USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Claremont > Manual of the Congregational Church in Claremont, N.H.; containing the history of the church, its rules, confession of faith, covenant, and records of officers and members, Jan. 1879 > Part 1
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Gc 974.202 C54c 1825701
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01095 8988
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MANUAL
. OF THE
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
IN
CLAREMONT, N. H .;
1 CONTAINING THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH, ITS RULES, CONFESSION OF FAITH, COVENANT, AND RECORDS OF OFFICERS AND MEMBERS.
JANUARY, 1879.
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
PRINTED BY THE CLAREMONT MANUFACTURING COMPANY, CLAREMONT, N. II,
1825701
D 284217
CLAREMONT, N.H. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 1 Manual of the Congregational church in Clare- mont, N.H .; containing the history of the church, its rules, confession of faith, covenant, and records of officers and members. January, 1879. Claremont, N.H., Claremont manufacturing company [1879] 64p.
OHALF CARI
NL 37-4546
3825
UT speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ :
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint suppleth, according to the effectuat work- ing in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body un to the edifying of itself in love. EPn. iv. 15-16.
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HISTORICAL.
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HE town of Claremont was chartered by George III. October 26, 1764. At a town meeting held at the house of Thomas Jones, May 9, 1771, it was decided to settle in town a minister of the Gospel. A committee of three was chosen and instructed to apply to Mr. Elijah Parsons to come and preach as a candidate ; "but if he fails, to apply to Dr. Wheelock (President of Dartmouth College) for advice who to apply to in his room." This resulted in the calling of Mr. George Wheaton " to settle in the work of the Gospel ministry, agreeable to the Cambridge Platform." His letter of acceptance was addressed to the Church of Christ and other inhabitants of the town of Claremont. There was therefore a Church at that time, Dec. 23, 1771, but the date of organiza- tion is now lost.
Mr. Wheaton was ordained Feb. 19, 1772, Rev. Abiel Leonard, of Woodstock, Conn., preaching the sermon. The services were held in the "South School-House," the meeting-house of that day, which stood on Jarvis Hill in the west part of the town. It was a frame build- ing. covered with rough boards, furnished with rude benches for seats, and having only the ground for a floor. Failing health soon compelled him to relinquish his chos- en work, and in April of the following year he was con- veyed to his father's home in Norton, Mass. He died June 24, 1773, aged 22 years, " much lamented."
5
HISTORICAL.
sion in 1785 until March 9, 1796, when the third pastor, Mr. John Tappan, was ordained. He was dismissed in 1802, having received into the Church seven members. The year following his dismission it became the painful duty of the Church to withdraw from him their Christian fellowship. He entered business life, and remained in town till his death.
For some two years from August, 1802, Rev. Elijah Brainerd was acting pastor. Under him the Church was reorganized by the adoption of more explicit Arti- eles of Faith and Covenant, and Rules of Discipline. The members of the Church were enrolled for the first time, so far as appears, in 1804. The names of sixteen male members and of twenty female members, are recorded at that date.
Rev. Stephen Farley was installed Dec. 24, 1806. Ilis pastorate closed April 4, 1819.
The first marked revival occurred in 1816 ; as a result fifty-four were added to the Church on profession of faith in that year. This work of grace, however, brought not peace. The pastor's attitude in relation to it, was not satisfactory to those most active in promoting it, and he seems not to have enjoyed the confidence of the new converts. The result was divisions in the Church and a painful want of harmony between the Church and the Society, the latter sympathizing strongly with the pastor. During the years 1819 and 1820 no members were re- ceived. Not long after his dismission Mr. Farley be- came openly a Unitarian.
The Claremont Congregational Society was formed Feb. 20, 1806, and held its first meeting June 9, that year. Up to this time parish meetings were called by
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CHURCH MANUAL.
the Selectmen of the town, and the records kept by the Town Clerk. "The Congregational Society in Clare- mont" was incorporated June 20, 1815.
The monthly Church meeting was instituted in 1817. and the Creed and Covenant were revised in 1819.
The Society took the lead in calling the next pastor, Rev. Jonathan Nye. He received and accepted the So- ciety's call in the Autumn of 1820. But it was not un- til the May following that the Church was prevailed upon to accept him, and then not without many misgivings. He was installed June 6, 1821, not however, to enjoy a quiet ministry. Those were days of discipline in more than a single sense, of which the aged speak with sor- row. The misgivings of the Church proved too well founded. Mr. Nye was dismissed in 1828.
During his ministry we find a committee chosen Apr. 30, 1823, to make arrangements for a Sunday-School for the season.
Difficulty arose again in the choice of a new minister. In a meeting of the Society, forty-two votes were cast in favor of calling a Mr. Moses Thomas, a Unitarian, and but forty-four against. Mr. Elijah Paine was finally called by the Church with the concurrence of the Society, and ordained Apr. 1, 1829. Ilis ministry was marked by earnest, evangelical preaching, and by the rich bless- ing of God. Eighty-eight were added to the Church on profession of faith in 1830 and 1831. Strong ground was taken in the cause of Temperance. It was voted in 1833, "that this Church admit no more members to her Communion as regular members, unless they first sign a pledge to abstain from all use of ardent spirits as a drink." Mr. Paine was dismissed Nov. 14, 1833.
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HISTORICAL.
Rev. Tertius D. Southworth was installed June 18, 1834. The Articles of Faith and Covenant prepared by the Sullivan Association were adopted Feb. 18, 1835, and continued in use unchanged until May, 1877. The pres- ent Church edifice was dedicated in February, 1836. This year and the following were unusually prosperous to the Church. Mr. Southworth's conscientious opposition to Mr. Burchard, the revivalist at this period laboring in neighboring Churches, is thought to have hastened the termination of this pastorate which took place July 31, 1838.
Rev. Robert F. Lawrence was installed Jan. 16, 1839. Almost immediately his labors were blessed of God, more than forty confessing Christ in that year and the year following. In 1842, in union meetings, the entire town was moved, and forty-one more were added to this Church. There was another revival in 1853.
In 1840, twenty-eight members of the Church, many of whom were esteemed devotedly pious, were suspended from Church privileges on account of their having sub- scribed to a " Covenant of Christians, who irrespective of Religious Denominations, decide on cultivating unit- edly Holiness of heart and a Millennial Spirit." To join thus another body of professing Christians, was deemed by the Church, and acknowledged by a majority of those doing so, to be inconsistent with their Covenant obligations. Some were subsequently restored, but thir- teen were finally excommunicated, Sept. 15, 1841.
Mr. Lawrence's ministry continued till Jan. 24, 1863, twenty-four years.
Rev. Edward W. Clark was installed Feb. 25, 1864. Failing health led to his dismission June 10, 1870. The
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8
CHURCHI MANUAL.
following year the house of worship was remodeled in- ternally, and newly furnished.
The present pastor, Rev. Levi Rodgers, was ordained Oct. 19, 1871.
The bell was placed in the tower Apr. 8, 1874. The Principles and Rules, and the Creed and Covenant includ- ing the Form for Admission of Members, published here- with, were adopted May 5, 1877.
Members enrolled previous to 1807,
49
Received during ministry of Rev. Mr. Farley,
120
vacancy,
4
...
..
ministry of Rev. Mr. Paine,
121
vacancy,
8
ministry of Rev. Mr. Southworth, 101
vacancy, 3
..
ministry of Rev. Mr. Lawrence, 339
..
vacancy,
1
..
ministry of Rev. Mr. Clark,
123
vacancy, .
4
.. ministry of Rev. Mr. Rodgers, ยท
139
1059
ministry of Rev. Mr. Nye, 46
vacancy,
1
PRINCIPLES AND RULES.
I. CHURCH GOVERNMENT. We regard the local Church as consisting of Christians united by a mutual covenant for the purpose of maintaining public worship, the stated observance of the Christian Sacraments, and the discipline of God's house ; and we hold that such a Church possesses all needful authority to select its minis- ters, appoint its officers, make its own rules, and gener- ally to regulate its internal affairs, subject only to the authority of Christ, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures.
But we hold equally that a Church should be on terms of mutual and acknowledged fellowship with other Churches similarly constituted. This Church will accordingly ex- tend to sister Churches, and seek from them, that com- munion, counsel, and aid which the law of Christ de- mands ; and holds itself bound to respect the decisions of mutual councils, and to seek the promotion of love and peace with all the Churches of our Lord.
II. OFFICERS .- 1. The officers of this Church shall be a Pastor, four Deacons, a Clerk, a Treasurer, three Committee-men, and two Anditors.
2. The Pastor shall be, ex-officio, moderator of the Church. In his absence, or in any case where he may become a party in interest to Church action, so as to make it improper for him to act as moderator, a moderator pro tempore shall be chosen.
3. The Deacons shall be chosen for a term of four . years, one being chosen at each annual meeting. It shall be their duty to assist in the administration of the
10
CHURCH MANUAL.
sacraments, distribute the charities of the Church, and to aid the pastor generally in his work.
1. The Clerk shall be elected annually. It shall be his duty to keep distinct and full minutes of all the busi- ness transactions of the Church ; a record of all recep- tions, dismissions, and deaths of members ; of all bap- tisms, both of infants and adults; of all non-resident members, with the length of time they have been absent ; and he shall make a full written report of all these mat- ters at the annual meeting. He shall also conduct the correspondence of the Church ; shall issue letters of dis- mission and recommendation in accordance with its rules ; shall have charge of its archives, and prepare and keep a proper catalogue of all its members.
5. The Treasurer shall be elected annually, and shall take charge of all moneys collected by the church for religious and charitable purposes, forward them to their specific objects, and make a written report of the same at the annual meeting, and whenever else the church shall require it.
6. The Three Committee-men shall be elected annual- ly, and together with the Pastor and Deacons, shall con- stitute a Standing Committee. It shall be the duty of the Standing Committee to examine candidates for ad- mission to the Church, to advise respecting the objects of Christian benevolence to which the Church shall contrib- ute, and to bring before the Church such cases and meas- ures of discipline as shall be necessary. It shall also be their duty to confer together and with other members of the Church respecting its interests and the measures pro- moting its welfare, and to perform such other service as the Church may from time to time direct.
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11.
PRINCIPLES AND RULES.
7. The Auditors shall be chosen annually, and shall supervise the Treasurer's annual account, and report thereon.
8. All officers shall be chosen by ballot, without nom- ination, unless by a committee appointed for the purpose.
III, ADMISSION OF MEMBERS. 1. Persons desiring to unite with this Church on confession of their faith, shall be examined by the Standing Committee as to their doctrinal sentiments and personal piety, and, upon their approval, shall be propoided before the Church and Congregation at least two weeks previous to admission ; and be received by vote of the Church, in the manner prescribed for the admission of members.
2. Members of other Churches wishing to unite with this Church by letter of transfer, shall be propounded, upon approval of the Standing Committee, at least one week previons to admission ; and be received by vote of the Church, and public assent to the Covenant.
3. It is expected that letters for admission will bear date within the year previous to their presentation ; and no others will be received unless satisfactory reasons are given for the delay.
IV. DISMISSION OF MEMBERS. 1. It is regarded as the duty of members of this Church who remove from the place, to request letters of dismission and recom- mendation to some Evangelical Church within one year after leaving us, or furnish satisfactory reasons for not doing so. The neglect of this duty, shall be regarded as a breach of Covenant. Such letters shall be valid for only one year from their date. They shall be given only to some specific Church. No member can right-
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CHURCH MANUAL.
'fully join any other Church except by first asking and receiving such letter.
2. If any member of this Church shall unite in an irregular manner with any other professedly Christian Church, he may be separated from us at the discretion of the Church.
V. MEETINGS. 1. The Annual Meeting of the Church for the election of officers and the transaction of other business, shall be held on the third Wednesday in Jan- uary, at 2 o'clock, P. M.
2. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper shall be administered on the first Sabbaths of January, March, May, July, September, and November, respectively ; and there shall be a Lecture preparatory on the Friday next preceding its administration.
3. All meetings for worship or business, except those held statedly on Sunday, shall be called by notice of time and place given from the pulpit during divine service on the Lord's day.
4. Business may be transacted at any regularly called meeting, and a special meeting may be called at any time when, in the opinion of the pastor and deacons, it shall be expedient ; and shall be called on the written appli- cation of five members to the pastor, or, in his absence, to one of the deacons.
VI. DISCIPLINE. 1. Any member having cause of com- plaint against another, shall first seck reconciliation in the spirit of the Gospel, and shall proceed according to the rules laid down by our Lord in Matthew xviii. 15-17. If he fail to obtain satisfaction, he may bring the matter before the Standing Committee, or, by written complaint, to the Church.
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PRINCIPLES AND RULES.
2. In such case, or in a case of public scandal, if the Church entertain the complaint, a the shall be appointed for the hearing of the ease and the offender sunnnoned to be present. No member shall be deprived of Church privileges except in an orderly manner and after due notice from the Church.
VII. AMENDMENT OR SUSPENSION OF THE RULES. These Rules may be amended at any regular meeting by a vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting ; pro- vided that amendments be proposed in writing at least two weeks previous to such meeting. They may be temporarily suspended whenever the Church shall see fit unanimously to order it.
1
DOCTRINAL STATEMENT.
CONCERNING GOD.
I. There is but One only living and true God1, subsist- ing in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost2 ; who is possessed of all possible perfection and divine excellence3; the Creator and Preserver of all things+; whose purposes and providence extend to all events 5; and who exercises a righteous moral govern- ment over all his creatures 6.
(1) Deut. vi. 4. Isa. xlv. 5. Ps. xc. 2. (2) Matt. xxviii. 19. II. Cor. xiii. 14. John i. 1-3. Acts v. 3, 4. (3) Ps. cxlv. 3. xxxvi. 5-7. (4) Gen. i. 1. Col. i. 16, 17. Acts xvii. 28. (5) Isa. xlvi. 10. Ps. cxxxix. 3. Matt. x. 29, 30. (6) Dan. iv. 34, 35. Rev. xvi. 7. Ex. xxxiv. 6, 7. I. John iv. 8, 9.
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.
II. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are given by inspiration of God'; and are the only infal- lible rule of faith and practice, able to make us wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.2
(1) Ileb. i. 1, 2. II. Peter i. 21. 1. Thess. ii. 13. (2) II. Tun. iii. 15-17. HUMAN SINFULNESS.
III. Our first parents by disobedience fell from orig- inal righteousness and communion with God ;1 and in con- sequence all mankind are become dead in trespasses and sins, and justly liable to God's wrath and punishment for- ever, for all have sinned.2
(1) Gen. ii 16, 17. compare iii. 6. (2) Rom. v. 12. John iii. 6, Rom. i. 18. Eph. ii. 1-3.
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DOCTRINAL STATEMENT.
REDEMPTION BY JESUS CHRIST.
IV. Because God loved the world," Jesus Christ His only Son became man,? and by His obedience, suffering's, and death, provided a way of salvation for all mankind.3 By Ilim alone' we are reconciled unto God,5 and saved from sin,6 if we repent of sin, believe in Christ,7 and follow Him.8 Whosoever will may come unto Him ;9 and all who do come are drawn by the Father," and chosen of God," and are kept by His power through faith unto salvation.12
(1) John iii. 16. (2) ITeb. ii. 16-18. (3) Philip. ii. 8. I. Cor. xv. 3. I. John ii. 2. (4) Acts iv. 12. (5) HI. Cor. v. 19. (6) Matt. i. 21. (7) Acts xx. 21. John iii. 15. (8) John x. 27-28. (g) Rev. xxii. 17. I. Tim. ii. 4. (10) John vi. 41. (11) Eph. i. 4. 11. Thess. ii. 13. (12) 1. Peter i. 5.
THE HOLY SPIRIT.
V. The Spirit of God is come to convince the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment.1 He is freely given to all who seek Him ;2 dwells in the hearts of be- lievers,3 and leads them into all truth.' By Him alone the sinful heart is renewed and sanctified.5
(1) John xvi. 8. (2) Luke xi 13. (3) I. Cor. iii. 16. (4) John xvi. 13. Rom. viii. 4, 14. (5) John iii. 3-6. Titus iii. 5.
GOOD WORKS.
VI. All renewed souls are created in Christ Jesus un- to good works,1 which are to be done continually in obe- dience to God's conunands,2 as fruits and evidences,' whereby we do glorify God,4 edify the brethren,5 and adorn tlie profession of the Gospel.6
(1) Eph. ii. 10. (2) Titus ii. 12-14. Luke vi. 46. (3) John xv. 14. James ii. 18, 26. Eph. v. 1, 8-12. (4) Matt. v. 16. John xv. 8. (5) Rom. xiv. 19. Gal. vi. 10. (6) Eph. iv. 17-32. Titus ii. 10.
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CHURCH MANUAL.
THE CHURCHI.
VII. There is one Church on earth and in heaven ;1 Christ is its head and Christians are its members.2 Bap- tism and the Lord's Supper are by Christ ordained its sacraments.3 All true disciples of Christ may and ought to become declared members of His Church, partake of its sacraments,4 and labor together with mutual love and fellowship in its service.5
(1) Eph. iii. 15. (2) Col. i. 18. (3) Matt. xxviii. 19. Luke xxii. 19, 20. (4) Acts xxii. 16. I. Cor. x1. 21, 25. (5) Philip. i. 27.
THE FAMILY.
VIII. It is the duty of all who are heads of families to maintain the worship of God in their families,' and dil- igently and faithfully instruct, counsel, and admonish their children, and all under their care, that they may be the Lord's2. Believing parents should present their children for baptism in infancy.3
(1) Cion. Mi 8. Jer. X. 25. Luke IA. 16. (2) Gen. xviII. 19. Eph. vi. 4. Deut. vi. 6, 7. (3) Acts xvi. 15, 33. compare Matt. xix 14.
THE SABBATHI.
IX. The Lord's Day is, set apart as a Christian Sab- bath,' made for man ;" and it is the duty of all men to hallow it as a day of rest and worship.3
(1) Gen. ii. 3. Mark xvi. 9. Rev. i. 10. Acts. xx. 7. (2) Mark ii. 27. (3) Ex. xx. 8. John xx. 19, 26. Acts xx. 7.
THE RESURRECTION AND JUDGMENT.
X. The present life is the only state of probation for mankind.1 There will be a resurrection of all the dead ;2 and God will judge all men in righteousness by Jesus
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DOCTRINAL STATEMENT.
Christ His Son.3 The wicked shall go away into ever- lasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal.+
(1) Isa. lv. 6. John v. 28,29. Luke xvi. 26. Rev. xxii. 11. (2) John v. 28, 29. (3) John v. 22. Acts xvii. 31. (4) Matt. xxv. 46.
EXPLANATORY NOTE.
The foregoing Articles of Doctrine are adopted as express- ing what has been and still is the essential belief of this Church.
We set them forth as the basis of administration, of fel- lowship, and of instruction ; and we expect that the teaching of the Pulpit and of the Sunday School will conform to them ; that candidates for admission to the Church will be exam- ined in regard to them, and that they and all who are young in years, or in the faith, will study them, and receive in- struction in them, both at home and under the care of the Claireh; and that at suitable times they will be read and ex- plained in connection with public worship.
But we desire to administer this Church under the rule and in the spirit of Christ, and to receive to membership in it, on confession of Him, those who, upon examination, give credible evidence of a new life, and of agreement with us in the substance of His Doctrine. Hence we do not require, as a condition of such membership and confession that all who apply, especially if they be young or of limited instruction, shall completely understand or fully avow these articles.
We have therefore adopted the following form for the ad- mission of members.
FORM FOR THE ADMISSION OF MEMBERS. -
The candidates shall take their places before the pulpit while the minis- ter is reciting one or more of the following verses of Scripture, or such others as he may choose.
JESUS SAITH :
Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy la- den, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me ; for I am meek and lowly in heart : and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.
If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.
Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven.
The Minister shall then address the candidates as follows :-
DEARLY BELOVED,-You are here before God and these witnesses, to confess the Lord Jesus Christ, and to dedi- cate yourselves to Him in the everlasting covenant of Ilis grace. Feeling the solemnity and blessedness of this privilege, and praying with us that He who hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ, you now unite with us in this
CONFESSION.
We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, the Cre- ator and Ruler of all things :
And in Jesus Christ, Ilis only Son, our Lord, who was in the beginning with God, and was God; who for our salvation became man, was crucified, dead and buried ;
FORM FOR THE ADMISSION OF MEMBERS. 19
who rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God, the Father ; whence HIe shall come to judge the quick and the dead :
And in the Holy Ghost, the Comforter ; through whom alone we are renewed and sanctified ; who, with the Fa- ther and the Son, together one God, is supremely to be loved and alone to be adored :
And in the forgiveness of sin, through repentance and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ :
And in the Holy Scriptures as a perfect rule of faith and duty :
And in one Church of the Redeemed on earth and in heaven ; and in one Baptism for the remission of sins ; and in one Commumion of Saints; and we look for the Resurrection of the dead, and the Life everlasting. Amen.
COVENANT.
In the presence of the heart-searching God, His holy angels, and these witnesses, you do now solemnly ac- knowledge the Lord Jehovah, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost to be your God.
You do trust only in Ilis sovereign grace and ahnighty power.
And you do promise that you will faithfully endeavor to keep His commandments and follow Him in all things ; and denying all ungodliness and worldly lusts, to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.
This you truly confess and heartily promise ?
The candidates shall assent by bowing.
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CHURCH MANUAL.
BAPTISM.
Then the Minister will say to those who have been baptized in infancy.
You who were dedicated to God in childhood, in the ordinance of baptism, by believing parents, do now de- clare your personal acceptance of their act and freely as- sume the obligations and privileges therein implied.
If none have been baptized the foregoing shall be omitted. To the others the minister shall say,
You who have never been privileged to receive the out- ward seal of the Covenant, will now, upon this confession of your faith, present yourselves for baptism.
The minister will then baptize such, the candidates kneeling. If all have been baptized the foregoing shall be omitted.
COVENANT WITH THE CHURCH.
Here those who unite by letter will rise; and for them the form of ad- mission shall begin with the following words :-
You do now, Beloved, enter into covenant with this church, to join heartily in its work and ordinances and public worship ; to submit to its rules and discipline ; to labor for its growth, purity, and peace ; and to walk with its members in charity and faithfulness.
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