History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 129

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1706

USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 129

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MINISTRY OF REV. CHARLES L. MILLS .- Vari- ous ministers supplied the pulpit, among whom were Rev. Hubbard Beebe, of South Wilbraham, Mass., and Rev. Edwin P. Wright, of Ackworth, N. H., after which the church and society united in giving 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 mecting-house of the Porter Evan- gelical Church, on the 11th day of August, 1852, at nine o'clock A.M., for the purpose of installing Rev. Mr. Mills, viz. :

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.

Winnisimet Church of Chelsea : Rev. I. P. Lang- worthy, pastor ; Charles B. Wilder, delegate.

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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

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, delegate.

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-elect, the council voted unani- mously that they would proceed to the services of installation in the following order :

1, reading of the minutes of the council, by the scribe ; 2, invocation and reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. Abel K. Packard, of Yarmouth, Mass. (now of Anoka, Minn.) : 3, introductory prayer, by Rev. J. P. Terry. of South Weymouth ; 4, sermon, by Rev. Richard S. Storrs, D.D., of Braintree ; 5, in- stalling prayer, by Rev. James W. Ward, of Abing- ton ; 6, charge to the pastor, by Rev. Luther Shel- don, D.D., of Easton; 7, right hand of fellowship, by Rev. Daniel Butler, of Westboro', Mass. ; 8, hymn,-

" He that goeth forth with weeping, Bearing still the precious seed, Never tiring, never sleeping, All bis 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, Thon mayet 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 (their former pastor); 11, benedictiou, by the pastor.

Rev. Mr. Mills preached to this people until Feb. 18, 1862, when he was dismissed.

Rev. Charles L. Mills was born in Morristown, N. J., Aug. 11, 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 - i or more, and in 1852 was called to settle as pastor of the Porter Evangelieal 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 Congregational Church, Feb. 10, 1863. He married, first, Elizabeth, daughter of Deacon Wil- liam 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 was accepted.

A council, consisting of the following churches, was called to advise in reference to the ordination of Rev. Samuel H. Lee, Sept. 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, pas- tor ; 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. Ed- wards, pastor ; William 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 Dickerson, pastor ; J. W. Loud, delegate.

First Church, North Bridgewater: John W. King- man, delegate.

Third Church, Abington : Rev. H. D. Walker, pastor ; H. H. Burrill, delegate.

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Union Church, East Bridgewater : Rev. N. H. Broughtou, pastor.

Evangelical Church, Hingham : Rev. E. Porter Dyer, pastor ; Caleb S. Hunt, delegate.

Congregational Church, Houston : Rev. Benjamin Southworth, pastor.

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 crc- dentials, and finding them satisfactory, the order of exercises at the installation was as follows: 1, in- vocation 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 pastor, by Rev. Richard S. Storrs, D.D., of Brain- tree ; 6, right hand of fellowship, by Rev. Charles W. Wood, of Campello ; 7, address to the people, by Rev. David Temple Paekard, of Somerville ; 8, concluding prayer, by Rev. F. R. Abbe, of Abington ; 9, benedietion, by the pastor.

On the 8th of February, 1866, Mr. Lee sent in his resignation to the church, who united with him in ealling 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: Rcv. Edward L. Clark, pastor; Deaeon John W. King- man, delegate.

South Congregational Church of Campello : Rev. Charles W. Wood, pastor ; Deaeon S. Franklin Paek- ard, delegate.

Trinitarian Congregational Church of Bridgewater : Rev. E. Douglas, pastor; Deacon Abiel Bassett, del- egate.

First Church of Abington : Rev. F. R. Abbe, pastor ; Deaeon 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. Broughton, pastor.

Union Church, South Weymouth : Rev. S. H. Hayes, pastor; I. S. Cobb, delegate.

Rev. J. P. 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., Dee. 21, 1832 ; fitted for college at Williston Semi-

nary, East Hampton, Mass. ; entered Yale College, 1854; gradnated in 1858; graduated at the Normal Sehool, 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 Evangelical Church in North Bridgewater in 1862, where he was ordained Sept. 17, 1862.

MINISTRY OF REV. JOHN V. HILTON .- Jan. 31, 1867, a eall was extended to Rev. John V. Hil- ton to settle as their pastor, which was declined. Various ministers were heard till Mareh 22, 1869, at which date Rev. Charles M. Lamson was in- vited to settle with them in the gospel ministry, the eall being unanimous. This eall was accepted and Mr. Lamson was duly installed. Pursuant to letters missive from the Porter Evangelical Church, an ee- elesiastical couneil was convened in the meeting-house of said church on Thursday, Aug. 5, 1869, at 9.30 o'clock A.M., as follows :

First Congregational Church of Broekton : Rev. H. A. Stevens, pastor ; Deacon Joel T. Paekard, delegate.

South Congregational Church of Campello : Rev. Charles W. Wood, pastor ; Deacon S. Franklin Pack- ard, delegate.

Union Chureli of East and West Bridgewater : Rev. J. P. Aldrich, pastor; Luther Richards, dele- gate.

Trinitarian Church of Bridgewater : Lewis S. Hop- kins, delegate.

Second Church of Abington : Rev. W. F. Ober, A. P. ; Samuel Blake, delegate.

First Church of Randolph : Ebenezer Alden, M.D., delegate.

Winthrop Clinreh of Holbrook: Rev. Ezekiel Russell, pastor ; Elisha N. Holbrook, delegate.

First Church of Stoughton : Rev. Thomas Wilson, pastor ; Deacon Ebenezer Draker, delegate.

Evangelieal Congregational Church of Brighton : Rev. David Temple Paekard, pastor.

Village Church of Dorehester : Rev. H. M. Ten- ney, pastor; John A. Tueker, delegate.

Second Congregational Church of Hadley : Rev. W. H. Beman, pastor; Benjamin Adams, delegate.

North Congregational Church of New Bedford : Rev. Alonzo H. Quint, pastor ; Deaeon John Bryant, delegate.

Highland Church of Boston : Rev. Charles L. Mills, pastor ; Deaeon Samuel W. Hall, delegate.

Rev. Abel Kingman Paekard, of Anoka, Minn. Rev. W. S. Tyler, D. D., of Amherst, Mass.

The council organized with Rev. Charles W.

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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

Wood moderator, and Rev. H. M. Tenney as scribe, and the following order of exercises were arranged, viz. : 1, voluntary ; 2. introductory exercises, Rev. H. M. Tenney ; 3. anthem ; 4, sermon, by Rev. W. S. Tyler. D.D .; 5. anthem ; 6, ordaining prayer, by Rev. W. H. Beman ; 7. charge to the pastor. by Rev. Alonzo H. Quint. D.D .; 8, hymn ; 9, right hand of fellowship. by Rev. Henry A. Stevens; 10, address to the people. by Rev. Charles L. Mills ; 11, anthem ; . 12, benediction. by the pastor.

MINISTRY OF REV. ROBERT G. S. McNEILLE .- Several ministers were heard till April 1, 1872, at which time it was voted " that we extend a call to Rev. Robert G. S. McNeille. of New Haven, Conn., to become our pastor." This call was accepted, and a council was called April 25, 1872, at three o'clock P. M.

The roll of the council consisted of the following churches represented :

Shawmut Church of Boston : Rev. E. B. Webb, D.D., pastor ; Alvah White, delegate.

First Congregational Church of Brooklyn : Rev. H. A. Stevens, pastor ; Jonathan White, delegate.

First Church of Stoughton : Rev. Thomas Wilson, pastor ; Samuel Clapp, delegate.

Second Church of Weymouth : Rev. George F. Stanton, pastor.

Union Church of East and West Bridgewater : Rev. Austin Dodge, pastor.

First Church of Abington : Rev. George E. Free- man, pastor ; Deacon H. A. Noyes, delegate.

Central Square Church of Bridgewater : Rev. Hor- ace D. Walker. pastor; H. D. Sanford, delegate.

North Church of New Haven, Conn. : Rev. Edward L. Clark, pastor.

East Church of New Haven, Conn. : Charles Wil- son, delegate.

South Congregational Church of Campello : Rev. Charles W. Wood, pastor ; Ziba C. Keith, delegate.

After the usual examination of the candidate, and everything found satisfactory, the following order of exercises were arranged, viz. :

1, reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. Heman Packard DeForest ; 2, prayer, by Rev. Thomas Wilson; 3, sermon, by Rev. Edward L. Clark ; 4, installing prayer, by Rev. Charles W. Wood ; 5, charge to pastor, by Rev. E. B. Webb, D.D .; 6, right hand of fellowship, by Rev. H. A. Stevens; 7, address to the people, by Rev. Horace D. Walker ; 8, benediction, by the pastor.

Rev. Edwin B. Webb, D.D., moderator; Rev. George E. Freeman, scribe.

Nov. 15, 1877, Mr. McNeille tendered his resig- nation as pastor of the church, and a mutual council

was held to advise in the matter of dismissal, consist- ing of the following persons :

First Congregational Church of Brockton : Rev. E. P. McElroy, pastor ; Deacon Joseph S. Smith, delegate.

First Congregational Church of Stoughton : Rev. John Herbert, pastor ; Deacon Ebenczer Drake, dele- gate.

First Congregational Church of Abington : Rev. George E. Freeman, pastor.

First Congregational Church of Randolph : Rev. J. C. Larrabee, pastor ; Deacon O. H. Leach, delegate.

South Congregational Church of Campello : Rev. L. S. Woodworth, pastor.

The council organized by the choice of Rev. George E. Freeman moderator, and Rev. L. S. Woodworth as scribe. The resignation was read, and all parties interested were heard, and the council advised " that the pastoral relation to this church cease," as follows :

" Having heard Rev. R. G. S. McNeille's letter of resigna- tion read, and also the action of the church and parish accept- ing the same, we hereby as a council adjudge the action to be orderly, and advise that Bro. MeNeille's pastoral relation to this church hereby cease. And in coming to this conclusion, we with pleasure bear witness to Bro. McNeille's high abilities as a preacher, to his genial social qualities, which have secured for him a warm place in the hearts of his friends and associates in the ministry, and have given him a strong hold upon this church and community, and also to the peace and prosperity which have attended his ministry here.

"We heartily commend him to the field of his future labors, and trust that there he will prove himself a good minister of Jesus Christ and be eminently successful in the edifying of the church and in the salvation of souls.

" We tender our sympathies to the church in the dissolution of the pastoral relation, and pray that the Great Head of the church may soon fill this vacant place with a teacher and guide who will lead this people on to future peace and prosperity, and to great success in advancing the kingdom of Christ in this place."

The council then dissolved.

MINISTRY OF REV. Z. T. SULLIVAN .- On the Ist day of April, 1878, the following vote was passed by the church : " Voted, unanimously, that we ex- tend a call to Rev. Z. T. Sullivan, of New Bedford, Mass., to become pastor of this church."

The call was accepted April 15th, and a council met on the 2d day of May, 1878, for the purpose of in- stalling Mr. Sullivan. The churches represented were as follows :

First Church of Abington : Rev. George E. Free- man, pastor ; Deacon J. L. Nash, delegate.

Maverick Church of Boston : Rev. John V. Hilton, pastor ; F. E. Dimmock, delegate.

First Congregational Church of Easton : Rev. L. H. Sheldon, pastor ; Luke S. Greenleaf, delegate.

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

South Congregational Church of Campello : Rev. L. S. Woodworth, pastor; Josiah W. Kingman, dele- gate.

Trinitarian Church of New Bedford : Rev. M. C. Julien, pastor.

North Church of New Bedford : Rev. A. H. Heath, pastor; Deacon Zachariah Sturtevant, dele- gate.

First Congregational Church of Brockton : Rev. H. L. Kelsey, pastor; Jonathan White, delegate.

Winthrop Church of Holbrook : Deacon Newton White, delegate.

Second Congregational Church of South Abing- ton : Rev. Frank I. Tompkins, pastor; Martin S. Stetson, delegate.

Union Church of East and West Bridgewater : Rev. D. W. Richardson, pastor; James S. Allen, delegate.

First Congregational Church of Stoughton : Rev. John Herbert, pastor; Deacon Nathaniel Gay, delc- gate.

First Congregational Church of Randolph : Rev. J. C. Larrabee, pastor; George H. Wilkins, delegate.

Second Congregational Church of South Wey- mouth : Rev. George F. Stanton. pastor; William Dyer, delegate.

Central Square Church of Bridgewater: Rev. Horace D. Walker, pastor ; Deacon H. D. Sanford, delegate.

Salem Square Church of Worcester: Rev. Charles M. Lamson, pastor ; Rev. Alonzo H. Quint, D.D.

The council was organized by the choice of Rev. George H. Freeman, moderator; Rev. Horace D. Walker, scribe. After the usual examination of the candidate, and his reasons for changing his pastoral relations, the council advised his settlement, and assigned the various parts of the installation services, as follows :

1, invocation and Scripture lesson, by Rev. John Herbert ; 2, sermon, by Rev. Alonzo H. Quint, D.D. ; 3, installing prayer, by Rev. M. C. Julien ; 4, charge to the pastor, by Rev. A. H. Heath ; 5, right hand of fellowship, by Rev. H. L. Kelsey ; 6, address to the people, by Rev. Charles M. Lamson ; 7, conclud- ing prayer, by Rev. L. S. Woodworth.

May 28, 1881, Rev. Mr. Sullivan sent his resigna- tion to the church, with a request that the pastoral relation between him and the church should terminate July 1, 1881. Accordingly a council was called to take action in the matter of his dismission, repre- sented by the following churches, viz. :

First Congregational Church of Brockton: J. R. Perkins, delegate.

South Congregational Church of Campello : Deacon George Sawyer, delegate.

First Congregational Church of Randolph : Deacon Joseph Graham, delegate.

Central Square Church of Bridgewater : Rev. J. C. Bodwell, pastor; Deacon Abiel Bassett, delegate.

First Congregational Church of Stoughton : Rev. D. O. Clark, pastor ; Deacon E. M. Morton, delegate.

The above persons convened in the Porter Church on the 28th day of June, 1881, agreeably to the request of pastor and church, and organized by the choice of Rev. J. C. Bodwell moderator, and Rev. D. O. Clark as scribe.

The council, after listening to the above represen- tations, voted unanimously to confirm the doings of the church and society, and agreed to the following resolution :

"WHEREAS, in the providence of God it has become neces- sary, on account of loss of health, for Rev. Z. T. Sullivan, pas- tor of the Porter Evangelical Church and society of Brockton, to discontinue his ministerial labors, and to tender his resigna- tion of the pastorate; and whereas, the Porter Church and soci- ety have accepted his resignation ;

" Resolved, That this council hereby approves of the action taken by pastor and church, and advises the dissolution of the existing pastoral relation. We desire to say furtber that we accede to the termination of this relation with deep regret. We deeply sympathize with Bro. Sullivan in the affliction that has befallen him, and praying that he may be restored to health by a change of residence, commend him to the churches as a faith- ful and able minister of our Lord Jesus Christ. We extend also to the Porter Church and people our sympathy in the loss of the pastor for whom they have testified so much love, and trust that in His own good time the Lord may send them an- other to be their spiritual guide.

" J. C. BODWELL, Moderator.

"D. O. CLARK, Scribe."

MINISTRY OF REV. F. A. WARFIELD .- On the 31st day of January, 1882, the church "voted, that we extend a call to Rev. F. A. Warfield, of Boston, to become Pastor of this church." This call was ac- cepted by letter from Mr. Warfield, March 7, 1882. A council was held in the Porter Evangelical Church of Brockton on Tuesday, March 28th, at three o'clock P.M., for the purpose of installing the pastor-elect. The following churches were represented, viz. :

First Congregational Church of Brockton : Rev. H. L. Kelsey, pastor ; Dr. S. J. Gruver, delegate.

South Congregational Church of Campello : Rev. John T. Blades, pastor.

Central Square Church of Bridgewater: Deacon Levi Walker, delegate.

Union Church of East and West Bridgewater : Rev. P. M. Griffin, pastor ; John C. Gates, delegate.

First Congregational Church of Randolph : Rev. J. C. Larrabee, pastor; A. W. Whitcomb, delegate.

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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

619

Winthrop Church of Holbrook : Rev. H. A. Lor- ing. pastor ; E. Everett Holbrook, delegate.

First Congregational Church, Stoughton : Rev. D. O. Clark, pastor : H. W. Darling, delegate.

First Congregational Church of Abington : Rev. R. W. Haskins, pastor ; Deacon John A. King, del- egate.

Second Congregational Church of South Abington : Rev. B. M. Frink, pastor ; Deacon Luke Noyes, dele- gate.

Congregational Church of Rockland : Rev. L. Z. Ferris, pastor ; J. S. Smith, delegate.

First Congregational Church of Easton : Rev. W. H. Dowden, pastor ; A. C. Heath, delegate.

Phillip's Congregational Church of Boston : Rev. R. R. Meredith, pastor ; William Gallagher, Jr., delegate.

Union Church of Boston : Deacon W. W. Whit- comb, delegate.

Trinitarian Church of Taunton: Rev. Heman Packard DeForest, pastor ; Elijah E. Richards, del- egate.

Congregational Church of Assonet : Rev. George F. Walker, pastor ; Deacon Thomas G. Nichols, del- egate.

Prospect Hill Church of Somerville : Rev. A. E. Winship, pastor ; Alvin L. Lovejoy, delegate.

Second Congregational Church of Bridgeport, Conn. : Rev. R. G. S. McNeille, pastor ; Frederick Truber. delegate.

Rev. H. L. Kelsey was chosen moderator of the council. and William Gallagher, Jr., as scribc.

The examination of the pastor-elect having been declared satisfactory, the council assigned the follow- ing as the order of services at the installation held at seven o'clock P.M., March 28th, viz. : 1, reading of the minutes of the council, by the scribe ; 2, invocation and Scripture lesson, by Rev. H. L. Kelscy ; 3, ser- mon, by Rev. R. R. Meredith ; 4, installing prayer, by Rev. J. C. Larrabee ; 5. charge to the pastor, by Rev. Heman Packard DeForest; 6, right hand of fellowship, by Rev. John T. Blades; 7, address to the people, by Rev. R. G. S. McNeille ; 8, concluding prayer, by Rev. H. A. Loring.

Number of members at the time of organization of the church was ninety-five.

The deacons of the Porter Evangelical Church from its organization have been as follows: Simeon Packard, March 19, 1850; Elbridge H. Packard, March 19, 1850; Henry W. Robinson, April 29, 1864; Augustus T. Jones, April 29, 1864 (resigned Jan. 18, 1866); George H. Cushman, March 1, 1866 (resigned Jan. 29, 1869); Samuel W. S. Howard,

Jan. 19, 1865; George C. Cary, Jan. 21, 1869; Huram Wade, Jan. 29, 1874 ; Edmund W. Holmes, Jan. 29, 1874; Joseph L. Smith, Feb. 15, 1883.

The following is a list of the clerks of Porter Evangelical Church from its organization : David Howard, March 19, 1850 ; Samuel W. S. Howard, Jan. 16, 1862 ; George C. Cary, Jan. 15, 1874, who is the present incumbent.

Porter Evangelical Society .- This ecclesiastical society was legally organized March 20, 1850, and a committee, consisting of Simeon Leach, David How- ard, and Edwin H. Kingman were chosen to select a lot of land, and procure plans for a house, who were subsequently authorized to purchase a lot and procccd with the building. The lot on which the edifice now stands was purchased of the late Silas Packard, Esq., for the sum of one thousand dollars, and contains about eighty-four square rods, having a front on Main Street of seven rods, with a depth of twelve rods. The house is situated between the residence of the late Silas Packard, Esq., and that of Franklin Ames, Esq., and but a short distance north of the First Church. The plans of this building were drawn by Messrs. Melvin and Young, of Boston, and the build- ing is sixty feet wide, eighty-eight feet in length, with twenty feet posts, with a spire one hundred and sev- enty-five feet in height. The house has ninety pews on the main floor, besides the front seat, which is held free ; has twenty-four pows in the side- galleries, with seats for sixty persons in the choir-gallery, in front of the organ. There is a large and commodious basement, finished into three rooms, the largest being used as a chapel, which is forty-three feet by fifty- eight, and eleven feet high. Mr. Joseph Sanger, of Watertown, was the contractor, who furnished all the material (excepting foundation and brick work for the basement), for the sum of seven thousand nine hun- dred and thirty-seven dollars. The house was raised about the 1st of August, 1850, and so far completed that the chapel was first used for public worship Sun- day, Oct. 13, 1850.

DEDICATION OF THE FIRST MEETING-HOUSE .- The house was completed and dedicated Jan. 9, 1851, with the following order of exercises : 1, voluntary ; 2, invocation ; 3, chant,-" I was glad," etc. ; 4, intro- ductory prayer ; 5, hymn, by a member of the Porter Church,-

" From thy high throne, Eternal King, Oh listen, while thy children sing ; And tune our hearts to lofty praise, As we the joyful anthem raise.

" But will the great Jehovah hear Our humble song, our fervent prayer ?

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Will he within his temple meet His children, bowing at his feet?

"Yes, in this house, ' Thus saith tho Lord,' I'll magnify my holy word ; And sinners, humbled in the dust, Shall learn my holy name to trust.

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History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 129

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 1706

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1706