USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Mendon > Centurial history of the Mendon association of Congregational ministers, with the Centennial address, delivered at Franklin, Mass., Nov. 19, l851, and biographical sketches of the members and licentiates > Part 5
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Whether or not there be any proof, the Bible excepted, * that there is another state of existence for man ? 1807. June 9th. Meaning of " the first resurrection."-Rev. 20: 6. Whether there be sufficient argument to support the doctrine of the intermediate state ?
Oct. 13th. Meaning of mens' being rewarded according to their works ?
1809. June 13th. Is it lawful in any case, for individuals to withdraw from a church without its consent, on account of corruption in doctrine and practice ?
What is the ground of moral obligation ?
Oct. 10th. Whether our Saviour returned thanks after eating ?
At what time did the Jewish dispensation end, and the Christian dispensation commence ?
63
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION.
1810. June 12th. Do such universal promises as " all flesh shall be saved," and "in him shall all the families of the earth be blessed," etc., embrace all who have lived and shall live in time to come, or only those who are to live on the earth in some future day ? Is it proper, under any existing circumstances, for congregational ministers to baptize by immersion unbaptized persons ?
Oct. 9th. Have a plurality of gods been worshipped as gods, or as inferior deities and intercessors between the worshippers and the Supreme Being?
Ought churches to pay any regard to the sentiments and practices of other churches of the same denomi- nation, in dismissing and recommending members to their communion ?
Will the first and third persons in the Trinity ever be visible to Saints in Heaven ?
1811. June 11th. Meaning of probation in this world ?
May God reward men in time, and punish them in eternity for the same actions ?
Oct. 8th. Meaning of ' the sin of the world' which Christ took away, and how did he take it away ? .
Why is the punishment of the finally impenitent end- less ?
1812. June 9th. In what does the righteousness of Christ consist ?
Oct. 13th. Is there any foundation in the Scriptures for the formation of a Consociation of churches, as an Ecclesiastical body, to which individual churches may appeal for a final decision in cases of discipline ? Is an individual member belonging to a church, to be censured for neglecting the communion, who pleads conscience on account of ill treatment which in his opinion he has received by a vote of the church ?
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HISTORICAL APPENDIX.
Does the Divine Law require men to love their neigh- bors as much as they do themselves ?
1813. June 8th. Was Christ the Son of God before his in- carnation ?
Is there any foundation in the Scriptures for the use of the term Infant Baptism ?
Oct. 12th. Is there any foundation in the Scriptures for delegates to vote in the ordination of a minister ? 1815. May 16th. If delegates are allowed to vote with res- pect to the ordination of ministers, why may they not consistently assist in the ordination ?
Do ministers ordain ex officio, or act under the author- ity of the churches exclusively ?
Oct. 10th. Did John the Baptist require a profession of repentance and faith previous to his administer- ing the ordinance of baptism ?
When may a minister be said to have left the ministry ? 1816. June 11th. What obligations are Christians under to profess religion ?
Oct. 8th. * What authority have we for the imposition of hands at an Installation ?
Is there Scriptural authority for the use of the sword in any case ?
1817. Oct. 7th. Was there any difference between the church and society in Corinth ?
How long a period will the Millennium continue ?
1818. June 2d. What was the design of John's Baptism ?
* In what will the future punishment of the wicked consist ?
Oct. 6th. * Import of the fifth petition in the Lord's prayer ?
1819. June 1st. Is it agreeable to the Scriptures for a council to ordain a candidate as pastor of a parish ?
Did the Jewish tythes pay the expenses of civil gov-
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION. 65
ernment as well as of religious worship, or only of the latter ?
1821. June 5th. Did the Divine nature of Christ suffer on the cross ?
Is true faith the only condition of salvation ?
1822. June 18th. What is the true province of reason in ascertaining the doctrines of revelation ?
Would it be subservient to the interests of religion for the Massachusetts Convention of Ministers to dis- cuss and decide the question, What constitutes a Christian church ?
Oct. 15th. Is 1 John 5 : 7 canonical, or an interpo- lation ?
To what must the ultimate appeal be made in estab- lishing the principles of interpretation ?
1823. June 17th. When are children too old to be baptized on account of the faith of their parents ?
Does native depravity originate from a privative cause ?
1824. April 27th. Meaning of Pilate's question to Christ, " What is truth ? "
As the laws of this State permit individuals to join any ecclesiastical society which they choose, ought our churches and societies to make any exertions to obtain an amendment to the laws, so that our parishes may have the power of refusing such applicants under certain circumstances ?
Ought a church member who has committed a public offence worthy of discipline, to be required to make a confession before the congregation ?
Oct. 19th. Is the agency of God the same in governing the conduct of holy and unholy creatures ?
Can any particular method of ecclesiastical govern- ment be supported from the Scriptures ?
1825. April 26th. Had the Apostles and primitive Christians
6*
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HISTORICAL APPENDIX.
any apprehension that the end of the world was nigh in their time ?
Have the ministers of Christ received authority from him to license candidates, and to ordain them to the ministerial work? And does this authority cease with the ordination ?
Oct. 25th. * What is the foundation for the common arrangement of the books in the Bible ?
May God both reward and punish a person for the * same conduct ?
1827. April 24th. " By man came death," - what death ?
* What motives shall be used to induce creatures totally selfish, to embrace the Gospel ?
1828. April 29th. Did our Saviour give thanks after eating ? * What is the penalty of the divine law ?
1829. April 28th. * How are we to understand those pas- sages of the Scriptures which employ the term fire in reference to future punishment ?
* Is there any rule by which we can determine what proportion of our property ought to be devoted to benevolent and religious purposes ?
1830. April 27th. * What do the Scriptures teach concern- ing the existence and agency of Devils ?
1831. Aug. 16th. * Are there any means of regeneration appointed in the Scriptures to be used by unre- newed sinners ?
Oct. 25th. * What are the Scriptural means to promote revivals of religion ?
1832. April 24th. * Can man act independently ?
* Is it necessary to the moral government of God that there be a penalty to the divine law ? If so, is this penalty efficient as a motive to induce sinners to obey ?
1833. Aug. 20th. What is the Scriptural process of church discipline ?
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QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION.
1833. Oct. 29th. * Is it necessary that a complaint entered against a brother in the church should specify all the particular acts which it is designed to prove against him, and the time when the censurable acts were done ?
* Did Christ in the garden sweat drops of real blood ? 1835. April 28th. * Are believers rewarded on the same ground on which they are forgiven ?
* Is it expedient for ministers to exchange labors very frequently ?
What is the best method of constructing a sermon ?
Aug. 18th. Is the modern practice of settling minis- ters for a limited time, beneficial or prejudicial to the interests of religion ?
* Does Romans vii. ch. describe the feelings of the im- penitent sinner, or of the Christian ?
* Does the Holy Spirit renew the hearts of sinners without the use of means ? If so, what is the evi- dence ? if not, what are the means ?
Oct. 28th. * Was the human soul of Christ saved by grace, or was he admitted into heaven on account of having yielded perfect obedience to the divine law ?
* Did Christ, in making atonement for sin, suffer in his divine nature ?
1837. April 25th. What is the object of ' laying on of hands,' . at ordination ?
* Can the consistency between divine and human agency in the moral actions of men be seen ?
Aug. 15th. * Is there any distinction between justifi- cation and pardon ?
Nov. 21st. * Meaning of " whom he did foreknow ?"
* What are we to understand by the intercession of Christ, and what is its influence in the salvation of men ? Why, previous to Christ, was transgression followed, to so great an extent, with present penalty ?
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HISTORICAL APPENDIX.
1838. April 24th. * What evidence is there that the books contained in the common version of the Bible, are the ones, and the only ones, which can justly claim to be inspired ?
1839. April 30th. What is the meaning of sovereignty when applied to God ?
Are protracted meetings on the whole a good measure for promoting religion ?
Oct. 29th. Have Christians, in any case, a right to defend themselves by force ?
* What is the real difference between Arminianism and Calvinism ?
Is it desirable that our churches take any action respecting communion with slave-holders, or admit- ting them to the pulpit ?
1840. Aug. 18th. What is clerical etiquette, to be observed between neighboring ministers ?
A man is a member of the church, and his wife is not. He died before his child is baptized. Is that child a subject of baptism? And if so, who is to present it ?
Oct. 27th. Is the dedication of a child by the parents, an essential part of infant baptism ?
* What is the doctrine of professed modern Perfection- ism ? and is it taught in the Bible ?
1841. April 27th. * Is a literal return of the Jews to Pales- tine predicted in the Scriptures ? And if so, what bearing have recent events in the East upon this subject ?
* Is the exercise of love or any other affection at the direct command of the will ?
Oct. 19th. Is any exercise of Christian affection perfect in its character ?
Is it expedient and advisable to encourage and patron-
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QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION.
ize missionary associations formed on the principle of refusing the contributions of slave-holders ?
1842. April 19th. * What relation do baptized children sus- tain to the church ?
* Can a future state of existence be proved from the Old Testament ?
Oct. 18th. * Does Barrilw mean to purify, without refer- ence to the mode ?
1843. April 18th. * Do the Scriptures teach that there will be a millennium of peculiar holiness and happiness upon this earth ?
Aug. 15th. The duty of the church toward those mem- bers who neglect the ordinance of Infant Baptism ? Have ministers a right to ordain for the Gospel minis- try independently of the churches ?
Oct. 17th. * How far is the Cambridge Platform our rule of discipline ?
Dec. 19th. How far ought the building of meeting- houses at the west to be aided by the churches at the east ?
What advice shall a pastor give to the members of his church going south, respecting their communion with slave-holding churches ?
1844. April 16th. What are the political duties of pastors at the present time ?
Aug. 20th. Is it consistent or right for Congregational churches to admit as members those who disbelieve in infant baptism ?
Oct. 15th. * Ought capital punishment to be abolished ? Dec. 17th. What course of proceeding ought our churches to take with those members who have fallen into the errors and irregularities of Mil- lerism ?
1845. April 8th. Is it right for a man to marry his paternal half-brother's daughter ?
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HISTORICAL APPENDIX.
1845. Aug. 12th. What is odd-fellowship? and what is the duty of ministers and churches in reference to it ?
Oct. 14th. * Ought slave-holding to be treated by the churches as other sins ?
* What is the Bible view of infant salvation ?
1846. Jan. 13th. * Did Christ suffer in his divine nature in making atonement for sin ?
* What is the great end of punishment ?
April 14th. * Does God experience any degree of suf- fering in connection with his perfect happiness ?
Shall the basis of organization of the General Associ- ation be so modified as to admit of a lay delegation ? Aug. 11th. * Does the New Testament authorize di- vorce for any other reason than adultery ? Or, if the courts grant a bill of divorce for other reasons, has the party which obtains a bill, a moral right to marry again ?
Is God necessarily a good Being ?
Oct. 13th. Why cannot a member of a church, of his own accord, leave the church ?
* What can we do as ministers of Christ to increase each other's usefulness ?
1847. Jan. 12th. * Is the agency of God universal and particular ?
What is our duty towards the " Evangelical Alli- ance ? "
April 13th. * Is there a succession of exercises in the Divine Mind ?
Oct. 12th. Ought a minister to be a member of his own church ?
* The significance and use of infant baptism ?
1848. April 12th. * What is the duty of ministers and churches in relation to the order of the Sons of Temperance and other secret societies ?
Aug. 22d. Is it advisable for our Congregational
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QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION.
churches so to alter their creeds and covenants as to admit persons as members, who deny that infant baptism is a Scriptural rite ?
1848. Oct. 10th. * Orthodoxy, the antagonist of superstition. Have the majority of a church the right to contravene its articles of faith and covenant, to accommodate individuals, against the protest of a minority ?
1849. Jan. 9th. * Was Melchisedeck a divine person ? Is it advisable to continue our separate county organ- izations for benevolent purposes ?
April 10th. * Review of " Dr. Smith on Infant Salva- tion."
Aug. 14th. * Is sin the necessary means of the greatest good ?
Oct. 9th. Is it right for a Congregational church to dismiss its members, and recommend them to a Methodist church ?
1850. Jan. 8th. Is there any specific rule by which the amount of our Christian charities, or pecuniary benefactions, should be regulated ?
* What is the nature of the unpardonable sin ? April 16th. Is an individual a proper subject of church discipline who removes from a place where his property remains, and where the Gospel is supported by taxation, and who ' signs off' from the parish, in order to avoid such taxation ?
Should a pastor leave a notice to be read by an ex- change, which he would not give himself? And if so, who takes the responsibility ?
Is the prevalence of a universal language during the Millennium predicted, as in Zeph. 3 : 9 ?
* What is the origin, propriety, and true signification of the benediction, as practised in Christian assemblies ? Aug. 13th. Are there any limitations of age in respect to the subjects of household baptism ?
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HISTORICAL APPENDIX.
1850. * Review of the ' Conventional Sermon by Prof. E. A. Park."
Is congregational sitting a proper posture in public prayer ? And what is ministerial duty in relation to this practice ?
Oct. 8th. * The duty of ministers in regard to 'the Fugitive Slave Bill,' or in regard to the fugitive who in distress may come to us for protection ?
1851. Jan. 14th. * The household versus Socialism.
* History of the doctrine of Imputation.
April 15th. Is there any difference between common and special grace ? and, if any, what ?
Aug. 13th. * What obedience to the husband do the Scriptures enjoin on the wife, and what authority do they give the husband over the wife ?
TEXTS OF EXEGETICAL ESSAYS.
As the date of their exhibition is of no consequence, they are arranged in their order of occurrence in the Bible.
Gen. 1:1; 4:7; 1:27; 6:14. Psalms, 15:5; 68:30; 74 : 4. Proverbs, 16 : 7; 25 :2. Eccl. 7: 29. Isaiah, 23: 18; 42 : 19 ; 53: 8; with Acts, 8: 33; 66 : 22. Ezekiel, 24: 13; 37 : 4. Zephaniah, 3 : 9. Matt. 6: 10; 11: 12; 12: 43-5; 16:28; 19:14; 26:39. Mark, 2: 27-8. Luke, 10:18; 11:9;15:7; 18:8. John, 1:1; 1:9; 14:21; 16: 8; 17:12; 19: 11, 1. c. Acts, 3:21; 8:33; with Isa. 53 : 8. Romans, 3: 4; 5: 14; 5: 19; 6:23; 7:14; 8: 16; 8 : 19-23; 9:3; 11:32. I. Corinthians, 3: 23; 5:5; 11:3; 15: 29. II. Corinthians, 5 : 1. Galatians, 4: 22. Ephe- sians, 6 : 4. Philippians, 3: 11-12. II. Thessalonians, 1 : 9. I. Timothy, 5 : 8. Hebrews, 2 : 11; 5:7; 13:17. James, 2:10; I. Peter, 3: 19. II. Peter, 2: 1. I. John, 3 : 9. Revelation, 20 : 4-6; 20 : 5.
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APPROBATION OF CANDIDATES.
APPROBATION OF CANDIDATES FOR THE MINISTRY.
At the date of the formation of this Association, the prac- tice of admitting only approved candidates to the sacred desk, had been generally adopted. 'In the beginning it was not so.' The brethren of the church at Plymouth, gave leave to any of their number to 'prophesy,' subject to the regulation of the Elders of the church, who thus 'ruled over' them. In the Massachusetts colony, the matter of ' prophesying' early occu- pied the attention of the court. They first legislated upon the subject of the pastoral office.
In 1651, The church in Malden was fined for settling a minister without consulting the neighboring churches. And in 1653, the court forbade the settlement of Mr. Powell over the second or north church in Boston, because he was not a learned man. An order was also passed that no minister should be called into office without the approbation and al- lowance of some of the magistrates as well as the neighbor- ing churches. A similar order was adopted respecting can- didates for the ministry.
"1653, May 18th. Ordered that no person shall begin to preach or prophesy without the approbation of elders belong- ing to the four next churches or county court."
The church of Woburn, and also of Salem, remonstrated against this order, on the ground that if they, the churches, had the power of election and ordination of ministers, they had the power of approbation also. 1 Cor. XIV. The order was repealed .*
In certain proposals, assented to by delegates of associations at a meeting in Boston 13th Sept. 1705, occur the follow- in g recommendation : " That the Candidates of the Ministry undergo a due Tryal by some one or other of the associations
* See this interesting petition of the Woburn church in Mass. Hist Coll. Series III. Vol. I, p. 39.
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HISTORICAL APPENDIX.
concerning their qualifications for the Evangelical Ministry : and that no particular Pastor or Congregation Imploy any one in occasional preaching who has not been recommended by a testimonial under the hands of some association."*
On this proposition Rev. J. Wise of Ipswich, who so sar- castically reviewed the proposals, makes the following his- torical comment : "Their degrees, with the express testimony of the college (when particularly desired), are sufficient tes- timonials of their learning : and the experience of their other good gifts and ministerial qualifications, obtained by converse and their occasional preaching has been the chief test and tryal of our candidates ; and by these methods they have been approbated in order to settlement in office-trust : and this has been the custom of the country and churches for near fourscore years,"* - that is, from its settlement.
The practice, however, of approbating candidates by Cleri- cal Associations obtained almost universally, though the other proposals of the meeting above-mentioned failed of adoption. In the Mendon Association, applicants for approbation to preach the Gospel have, from the beginning, been subjected to a thorough examination, as the first certificate already inserted witnesseth.
. The mode of ascertaining the candidate's qualifications and the form of certifying to them have hardly varied during the century.
As to the mode, the following vote, passed June 7, 1785, expresses the present practice. " Voted that for the future, when any gentleman shall offer himself to this body, in order for recommendation as a candidate for the Gospel Ministry, the person thus offering himself shall first read a sermon ; after which, secondly, there shall be a particular and systematic examination of his knowledge in Divinity, and acquaintance
* See Wise's Church's Quarrel Espoused ; and Vindication of the government of the N. E. Churches.
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FORM OF RECOMMENDATION.
with experimental religion : and thirdly, his design in preach- ing the Gospel."
The recommendation of convention of Congregational Ministers at Boston, May 26, 1790, met the cordial approval of Mendon Association, and agreement to admit none into their pulpits to preach, except such as had been examined and regularly approbated.
Certificates of approbation, at first, bore the signatures of all the members of the association present. In 1794 they were authenticated by the signatures of the moderator and scribe, and so continue to be. The form adopted 1802, is the latest recorded, and is still in use.
FORM OF RECOMMENDATION OF CANDIDATES FOR THE MINISTRY.
At a meeting of Mendon Association at the house of Rev. - -, in- -- , on the -, Mr. appeared, and requested to be recommended by the association to the churches as a preacher of the Gospel, and a candidate for the Christian Ministry. The association received authentic testimonials of his regular membership in the church of Christ, and of his having honorably completed a course of academic education. They examined him with respect to his views and feelings in contemplating to undertake this work, his attainments in the knowledge of the leading doc- trines of Christianity, and his personal qualifications to per- form the duties which will devolve upon him. Finding him in these several respects a person qualified, the association deemed it expedient to comply with his request: and do thereupon, by these presents, recommend the said Mr. -
to the churches, to be employed by them as a candidate for the Gospel Ministry, and to the patronage of the pastors of the churches, for this purpose.
Moderator.
Scribe.
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HISTORICAL APPENDIX.
LICENTIATES.
LIST of persons approbated to preach the Gospel, with the date of their approbation. The numbers refer to the Bio- graphic Index. Those starred became members of the Association, and will be found, by the numbers in parentheses at the end of the name, among the sketches of members.
1. * David Thurston, Nov. 8, 1751, (O. S.) (5.)
2. Moses Taft, Jan. 7, 1752, (O. S.)
3. Cornelius Jones, May 9, 1753.
4. Nathaniel Potter, May, 1754.
5. Joseph Dorr, jr. Aug. 11, 1756.
6. Asaph Rice, Aug. 11, 1756.
7. Benjamin Caryl, Sept. 8, 1761.
8. * Ebenezer Chaplin, June 4, 1764. (9.)
9. Ezekiel Emerson, June 5, 1764.
10. Silas Biglow, July 9, 1766.
11. Alexander Thayer, June 28, 1768.
12. Josiah Reed, June 3, 1777.
13. Elisha Fish, jr., Oct. 30, 1781.
14. Moses Warren, June 7, 1785.
15. Jacob Cram, June 7, 1785.
16. Solomon Aikin, June 7, 1785.
17. Enoch Pond, Oct. 3, 1786.
18. Walter Harris, June 17, 1788.
19. Reed Paige, June 2, 1789.
20. Elias Dudley, June 2, 1789.
21. Herman Daggett, Oct. 7, 1789.
22. Royal Tyler, Oct. 7, 1789.
23. Josiah Holbrook, Oct. 5, 1790.
24. Holloway Fish, Oct. 4, 1791.
25. John Morse, Feb. 14, 1792.
26. * Samuel Judson, June 5, 1792. (22.)
27. Nathaniel Hall, June 5, 1792.
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LICENTIATES.
28. John Fitch, June 5, 1792.
29. Eli Smith, Oct. 2, 1792.
30. William Jackson, June 4, 1793.
31. Kiah Bailey, June 3, 1794.
Abijah Wines, Jan. 13, 1795.
32. 33. John Smith, Jan. 13, 1795.
34. Nathaniel Ogden, Oct. 14, 1795.
35. John Bowers Preston, Oct. 14, 1795.
36. Joseph Rowell, June 12, 1798.
37. * Nathan Holman, June 12, 1798. (26.)
38. Drury Fairbank, Aug. 15, 1798.
39. Leonard Worcester, March 12, 1799.
40. Joseph Emerson, June 9, 1801.
41. Nathan Waldo, jr. Oct. 13, 1801.
42. Levi Nelson, June 9, 1802.
43. Joseph Cheney, Oct. 13, 1802.
44. Sherman Johnson, Oct. 11, 1803.
45. * David Holman, jr. Oct. 9, 1804. (33.)
46. Gaius Conant, Oct. 9, 1804.
47. * Daniel Thomas, Oct. 9, 1804. (41.)
48. Stephen Chapin, Oct. 9, 1804.
49. Elnathan Walker, June 11, 1805.
50. Algernon Sidney Bailey, Oct. 14, 1806.
51. * Samuel Wood Colburn, Oct. 11, 1808. (35.)
52. Nathaniel Rawson, Jan. 10, 1809.
53. Isaac Perkins Lowe, Jan. 10, 1809.
54. Martin Moore, June 10, 1812.
55. John Burt Wight, Oct. 14, 1812.
56. * Josephus Wheaton, June 14, 1814. (38.) 57. Emerson Paine, June 14, 1814. 58. Enoch Pond, June 14, 1814. 59. * Alvan Cobb, Oct. 11, 1814. (37.)
60. Jonas Perkins, Oct. 11, 1814.
61. Stetson Raymond, Aug. 2, 1815.
62. Lot Bumpas Sullivan, Aug. 2, 1815
7*
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HISTORICAL APPENDIX.
63. Moses Partridge, June 11, 1816.
64. John Luke Parkhurst, June 3, 1817.
65. Willard Holbrook, June 3, 1817.
Abel Manning, Feb. 9, 1818.
66. 67. William Tyler, Oct. 6, 1818.
68. Jonathan Longley, June 1, 1819.
69. David Brigham, June 1, 1819. 70. Zolva Whitmore, Oct. 5, 1819.
71. * Sewall Harding, Oct. 5, 1819. (61.)
72. Silas Shores, June 6, 1820.
73. John Milton Putnam, June 6, 1820. 74. George Fisher, Oct. 3, 1820.
75. * John Ferguson, June 5, 1821. (42.) 76. * Moses Thacher, June 19, 1822. (43.) 77. Augustus Brown Reed, Oct. 15, 1822. 78. Levi Packard, Oct. 15, 1822.
79. * James Ormsbee Barney, June 17, 1823. (44.) 80. Henry Harrison Fayette Sweet, Oct. 21, 1823. 81. * Tyler Thacher, April 26, 1825. (64.)
82. James Tisdale, Oct. 25, 1825.
83. Lucius Watson Clark, Oct. 31, 1826.
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