USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > History and manual of the Second Congregational Church and Society, of Palmer, Mass., 1847-1895 > Part 3
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XI. We believe in the observance of the Lord's Day as a day of holy rest and worship; in the ministry of the Word; and in the two Sacraments which Christ has appointed for his Church: Bapti-m. to be administered to believers and their children, as a sign of cleansing from sin, of union to Christ, and of the impartation of the Holy Spirit: and the Lord's Supper, as a symbol of his atoning death, a seal of its efficacy, and a means whereby he confirms and strengthens the spiritual union and communion of believers with himself.
XII. We believe in the ultimate prevalence of the kingdom of Christ over all the earth: in the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; in the resurrection of the dead; and in a final judgment, the issues of which are everlasting punishment and everlasting hic,
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HISTORICAL MANUAL OF THE
Constitution and By=Laws. CONSTITUTION.
The Constitution of this Church is the Bible.
BY- LAWS. ARTICLE 1. NAME.
The name of this Church shall be THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH of Palmer, Mass.
ARTICLE HI. POLITY.
In polity this church shall be Congregational, and its understanding of Christian truth shall be in accordance with the doctrines held by the Con- gregational churches of the United States, substantially as set forth by a committee of the National Council thereof in the year 1883 (See Creed, section \).
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP.
Section 1. Any person of hopeful Christian experience desiring to unite with this church on confession of faith, shall first be examined by the advisory committee ; and, if found satisfactory, shall be propounded at least one week previous to being received, voted on at the next preparatory service, and, if approved by vote of the church, may be received at any subsequent stated communion service by assenting to the Confession of Faith and Covenant connected with the creed of the church, and shall be baptized, if that rite has not been previously administered, the mode of baptism to be chosen by the candidate.
Section 2. Any person desiring to unite with this church by letter from another church shall first be passed upon by the advisory committee, and, if approved by them, shall be propounded and voted upon as in the case of those uniting on confession of faith, and shall be received according to our regular Form of Admission.
Section 3. No person shall be entitled to vote except resident mem- bers of twenty-one years of age and upwards in full standing and not holding letters of dismission.
Section 4. All letters of dismission from the church and recommenda- tion to another, shall be given by vote of the church at any regular service on recommendation of the advisory committee, and shall be signed by the clerk of the church.
Section 5. Any member regularly attending church elsewhere is. expected under all ordinary circumstances to connect himself with that
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SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 35
church. Any member of this church absenting himself regularly from religious services at this church for two consecutive years without giving to the advisory committee a satisfactory explanation, shall be placed on the list of absent members. This list shall be read at each annual meeting, and on the fourth reading, being three years from the time any name is read, if the church has received no satisfactory explanation, the watch and fellowship of the church may, by vote of the church, be withdrawn ; and the clerk shall so record it. Whenever such member shall appear before the church, or report to it, giving satisfactory reasons for absence or delin- quency, he may, by vote of the church, be reinstated.
Section 6. All members shall be subject to Congregational discipline. (See Article IX).
ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.
Section 1. (a) The officers of this church shall be Pastor and Teacher, Deacons, Clerk, Sunday School Superintendent, Treasurer, Auditor, Advisory Committee and Executive Committee ; all of whom, except the Pastor and Deacons, shall be elected annually by ballot ; and such other ; officers and committees as may be from time to time appointed.
(b) The Pastor and Teacher in office at the time of incorporation shall continue in office according to the terms of his call and installation. Whenever there shall be a vacancy in this office the church may proceed to fill it in whatever way it may elect in accordance with Congregational usage.
(c) The number of Deacons shall be four. At the first election the four shall be elected to hold office until the next annual meeting, when one shall be elected for one year, one for two years, one for three years and one for four years, and thereafter one shall be elected annually for a term of four years.
Section 2. Duties of Officers. (a) The Pastor and Teacher. He shall perform the duties usually pertaining to that office, and shall ordinarily preside at all meetings except the annual business meeting and special business meetings. He shall have full control of the pulpit.
(b) Deacons. They shall assist the Pastor at the communion services, provide for the communion table, administer the funds for the poor of the church, have charge of the religious services of the church in the Pastor's vacations and in case of a vacancy in the pastorate, unless these are pro- vided for in other regular ways, and perform such other duties as usually pertain to this office in Congregational churches.
(c) Clerk, He shall be sworn on entering office. He shall keep a
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HISTORICAL MANUAL OF THE
record of all business meetings of the church and of the advisory com- mittee, a roll of the members, with the date and mode of admission, dismission or death of members, a list of baptisms, and shall perform all other duties that pertain to the office.
(d) Sunday School Superintendent. He shall be the chief executive officer of the Sunday School, and shall perform all the duties pertaining to . that office.
(e) Treasurer. He shall have charge of all moneys belonging to the church, and shall perform all duties pertaining to the office.
(f) Auditor. He shall audit the accounts of the treasurer before the annual meeting.
Section 3. Committees. (a) The Advisory Committee. (1) It shall consist of the following members : The Pastor, the Deacons, the Clerk, the Sunday School Superintendent, the Presidents or Superintendents of such other organizations as may be recognized by vote of the church as auxiliary in its Spiritual work, and five other persons who shall be elected by the church. (2) All members of the Advisory Committee must be members of the church. (3) This Committee shall meet at least once a month. (4) It shall keep constant watch over the Spiritual interests of the church and be considered an advisor in all departments of church work. (5) This Committee shall annually, in the month of December, in preparation for the annual meeting, review the roll of mem- bers, making ascertainment of absentees and securing information for any needful discipline.
(b) Executive Committee. (1) This Committee shall consist of three members, all of whom shall be members of the church. (2) It shall have charge of all the property of the church, and shall appropriate and expend all moneys contributed by and for the church, subject only to the church by vote in its annual business meeting, or in a regularly called special business meeting - the appropriation and spending of funds contributed for the poor of the church and for the expenses of the communion table, being excepted as hereinbefore provided, as also the funds of the Sunday School as provided in Article VI.
Section 4. The church may appoint such other committees and officers in whatever manner it shall elect, as may from time to time be voted.
Section 5. The Clerk, Sunday School Superintendent, Treasurer, Auditor and Presidents of such other organizations recognized as auxiliary to the church shall make written reports to the annual business meeting of the church,
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SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Section 6. Vacancies occurring in any office may be filled at any business meeting of the church.
ARTICLE V. MEETINGS.
Section 1. Religious Meetings. This church shall assemble on the Christian Sabbath at such hours as it may appoint, for the public worship of God, for mutual instruction and encouragement, and on the first Sabbath of January, March, May, July, September and November for the reception of members and for the observance of the Sacraments. It shall also meet for stated prayer meetings, preparatory services, and for such other services as the members may deem best.
Section 2. Annual Business Meeting. (a) The annual business meeting shall be held on the 'Thursday following the last Sunday of the year, the members having been notified thereof by a seven days' written notice, signed by the clerk and posted in a conspicuous place in the vestibule of the church building. (b) At this meeting reports from all departments of the church work shall be read and officers elected according to Article IV of these By-Laws. (c) The order of business at this meeting shall be as follows :
I. The meeting shall be called to order by the clerk, or if he is absent, by some member of the executive conanittec.
2. A moderator shall be elected by ballot.
3. Prayer.
4. Roll call.
5. Reading of minutes.
6. Report of clerk.
7. Report of Sunday School superintendent.
8. Reports of treasurer and auditor.
9. Report of advisory committee.
10. Report of executive committee.
11. Other reports.
12. Election of officers.
13. Appropriations.
14. Any other business that may come before the meeting.
15. Adjournment.
(d) Officers shall enter upon their duties immediately after the adjournment of this meeting, and, except the Pastor and deacons, shall hold office until the close of the next annual business meeting and until their successors are chosen and qualified. (e) All officers elected at the meeting at which these By-Laws are adopted shall hold office until the first annual meeting thereafter and until their successors are duly qualified.
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HISTORICAL MANUAL OF THE
Section 3. Special Business Meetings. These shall be called by the Pastor from the pulpit or in the printed calendar, or by the advisory com- mittee, or by the clerk through a seven days' notice posted in the usual place in the vestibule of the church building, when requested in writing by five members.
Section 4. At all its business meetings the church shall by ballot elect a moderator to preside at the meeting.
Section 5. Business not connected with the finances of the church may be transacted on any mid-week prayer meeting by giving notice of the same on the previous Sunday from the pulpit or through the printed cal- endar. The appointment of delegates and the granting of letters of dismission may be done at any meeting of the church, religious or business, without notice in advance.
Section 6. Quorum. Ten members of the church shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the annual business meeting or at a special business meeting, and at all other meetings those present shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE VI. SUNDAY SCHOOL ..
Section 1. Officers. The officers of the Sunday School shall be the Pastor, Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Superintendent of the Junior Department, Superintendent of the Home Department, Secretary and Treasurer, who shall rank as Assistant Church Treasurer, and Librarian, all of whom shall be elected by the church.
Section 2. These officers, together with two teachers elected by the school, shall be the executive committee of the Sunday School, of which the superintendent shall be chairman and chief executive officer. This committee shall hold monthly meetings, and shall meet at other times on call of the superintendent.
Section 3. The annual report of the treasurer of the Sunday School shall be included in the annual report of the treasurer of the church, and the accounts of the treasurer of the Sunday School shall be audited by the auditor of the church as a part of the regular treasurer's report.
Section 4. The church shall determine by vote how the Sunday School shall be supported each year.
Section 5. The executive committee of the Sunday School shall have general charge of the interests of the school, and shall administer the funds of the school, subject to change by vote of the church.
Section 6. The appointment of teachers and all the executive details shall be in the hands of the superintendent.
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SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
ARTICLE VII. AUXILIARIES.
Section 1. Any society connected with the church may be made auxiliary to the church by vote of the church.
Section 2. Auxiliaries shall be divided into two classes - auxiliaries for spiritual work and auxiliaries for financial help.
Section 3. All auxiliaries shall have a right to the use of the facilities of the church, subject always to adjustment by the advisory committee.
ARTICLE VIII. CONTRIBUTIONS.
Contributions shall be taken up for missionary and benevolent purposes at such times and in such a manner as the advisory committee may approve, subject to change by vote of the church.
ARTICLE IX. DISCIPLINE.
Section 1. In private grievances the rule in Matt. 18 : 15-17 must be applied : "And if thy brother sin against thee, go show him his fault between thee and him alone; if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he hear thee not, take with thee one or two more, that at the mouth of two witnesses or three every word may be established. And if he refuse to hear them, tell it unto the church : and if he refuse to hear the church also, let him be unto thee as the gentile and the publican."
Section 2. In public scandal or gross breach of covenant the advisory committee, without expressing its judgment, shall bring the case to the. notice of the church in writing.
Section 3. In all cases brought before the church the charges shall be made in writing, and a copy of the same shall, in all cases where it is possible, be furnished the accused, who shall be given opportunity for a full hearing, provided such a hearing can be had.
Section 4. The discipline of the church may include public admoni- tions, suspension from church privileges, or ex-communication, according to the aggravation of the offense.
Section 5. When the gravity of the case seems to warrant or require, the church shall agree to call a mutual council of churches to advise 'in the matter.
ARTICLE X. SUSPENSION AND AMENDMENT.
Section 1. These By-Laws may be suspended by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at any meeting.
Section 2. These By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of members present and voting at any business meeting, in the call for which notice of the proposed amendment has been given.
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Intellectual Life of Our Church.
W HILE the Spiritual life of every church is the first and most important factor to be fostered, yet the very next thing to be considered and encouraged is intelligence by means of liberal education furnished by our higher institutions of learning. The founders of our church did not all have the advantages now afforded for learning beyond the common school, but they were men and women of strong common sense and of more than average ability. Their descend- ants, and the more recent members of the church and Sunday School, have been more fortunate in some respects, in that they live in a time when broader avenues have opened for intellectual development.
The town high school has been elevated to a higher plane, and the lesser schools have arisen in sympathy with it, by which means the youthful mind has been quickened and given an impetus not known to former days, so that in the two last decades we count the college, academic and high school graduates from our society by scores, as against the meager few in all former years. The number of those who have been connected with our church or Sunday school who have had a collegiate, academic or high school education is quite notable, so it has been thought best to give a list, which has been made as complete as possible ; if any names have been omitted, it has not been intentional, but for want of knowledge of the fact.
Nearly all whose names appear in the following lists were graduates, save a few who were educated before the system of graduating was adopted in academies and high schools, or in a few instances where a full course of study was not taken for some good reason.
List of Graduates before their connection with our Church or Sunday School :
Andrews, Dea. Amos, Westfield Normal. Andrews, Mrs. Amos, Westfield Normal. Allen, Orrin P., Chester Academy, Vermont. Bradford, Rev. J. H., Amherst College. Breckenridge, Mrs. Harriet E., Westfield Normal.
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HISTORICAL MANUAL, SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Brewster, John M., M. D., Berkshire Medical School.
Bodfish, David L., Wareham High School.
Bodfish, Mrs. Winnifred W., Maine Wesleyan Seminary and Female College.
Blanchard, A. V., Dudley and Monson Academies.
Blanchard, Mrs. Cornelia H. M., Wilbraham Academy.
Clarke, Gardner, M. D., Bowdoin College.
Cady, Mrs. Eva, Boston University.
Chandler, I. E., Rockford, Ill., High School.
Chandler, Mrs. Emma L., Monson Academy.
Cross, Dr. Cyrus W., Wilbraham Academy. 1
Cross, Mrs. Charlotte E., Wilbraham Academy.
Cowles, Dea. James, Caledonia (Vt.) Grammar School.
Downing, Alfred C., M. D. (? )
Doubleday, C. A., Amherst College.
Fullerton, Rev. Dr. Bradford M., Amherst College and Andover Theo- logical Seminary.
Fullerton, Mrs. Julia M., The Oread Institute, Worcester.
Fisherdick, Mrs. Eunice M., Mt. Holyoke Seminary.
Foster, Charles 1)., Quaboag Academy, Warren.
Gardner, Mrs. Esther, Monson Academy.
Holbrook, William, M. D., New York University.
Holbrook, Mrs. Clara, Mt. Holyoke Seminary.
Hosmer, Frank A., Amherst College.
Hunter, Rev. Dr. Pleasant, Boston University and Hartford Theological Seminary.
Hunter, Mrs. Alice E., Hartford High School.
Hellyar, Samuel H., Leicester Military Academy.
Huntley, Mrs. H. E., Abbott's Academy, Andover.
Hastings, Mrs. Almina, Wilbraham Academy.
Holden, John, Wilbraham Academy.
Holden, Mrs. John, Hartford High School.
Holden, Henry P., Wilbraham Academy.
Holden, Mrs. Henry P., Southbridge High School.
Holden, Daniel F., Hartford High School.
Hart, Mrs. Anna, Hartford High School.
Jenkins, Rev. Frank E., Williams College and Hartford Theological Seminary.
Jenkins, Mrs. Sarah E., Hartford High School.
Knox, Horatio B., Colby University.
Lyon, Edwin B., M. D., Berkshire Medical School.
Lacey, Mrs. Catherine, Mt. Holyoke Seminary.
Learned, Mrs. Amelia, Wilbraham Academy.
Marsh, Miss Mary E., Abbott's Female Seminary, Andover.
Pope, Rev. Howard W., Yale University and Yale Theological School.
Pope, Mrs. Elizabeth H., Hartford High School.
Park, Dea. Alfred E., Powers Institute, Bernardston,
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HISTORICAL MANUAL, OF THE
Rogers, Miss Addie L., Monson Academy.
Strong, Mrs. Lizzie, Wilbraham Academy.
Thayer, Alfred W., Wesleyan University.
Taft, Miss Addie, Castleton Normal.
Taft, Miss Fannie, Castleton Normal.
Vaill, D. D., Rev. Joseph, Yale University.
Vaill, Rev. William K., Amherst College.
Vaill, Rev. Henry M., Amherst College.
Wilson, Rev. Thomas, Dartmouth College and Andover Theological Seminary.
Wilkins, George H., M. D., New York Homeopathic College.
Wilkins, Mrs. Sadie S., Wellesley College.
Whiting, W. H., Amherst College.
Wallis, Mrs. Hattie E., Brimfield High School.
Wallis, Miss Abbie J., Brimfield High School.
List of Graduates after connection with our Church or Sunday School.
Andrews, Miss Grace, Bridgewater Normal School.
Allen, Walter S., Mitchell's Boys' School, Billerica.
Allen, Miss Julia A., Palmer High School and Westfield Normal.
Allen, Miss Lillie M., Palmer High School and Westfield Normal.
Breckenridge, Dea. William A., Newark City Normal.
Breckenridge, William E., Yale University.
Barton, Mrs. Anna, Wellesley College. Brown, Harry H., Amherst College.
Burleigh, Miss Inez, Smith College.
Burleigh, Miss Marcia, Wilbraham Academy.
Burleigh, Miss Julia, Wilbraham Academy.
Blanchard, Miss Hattie M., Brimfield High School.
Brainerd, Miss Jennie E., Palmer High School. Bray, Miss Charlotte L., Palmer High School. Brainerd, Mrs. Martha, Brimfield High School. Bickford, Mrs. Alice ( Holden), Wellesley College.
Cobb, George H., Leigh University. Calkins, Mrs. Lucia E., Wilbraham Academy.
Cross, Chester, Wilbraham Academy.
Clark, M. D., Gardner, Bowdoin College.
Cross, Louis K., Palmer High School. Dewey, James, Phillips Academy. Ellis, Mrs. Clara B., Monson and Wilbraham Academies. Fullerton, William M., Harvard University.
Fullerton, Robert M., Harvard University. Fisherdick, Cyrus W., Amherst Agricultural College.
Fisherdick, Miss Anna L., Mt. Holyoke College.
Foster, Charles D., Quaboag Academy, Warren.
Foster, Henry D., Ware High School.
Foster, Miss Helen S., Ware High School.
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SECOND CONGREGATONML, CHURCH.
Foster, Mrs. John, Monson Academy.
Gardner, Charles G., Amherst College.
Goldthwaite, Mrs. Helen I .. , (Cobb) Mt. Holyoke Seminary.
Gamwell, Albert .A., Monson Academy.
Gamwell, Miss Mary, Monson Academy.
Gardner, Edwin S., Palmer High School.
Gamwell, Chas. F., Monson, and Worcester Academies.
Holbrook, William E., M. D., Amherst College and Harvard Medical School.
Holbrook, Miss Idella, Miss Williard's Ladies' School, Andover.
Hellyar, Mrs. Lizzie G., Mt. Holyoke Seminary.
Holden, Mrs. Mary, ( Loomis) Ladies' School, Springfield.
Holden, Henry 1 .. , Phillips Academy.
Holden, George S., University of Michigan.
Holden, Arthur, Wesleyan University.
Huntley, Miss Ella G., Palmer High School.
Hunt, Charles, (died while at Tufts College.)
Hlohnes, Miss Alice, Palmer High School.
Hall, Mrs. Lena M., Palmer High School.
Hunt, Miss Anna, Pahner High School.
Judd, W. E., Amherst College. Knox, J. K., Monson Academy. Kendall, Mrs. Phoebe, (Smith ) Palmer High School. King, Helen, Geneva Academy.
Lacey, Miss Caroline, Smith College.
Lacey, Miss Hattie I .. , Pahner High School and Smith College.
Lacey, Edward N., Amherst College.
Lawson, Mrs. Sarah M., Wilbraham Academy.
Lawrence, Mrs. Harriet, Quaboag Academy, Warren.
Lawrence, Mrs. Laura P., ( Blanchard ) Westfield Normal.
Loomis, Miss Clara, Pahner High School.
Loomis, Henry, Palmer High School. Lyon, Mrs. Charlotte ( Ward) Geneva Academy.
May, Mrs. Emily ( Dewey ) Parson's Ladies' School, Greenfield.
Moore, Miss Bessie, Palmer High School.
Milligan, Mrs. Ida G., Brimfield High School.
Page, Mrs. Fanny, LaSalle Seminary. Parks, Sammel S., Amherst College. Parks, Jessie, Palmer Iligh School. Park, Miss Christa M., Palmer High School.
Park, Miss Lilian G., Palmer Iligh School. Ramsden, Miss Blanche, Palmer High School.
Shaw, Miss Effie G., Wellesley College. Shaw, Miss Anna T., Boston Conservatory of Music. Stimson, Cyrus W., Colby University. Strong, Homer C., Amherst College and Harvard Law School, Sedgwick, J. S., Eastmann Business College.
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HISTORICAL MANUAL OF THE
Sedgwick, Mrs. Julia, Palmer High School.
Sedgwick, Miss Mary E., Quaboag Academy, Warren. Sedgwick, Miss Mabel J., Mt. Holyoke College. Stoughton, John, Military School on the Hudson. Shaw, Mrs. Lydia, Pahner High School.
Sharpe, Miss Lelah M., Pahner High School. Shanks, Byron C., Pahner High School. Studley, Miss Flora C., Pahner Iligh School.
Shaw, James Harold, Palmer High School. Shearer, Mrs. Jane, Hadley Academy. 1
Sistaire, Mrs. Cora ( Brown) Palmer High School.
Tuthill, Rev. Charles J., Boston University and Andover Theological Seminary. Wing, Miss Ada, Wellesley College.
Whiting, Mrs. Mary ( Dewey) Palmer High School.
Teachers who have been members of our Church or Sunday School and where they taught school.
Allen, Orrin P., Windham, Cavendish and Vernon, Vt., and Hackensack, N. J.
Abbe, Miss Alice 1., Palmer.
Breckenridge, Azel, Palner.
Breckenridge, Dea. W. A., Newark, N. J., 1854 to 1886.
Breckenridge, William E., Newburg, N. J., and Hanesford, Pa.
Breckenridge, Mrs. Harriet E., Monson.
Burleigh, Miss Inez, Palmer, Powers Institute and Holbrook, Mass. Burleigh, Mrs. Marcia 1., Wilbraham Academy.
Burleigh, Miss Julia A., Pahner.
Brown, Harry H., Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
Brown, Miss Alice W., Palmer and Warren.
Blanchard, Miss 11. M., Palmer.
Bodfish, Mrs. Winnifred W., Anson Academy and Wareham High School. Blanchard, Mrs. Cornelia 11. M. Alabama and Massachusetts.
C'ady, Mrs. Eva, Palmer.
Coleman, Mrs. Susan, Palmer.
Cowles, Dea. James, Haverhill, N. 11.
Doubleday, C. A., Palmer Iligh School.
Duncan, Miss Mary, Monson.
Fisherdick, Mrs. Eunice, Michigan, Indiana, Vermont and Massachusetts. Fisherdick, Miss Anna L., Palmer High School and Shadron Academy. Foster, Charles D., Palmer and Belchertown.
Fullerton, Mrs. Julia M., East Tenn. Female Institute in Knoxville, 'The Female College, Worcester.
Gardner, Mrs. Esther, Palmer.
Goldthwaite, Mrs. Helen { Cobb) Palmer High School,
Gilchrist, Mrs. Georgia, Palmer. Hart, Mrs. Anna P., Palmer,
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SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Holbrook, Mrs. Clara, Boston and Middletown.
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