USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Plymouth church records, 1620-1859 > Part 32
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3. The Deacons were Desired to Discourse with Sister Staff in order to bring her to Repentance & Reformation in Reference to her Intemperance
297
DEATH OF ELDER THOMAS FAUNCE, 1746
The Chh was then Dismist with Prayer
May 12. Lords Day The Pastor Stayed the Congregation in the fore noon & informed them that the Chh had lately Elected two of our Brethren to the Office of Deacons in this Chh Viz M' Thomas Foster & M' Joseph Bartlett. The Pastor also requested these our Brethren to Accept of said office & that in token of their Acceptance they would take their Places in the same Seat with the other Deacons & they did so in the After Noon.
May God make them great Blessings to this Chh & Congregation. Febr 27th 1745/6 This Day departed this Life the the Aged & godly M' Thomas Faunce ruling Elder of this Chh. in the 47th year of his Office & in the 99th year of his Age. [10] Church Records
March 2ª 1745/6 Lords Day the Pastor Desired the Brethren of the Church to meet togeather to morrow Morning at Nine of the Clock at this Place
March 3ª The Chh Met togeather accordingly & Voted
1. That out of Respect & Honour to the Deceased Elder they will do Something towards his Funeral
2. That the Chh in convenient time have a Contrabution among themselves for this Purpose.
The meeting was then Concluded with Prayer
The Chh accordingly made a Contrabution among them selves for the aforesaid Purpose.
Ap1 27 1746: Lords Day Nero a Negro man Made Confession of his Sin & was Restored. & Dismist from us to the first Chh in Marshfield where he now Dwells.
A Memorandum Of Several Ecclesiastical Councils that the Pastor & Delegates from this Oh have been Sent for & have Assisted in Viz
At Rehoboth first Parish Octo 26 1743. Since that time
At Plimton Second Parish Four times
At Middleborough first Chh Two times
At Duxbury Two times. At Dorchester Three times At Sandwich Second Chh once
At Farmingham once At Hopkington once At Abbington once
.
:
298
PLYMOUTH CHURCH RECORDS: VOLUME II
At Tiverton the Instalment of y" Revd M' Campbell At Easton yo Instalment of the Revd M' Prentice
At Boston Octo" 7 1748 the Instalm'' of yo Revd M" Croswel
At Attleborough Nov' 30 1748 the Ordination of the Revd M" Peter Thacher
At Abington Augst 29 1749 the Dismission of ye Revd Mr Brown.
[11] Church Records
Aug ** 3ª 1749 The Chh was Stayed after Lecture & they made Choice of the Deacons to be a Comitee for the Chh to Discourse with those Persons that Stand i[n] Relation to this Chh who have for some time Absent[ed] themselves from our Comunion. Also with Brothe[r] Samuel Kempton & Sister Rebecca Staffe. & also to call upon Persons that are in Relation to this Chh that have fallen into Scandalous Sins to Make their Peace with God & with the Chh.
Octo 31 1749 The Second Chh in this Town (at Monument Ponds) having Sent Letters to this Chh to advise & Assist them relating to the Dismission of their Revere[d] & beloved Pastor M' Jonathan Ellis because of the Divisions among them & their inability to Sup- port Him longer. the Elder & Messengers Joyned in Council with the Elders & Messengers of Two other Chhs viz the first Chh in Plimton & the Chh of Hallifax. After Prayer & Hearing the Case the Council Advised the Revd M. Ellis to ask a Dismis" & the Chh to Grant it. Which was accordingly done thô with much Reluctance the far greater part of the[m] yeilding to it only on the Account of their inability to Maintain Him in the Work of the Ministry. freely Rcommending Him to the Work of the Ministry & to Communion with other Chhs.
Nov" 26 A Letter was Read from the Chh in Little Compt[on] desireing the Assistance of this Chh at the intended I[n]stallm' of the Revd M' Jonathan Ellis the 29th of this Month] The Pastor could not go, & the Chh Voted that Broth[er] Samuel Bartlett & Brother Nathanael Foster attend on that Affair as Messengers from this Chh.
March 29 1750 This Day Died (Much Lamented) Deacon Havi- land Torry a man of great Piety & Faithfulness Etatis 67.ª O that
1 The first letter in this word has been altered.
' Apparently altered from "57."
.
299
CHURCH COUNCILS AT DUXBURY AND EASTON, 1750
God, with whom is the Residue of the Spirit, may repair this great breach & raise us faithf[ul] officers from time to time.
Ap1 15 A Letter was read to this Chh from the Pastor & Chh of Duxbury desireing the assistance of this Chh by the Pastor & one Delegate to 1 Joyn with a Council of Chhs in order for the Dismis- sion of the Rev' M' Samuel Veazie from h[is] Pastoral Relation to them. The Chh Chose Deacon Atwood to attend with ye Pastor. The Council met on Ap1 18 which consisted of Four Chhs Viz of Hanover Halifax the first of Marsfeild & this Chh. The Town [12 ]] of Duxbury being rent with Divisions & having Refused to Support the Pastor for some years past the Council advised them to ask a Dismission & the Chh to Grant it with Recomendation for his further Servicableness in the Ministry They readily granted the Recomendation but with Reluctance parted with their Pastor. the Council united with the Chh in Recomending M' Veazie to fur- ther Service in the Ministry where God should call Him & Faulted the Town for Denying Him a Support & Suffering the House of God to Lay wast.
The remove of many faithful Ministers of late from from the neighbouring Chhs Looks as thô God is departing from us. O Lord God forsake us not but Return & visit the Vines which thine own right hand hath planted, & Pardon the Sins of thy People' for thy Name Sake.
[1]751 Ap1.4 This Day was observed by this Chh & Congregation in Humiliation & Prayer that God would give us Repentance & turn us from all our Sins, Revive the Languishing State of Religion and Stay the very mortal Fever Now prevailing among us of which many have Died
After Public Worship the Chh was Stay'd & Voted that the Deacons Are Desired to Discourse with those Persons (in Relation to this Chh) that have fallen into Sin & Call upon them to make their Peace with God & the Chh.
Sep" 15 the Chh was Stayed & our Brother John Torrey was Chosen a Messenger from this Chh to a Council at Easton [18] Chh Records
1 Altered from "in."
" At the top of p. [12] is written "Chh Records."
* This word has apparently been altered.
300
PLYMOUTH CHURCH RECORDS: VOLUME II
1752 Decem 31 Lords Day the Chh was Stayed & a Letter was Read from the first Chh of Norton Desireing the Assistance of this Chh by the Revd Elder & Messengers at the Ordination of M' Joseph Palmer whom they have Chosen to be their Pastor. This Chh Chose Deacon Thomas Foster & Deacon Joseph Bartlett to Attend with the Pastor.
On Jan" 3d 1753 A Council of Twelve Chhs Convened at Norton & the Revd M. Palmer was Ordained to the Pastoral Charge of sª Chh & Congregation by 1 Prayer & Imposition of Hands. the Pastor of this Chh gave the Charge
O that God may fill Him with his Spirit & Grace and render him a Wise Faithful & Successful Labourer in his Vineyard! Amen.
1753 Sep" 30 Lords Day the Chh was Stayed & the Pastor in- formed that He being attended with many Infirmities had tho't of taking a Journey whic He hoped might be a Means by God Blessings towards the recovery 2 of his Health. The Chh consented to it, & by a Vote Desired the Deacons to get the Pulpit Supply'd by some suitable Person in the Mean while.
The Text this Afternoon was Ps 122.7 Peace be within thy walls & Prosperity within thy Pallaces. [14] Chh Records
1753 Decem" 16 Lords Day P M. A Letter was Read to ye Chh from our Brethren of the Second Chh in this Town Desireing our Presence & Assistance by the Pastor & Messengers At the Ordina- tion of M' Elijah Packard on the 26th Current. The Chh Voted that y. Deacons Viz Atwood, Foster, Bartlet &. Doctor Le Baron attend with the Pastor on this Affair
Decem" 26th Day A Council of Chhs Met in the Second Precinct Viz the 1et & 3d of Bridgwater & the 1"t & 2ª of Plimouth & did unanimously Assist in the Ordination of M' Elijah Packard to the work of the Gospel Ministry & Pastor over the Flock of Christ in that Place The Rev' M' Bacon began with Prayer, the Revd M" Perkins Preached. the Pastor of this Chh gave the Charge & the Revd Mr Anger the Right Hand of Fellowship & M' Packard Blessed the Congregation
May the God & Father of our Lord Jesus Christ make Him a Pastor after his own Heart. Amen.
1 This word has apparently been altered.
' Written above a word crossed out.
,
301
GEORGE WHITEFIELD PREACHES AT PLYMOUTH, 1754
1754 1 Sep" 15 Lords Day P: M: the Chh was Stayed & the Pastor Appointed a Chh Meeting to be in the Meeting House on Thursday the 3ª of Oct" next after Lecture. in order to Chuse One or more Deacons as the Chh shall see cause.
The Chh Met on Octo 3 1754. & Voted they were content that but one Deacon should be chosen at this time. they gave their Votes & Brother John Torrey was Elected to the Deacons office by a great Majority. the Meeting was began & Concluded with Prayer. May the God of all Grace fill this his Servant with his Spirit & with wisdom & make Him in all things Faithful. Amen.
1754 Nov' 16 Ther came hither again the Revd M" George White- field & Preached in the Evening it being Saturday 1 Sermon
17 The next Day being Lords Day Three Sermons
18 & the next Day viz Monday Morning 1 Sermon
I waited upon2 him to Middleboro where he Preachd again ' on sª Day May God make him more & more a great Blessing in his Generation & long Preserve his Life & usefulness to 4 these & other Chhs
July 13 1755 A Letter was Read from the Chh of Duxbury De- sireing the Presence & Assistance of this Chh by the Pastor & Dele- gates to Join with Other Chhs in the Ordination of M' Charles Turner. The Chh Chose the 3 Deacons Viz Foster, Bartlet & Torey to attend with the Pastor.
The Council Met at Duxbury July 23. consisting of 8 Chhs & Four Ministers & Seven Delegates Dissented from the Ordination 5 yet the Council Proceeded to the Ordination there being a Majority of the Delegates for it. The Ministers were Equally Divided. [15] Church Records
1755 Decem 7 Lords Day a Letter from the Pastor & Chh of Halifax was read Desireing the Assistance of this Chh by the Pastor & a Delegate to met with other Chhs there on the 24 Instant in order in order Regularly to Dissolve the Pastoral Relation between the Revd M. John Cotton & them He being by the Providence of God in- capatated from further carrying on the Work of the Ministry among
1 Apparently altered from "1744."
" Here "with " is interlined and perhaps erased.
* This word has been altered.
" Altered from "in."
" Here the words "but were" are crossed out.
302
PLYMOUTH CHURCH RECORDS: VOLUME II
them & the1 Town having come to an Agreem' with Him. This Chh Chose Deacon Torrey to go upon this Affair with the Pastor. On the Day abovesd Viz Decem 24 1755 A Council of Four Chhs met at Halifax viz the 1 .. Chh of Plimouth the 1" of Plimton the 2ª of Bridgewater & the 1" of Middleboro & Did Approve of & consent to the Dismission of the Rev' M' John Cotton from his Pastoral Relation to that Flock & if God should Restore his bodily Strenth2 did Recomend Him to the Work of the Ministry else where (if God should call him) as a man well Qualified with Gifts & Grace for sd Work.
July 4 1756 Lords Day P: M: the Pastor Notified the Brethren to Attend a Chh Meeting tomorrow at 3 Clock at the meeting House
July 5 The Chh accordingly meet. The Meeting was opened with Prayer
1 The Chh Chose a Comittee to ' Enquire in to Affair of our Sister Lydia Barnes it being supposed that she was married to Jonathan Samson one that had been husband to her neice and Deacons Foster Bartlet & Torrey were the Comtee
2 The Pastor then Delivered a Paper Directed the Chh & Pre- cinct weh was as followeth.
TO THE FIRST CHH & PRECINCT OF PLIMOUTH HONOURED & BELOVED -
I find my Strength so much Impaired yt I need an Assistant in the great & good work of the Gospel Ministry in this Place where I have Laboured many years & where I Desire to finish my Life if it be the wish of God. It is Desired that you would speedily Provide help for the Pulpit that I May not be obliged to Preach Constantly under Present Infirmity. It is also Proposed to your Consideration that you Settle a Colleague with Me in the Ministry. & that we Humble ourselves before God for our Sins & Look to the Lord of the Harvest to send forth a Laborer into this part of his Vineyard that may be a man after his own heart
Desireing your Prayers for me I am your Affectionate Pastor
.
N LEONARD
1 Altered from "they."
" This word is obscure.
' Here "Consid" is crossed out.
I
- 1
303
NATHANIEL LEONARD ASKS FOR AN ASSISTANT, 1756
Deacon Bartlet & Deacon Torry were Desired to carry sd Paper & lay it before the Precinct & the Chh was Dismist with Prayer. [16] Chh Records
1756 Octo. 10 Lords Day P:M. The Pastor Notified the Brethren & Desired them to Attend a Chh Meeting tomorrow at 2 o Clock P:M: in the Meeting House.
Octº 11. the Chh Met. & the Chh Meeting was Opened with Prayer Then the Pastor Read the Coppy of the Letter He Sent to the Chh & Precinct in July last past.
1 And the Question was Put Whether the Chh is willing to Come into some Measures for Settling a Person in the Work of the Min- istry in this Place with Rev' M' Leonard, Provided the Precinct shall Agree thereto, Also Provided the Precinct shall come to an Agreement with the Revd M' Leonard Relating to his Support for the Future Voted in the Affirmative
2ly The Question was put Whether it be the mind of y Chh Provided the Precinct shall Consent thereto That Application be Made to M' Joseph Jackson to Supply the Pulpit for a Month longer than the time already Agreed for Voted in the Affirmative the Meeting Concluded with Prayer
Jan" 30 1757 Lords Day the Chh was Stayed & the Pastor Ap- pointed a Chh Meeting to be next Thursday after Lecture to Con- sider further the Case of Sister Lydia Barnes
Feb 3 After Lecture the Chh Stayed & the Meeting being Opened with Prayer Sister Lydia Barnes Appeared & Acknowledged her Contempt of t', Authority in the Chh & the Chh forgave Her in that Matter. & then they Voted to make a further Enquiry into the Case of Lydia Barnes & that Brother Sam11 Donham be of the Comittee instead of Deacon Foster to Enquire as in the former Vote [17] Chh Records
Feb 20 1757 Lords Day the Pastor Appointed a Chh Meeting to be in the Meeting House to Morrow at 2 of the Clock P:M:
Feb 21 The Chh Attended the Meeting which was opened with Prayer & it was Proposed to the Brethren That they having already Heard a Number of Candidates wheather they see Cause to come to a Choice? They Declined coming to a Choice at Present. It was Further Proposed to the Chh what further Steps they would take towards the calling & Settleing a Minister with the Revª M' Leonard.
·
304
PLYMOUTH CHURCH RECORDS: VOLUME II
& After Consideration & the Brethren had Spoken their Minds in the Affair. Voted That it is the Mind of this Chh that Application be made to the Revd M" James Sprout of Gilford in the Colony of Connecticut to come & Preach to us in order to a Settlement with us Provided that the Precinct shall Consent thereto & Chuse some Person to go to Gilford to Invite M' Sprout to Come to this Place for that Purpose.
2 Voted that it is the Mind of the Chh if the Precinct shall Chuse a Person to Make Application to the Revª M Sprout, & if Mr Sprout Declines coming to make further Enquiry after Some Suitable Person . to Preach to us upon Probation & to use Endeavours to obtain one.
3 Voted that the Revd M' John Cotton be Desired to Preach to us in the Mean time
These Votes Passed Unanimously.' The Meeting was Concluded with Prayer.
March 20th 1757 Lords Day P:M: After Sermon the Pastor Ap- pointed a Chh Meeting to be held in the Meeting House Next Wends- day at 3 o'Clock P:M:
March 23d Wendsday ? The Chh Met & Many Members being absent by Reason of a Severe Storm Adjourned to Friday next at 3 o'Clock P:M:
March 25th Friday. The Chh Met according to the Adjournm" & after Prayer The Pastor made the Following Request to the Church Viz
BELOVED BRETHREN
God in his Providence having in a great Measure taken me off from my Ministerial Labours [18] among you by Reason of my many bodily Infirmities I now Move to you to Consent that my Pastoral Relation to you might be Dissolved at such time as the Chh shall think Convenient, and that it may be done by the Advice of an Eccelsiastical Council & with Propper Recommendation from you to the Work of the Ministry if God should Restore my Health again & to the Communion of the Chhs or any particular Chh I shall Desire to be Recomended to
Your Affectionate Pastor
NATHANAEL LEONARD
1 Written above "without any Negative voice," crossed out.
" The letter "W" is written over "Tu."
" At the top of p. [18] is written "Chh Records."
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305
NATHANIEL LEONARD ASKS FOR DISMISSION, 1757
This was Voted in the affirmative.
2by Voted That the Actual Dismission of the Revd M. Leonard from the Work of the Ministry in this Place shall be Defered till the Settleing another Minister in this Chh; & the Same Council that shall be Here on that Occasion shall also Assist in the Dismission of the Revd Leonard.
3ly The Question was put, Whether the Chh would Chuse a Comittee for the Calling of Chh Meetings in M' Leonards Absence? Voted in the Affermative & that the Number should Consist of Three Viz Deacon Tho" Foster, Deacon Joseph Bartlet & Deacon John Torrey. Then the Chh Moved to the Revd Pastor, That when such Meeting shall be 1 Called in his Absence They should have full Power to Chuse a Moderator to Regulate said Meeting? And the Pastor in the Presence of the Chh Consented
4by Voted that the Revd M. Leonard May if He Thinks Propper Remove with his Family from this Town before his Pastoral Rela- tion be Dissolved.
And then the Pastor Concluded the Meeting with Prayer & Benediction The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with this Flock & Bless us & our Children forever. Amen.2 [19]
1757 3 The Precinct having concurred with the Chhª vote to make application to the Revª M' Sprout as in P. 17.4 - Deacon Torrey was sent to invite him. -. Accordingly M' Sprout came, and preacht to us. 3. Sabbath in May Viz. the 8th 15th & 22d
On the 22ª The Committee chosen to call Church Meetings in the Pastor's absence, warned the Chh to meet on the morrow at 1. aclock PM in the meeting House in order to proceed to the Choice of a Pastor if they tho't proper.
May. 23. The Chh met at the meeting House according to warn- ing, and chose M' John Cotton Moderator. - After Prayers for Direction, A free Conference followed, in which (to satisfy one or two objecting Brethren) both the Lawfulness & expediency of Mr Sprout's Removal was urged. - That all the reformed Chhs held, that it was lawful to remove minister's for the greater good of the
1 The words "shall be" are written above "was," crossed out.
" The entries in the hand of Mr. Leonard here cease.
' The entries on p. [19] and part of p. [20] of the text - or pp. 305-307 of this volume - are in the hand of Mr. John Cotton.
" P. [17] of the text, or p. 304 of this volume.
306
PLYMOUTH CHURCH RECORDS: VOLUME II
Chh, for want of due support &c. and they practised accordingly. - Severall Instances of this Nature occur in the Chhes of New-England even from the beginning, which are the strictest of all upon this Head.
And the expediency of M' Sprout's Removal was urged from the peculiar Circumstances of the People in this Place, as well as that of his own Flock; which (according to the accounts we had) might be better accomodated by being reunited to the old Parish of Guil- ford - from which they had before departed - than continuing as a distinct Society - The Cause of their offence & secession from that Church being in a great measure, removed. - &c. &c.
After Discourse, The Chh Voted to proceed immediately to the Choice of a Pastor. - And bringing in their Votes in writing, upon counting them It appeared that every Vote was for the Rev' M' James Sprout Viz. 44.
Next, The Church chose D' Le Baron, Coll' Watson, M- Spooner, Mª Mayhew & their former Committee to present these Votes to the Precinct and also to the Revd M' Sprout in Case the Precinct concur with the Choice.
Finally, the Church Voted to request M. John Cotton to supply the Pulpit, till they hear further from the Revd M- Sprout.
Att. JNº COTTON Mod"
The Precinct having concurred with the Chh in the Call by & general Vote, The same was preferred by the Chh & Precinct-Com- mittee to M' Sprout, who took the affair into Consideration & returned home to Guilford. - Sometime after He informed us by Letters, that his Church refused to dismiss him and likewise wholly declined joyning with him in Council to ask Advice & Direction in the Affair. Upon which after some months, he called a Council himself. - of which he apprised this Church - upon which the Chh Comittee Oct. 9, called a Chh-Meeting to be on the next Day, to chuse some persons to represent them before said Council.
October. 10. 1757. The Chh met at the Meeting House - and chose M. John Cotton moderator. - The Meeting was opened with Prayer. - And after Consideration the following Vote past.
Inasmuch as the Revª M= James Sprout has sent for a Council [20] to meet the 3ª Tuesday of this Instant October, in order to ad-
1
307
CHURCH COUNCIL AT GUILFORD, CONNECTICUT, 1757
vise him with respect to the Call this Church have given him to take the pastoral Charge over them, It was Voted by the Church (that in case the Precinct concur) To send Thomas Foster Esq" & D' Lazarus LeBaron to represent them before said Council and to do & act all & every Thing that they may think proper in the affair for the regular obtaining the said M' Sprout. - And if they fail of success, then to apply to some Candidate for the ministry to come & preach among us upon Probation.
Test. JNº COTTON Mod"
The Committee above (being likewise chosen by the Precinct) attended the Council at Guilford Oct. 18. And after laying the Affair before them, the Council came to a Result, as follows.1
At" a Meeting of an Ecclesiastical Council convend at Guilford Oct 18. 1757. at yo Desire of the Revª M" James Sproutt to hear & consider a Call to the pastoral Charge of ye first Chh in Plymouth, to him from thence, & to look into the whole Affair & advise him what to do.
Present
Elders
Messengers
Churches
Revd Mess"" Jedediah Mills
Philemon Robbins
Mª Sam1 De'Forest Dª Edwd Barker
Ripton
Branford
Wilton
William Gaylord Dan1 Humphrey
D' Dan1 Holbrook Esq"
Derby
Eleazar Wheelock
MỸ Josiah Finney
Lebanon
Joseph Bellamy
Bethlem
Mark Leavenworth
Dan11 Everett Esq" Tho" Brownson Esq".
Waterbury
The Revd M' Mills was chosen Moderator - & the Revd M' Bellamy Scribe - After Solemn Pray" to God for Wisdom & Direction the Council adjournd till tomorrow Morning 7 O'Clock.
Oct 19th The Council met according to Adjournment - The Revd Mª Sproutt appeard before ye Council, & gave a Narrative of yo State of his people at Guilford, & his Conduct relating to his Call at Plymº from y Beginning of the Affair to ye present Time. - Two Gentle a Comittee from the first Church & Society at Plymº viz Thom" Foster Esq" & Doct Larazus LeBaron appeard also before ye Council, & urged the Lawfulness of removing Ministers & ye great Necessity of
1 Here the entries in Mr. Cotton's hand cease.
" The entries from here to the point indicated on p. [22] of the text - or
p. 310 of this volume - are in an unidentified hand, perhaps that of the Rev. Chandler Robbins.
308
PLYMOUTH CHURCH RECORDS: VOLUME II
one being removd for them - & ye particular Reasons why M" Sproutt shd be the Man. - The Chh in ye 4th Society in Guilford also appeard before ye Council, & offerd their Reasons why M' Sprout ought not to be removd - The whole was taken into Consideration, And after mature Deliberation, the Council came into ye following Resolves -
1. That notwithstanding yo Covt Relation between Ministers & their People, a Minister may when ye greater Good of Christ's Chh evidently calls for it be lawfully remove to another Church & Congregation.
2. That such an important Affair ought to be1 referrd to an Eccle- siastical Council by ye Parties concernd
The Council adjournd till tomorrow at 7 O Clock in ye Morning Oct 20 - Met according to Adjournment & resolvd
3. That altho ye Necessities of ye first Chh & Congregation in Plym- outh, appear so great, that we cannot say but that it is best some Min- isters be removed for them, and though we well approve the steps they have taken [21] Yet the 4th Society in Guilford is so situate, and at- tended with such peculiar Difficulties, that we cannot be satisfyd that 'tis best M' Sproutt be removd - but advise him to continue in his present Station; heartily wishing the great Head of ye Chh may Yet lead his 2 People at Plymouth to a Pastor after his own Heart. - And in a Sense of their piteous Case, as represented to Us, we recommend it to them still to persevere in ye Use of all proper Means to obtain a faithful Minister, not withstanding ye great Discouragements they have hitherto met with
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