USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Cheshire > Records of the First Baptist Church in Cheshire (formerly New Providence) > Part 4
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4ly Appointed Brother Timothy Mason, Isaac Wilmarth and Aaron Bowen as a Committee to Attend to some Matters of Interest between Brother Josiah Partridge and one other of the Brotherhod, and make Return of their Doing at the Next Chh Meeting.
5 The Committee that was appointed last Chh Meeting Reported that Our Eld'r have thirty two pounds ten shillings paid him in Cash or produce by the first of March Next including what the Chh has Done in a private individual sense sence the Reformation in 1788 Excepted by the Chh
P 70 6ly Voted to have the same Committee that was appointed last Chh Meeting To Everage the sum they brought in, upon the Brethren that are free to be everaged with as many of the society as . are free to Join them, and prepair a Subscription paper for those that Chuse to do their Duty by fre Subscription.
March 1st 1794 The Chh Conveaned acording to apointment. Ist Sister Amy Brown gave hir reasons why she could not walk with the Chh, the most assencial one was that
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the Chh did fellowship those that bore arms in support of Government. She said she Could not walk with a people that Tollorated such thing. In Consiquence of hir seting up such a standerd The Chh could not Continue fellowship with hir.
2ly Read several Letters of Request.
3ly Appointed Eld'r Werden and Brother Oded Eddy to attend a Counsil at Hankock.
4ly Mr. Brooks of Lanesborough laid before the Chh what he had done for Mother Lesure and hir daughter Rachel. the Chh Agreaed to take the matter up at some futer time and give sd Brooks information of their rezult.
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71 5ly Agreaed to give Brother Michael Mason and wife a Letter of Recommend
6ly Agreaed to give Brother John Eaton and wife Letter of Recommend
7ly Conversed upon the Difficulties between the Eld'r and the Chh in Regard to the past conduct of them in Reckoning duty done to their Minister.
8ly The Eld'r proposed three questions first whether the Brethren are disposed to attend to his dificulty any further or not they answered they was and apointed to Meet the 15th day of Instant March at one Oclock in the afterknoon at this place Second question do you my Brethren Request me to Administer Special Ordinences under the present Situation of things or not Answer in the Negitive. question third do you Request me to preach the Gospel to you at set times, Answer in the Afirmative with fredom
March 15, 1794 The Chh Meet acording to appointment Ist &ld'r Werden laid the following before the Chh: He in the Capacity of a farmer Cleared and aded considerable betterments to the publick Lott, and as such Claims the sole Right of appropriating the same to the support of the Gospell
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72 ques'n to the Chh is his Claim Just or unjust. Answer Just. By all those that are present except Allen Briggs and Aaron Bowen, (viz) Dec'n Carpenter Abizer Phillips Oded Eddy Joshua Read Isaack Willmarth Jon'n Richardson
ques'n 2d Whether the Eld'r has Just cause of Complaint or not, with the past Conduct of the Chh in Regard to Reckning duty don to him, for his Servises in the Gospel.
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Answer he has Just cause of Complaint
April 5th, 1794. A few of the Brethren Meet acording to yousal Custom.
Ist Took the freedom to Open our minds to each other. There being so few thought best to adjurn to Saterday this Day week at this place
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Ist Red the minutes of Chh Meeting. March 15th 1794 2ly The Brethren that are present that was not here the Last Chh Meeting
Answer the question asked them in the affermative (vis) Seth Jones Calib Tibbits Thomas Mighll Timothy Mason Elkany Tingley made no objection William Jenkins did not give his mind. 3ly The Eld'r proposed to the Chh whether they would Continue Chh Meetings and Take up their Travil and try to persevere. The answer was in the Afirmative --
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4ly Took the affair of Mr Brooks into Consideration concluded to pay him 40/
May 3d 1794 The Chh Meet acording to appointment Ist Eld'r Werden proposed to the Brethren to give in their minds in regard to their fredom to each other. part said they had not any particular difficulty against any one member But thought amongst our past labours there had ben many things done and sed that would have been better
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7.4 to have ben otherways: others manifested they had a paticular difficulty against Dec'n Carpenter for his harsh expressions in Chh Meetings in our past Labours in regard to our duty in supporting the Gospel
2ly Red a letter from Brother John Ladd in Request of a letter of Recommend in Regard to his gifit (? R. H. C. ) of Improvment and a letter of Recommend for his wife. The Chh agread to answer the Request 3ly Red a letter from the Brethren at the Gore, which Requested a Chh Meeting with the Brethren at that place.
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it is proposed to Meet the Saterday before the last Lords day in instant May, appointed Eld Werden Dec'n Carpenter & Jonathan Richardson to attend said Meeting.
4ly appointed Brother Phillips and Eddy to Brother Coles Case with Levi Mason.
May 17, 1794 Chh Meet acording to appointment
Ist Opened their minds to each other with a good degre of fredom, Matters of worriment appeared to be so far done away the Brethren concluded to take up Chh travil with all that feal a fredom to go forward, and not lay any blocks in the way of those that do not se it their duty to act in an open fellowship wny in support
75 of the Gospel; But for as many to unite in a Visible Fellowship way as are convinsed it to be their duty and privileg, and hold up their light to those that apear to be in the dark in Regard to the support of the Gospel
2ly Brother Phillips Reported that he and Brother Eddy attended with two of Eld'r Leland's Brethren to the difculty between Brother Cole and Leir Mason found acording to their Judgment that Leir Mason had not any Just Cause of Complaint against Brother Cole - 3ly Rec'd a letter of Request from a Number of Brethren at Williamstown appointed Eld'r Werden and Brother Cole to answer the Request.
May 31, 1794 Chh meet acording to apointment Ist Attended to a difficulty that Caleb Brown Brought against Dec'n Carpenter, after a considerable debate with Brown Con- cluded to leve the matter to a futer Oppertunity. 2ly Red a letter from Eld'r Laland's Chh Conserning the difucalty that Levi Mason has with Brother Cole, Concluded to answer the letter by appointing Brother Seth Jones Thomas Mighll's and Jonathan Richardson to attend to the Matter 3ly Appointed Brother Abizer Phillips & Jonathan Richardson to Visit Sister Rany Myner
4ly Apointed Brother Timothy Mason and Jon'n Richardson as a Committee to look into the state of Chh in Regard to their Ingagements and exegences, and what they found to be necessary to Raise to answer the demands on the
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P 76 Chh, to Everage the same on the Brotherhood acording to their several Abilities-
July 5, 1794 Chh meet acording to appointment Ist Took up the Metter of dificulty that Caleb Brown Eledged against Dec'n Carpenter, The Church manifested full satisfaction with the Dec'ns Confession in his exposing Brown's Charickter at an open Town Meeting.
2ly Brethren made Return of their apointments of labour in the Brotherhood to a good Degree of Satisfaction
3ly Concluded to have Brother Phillips and Eddy Continue their labour with Rany Myner --
- 4ly Brethren and sisters oppened their minds with a great deal of freedom to each other.
5ly Concluded to give Sister Almy Low and Saly Eaton a letter of Recommend
6ly Rufus Wescoat made Retraction for his past folleys and Transgressions to the satisfaction of the Chh upon his making Restoration where he hath give Ocation
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Aug 2, 1794 Church meet acording to apointment Ist apointed Brethren Dec'n Carpenter and Allen Briggs to Visit Brother Mills and wife --
2ly apoint Dec'n Carpenter Brother Cole and Richardson to Visit Brother Jenkins also Brother Eddy and Richardson to Visit Sister Phillips
October 4, 1794 Brethren Meet in order to act on Chh affairs Took into Consideration the Case of Gister Rany Myner Concluded to withdraw our fellowship from hir on acount of hir allowing hir self in frollicking and dansing
November 1st 1794 Chh Meet acording to apointment Ist apointed the following Brethren as a Committee to attend to Brother Cushings Difficulty Viz: Dec'n Carpenter Timothy Mason Oded Eddy and Jonathan Richardson
2ly apointed Brother Eddy and Richardson to Visit Ebenezer Cole & Nathaniel Carpenter and Henry Barker.
3ly apointed Eld'r Werden to Visit Brother Partridg and wife 4ly apointed Brother Phillips to Visit Brother Tingley
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5ly Rec'd a letter of Request from Pownal Chh answered it by apointing Eld'r Werden and Brother Eddy to attend
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December 6th 1795 Chh Meet acording to apointment let The Committees made Returns of their apointments. Concluded to continue further forbairance to Nathaniel Carpenter Ebenezer Cole, and Amy Barker, Concluded to pay further attention to the Case of Brother Cushing and Briggs. 2ly Rec'd a letter from Brother Noah Hinman & wife Requesting a letter of Recommendation Concluded to answer the Request 3ly apointed Brother Carpenter Mason & Richardson as a Committee to determing the line between the Publick Lott and John Wells.
4ly Eld'r Werden made Return of his apointment with Brother Eddy and Jones to Pownal Reported the Ordination did not go on for want of Satisfaction in the Candidate.
January 31 Brethren Meet acording to apointment Ist Concluded to write a brotherly letter to Brother John Mills instead of giving him a letter of Recommend 2ly Opened our Minds to each other
3ly Expressed our minds to each other Conserning Continuing Publick Worship in a Stated way at Elder Werden's Meeting House on acount of the fewness that doth attend Especially on the East side of the River. The Brethren are present are Dec'n Carpenter
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P Israel Cole Abizer Phillips Oded Eddy Elisha Briggs Jonathan Richardson Timothy Mason Caleb Tibbits Thomas Mighell's
- William Dimond
4ly Considering the sircumstance of the Chh and old'r Werden's not being here and the unsertaingty why Concluded to omit Communion on the morough
5ly Apointed Brother Carpenter Richardson Eddy and Mighlls a Committee to attend to Matters of difficulty between Brother Tibbits and sister Peters.
February 25, 1795 A few Brethren meet to attend to Chh affairs Ist Admonished Sister Rany Wallis for hir unseamly unbecoming conduct with John Bennet and others as is Reported and not attending to take up matters where she
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hath given Ocation acording to the Requirment of the Chh and deny fellowship with hir till the fruit of hir Repentance becomes evident to us.
April 4, 1795 The Church Meet acording to apointment Ist Looked into the sircumstance of the Chh in regard to their temporal ingagements find to be in the arear seven pounds which is to everage on the Brethren as soon as may be By Timothey Mason & Jon'n Richardson who ware Chosen by the Chh for that purpose May 31, 1794
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2ly Brother Carpenter and Mason Report that they attended to the Difficulty between Brother Cushing and Briggs and found no prospect of reconsiliation between them. Concluded to deny our fellowship with them for their neglecting filling their place in the Chh and not bringing their matters of Difficulty forward in a Reguler manner for settlement.
3ly admonished Brother Ephram Fisk for his neglecting and Refusing to walk with the Brotherhood acording to his profession.
April 11th 1795. Chh met acording to appointment Ist The Chh excepted the everage made by Brother Mason and Richardson to the amount of ₺ 7-12-9
2ly The Committee that was appointed to wait upon Brother Tibbits and Sister Peters Reported that matters of difficulty remained unsettled the Committee are continued to write to them and the rest of the members in that Neighbourhood pointing out their falts in peticuliar.
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May 2, 1795 Brethren met acording to appointment let Red a letter of Request from Canaan Chh Requesting Messengers to attend an ordination: appointed Dec'n Carpenter to attend with Eld'r Werden. 2ly appointed Brother Carpenter and Richardson to form a letter to Represent the Chh to the Assosiation 3ly Withdrew fellowship from Brother Hezekiah Bowen for his withdrawing himself from the Chh and refusing
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to travil with them.
4ly appointed Brother Cole Eddy & Richardson to visit Sister Abigail Phillips
5ly Denied fellowship with Brother William Jenkins for his neglecting keeping his place in the Chh without giving any Sufficient reason for so doing.
6ly Brethren opened their minds to each other with a good degre of fredom Especially Brother Aaron Bowen he apeared to be wonderfully set at liberty in his mind and frely Renewed his Covinent obligations with his Brethren
July 5th, 1795 Brethren Meet as yousal
Ist Eld'r Werden & Dec'n Carpenter Made Return of the prosead - ings at the Ordination at New canaan and the Assosiation at stillwater to the satisfaction of the Brethren.
2ly Sister Phillips Confessed hir rong in absenting from the Chh for a long time, to the satisfaction of the Chh
3ly Appointed Eld'r Werden Brother Cole & Richardson to pay further attention to the Case between Brother Tibbits and Sister Peters
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82 4ly Appointed a Chh Meeting at the Meeting House North part of Adams, The 25th of Instant July at 2 o Clock afternoon.
August 1st 1795 Brethren Conveaned as usual. Ist Eld'r Werden Brother Cole & Richardson Made Return they Visited Brother l'ibbits & Sister Peters to little or no effect. 2ly Appointed Jonathan Richard to Attend with Eld'r Werden at Dalton next Saterday
3ly Agread to dismiss Brother Alvin Wolcott to Eld'r Leland's Chh 4ly Appointed Brother Aaron Bowen to Visit Sister Elizabeth Read
Sep'r 5, 1795 A few Brethren Mett, those that ware Appointed last Chh Meeting to visit delinquents Report they attended to their Appointments
October 3d 1795 Some of the Brethren Nett Dec'n Carpenter Complaind against Brother Elkanah Tingley for his Refusing to pay his proportionable part of a sertain Rereag that he did agree to pay. in order to releave some sertain
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Brethren which had paid more than their equel proportion
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December 5, 1795 Brethren Conveaned as usal
lly Denied fellowship with Lelias Hampleton for his neglecting to fill hir place in the Chh and giving great Ocation to the People of the World to Reproach the Cause of Christ by hir ungarded life and Conversation.
2ly Brother Oded Eddy Brought forward a Complaint against Brother Joseph Perkins for his Neglecting settling and paying to him as Guardian for Stephen Phillip's work don about two years past --- Concluded to inform him that Brother Eddy hath Complained against him for his Neglect of setling acording to his promis if he doth not Immediately settle shall Consider hin out of fellowship
3ly Concluded to withdrew fellowship from Brother Elkanah Tingley for his long Refusing to travil with us, and Refusing to pay his proportionable part of a rerage that was agread to be paid by the Chh
January 2, 1796 Brethren mett at Father Bucklen's with gread Deal of freedom of soul, and a goodly number
lly Denied fellowship with Sister Phebe Peters for hir neglect of giving satisfaction to Brother Caleb Tibbits and the Chh Conserning the accusations she Eleged against him and wife.
P 84 February 6, 1796 Brethren Conveaned again at Father Bucklen's Nothin Remarkable took place
August 6th 1796. Brethren and sisters Mett to Confer on things of the greatest Importance.
Ist Rec'd Sister Mary Vaughn into our fellowship by Letter of Recommend.
2ly Re'd a letter of Request from New bethleham Chh. Concluded to answer the Request by Eld'r Werden's going.
3ly Conversed largely with Brother Mighell in regard to his duty of praying in his family. Concluded to leave the
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matter to further Consideration.
September 3, 1796. In Chh Meeting the Brethren Denied fellowship with Sister Baley for hir unlawful unchast conduct in Commiting the sin of fornication to the great wounding of the cause of Relegion ---
December 4th 1796. In Chh Meeting the Brethren Denied fellow- ship with Sister .... Baley for hir unlawful unchast conduct in Commiting the sin of fornication to the great wounding of the cause of Relegion
March 3d 1797 Brethren Mett at Brother Coles acording to appointment. - -
Ist Voted to brother Oliver Whipple a letter of Recommend. 2ly Appointed a Chh Meeting at Brother Step'n Clarks in the Geore the 3d Saterday in this Month at ten o Clock forenoon.
March 18th 1797 Chh Meeting took place at Brother Stephen Clarks agreable to apointment
Ist Red a letter from brother David Cook of Retraction in regard to his holding a Vendue Deed of Benajer Matthewson's Farm unjustly. The aforesaid letter with some alterations gave general satisfaction .--
2ly Chose Brother Tubbs Grover and Richardson a Committy to settle matters of Interest between Brother David Cook & Stephen Clerk.
3ly The Difficulty between Brother Gardner and Wife was laid before the Brethren, -- in attending to the matter it apeared that Brother Gardner was worthy of Censure for harbouring Jealouseyes against his wife, and not keeping the promis that he made to the Brethren that laboured with him some time back.
P 86 June 3d 1797. Brethren Conveaned at the Meetinghouse a little time past . Eld'r Worden was appointed to attend a Council at Partridgefield in order to give fellowship to a number of Brethren at that place and there abouts as a Chh, (if he found them in Gospel order) the Eld'r Reports that they found the Brethren in good unity, and gave them the Right hand of fellowship, with the assistance of Eld'r Vining and one of his Brethering.
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The Chh approbated the Doings of the Eld'r
August 5, 1798 Daniel Chapman gave a Relation of his mind to the satisfaction of the Church, brought forward no letter, Rec'd so far as to watch over him and give him a seat with us.
August 31, 1799. The year past the Chh hath been in a very low stoopid frame. But blessed be God, at present there apears to be a great movement on the minds of the Brethren and specially on the sisters. At our Chh Meeting this day, Which ought to be a memorable Day to all those that Love Jesus.
P. 87 November 16, 1799 Gave Lydia Ladd a letter of Recomend on her letter of Confession. Gave Benjamin Baker A letter of Recommend on his letter of Confession. Gave letters of Re- commend to the following persons by their Request. -- Isaac Willmarth & Rhoda his wife Eld'r John Hammond, Tilson Barrows, Oded Eddy, Anna Brown
Jan 14, 1800 Polly Burch, 1800 April 5 Jeremiah Brown & Abigail his wife on their letter of Confestion, William Lewis and wife to Eld'r Lawton's Chh, Sarah Arnold to Join any Chh of the same faith and order. James Eddy & Lydia his wife upon their Request, and Christopher Robarts -- Jeremiah Cady, To Sister Lois Wright to Join any other Chh of our faith
Ap1 5 Thomas Fenner Restored
Admonised Sister Sally Wescoat for her neglecting to fill her place in the Chh, and giving Ocation for Scandalas Reports to be spread about her
Gave Sister Rachel Smith a letter of Recommend, and Sister Jamima Taft a letter of Do
Apointed Brother Stephen Brayton Clerk and Treasury for the Church
Gave Nehemiah R. Grover and Wife a letter
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P. 88 May 31, 1800. At a Church Meeting Denied Fellowship with Brother William Dimond for his Long Neglecting of Keeping up his Travil with the Brotherhood and giving Ocation to the world to Reproach the Cause of Religion by his Ungarded Condoct.
At a Church Meeting May 31, 1800 the Brethren Resolved Not to Continue fellowship with the following Members till they have further satisfaction from them. - - ...
Ezekiel Mighlls William Brown Benjamin Preston Rhoba Smith
Margret Mighlls Elizabeth Hill
Abigail Smith
James Poorter Fraderick Sprague Nathaniel Carpenter Lois Richardson Hannah Richardson Anna Phillips Lenmel Perren Wordwell Green Henry Smith Thomas Mighlls John Perien Amy Barker Sarah Tracy ( ?)
Mary Jones Esther Green
Seny Fenner
Elizabeth Chapin
Abner Rosson
Thomas Tracy David Cook
Lucy Rawson Mahitable White Thomas Tracy
Sarah Tracy
Lydia Cook Rebeckah Mills John Mills Benjamin Tubbs Elizabeth Wanen Prudance Fish Lydia Hoskins Job Dean Mary Jones
P. 89 At a Church Meeting August 2d 1800 Gave Letters of Recommend to the folowing persons by their Request -- Jonathan Richardson & Esther his wife David Darling & Milla his Wife
At a Church Meeting January 3rd 1801 Ist Brother David Darling & Milla his Wife sent ther Letter back to the Church, and Desired to keep ther Standing with the Church
2ly Elisha Briggs when he was Last at our Meeting he Did Asseast the following things, to Wit that we Did not know
Hannah Perkins Moses Perkins Keziah Perkins Elizebeth Presser Jane Callop
Calrine Andrews Deborough Colling Elizabeth Baker Amy Phinton Patiance Prossor
Eunice Fisher Molly Phillips
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that Christ Ever Made a publick Prayer, that the Bible was no More then an Old Almanack, that all forms was Nothing and that we Was in a Grate Error. for the Assertion that we have Notised that he Made We Consider him as an Offender. as Such we Admonish him in the Name of our Lord to Repentance and Deny fellowship with him Untill the fruit thereof to us is Made Manifest.
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At a Conference Meeting the 10th Day of January 1801 the Brethren Met According to appointment and Proceeded to the business of the Day in the following Order first Elder Werden Request the Brethering to Express their Minds on the Duty or Business of a Deacon in is Office in the Church there was Several Observation Made much of the Same Nature after they had got through the Elder Rose and Said there was Nothing in the Observations that was in Contridection to his Mind, but Proceedel to point out that Office or Duty in a more Plain Easy and Clear point of Lite than been before by the Brethren, which was to this affect, first that he Did not Conseder him as an Administrator in Spiritual things in that Office though not Excluded from the Improvement of any Gift, but a Temporal administrator of Temporal things as Cricumstance may Happen and as Such Ought to have the Care of the Temporal Interest of the Church and that his Duty in that Office led him to see to or Inquir into the Neads or wants of any that was in the Church if any there mite be
P. 91 Administer to the their Releaf as ie may see proper, and also to see that the Minester over the Church was Reasonably and Comfortably Provided for, and Supported all Which the Brethren Expressed their Minds fully Answerd much better then they was able to Express themselves after that the Elder proposed Three General Question to the Church, first Where they beleaved it to be their Duty as a Church or Community to Provide for the Releaf of such as mite be In Want and Nead in the Church Secondly Where they Beleaved to be their Duty
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to Provide for or bair sum Reasonable Propotion of any Publick Expenses that may be Nessary for the good of the Community. Thirdly where they Beleaved it to be their Duty as a Church to Make Provision for the Supporting of the Minister over the Church, all which was answered in the Affirmative, then the Elder Proposed to take the minds of the Brethren on the Business of the appointment of the Day which was to Chuse out some one fit person for a Deacon Some was Nominated but None felt it to be their Lot then the Elder Proposed that Brother Aaron Bowen and Brother Stephen Brayton Officiate in that Of- fice for the Present. the Brethren Consented to that Proposal.
P. 92 At a Church Meeting January 31st 1801 Brethren Met. Ist Brother Bowen open the Meeting by prayer 2ly Brethren open their Minds to Each other with a good Degre of freedom -.
3ly Rec'd Brother Stuteley Wescott and Sister Lydia his wife by Letter.
4ly the Brethren agreed that the proseeding at the Conference a Little time back was agreable to their Minds.
At a Church Meeting Feb'r 28th 1801 the Brethren Met -- Istly Elder Werden open'd the Meeting by prayer
2ly appointed Brothers Aaron Bowen and Stutely Wescott to Visit Brother Villiam Rogers
3ly appointed Elder Worden and Brother Stephen Brayton to Write a Letter to Brother James Dodge According to Appointment there was one Writ and Read to the Brethren they said it was agree- able to there Minds Coppy of sd Letter is in the Office among the Rest of the Letters.
P. 93 At a Church Meeting April 4th 1801 the Brethren Met lly Elder Werden opened the Meeting by Prayer
2 Brethren open their Minds to Each other with a good Degree of freedom
3ly the Brethren agreed to Deni Fellowship with Brother William Rogers for his Long Neglecting of Keeping up his Travel with the Brotherhood
4ly and that Elder Peter Werden and Stephen Brayton shuld Write a Letter to the Said Rogers.
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At a Church Meeting May 2, 1801
the Brethren Met ---
lly Elder Werden opened the Meeting by prayer
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