with an asterisk (*) are deceased ; those with an obelisk (f) are dismissed to other churches ; e, excommunicated.
EDWARD N. KIRK, Pastor.
Seth Bliss, Bowdoin St. Church, Boston.
Jennette F. R. Bliss, " 66
George W. Crockett, "
Ruth W. Crockett, 66
+Thomas Adams, Essex St. Ch. 66
+Susannah M. Adams, " 66
Julius A. Palmer, Bowdoin St. Ch.
Lucy M. Palmer, 66
+William W. Stone, 66
66
+Helen M. Stone,
66
66
John Mason, 66
66
* Martha C. D. Mason,
[June 3, 1845.] 66
Allen Shepard, 66
Albert Hobart, 66
Samuel D. Warren, 66
66
+John Slade, Jr. 66
+Lucy Slade, 66
66
Caroline A. B. Rankin 66
Joseph C. Tyler, 66
Andrew Cushing,
Chastine Lincoln, 66
[Mrs. Cushing.]
+Charles F. Bray,
Samuel J. M. Homer, " 66
Roland Cutler, Salem St. Ch. 66
James Win. Kimball, Essex St. Ch. " Mary S. Kimball, 66
66
Ira P. Rankin, 66
19
tMarshall S. Scudder, Essex St. Ch. Boston.
tRebecca C. Scudder, 66
+Charles W. Scudder, 66 66
tAlicia H. Scudder, 66
Daniel Safford, Park St. Ch. 66
Ann Eliza Safford, 66 66 tGeorge F. Homer,
+Harriet E. Colby, Eliot Ch. Roxbury.
Susan B Howe, First Ch. North Yarmouth, Me.
+Caroline Homans, Evan. Ch. South Brookfield.
+Gorham D. Abbott, Theological Seminary, Andover. +Rebecca S. Abbott, Pres. Ch New Rochelle, N. Y. Daniel T. Coit, Oid South Ch. Boston.
Jane G. L. Coit,
tMarianne Adams, Essex St. Ch. " Sarah Tuttle, E. Parish Ch. Bradford.
Rebecca T. Fisher, First Ch. Natick. [Mrs. Homer.]
Charles Tufts, Central Ch. Boston.
+Anna Marie Seaver, First Cong. Ch. Lowell. (47)
ADMISSIONS.
SEPTEMBER 4, 1842.
Ann Allen, West Ch.
Caroline E. Cutler, Cong. Ch. Sudbury.
+Mary Dame, Old South Ch.
+Lydia Fuller, Village Ch. Dorchester. [Mrs. Cook.]
Sarah R. Hall, First Ch. Charlestown.
+Susan M. Hall, Park St. Ch. [ Mrs. Munroe.]
Moses Hayward, Cong. Ch. Bedford.
Lucretia Hayward, 66
Maria Hayward, 66 [Mrs. Bowker. ]
H. Leavitt Keyes, Bowdoin St. Ch.
Clarissa A. W. Keyes, 66 Sarah M. Niebuhr, Bulfinch St. Ch.
*Harriet Pettee, Free Ch. [Mrs. Davy.] [Nov. 1851.] Olive Pettee, [Mrs. Floyd. ]
tJohn F. Pitman, Park St. Ch.
+Samuel Pomeroy, South Cong. Ch. Middletown, Ct. tFrancis A. Richardson, Park St. Ch.
tMary B. Richardson, Salem St. Ch.
20
Mary Ann Ricker, Third Ch. Portland, Me.
Lucy R. Stedman, Salem St. Ch.
Elizabeth T. Titcomb, First Pres. Ch. Newburyport.
Jerome W. Tyler, Park St. Ch.
tEdward P. Adams, by Profession. William II. Adams,
e Elizabeth P. Crombie,
Samuel D. Dexter,
Ann E. Edwards,
Charles M. Guild, 66
Hannah Hawley,
[Mrs. Oldson.]
Louisa Lodge, 66
+Charles W. Munroe, 66
t Emeline Palmer, 6 [Mrs. Dexter. ]
e Abby Southwick, 66
Charles H. Stedman,
Catharine A. Thompson, " [Mrs. Niell.] (35)
NOVEMBER 6, 1842.
tRobert Bliss, Bowdoin St. Ch.
Mary Colburn, North Ch. Portsmouth, N. II.
Martha Cutler, Green St. Ch. Elizabeth Eaton, Central Ch.
*Elizabeth Hayward, [May 2, 1847.]
Catharine Johnston, Evan. Ch. Cambridgeport. Nancy Kimball, Third Ch. Portland, Me. Erasmus Norcross, Laight St. Ch. New York. Eliza Norcross,
*Richard Trow, Essex St. Ch. [April 7, 1844.]
Hannah B. Trow,
Mary Trow, 66 Elizabeth B. Trow, 66
+Susan Wilson, Bap. Ch. Edgecomb, Me. [Mrs. Boutelle.]
tIsaac Cushing, by Profession.
+Mary J. Cushing, 66
Hannah I. Dow, 66
Mary B. Porter,
[Mrs. Goodwin.]
*Elizabeth W. Williams, " [Sept. 26, 1851.] (19)
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