USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Brockton > History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894 > Part 13
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George W. Cole, William Mackey, Fernando Skinner, and Ellis Howard, were re- leased from rebel prisons in March, 1865.
Samuel Kimball, enl. in Co. E, 18th Mass. Regt., Aug. 26, 1861, and was killed at the battle of Bull Run Aug. 30, 1862.
William Flannagan, enl. June 26, 1861 ; killed at the battle of Bull Run Aug. 30, 1861.
Ferdinand Robinson, enl. Aug. 26, 1861 ; killed at the battle of Bull Run.
Joseph Beals, enl. July 30, 1862; died July 30, 1863, of wounds received at Gettysburg. Edward F. Drohan, Co. C, 29th Mass. Regt .; enl. May 22, 1861 ; died Jan. 12, 1862. Charles F. Swanstrom, 33d Mass. Regt .; died Dec. 23, 1862.
Henry Fenn, 9th Mass. Batt .; killed in the battle of Gettysburg.
Andrew P. Olsen, enlisted in Co. C, 42d Mass. Regt .; died at the Massachusetts Hos- pital, New York city.
Orrin D. Holmes, son of Nathan Holmes, of North Bridgewater, enl. from Plymouth ; fell in the battle before Petersburg, Va., March 25, 1864.
We have now brought the chapter of the great Rebellion of 1861 down to the close of enlistment of troops in September, 1864. From this time to the close of the war there was one continuous line of suc- cessful victories over the Confederates.
The year 1865 opened with bright prospects before us, by the cap- ture of Fort Fisher, January 15; of Columbia, S. C., February 17 ;
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
Charleston, S. C., February 18; Wilmington, N. C., February 21; of Richmond, April 3; flight of the Confederate officers of State from Richmond, April 4; surrender of Lee's army, April 9; surrender of Johnston's army, April 26; capture of Jeff. Davis, May 10. But that which gave the greatest joy to the Union people was the surrender of Lee. Then we began to see through the clouds that had been so long over us, and in the middle of May, 1865, the greatest armed rebellion of the world was at an end, so far as fighting was concerned, and the nation now appears to be as prosperous as ever. Business is good, mechanics have returned to their occupations, the farmers to their long- neglected fields, and everything wears the appearance of a peaceful and prosperous hereafter. We are, as a people, stronger than before the war. We have stood up against everything that any people has ever been called to bear, and now the " star-spangled banner in triumph still waves over the land of the free and the home of the brave."
CHAPTER VIII.
Militia History-First Militia Company-Officers-Military Division of the Parish- North and South Companies-Plymouth Country Brigade-First Cavalry Company, 1787-North Bridgewater Dragoon Company, 1853-Militia Districts-Active and Re- serve Companies-District Number Sixty-District Number Sixty-one-Cunningham Rifles.
"HE first military company formed in the ancient town of Bridge- water was formed October 2, 1689. Thomas Hayward was chosen first captain ; John Hayward, lieutenant, and Samuel Packard, ensign. At that time the militia of the counties of Barnstable, Plymouth, and Bristol, constituted one regiment, and Josiah Winslow, of Marsh- field, was the colonel.
In 1762 the population of the town had become numerous enough to increase the number of companies to six. The one in the North Parish of Bridgewater, now Brockton, was called the Sixth Company. Daniel Howard was first captain in the parish ; Robert Howard, lieutenant, and Abiel Packard, ensign. These were succeeded by Robert Howard,
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THE MILITIA.
promoted to captain; Abiel Packard, promoted to lieutenant, and Henry Kingman, ensign. Afterwards Lieut. Abiel Packard was pro- moted to captain, and Ensign Henry Kingman promoted to lieutenant, and Constant Southworth, ensign.
These continued in office till about 1765, at which time the Sixth Company in the town was divided into two distinct and separate com- panies, known as the North and South. The line of division was across the parish from east to west, near the Centre Village. The officers of the North Company were Barnabas Howard, captain; John Howard, lieutenant, and Abiel Packard, ensign. The officers of the South Company were Isaac Packard, captain ; Josiah Packard, lieutenant, and Issachar Snell, ensign. These officers held their commissions till the Revolutionary War.
In 1773 the military companies of ancient Bridgewater had been in- creased to nine, and these, with two companies from Abington, consti- tuted the Third Regiment, of which Josiah Edson was colonel. This regiment was honored with a review by Governor Hutchinson on the 13th of October of that year. Josiah Hayden was appointed colonel of this regiment July 1, 1781 ; Daniel Cary, major, Sept. 6, 1792.
In 1810 the Plymouth county brigade was placed under the com- mand of Col. Sylvanus Lazell, promoted to brigadier-general. The brigade then consisted of four regiments of infantry, a battalion of cav- alry, and a battalion of artillery. Among the field and staff officers of the Third Regiment were :
Caleb Howard, lieut .- col., appointed April 19, 1817.
Nathan Jones, lieut .- col., appointed Oct. 3, 1829.
Martin Cary, lieut .- col., appointed Oct. 1, 1832.
Benjamin Keith, lieut .- col., appointed Nov. 17, 1838.
Edward Southworth, maj., appointed Aug. 22, 1815.
Martin Cary, maj., appointed Sept. 22, 1831.
This regiment disbanded April 24, 1840.
April 7, 1787, a cavalry company was organized in the town, and Isaac Lazell was appointed first captain. The following are the names of commanders from the North Parish :
Gideon Howard, capt., appointed May 25, 1803.
Noah Chesman, capt., appointed Sept. 23, 1811.
Jeremiah Beals, Jr., capt., appointed Sept. 9, 1819. Nathan Hayward, capt., appointed Sept. 20, 1823.
This company was disbanded April 10, 1828.
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
In June, 1853, a charter was granted to Nahum Reynolds and fifty others to form a cavalry company, which was organized June 27, 1853, under the name of "North Bridgewater Dragoon Company." The first meeting for the choice of officers was held in Tyler Cobb's Hall, Gen. Eliab Ward presiding over the meeting, at which time the follow- ing officers were chosen :
Nahum Reynolds, capt. Robert A. Stoddard, 1st lieut. J. Freeman Ellis, 2d lieut.
H. A. Raymond, 3d lieut. Jonas R. Perkins, 4th lieut.
Sergeants.
Freeman Bicknell, 1st. Samuel S. Brett, 3d. James H. Case, 5th.
Charles T. Packard, 2d. E. C. Mayhew, 4th.
Corporals. George N. Holmes. Daniel Hayward.
Lucius Richmond.
Welcome White. Musicians.
J. H. Smith.
Samuel Parsons.
William Upton.
Henry Kitman. Privates. James C. Snell.
Frederic Perkins.
Ephraim Noves.
Manly Packard.
Julius Thompson.
James E. Lyon.
F. P. Hartwell.
Bela T. Brown.
Peter Dalton.
Mitchell Willis.
Charles J. F. Packard.
E. A. Packard.
Horace Bryant. James S. Sherman.
Rufus S. Noyes. Leander Waterman.
George L. Howard.
Richard M. Fullerton.
Shubael P. Mears.
Charles E. Smith.
Willard Packard.
Edward B. Packard.
Isaac Kingman.
Oliver Jackson.
Horatio G. Macomber.
William Poole.
David F. Tribou.
George W. Leach.
H. T. Sanford.
E. M. Dunbar.
Charles Woodward.
Harrison Packard.
List of military officers with the dates of their commission :
Colonels.
Simeon Cary, 1758. Josiah Hayden. Nahum Reynolds.
Lieutenant- Colonels.
Caleb Howard, May 21, 1810. Nathan Jones, Oct. 3, 1829.
Edward Southward, April 29, 1817. Majors.
Martin Cary, Oct. 1, 1832.
John Porter, May 30, 1777. Josiah Hayden.
Moses Noyes, July 22, 1824. Nathan Jones, Sept. 15, 1828. Martin Cary, Sept. 22, 1831.
Daniel Cary, Sept. 6, 1792.
Caleb Howard, June 15, 1802.
Nahum Reynolds, Aug. 28, 1837.
Edward Southworth. Aug. 22, 1815. Nathan Hayward, March 23, 1824.
Uriah Macoy, July 30, 1864.
Cyrus B. Kingman.
John M.Bringman
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THE MILITIA.
Daniel Howard. Robert Howard. Abiel Packard. Barnabas Howard. Isaac Packard. Jeremialı Beals. John Porter, Dec. 9, 1774.
Simeon Cary, Dec. 9, 1774.
Nathan Packard, July 25, 1778.
Lemuel Dunbar, July 25, 1778.
John W. Kingman, July 4, 1828.
Ornan Cole, Oct. 7, 1828.
Josephi Cole, July 25, 1778. David Packard, July 23, 1780. Lem'l Packard, March 10, 1785.
Anthony Dike, July 16, 1792.
Parmenas Packard, March 28, 1795.
Leavitt Thayer, May 2, 1796. Robert Packard, May 29, 1796. Abel Kingman, May 5, 1799. Howard Cary, May 14, 1799.
Zachariah Gurney (3d), May 5, 1802. Gideon Howard, May 25, 1803. Oliver Jackson, June 17, 1804.
Jonathan Snow, May 6, 1806. Thos. Thompson, May 6, 1806. Asa Jones, Sept. 16, 1809. Noah Chessman, Sept. 23, 1811.
Nehemiah Lincoln (2d), May 25, 1814.
Adin Packard, May 31, 1815.
Silas Dunbar, May 26, 1816. Adin Packard, Jr., April 12, 1817. Miscellaneous Offices.
Elisha Tillson, surgeon's mate, Sept. 30, 1794. Daniel Hartwell, adjutant, Sept. 6, 1792. Caleb Howard, adjutant, Aug. 27, 1795. Issachar Snell, surgeon's mate, Dec. 13, 1800.
Rev. Daniel Huntington, chaplain, May 6, 1816. John Tilden, Jr., adjutant, Jan. 1, 1827.
Rev. Edward L. Clark, chaplain, June 26, 1861.
Rev. Israel Washburn, chaplain, Sept. 1, 1862. Rev. W. A. Start, chaplain, April 18, 1864.
Captains. Abiel Packard, Nov. 17, 1819. Luke Packard, July 4, 1820. Moses Noyes, March 19, 1822. David Ames, May 7, 1822. Ziba Keith, Sept. 5, 1822. Nathan Hay ward, Sept. 20, 1823. Jabez Kingman, May 4, 1824. John Battles, July 15, 1825. Nathan Jones, May 30, 1827.
Alvalı Noyes, Aug. 10, 1829. Augustus Jones, Aug. 10, 1831.
Martin Carey, Aug. 10, 1831.
Charles Gurney, Dec. 3, 1831. Thos. Hathaway Oct, 27, 1832. Cary Howard, Nov. 1, 1834. Nahum Reynolds, May 3, 1836. Nahum Reynolds, June 27, 1853. Robert A. Stoddard, Sept. 28, 1853.
J. Freeman Ellis, April 25, 1854. H. A. Raymond, May 8, 1856. J. R. Perkins, July 11, 1857. Lucius Richmond, Aug. 27, 1860. Alex. Hichborn, June 26, 1861. Charles T. Packard, Aug. 20, 1862. John S. Stoddard, July 23, 1862. Alpheus K. Harmon, May 10, 1862. Uriah Macoy. July 11, 1864. Chas. L. Sproul, July 30, 1864.
In consequence of the various calls upon the Commonwealth for troops for the United States Service, during the Rebellion of 1861, the
18
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
volunteer militia of Massachusetts, as it existed previous to the begin- ning of the war, was nearly broken up, by the enlistinent of its mem- bers individually, and as companies and regiments, for three months', nine months', one year's, three years', and one hundred days' service ; and the law establishing the volunteer militia being no longer in con- formity with the system of organization prescribed by the laws of the United States, it was found impossible to recruit this militia as the law then stood. To remedy this evil, the Legislature of Massachusetts passed a law in 1864 for the reorganization of the entire militia of the Commonwealth. This act was approved May 14, 1864, and all laws in existence previous to that date for the regulation of the militia were re- pealed. The new law provided for a new enrollment, to be made by the several assessors of the towns throughout the State, of all persons between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, the same to be returned to the adjutant-general.
The commander-in-chief then proceeded to divide the Commonwealth into military districts of companies. Under this arrangement there were two hundred and forty-nine districts established. North Bridge- water, now Brockton, and West Bridgewater constituted two districts, and was divided as follows :
District number sixty includes the whole of North Bridgewater ex- cept the school districts four, five, six and seven, otherwise known as Marshall, Ames, Campello and Copeland Districts.
District number sixty-one comprised the southerly school districts, numbered four, five, six and seven, in Brockton, and the whole of West Bridgewater.
An order was next issued to some justice of the peace within the district, to call a meeting for the election of captains of the several com- panies. After the election of the captain, it became his duty to enroll all persons liable to enrollment within their respective limits. "And all persons under the age of twenty-four years, liable to do military duty, shall be enrolled in one roll, and constitute the 'active militia.' And all such persons as shall be above the age of twenty-four years, together with all persons that shall be exempt from duty, excepting in cases of riot, invasion, insurrection, war, etc., shall be enrolled in an- other roll, and constitute the 'reserve militia.' "
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THE MILITIA.
The active militia was to have been formed into regiments, brigades, and divisions by the commander-in-chief, and organized in conformity with the laws of the United States, subject to such changes as the con- mander-in-chief might make from time to time.
The reserve militia was to have been organized into companies, regi- ments, brigades and divisions, and attached to such brigades in the active militia as the commander-in-chief should deem expedient, when ordered out for actual service.
Orders were received by George W. Bryant, esq., to notify a meeting to be held January 30, 1865, for the choice of a captain for District Sixty. The meeting was held at the armory on Chapel street, at one o'clock P. M., when Samuel F. Howard was elected captain, who was commissioned January 30, 1865. A meeting was subsequently held for the choice of lieutenants April 1, 1865, when George Southworth was elected first lieutenant, and Bradford Wild second lieutenant, both of whom were commissioned April 1, 1865.
The choice of captains for District Sixty-one was made at a meeting held at West Bridgewater, on Friday, January 27, 1865, at which Aus- tin Packard, esq., was called to preside. Mr. Thomas P. Ripley was elected captain, and received a commission dated January 27, 1865.
At a meeting of the company soon after, in April, Nathaniel M. Davenport, jr, was elected first lieutenant, and Ziba C. Keith, second lieutenant, both of Campello.
Agreeably to instructions from headquarters an enrollment was made by the captains of the above-named districts, and placed in the adju- tant-general's office, in which we find the number of persons enrolled in District Number Sixty, Capt. Samuel F. Howard, for active service was one hundred and thirty men ; reserve militia, five hundred and nineteen men. The number of persons in District Number Sixty-one, Capt. Thomas P. Ripley, for active service, was seventy-eight men ; reserved militia, three hundred and nine men.
We have given the foregoing account of the militia organization up to May, 1865. The companies had hardly been formed, the officers chosen, when the Legislature passed a law, approved May 16, 1865, disbanding the "active militia," allowing them to volunteer in the ser- vice for five years. " All companies that do not volunteer within sixty
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
days from May 16, 1865, shall be discharged," thus leaving a militia force of volunteers only, of which there are but few old companies.
CUNNINGHAM RIFLES .- Among the present militia organizations of Massachusetts is the Cunningham Rifles, Co. I, which is a part of Massachusetts' regiment volunteer militia. The following were the officers and members in July, 1884 :
Captain. James N. Keitlı.
First Lieutenant. Nathan E. Leach. Second Lieutenant. Andrew M. Bowden.
Sergeants.
Winifried S. Hathaway.
E. Francis Fuller. Oliver B. Battles.
S. Oscar Martland.
Edward E. Herrod.
Corporals. Loring M. Bates.
Charles Williamson.
Frank L. Emerson. Privates.
Walter C. Andrews.
George F. Hart.
E. Frank Swift.
Feli Blanchard.
Walter T. Howard.
Charles H. Sturtevant.
Aruna S. Chase.
Robert P. McKendrick.
Forrest W. Swift.
Frank Carr.
Wallace Martland.
George E. Sargent.
Horatio Corbett.
James E. A. Maffit.
Samuel H. Taylor.
William M. Carr.
Fred H. Moore.
Edward E. Tilton.
Benjamin F. Chubbuck.
Ewen McKendrick.
George E. Eliot.
Frelon H. Marshal.
Carlton L. Eldredge.
Charles W. Potter.
Frank Foye. Nelson Goodwin.
Phillip E. Pierce. Melvin E. Packard.
William J. Howard.
William S. Packard.
George E. Horton.
Daniel W. Packard.
William B. Hill.
William T. Pierce.
Frank N. Hall.
Frank H. Reynolds.
Rufus E. Tilton. Herbert Tribou. John A. Tribou. William R. Tilden.
J. Frank Winslow. Lewis E. Williams.
Fred M. Wade.
Edwin W. Blankinship.
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FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
CHAPTER IX.
Ministry of Rev. John Porter-Rev. Asa Mecch-Rev. Daniel Huntington -- Rev. William Thompson-Rev. Paul Couch-Rev. Nathaniel B. Blanchard-Rev. Edward L. Clark-Rev. Henry A. Stevens-Rev. Elbridge P. McElroy-Rev. Henry L. Kelsey -Rev. George E. Martin.
IRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH .- In nearly all the early New England towns the history of the church is a history of the town, and among the first things sought for was the establishment of the gospel ministry among them. The prayer of the petitioners having been granted so far as to set them off into a separate parish, the next thing was to see whom they could get to preach to them. For this purpose a meeting was held October 8, 1739, " to see if the precinct would vote to have preaching three months this winter season." It being voted in the affirmative, David Packard, John Kingman and Abiel Packard were chosen a committee "to Geat a minister to preach to us three months this winter seson." And the committee was also re- quested " to apply to Mr. Porter, Mr. Howard, or Ephrim Keith," to supply the pulpit for three months.
Monday, March 24, 1740, "it was put to vote to see whether the precinct would vote to have Mr. Porter preach to them three months." " Voted in affirmative." "Samuel Kingman, David Packard and Tim- othy Keith were chosen a committee to go to Mr. Porter to see whether he would suply the pulpet for the three months." What the result of their interview was with him does not appear on record. We judge, however, that an invitation to settle as a permanent preacher was more agreeable, as a meeting was called soon after, on the 2 1st of April, by the same committee, "to see if the sd precinct can agree to give Mr. John Porter a Call to be an ordained minister of the gospel for sd pre- cinct ; also to see what Grattess the precinct will agree to give said Mr. Porter, for Incouragement for to Settell among us ; also what we can agree to pay unto Mr. Porter as a yearly salary."
MINISTRY OF REV. JOHN PORTER .- At this meeting it was " voted to Give Mr. John Porter a Call to be their minister;" also, "voted to Give
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
him two hundred pounds as a Grattess for Incuragement to settell among us, and give him one Hundred and ten pounds per year, as a yearly salary, During the time he shall be our minister."
The committee appointed "to discorse with Mr. Porter upon the above mentioned premises " was Samuel Kingman, David Packard, Timothy Keith, Daniel Howard and Samuel West.
August 4, 1740, "voted one Hundred pounds additional money as Grattess, making Three Hundred pounds, besides an addition of five pounds per year for four years, and then ten pounds per year for five years, and then to stand at one Hundred and Eighty pounds per year ; to be paid in yearly, in any passable money, at the Reat of silver at Twenty-Eight Shillings per ounce; and so his salary to Rise and fall, as the price of silver' Doth, During the time that he shall be our minis- ter."
August 25, 1740, " voted to chuse Samuel Kingman, David Packard and James Packard a committee to Give Mr. Porter a Call in behalf of the precinct;" also voted that the 18th of September should be kept as a day of fasting and prayer, before the ordaining of Mr. John Porter.
The call, as presented to Mr. Porter, is as follows, together with his acceptance of the same :
MR. PORTER, -- Since it hath pleased God to favor us with your labors amongst us for several months past, it has been to our general acceptance; and we have unanimously agreed to give you a call to take the pastoral charge of us, and hope that the same God who has made yours labors so satisfactory to us will incline your heart to accept, con- vincing you that it is a call from him as well as us; and, withall, we promise to make It our prayer to the Great God for you that he should furnish you with all minis- terial gifts and graces for the work of the ministry and edifying of the body of Christ among us, and that we will ever honor and obey you when you shall become ours in the Lord. These are therefore to certify you that at a meeting legally warned, the precinct did, by a full and clear vote, give you a call to the ministry among us; and for your further encouragement did vote 300 Pounds for a settlement; and for the pur- suant year, one hundred and ten pounds for your salary, and then to advance five pounds pr. year, four years, and then ten pounds pr. year, five years, and then to stand yearly at one hundred and Eighty pounds per year, to be paid in yearly, in any passable money, at the rate of silver at 28 shillings pr. ounce ; and so your salary to rise and fall, as the price of siver doth, during the time you shall be our minister.
Dated at Bridgewater,
North Precinct,
August the 25th, 1740,
SAMUEL KINGMAN, DAVID KEITH, JAMES PACKARD,
Precinct Committee to give Mr. Porter a call In behalf of the precinct.
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FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Answer.
To be communicated to the North Precinct in Bridgewater, given the 25th of Aug., 1740.
BRETHREN AND FRIENDS .-- Inasmuch as it has pleased the Sovereign God, who has all hearts in his hand, and can turn them as the rivers of water are turned, so to incline and Unite you of this Place as to give me an invitation to settle among you in the work of the gospel ministry, though unworthy, yet, Apprehending it to be the call of Christ, whose I am, and whom I ought to serve, I accept your call, and I trust I do it with due and becoming reverence and cheerfulness.
Brethren and Friends : Further I desire to express all due gratitude to you for your love and respect shown me in the various instances of it, and I pray to God to continue it; and you yet to manifest it in every regard, and as the gospel requires and acknow- ledge that those that preach the gospel, should live of the gospel, so I shall expect an handsome and honorable maintenance from you so long as I shall sojourn among you as your pastor. But, above all, I shall expect and request you to be constant, earnest, and incessant at the throne of grace for me, that God would give me grace to serve him cheerfully and faithfully in the great and difficult work I am now about to engage in, that so I may finish my course with joy, and, in the day of Christ's appearing and king- dom, may have many of you of my charge as a seal of my ministry, that so then together we may receive a crown of glory which shall never fade away.
I subscribe myself yours to serve in the Lord,
JOHN PORTER.
Agreeable to the above call and acceptance, the Rev. Mr. Porter was ordained as pastor of the Fourth Church in Bridgewater, October 15, 1740.1
The following is the covenant which the church adopted as the basis of their union :
We, whose names are underwritten, the most of whom have been members of the first church of Christ in Bridgewater, having now, as we conceive, a call from God to embody a distinct church by ourselves, according to gospel order, and as our particular circumstances require, do, upon this solemn occasion, think it our duty, and therefore agree, to renew the covenant which our fathers made, both with God and with one another, under a humbling sense of our violations of past covenant engagements, adding hearty prayers that our past sins may be forgiven, and that we may have the help of the Holy Spirit to enable us to keep that covenant with God, wherein we solemnly engage, as follows : Ist. That we will take the Lord Jehovah to be our God, by a free choice of him, and firm dependence on him, and satisfaction in him, as our chief good, renouncing all other interest whatever. 2d. That we will cleave to the Holy Scriptures as our only rule of faith and obedience. 3d. That we will acknowledge our Lord Jesus Christ in his threefold office, as our Prophet, Priest, and King, particularly in his kingly
I David Packard provided for the ordination, for which he had £20 Ios.
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
government; that all his laws and ordinances may be upheld by us in the purity and power of them; that an able and faithful ministry be encouraged and continued among us; that in all the administrations of the house of God, we will have a due regard to the power of office belonging to the ministry, and the privileges belonging to the brethren as to judgment and consent. That we will endeavor faithfully to observe the rules of purity, in respect to the visible qualifications of those we admit to communion with us, that the table of the Lord be not polluted, -- that they be sueli as liave a com- petent understanding of the mysteries of Godliness, and of a well-ordered conversa- tion, and who, upon examination, hold forth repentance from dead works, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. We will conscientiously observe the rules of discipline which Christ hath prescribed, that the temple of God be not defiled ; will see that church cen- sure be faithfully dispensed to such as are full communicants, and to the children of the covenant. The adult in church relation (though not yet admitted to full communion), walking orderly, and waiting upon God to prepare them for the full enjoyment of him in all his ordinances, shall (at their desire) have the initiating seal of baptism adminis- tered to their children, and they themselves shall be encouraged and excited to follow the Lord in all the ways of his appointment, and when they offer themselves to join with the church, shall be examined respecting their proficiency, under the means, and hold forth such evidences of the grace of God as may be required to make their com- munion comfortable. 4th. We will walk in Love one toward another, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace, that there be no schism or rent in the body in Christ. 5th. In all difficult cases we will apply to neighboring ministers and churches of Christ for counsel. 6th. We will walk with God in our houses with a perfect heart, duly attending on family worship and government in the faithful discharge of rela - tives duties, endeavoring that true religion may be propagated to posterity, that our God may be children's God after us. 7th. We will bear our testimony against the growing sins of the times and of this place, and it shall be our endeavor that the work of reforma- tion in all parts of it be carried on among us. 8th. As we have opportunity, we will seek the good of one another, and so the good of all men, both with respect to spirituals and temporals. 9th. It shall be our endeavor to stand complete in all the will of God, to cleave to the Lord and one another through all adversity. All this we do sincerely and solemnly engage in the sight of God, men, and angels, in a humble dependence of faith upon the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, for our acceptance with God, and on the power of his spirit and grace to work all our works in us and for us; and, finally, to perfect all that concerns us to the praise of his glory. Adopted September 18, 1740.
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