USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Church manual : with brief historical notices of the First Congregational Church in Braintree and its pastors, from the date of its organization, till the close of 1859 > Part 3
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1829
Lydia, w. of J. French, dec 1850
1813.
Sarah S., w. of Rev. R. S. Storrs,
.. 1818
Phebe, w. of J. Glover, 1814.
1852
Polly, w. of R. Arnold,
1857
Mary, w. of N. White,
Sally, w. of J. Dyer,
dis
1829
Mary, w. of R. Sugden, 1816.
Robert, s. of R. Hayden,
dec
1853
Nathaniel. s. of N. Thayer, .6
1817
Alice, w. of S. Capen, ..
1840
Elisabeth, w of
Stowel, dis
Julia A., w. « f Rev. T. De Witt, Sally, w. of J. Hollis, Atherton, s. of P. Wild, Lucy, w. of A. Wild,
1829
Harvey, s. of E. French,
dec 1824
Roland, s. . f (. Packard,
dis
Eunice, w. of S. French,
Prudence, w. of M. Ilunt,
Lydia, w. of J. Holbrook,
1850
Rachel, d. of E. Soper,
dec 1859
Rachel, w. of N. Hurd,
dis
Alethea W., d. of E Penni- man,
dec 1819
Esther A. w. of E. Porter,
Deborah, d. of G. Thayer,
Rachel, d. of J. Sampson, 1817.
1856
Abigail F., w. of P. Davis, dis
Livia D., d. of N. Thayer,
Ruth W., w. of W. Baxter,
dec
Rebecca, w. of S. V. Arnold. 1818,
Eliza, d. of A. French,
66 1820
Ebenezer T., s. of D. Fogg,
ex
Susan N., w. of E. N. Thayer,
Mary, d. of J. Bowditch.
1819.
Esther, d. of D. Loring. 1820. Alice, w. of J. Spear, dec 1824
Rhoda, of Holbrook,
Betsy, w. of J. Warren,
dis
1831
Harriet, w. of Rev. R. S.
Storrs, D. D.
1821.
None.
1822.
Sarah, w. of O. Harding, Sally, d. of E. Clark, dec 1856
Elisabeth, of Holbrook.
Huldah, w. of Z. Wild, " 1832
1823.
Eunice, d. of N. Hayward.
1824.
Silence, w. of S. Hayden,
Susan, w. of J. Hobart, 1842
Deborah, w. of S. Wild, dis 1829
Dea. Charles, s. E. Dickerman, dec
1854
1825.
Esther, w. of J. Hay ward, dis 1830
Rebecca N., w. of Rev. J. Farnsworth, 1826.
Ruth, w. of J. Dyer,
1829
Hannah, d. of S. Thayer,
1827.
None.
1828.
Harlow, s. of Hooker, 1829
Thomas s. of S. Penniman,
John, s. of C. Thayer.
Charles M., s. of D. Fogg,
dec. 1854
Ann, d. of J. Wild, dis. 1829
Sally, w. of C. French,
Samuel, s. of R. Hayden, dec 1859
Julia A., d. of S. Hayden,
Sarah, d. of Fogg. dis
Jerusha, w of C. Paine,
dis 1830
Phebe N., D of J. Glover,
dec 1847
Esther, d. of Dea. N. E. Thayer,
Naomi, w. of E. Hobart,
dec 1859
Eliz i, w. of E. Denton, dis
Sylvia, w. of A Randal,
4
Asa, S. of A. Penniman,
Elisabeth H., w. of A. Pen- niman, ex
Louisa, d. of S. Hayden,
J .rusha T., d. of N. Holbrook, dec 1844
Anthony, s. of A. Dyke, dis 1829
Mary, w. of A. Dyke, 1829
Elisha, s of S. Wild, 1829
Caroline, w of E. Wild, 1829
Jonathan, s. of A. Fr nch,
Sarah B. w of J. French,
Nathaniel, s. of N. Hayward.
Abigail, w. of T Hancock,
dec 1838
Rachel, d, of L. Vrazi ,
Sarah J. d of S. Thayer, Rebecca T. w. of C. Hayden, 1829.
dis.
Ebenezer, s. of J. D.nton, dis
Nancy A w. of G. Thayer,
Susan H. w. of J. H J. Thayer, L
Mary, w. of G. Blanchard, dec 1848
Mary, w of C. Faxon, 1847
Deborah, d. of L. Veazie. 1830.
Amos H. s. of C. Hunt,
L
1831.
Samuel, s. of A. Hayden, Joseph H. J. s. of S. Thayer, dis
1832
1815.
dec 1821
dec 1838
1829
24
CHURCH MANUAL.
Zimri, s. of A. Heath,
L
Ruth, w. of Z. Heath. 1832.
L
Richard, s. of J. Allen,
dec 1851 Elizabeth, w. of E. Lovell, 1835.
None. 1836.
Charles, s. of -- Dickson, L
Rebecca. w. of C. Dickson, L
Ann, w. of Rev. R. S. Storrs, D.D. L
Eliza, w. of B. F. Arnold, dec L 1843
Rebecca, w. of S. Veazie, dec L 1842
Sally, w. of N. Hayward, 1837.
L
George S. s. of N. Nason, ex
Oliver, s. of O. Hayden,
Samuel, s. of S. French,
Emmons, s. of Dea. N. E. Thayer,
David, s. of Dea. N. E. Thayer,
Hiram, s. of Hunt. ex dis
Thais. w. of J. Nottage,
Rachel, w. of J. French,
Sarah, w. of -Gooch, dec 1841
Irene, w. of N. Bunker,
Beulah, w. of M. Arnold,
Deborah, w. of A. Hobart,
Mary, w, of J. Thayer,
Hannah, of Thayer,
Mary A., w. of O. Wilde,
Laura, d. of A. Penniman,
dec 1859
Beulah, d. of M. Arnold,
Harriet, d. of N. Wales,
Ann, d. of C. French,
Maria, d. of C. White, ex
Ellen, d. of D. Gorham,
Sarah E. d. of Dea. N. E. Thayer, dec 1841 Rhoda, d. of L. Veazie,
Deborah, d. of G. Thayer,
Lucinda, d. of E. F. Thayer, dec 1845
Ruthy, d. of S. Snell,
William, s. of - -- Nottage, dec
Josiah, s. of - Nottage, dec Emily P. d. of S. Reynolds, L dis
Asaph, s. of -Goodenow, dec 1854
Samuel D. s. of S. Hayden,
Ann, w. of S. D. Hayden,
Elisha, s. of E. French,
Lucinda, w. of E. French,
Josiah, s. of J. Hollis,
Elizabeth, w. of J. Hollis,
Margery A. d. of C. White,
dec 1857
Mary, w. of C. Dickerman,
Eunice, d. of J. Hollis,
Susan, d. of J. Hollis,
Susan, d. of E. Thayer,
Avis A. d. of E. Hobart,
Deborah, d. of Z. Wilde,
dec 1851
Mary A. w. of G. S. Nason,
Elias, s. of N. Hayward,
Elizabeth D. w. of E. Hayward, dec 1859 Rev. Edwards A. s. of Rev. C. Park, D.D. David, s. of -Gorham,
Mrs. Hannah, w. of D. Gorham, dec 1835
1833.
None. 1834.
Elizabeth, d. of J. Bowditch, dec 1847 Charlotte, w. of C. M. Fogg,
1840.
Josiah, s. of R. Hayden, L dec 1856 Dorcas, w. of J. Haydeu, L dec 1854 Hannah S. w. of J. Holbrook, L dec 1848 1841.
Charles A. s. of C. French,
Caroline, w. of B. V. French, L dec 1848 Sarah, d. of Dea. N. E. Thayer. 1842.
Jechonias, s. of S. Thayer, L
Abby H. w. of J. Thayer, dec L 1854
Eliza, d. of J. Thayer, dec L 1847
Thomas A. s. of R, Hayden, L
Mehitable, w. of T. A. Hayden, L
Rebecca S. w. of C. Hayden, L
Dr. Jonathan, s. of J Wilde,
William, s. of -Sawyer, Lucy, w. of A. Ponniman, dec 1859 dis
Mary, d. of J. Wilde,
Nancy, d, of T. A. Hayden,
Sarah, w, of S. M. Capen, dec
Elizabeth, d. of F. Penniman,
Rachel, d. of J. Bowditch, Clarissa, d. of C. Hayward,
Merinda, d. of W. Holbrook, ex
Enoch H. s. of E. Fisher, Ann. w of E. H, Fisher. Ebenezer F. E. s. of F. F. E. Thayer,
Sarah S. S. w. of F. E. Thayer.
Sarah A. w. of D. H. Niles,
Nancy C. w. of T. Daniels,
Ruth, d. of E. Penniman, Abigail, d. of C. Faxon, dis 1850
Abby H. d. of J. Thayer, Richard S., Jr., s. of Rev. R.S. Storrs, dis Henry M. s. of Rev. C. B. Storrs, dis Joseph C. s. of Rev. C Williams L
Sarah w. of J. C. Williams, L dec 1856 Thomas, s. of J. Daniels, L Sarah B. C. w. of Rev. Thomas Noyes, L
1834.
Samuel, s. of -R. Hayden, dec 1859
Daniel H. s. of J. Denton,
Lemuel, s. of L. Veazie,
Dorcas, w. of N. Thayer,
dec 1840
Hannah d. of S Thayer,
dec 1850
Polly, w. of J. Denton,
dec 1850
Ruthy, w of E. Penniman,
dec 1839
Elizabetlı, w. of A. H. Hunt,
dec 1842
Caleb, s. of T. Hollis,
Rowena, w. of B. Rvan,
Elizabeth, d. of N. Hayward, dis
Nancy L. d. of J. Wild, dec
1838.
Sarah H. d. of J. Thayer, 1839.
Jacob, s. of -Abbott, L dis
Harriet, w. of J. Abbott, I dis
Hannah, w. of S. Barrel, dis
Caroline, d. of J. Hollis.
25
CHURCH MANUAL.
1843.
Dea. Jonathan, s. of Jas. Cochran, L dis
Mary, w. Dea. J Cochrane, L dis Lucy, w. of J. Hobart, 1844.
L
Jane B., d. of C. French, L
Hannah, w. of J. Arnold,
L
1856.
Frank W., s. of H. Reeves, L
Sarah E., w. of F Reeves, L Norton, s of L. Pratt, L
Emeline M., w. of N. Pratt, L
1857.
Catherine V, w. of E. Potter,
Sophia, w. of T B. Vinton,
Sarah, w. of W. Kincaid,
Sarah A., d. of E C. Bowditch.
Caroline E., d. C. French,
Thomas B., s. of B. Vinton. L
Mercy L., w. of C. Briggs,
L
Elvira, w. of E. Thayer, dec.
Charles W , s. of J. Hobart,
Adeline, d. of dea E. Hayward,
Hannah E., d. of S. Thayer.
1858.
Elisha A , s. of E. Belcher,
Mary F, w. of A. Belcher
Susan A., w. J. E Holbrook,
Harriet M., w. of J Fogg,
Franklin E., s. of B. F Arnold,
Susannah N., d, of E. N. Thayer,
Sarah H, d. of E N. Thayer,
Mercy B, d. of O. Cobb, Ann S., d. of dea E. Hayward,
Susan H., w. of C. Stetson,
L
Sarah C. d. of C. French,
Sarah F., d. of E. Hayward, dis
Anna M, d. of C. Stetson,
Eunice C., d. of Rev. R. S. Storrs,
L
Joseph A., s. of J. Hollis,
Sarah W., w. of W. Gage,
Abigail L., d. of J. Wild. 1853.
Mary, d. of - Parsons, L
Fidelia, w. of A. H. Hunt,
L
Eliza S., w. of A. Hobart,
1854.
Edward, s. of (. Thayer,
William, s. of J. Kincaid,
Laura A., w. of G. W. Currier, L
1855.
Maria, w. of P. Gilman, Rhoda F., w. of H. Mann, Lois, d. of C, Faxon. Mary, w. of A. Arnold.
Mary II., d. S. White.
1845.
None. 1846. None. 1847.
Louisa, w. of T. Martin, dis
1848.
Lucy, w. of Dea. D. Hollis. 1849.
Dr. Cyrus S., s. of Rev. C. Mann, L
Harriet F, w. of Dr. C. S. Mann, L
Frances B., w. of E Thayer, L
1850. None. 1851. Caroline, d. of C. Stetson.
Harriet, d, of J. Thayer,
Persis, d. of J. Thayer, dis
Eunice, d. of E. Hayward,
Dr. Alex. R., s. of Rev. S. Holmes, L Ruth, d. of - Ricker,
Charles, s. of M. French, L
Catherine L., w. of C. French, L
L
Mary A., w. of W. Hollis, 1852.
Caleb, s. of A. Stetson, L
Helen L., d. of C. Stetson,
Susan M., d. of R. Sherman,
Phebe A., d. of W. Sherman, Sarah E., d. of J. Sampson,
L
1859. Henry M., s. of J. Hollis,
Julia A., w. of S. Dustin, Ruth, d. of N. Wales,
Delia, w. of S. Thayer,
Harriet S., w. of - Dennett.
ACTS OF THE CHURCH.
1814. Sept. 1. Brother David Hollis was chosen Deacon, in place of Deacon Hobart, who resigned an office he had long held and honorably fulfilled, on account of the increasing in- firmities of age.
Same day. Voted, that the Deacons be required to keep regular accounts of the monies received at the sacramental col- lections, and that if there be an overplus, after defraying the 3
26
CHURCH MANUAL,
necessary expenses, it be subject to the disposal of the Church for the benefit of the poor.
1815. Sept. 1. Brother Nathaniel E. Thayer was chosen second Deacon, and set apart to the sacred office by prayer.
1817. Sept. 7. The Church Voted, To allow their Pastor to spend the third week in this month in Missionary labor, on the borders of Rhode Island.
1820. May 14. The Church Voted, To take the Sabbath School under their direction ; and appointed a Committee of five, to make and carry into effect arrangements for the present year.
1821. July 21. A Committee of seven was appointed, to report, next Lord's day, on the best method of securing a fair proportion of aid from this parish for the support of Mr. Tem- ple, on his mission to Palestine. Deacons Hobart, Hollis, and Thayer, with brethren A. French, R. Hayden, Jr., L. Wild, and L. Thayer, were chosen.
1824. Dec. 2. The Church this day Voted, That a Com- mittee of five be appointed, whose duty it shall be, in conjunc- tion with the Pastor, to examine all persons offering them- selves as candidates for admission to the privileges of the Church before they shall be propounded.
That it be the duty of this Committee to meet at least once in three months. and as much oftener as they may find it necessary or convenient.
That their meetings be open to any member of the Church who may wish to be present.
1827. June 3. The Church Voted, That they highly ap- prove of the plan of Church Conference, which has been re- cently proposed by a Committee of the Norfolk Association.
Sept. 11 .. The Church Committee appointed a special meet- ing for baptised children, on the 22d inst., requesting also the attendance of their parents.
Though the proposed meeting was not numerously attend- ed, owing to unfavorable weather, yet the attention and deep feeling manifested, evinced the presence of the Holy Spirit.
1828. March 5. This day was observed by the Church as a season of fasting, humiliation, and prayer, in reference to the state of religion among us. The morning was spent in
27
CHURCH MANUAL.
fasting and prayer " by every one apart." At 11 o'clock, the Church met at the house of God, and spent two hours in prayer, confession, and renewal of covenant. At 2 o'clock, the congregation assembled, and a sermon was delivered by Rev. Mr. Green, of Boston. At half past 5 o'clock, the Church met again, and was addressed by several lay brethren from Boston. An evening service was also held, in which Rev. Mr. Green addressed the assembly; and many were constrained to say, " It is good to be here."
1829. Jan. 4. At a regular meeting of the Church, it was Voted, 1. That a quarterly collection be taken up in the congregation for the Massachusetts Missionary Society.
2. That a part of the proceeds of the Monthly Concert col- lections be appropriated to the same object.
May 4. At a regular church meeting, it was Voted, unani- mously, That the Pastor be at liberty to be absent for six months during each of the two succeeding years, in aid of the cause of Home Missions, as an Agent of the American Home Missionary Society, it being understood that he furnish sup- plies for the pulpit.
1830. Dec. 29. The old meeting-house having been taken down by vote of the Parish, the new one, just completed, was this day solemnly dedicated to the service of Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Introductory prayer by Rev. Mr. Perkins, of East Braintree ; reading of the Scrip- tures by Rev. Mr. Huntington, of N. Bridgewater; dedicatory prayer by Rev. Dr. Codman, of Dorchester ; sermon by the Pastor ; concluding prayer by Rev. Mr. Matthews, of So. Braintree ; the benediction by the Rev. Mr. Gile, of Milton. The day was pleasant and joyous. The sale of the pews ex- ceeded the cost of the house, $1725.
1831. Aug. 4. On the question of the Pastor's dismission from the charge of this church, that he might accept the office of " Associate Secretary and General Agent of the American Home Missionary Society for the New England States "-it was voted, after much discussion, "That the church consent to the settlement of a colleague pastor, leaving the present pastor at liberty to devote himself to the duties of the pro- posed office for a term not exceeding five years - he relin- quishing all pecuniary claims on the church and parish during that term. In this vote the parish concurred.
28
CHURCH MANUAL.
October 31. It was voted by the church unanimously, " That Mr. Edwards A. Park be invited to settle with us in the gospel ministry, as colleague pastor, on the conditions that he discharge all the duties of the pastoral and ministerial office, and relieve the senior pastor from all the responsibili- ties of said office, for a term not exceeding five years." This vote was concurred in by the parish unanimously.
This call was accepted by Mr. Park, with the following modification suggested by him and adopted by the other parties concerned, viz. : "That his connexion with the church and parish be not limited to five years, but continued so long as both parties agree to continue it, be the term more or less than five years."
December 21. This being the day appointed for the ordi- nation of Mr. E. A. Fark, the following churches were re- presented in council by pastors and delegates, viz .:
Bowdoin st. church-Rev. Dr. L. Beecher and delegate. Park st. church, Josiah Hayden, del.
Dorchester-Rev. Dr. Codman, and del.
Milton-Rev. S. Gile, and del.
Dedham S .- Rev. H. G. Park, and del.
Stoughton-Rev. Dr. Park and del.
Easton-Rev. L. Sheldon, and del.
Randolph E .- Rev. D. Brigham, and del.
Randolph W .- Rev. Mr. Hitchcock, and del.
North Bridgewater-Rev. Mr. Huntington, and del.
Braintree S .- Rev. Mr. Matthews, and del.
Braintree and Weymouth, union-Rev. Mr. Perkins, and del.
Weymouth S .- -- - -, a del.
The Council having been organized, by the choice of Dr. Park as Moderator, and I .. Sheldon, Scribe, proceeded to the examination of the candidate ; and, being satisfied therewith, assigned the several parts of the ordination service, as fol- lows : to Rev. Mr. Perkins, the introductory prayer ; to Rev. Dr Park, the sermon ; to Rev. R. S. Storrs, the charge; to Rev. H. G. Park, the right hand of fellowship; to Rev. S. Gile, the consecrating prayer ; and to Rev. Mr. Matthews, the concluding prayer.
29
CHURCH MANUAL.
On the part of the church, a day of fasting and prayer had been observed the week previous to the ordination, when they confessed their faults and sins one to another, and voted to hold a protracted meeting immediately after the ordination services were over; accordingly, meetings commenced on Wednesday evening, were continued to the close of the week, and happy results followed -even a general revival of religion.
1832. January 9. The church voted to instruct the standing committee to propound for admission to the church no one who would not pledge himself to a total abstinence from ardent spirits, except when used as a medicine.
December 28. The church appointed a committee of two, to " visit some communicants whose conduct deserved repre- hension ; " and voted to observe the seventh day of January ensuing as a day of fasting and prayer, for the revival of God's work.
1833. December 26. The junior pastor requested of the church a dismission from his charge; and the church voted to accede to his request, "tho' with feelings of painful regret."
1834. January 8. The parish having felt constrained, though reluctantly, to concur in the action of the church, Dec. 26, an ecclesiastical council was called, and met,
January 17-to consider the question of the junior pastor's dismission. Rev. Calvin Park, D. D., of Stoughton ; Rev. Jonas Perkins, of Union church ; Rev L. Matthews, of So. Braintree ; and Rev. John C. Phillips, of N. Weymouth, with the delegates of their churches, convened and organised, by choosing Rev. Dr. Park, Moderator, and the Rev. Mr. Phillips, Scribe. The request of Mr. Park, occasioned by an urgent invitation to a Professorship in Amherst College, and a con- viction of his duty to accept it, was then laid before the council, together with the doings of the church and parish in the premises. The proceedings having been regular and sat- isfactory, the council voted the dissolution unanimously .. Their result follows :
" Voted, That the council entertain a high sense of the faithfulness and devotedness of Rev. Mr. Park in the dis- 3º
30
CHURCH MANUAL.
charge of his pastoral duties-of his incessant and various labors to promote the intellectual and moral improvement of the people of his late charge, and they cordially recommend him to the fellowship and confidence of the churches of our Lord. The council, in view of the connexion which has hith- erto so happily subsisted between this church and the late junior pastor, and which has been so signally blessed by the God of all grace, cannot but sympathise with them in the dissolution of said connexion; and knowing how happy this connexion has been to the present pastor, they would express their sympathy with him, in the loss which he has sustained, in the dismisson of so able and beloved a colleague. And the council commend him, with his beloved church, to the guidance and care of Him who is able to sanctify to them this affliction, and to build them up in the faith and order of the gospel.
For about two years from the date of Rev. Mr. Park's dis- mission-and during the continued Home Mission Agency, and subsequent protracted illness of the pastor-the church and congregation were edified by the ministerial labors, chiefly, of the Rev. Paul Jewett and Mr. William R. Jewett, who succes- sively " stood in the gap " and "fed the people with know- ledge." From that period the senior pastor resumed the duties of his office so far as reduced health would permit, relinquishing the Agency to which he stood pledged, after four years' exhausting service.
Few things deserving of special notice, in this connection, occurred, out of the ordinary routine of pastoral care. Here and there cases of discipline arose, requiring firmness and for- bearance on the part of the church; and various action on incidental matters was taken from time to time, as the records will disclose to all whose curiosity or necessity may prompt to inquiry.
1841. December 23. The deacons of the church were ap- pointed to act as a committee, in conjunction with the pastor, to decide whether agents for other objects than those already approved by the church, shall have liberty to present them and take public collections.
1842. January 31. Dea. N. E. Thayer, wishing to be excused from the active duties of the deaconship on account
31
CHURCH MANUAL.
of many and increasing infirmities-and Dea. D. Hollis pre- ferring a similar request, and the request being deemed rea- sonable-this day was set apart for the choice of two assistant deacons; brethren Nathaniel Hayward and Charles Dickerman were unanimously chosen by ballot to the office.
On the same day a "standing rule," that had been in ope- ration for thirty years, requiring applicants for admission from other Congregational churches to submit to examination by the committee, in like manner as those " coming out from the world," was formally RESCINDED ; and it was voted, that " full letters of recommendation " from "churches with which we are in fellowship, be received as sufficient testimonials of christian character and standing." The occasion of the above " standing rule " having passed away, when the dividing line between Evangelical and Unitarian Congregationalists had been fairly established and recognized, the rule had become superfluous, and even derogatory to the character of sister churches.
February 27. After a sermon on " the office, qualifications, and duties of deacons," the previously elected brethren, Na- thaniel Hayward and Charles Dickerman, were inducted into office by solemn prayer, and the laying on of hands.
1854. October 19. Our beloved brother Dickerman, hav- ing been called away from us by death-at a special meeting of the church, notified for the purpose, brother Elias Hay- ward was chosen to succeed in the office of deacon, by an unanimous vote of the members present. After due consider- ation, on his part,
November 14. Bro. E. Hayward was publicly inducted in- to office, at the close of the afternoon service, by prayer and the laying on of hands.
1857. June 3. A new house of worship having been erected in place of the former, which, in the judgment of many, had become insufficient to accommodate the increasing population, was this day solemnly dedicated to the service of God. agreeably to previous arrangements. Rev. Mr. Couch, of N. Bridgewater, offered the invocation and read the scriptures ; Rev. Mr. Means, of Dorchester, read the hymn ; Rev. Mr. Russel, of E. Randolph, offered prayer ; Rev. R. S. Storrs, Jr., of Brooklyn, preached the sermon; the Pastor offered the
32
CHURCH MANUAL.
prayer of dedication ; Rev. Mr. Perkins, of East Braintree, gave the benediction. An overflowing congregation shared the solemnities of the occasion, and many prayers went up to God, that the glory of the latter house might exceed the glory of the former.
September 6. The communion vessels hitherto in use in this church being no longer needful here, since the generous donation of a complete set by Mrs. L. Bliss, of Boston, for- merly a member of this church, were donated to the use of a feeble church in Ohio, at the suggestion of Rev. Henry M. Storrs, Cincinnati; the few articles presented as special memorials by honored individuals being retained for continued use.
1858. February 25. It was voted that the standing com- mittee be authorised, if they see fit, to draft a code of By- laws for the regulation of the action of the church in the future, and present it for adoption at the next annual meeting, or at a special meeting, duly notified, if they think proper.
1859. January 3. A report of " Rules and Regulations," previously agreed upon by the standing committee, agreeably to the preceding vote, was presented to the church, accepted and adopted; and the same committee was authorized to publish it, in connexion with a revised edition of the church manual, prepared in 1829.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
OF THE
FIRST CHURCH IN BRAINTREE.
I. ORDINANCES.
1. The Lord's Supper shall be administered, God willing, four times a year, viz. : on the first Sabbath in the several months of March, June, September, and December ; also, at such other times as the Church or Standing Committee shall elect.
2. Baptism shall be administered to the children of believ- ing parents, on the same Sabbaths ; or, if greater convenience require, it may be administered at other times.
II. ANNUAL MEETING.
1. The Church shall hold an annual meeting for business, on or near the first day of January of each year; when the Record of the preceding Annual Meeting shall be read, and the Divine blessing implored.
2. Two permanent Committees for the year shall be chosen, by ballot or nomination, as the Church shall direct; 1st, a committee of business, called a " Standing Committee ;" 2d, a committee for the management of the Sabbath School, called the " Sabbath School Committee."
3. These committees shall consist each of six members, beside the pastor, who shall be a member ex officio.
4. Other committees for special purposes may be chosen, at the discretion of the Church.
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CHURCH MANUAL.
5. All these committees shall make report of their doings at the close of the year, or at any special meeting of the Church, if required ; and submit them to the action of the Church.
6. At this meeting a Treasurer shall be appointed, to take charge of the collections of the Church, and report thereon. A Clerk shall also be chosen, to record the doings of the Church, and keep them open to the inspection of members.
III. SPECIAL MEETINGS.
1. Special Meetings of the Church may be called at any time, when judged necessary, by the pastor, Standing Com- mittee, or any seven members of the Church, signing their names to the call.
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