USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Winchester > History, articles of faith and covenant of the Congregational Church in Winchester : with a catalogue of its officers and members > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
10. Any member having cause of complaint against another, shall immediately seek to have it removed, accord- ing to the directions given in the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth verses of the eighteenth chapter of Matthew.
11. This church considers avowed disbelief of the Arti- cles of Faith, breach of covenant vows, neglect of the ordi- nances of religion, an unwillingness to contribute to the support of the gospel, as well as all immoralities of conduct,
11
attendance upon plays, card or dancing parties, or the hav- ing such entertainments at one's house, as disciplinable offences.
12. The members of this church are required to abstain from the use of, and traffic in, ardent spirits, except so far as the same may be used for medical or mechanical purposes.
13. The censures of the church arc, private reproof, public admonition, and excommunication ; and in case of excommunication, notice shall be given thereof from the pulpit.
14. The Lord's Supper shall be administered to this church once in two months, commencing with January ; and a collection shall be taken for the poor of the church, and to defray the expense of the table, at the close of the service. A Preparatory Lecture shall be preached on the Wednesday evening preceding each celebration of this ordinance.
15. There shall be a weekly meeting of the church for prayer and conference on Wednesday evening, which meet- ing it shall be the duty of all members of the church statedly to attend.
16. Business meetings of the church may be called by the Pastor, or by the Clerk on the written request of five brethren, specifying the business to be transacted. Notice of such meeting to be given from the pulpit.
17. The time for the commencement of public religious services on the Sabbath shall be as follows :- In the morn- ing, service to commence at half-past ten ; in the afternoon, from the first Sabbath in November to the last Sabbath in
12
March, at two ; and from the first Sabbath in April to the last in October, at three.
18. These By-Laws may be altered or amended at any regular meeting of the church, provided notice of such alter- ation or amendment be given from the pulpit the Sabbath previous.
FORM OF ADMISSION.
ADDRESS.
BELOVED FRIENDS :- You have now presented yourselves before God and his people, and before the world, to make a solemn profession of your religious faith, and to take upon you the bonds of the everlasting Covenant. We trust you have well considered the nature of this transaction, (the most solemn and momentous in which a mortal can ever engage,) and that you are prepared by divine grace to give yourselves away, a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, through Jesus Christ. Having examined and assented to the Articles of Faith adopted by this church, you will now profess the same before these witnesses.
. CONFESSION OF FAITH.
1. You believe, that there is but one God, the Creator, Preserver, and Moral Governor of the Universe ; a Being of infinite power, knowledge, wisdom, justice, goodness, and truth; the self-existent, independent, and immutable Jehovah.
2
14
2. You believe, that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament were given by inspiration of God ; that they are profitable for correction, for reproof, and for instruction in righteousness ; and that they are our only rule of doctrinal belief and religious practice.
3. You believe, that in the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and that these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.
4. You believe, that God has made all things for him- self; that he governs all things according to the counsel of his own will ; and that the laws of his government are holy, just, and good.
5. You believe, that God at first created man in his own image, in a state of rectitude and holiness, and that he fell from that state by transgressing the divine command in cat- ing the forbidden fruit.
6. You believe, that in consequence of the first apostacy, the heart of man in his natural state is destitute of holiness, and in a state of positive disaffection with the law, charac- ter, and government of God, and that all men, previous to · regeneration, are dead in trespasses and sins.
7. You believe, that Christ, the Son of God, has, by his obedience, sufferings, and death, made an atonement for sin ; that he is the only Redeemer of sinners; and that those who are saved will be altogether indebted to the grace and mercy of God for their salvation.
1853270
15
8. You believe, that although the invitation of the gospel is such, that whosoever will, may come and take of the water of life freely; yet the depravity of the human heart is such, that no man will come to Christ except the Father, by the special and efficacious influences of his Spirit, draw him.
9. You believe, that mankind do, of their own accord, refuse to comply with these conditions, to the aggravation of their guilt and condemnation ; but that God, notwith- standing he perceived how mankind would treat the gospel of his Son, did always purpose to save from deserved ruin great multitudes of the human race, through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.
10. You believe, that those who cordially embrace Christ will be kept by the mighty power of God, through faith unto salvation.
11. You believe, that there will be a general resurrection of the bodies both of the just and unjust ; that all mankind must one day stand before the judgment-seat of Christ, to receive the just and final sentence of retribution, according to the deeds done in the body ; that, at the day of judg- ment, the state of all will be unalterably fixed; and that the punishment of the wicked and the happiness of the righteous will be endless.
12. You believe, that the Sacraments of the New Testa- ment, to the end of time, are Baptism and the Lord's Sup- per; that believers in regular church standing only, can
16
properly partake of the Lord's Supper ; and that only they, and their households, can consistently be admitted to the ordinance of Baptism.
All these things you profess and cordially believe.
{Here those who have not been baptized, receive the ordinance of Baptism. }
You will now enter into solemn covenant with God and with this church.
COVENANT.
In the presence of God, and of this assembly, you do now solemnly avouch the Lord Jehovah,-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,-to be your God, the object of your supreme affec- tion, and the source of all your strength and comfort.
You do cordially devote to God both yourselves and yours, according to the covenant of grace in the Lord Jesus Christ, promising to make the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments the rule of your faith and practice. You acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ in his mediatorial offices -as Prophet, Priest, and King-to be your only Saviour, and the Holy Spirit to be your Sanctifier, Comforter, and Guide. You promise, that by the help of God, you will walk before him in righteousness and holiness-giving dili- gent attendance to his word and ordinances, and seeking for the honor and interest of his kingdom.
17
You do also put yourselves under the watch and care of this church, and the government of Christ hercin, engaging to strive earnestly for its peace, edification, and purity, con- ducting toward all its members with faithfulness, circum- spection, meekness, and sobriety.
Do you thus profess and covenant with this church ?
[The Members of the Church are requested to risc. ]
In the name of this church, and on their behalf, I now welcome you to our sacred fellowship and communion, engaging, through Christ's assistance, that we will watch over you, teaching, admonishing, and reproving, or encour- aging and comforting, as the rules of the Gospel enjoin on this solemn relation.
And now, beloved in the Lord, let it be impressed on your minds, that the covenant which you make this day, is with God and with his people. These vows will abide with you in time and in eternity. Your covenant is an everlast- ing covenant, never to be forgotten. Remember, that here- after the eyes of the world will be upon you ; as you demcan yourselves, so religion will be honored or dishonored. If you walk worthily, you will be a comfort to the church ; but if otherwise, it will be an occasion of grief and reproach. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
May the Lord guide and preserve you till death, and at last receive both you and us to that blessed world where our love and joy will be forever perfected. 2*
OFFICERS OF THE CHURCHI.
-
REUBEN T. ROBINSON,
PASTOR.
ZEBADIANI ABBOT,
JOSEPH HUSE,
!
. DEACONS.
LUTHER RICHARDSON,
OLIVER R. CLARK, -
STEPHEN A. HOLT,
CLERK.
OLIVER R. CLARK,
. TREASURER.
MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH.
N. B. The names of the original members of the church arc printed in SMALL CAPITALS ; the names of those received by letter in italics ; and of those received by profession in common Roman letters.
Zebadiah Abbot,
Eliza Chapman,
Caroline W. Abbot,
Georgianna D. Clapp,
John Ayer,
OLIVER R. CLARK,
Tryphena R. Ayer,
JULIA A. CLARK,
Mary L. Bailey,
Edward W. Clark,
PHEBE BELL,
Harriet M. Clark,
Joseph B. Blanchard,
Jonathan Clark,
Nathan Blanchard,
Persis W. Clark,
Sarah Blanchard,
Thomas Collins,
William J. Blanchard,*
Mary A. Collins,
Lydia L. Blood,
Lucretia C. Cotes,
Mary B. Bowker,
Eliza J. Cram,
Elizabeth G. Bridge,*
MARY CUTTER, "
Mary A. Bridge,
JOHN CUTTER,"
Smith E. Brown,
MARTHA S. CUTTER,
Cynthia L. Brown,
STEPHEN CUTTER,
John Buxton,
ADALINE W. CUTTER,
LINDA BUXTON,
Henry Cutter,
Alonzo Chapin,
Nancy Cutter,
Mary Ann T. Chapin,
Andrew Cutter,
· Deceased.
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
20
ELIZABETH CUTTER, SULLIVAN CUTTER, ABIGAIL B. CUTTER, Stephen H. Cutter, Almira Cutter, Hannah E. Cutter, John A. Cutter, William A. Dodge,
R. E. Holbrook, Stephen A. Holt, Nancy W. Holt, Samuel S. Holton,
Tryphena S. Hlolton, Maria A. Holton, William C. Homer, Abel Houghton, NANCY W. HOUGHTON,
Nancy C. Howc, Joseph Huse,
Mary R. Huse,
LUCETTA R. HUTCHINSON,
Samuel Hutchinson,"
Thomas Hutchinson,
Putnam Emerson,
BETSEY HUTCHINSON,
Betsey Emerson,
NATHAN JAQUITHI,
Rebecca Emerson,
ESTHER JAQUITH,*
Elizabeth L. Fair field,
NATHAN B. JOHNSON,
Mary F. Fawcett,
ALMIRA JOHNSON,
Edwin A. Fessenden,
JOHN FISKE,
Mary Johnson, Harriette N. Jolinson,
LYDIA P. FISKE,
Dorcas Fletcher,
MEHITABLE JOHNSON,
JEFFERSON FORD,
MEHITABLE JOHNSON, 2nd,
LYDIA W. FORD,
Josephus Johnson,
MATTHEW GRISWOLD,
Maria Johnson,
HANNAH G. GRISWOLD,
ADALINE A. HALL,
Abigail Johnson, FRANCIS JOHNSON,
ALVAR HATCH,
SUSAN E. JOHNSON,
Maria L. Johnson,
MARIA J. HATCH,"
Thomas A. Joyce,
ESTHER W. HATCH,
ELI KENDALL,"
· Deceased.
Elizabeth W. Dodge, Julia A. Douglass, HEPSIBAH S. EATON,
Elizabeth M. Edgecomb,
SYLVANUS ELLIOTT,
LORING EMERSON, TRYPIENA P. EMERSON,
MARY C. HATCH,*
FRANCIS JOHNSON,"
1
21
JULIA A. KENDALL," Isaac H. Kendall, Edward F. Kendall, Elizabeth A. Kendall, Samuel Kendall,
Patty Kendall, Mary J. Kimball, Miranda Knights,*
SUMNER RICHARDSON, ELIZA H. RICHARDSON, Luther Richardson,
James T. Langley,*
Mary R. Langley,*
Mary A. Lawrence,
Lucy W. Lindley,
Frances N. Lord,
John T. Manny,
Ellen E. Manny,
Lydia W. Richardson,
Levi Marfield,
SUSANNA H. RICHARDSON, ELIZABETH RICHARDSON,
Mary M. Maxfield,
Rebecca McDonald,
Melvina Richardson,
Harriette L. McElroy,
Reuben T. Robinson,
Asa Mead,"
Clara A. Robinson,
Abigail Mead,
Stephen Nichols,
Nancy Rogers,
Jane Nichols,
Elizabeth H. Russell,
Harriette E. Nichols,*
Mary Russell,
HARRISON PARKER,
Charles Russell,
HANNAH M. PARKER,
ACHSAH J. SANBORN,
Hannah Parker,
GEORGE SANDERSON,
Margaret F. Parker,
ABBY SANDERSON,
CLARIMOND W. PIERCE, DELIA PIERCE,"
Isaac Shattuck,"
Hannah Shattuck,
Samuel S. Porter,
ANDREW N. SHEPARD,
Harriette Shepard,
Benjamin A. Shepard,"
· Deceased.
Mary W. Porter, Betsey J. Rice,
JESSE RICHARDSON," Laura Richardson," CALEB RICHARDSON, POLLY RICHARDSON," THOMAS RICHARDSON," MARY L. RICHARDSON,
Elizabeth A. Richardson,"
Martha J. Richardson,
SAMUEL S. RICHARDSON, LYDIA A. RICHARDSON," John S. Richardson,
John Robinson,
22
Mary Ann Shepard, ELIZABETH SMITH, Octavia A. Smith,* Mary R. Stevens,
Phineas Stone,*
Dorothy Stone,
Lucy T. Stone,
Nancy Stone,
ABIGAIL STRATTON,
Betsey Warren,
Betsey T. Swan,
Ellen M. Weld,
ZACHARIAH SYMMES,"
Lucy Wetherbee,
NANCY R. SYMMES,
Louisa Whittemore,
JOSEPH B. SYMMES,*
Susan F. Whittemore,
LYDIA SYMMES,*
John Whittemore,
BETSEY C. SYMMES,
Emeline Whittemore,
Adaline M. Symmes,
SAMUEL B. WHITE,
Hannah Symmes,
SARAH R. WHITE,
HORATIO SYMMES,
Mary A. Whitney,
CHARLOTTE SYMMES,
Martha Wilder,*
MARY SYMMES,*
Susan E. Winchester,
Henry W. Symmes,
Nancy Woods,
MARSHALL WYMAN,
SUSAN P. WYMAN,
Deborah J. Teel,
SAMUEL S. WYMAN,
Lucy A. Teel,
LUCY A. WYMAN,
LUCY WYMAN,*
Luthera Teel, Mary P. Tenny,
JOSEPH WYMAN,
BENJAMIN F. THOMPSON,
JERUSHA WYMAN,
HANNAH THOMPSON,
David Youngman,
Abijah Thompson,
Mary A. Youngman.
Maria S. Thompson,
John G. Usher, RUFUS WADE, Mary Walker, Salem T. Ward, Mary A. Ward, Isabella Ward, · Jemima Ward, William A. Warren,
· Deceased.
SOPHIA S. SYMMES,
Mary R. Symonds,
23
RECAPITULATION OF MEMBERS.
Original members, 83
Members received by letter, 92
Members received on profession, 58
Total, . 233
Deceased,
35
Present number,
. 198
D 2844974.7
5
MAY 75
N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.