USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > The Manifesto church. : Records of the church in Brattle square, Boston, with lists of communicants, baptisms, marriages and funerals, 1699-1872 > Part 7
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DR. PALFREY'S MINISTRY. 65
The first church in Boston, Rev! Mr. Frothingham, Pastor. Second, or North Church in do. Revª Mr. Ware, Pastor. Old South Church in Boston, Revd Mr. Huntington Pastor. New North Church in do. Revª Mr. Parkman, Pastor. New South Church in do -
Church in Federal Street in do. Revª Mr. Channing, Pastor. Church in Hollis Street, in do. Revª Mr. Holley, Pastor.
Church at West Boston, Revª Mr. Lowell, Pastor.
Church in Medford, Revª Dr. Osgood, Pastor.
Churches in Cambridge under Revª Dr. Holmes & Mr. Gannett.
Churches in Roxbury under Revª D: Porter M" Bradford and Mr. Gray.
College Church under D' Kirkland & D' Ware,
Church in Brookline, Revª Mr. Pierce, Pastor.
Church in Lancaster, Revª Dr. Thayer, Pastor. Churches in Dorchester under Revd Dr. Harris & D' Richmond. Church in Chelsea, Revª Mr. Tuckerman Pastor Church in Hingham, Revª Mr. Coleman, Pastor
Church in Charlestown, Revª Mr. Walker Pastor
1818 May 17. Agreeable to a vote of the Society on the Ioth the above, together with other proceeding in relation to the call giving [sic] to Mr. Palfrey to settle as the Pastor of the Church & society, was communicated to the church, with a request, that the Church would send letters to the aforenamed Pastors & churches, inviting them to attend & assist in the ordination of Mr. Palfrey, the day above mentioned: When it was thereupon voted, that the Deacons be requested to pre- pare letters accordingly & sign them in behalf of the church - and also, that they lay copies of the proceedings of the church & Society, touching the invitation to Mr. Palfrey, before the ordaining council when convened.
It being suggested, that Mr. Palfrey had expressed a desire to be admitted a member of this Church, tho' no written application was made by him, and it being stated that he was
9
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RECORDS OF THE CHURCH IN BRATTLE SQUARE.
a member of the church in the University in Cambridge under the pastoral care of Revª Dr. Kirkland on motion of Deacon Thacher, it was voted unanimously to receive and admit him a member of this church, of which he is soon to take the oversight & charge. 1
June 17th 1818. The pastors & delegates from twenty one churches invited to assist in the ordination of John G. Palfrey met at the court-house, at 9 A. M. the usual papers having been exhibited, the candidate at the request of Dr. Osgood read a paper expressing his views of the Christian System. The Rev. Mr. Huntingdon [sic] expressed his dissatisfaction, but the council after some debate voted to proceed to the solemnity, Mr. H. alone opposing. The Rev. Dr. Thayer introduced the services with prayer, Dr. Porter gave the sermon from Matthew VII. 28. 29. President Kirkland the consecrating prayer, Dr. Osgood the charge, Mr. Frothingham the right hand of fellow- ship, & Mr. Colman addressed the throne of grace in conclusion.
Oct. II# At a meeting held after divine service, letters missive from the new South Society in Boston were submitted by the pastor, requesting the Church to attend by their pastor & delegates the ordination of Mr. Francis W. P. Greenwood. It was voted to attend by the pastor & four delegates; viz. the three deacons & Col. Hancock.
Dec. 27" At a meeting held after divine service the pastor informed the brethren, that the first church, observing the great neglect into which the sacramental lectures had recently fallen, had chosen a committee to consider the subject, & to confer with any committee whom they might appoint, with a view to devise measures for securing a more general attendance. The proposition was approved, & the pastor, with the three dea- cons & Mr. Bond chosen a committee of conference. - The result was, that at a meeting holden in the course of the week, it was determined that the four next lectures should be attended in Brattle Street, & the committee then meet again
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for the purpose of deciding on a permanent arrangement for the mutual benefit of the Societies.
April 4 1819. At a meeting holden after divine service letters missive were submitted by the pastor from the church in Hollis Street Boston & from the first Independent church in Baltimore requesting us, the first to attend the ordination of Mr. John Pierpont, on the 14th inst., the latter that of Mr. Jared Sparks on the 5th of May. Whereupon,
Voted; to comply with both invitations; to assist in the ordination of Mr. Pierpont by the pastor & three deacons, & in that of Mr. Sparks by the pastor & such delegation as he may appoint; & to request the pastor to communicate to the church in Baltimore our congratulations on the success with which divine providence has followed their design, & our wishes for their increase & Christian prosperity.
June 20 !! Letters missive were submitted from the church in Watertown, inviting us to attend the ordination of Mr. Convers Francis on the 23ª inst. Whereupon, voted to accept the invitation, & be represented on that occasion by the pastor, Deacons Bradford & Grant, & Hon. Br. Phillips.
1820. Oct. 15th Letters missive were submitted from the North church in Salem, requesting our assistance in the ordina- tion of Mr. John Brazer on the 14th November. Whereupon, voted to comply with the request, & be represented on that occasion by the pastor, & Deacon Bradford.
1821. Jan. 7th Letters missive were submitted from the third church in Hingham, requesting our assistance in the ordination of Mr. Charles Brooks, on the 17"? inst. Whereupon, voted to comply with the request, & be represented on that occasion by the pastor, & Deacons Thacher & Bradford.
Jan. 28th At a meeting of the brethren after divine service in the afternoon, it was
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RECORDS OF THE CHURCH IN BRATTLE SQUARE.
Voted; to dismiss Br. Henry Rice from this church at his own request.
Sept. 2ª Letters missive were submitted from the South Parish in Bridgewater & the East Parish in Salem, inviting us, the former to attend the ordination of Mr. Richard M. Hodges on the 12th inst. the latter to attend the installation of Rev. Mr. Flint on the 19th inst. whereupon,
Voted; to comply with the requests, & to be represented on the former occasion by the pastor & Deac. Bradford, on the latter by the pastor & Deac. Thacher.
Dec. 9th Letters missive were submitted from the first con- gregational church in the city of New York, informing us that they had made choice of Mr. William Ware to be their pastor, & requesting us to be represented in the council convened for his ordination on the 18h inst. Whereupon,
Voted; to comply with the request & to be represented by the pastor (if he shall be able to attend,) by Deac. Bradford, Mr. Bond, & such other delegates as the pastor may appoint.
1822. March IOth A letter was submitted from Mr. Sam' J. May, informing us that he had complied with a request to preach to the Society in Brooklyn, Connecticut, during six months, & requesting us to be present at his ordination as an evangelist on Thursday the 14h inst. in Boston, it being con- sidered important to the religious interests of said society that the Christian ordinances, of which they had been long deprived, should be administered to them. Whereupon,
Voted; to comply with the request, & to be represented in the council convened for the ordination of Mr. May by the pastor & three deacons.
1823. Oct. 26th Letters missive were submitted from the first ecclesiastical society in Brooklyn, Connecticut, inviting us
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DR. PALFREY'S MINISTRY.
to assist by our pastor & delegates at the installation of Rev. Samuel J. May as their pastor on the 5th of November.
The church being informed that it will not be convenient for the pastor to be absent from Boston at that time,
Voted; that it is not expedient to appoint delegates for the occasion, but that Rev. Mr. Palfrey be requested to write to the Society in Brooklyn, expressing our joy at their prospect of the happy settlement of a minister, & assuring them of our prayers to the great Head of the Church, that he will prosper their proposed union for the permanent prosperity of their church, & for the general diffusion of Christian Truth.
1824. June 27th Letters missive were submitted from the church & Society in Federal Street, Boston, requesting our assistance at the ordination of Rev. Mr. Ezra Stiles Gannett as colleague pastor with Rev. Dr. Channing. Whereupon,
Voted; to comply with the request, & to be represented by the pastor, the deacons, & Hon. Brother Parker.
Sept. 5th A committee, appointed at a meeting holden last month, to confer with a committee of the First Church on the subject of devising means to make the monthly lecture more extensively useful, reported, by Deacon Thacher, their chair- man, their advice that application be made to the church in Federal Street, & the church in Church Green, requesting those churches to unite with ours & the church in Chauncy Place in maintaining an evening lecture to be holden monthly, on the Thursday previous to the communion, in the meeting house in Federal Street. Whereupon it was
Voted; that the report be accepted, & that the pastor be desired to make such application.
Oct. 3ª The pastor reported that the proposed arrangement for the monthly lecture had been acceded to, & was expected to go into effect by a meeting of the four churches for worship together on the fourth day of next November.
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RECORDS OF THE CHURCH IN BRATTLE SQUARE.
Letters missive were at the same time submitted from the East church & Society in Barnstable, requesting our assistance on the sixth day of October at the ordination of Mr. Henry Hersey as their pastor. Whereupon it was
Voted; to comply with the request, & to be represented by the pastor & Deacon Bradford.
1825. Jan. 2ª Letters missive were submitted from the Unitarian Society in Philadelphia, requesting our assistance at the ordination of M: William H. Furness on the 12th inst. Whereupon it was
Voted; that the pastor's engagements not permitting his absence at this time, the request be respectfully declined
The pastor having suggested that the journey of the ordain- ing council would be attended with expense, which it might be inconvenient for some churches to incur, it was further
Voted; that at the next communion season the members of this church will increase their usual contribution, the surplus to be appropriated, at the discretion of the officers, to defray the charge of the journey of the ordaining Council.
Jan. 16th Letters missive were submitted from the New South Church in Boston, & the Christian Church in Amherst, N. H. requesting our assistance, the former at the ordination of Mr. Alexander Young Jr. on the 19th inst. the latter at the installation of Rev. Edmund Q. Sewall on the 26th inst. Whereupon it was
Voted; to comply with the requests, & to be represented on the former occasion by the pastor, & Brother Jared Sparks, & on the latter by the pastor, & Brother John C. Gray.
1825. Jan. 30th Letters missive were submitted from the Second Church in Roxbury & the Twelfth Congregational Society in Boston, requesting our assistance, the former at the ordination of Mr. John Flagg on the second day of February, the latter at the ordination of Mr. Samuel Barrett on the ninth of the same month. Whereupon it was
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DR. PALFREY'S MINISTRY.
Voted; to comply with the requests, & to be represented on the former occasion by the pastor & Deacon Bradford, & on the latter by the pastor & Hon. Brother Parker.
Feb. 6th Letters missive were submitted from the Independ- ent Congregational Church of Christ in Barton Square, Salem, requesting our assistance at the Installation of Rev. Henry Colman. Whereupon it was
Voted; that the invitation be respectfully declined, & that the pastor be requested to communicate this vote, & to express the Christian good-will of this church to the Church in Barton Square, Salem, & to assure them of our wishes & prayers for their Spiritual & temporal prosperity.
The pastor accordingly communicated a copy of this vote, with the following letter ;
The Church in Brattle Square, Boston, to the Independent Congregational Church of Christ in Barton Square, Salem ; GREETING.
BRETHREN ;
We have received your letters missive, inviting us to assist by our pastor & a delegation at the installation of Rev. Mr. Colman as your pastor. Having considered the same at a meeting holden on the 6th inst. we have voted respectfully to decline your invitation, not perceiving that an Ecclesiastical Council is rightly constituted except of representatives of churches. Respecting, however, in you that liberty of judgment which we exercise for ourselves, we assure you of our wishes & prayers for your Christian prosperity, & subscribe ourselves your brethren in the faith & fellowship of the Gospel.
For the Church in Brattle Square ;
JOHN G. PALFREY, pastor.
Feb. 13th The pastor informed the church that he had received a letter from Rev. Mr. Colman, in behalf of the Church in Barton Square, apprizing him of the invitations to certain private individuals to be members of the council for the approaching Installation having been withdrawn, & renewing their invitation to us. Whereupon it was
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RECORDS OF THE CHURCH IN BRATTLE SQUARE.
Voted; to accept the invitation, & to be represented by the pastor & Brother George Bond.
1826. Oct. 8.th Letters missive were submitted from the First Congregational Church & Society in East Bridgewater, requesting our assistance at the ordination of Mr. John A. Williams, on the 18th inst. Whereupon it was
Voted; that, on account of the engagements of our pastor, the invitation be respectfully declined, & that the pastor be requested to communicate to said church an assurance of our interest in their prosperity, & of our hopes & prayers that their happy prospects may be fully realized, & their pastor long be a blessing to them & their children.
Oct. 22.ª Letters missive were submitted from the Church in Chelsea, requesting our assistance on a council, convened on the 24th inst. to consider the proceedings of said church touch- ing a dissolution of the connexion between them & Rev. Joseph Tuckerman, their pastor; &, if cause appear, to declare said connexion dissolved. Whereupon it was
Voted; to comply with the request, & to be represented by the pastor, & Brother George B. Cary.
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Nov. 5th Letters missive were submitted from the Purchase Street Congregational Society in Boston, requesting our assist- ance at the ordination of Mr. George Ripley on the 8th inst. Whereupon it was
Voted; to comply with the request, & to be represented by the pastor & Hon. Brother Webster.
·1827. March 18th Letters missive were submitted from the Second Congregational Society in Worcester, requesting our assistance at the ordination of Mr. Alonzo Hill on the 28th inst. Whereupon it was
Voted; to comply with the request, &, (the pastor's engage- ments not allowing him to leave town,) to be represented by Deacons Thacher & Bradford.
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DR. PALFREY'S MINISTRY.
1828. March 23.4. Letters missive were submitted from the First Independent Church of Baltimore, Maryland, requesting our assistance at the ordination of Mr. George W. Burnap on the 23ª day of April next. Whereupon it was
Voted; to comply with the request, and the pastor's engage- ments not allowing him to leave town, to be represented by . Deacons Thacher & Bradford, & Judge Hall. Also,
Voted; that the pastor, Deacon Th'acher, & brothers Bond & Lawrence be a committee to consider whether any change can advantageously be made in the manner of taking the con- tribution at communion seasons.
May 18th A letter was communicated from Deacon Bradford, resigning his office in this church, on account of his intended removal from town; whereupon, on motion of Judge Parker, it was
Voted; that the Moderator write to Deacon Bradford, expressing the respectful & grateful sense entertained of his character & services while a member & officer of this church, & the cordial wishes for his future welfare, with which, in accepting his resignation, we commend him to the blessing of God.
1828. Letters missive were submitted from the South Con- gregational Society in Boston, requesting our assistance at the ordination of Rev. Mellish I. Motte on the 21st inst. Where- upon it was
Voted; to comply with the request, & to be represented by the pastor & Judge Parker.
June 8." Letters missive were submitted from the Second Congregational Unitarian Society in the city of New York, requesting our assistance at the ordination of Mr. William Parsons Lunt on the 19th inst. Whereupon it was
Voted; to comply with the request, & to be represented by such brother as the pastor may engage.
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RECORDS OF THE CHURCH IN BRATTLE SQUARE.
Aug. 31 Letters missive were submitted from the West- minster Congregational Society in Providence, Rhode Island, requesting our assistance at the ordination of Mr. Frederick Augustus Farley, on the tenth day of September next. Where- upon it was
Voted; to comply with the request, & to be represented by Deacon Grant.
1828. Dec. 28th Letters missive were submitted from the Third Congregational Society in Portsmouth, requesting our assistance at the installation of Rev. Asahel Davis on the Ist prox. Whereupon it was
Voted; to comply with the request, and to be represented by such brother as the pastor may engage.
The pastor submitted the expediency of choosing one or more deacons, & it was
Voted; to choose two brethren to be deacons, & that the third Sunday in January be assigned to make that choice.
1829. Jan. 18.ª Satisfactory arrangements not appearing to have been made to engage the services of two brethren in the office of deacon, it was
Voted; to postpone the choice till next Sunday, after divine service in the forenoon.
Letters missive were submitted from the First Christian Society in Kingston, requesting our assistance at the ordination of Mr. Jonathan Cole on the 21st inst. Whereupon it was
Voted; that the pastor write to said Society, in behalf of this church, congratulating them on their happy prospects, & respectfully declining their invitation.
Jan. 25℃ The brethren not appearing to be yet prepared for the election of deacons, it was
Voted; that Hon. Chief Justice Parker, George Bond Esq. & Hon. H. G. Otis, with the present deacons, be a Committee to recommend to the Church two suitable persons as candidates
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DR. PALFREY'S MINISTRY.
for the office of deacon, at a meeting to be held at the Church, by adjournment, on the second sabbath in February next.
Feb. 8 The Committee appointed at the last meeting made their report, & Dr. Brown being requested to collect & count the votes, it appeared that the whole number was twenty-two, & that all were for Mr. Cheever Newhall, & Dr. John P. Spooner, who were accordingly declared to be chosen.
Letters missive were submitted from the first Unitarian Society in Dover, New Hampshire, requesting our assistance at the ordination of Mr. Samuel Kirkland Lothrop, on the 18th inst. Whereupon it was
Voted ; to comply with the request, & to be represented by Mr. George Bond, or, in case he should not be able to attend, by such brother as the pastor may appoint.
March 8 Letters missive were submitted from the Second Church in Boston, requesting our assistance at the ordination of Mr. Ralph W. Emerson on the 11th instant. Whereupon it was
Voted; to comply with the request, & to be represented by the pastor, & Messrs. Otis & May.
Letters were communicated from Mr. Cheever Newhall & Dr. John P. Spooner declining to accept the office of deacon.
May 17th Letters missive were submitted from the Church & Society in West Cambridge, requesting our assistance at the ordination of Mr. Frederic H. Hedge on the 20th inst. Where- upon, it was
Voted; to comply with the request, & to be represented by the pastor, & brothers John C. Gray & George Chapman.
Sept. 6th Letters missive were submitted from the church in the East Parish of Augusta, requesting our assistance at the installation of Rev. Mr. Ford on the 9th inst.
The question arose whether this communication was suitable to be acted on in any manner, as it did not inform us what
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RECORDS OF THE CHURCH IN BRATTLE SQUARE.
other churches, or whether any, were invited to compose the Council. But, it being understood that, in any case, it would not be convenient for this church to send a delegation, & the omission being supposed to have been merely accidental, it was
Voted; that the Pastor write to the Church in the East Parish of Augusta, in behalf of this church, congratulating them on their happy prospects, & respectfully declining their invitation.
1830. Jan. 3.ª. Letters missive were submitted from the third Congregational Church & Society in Cambridge, request- ing our assistance at the installation of Rev. James D. Green on the 6th inst. Whereupon, it was
Voted ; to comply with the request, & to be represented by the pastor and Mr. Inches.
On motion of Mr. Bond, it was
Voted; that a Committee be appointed to consider the expediency of discontinuing the contribution at the communion season.
And Messrs. Bond, Amos Lawrence & Inches were appointed to compose said Committee.
Feb. 21$ A letter from Deacon Thacher was submitted, resigning his office in this church. Whereupon it was
Voted; that the thanks of this church be presented to Judge Thacher for his long & faithful services as an officer thereof.
Voted; to adjourn to the next Lord's day, then to take steps, if convenient, towards a supply of the vacancy.
Feb. 28th Voted; that Messrs. Thacher & Bond be requested to propose three brethren at some future meeting of the church, as candidates for the office of deacon.
Voted; that, till an election be made, Deacon Grant be re- quested to engage the aid of some of the brethren at the communion service.
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March 21$+ After prayer, Mr. Thacher, chairman of the Committee appointed at the last meeting, informed the brethren that they had agreed to propose Messrs Amos Lawrence & George W. Coffin as candidates for the office of deacon.
Messrs. Coolidge & Hale were desired to collect, sort & count the ballots, who reported that the number was twenty- eight, & that they were all for Messrs. Lawrence & Coffin, who were accordingly elected.
Voted; that Deacon Grant & Mr. Coffin be added to the Committee, chosen Jan. 3ª to consider the expediency of dis- continuing the contribution at the communion season.
May 16h Letters missive were submitted from the First Church & Society in Cambridge, requesting our assistance at the ordination of Mr. William Newell on the 19th inst. Where- upon it was
Voted; to comply with the request, & to be represented by the pastor & Deacon Grant.
May 30th The Committee appointed, on the third day of January last, to consider the expediency of discontinuing the contribution at the communion season, made a report.
Voted; that the consideration of said report be assigned for a meeting on the last Sunday of June.
June 27th Letters missive were submitted from the First Church & Society in Roxbury, requesting our assistance at the ordination of Mr. George Putnam on the 7th day of July. Whereupon it was
Voted; to comply with the request, & to be represented by the pastor & Deacon Lawrence.
The consideration of the report of the Committee appointed on the third day of January last, was resumed; & it was
Voted; to accept the same, (for which see files,) & that the practice of this church be regulated henceforward accordingly.
Voted; that the deacons, with Judge Thacher, be a Com- mittee to report a statement of the property in plate possessed
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RECORDS OF THE CHURCH IN BRATTLE SQUARE.
by the church, & a plan for the future disposition of such portion as is not used in the communion service.
Sept. 19th Letters missive were submitted from the First Unitarian Church in the city of Washington, requesting our assistance at the ordination of Mr. Cazneau Palfrey on the 5th. day of October next. Whereupon it was
Voted; that the Pastor write to the First Unitarian Church in Washington, in behalf of this church, congratulating them on their happy prospects, & respectfully declining their invitation.
1831 June 5 Letters missive were received from the Second Parish in Roxbury requesting our assistance by a dele- gate at the ordination of ME George Whitney on Wedy the 15th June at 3 clk. Whereupon, voted to accept the invitation & to be represented by our late pastor Pro' J. G. Palfrey.
1832 February 27 Letters missive were received from The Independent Congregational Society in Barton Square, Salem to assist in the installation of Revd James W Thompson on Wednesday the 10th March at 10 Clk. Whereupon voted to accept the invitation and that Moses Grant & Samuel F Coolidge attend as delegates and in case of any inability in either to go, that Fredk T Gray be a substitute.
July 15 At a meeting of the Church after morning services the following letter was read
To the church of Christ in Brattle St Boston Rufus A Johnson sends greeting
CHRISTIAN BRETHREN - I have recd an invitation from the Unitarian Congregational Society in Pittsburg Pa. to minister to them in the gospel for one year, they are desirous on account of their distance from other Congregations with whom they can hold fellowship, that he who preaches to them should also administer the ordinances; & to that end have requested that I might receive ordination. I therefore in their behalf do respectfully invite you, by your Pastor & delegate to join a council
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