USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Brockton > History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894 > Part 23
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241
SECOND CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY.
SECOND CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY .- During the year 1824 many of the members of the First Congregational Church, under the pas- toral care of Rev. Daniel Huntington, becoming dissatisfied with the views of their pastor, and entertaining different views of Christian doctrines, especially on the doctrine of the Trinity, the native char- acter of man, divinity and atonement of Christ, regeneration, and other kindred views of the gospel, petitioned the General Court to be incor- porated into a separate society, which petition was granted in the fol- lowing words, which we copy verbatim :
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court Assembled and by the authority of the Same.
That Abiel Kingman, Micah Packard, David Cobb, jr., Nathan Hayward, Gideon Howard, David Packard, Marcus Shaw, Jesse Packard, John Battles, Hiram Atherton, Nahum J. Smith, Newton Shaw, Anthony S. Allen, Edwin Keith, Washburn Packard Asa Brett, Hervey Hersey, Samuel Thayer, Samuel Howard, Eliphalet Thayer, Oliver Snell, jr., Zeba Thayer, Sihon Packard, jr., Apollas Howard, Welcome Howard, Caleb Howard, jr., Azor Packard, Simeon Dunbar, Nathaniel H. Cross, Joseph S. Packard, Joseph D. Snell, Zenas Packard, jr., Stillman Willis, Silas Snow, Silas Snow, jr., John Curtis, Hosea Packard, Asa Shaw, Samuel Packard, William Curtis, jr., Isaac Packard, Isaac Richards, John Field, Zophar Field, Austin Howard, Josiah W. Curtis, Richmond Carr, Otis Howard, David Edson (3d), Luke P. Lincoln, Thomas Reynolds, Azel Rey- nolds, Oliver Snell, Isaac Snell, Jeremiah Snell, James J. Sanders, Daniel Bryant, Ara Battles, Abijah Childs, Thomas White, Thomas White, jr., Arza Leonard, John White, with their families and estates, together with such others as may hereafter associate with them and their successors, be, and they are hereby incorporated into a Society by the name of the " Second Congregational Society " in the town of North Bridgewater, with all the Powers, privileges, and immunities which other religious societies in this Commonwealth are by law entitled to, and may purchase, receive by gift, or otherwise real estate the value of which Shall not exceed the sum of Eight Thousand Dollars.
Passed June 18, 1825.
About this time land was purchased of Micah Faxon for a church. This was located on a rising spot of ground, south of the present pub- lic house, and near " Kingman's Brick Block." A house was erected, which was dedicated August 9, 1826, with appropriate services, as fol- lows : Introductory prayer and reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. John Pierpont, of Boston ; dedicatory prayer, by Rev. Eliphalet Porter, D.D., of Roxbury, Mass .; sermon, by Rev. Benjamin Huntoon, of Provi- dence, R. I., from the text, Acts xxiv. 14: "But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God
31
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law, and in the prophets ;" concluding prayer, by Rev. James Kendall, D.D., of Plymouth ; benediction, by Rev. Richard M. Hodges, of Bridgewater.
Rev. John Goldsbury, of Warwick, Mass., received an invitation to become their pastor, and, his accepting the same, he was ordained Wednesday, June 6, 1827, with the following services: I, introductory prayer and reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. J. P. B. Storer, of Wal- pole, Mass .; 2, sermon, by Rev. Luther Hamilton, of Taunton, Mass .; 3. ordaining prayer, by Rev. John Reed, D.D., of West Bridgewater, Mass .; 4, charge to the pastor, by Rev. Eliphalet Porter, D.D., of Rox- bury, Mass .; 5, right hand of fellowship, by Rev. Ezra S. Gannett, D.D., of Boston ; 6, address to the people, by Rev. John Pierpont, of Boston ; 7, concluding prayer, by Rev. Henry Edes, D.D., of Provi- dence, R. I. The pleasantness of the day, and the deep interest in the occasion, caused the house to be thronged. The sermon was from text, John xviii. 37 : " To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth."
The sermon on that occasion was exceedingly interesting and very judicious, dwelling at some length on the simplicity of the truth which the Christian teacher is required to inculcate. Among the many things noticed were the difficulties of a Christian ministry,-the indifference to truth prevalent in the world, the prejudices of opinion that hinder the reception of truth, and the disposition among men to mystify and ob- scure the plainest principles. The charge to the pastor, by the Rev. Dr. Porter, was listened to with peculiar interest, from his filial allusion to one under whose ministry many of this society had formerly sat,-Rev. John Porter, father of Rev. Eliphalet Porter, D.D., of Roxbury, Mass.
Rev. John Goldsbury was born in Warwick, Mass., February II, 1795 ; fitted for college at different schools and academies, and under private instruction; graduated at Brown University in 1820; com- menced the study of divinity at Harvard College in 1821, under Pro- fessors Ware, Norton and Willard ; taught in Taunton Academy several years ; was ordained in North Bridgewater, Wednesday, June 6, 1827, where he remained till September 4, 1831 ; and resided in Warwick, Mass., where he died.
243
PORTER EVANGELICAL CHURCH.
CHAPTER XII.
PORTER EVANGELICAL CHURCH AND SOCIETY.
Porter Evangelical Church - Organization -- Ministry of Rev. John F. Norton -- Ministry of Rev. Charles L. Mills - Ministry of Rev. Samuel H. Lee -- Ministry of Rev. John V. Hilton - Ministry of Rev. Robert G. S. McNeille - Ministry of Rev. Z. T. Sullivan -- Ministry of Rev. F. A. Warfield - Porter Evangelical Society -- Dedication of First Meeting-house -- Rededication -- Deacons of the Porter Evangelical Church - Treasurers of Same -- Clerks-Sunday-schools-Ministers of the Church-Salisbury Chapel-Officers of the Society for 1892.
P ORTER EVANGELICAL CHURCH .-- This church was formed of mem- bers who withdrew from the First Congregational Church in North Bridgewater for the purpose of forming another church, it being deemed advisable that something should be done to awaken a new interest in the cause of truth, and to induce union of feeling and action in the sup- port of the ordinances of the gospel, according to orthodox Congrega- tional usages and principles. The first meeting of a series held, which resulted in the organization of the Porter Evangelical Church, was at the house of Hezekiah Packard, Tuesday, January 8, 1850.
Other meetings soon followed, and on Thursday evening, February 7, 1850, at the same place Davis Kingman was chosen moderator, when it was "Voted, unanimously, ' that we will take measures to form an- other orthodox Congregational Church in this place, as soon as it may be deemed expedient.' "
A committee of five were chosen, viz. : Deacon Simeon Packard, Simeon Leach, Abel W. Kingman, M.D., Robert Holbrook, and Isaac Kingman, to see how many would unite in the movement. This com- mittee reported February 12, 1850, the names of seventy persons who were in favor of immediate action, and who were prepared to unite in the formation of another church. At this meeting it was agreed to lay the subject before the church at their next meeting, and take means to call a council immediately for the purpose of formation, if they deemed
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
it expedient. This was done at a meeting of the church hield the day following (February 13), and a committee was appointed by the church to call a council for that purpose. At a meeting of the church, held February 19, it was voted that they adopt the same articles of faith and covenant as those used by the First Church. Also voted that the name of the new church shall be the Porter Evangelical Church. A council was accordingly called, which met on the 6th day of March, 1850, in the meeting-house of the First Congregational Church, the fol- lowing churches composing the council :
Congregational Church of Easton : Rev. Luther Sheldon, D.D., pas- tor; John R. Drake, delegate.
Trinitarian Congregational Church of Bridgewater : Rev. David Brig- ham, pastor ; E. Hathaway, delegate.
First Church of Abington : Rev. J. W. Ward, pastor ; Zibeon Pack- ard, delegate.
Trinitarian Congregational Church of Taunton : Rev. Erastus Maltby, pastor ; H. G. O. White, delegate.
Village Church of Dorchester : Rev. David Dyer, pastor ; Shadrach Jenkins, delegate.
Central Congregational Church of Boston : Rev. George Richards, pastor ; I. C. Proctor, delegate.
Congregational Church of South Weymouth: J. T. Terry, pastor ; Deacon I. Loud, delegate.
Second Congregational Church of Dorchester : Rev. J. H. Means, pastor ; Deacon C. Howe, delegate.
Evangelical Congregational Church of Hingham : Rev. E. Porter Dyer, pastor ; Deacon Asa H. Holden, delegate.
Congregational Church of Middleboro': Rev. I. W. Putnam, pastor ; S. Harlow, delegate.
First Congregational Church of North Weymouth: D. Pratt (3d), delegate.
The council was organized by the choice of Rev. Luther Sheldon, D.D., moderator ; Rev. Erastus Maltby, scribe.
After hearing statements and facts regarding the reasons for a new organization, and a thorough examination into all matters pertaining thereto, the council " voted, unanimously, that under existing circum-
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PORTER EVANGELICAL CHURCHÍ.
stances in this church it is expedient, agreeable to the request of the members calling this council, that another ' Orthodox Congregational Church' be organized in this place to be called the ' Porter Evangelical Church.' It being understood that they are to adopt the Articles of Faith and Covenant now adopted by the church they leave." The public services of organization were assigned for seven o'clock in the evening, which were as follows: 1, introductory prayer and reading of the ar- ticles of faith and covenant, by Rev. Luther Sheldon, D.D., of Easton ; 2, consecrating prayer, by Rev. David Brigham, of Bridgewater ; 3, fel- lowship of the churches, by Rev. E. Porter Dyer, of Hingham ; address to the church by Rev. David Dyer, of Dorchester ; 5, concluding prayer, by Rev. Erastus Maltby, of Taunton. The church met Friday, March 8, and "voted to establish public worship forthwith," and vari- ous committees were chosen to make such arrangements as seemed necessary for that purpose.
The first meeting for public worship was held in the hall of Tyler Cobb, on Sunday, March 10, 1850. Rev. Joseph Merrill, of Dracut, Mass., preached on that day and the two succeeding Sabbaths.
MINISTRY OF REV. JOHN F. NORTON .- The next minister was Rev. John F. Norton, who came to the town April 6, 1850, and preached five Sabbaths, when the church and society united in giving him a call to become their pastor May 7th, which he accepted May 10, 1850; and immediate measures were taken in calling a council to install him as their pastor. The following churches were represented in the council :
South Congregational Church of Campello: Rev. Daniel Hunting- ton, pastor ; Charles Keith, delegate.
First Church of Easton : Rev. Luther Sheldon, D.D., pastor ; Dea- con H. T. Mitchell, delegate.
First Congregational Church of Randolph : Rev. Calvin Hitchcock, D.D., pastor; Deacon Wales Thayer, delegate.
Trinitarian Church of Bridgewater : Rev. David Brigham, pastor ; Levi Walker, delegate.
Trinitarian Church of Taunton : Rev. Erastus Maltby, pastor ; James M. Williams, delegate.
South Congregational Church of Dedham : Rev. Calvin Durfee, pas- tor; C. Talbot, delegate.
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
First Congregational Church of North Bridgewater: Rev. Paul Couch, pastor ; Henry Howard, delegate.
Village Church of Dorchester : Rev. David Dyer, pastor ; Deacon James Tolman, delegate.
First Church of Abington : Rev. James W. Ward, pastor; John Hunt, delegate.
Congregational Church of South Weymouth : Rev. J. P. Terry, pas- tor; A. W. Pain, delegate.
Evangelical Church of Hingham : Rev. E. P. Dyer, pastor ; A. Kil- by, delegate.
Eliot Church of Roxbury : Rev. A. C. Thompson, pastor.
Second Congregational Church of Dorchester : Rev. J. H. Means, pastor ; Deacon Edward Sharp, delegate.
First Congregational Church of Falmouth : John Jenkins, delegate. Winthrop Church of East Randolph: Elisha Belcher, delegate.
The council was organized by the choice of Rev. Daniel Huntington as moderator, and Rev. James W. Ward, scribe, who convened in the vestry of the Methodist Church by invitation of that church.
His installation took place in the meeting-house of the First Church, June 5, 1850, at 1:30 o'clock P. M., with the following order of services on that occasion :
I, voluntary, by choir; 2, reading minutes of the ecclesiastical council; 3, invocation and reading of the Scriptures ; 4, anthem ; 5, in- troductory prayer ; 6, hymn,-words and music composed for a similar occasion by Rev. D. Huntington,-" Herald of our Saviour God ;" 7, sermon, by Rev. A. C. Thompson of Roxbury, Mass .; 8, chant,-" I will give you pastors according to mine own heart;" 9, installing prayer, by Rev. Luther Sheldon, D.D., of Easton; 10, charge to the pastor, by Rev. Calvin Hitchcock, D.D., of Randolph; II, right hand of fellowship, by Rev. J. P. Terry of South Weymouth ; 12, hymn,- "How beautiful upon the mountains ;" 13, address to the people, by Rev. Daniel Huntington, of the South Congregational Church, Cam- pello ; 14, concluding prayer, by Rev. David Dyer ; 15, hymn, by the congregation, tune, " Hamburg :" 'Tis done,-the important act is done ; The covenants of this sacred hour,
Heaven, earth, its solemn purport know ; Its fruits when time its race has run,
Shall through eternal ages flow.
Great Shepherd of thy people, seal ; Spirit of grace, diffuse thy power, Our vows accept, thy might reveal.
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PORTER EVANGELICAL CHURCH.
Behold our guide, and deign to crown
His toils, O Lamb of God, with love; His lips inspire ; each effort own ;
Breathe, dwell within him, heavenly Dove.
Behold his charge: what wealth shall dare
With its most priceless worth to vie ?
Suns, systems, worlds, how mean they are, Compared with souls that cannot die !
The sun may set in endless gloom,
The planets from their stations flee, Creation fill oblivion's tomb ;
But souls can never cease to be.
Oh, when before the judgment-seat,
The wicked quake in dread despair, May we, all reverent at thy feet,
Pastor and flock, find mercy there.
The council represented in the dismissal of Rev. John F. Norton was as follows :
Evangelical Church of Easton : Rev. Luther Sheldon, D. D., pastor.
Second Congregational Church of Randolph : Rev. Ezekiel Russell, pastor ; E. Wales, delegate.
South Congregational Church at Campello : Ziba Keith, delegate.
Trinitarian Congregational Church of Bridgewater: Rev. David Brigham, pastor ; Deacon Abiel Bassett, delegate.
Rev. Luther Sheldon, D. D., moderator; Rev. David Brigham, scribe.
Rev. John F. Norton was born in Goshen, Litchfield county, Conn., September 8, 1809; entered Yale College in 1829, but his health fail- ing, he left college during his junior year. He received the degree of A. M. from that institution in 1848 ; studied theology at the Theolog- ical Seminary at East Windsor, Conn., where he graduated in 1837 ; traveled nearly a year in Northern and Western Europe ; was principal of academies in Goshen, Brooklyn, and Norfolk, Conn., for eight years ; was ordained pastor of church in Milton Parish, Litchfield, Conn, Oc- tober 23, 1844; installed pastor of Porter Evangelical Church in North Bridgewater, Mass , June 5, 1850; dismissed at his request, Decem- ber 4, 1851 ; installed pastor of the Evangelical Church in Athol, Mass , March 17, 1852 ; married, first, Harriet Frances Jenkins, of Fal- mouth, Mass., August 19, 1839, who died February 3, 1849 ; second marriage to Sophia W. Elliot, of Bridgeport, Conn., December 31, 1850; she died June 6, 1852. He then married a third time, Ann Maria Mann, of Stoughton, Mass., September 26, 1853 ; has one child living, Lewis Mills Norton, born December 26, 1855. Rev. Mr. Nor- ton died in Natick, Mass., November 3, 1892.
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
MINISTRY OF REV. CHARLES L. MILLS .- Various ministers supplied the pulpit, among whom were Rev. Hubbard Beebe, of South Wilbra- ham, Mass., and Rev. Edwin P. Wright, of Acworth, N. H., after which the church and society united in giving the Rev. Charles L. Mills a call in July, 1852, to settle with them as their pastor.
A council, composed of the following churches, convened at the meeting-house of the Porter Evangelical Church on the 11th day of August, 1852, at nine o'clock A. M , for the purpose of installing Rev. Mr. Mills :
First Church of Braintree : Rev. Richard S. Storrs, D. D., pastor ; Charles French, delegate.
Church of Easton : Rev. Luther Sheldon, D. D., pastor; John B. Drake, delegate.
Winnisimmet Church of Chelsea: Rev. I. P. Langworthy, pastor ; Charles B. Wilder, delegate.
First Congregational Church of Brockton : Rev. Paul Couch, pastor ; Deacon Ozen Gurney, delegate.
First Church of Abington: Rev. James W. Ward, pastor; Zibeon Packard, delegate.
Congregational Church of Athol : Rev. John F. Norton, pastor.
First Church of Randolph : Rev. C. M. Cordley, pastor.
Winthrop Congregational Church of Holbrook : Elisha N. Holbrook, delegate.
Congregational Church of Stoughton : Rev. Albert Perry, pastor ; E. Dickerman, delegate.
First Congregational Church of Yarmouth : Rev. Abel K. Packard, pastor ; F. Dunbar, delegate.
Second Congregational Church of Weymouth: Rev. J. P. Terry, pastor; A. Vining, delegate.
Union Church of East and West Bridgewater: Otis Grover, dele- gate.
Rev. Daniel Butler, of Westboro', Mass.
The council was organized by choice of Rev. Luther Sheldon, moderator; Rev. J. P. Terry, scribe.
After a satisfactory hearing as to the qualifications and belief of the pastor elector, the council voted unanimously that they would proceed to the services of installation in the following order :
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PORTER EVANGELICAL CHURCH.
I, Reading of the minutes of the council, by the scribe; 2, invoca- tion and reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. Abel K. Packard, of Yar- mouth, Mass. (now of Greeley, Col.) ; 3, introductory prayer, by Rev. J. P. Terry, of South Weymouth; 4, sermon, by Rev. Richard S. Storrs, D.D., of Braintree ; 5, installing prayer, by Rev. James W. Ward, of Abington ; 6, charge to the pastor, by Rev. Luther Sheldon, D.D., of Easton ; 7, right hand of fellowship, by Rev. Daniel Butler, of Westboro'; 8, hymn :
He that goeth forth with weeping, Bearing still the precious seed, Never tiring, never sleeping, All his labor shall succeed.
Then will fall the rain of heaven, Then the sun of mercy shine;
Precious fruits will then be given, Through an influence all divine.
Sow thy seed, be never weary, Nor let fears thy mind employ ; Be the prospect ne'er so dreary, Thou mayst reap the fruits of joy.
Lo, the scene of verdure bright'ning, See the rising grain appear ; Look again! the fields are whit'ning ; Sure the harvest time is near.
9, address to the people, by Rev. I. P. Langworthy, of Chelsea ; 10, concluding prayer, by Rev. John F. Norton, of Athol (the former pastor) ; II, benediction, by the pastor.
Rev. Mr. Mills preached to this people until February 18, 1862, when he was dismissed.
Rev. Charles L. Mills was born in Morristown, N. J., August 1I, 1812; graduated at Yale College in 1835; studied theology at the Theological Seminary, Princeton, N. J. Mr. Mills preached in various places in the West and about New England for twelve years or more, and in 1852 was called to settle as pastor of the Porter Evangelical Church of North Bridgewater, where he remained till February, 1862. After a brief respite from pastoral labor, he received a call to settle at Wrentham, Mass., where he was ordained as pastor of the First Con- gregational Church February 10, 1863. He married first Elizabeth, daughter of Deacon William Lyman, of Middletown, Conn. ; second, Rebecca, daughter of Deacon Peter Smith, of Andover, Mass.
MINISTRY OF REV. SAMUEL H. LEE .- The church was without a pastor but a short time, as we find by record the church " voted, June 16, 1862, unanimously, to give a call to Rev. Samuel H. Lee to settle with them in the ministry." This call accepted.
32
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
A council consisting of the following churches was called to advise in reference to the ordination of Rev. Samuel H. Lee, September 17, 1862 :
First Church, Braintree : Rev. Richard S. Storrs, D.D., pastor; R. H. Allen, delegate.
First Church, Stoughton : Rev. Thomas Wilson, pastor; Deacon Eben Drake, delegate.
First Church, Somerville : Rev. David T. Packard, pastor.
First Church, Randolph : Ebenezer Alden, delegate.
Second Church, Randolph: Rev. S. G. Dodd, pastor; Simeon L. Whitcomb, delegate.
Winthrop Church, Holbrook : Rev. E. Russell, D.D., pastor; Levi Whitcomb, delegate.
First Church, Abington : Rev. F. R. Abbe, pastor ; Henry A. Noyes, delegate.
Second Church, Abington : Rev. Henry L. Edwards, pastor ; Will- iam R. Vining, delegate.
Second Church, Weymouth: Rev. J. P. Terry, pastor; William Dyer, delegate.
Union Church, South Weymouth : Rev. P. N. Hayes, pastor ; C. S. Fogg, delegate.
Union Church, Weymouth and Braintree : Rev. Lysander Dicker- son, pastor ; J. W. Loud, delegate.
First Church, North Bridgewater : John W. Kingman, delegate.
Third Church, Abington : Rev. H. D. Walker, pastor ; H. H. Bur- rill, delegate.
Union Church, East Bridgewater: Rev. N. H. Broughton, pastor.
Evangelical Church, Hingham : Rev. E. Porter Dyer, pastor ; Caleb S. Hunt, delegate.
Congregational Church, Hanson : Rev. Benjamin Southworth, pas- tor.
South Congregational Church, Campello : Rev. Charles W. Wood, pastor ; George Sawyer, delegate.
The council organized by the choice of Richard S. Storrs, moderator ; Charles W. Wood, scribe.
After an examination of the candidate and his credentials, and finding them satisfactory, the order of the exercises at the installation was as
251
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PORTER EVANGELICAL CHURCH. E
follows : 1, invocation and reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. E. Porter Dyer, of Hingham; 2, introductory prayer, by Rev. E. Douglas ; 3, sermon, by Rev. Edward N. Kirk, D.D., of Boston; 4, ordaining prayer, by Rev. S. G. Dodd, of East Randolph ; 5, charge to the pas- tor, by Rev. Richard S. Storrs, D.D., of Braintree ; 6, right hand of fel- lowship, by Rev. Charles W. Wood, of Campello ; 7, address to the peo- ple, by Rev. David Temple Packard, of Somerville; 8, concluding prayer, by Rev. F. R. Abbe, of Abington ; 9, benediction, by the pas- tor.
On the 8th of February, 1866, Mr. Lee sent in his resignation to the church, who united with him in calling a council for the purpose of dismissal, which was held on the 20th of the same month. The churches present were :
First Congregational Church of Brockton : Rev. Edward L. Clark, pastor ; Deacon John W. Kingman, delegate.
South Congregational Church of Campello : Rev. Charles W. Wood, pastor ; Deacon S. Franklin Packard, delegate.
Trinitarian Congregational Church of Bridgewater : Rev. E. Douglas, pastor ; Deacon Abiel Bassett, delegate.
First Church of Abington : Rev. F. R. Abbe, pastor ; Deacon John A. King, delegate.
Second Church of South Weymouth : Rev. J. P. Terry, pastor ; Deacon B. F. White, delegate.
Union Church of East and West Bridgewater : Rev. N. H. Brough- ton, pastor.
Union Church, South Weymouth : Rev. S. H. Hayes, pastor ; I. S. Cobb, delegate.
Rev. J. Terry, moderator ; and Rev. Edward L. Clark, scribe.
The council, after a full hearing, " voted, that in their judgment it is expedient, and they accordingly advise that this relation terminate."
Rev. Samuel H. Lee was born in Sprague, Conn., December 21, 1832 ; fitted for college at Williston Seminary, East Hampton, Mass. ; entered Yale College, 1854; graduated in 1858; graduated at the Normal School, New Britain, Conn., 1852 ; was a teacher in the Normal School three years ; studied theology at Yale Theological Seminary two years ; received an invitation to settle as pastor of the Porter Evan-
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
gelical Church in North Bridgewater in 1862, where he was ordained September 17, 1862.
MINISTRY OF REV. JOHN V. HILTON .- January 31, 1867, a call was extended to Rev. John V. Hilton to settle as their pastor, which was declined. Various ministers were heard till March 22, 1869, at which date Rev. Charles M. Lamson was invited to settle with them in the gospel ministry, the call being unanimous. This call was accepted and Mr. Lamson was duly installed. Pursuant to letters missive from the Porter Evangelical Church, an ecclesiastical council was convened in the meeting house of said church on Thursday, August 5, 1869, at 9.30 o'clock A. M., as follows :
First Congregational Church of Brockton: Rev. H. A. Stevens, pas- tor ; Deacon Joel T. Packard, delegate.
South Congregational Church of Campello : Rev. Chas. W. Wood, pastor ; Deacon S. Franklin Packard, delegate.
Union Church of East and West Bridgewater : Rev. J. P. Aldrich, pastor ; Luther Richards, delegate.
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