USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > North Bridgewater > History of North Bridgewater, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, from its first settlement to the present time, with family registers > Part 5
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60
2 Yea, from that glorious throne come down ; Here with thy Church vouchsafe to stay ; And let thy constant presence crown The joys of this auspicious day !
3 Still let our faith expect and prove Th' exhaustless bounty of thy hand ; And while we taste thy richest love, Our heart with gratitude expand.
4 A double portion of thy grace On this thy messenger bestow ; And 'neath the shining of thy face, Let his with heavenly lustre glow.
5 Grant him these num'rous souls to bear, As trophies of his faithful love, - Seals of his high commission here, - Gems in his crown of joy above.
6 Then to thy great and holy name, Pastor and flock, through endless days, Thy truth and merey shall proclaim, In rapt'rous songs of grateful praise.
41
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
8. Charge to the Pastor, by Rev. Samuel Gile, of Milton ; 9. Right Hand of Fellowship, by Rev. Baalis Sanford ; 10. Address to the Church and Society, by Rev. Calvin Hitch- cock; 11. Anthem, by Mozart: -
" Hallelujah, Amen."*
12. Concluding Prayer, by Rev. Ebenezer Gay ; 13. Bene- diction, by Rev. Paul Couch.
Rev. Mr. Couch continued to preach the gospel to this people in all its simplicity, and with marked ability, freedom, and candor, - such as had its desired effect upon the com- munity in which he moved, - till May 8, 1859, when he asked to be relieved from his pastoral labors, which request was granted, July 1, 1859, and the estimation in which he was held by his people may be seen in the following resolutions which were passed by the church, at a meeting held on that day :--
Resolved, that while in view of the circumstances set forth by our pas- tor in his communication as the reasons which, in his opinion, render it expe- dient that he go away, and which have induced him to request his release from his pastoral charge over this church and society and people, we have, at a previous meeting, reluctantly recorded our assent to his request. And we esteem it a duty which we owe to ourselves, and to him, to say, that in tak- ing this step we defer to his judgment, and consult his express wishes, and are not led to it by any disaffection on our part.
We still appreciate those traits in his character which, manifested among us, won for him our affection and regard, and we will cheerfully bear testi- mony, unitedly, to that high mental culture, that maturity of judgment, that sincerity, carnestness, and fearlessness, in declaring from the pulpit the counsels of God ; that ready sympathy with the afflicted and sorrowful among his people, and that love and known consistency of his daily life with his office as minister of Christ, which have constrained us always to esteem with respect and reverence his teachings, and to submit with love and confidence to his guidance ; and when in the prospect of a speedy separation, all these things are vividly brought to mind, concerning our beloved pastor,
* The music on this occasion was conducted by Thomas J. Gurney, and was of the highest order; and the other exercises were gratifying to a large and attentive audience.
6
42
HISTORY OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
it is not without painful misgivings that we consent to the sundering of those ties which, for the period of twenty-four years, bound him to this church and people.
Resolved, if such separation takes place, we tender our pastor assurances of our wishes and our prayers for his welfare, wherever he may be called to labor, and express the hope that his labors here may prove to him as he goes, and to us who remain, not only a present memory, but, by the grace of God, a means and a pledge of a happy reunion of church and pastor in a better world.
With a view to the dismission of Mr. Couch, an ecclesiasti- cal council was called for the purpose of hearing and acting upon the request of their pastor for a dissolution of his con- nection with the church and society, which meeting was held July 19, 1859. The council was as follows : -
Rev. Richard S. Storrs, D. D., of Braintree ; Elisha French, Delegate. Rev. Jonas Perkins, D. D., of Braintree ; Levi W. Hobart, Delegate. Rev. Charles W. Wood, of Campello ; Josiah W. Kingman, Delegate. Rev. Ezekiel Russell, D. D., of East Randolph ; John Adams, Delegate.
After hearing the statement of the pastor requesting his dismission, and the statements of the church and society, who very reluctantly yielded their assent, the council voted,-
That in view of all the circumstances, the strong convictions and prefer- ence of the pastor, and the assent, though reluctant, of the church and soci- ety, it is expedient that the ministerial and pastoral relation of the Rev. Paul Couch to the First Church and Society in North Bridgewater, be dis- solved, the dissolution to take effect, or the relation to terminate, the first day of August, 1859.
In coming to this result the council cannot withhold the expression of their deep regret that a connection, that has so long existed, been so auspi- cious to both pastor and people, sealed by effusions of the Eternal Spirit, cemented by mutual affection and esteem, and so productive of permanent good to the cause of truth and the honor of Christ in the world, should be thus sundered. Deeming themselves incompetent to judge of the validity of all the reasons for the course pursued, and trusting much to the sound dis- cretion and judgment of the parties themselves, this council still in view of all the circumstances seem constrained to acquiesce in what seems to be the leadings of Providence. This council deeply regret the separation from one, whose urbanity, large experience, and Christian kindness and wisdom have ever done so much to enlighten, and cheer ministerial intercourse in all its connections. They therefore commend the Rev. Paul Couch to the churches of Christ, as one rich in ministerial experience, able, gifted, faithful, and
43
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
beloved, with no blemish on either his Christian or ministerial reputation. This council also commend this dear church for the sacrifice they have made for the cause of truth, and the prosperity of the kingdom of Christ in this place. They commend them for the affection and kindness they have shown to their pastor, their deference to his wishes, their provision for his wants. They would urgo them, also, to a settlement of the gospel ministry among themselves as soon as circumstances will allow it, and to a perseverance in the cause hitherto pursued.
They finally deeply sympathize with them in their separation from a pas- tor that has been so long and so justly respected and beloved, and commend them in their disappointment, to the care of the Shepherd of Israel.
RICHARD S. STORRS, Moderator. EZEKIEL RUSSELL, Seribe.
A true copy of the doings of the council.
E. RUSSELL, Scribe.
North Bridgewater, July 19, 1859.
Rev. Mr. Couch preached his farewell discourse, July 31, 1859 .*
MINISTRY OF REV. NATHANIEL B. BLANCHARD.
Immediately after the dismission of Rev. Mr. Couch, an invitation was given to Rev. N. B. Blanchard,+ a native of Abington, Mass., who had been preaching for three years at Plymouth, to supply their pulpit for one year, commencing the first Sabbath in August, 1859. After this term had ex- pired, they had become so attached to him as a preacher, and finding him to be a man of ability, he received a call June 12, 1861, to settle with them as their pastor; which
* On Monday evening following, a large number of the society and friends came together in the vestibule of the church, for the purpose of presenting him and his family tokens of their regard to them. A gold watch and one hundred dollars in money were presented to Mr. Couch, a silver goblet and a set of spoons to Mrs. Couch, and a splendid guitar to their daughter, Miss Harriet E. Couch, who had sung in their choir for many years.
From North Bridgewater, Rev. Mr. Couch removed to North Cambridge, Mass., where he received an invitation to preach. Here, also, the people had taken pos- session of the house he was to occupy, by stocking it well with a year's supply of provisions.
t Rev. Nathaniel B. Blanchard was born in Abington, Mass., July 26, 1827; graduated at Amherst College in 1853; completed his theological course at Bangor Theological Seminary in 1855; ordained to the Christian ministry at Edgartown, July 15, 1856; preached three years in the Pilgrim Church, Plymouth, Mass.
44
HISTORY OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
call he accepted, August 4, 1861, and was installed Sept. 18, 1861. The Council consisted of Rev. T. Stowe, of New Bedford, Rev. Henry B. Hooker, D. D., of Boston ; Rev. Jonas Perkins, D. D., of Braintree ; Rev. H. D. Walker, of Abington; Rev. Charles L. Mills, of the Porter Church in N. Bridgewater; Rev. Stephen G. Dodd, of East Randolph; Rev. James P. Terry, of South Weymouth. After the business meeting, and examination of the papers of the pastor-elect, the council proceeded to the ser- vices of installation, commencing at one and a half o'clock, P. M., with the following order of exercises: 1. Volun- tary ; 2. Reading of the Scriptures and Prayer, by Rev. Mr. Stowe; 3. Hymn; 4. Sermon, by Rev. Dr. Hooker, D. D .; 5. Installing Prayer, by Rev. Jonas Perkins, D. D .; 6. Anthem; 7. Charge to the Pastor, by Rev. H. D. Walker; 8. Right Hand of Fellowship, by Rev. Charles L. Mills; 9. Charge to the People, by Rev. S. G. Dodd; 10. Prayer, by Rev. J. P. Terry; 11. Hymn; 12. Benedic- tion, by the Pastor. The sermon on this occasion is said to have been an able and interesting exposition of the relations of the gospel of Christ to the human conscience, and the other services were of an interesting nature. Mr. Blanchard continued his labors of love to this people un- til the month of August, 1862, when, his health failing, he relinquished his labors for a season to travel, that he might recover. He was on his way to Plymouth, N. H., stopping at Concord, N. H .; became worse, and there died, August 7, 1862. His remains were brought to his church, where funer- al services were attended by Rev. H. D. Walker, of East Abington, August 9th; and afterwards his body was taken to Edgartown for burial.
At a meeting of the church, held soon after the funeral, the following resolutions were passed, expressive of their feelings at. his decease : -
45
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
Whereas Almighty God, by his inscrutable Providence, has removed from us our beloved pastor, Rev. Nathaniel B. Blanchard, by death, -
Resolved, That we are deeply sensible of the great loss we have sus- tained by being deprived of his instructive, faithful, earnest, and zealous ministrations ; that we received him as a man after God's own heart; that we loved him as our pastor and our friend ; and we would honor his mem- ory as that of ono endeared to us by the most holy associations.
Resolved, That in all the civil and social relations, while he sustained the dignity of his profession and sacred office, Mr. B., by the grace and ur- banity of his demeanor, won the respect and affectionate regard of all the members of the community in which he moved.
Resolved, That we heartily sympathize with his family in this the sad hour of their bereavement.
Resolved, That the foregoing resolutions be published in the " North Bridgewater Gazette," and also that a copy of the same be sent to the widow of the deceased.
HENRY HOWARD, Clerk.
MINISTRY OF REV. EDWARD L. CLARK.
After the decease of Rev. Mr. Blanchard, the pulpit was supplied by various ministers, among whom was Mr. Clark. At a meeting of the "First Congregational Church," held April 11, 1863, it was unanimously voted to give Mr. Edward L. Clark * a call to become their pastor; which call he ac- cepted, and was ordained Sept. 22, 1863. After a careful examination of the papers that had passed between Mr. Clark and the church and society, and finding them satis- factory, the council proceeded to examine the candidate, closely interrogating him in regard to his religious experi- ence, and becoming fully satisfied, "voted to proceed to the services of installation," which were in the following order : -
1. Introductory Prayer, by Rev. Charles W. Wood, of
* Rev. Edward L. Clark, was born in Nashua, N. H., Feb. 3, 1838 ; fitted for college at Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass .; graduated at Brown University, Providence, R. I., 1858 ; spent one year travelling through Egypt, Palestine, and other ancient places in the Holy Land; studied theology at Andover Theological Seminary; graduated 1862; was ordained as chaplain of the 12th Regiment Mas- sachusetts Volunteers, with whom he remained one year; afterward settled as pas- tor of the First Congregational Church in North Bridgewater, Sept. 22, 1863.
46
HISTORY OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
Campello ; 2. Reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. Ebenezer Douglas, Bridgewater ; 3. Singing 518th Hymn of the Psalmist ; 4. Sermon, by Rev. A. L. Stone, of Park Street Church, Boston ; 5. Anthem, by the Choir ; 6th. Installing Prayer, by Rev. Jonas Perkins, D. D., of Braintree ; 7. Charge to the Pastor, by Rev. J. Lewis Diman, of Brookline, Mass .; 8. Right Hand of Fellowship, by Rev. Samuel H. Lee, of the Porter Church; 9. Address to the People, by Rev. Paul Couch, of Jewett City, Conn. (their former pas- tor); 10. Concluding Prayer, by Rev. D. Temple Packard, of Somerville, Mass .; 11. Singing 117th Psalm; 12. Bene- diction, by the Pastor.
CHAPTER IV.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY-CONTINUED.
Second Congregational Church .- New Jerusalem Church .- South Congregational Church, Campello .- First Methodist Episcopal Church .- First Baptist Church .- Porter Evangelical Church .- Catholic Church .- First Universalist Church .- Quakers, or Friends .- Second Methodist Episcopal Church.
SECOND CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY.
D URING the year 1824, many of the members of the " First Congregational Church," under the pastoral 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 character of man, divinity and atonement of Christ, regeneration, and other kindred views of the gospel, peti- tioned the General Court to be incorporated into a separate society, which petition was granted in the following 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,
Zeba Thayer,
John Field,
Micah Packard,
Sihon Packard Jr.
Zophar Field,
David Cobb Jr.
Apollas Howard,
Austin Howard,
Nathan Hayward,
Welcome Howard,
Josiah W. Curtis,
Gideon Howard,
Caleb Howard Jr.
Richmond Carr,
David Packard,
Azor Packard,
Otis Howard, David Edson 3d,
Marcus Shaw,
Simeon Dunbar,
Jesse Packard,
Nathaniel H. Cross,
Luke P. Lincoln,
John Battles,
Joseph S. Packard,
Hiram Atherton,
Joseph D. Snell,
Thomas Reynolds, Azel Reynolds, Oliver Snell,
Nahum J. Smith,
Zenas Packard Jr.
Newton Shaw,
Isaac Snell,
Anthony S. Allen,
Stillman Willis, Silas Snow,
Jeremiah Snell,
47
48
HISTORY OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
Edwin Keith,
Silas Snow Jr.
James J. Sanders,
Washburn Packard,
John Curtis,
Daniel Bryant,
Asa Brett, Hosea Packard, Ara Battles,
Hervey Hersey,
Asa Shaw, Abijah Childs,
Samuel Thayer,
Samuel Packard,
Thomas White,
Samuel Howard,
William Curtis Jr.
Thomas White Jr.
Eliphalet Thayer,
Isaac Packard,
Arza Leonard, John White,
Oliver Snell Jr. Isaac Richards,
With their families and estates, together with such others as may hereafter associate with them, and their successors, be, and they are hereby incorpo- rated into a Society by the name of the " Second Congregational Society " in the town of North Bridgewater, with all the Powers, privileges, and im- munities which other religious societies in this Commonwealth are by law entitled to, and may purchase, receive by gift, or otherwise real estate to the value of which, Shall not exceed the sum of Eight Thousand Dollars. passed June 18, 1825.
Soon after this, a lot of land was purchased of Micah Faxon for a church. This was located on a rising spot of ground, south of the present public house, and near "King- man's Brick Block." A house was erected, which was dedi- cated August 9, 1826, with appropriate services, as follows : 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 Providence, 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 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 in- vitation to become their pastor, and his accepting of the same,
* Rev. John Goldsbury was born in Warwick, Mass., Feb. 11, 1795 ; fitted for college at different schools and academies, and under private instruction ; gradu- ated at Brown University in 1820 ; commenced the study of divinity at Harvard College in 1821, under Professors Ware, Norton, and Willard ; taught in Taun- ton Academy several years ; was ordained in North Bridgewater, Wednesday, June 6, 1827, where he remained till Sept. 4, 1831 ; now resides in Warwick, Mass.
NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH (First Edifice). Erected 1835.
NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH (Second Edifice). Erected 1856.
49
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
he was ordained Wednesday, June 6, 1827, with the follow- ing services : -
1. Introductory Prayer and Reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. J. P. B. Storer, of Walpole, 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 Por- ter, D. D., of Roxbury, Mass. ; 5. Right Hand of Fellow- ship, 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 Providence, 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 interest- ing and very judicious, dwelling at some length on the sim- plicity of the truth which the Christian teacher is required to inculcate. Among the many things noticed were the diffi- culties 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 obscure the plainest principles. The charge to the pastor, by 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.)
NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH.
THE knowledge of the " New Church " doctrines were in- troduced into this part of the country by the Rev. Holland Weeks, of Abington, Mass., who was dismissed from his 7
50
HISTORY OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
society in that town about the year 1820, for having be- come a believer in them, which circumstance created no small excitement at the time, and was the means of indu- cing some others to look into the subject, and to become believers themselves. The first society of receivers of the doctrines in this place was formed in 1827, and consisted of ten members ; namely, Sidney Perkins, Nathaniel B. Har- low, William French, Martin Beal, Jabez Field, John Field, of North Bridgewater, Isaiah Noyes, Daniel Noyes, Elisha Faxon, and Austin Cobb, of Abington. In 1828, the number had increased to twenty. During that year, a hall was fitted up in the house of Jabez Field, to hold public meetings. Rev. Eleazer Smith preached for them once a month, from 1827 to 1831, and afterwards every Sabbath, till 1834. In 1831, the hall owned by Major Nathan Hayward was occu- pied by the society for meetings, and, still later, the build- ing previously used by the Second Congregational Society, or better known as the "Unitarian meeting-house." Also, the hall over the hotel then kept by Edward E. Bennett. In 1832, the society petitioned the legislature for an act of incorporation as a religious society, which was granted, as may be seen by the following act, dated March 3, 1832, and styled -
THE FIRST SOCIETY OF THE NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH IN NORTH BRIDGE- WATER.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court Assembled, and by authority of the Same,
That Jabez Field, Lucius Field, James A. Tolman, Ruel Richmond, Robert Stoddard, Nahum Smith, Rufus Dorr, Orville Handy, Winslow B. Cushman, James Humphrey, Wmn. French, Ephraim Howard, Josiah Pack- ard, Charles Howard, Nathaniel B. Harlow, Lyman Clark, Sidney Perkins, Eleazer Smith, John Field, Sanford Brett, Samuel Howard, Marcus Shaw, William Faxon, John Ide, and Arnold Hunt, together with those who have associated, or may hercafter associate with them, or their Successors, for the purpose of public worship, be, and they hereby are incorporated into a religious Society by the name of the " First Society of the New Jerusalem
51
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
Church " in the town of North Bridgewater, with all the powers and privi- leges and subject to all the duties and liabilities of Parishes, according to the Constitution and Laws of this Commonwealth.
" Be it further enacted," That the said Society shall be capable in Law to purchase, hold, and dispose of any estate, either real or personal, not ex- cccding the Sum of Twenty Thousand Dollars, for the Support of public Worship and for other lawful Parochial purposes.
The first meeting held under the provisions of the above acts was hield April 5, 1832, at the house of Jabez Field, at which William French was chosen moderator; Lyman Clark, clerk and treasurer; Jabez Field, collector ; John Field, Na- thaniel B. Harlow, and Marcus Shaw, prudential committee. In August, 1834, Rev. Haskell M. Carll was invited to preach to the society, which he continued to do about three years. On the 7th of December, 1834, he organized a church in the society. Soon after, in September, 1835, the building of the first house of worship in the town, of that denomina- tion, was commenced, and was dedicated on Saturday, Jan- uary 16, 1836. There were present at the dedication Rev. H. M. Carll, the pastor of the society ; Rev. Thomas Worces- ter, of Boston; Rev. Adonis Howard, of East Bridgewater. The dedicatory service was read by Rev. Mr. Carll. Ser- mon, by Rev. T. Worcester ; Reading of the Word, by Rev. Adonis Howard. Mr. Carll left the society in the fall of 1837, and Rev. Warren Goddard,* the present pastor, com- menced preaching for them October 14, 1838; and January of the next year, 1839, an invitation was extended to him to settle with them as their pastor. This call he accepted, and he was ordained the 19th of September, 1839. The follow- ing are the
* Rev. Warren Goddard was born in Portsmouth, N. H., Sept. 2, 1800. Fitted for college at Portsmouth Academy; graduated at Harvard University,. Aug., 1818; studied theology with Rev. T. M. Harris, of Dorchester, Mass .; afterward pursued the study of law with Hon. John Reed, of Yarmouth, Mass .; admitted to the bar, in Barnstable County, Mass .; practised law two years in Barnstable, and one in Boston, in connection with Professor Parsons ; installed at N. Bridgewater in 1839.
52
HISTORY OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER
DOCTRINES OF CHARITY AND FAITHI.
1. That God is one in essence, and in person, that from love towards men, be assumed humanity and glorified it, and that he thus became God with ns, the Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ.
2. That the word is divine Truth proceeding from the Lord; that it was written by inspiration, and is adapted to all the various states of Angels and men, and that thus it is the divine Medium by which men are consociated with Angels and by which men and Angels are conjoined with the lord.
3. That the Lord alone is the Source of Genuine life, the precepts of which are the ten Commandments ; that these precepts are to be obeyed by man as of himself, with the acknowledgment that the will and power to do them are of the Lord alone. And thus that men are regenerated and Saved by the Lord, by means of a life according to his precepts.
The first house of worship was fifty-eight feet in length, forty feet in width, and twenty feet high ; spire sixty-five feet high ; painted white, with green blinds. The interior contained fifty-two pews, beside a neat, plain pulpit, and a small choir-gallery. The building was situated on land purchased of Sidney Perkins, the building and land costing about three thousand dollars.
This society worshipped in the old house above described until the dedication of another house, which had been built to suit the wants of the growing society, and which took place January 22, 1857. The services commenced about ten o'clock in the forenoon, and were conducted by the pastor, Rev. Mr. Goddard, and were of a deeply impressive character, well fitted to bring the hearer into a state recep- tive of his love who desires our offerings, " to the end that he may more abundantly enrich us with spiritual blessings." The weather was such on that day, so very severe, that but few, comparatively, were present, and those mostly from the people of the town. The services were reading of the Psalm 122, followed by a chanting from an appropriate se- lection (No. 80, Psalm 84). After which Psalm 132 and others were read responsively by both pastor and people the people of the society standing, mostly in front of the desk, and responding as an act on their part of offering up
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.