USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Winchendon > History of the town of Winchendon (Worcester County, Mass.) from the grant of Ipswich Canada, in 1735, to the present time > Part 17
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This committee reported on the 9th of March, and from the tenor of their report it is clear that the candidate would not agree to settle on their proposal as to time-" as long as they-shall agree ;" because, after hearing the report, it was voted not to accept it. Then the last clause of the report was erased. After the " erasement," the report was accepted. Probably the committee agreed with Mr. Pillsbury, in inserting other words, given below, and that the town rejected them. Then the committee were directed to see Mr. Pillsbury " to see if he will accept the same ; that is, their terms-and if he will not, to agree with him, if they can, and report to the town." By the proceedings at the next meeting, March 16, it appears that the town agreed to Mr. Pillsbury's terms. " Voted to give Mr. Levi Pillsbury 400 dollars for his annual salary so long as he shall continue to be our public teacher of piety, religion and morality, the said Mr. Pillsbury relinquishing all claims to ministerial lands and rents belonging to said town."
Mr. Pillsbury was ordained on the 24th day of June, in preparation for which ceremony, the town made arrangements by the choice of ap- propriate committees. The Selectmen were to make provision for the ordaining Council, and a committee of six were to " superintend the or- ders of the day of ordination." These were Messrs. Thomas Graton, Ben- jamin Wilder, Benjamin Hubbard, Mason Spooner, Ephraim Murdock and Abel Jones. One hundred dollars were granted for the necessary
*Pilsberry was his way of spelling his name, but in deference to the wishes of some of his descendants, it will be given hereafter as Pillsbury, according to their mode.
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
charges of the ordination ; and then the two committees were directed "jointly to examine the meeting-house before the ordination, to see if it is sufficient for the ordination day."
1802, January 5. The town voted " to paint the meeting-house, next season, a bright stone color."
1803, April 4. It was voted " to purchase a Great Bible for the pulpit." Rev. Mr. Pillsbury, with Dea. Hale and Esq. Crosby were the committee to purchase.
November 21. The town voted to pass over an article in the warrant about a petition of " some inhabitants of the town, to the General Court, for incorporation as a Baptist Society." A wise conclusion not to meddle.
1804, March 5. Nathaniel Holman, Paul Raymond and Thomas Greenwood were chosen to " lay out 50 dollars" for a singing-school.
1806, November 3. Voted to "shorten the intermission on Sundays to one hour thro' the year."
SECTION 7 .- THE MINISTER'S POLITICS.
The town was strongly federal in its political views and party con- nections, the candidate of the federal party for the office of Governor sometimes receiving every vote, and always a large majority. Mr. Pillsbury was a republican, which term in those days denoted a sup- porter of Mr. Jefferson and his principles. This difference of opinion led to some alienation between the minister and his people, and an at- tempt was made in 1807, to bring about a dissolution of the pastoral relation. At a meeting on the 4th of May, a committee was chosen " to converse with the Rev. Levi Pillsbury, to come into some method in order for an accommodation concerning difficulties that have arisen between him and the inhabitants of the town." Messrs. Hananiah Whitney, Paul Raymond, J. B. Woodbury, Thomas Graton and De- sire Tolman, were the committee. Then the following motion was put and accepted, as the vote is recorded ; there being 33 yeas, and 28 nays.
" Lamenting the unhappy difficulties that have arisen in this town respect- ing the utility of retaining the Rev. Levi Pillsbury in this place, as a teacher of piety, religion and morality, but believing that they are of such a nature that it will be for the interest of each party to have a separation of the minis- terial relation take place upon ecclesiastical principles, without any inquiry
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
into character, 'tis moved and seconded that the committee chosen to talk with him, wait on him and see on what terms he will dissolve said ministerial relation, and report his answer at the adjournment of this meeting."
At a subsequent meeting on the 15th of June, Mr. Pillsbury's written answer was sent in and read in town meeting. This is not on record. There was another meeting on the 29th of June, when the question was
" To take the sense of the inhabitants of the town, whether in their opin- ion, the Rev. Levi Pillsbury's usefulness as a teacher of piety, religion and morality, be at an end in this place or not, and whether they are willing to grant him any farther support as a teacher thereof; and, to see if the town will choose a committee to use all legal means to bring about a separation between the Rev. Levi Pillsbury and the town."
The article was divided, and the town voted that their minister's usefulness was not at an end, by a vote of 51 to 44. It was then voted to grant Mr. Pillsbury further support, and the proposition for a com- mittee was passed over. This matter rested for several years, the ma- jority not thinking it profitable to have another quarrel with their set- tled minister.
In 1810, a sum of money was granted for the support of a singing school, any inhabitant of the town being free to attend. In 1811, the Selectmen were authorized to " repair the meeting-house as they think best." -
In 1814, March 7, at the annual town meeting, the feelings of a portion of the town in regard to the politics of the minister, were again manifested. For though no cause of displeasure was expressed, it is well known that a difference of sentiment on public questions was at the bottom of the movement. Mr. Pillsbury sustained the administra- tion in declaring war against Great Britain, while a large majority of the voters supported Gov. Caleb Strong in his strenuous opposition to the policy of the general government. There was an article in the war- rant to see " whether any alteration can be made which will render the preaching of the Gospel in this town more useful." The action taken, while it avoided a struggle with the minister, was probably considered as an implied censure of his course, while it conveyed a wholesome piece of advice to his opponents. It was as follows:
" Voted as the sense of this town, that the most effectual means of making the preaching of the gospel useful in this place, will be for each individual to
19
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
attend more strictly to the duties it enjoins, to follow the precepts it contains, and by using that Christian charity inculcated thereby, may teach its enemies that however Christians may disagree in minor subjects, yet as brethren of the same family, they can dwell together in unity. Voted that it be recommend- ed to the preacher to abstain from disseminating from the pulpit those princi- ples which are not contained in the gospel."
There was no pretense that Mr. Pillsbury inculcated principles con- trary to the gospel, for he was eminently sound in the Orthodox faith. By " those principles which are not contained in the gospel," the town probably meant the political sentiments of Messrs. Jefferson, Madison and others of that school of politicians. After this the minister was not molested by any movement of the same kind till his decease. The town respected him, and cheerfully paid his annual salary.
May 2, " Voted and granted $15 for the purpose of purchasing sing- ing books for the use of the singers."
1815, March 6. " Granted $40 for the use of singing, and exempt the Methodists from paying their part." Probably they had a school of their own in the northwest part of the town.
SECTION 7 .- THE STEEPLE AND BELL.
It was voted at a meeting held on the 11th of September, " to make the ground where the body seats are on the lower floor in the meeting- house, into pews for the purpose of building a tower." By this it will be understood that a portion of the central part of the meeting-house had never been filled with pews.
A committee was raised at this meeting, who reported on the 7th of November as follows :
" The committee chosen by the town to take into consideration the expedi- ency of selling any ground in the meeting-house, and also the expediency of building a tower, cupola, or steeple, with receiving such proposals as may be made for building the same, report, that having attended to an examination of the meeting-house, they are of opinion that there may be six pews on the lower floor, and have the front seats entire, as appears by the plan ; and are of opinion that they will fetch six hundred dollars when built. They are al- so of opinion that there may be four pews built in each side gallery, and have all the seats as far north as the stairway, and the first seat north of that, as appears by the plan, which will probably fetch two hundred dollars when fin- ished. And they are of opinion that the expense of building the pews will
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
amount to one hundred dollars, leaving to be disposed of by the town, the sum of seven hundred dollars. They farther report that they have received sun- dry proposals for erecting a tower, cupola or steeple, agreeable to the annexed plan. One is, that it may be built for seven hundred dollars ; and another. that it may be built for the pew ground as is laid out in the annexed plans. on condition that they may build the pews this fall, and complete the tower, cupola or steeple the next season. They therefore report that it is expedient to sell the pew ground in the annexed plans, and erect a tower and cupola, or steeple, with the proceeds thereof. They are much induced to this from the very liberal subscription which is made by sundry inhabitants for a bell which is herewith submitted.
EPHRAIM MURDOCK, JOSEPH WYMAN,
ISAAC MORSE, MOSES HALE, JR.,
BENJ. ADAMS, ISRAEL WHITCOMB,
SAM'L NOYES, Committee."
The above plan was adopted by the town, and carried into effect. Later in the season a committee was appointed, consisting of Lt. Paul Raymond, Mr. Ephraim Murdock and Lt. Isaac Morse, to see to the repairing of the meeting-house ; and on the 4th of November a meet- ing was held, when, under the articles to see what measures the town will take respecting the acceptance of the bell and belfry, and to see if the town will choose a committee to convey the pews recently built to. Capt. Phinehas Whitney, the following proceedings took place.
" To the inhabitants of the town of Winchendon, in town meeting assent- Died :
At a meeting of the subscribers for the purchase of a church bell, designed for the use of the Congregational Society in said Winchendon, held in Win- chendon, in October, 1816, Voted to choose a committee to present the bell. in behalf of the proprietors. to the town of Winchendon, on the conditions which will appear in the representations to the town hereunder written. Chose Horatio Gates Newcomb, Ephraim Murdock, and Isaac Morse, a committee for the aforesaid purpose.
HORATIO G. NEWCOMB, Clerk."
The conditions are given in the following paper, with a list of the names of subscribers.
" Certain individuals, inhabitants of the town of Winchendon, whose names are hereunto annexed, beg leave respectfully to represent to the town, by their committee, that having purchased a church bell by subscription, suitable for, and to be used at the Congregational meeting-house in said town, are desirous
ยท 180
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
to present the same to said town, for their use and benefit, on the following conditions : that the town accept the same, keep it in good and sufficient re- pair, cause it to be rung and tolled at the usual and customary times, and in a suitable and devout manner ; and that they will cause, by their vote, this rep- resentation of the said subscribers, by their committee, together with the names of the subscribers who have purchased by their liberality, the said Church bell, with the sum that each individual has given therefor, to be entered and en- rolled on the records of the said town, that the same may stand as a perpetu- al monument and testimony of the deed,-that it may be known from view of the records of the town, at whose expense, and in what manner the Church bell of Winchendon was obtained.
The following are the names of the persons who by subscription, purchased and hung the church bell of this town, and the sum annexed to each name is the amount given by the subscriber therefor.
NAMES.
Capt. Phinehas Whitney,
$51 00 | Mr. Jacob Woodberry, 2 00
Col. Benj. Adams,
50 00
" Luke Wilder, 2 00
Dr. Israel Whiton,
50 00
John Flint, 2d, 1 00
Lieut. Isaac Morse,
25 00
Jacob Wales, Jr.,
3 00
Mr. Ephraim Murdock,
20 00
" Charles Tolman,
2 50
Mr. Amasa Whitney,
20 00
" Samuel Steel,
2 75
Mr. Joseph Jewett,
20 00
" Stephen Beals,
1 00
Rev. Levi Pillsbury,
12 00
Capt. Joseph Robbins,
2 00
Mr. Joseph Wyman,
7 00
Mr. John Brooks,
2 00
Horatio G. Newcomb, Esq.,
6 00
Capt. Benj. Wilder,
3 00
Moses Hale, Jr., Esq.,
5 00
Mr. Jewett B. Darling,
2 33
Capt. Israel Whitcomb,
5 00
" George Heywood,
1 00
Dr. Wm. H. Cutter,
7 00
Ensign Simeon Stearns,
1 00
Mr. Samuel Noyes,
2 00
Mr. Lyman Raymond,
1 00
Mr. Asa Perley,
5 00
" James Martin,
1 00
Col. Jacob B. Woodberry,
5 00
Capt. Timothy Hancock,
3 00
Mr. Joseph Whitney,
8 00
Mr. Levi Woodberry,
3 00
Mr. Jacob Whitney,
5 00
" Richard Stuart,
3 00
Capt. Abijah Pierce,
10 00
" Samuel Brown, 2d,
3 00
Lt. Hananiah Whitney, Jr.,
5 00
" Pbinehas Parks,
1 00
Mr. Asa Washburn,
10 00
Capt. Abel Jones,
1 00
Mr. Lovell Goodridge,
5 00
Mr. Eber Arnold,
5 00
Mr. Joshua Gill,
5 00
" Mr. Luke Parks,
1 00
Mr. Moses M. Reed,
5 00
" Rufus Wilder,
1 00
" Stephen Tolman,
5 00
Enoch Kidder, Esq.,
2 00
" Seth Tucker,
5 00
Lt. Paul Raymond, Jr.,
5 00
" Jonas Brooks,
5 00
Mr. Asa Hale,
1 00
" Joshua Smith,
5 00
" Samuel Brown, Jr., 1 00
Capt. Joshua Stoddard,
6 00
" Charles Raymond, 1 00
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
Capt David Beaman,
1 00 | Mr. Levi Brooks, 1 00
Mr. Thomas Greenwood,
5 00
" Ebenezer Richardson, Jr., 1 00
" Atkins Norton,
7 00
Lt. John Raymond, 1 00
" Luther Stimson,
1 50
Mr. David Buttrick, 1 00
" Israel Taylor, Jr.,
1 00
" John Crosby, 1 00
John Brook, 2d,
1 00
William Potter, 1 00
" Phinchas Ross,
1 00
" Reuben Vose,
1 00
" William Tolman,
1 50
" Bartholomew Stearns, 1 32
David Goodridge,
1 50
" Seth Sargeant,
50
Caleb Lincoln,
1 00
" Joseph Ditson, 25
Arba Brooks,
1 00
Aaron Sargeant.
25
66 John Estey,
1 00
H. G. NEWCOMB,
EPHRAIM MURDOCK, Committee."
ISAAC MORSE,
The report of the committee respecting the belfry was taken up in town meeting, which report was " that they accept of the belfry or stee- ple, on condition that the undertakers make some alterations as they agreed." The report was accepted. Then the town " accepted of the bell as offered by the proprietors' committee." After which the town " tendered their thanks to the proprietors of the bell for their great gen- erosity and benevolence." Samuel Prentice was chosen as agent to convey the pews recently built to Capt. Phinehas Whitney, who had been foremost in the enterprise of erecting the steeple, obtaining the bell, and building the new pews.
The bell was a great novelty, and the young people listened to its booming sound with wonder. They rang it by the hour ; and when one party was wearied, another relicved them, until not only the air, but the people were full of the sound. The next year, April 7, the town made certain regulations about the time of ringing, which are here giv- en. " Voted, that the bell is to be rung on Sundays according to usu. al custom, and for all other meetings and funerals. And till the 15th of May, at 9 o'clock in the evening ; and from the 15th of September, at 9 o'clock in the evening for the remainder of the year; and at 12 o'clock at noon during the year."
1818, May 4. The town chose a committee of three " to see if they can find a convenient place in the meeting-house to set a stove, viz : Messrs. Ephraim Murdock, Israel Whitcomb, and Moses Hale." It was more than five years after this before the town allowed a stove to be put into the house at private expense. At this meeting, $250 were
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
granted to defray the expense of painting the meeting-house-the work to be done this year or next-the body of the house to be white, the roof black. Messrs. Murdock, Morse and Hale were the committee.
SECTION 8 .- DEATH OF MR. PILLSBURY.
After a brief sickness, Mr. Pillsbury departed this life on the 5th of April, 1819, in the maturity of his powers, and while increasing in de- votedness to his work, and growing in usefulness. The next day, Tues- day, April 6, " a large number of the inhabitants of the town of Win- chendon," say the Records, "assembled at the meeting-house in said town, occasioned by the recent death of the Rev. Levi Pillsbury, Pastor of the church of Christ in Winchendon, and minister of the Congregation- al Society in said town, who departed this life, April 5th, 1819, in the forty-eighth year of his age, and eighteenth of his ministry ; after the throne of grace was addressed in prayer by the Rev. Samuel Simonds, the following votes were passed, Dea. Desire Tolman, Moderator.
" Voted, that the town pay the funeral charges of their deceased minister. Voted, that the town provide necessary articles of mourning for the family of the deceased minister.
Voted, that Messrs. Horatio G. Newcomb, Isaac Morse, Ephraim Murdock, Phinehas Whitney, Israel Whitcomb, Paul Raymond, Jr., Moses Hale, Jr., Jacob Woodbury, and Moses M. Reed, be a committee to provide for, make arrangements, and conduct the funeral procession.
Voted, that the Rev. Samuel Simonds be invited to attend the funeral with other ministers.
Voted, that three of the principal singers be a committee to make arrange- ments respecting the singing at the funeral. Messrs. Elias Sherwin, Zenas Hancock and Job Hyde, were chosen for said committee."
On the 10th of May, the town voted to allow the account presented by the committee chosen to superintend the funeral of Mr. Pillsbury. It is headed, " Bill of the expense of the funeral of the late Rev. Levi Pillsbury, and the amount expended for mourning clothes for the fam- ily." Then follow the items, including articles of food, as flour, sugar, meat, as well as pay for horses, and the inevitable liquor. Besides bran- dy and West India rum, there were " 16 mugs of toddy delivered the Music, costing $4.00, and 1 1-4 mugs for the committee, at 31 cents." Articles of wearing apparel were procured, amounting to about thirty
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
dollars. The coffin cost four dollars, which was above the usual price in those days. One item indicates the severity of the season. The fu- neral was on the 7th or 8th of April, and there must have been, either a great body of old snow on the ground, or a recent fall, with drifts. The item is this : "rum and sugar for men shoveling road in snow, $1.54; cigars, 13."
The close of the report of the committee, like all the proceedings of the town, shows the respect of the people for their minister, and their own proper self-respect, in paying due honor to his remains.
" The foregoing schedule comprises all the items and total amount of the funeral expenses of the late Rev. Levi Pilsberry, together with a specification of the articles, and amount expended in procuring for Mrs. Pilsberry and her family, a decent and suitable suit of mourning clothes, in conformity with a vote unanimously given by a large and respectable portion of the inhabitants of the town, convened for that purpose, on Tuesday, the 6th day of April, 1819.
The committee would here chserve that they can safely assure the town, that in making the necessary arrangements for the funeral, as well as in pro- curing the materials therefor, and for the family suit, they avoided all unne- cessary expenses, observing the best economy the nature of the case, and the circumstances would admit. All which is by your committee humbly sub- mitted."
Thus reverently did the town follow their minister to the narrow house appointed for all the living.
SECTION 9 .- SEEKING FOR A NEW MINISTER.
At this meeting, May 10, a committee of five,-viz : George Coffin, Isaac Morse, Samuel Prentice, Phinehas Whitney and Samuel Brown, -was chosen " by written votes, to supply the town with a preacher of the gospel." There is something curious about this meeting in one respect ; that is, that it was continued by adjournment, for several months, and never accomplished anything farther. First, it adjourned to Au- gust 2; then to the 23d ; then to November 1; then to the 22d ; then to December 3d; then to the 14th; then to March 6, 1820. After hearing the report of the committee to supply the pulpit, adjourned to March 13; then met and voted that the committee hire a candidate as soon as possible. Adjourned to April 3 ; then to May 1; then to Ju- ly. 3 ; then met and voted that the committee be instructed to hire the Rev. Eber L. Clark seven Sabbaths more if they can agree with him.
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
Then adjourned to August 21; then met and adjourned to the first Monday in October next, at 4 o'clock P. M. Then says the town clerk, with a touch of humor, " this meeting died a natural death."
In the meantime, other meetings had been held, for the same pur- pose, but in reference to another candidate. On the 12th of October, * 1819, it was voted " to choose a committee of three persons to wait on the Rev. Seth Payson, of Rindge, N. H., and Mr. Elam Clark, to the meeting-house, viz : Dea. Desire Tolman, Lieut. Isaac Morse, Capt. Phinehas Whitney." After the throne of grace was addressed by Dr. Payson, the town proceeded to business, and voted unanimously " to join with the church, and give Mr. Elam Clark a call to settle in the gospel ministry in this town. Voted to give Mr. Elam Clark six hun- dred and fifty dollars salary annually so long as he may be a gospel min- ister in this town; and two [or ten] hundred dollars settlement."
This call was declined. Mr. Clark preached some Sabbaths subse- quently, and on Monday, March 6, 1820, it was voted, " that the town renew their call to Mr. Elam Clark, and to settle him as a gospel min- ister in this town upon the same conditions in all respects, which were offered him previously to his answer." In a few days Mr. Clark gave his second answer in the negative.
On the 14th of August, a committee was chosen-Messrs. Tolman, Coffin and Morse-to wait on the Rev. John Sebbins, [Sabin] of Fitz- william, and on Rev. Eber L. Clark, to the meeting-house to attend .. prayer. After prayer by Mr. Sabin, the town " voted unanimously to join with the church and give the Rev. Eber L. Clark a call to settle as a gospel minister in this town." The matter came up again on the 7th of September, at which time the terms of settlement were fixed. The town voted, with entire unanimity, to unite with the church, in calling Mr. Clark, upon the following conditions and terms :
"That this town will pay him six hundred dollars salary annually, so long as he remains a gospel minister in this place ; also a settlement of four bun- dred dollars ; the salary to commence on the day of his ordination. The town also agreed to pay him the four hundred dollars settlement, and so much of his salary as may become due on the twenty-fourth day of February next, af- ter which time his salary shall become due on the 24th day of February an- nually."
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
Then comes this singular proviso : which shows that the town still re- membered what it cost to get a former minister dismissed.
" Provided however, that the Rev. Eber L. Clark, or two-thirds of the le- gal voters of the church and the Congregational Society in said town, shall in legal town meeting assembled for that purpose, think it expedient that the min. isterial connection between them shall be dissolved, shall state to each other in writing, the peculiar grounds and causes of their dissatisfaction ; then in six months thereafter, in case a reconciliation should not take place, both parties shall consider themselves bound to join in a mutual ecclesiastical council, be- fore whom the grounds of their dissatisfaction shall be stated ; and the con- nection shall be by them dissolved by their giving the minister and people such characters as they may think will be most for the honor of religion. And uo money to be demanded as damage on either side."
Then a committee of five-Messrs. Tolman, Coffin, Morse, Murdock and Woodbury,-were sent to wait upon Mr. Clark to the meeting; and after half an hour, he came in and gave his answer in the afirma- tive. A committee of three,-Dea. Hale, Dea. Coffin and E. Mur- dock, Esq.,-were chosen to confer with Mr. Clark in regard to the time of the installation, who agreed upon the third Wednesday of Oc- tober. The Selectmen were directed to agree with Mr. Eliel Sherwin " to take the lead of singing" at the public service. A committee of five to provide for the Council, was chosen, viz : E. Murdock, Lt. Paul Raymond, Samuel Brown, Amasa Whitney and Thomas Greenwood. All the neighboring ministers, with the Rev. John M. Whiton, of An- trim, N. H., a native of this town, were to be invited to the Council. On the 18th of September, twelve Marshals of the day were chosen, viz : Messre. H. G. Newcomb, Esq., E. Murdock, Esq., David Bea- man, Israel Whitcomb, Lt. Paul Raymond, Capt. John Forristall, Capt. Joshua Stoddard, Capt. Abijah Pierce, Capt. Hananiah Whitney, Jr., Capt. John Raymond, Capt. Nathan Wood and Mr. Jacob Woodbury. This committee was also to see " to the propping of the meeting-house." Another committee was chosen to present the doings of the town to the Council, viz : Samuel Prentice, Moses M. Reed and Capt. Phinehas Whitney. And finally, a committee of three, in addition to the Select- men, was chosen " to provide for singing on the day of installation, not to exceed 20 dollars." The committee were Capt. Stoddard, Stephen Tolman and Samuel Brown, Jr., besides the Selectmen, who were Gid-
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