USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Pittsfield > Pittsfield, Mass., church and other records from manuscripts copied by Rollin Hillyer Cooke, Vol. II > Part 10
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1832
be a committee to be joined to the Parish committee, to communicate the proceedings of the church to Mr. Yeo- mans .
Voted, that the above committee, also, be authorized to make the necessary arrangements for the settlement of Mr. Yeomans, provided he accepts the call to become the Pastor of this Church & people. Voted that this meet- ing be dissolved.
Sam'l A. Danforth, Scribe.
P. 181 to 185 inclusive are blank.
1834
P. 186 Aug. 13. A meeting of the church in the first Congre- gational Society in Pittsfield was this day convened at their Meeting house, the same having been duly notified in the usual way in consequence of the following com- munication from the Rev. John W. Yeomans, their Pastor, viz:
"To the Congregational Church in Pittsfield"
Dear . Brethren,
Having received and accepted a call to another field of ministerial labor I hereby request you (if you see proper ) to appoint a committee who may confer with a com- mittee of the Parish & myself, in convening an Ecclesi- astical council to dissolve in due form my pastoral con- nexion with you.
I am, dear Brethren, Yours in the Gospel J. W. Yeomans."
The meeting on motion of Dea. Goodman is opened by prayer by Thomas A. Gold.
Voted 1. That Dea. Jos. Merrick be moderator. 2nd. to excuse Dea. Merrick at his request. 3rd. that Dea. Titus Goodman be Moderator. The letter (above) from the Rev. J. W. Yeomans to the church is read by the moderator.
Voted 4th. That Thomas A. Gold be Scribe of the Church. Moved by Thos. B. Strong Esq. & Seconded by Jona Allen Esq - That a committee be appointed agreeable to the re- quest of the Rev. J. W. Yeomans to call a council to dis- solve his pastoral connexion with this church. Thereupon Voted 5th. That this church concur with the request of their pastor to call a council & that a committee be now appointed to unite with a committee of the Parish & Mr. Yeomans to convene a council for his dissmission.
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RECORDS OF FIRST CONG. CHURCH, PITTSFIELD VOL. II
1834
P. 187 Voted 6th on motion of Mr. Strong & Seconded by Henry C. Brown Esq That Deacon Merrick, Deacon Burt & Deacon Goodman be the committee to carry the 5th resolution into effect.
Voted 7th. To excuse Dea. Merrick from the above com- mittee, on account of ill health & as his desire.
Voted 8th. That Calvin Martin Esq. be on sd committee.
Voted 9th. To excuse Mr. Martin from serving on sd committee.
Voted 10th That Jonathan Allen Esq. be on sd committee. Voted Ilth That when this meeting is adjourned to ad- journ without delay (?)
Adjourned . Titus Goodman Moderator.
Thos. A. Gold Scribe 1835
Jan. 15. At a meeting duly notified in the usual manner & held at the meeting house, to take into con- sideration the expediency of giving the Rev. Horatio N. Brinsmade a call to settle in the Gospel ministry, the church passed the following votes,
Unanimously, Ist that Dea. Josiah Bissell act as modera- or of this meeting.
2nd. That Samuel A. Danforth act as clerk pro tem. 3rd. That this church give the Rev. Horatio N. Brinsmade a call to become their pastor.
P. 188
4th. That Lemuel Pomeroy, Thos. B. Strong & Henry H. Childs be a committee to be joined to the Parish Committee to communicate the above note to Mr. Brinsmade.
The above record of the doings of the said church meet- ings were certified by Dea. Sam'l A. Danforth & returned as clerk pro tem.
Attest Thos A. Gold, Scribe
Copy of the Rev. Horatio N. Brinsmade's letter.
"To Committees of Congregational Church & Parish in Pittsfield
Gentlemen:
A copy of the proceedings of the Church & Parish in reference to my settlement with you in the Gospel Minis- try has been forwarded to me & in compliance with your wish I send an early answer. For some months past it has been my purpose to form a permanent connexion with a church and annorogation wherever Divino Providence should
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RECORDS OF FIRST CONG. CHURCH, PITTSFIELD VOL. II
seem clearly to open the way. I have seriously con- sidered the subject of my proposed connexion with you & am in some measure sensible of the responsibility of the charge. Yet believing that I am acting under the direction of Him who loves the church & watches for her
1835 interest : I accept the invitation you have given me to settle in the Gospel Ministry. In complying with this, your unanimous request, I consider myself bound to you, to devote myself faithfully to your service as your pastor, so long as it shall appear to be the will of God that I remain with you. Accept the assurance of my cordial wishes for your individual happiness, and for the prosperity of the church among you,
P. 189
With sincere respect, I am, gentlemen, yours H. N. Brinsmade."
To Messrs. Pomeroy, Strong, Childs, Willis, Colt & Lyman, Committee of the Church & Parish.
Collinsville, Jan. 20, 1835"
A true copy from the original.
Attest Thos. A. Gold, Scribe.
Installation.
Pittsfield, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 1835.
An Ecclesiastical Council was convened this day by letters addressed to the churches hereafter specified from the church & Parish of the "first Congregational Society" in Pittsfield to take into consideration the subject of installing the Rev. Horatio N. Brinsmade as + the Pastor of said church & Parish
Present the following Ministers & Delegates, who com- posed the Council, viz:
Rev. Dr. Humphrey, President of Amherst College. Rev. D. Shepherd, Doct. R. Worthington Del. from the church in Lenox.
Rev. E. W. Dwight, Asa Cone, Del from the church in Rich- mond . Rev. Henry B. Hooker, Geo, R. Rockwell Del from the church in Lanesborough
Rev. Joshua N. Danforth, Abner Taylor Del from the church in Lee
Rev. Joseph Alden, Prof. Kellogg Del from the church in Williamstown
6
P. 190 Rev. C. Dewey of Pittsfield.
The Council was organized by the choice of Rev. Sam'l Shepard D.D. Moderator & Rev. Edwin W. Dwight as scribe. The Moderator opened the business of the Council with prayer . The unanimous call of the Church & Parish to Mr. Brinsmade & his acceptance of that call, having been presented together with a testimonial of the regular
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RECORDS OF FIRST CONG. CHURCH, PITTSFIELD VOL. II
4
1835
it was Voted that the way is prepared to proceed to the examination of the Pastor-Elect. After a careful exami- nation of Mr. Brinsmade in reference to the great truths & duties of the Christian religion and his own personal experience of the power of Divine Grace, the Council Voted, unanimously that they were satisfied with the ministerial qualifications of Mr. Brinsmade & that in their view their duty required that they should proceed to the solemn service of his instalation on the morrow. Voted, that the customary parts be performed as follows viz:
Introductory Prayer by Mr . Hooker Sermon by Dr. Humphrey Instalation prayer by Mr. Danforth Charge to the Pastor by Dr. Shepherd. Right hand of fellowship by Mr. Dwight Concluding Prayer by Professor Dewey
Voted, that the Council adjourn to tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock for a season of Prayer.
Wednesday morning 10 o'clock. Met according to ad- journment & after a season of prayer
P. 191
Voted, to proceed at 11 o'clock to the house of God & attend upon the solemn installation services. At which time & place and in the presence of a numerous assembly the council solemnly installed the Rev. Horatio N. Brinsmade as the pastor of this church & People.
Attest Thos A. Gold. Scribe of the Church.
March 3. At a meeting of the church duly notified & hold at their meeting house this day
Voted that Sam'l A. Danforth act as clerk of this meeting. Voted that Phinehas Allen & S. A. Danforth be a committee to ascertain & report to the church the amount due Lemuel Pomeroy for rent & also the amount due others for fuel eto Voted that it is expedient for this church to build a Session room.
Voted that Samuel D. Colt, Calvin Martin & Phinehas Allen be a committee whose duty it shall be to obtain from the town a grant of land at the north end of the meeting house of sufficient dimensions for erecting a Session room also to procure a plan for said house, together with estimates of the cost thereof and also to devise means for raising the funds necessary for the accomplishment
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RECORDS OF FIRST CONG. CHURCH, PITTSFIELD VOL. II
1835
thereof & report at a future meeting of the Church. Voted that Josiah Bissell, Titus Goodman & Sam'l A. Danforth be a committee of overtures to bring business before the church from time to time until another shall be appointed in their stead.
P. 192 Voted that Brothers Goodman & Clapp be a committee to converse with brother James Brown.
Voted that brothers N. Merriam & James Reed be a com- mittee to investigate the reports in circulation in re- lation to Mary Jackson.
Voted that a committee of visitation be appointed to visit (according to useage) the members of the church. Voted that the Pastor & Deacons be a committee to ap- point the above committee for visiting the Church & to apportion to them the districts & fix the visitation shall take place.
Voted, that an edition of Dr. Humphrey's Installation Sermon be printed at the expense of the church, & that every member be furnished with a copy.
Voted that Levi S. Claflin & wife be furnished with a recommendation from this church to the church in Bridge- ton, New Jersey - Done -
Voted, to adjourn to Monday the 16th of March next at 2 P. M.
S. A. Danforth Clerk Pro tem.
A true record of the minutes of the aforesaid meeting.
Thos A. Gold, Scribe
1835
Feb. 27. Voted to dismiss Mrs. Esther Canfield & recommend her to the church in Lenox.
P. 193 March 16. The Church met at 2 o'clock P. M. at their Meeting house agreeable to adjournment. Rev . Mr. Brinsmade, Moderator.
1. Opened the meeting with prayer by the Pastor. The report of P. Allen & S. A. Danforth Esqrs. committee, is called for & produced by Mr. Allen as follows -
"The Subscribers who were appointed by the church in September, 1831, a committee to hire of Lemuel Pomeroy Esq. the lecture room, ask leave to report. - That they immediately attended to the duties of their appointment & hired of Lemuel Pomeroy Esq. the Lecture Room for fifty two dollars per year; and the church commenced occupying the same on Sunday evening, September 15, 1831. They continued to occupy it until April 14, 1832, seven months, when it was hired to the Episcopal Society, who occupied from April 15, 1832 to Jan. 1, 1833.
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RECORDS OF FIRST CONG. CHURCH, PITTSFIELD VOL. II
1835
eight & a half months. The church commenced occupy- ing it again Jan. 2, 1833, and continued to do so un- til May 1, 1834, one year & four months when they ceased
to occupy the same. The length of time it was occupied as per contract of your committee was one year & eleven months, amounting to one hundred dollars.
Which is respectfully submitted. Phinehas Allen Sam'l A. Danforth
Voted to accept said Report.
The record of the doings of the last church meeting were called for & read.
Dea. Goodman wishes further leave to confer with brother Brown - granted Brothers Reed & Merriam report verbally as to Mary Jackson.
Thereupon moved by Mr. Merriam that the officers of the church draw up a confession for Mary Jackson to sign &
P. 194 that the same be hereafter read to the church & the mo- tion is agreed to by vote - Voted, to dismiss the com- mittee heretofore appointed to procure a sessions room. Voted to appoint a committee to procure a lecture room. Voted that T. B. Strong, J. L. Hyde & Theo Hinsdale be sd committee.
Voted that sd committee report before a contract is com- pleted.
Voted that J. L. King's request for a dismission from this church & recommendation to the Presbyterian Church in Pittsford, N. Y. be granted.
Voted to grant John Percival's request to be dismissed from this church & recommended to the Presbyterian Church in Auburn, N. Y.
Voted to adjourn this meeting one week, to meet at this place at 2 o'clock P. M.
Attest Thos A. Gold, Scribe.
March 23. The Church met this day at 2 o'clock, P. M. agreeable to their last ad journment .
The meeting is opened with prayer by the Pastor.
The record of the last meeting is called for & read.
The report of the committee to procure a lecture room is requested & thereupon Thos. B. Strong Esq. Chairman thereof reported as follows, viz:
"The Committee appointed to confer with Mr. L. Pomeroy for the use of the lecture room, Report, Mr. Pomeroy proposes that if the Parish will build a session room upon the road, he will pay his proportion for it & give
RECORDS OF FIRST CONG. CHURCH, PITTSFIELD VOL. II 140
1835
the use of the Lecture room gratis - or he will rent his lecture room to the Parish for forty Dollars per year.
P. 1-95
Thos. B. Strong, Chairman."
Voted that a prudential committee of three be appointed for the church.
Voted that Calvin Martin, S. D. Colt & Thos. B. Strong Esq. be that committee.
Voted that the request now made by brother Martin for Miss Abbe L. Center, viz: that she be dismissed from this church & furnished a recommendation to the church in New York City of which the Rev. Erskine Mason is pastor - be granted.
Voted to ad journ this meeting without delay (?)
Attest - Thos. A. Gold, Scribe.
March 23 - Then I filled out & certified & forwarded in Clerk of the church & agreeable to a vote of the church letters of recommendation to
Miss Abbe L. Center at New York City. Mr. John Percival at Auburn, N. Y. Mr. Jos. L. King at Pittsford, N. Y.
Attest T. A. Gold, Scribe Etc.
April 6. Then I filled out & delivered to
Miss Manetta Ingham & Miss Emily E. Ingham, letters of recommendation to the Presbyterian church at Attica, N. Y. & forwarded per mail for Mrs. Mary Ann Damon a letter of recommendation to the Presbyterian Church at Greenbush, N. Y. all which is in conformity with a vote of the church on the 5th Inst.
Attest Thos A. Gold, Scribe
P. 196 Agreeable to a vote of the church April 26, I have fur- nished Joseph K. Clark with the usual certificate of dismission from this church & recommendation to the East Congregational Church in Granby, Mass.
Attest Thos. A. Gold, Scribe
May 2. The following persons were admitted to the church on examination & by vote of the church
Mrs. Martha Dillingham Miss Nancy Dillingham
T
RECORDS OF FIRST CONG. CHURCH, PITTSFIELD VOL. II 141
1835
James M. Noble Sarah Ross Sarah Houghton Elizabeth Reed
By letters lodged in the Pastor's hands.
Sylvester Tracy Mrs. Anna Tracy Mrs. Fanny Houghton Mrs. Jane Guilds Solomon P. Fitch Mrs. Cloe Fitch
Agreeable to a vote of the church May 2, I have issued to Miss Sophia A. Whitney a letter, certifying her dis- missions at her request & recommendation to any Congre- gational or Presbyterian Church where she may hereafter reside - Also same time for Mrs. Cozener a letter to the Church in North Mansfield, Conn.
Attest Thos A. Gold, Scribe.
By compliance of a vote of the church May 11th Francis Collins has rec'd a letter of dismission in usual form & recommendation to the Free Congregational Church in New Haven, Conn.
Also Mrs. Serena E. Root a letter to such church as she in the Providence of God may wish to unite.
Attest Thos A. Gold Scribe.
May 11, 1835
P. 197
By vote of the church on the 17th instant Mr. Orrin Walker' is dismissed at his request, & I have now given him a certificate in the usual form recommending him to any Congregational or Presbyterian church in the State of Illinois.
May 18, 1835 Thos. A. Gold, Clerk
June 10. At a meeting of the church the followed vote was passed viz: Whereas Mrs. Lucretia Taylor & Miss Elizabeth Taylor have requested a dismission from this church for the purpose of uniting with the Protestant Episcopal Church in this town.
Voted that whenever they shall join that church as pro- proposed this connexion with us shall be dissolved .
Attest Thos A. Gold Scribe.
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VOL. II
RECORDS OF FIRST CONG. CHURCH, PITTSFIELD
1835
June 28. Sunday . At a meeting of the church voted to grant the application of Doct. J. C. Gallop & his wife Susan M. Gallop, viz: the usual certificate of dismission & recommendation to the Congregational or Presbyterian Church in Attica, State of New York. Attest Thos. A. Gold, Clerk
July 5 Admitted
1 Mr. Stiles Cady 1
Mr. N. S. Dodge Dan. P. Meriam ) by Mrs. Sophia Cady 1 by Mrs. Polly B. Merriam) let- Miss Sarah Stapels ) pro-
Miss Wealthy Alger ) ter Miss Eliza Howland) fession
P. 198 Aug. 9. At a meeting of the Church, Sunday
. Voted, that the request of Miss Charlotte M. Adams, for & dismission from this church & recommendation to the first Congregational Church in Bangor, Maine, be granted.
Attest Thos. A. Gold, Clerk
Aug. 12. At a meeting of the Church
Voted, to grant the request of Theodore B. Lyman, a member of Hamilton College that he be dismissed this church & recommended to the Presbyterian Church in Clinton, N. Y.
Attest Thos. A. Gold Clk
Sept. 6. Sunday evening. Memorandum
A pretty full prayer meeting (supposed about 300) were in attendance at the Lecture room in South Street: & the lightning struck & descended the rod - at the èves the 'rod had become detached from the building & swung loose - there the lightning parted - one portion de- scended the rod to the earth & made there a mighty display of its wonderful power - the other portion entered the lecture room between the 1st & 2nd window carrying in the 2nd window, passed to the large stove - followed the pipe to the chimney at the west end of the house - descended until it met the stovepipe in the lower room - thence followed the pipe north to the stove in the north west lower room when it tore its way through the floor & passed out through the underpinning leaving a visible trace of its irresistable course in the earth outside & at the north west corner of the building.
Althought several were severely injured, yet God's great goodness & mercy were signally manifested in the
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RECORDS OF FIRST CONG. CHURCH, PITTSFIELD VOL. II
1835
preservation of the life of every one present .
Sept. 26. Mrs. Burgess admitted by letter.
P. 199 Sept . 13. At a church meeting
Voted to grant the request of Dr. Hiram F. Hubbard, viz: that he be dismissed from this church & recommended to the church in Amherst, Ohio.
Attest Thos. A. Gold, Scribe
Sept. 14 I furnished Dr. Hubbard his letter of recommendation.
Attest Thos A. Gold, Scribe
Oct. 4. At a church meeting convened after public worship
. Voted to grant the request of Mr. Eliphalet Case & his wife & Mrs. Lavinia Case, viz that they be dismissed from this church & recommended to any Presbyterian or Congregational Church in the State of New York.
Attest Thos. A. Gold, Scribe
Oct. 12. Issued the certificate. T. A. G.
Oct. 22. At a meeting of the church convened at the Lecture room, Rev. Mr. Brinsmade Moderator, Dr. M. A. Lee was chosen clerk pro tem. Mr. Wells on the case of Mr. "Oliver" Brown, reported & the matter was left in the hands of the committee for further action there- on. Brother James Reed on the case of Caleb Stock- bridge reported that the committee had called on him & received his excuse for neglect of public worship, viz: want of clothing, & the report is accepted. Deacon Goodman from the committee on the case of James Brown, reported that he had held repeated conversations with sd Brown & that in his opinion there was no further hope of bringing him back to his duty - that he now professes to be a decided Universalist. On motion of H. C. Brown Voted, to add three brethren to the present committee Voted that Rev. H. N. Brinsmade, Henry C. Brown and Henry H. Childs constitute sd committee.
P. 200
Voted that this meeting stand adjourned one month.
Attest M. A. Lee, Clerk Pro Tem
The foregoing were furnished by Doct Moses A. Lee & re- corded by me
Thos. A. Gold, Soribe.
Dec. 17. Thursday. Agreeable to public notice from the desk last Sabbath the church convened this day at
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RECORDS OF FIRST CONG. CHURCH, PITTSFIELD VOL. II
1835
their Lecture room, & it was deemed expedient to adjourn, thereupon
Voted, that this meeting stand adjourned to Tuesday next at 2 o'clock P.M. at this place
Attest Thos. A. Gold Scribe.
Dec. 22. Agreeable to a vote of the Church I have filled & forwarded to Mrs. Julia B. Burbank, at Hartford, Conn the usual certificate of her dismission & recommendation to any Congregational or Presbyterian Church there.
Attest Thos. A. Gold Scribe,
Dec. 22. Tuesday. Church meeting at the Lecture room agreeable to the last ad journment .
Opened by prayer by the Pastor.
Mary Jackson's case was taken up discussed & considered & the dealings of the church with her verbally reported. Whereupon it was moved by brother Lemuel Pomeroy that Mary Jackson having repeatedly broken the 7th command- ment, having been dealt with by the church thereon & yet she having gone to parts unknown, her name be struck from the list of the members of this church & the said motion being seconded by Dea. Bissell & it is voted unanimously
A communication from the Com. of Overtures respecting brother Jabez Colt is presented. Thereupon it was Voted, that a committee be now appointed to attend to sd Colt's case.
Voted that Henry C. Brown & Calvin Martin compose sd committee.
A written confession executed by Gamaliel Bolton is pre- sented by Dr. Bissell in the following words vis: -
"I Gamaliel Bolton acknowledge before God & this church that I have in years past in divers ways sinned against God & dishonored the cause of Christ & wounded the feelings of the members of this Church for which numer- our sins I sincerely repent before God & hope & trust he has forgiven me, & now I ask the forgiveness of the Church & pray that they will forgive & restore me to their fellowship & pray for me that I may never again be left to fall into sin."
his mark
Gamaliel X Bolton
"Pittsfield, Dec. 22, 1835."
Voted that Mr. Bolton's confession be accepted & that he be restored to the fellowship of the Church.
Voted that Dea, Bissell communicate the last vote above to Mr. Bolton.
P. 201
RECORDS OF FIRST CONG. CHURCH, PITTSFIELD VOL. II 145
Voted, that the Prudential Committee draw order on the Treasurer in favor of Lemuel Pomeroy for the one hundred dollars due him for the use of the Lecture room as per report of brothers Allen & Danforth on record March 20, 1835.
P. 202 The subject of Deacon Thomas Moseley's resignation of his office being called up - Voted that Capt. Curtis T. Fenn be a committee to converse with sd Moseley on the Subject of his resignation & the causes thereof & re- port at the next meeting.
Voted to dissolve this meeting.
Attest Thos. A. Gold, Scribe.
1836
Jan. 11. Monday. At a Church meeting convened at the Lecture room agreeable to notice by our pastor from the desk the last Sabbath - The Rev. H. N. Brinsmade in the chair.
Voted, On motion of Phinehas Allen, That hereafter all military & civil titles be omitted on the Church records. The Committee on Jabez Colt's case reported verbally & on motion of Dea. Danforth - Voted - That the same committee converse further with Mr. Colt & report at a future meeting.
Curtis T. Fenn reported verbally, That he had conversed with Deacon Moseley respecting his resignation & that sd Moseley had come to this meeting at his request to explain as to the same. The motion made at the last meeting by C. Martin to accept sd Moseley's resignation is withdrawn.
Voted That when this meeting adjourn it shall be to Monday next at 2 o'clock P.M. Closed by prayer by the pastor.
Attest Thos. A. Gold, Scribe.
P. 203 Jan. 18. Church meeting at the Lecture room agreeable to adjournment .
Rev. H. N. Brinsmade, Pastor, presided. Opened with prayer by the past or. A motion submitted at the last meeting by Henry C. Brown, viz: "That Deacon Thos Moseley have leave to withdraw his resignation" filed on a former occasion, is renewed. On rotion of Lemuel Pomeroy to postpone Voted that the Church will not indefinitely postpone the further consideration of Thos. Moseley's resignation.
Voted, on motion of T. B. Strong & seconded by Jon" Allen, That the Church proceed now to choose two Deacons. On the first ballot Henry C. Brown was elected.
On the second ballot Curtis T. Fenn was elected.
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RECORDS OF FIRST CONG. CHURCH, PITTSFIELD VOL. II
1836
On motion of Dea. Bissell
Voted, that a committee be appointed who shall decide what applications in future for contributions shall be submitted to the Church.
Voted that the Deacons, in consultation with the Pastor constitute sd Committee.
H. C. Brown's motion as to Dea. Moseley's resignation is withdrawn,
Voted to adjourn two weeks, then to meet at this place at 2 P.M. to receive the answers of our new Deacons elect & transact any other business. Closed by prayer.
Att - Thos. A. Gold, Scribe.
P. 204 July 1. The Church meeting was this day convened at the Lecture room agreeable to adjournment . Opened as usual with prayer (by the Pastor. ) Henry C. Brown & Curtis T. Fenn having been chosen Deacons at the last church meeting now signified sever- ally their acceptance.
Voted that the two Deacons newly elected be inducted into office at the next monthly church prayer meeting by laying on of hands in the usual manner of this Church.
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