USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Cambridge > Records of the Church of Christ at Cambridge in New England, 1632-1830, comprising the ministerial records of baptisms, marriages, deaths, admission to covenant and communion, dismissals and church proceedings > Part 17
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July 29. A Chh Meeting by adjournment.
The report of the Committee to enquire into the state of the Church Stock was read & accepted.
A Committee appointed to Enquire into the state of monies given to the poor of the Church also reported, & their report was accepted by the Chh which in substance was as follows.
That there is in the hands of the Deacons monies to the £ sd amount of 62.0.2. viz due from the heirs of Dr Whittemore £ sd F £ sd F 15.0.3.2 of such monies. In the hands of Dr Hill 4.17.2.2 £ sd Also a bond of Nath' Prentifs & others for 42.2.8. The Com- mittee reported that they find no rules according to which these monies are to be applied for the benefit of the poor, Excepting the Legacy of the late Dr. Appleton.
Whereupon it was voted, to chuse a Committee to draw up
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Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
certain rules respecting the disposition of monies given to the poor of this Chh & report them at the next meeting, the Com- mittee to Confist of five.
Dr Kneeland, Professor Wigglesworth, Mr Gaunett, Dn Frost & Dn Hill were chosen.
Voted That the appointing a Committee to inspect the manners of profefsing Christians be deferred to the next meeting.
The meeting was adjourned to the next Lecture day.
(155)
Sept. 23. A Chh Meeting by adjounment.
The Committee appointed to draw up certain rules respecting ye disposition of monies given for the use of the poor of the Chh made ye following report. which was accepted exclusive of the 4th article.
1. The Deacons shall put sd monies at Interest in as few sums as may be.
2. Every security by them taken for monies so lent, shall be made payable on ye first day of Oct" next Ensuing ye date thereof.
3. If the interest be not punctually paid, upon any such security the Deacons fhall put sd security in suit as soon as may be.
4. That one third of the sums contributed at the annual thanks- givings for ye use of ye poor shall with leave of ye contri- butors be yearly added to ye principal of this fund.
5. That the interest of ye late Revd Dr Appleton's Legacy for ye use of the poor of this Chh together with one third of ye residue of ye interest of this fund fhall be annually by the Deacons distributed, according to their discretion amongst ye poor of this Chh.
6. The rest of the interest of ye fund shall be added to ye prin- cipal continually.
7. The Deacons shall keep au account of the articles & ye value of them, by them distributed & of ye persons to whom distri- buted, which acct they shall annually lay before the committee which shall be appointed to examine the Dns Accts.
W. Kneeland pr Order.
The Committee chosen this year to enquire into the state of the Chh. Stock presented the following.
Drs Deacons of the first Chh in Cambridge to sd Chh.
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Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
£ 8 d
1785. To money by them put at Interest. 118. 1. 9
To Cash in Dr Whittemore's hand for which
he promised to pay interest 60. 4.10}
To Cash in D" Hills hands for which he prom- ised to pay interest 14. 0. 0
To one years interest of ye above sum
0.16.10
To the fum which rested in the Deacon's hands for Contingencies 1.10. 62
To sum total of Contributions fince June 30. 1784. 9.10. 1
* (154) To cash received for interest on the Consol- idation note 3.17.10.2
Con. Cr. Total 207.11.10毫
By fecurities in their hands for monies by them put at Interest 118. 1. 9
By expence for bread & wine fince
June 30 1784 6. 0.11
By balance in the hands of the Deacons 83. 9. 2 ₺
Total 207.11.10 ₺
Sixty pounds 4/10 of ye above balance with the interest which has grown thereon fince June 30th 1781 is due from Dn Whittemore's Eftate.
Seventy two pounds a further part of sd balance is to be in Dn Hills hands on Interest.
One pound 4/4 of sd balance is to remain in ye Dns hands for Contingencies.
May 29. A Church meeting notified the Lord's day preceding to 1786 chuse a Committee to enquire into the Chh Stock Voted to chuse a Committe of three
Dr William Kneeland, Mr Gannett & Mr Profefsor Wiggles- worth were chosen
The Committee reported that there is £ sd
in the hands of the Deacons 237.13.10
Report accepted by the Chh.
April 13. A Chh meeting notified the Sabbath preceding to Chuse a 1786 Committee to enquire into the state of the Chh Stock
*[Pages (154) and (155) are duplicated and page 155 is blank. S. P. S.].
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Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
Voted That the Committee consist of three. Dr Kneeland, Mr Gannett & Revd Dr Wigglesworth were chosen.
Voted. That this Committee be directed to consult with & advise the Deacons of the Church as to the management of the monies in their hands so as may be most for the interest of the Chh. June 1786 : Committe reported that there is in the Deacons' hands 274.17.12 Report accepted.
(156) PERSONS MARRIED BY T. HILLIARD
from page 130.
1786. May 17. Jonas Barker & Mary Burns
July 6th John Adams & Hannah Phelps
Sept 24 Francis Churchill & Phebe Leathers, Charlestown.
Sept. 27. Charles Frothingham & Lydia Kidder
Octr Seth Ingersoll Brown & Sarah Goddin
Octr Jonas Cutter & Lydia Frost
Decr 19. Thomas Rand & Sarah Hill
Dec. 25
Ebenezer Austin & Polly Bunker, Charlestown
1787 Jany 21.
Samuel Cutter & Nabby Cutter
Feb. 4. Thomas Barrett & Mercy Cook
July 19.
Revd Jonathan Burr & Miss Sarah Cooke
Oct" 27.
John Gilmore & Mary Teel.
Novr 15. Jonas Wyeth & Hepzibah Sawin.
1788. Apr. 4. Benjamin Winship & Mary Adams Elisha Doane & Eunice Hunnewell.
July 10th Isaiah Dickson & Sally Cooper
Sept. 28. Simeon Childs & Grace Winship.
Oct. 12. Zealous Colton & Jenny Barber.
Nov. 19. Andrew Lopus & Sarah Kidder. Joseph Bird & Ruth Leathers Charlestown.
Nov. 27. Thomas Edes & Mary Ball Charlestown.
Dec. 3. Joseph Millar & Mary Tapley Charlestown. Returned to Town Clerk.
June 14. Samuel Hastings & Rebecca Johnson.
July 5. Ebenezer Freeman & Bethiah Hackelton.
Sept. 8. Revd John Andrews & Mifs Margaret Wigglesworth
Nov. 22. Edward Winship & Lucy Learned
Dec. 27. Darby Millar & Dinah Bowen.
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Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
(157)
PERSONS MARRIED BY A : HOLMES.
1792. April 15. Jonas Wyeth & Elizabeth Smith
June 21. Walter Frost of Cambridge & Martha Tufts of Charlestown.
July 8. Jonathan Hearsey & Hannah Hill.
Jan. 3. Walter Dickson jun™ of Cambridge &
1793 Anna Tufts of Charlestown. See Book II. Part II p. (73.)
[Pages 158 and 159 Blank. S. P. S.]
(160)
Account of Deaths in the first Parish in Cambridge from Octr 27. 1783.
Sukey Foster
Mrs. Sewall wife of Prof Sewall
Mrs. Dixon wife of Isaib Dixon.
Mr Dixon's two Children.
Mr. Berry Dr. Moore
Mrs. Stanley
Wid. Bordman
Mrs. Gammage wife of Dr.
Dr. Gammage's infant Child.
Mr. Rufsell
Mrs Whitworth, Wid.
[1784]
Mrs. [Sally] Prentice wife of Jonas
Leonard Walton son of Wid.
Mr. Frothingham.
Mr. Frothingham's daughter
Mifs Kent's Child.
Mr. Palmer
Mifs Sparhawk
Mrs. Griggs
Mr. Robbin's Child. M" Phillips's child.
Mr. Douglafs
Mr. Barrett's Child
Mr Fowle's Child
Parfon Smith's Child Darinda Vafsall Mrs. Briant
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Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
1784 Mifs Wigglesworth Mr. Bradish's Child Capt. Durant's Child
[1785] April 1785
Widow Gookins an aged woman Mrs. Hawkins wife of Coll. Hawkins
Mrs. Barrett wife of Thomas Barrett. Wid Wyeth Elizabeth Nutting an agedwoman.
July 16 Samuel Hastings aged 62.
Aug. 5. Infant Child of Ammi Cutter Infant Child of Mr. Gilmore
Sept. 13. Cap. Eben" Stedman aged 79.
Oct. 17. Mr. Ebr Bradish aged 70
1786 Jany
Nov. 5. Mr. Sam1 Cook aged 83 Mrs Champney aged 70
Feb. 3. Samuel Chandler aged 42
March 20. Child of Abigail Bradish aged 6 years.
March 22. John Sawin aged 26
April 3. Jonathan Ireland aged 82
April 4. Francis Hilliard aged 16 m.
April 5. Mrs. Goddard aged 73 Samuel Thacher Esqr died June 27 at Boston in an extreme sudden manner Æt 50.
July 28. Widow Hasey aged 70
Sept. William Warland fon of Mr. Owen Warland aged 21
Nov. Betsey Warland aged 23.
Decr Mr. Israel Walton aged about 30.
1787 Jan. 17. David Frost aged 30
Jany 22. Thomas Hastings aged 70
May 23. Polly Stratton aged 16
June John Stratton aged 56.
July Child of Widow Frost aged 9m
Aug. 23. Mr Henry Prentifs aged 82.
Aug. 24th Infant Child of Mr. Dixon
Sept. 17. Elizabeth Watfon aged 33
Sept. 23. Mr. Twaddle aged about 60
Nov. Child of Mr. Watfons aged 6m
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Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
1787 Dec. 14 Mrs. Marrett aged 65
1788 Apr. John Warland A. B. aged 20.
May Wid. Moore aged about 70
Wid. Phelps aged 45
Mr. Edward Dixon aged 86 Mr. Ralph Inman aged 70
Emerfon an apprentice aged 20
Mrs. Twaddle aged about 50
Mifs Dickson aged 54
June Mrs. Mary Stedman aged about 65
Sept. Child of Thomas Warland aged 10 months
Child of John Warland aged 16 months
Oct. Mrs. Anna Morse aged 55 Mrs. Hannah Marsh aged 66 Dr. William Kneeland aged 56
(161) Oct.
1789
Mrs. Manning aged 46 Mr. Ireland aged 70. Infant child of Mr. Dixon Mrs. Coolidge aged 85. Cesar a negro man Servant to President Willard aged about 40
Mrs. Locke wife of Locke belonging heretofore to Menotomy aged 35.
March Pompey Phillips aged about 40
Mr. Kidder aged 87
Mrs. Kidder aged 72 } buried in the same grave
Apr Mrs. Piper aged 58
Child of Betsey Norton about 6 months
Nov. Thomas Hastings aged 35
Oct. Mark a Negro man in the service of Judge Lee aged 22
Oct Mr. Cook aged about 45
Dec. 29 Mrs. Watson wife of William Watson aged 27
1790 Feb. 24. Widow Prentifs aged 76
March Mrs. Mary Holyoke Relict of Revd President Holyoke aged 92
April 24. Dr. Isaac Rand aged 72
(Following copied from a Memdum of ; Deacon Hill) [By Dr. A. Holmes. ]
May 9. Revd Timothy Hilliard in the 44th year of his age.
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Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
1790 May 6. Widow Hannah Winthrop aged 64.
Isaac Bradish
Sept. 22. Wid. Lydia Watson aged 85 Wid. Elizabeth Champney Wid Martha Prentifs
Oct. 1. John Gilmore
7. Polly Wyeth aged 35.
24. Lydia Munroe aged 13.
Nov. 13 Edward Winship's child [Edward] aged 4 months.
1 791 Jany 30.
Julia Hilliard aged 8 years
Feb. 12. Wid. Carpenter aged 67
April 16.
William How aged 71
March
Sarah Hill aged 42
April 22 Eunice daughter of Ebenezer Bradish aged 3 (At M' Wm Watson's) See Book II p. 87 &c. P. II for deaths from A. D. 1792.
(162) CHILDREN BAPTIZED BY T. HILLIARD.
1787 Nov. 11. Elizabeth Cotton of Maj" John Hastings Thomas of Thomas Rand
Nov. 18. Richard Henry of Honble Francis Dana Margaret Bromfield of Mr. Profefsor Pearson.
Dec. 9. Elizabeth of Joseph Read
Dec. 16. Charles of John Warland
1788 Jany 13th John of John Shed
Jany 27. Jacob Sheafe of Revd President Willard Jacob Hill of Joseph Bates
May Lncy of Dr. Gammage
May Nancy of Benjamin Cox
July 6. Betsey of Samuel Tufts
July 13. George of John Choate
July 20. Harriot of Revd T. Hilliard Elizabeth of T. Fillebrown
July 27. Joseph of John Palmer
Ang. 3. Joshua of Mr. Bull at Boston
Aug. 3. Nathaniel of John Goodwin
Aug. 24. Joanna of Richard Gardner
Lydia Hastings of Jonas Wyeth 3rd.
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Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
1788 Sept. 7. William of Samuel Kent Benjamin of Thomas Rand
Sept. 14. Eunice of Ebenezer Bradifh Esq.
Sept. 28 Samuel of Walter Cox.
Dec. 14.
Mary of William Watson
Dec. 21 Polly of Dear Munroe. Nathaniel Tufts of John Stone.
1789 Feby 8. Richard & Alexander Sons of Betsy Nelson
March 1. Thomas Brattle of Mr. Caleb Gannett
March 8. Charles of Charles Frothingham
March 29. Andrew of Andrew Lopans
Ap. 19. Maria Wainwright of Mr. Jonathan Hastings Moses of Elias Richardson
May 24. Polly of Jonathan Wyatt
June 21. Ebenezer of Ebenezer Stedman. Edmund Trowbridge of Maj. John Hastings
June 28. Augustus of Josiah Moore
July 12. Hannah of Zechariah Shed
(163) July 19. Edward Augustus of Profefsor Pearson
Aug. 2. Lucy of Thomas Warland.
Sept. 6. Elizabeth Ellery of Honble Francis Dana Jonas of Elijah Mead
Oct. 18. Charlotte of Ammi Cutter
Oct. 24. Lucy of Cap" John Palmer Katherine of Katherine Smith
Nov. 1. Charles of William Huunewell
Nov. 15. Jofeph of Thomas Preutifs
Nov. 22. James of Josh Stacey Read
Dec. 6. Charles Holmes Calmady & Harriot Lane of John Williams
Dec. 20. Lucinda of Revd President Willard
Dec. 27. Sarah of Samuel Townsend
1790 Feby 21. Henry of Henry Dickson
Feby 28. James of Dr. William Gammage Leonard of Thomas Fillebrown
March 7 Henry of Jonas Wyeth 3rd.
April 18 Christina Newton of Mr Jona Hastings.
April 24 Polly Elliot of John Goodwin. 145 Hilliard.
['The following are in D" Holmes' hand writing. ]
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Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
June 20 Jonathan of John & Mary Stone (by Mr Greenough.)
27. John of Richard Gardner (by Mr Kendall.)
July 25 Edward of Edward & Lucy Winfhip (by Mr Hitchcock).
Aug. 1. William of Joseph & Mary Bates by Mr Foster. Rebecca of Samuel Kent.
Oct. 10 Sally of Thomas Rand George of Charles & Lydia by Pres Willard Frothingham
Nov. 21. George of Samuel (Profefsor) & Rebekah Webber,
1791. by Prest Willard.
Jan. 2. Sarah of Joseph & Eunice Reed (by Mr Smith Librarian.)
30 Luke of John Shed by Prefidt Willard.
Feb.
6. Eunice of John Choate - by Mr. Smith
Hannah of Thomas Gardner Librarian.
Mar. 12 Leonard of Richard Cutter by Mr Porter.
May 1 Elizabeth Latham of Caleb & Catherine Gannett Willard.
Į by Prefiª
Mary of Elias & Mary Richardson
July 24 William Warland of Josiah Moore Jonathan of Jonathan Wyatt
By Mr Baxter
Aug. 7 Clary of Johu Prentice by Mr Foster of Littleton.
Sept. 11 Sarah Ann of Francis & Elizabeth Dana by Mr Mellen.
(164) Oct. 9 Frederick of Jonathan Hastings.
Edward of Edward Winship by A. Holmes.
Oct. 30 Amelia of President Willard by Mr Jackson.
Nov. 13. Samuel of Samuel Kidder by Mr Whitney.
Dec. 25. Nathaniel of William & Lucy Gammage by A. H. The next entry is in Book II.
1788 May 2. A Chh meeting notified the preceding Sabbath to chuse a Commee to enquire into the state of the Chh Stock &c. Voted That Dr. Wigglesworth, Mr. Gannett & Cap" Walton be a Commtee for this purpose.
A request signed by 24 brethren desiring that the Practice of demanding public confefsions of those who have had chil- dren within seven months after marriage be laid aside, was read & after some conversation it was voted that all children
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Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
born in wedlock of parents neither of whom is in full commu- nion be admitted to baptism upon one or both the parents owning the Covenant.
Augst 22. A Church Meeting notified the preceding Sabbath to re- ceive the Report of the Committee to enquire into the state of the Church Stock.
The Report was read & the Church voted their acceptance of it.
Voted That the Deacons be directed to obtain such monies be longing to the Chh as are in the hands of publick bodies of men & to put them out to private persons, from whom they may recover the interest at stated seasons.
Voted That thanks be presented to the Deacons & particularly to Deacon Hill for their attention & fidelity in taking care of the property belonging to the Church. It appeared that the Deacons have in their hands in securities of all kinds, d £ sd 280.1.10} besides 1.15.7 for contingencies, See the report on the files.
A Church Meeting June 5th [1789] notified the Lord's day Preceeding to chuse a Committee to enquire into the State of the Chb Stock.
Voted that this Committee consist of three.
Mr. Gannett, Mr. Winthrop & Captn Walton were chosen.
A Church Meeting July 24,
The Committee appointed to inquire into the state of the Chh. Stock reported & it appeared that the £ 8 =0 Deacons have in their hands 310 2 CON The amount of the fund appropriated to
£
d
the use of the poor of the Chh amounted to 76
4 2
(165) Voted That the Report of the Committee be accepted & that the thanks of the Chh be given to Deacon Hill for his generous services in making provision for the Communion & taking care of the property of the Chh.
N. B. It appeared that the third part of the income of the Chh Stock to be paid to the Parish Treas" the first day of April next is three pounds thirteen shillings & ten pence, report on the files.
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Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
At a Church Meeting June 1790, notified the Lord's day preceding
Voted 1. That Deacon Gideon Frost be Moderator.
Voted 2. That Mr. Caleb Gannett, James Winthrop Esq". & Timothy Tufts Esqr. be a committee to examine the state of the Church Stock and the Poors fund in the hands of the Dea- cons & make report. Attest Gideon Frost, Moderator.
Att a Church Meeting, September, ye 27, 1790. notified the Lord's day preceeding
Voted 1. That Deacon James Munroe be Moderator of this meeting.
The Committee appointed to Enquire into the State of the Church fund reported & it appeared that the Deacons have in their hands in money & Public & private securities unappropriated £331 :: 4:84
The amount of the fund appropriated to the use of the poor 80: 5:11
Voted that the report of the Committee be accepted.
Voted that the thanks of the Church be given to the Dea- cons and particularly to Deacon Hill for his care & trouble in negotiating the fund & making provision for the Com- munion for which he Declines receiving any Compensation.
report on the files
Attest James Munroe Moderator.
At a church Meeting June ye 6 1791. notified the Lord's day preceeding
Voted 1. That Deacon Aaron Hill be moderator of this meeting.
Voted 2. That Mr. Caleb Gannett, James Winthrop Efq" & Timothy Tufts Efqr be a Committee to Examine the State of the Church fund and advise the Deacons in the management of sd fund. Aaron Hill, Moderator.
(166) At a Church Meeting August ye 15. 1791. notified the Lord's day preceeding.
Vote ye 1. That Aaron Hill be moderator of this meeting.
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Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
The committee appointed June ye 6. to Examine into the State of the Church fund and advise the Deacons in the management of said fund made report which was accepted by the Church.
It appeared by Said report that the Deacons have in their Hands in Public & private Securities of the unappropriated fund 343.6.8
Of the fund appropriated for the use of the poor 80.3.2}
See report on file.
Voted that the Deacons be a committee with Difcresonary power Either to Loan the Treasurer's Note in their hands or to Dif- pose of it for the benefit of the Church.
Attest. Aaron Hill Moderator.
(167) At a meeting of the first Church of Christ in Cambridge October ye 19, 1791 to deliberate and act on the Subject of Choosing a Paftor of this Church.
Deacon Aaron Hill was Chosen Moderator.
Voted That the members of this Church are now ready to proceed to the choice of a Paftor.
Voted. That the Church proceed to the Choice of a Paftor by ballot or written votes. The votes being Collected it appeared that there were nineteen Votes Eighteen of which were for the Revd Abiel Holmes whereupon it was declared that the Revd Abiel Holmes was Elected.
Voted That the Election of the Revd Abiel Holmes to the Paftoral office of this Church be declared in writing to the Inhabitants of this Parish, that if it be agreable to them they Concur therewith.
Voted That Mr. Caleb Gannett, Aaron Hill, & Gideon Froft be a Committee to Communicate to the Revd Abiel Holmes the pro- ceedings of the Church. Attest Aaron Hill moderator.
On December 1791 The following Letter from the Revd Abiel Holmes containing his Answer to the forementioned in- vitation was communicated after divine Service.
New Haven Decr 5, 1791.
Gentlemen
The invitation and call to become your settled Pastor, as exprefsed in the respective votes of the first Church and Parish in Cambridge of the 19th and 21st of October, which
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Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
you were pleased to present me before I left Cambridge, have been ever since, under my most serious consideration. The sud- (168) dennefs of the application, together with the peculiar difficulty and importance of the Station to which you invited me, called for a very deliberate attention to the Subject. Your benev- olence will, I doubt not, excufe the length of time which I have taken for a final decision. In respect to the office, Gentlemen, of which you have asked my acceptance, I can truly say, I consider it as above my years and my improve- ments. But the singular candor with which you received me and my ministrations, while I was with you, and the remark- able unanimity with which the transactions relative to my pro- posed settlement among you were conducted, silence my objections on this head.
Upon the whole after weighing this matter with serious de- liberation and with prayers to the Father of Lights for guidance and direction, I have judged it my duty to accept this invita- tion and to give up myself to the pastoral service among you and accordingly, I do hereby signify my acceptance of this call of the Church and Society to settle in the work of the ministry among them. This you will be pleased to communicate to them as my answer. I ask a remembrance in your prayers ; and intend by the permifsion of divine Providence, to be with you in the course of the next week.
In the mean time I remain Gentlemen with much respect & esteem Your obedient and very humble Servant Abiel Holmes.
Deacon Aaron Hill,
and the other Gentlemen of the Committee. To be communicated to the first
Church and Society at Cambridge.
(169) At a meeting of the first Church of Christ in Cambridge December 26tb 1791, notified the Lord's day preceeding Deacon Aaron Hill Moderator.
Vote 1. That the following Churches with their Pastors be requested to afsist in the installation of the Revd Abiel Holmes, viz.
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Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
The Church in Waltham, the Church in Brookline, the Church in Lexington, the second and third Churches in Cambridge, the Church in Federal Street, Boston and the Revd President of the University in Cambridge.
Vote 2. That the following Brethren, Thomas Lee, Caleb Gannett. and James Winthrop be a Committee to confer with the Revd Abiel Holmes respecting the time of his installation and whether he desire any addition to the aforementioned Churches.
The aforesd Committee having executed the bufinefs af- signed them, reported. That the Pastor elect nominated the following Churches with their Pastors viz. The Church in Yale College, The first Church in New Haven, The Church in Charlestown. the Churches under the pastoral care of the Revd Simeon Howard DD. & the Revd John Lathrop DD. in Boston and the Revd President of Yale College. That he proposed Wednesday the twenty fifth of January as the day of Instal- lation.
Vote 3. That the aforesaid Report be accepted, and that the Church concur with the proposals of the Pastor elect.
Vote 4. That the Moderator, Thomas Lee. Caleb Gannett, James Winthrop and Gideon Frost be a Committee to write Letters mifsive to the Pastors & Churches aforesaid requesting their presence and afsistance.
Vote 5. That Caleb Gannett, Thomas Lee, Aaron Hill. James Winthrop, Gideon Frost, Timothy Tufts and James Munro be a Committee to communicate to the Installation Council (170) the proceedings of the Church
Vote 6. That the foregoing proceedings be communicated to the Inhabitants of the Parish, at their next meeting.
The following is a copy of the Letter sent to the several Churches &c. requested to afsist at the Installation of the Revd Abiel Holmes.
" The first Church of Christ in Cambridge to the Church of Christ in.
Greeting :
" Directed as we hope by an all wise Providence, we have " agreed with the Revd Abiel Holmes to become our Pastor. " Wednesday the 25th Instant is appointed for his Installa- " tion. We request your afsistance by your Pastor and " delegates on that solemn occasion. We solicit your
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Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
" prayers, and we wish you grace, mercy and peace from
" our common Lord.
" Cambridge Jany 2, 1792.
Aaron Hill
Committee
" To the Revd
Thomas Lee
in behalf
" To be communicated.
Caleb Gannett
of the
James Winthrop
Church."
Gideon Frost.
" Memd The Council are desired to meet at
" at the Parsonage house precisely at
" 10 o'clock A. M."
On the 25th of January 1792 at 10 o'clock the Several Churches by their Representatives convened at the Parsonage house.
The Revd Joseph Willard, DD. President of the University was chosen Moderator of the Ecclesiastical Council then formed.
After a prayer by the Moderator, the proceedings of the Church and Parish were delivered to him by the Committees appointed for that purpose, as were Mr Holmes' Letter of ac- ceptance, together with papers relative to his difmifsion from Midway in Georgia.
No objections being made the Council agreed that they were satisfied.
They then adjourned to dine at Mr Owen Warlands.
After dinner, the Pastor elect was voted a Member of this Church by the Brethren then convened.
The Council with the Pastor Elect preceded by the Church and as many of the Inhabitants of the Parish as were present (171) proceeded to the meeting house, where the Revª Abiel Holmes was solemnly installed Pastor of this Church and Society in the following manner.
The Revd Mr Jackson of Brookline began with prayer.
The Revd James Dana DD. of New Haven preached a sermon from John 7.16. My doctrine is not mine but his that sent me. The Revd Mr Clark of Lexington prayed after Sermon.
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