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MANUAL
OF THE
FIRST CHURCH, 1st
DOVER, N. H.
ORGANIZED DECEMBER, 1638.
NO. VI.
MARCH, 1893.
DOVER, N. H., N. E. STILES' JOB PRINT. IS93.
1829608
D DOVER, N.H. FIRST CHURCH (CONGREGATIONAL)
.22
284224 vManual of the First church, Dover, N.H. organized December, 1638. no. VI. March, 1893. Dover, N.H.,Stiles, 1893. 58p.
NL .. 38.1168
HISTORICAL.
MINISTRY OF THE FIRST CHURCH.
T HE settlement of Dover commeneed in the spring of 1623, when Edward Hilton landed upon Dover Neck and built upon the extremity of Hilton's point. There was no ministry, because of the fewness of the inhabitants, until 1633, when an accession was made to the settlement by a company of about thirty persons from the west of England, who landed at Salem, Mass., October 10 (O. S.), 1633, and immediately came to Dover.
In this company was REV. WILLIAM LEVERICH, a gradu- ate of Emmanuel College. Cambridge, Eng., in 1625, "an able and worthy Puritan minister." He intended to remain here, but after a trial of nearly two years, his support proved inadequate and he left the town. He went to Boston, was admitted a member of the First Church there, May 9, 1635, was settled at Sandwich from 1638 or 39 to 1652, was em- ployed as a missionary in 1653, and probably till 1657; in 1658 removed to Huntington, L. I., whence he went in 1670 to Newtown, where he died, June 19, 1677, aged 77.
During his ministry the first meeting-house was erected on a spot south of the remnants of the fortification. GEORGE BURDETT was second minister. He was gradu- ated from Cambridge, Eng., and had left Yarmouth, Eng., in 1634, came to America, and was admitted to the church in
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Salem, Mass., where he preached a year or more. In 1637, he came to Dover, where he became preacher, and soon after Governor, by a voluntary "combination" of the settlers. A man of plausible address and good scholarship, he was generally popular until his correspondence with Archbishop Laud, and some instances of immoral conduct were discovered, when he hastily removed to Agamenticus, Me., in 163S. A similar course there ended in his returning to England, where, entering the Royalist army in the civil war, he was taken prisoner by the Parliament troops and committed to prison. Nothing further is known of him.
HANSERD KNOLLYS, third minister, born in Calkwell, Lin- colnshire, Eng., in 1598, a graduate of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, Eng., ordained by the Bishop of Peterboro', June 30, 1629, held the living of Humberstone, Lincolnshire, but resigned it from conscientious scruples, arrived at Boston, Mass., July, 1638, and at Dover in August. He was forbidden to preach by Mr. Burdett, but after that person's departure he exercised ministerial functions. Under his care the FIRST CHURCH was organized in December, 1638, it being the oldest, but one, of the churches in New Hampshire. When Mr. Larkham came. in 1640 (who became associated in the pastorate with Mr. Knollys), difficulties arose between them, and the people became divided. Mr. Knollys left in 1641, and reached England, December 24, 1641. He was there a man of eminent piety and zeal, and a decided Baptist. He suffered greatly from persecution, and died, September 19, 1691. His reputation has been aspersed, but, as it now appears, evidently from prejudice. He published twelve works, the most interesting of which is his Autobiography. His wife, Anne, daughter of John -eney, Esq., died 30 April, 1671, in the 63d year of her age.
THOMAS LARKHAM, fourth minister, born at Lyme, Dor- setshire, Eng., May 4, 1601 ; was graduated at Cambridge and
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settled at Northam, near Barnstable, Eng. ; coming to Dover in 1640, he was received as minister, as associate with Mr. Knollys, and sole minister after Mr. Knollys' departure. He was pastor late in the year 1642, but then returned to England and settled in Tavistock, Devonshire, where he was, says Calamy, "a man of great piety and sincerity." Ejected by the uniformity act of 1662, he lived in great persecution from the established church, and died, in 1669, in the house of his son-in-law, where he was concealed for fear of imprisonment. He published three works, the chief of which was a quarto of 520 pages, on the "Attributes of God."
DANIEL MAUD, fifth minister, born about 1585 ; was grad- uated from Cambridge, England, in 1606, "a man of quiet and peaceful disposition," had been a minister in England, arrived at Boston in 1835, was admitted freeman, May 25, 1636, and officiated as school-master for some years. He came to Dover early in 1643, being recommended by the ministers in answer to the request of the people of Dover. He died in 1655, his Will being dated 17, 11 mo., 1654 (Feb). 17, 1655), and proved, June 26, 1655. The second meeting- house was built in 1653, in accordance with a town vote dated 5, 10 mo., 1652 ; a bell was placed upon it in 1665, and a fortification built round it in 1667, the remains of which are still visible and which mark its site. The church was presented with a deed of four acres of land, including this ancient site, on April 6, ISS9.
JOHN REYNER, sixth minister, born in Gildersome, Eng., in 1600; was graduated from Cambridge in 1625, came to America in or near 1635, settled in Plymouth, Mass., in 1636, left that place in November, 1654, and settled in Dover in 1655. "He was a man of meck and humble spirit, sound in the truth, and every way irreproachable in his life and con- versation." During the last few years of his life he was assisted by his son and successor, John Reyner, Jr. He died
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FIRST CHURCH MANUAL.
April 20, 1669, aged 69. His will was dated, April 19, and proved, June 30, his widow Frances being Executrix. He owned and bequeathed an estate in the Parish of Batly, York- shire, England.
In his time, extra services were held at Cochecho on the Sabbath in the winter for several years, William Wentworth, an elder of the church, being employed by the town to preach there.
JOHN REYNER, JR., seventh minister, son of John Reyner, his predecessor, was born, probably, in Plymouth, in 1643; was graduated at Harvard College in 1663, and became assistant to his father about 1667. Upon his father's death he was invited, July 22, 1669, to become pastor, and continued to officiate, but was not regularly settled until July 12, 1671. He died at Braintree, Mass., December 21, 1676, "of a cold and fever," says Hull, "that he took in the field among the soldiers." Ilis wife was Judith, daughter of Edmund Quincy, of Braintree. Of him it is said, "he possessed a double por- tion of his father's spirit."
JOIN PIKE, eighth minister, was born in Salisbury, Mass., May 13, 1653 ; was graduated at Harvard College in 1675. came to Dover "for the work of the ministry," Nov. 1, 1678, and was settled, Aug. 31, 1681. He was absent some of the time during his settlement here on account of the Indian wars, but he died here in the pastorate, March 10, 1709-10. Ilis wife, Sarah, daughter of Rev. Joshua Moody, died Jan. 24, 1702-3. His Will was dated, March 6, 1709-10. "He was esteemed as an extraordinary preacher, and a man of true godliness." His Journal, from 1678 to 1710, is extant, and has been printed.
NICHOLAS SEVER, ninth minister, was born in Roxbury, Mass., April 15, 1680; was graduated at Harvard College in 1701, and was ordained at Dover, April 11, 1711. He re- signed his charge in the spring of 1715 on account of an
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FIRST CHURCH MANUAL.
almost total loss of voice. In 1716, he was appointed Tutor in Harvard College, where he remained for twelve years. Not long after, he was appointed Judge C. C. P. in Ply- mouth Co., Mass., a station for which he proved himself eminently qualified. He died April 7, 1764.
Prior to his settlement, the regular meetings of the Sabbath had been held at Dover Neck, but Mr. Sever preached partly at Cochecho. The third meeting-house was erected on Pine Hill, before 2 May 1711, when "four acres were laid out to the Reauerent Mr. Nicholas Sever between Mr. Paul Gerrish his house and the new meeting-house, beginning at the corner of the highway that leads from Cochecha Road to Campin's Rocks," but the old one at the Neck stood until about 1720.
JONATHAN CUSHING, tenth minister, was born in Hingham, Mass., December 20, 1690; was graduated at Harvard Col- lege in 1712, and was ordained pastor of this church, Sept. IS, 1717 ; during most of his ministry he preached at Coche- cho ; he died, March 25, 1769, having had a colleague for the two years previous. He "sustained the character of a grave and sound preacher, a kind, peaceable, prudent and judicious pastor, a wise and faithful friend." During his ministry one hundred and thirty-three were added to the church, of whom nine were by letter.
The fourth meeting-house was dedicated, Dec. 13, 1758, and stood upon the site of the present house ; the former one was sold in pursuance of a vote passed, Nov. 26, 1759. The parish was incorporated distinct from the town, June 11, 1762.
JEREMY BELKNAP, D. D., eleventh minister, was born in Boston, Mass., June 4, 1744 (O. S. ) ; was graduated at Har- vard College in 1762 ; was ordained colleague with Mr. Cush- ing, Feb. 18, 1767, and became sole pastor in 1769. He married Ruth Eliot, June 15, 1767. His connection ceased, Sept. 11, 1786, and he was installed pastor of the Federal
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FIRST CHURCH MANUAL.
Street church in Boston (afterwards Dr. Channing's), April 4, 1787 ; he died of a paralytic attack, June 20, 1798. In his ministry here forty-three were added to the church, of whom five were by letter.
Dr.'Belknap was distinguished for his literary attainments and beloved for his personal character. He was an ardent patriot in the Revolution, and by his writings and correspon- dence did eminent service. He published numerous works, the best known of which is his History of New Hampshire.
ROBERT GRAY, twelfth minister, was born in Andover, Mass., Oct. 9, 1761, was a revolutionary soldier; was gradu- ated at Harvard College in 1786, and was ordained over this church, February 28, 1787. He married, March 27, 1787, Lydia Tufts, of Charlestown, Mass. His connection as pas- tor ceased, May 20, 1805. He preached afterwards in the western part of Barrington, though he was never again settled, and died in Wolfeborough, N. IL., Angust 25, 1822. During his ministry, thirty-four were added to the church. He pub- lished a sermon at the ordination of Key. Daniel Stone at Hallowell, Me., Oct. 21, 1795; a Thanksgiving sermon ; and a N. H. Election sermon.
CALEB IIAMILTON SHEARMAN, thirteenth minister, was born in Brimfield, Mass., in 1779; was graduated at Brown University in 1803; was ordained at Dover, May 6, 1807, and dismissed, May 7, 1812. He left Dover about IS14. A family record says he died and was buried in Virginia in 1815. Six persons are recorded as having united with the church during his ministry.
JOSEPH WARD CLARY, fourteenth minister, was born in Rowe, Mass., November 21, 1786; was graduated at Middle- bury College in 1808, at Andover in 181, and was ordained pastor of this church, May 7, 1812. He was dismissed, by mutual council, August 6, 1828, and on the 29th of Novem- ber was installed pastor at Cornish, N. H. ; he resigned his
-
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FIRST CHURCHI MANUAL.
pastoral charge in 1834, and died in Cornish, April 13, 1835, "a good and pious man, a serions and faithful pastor." Mr: Clary was re-interred, Dec. 19, 1835, in Pine Hill (Dover) burying ground, by desire of this church. During his min - istry, sixty-nine united with the church.
HUBBARD WINSLOW, D. D., LL.D., fifteenth minister, was born in Williston, Vt., October 30, 1799; was graduated at Yale College in 1825, and at Yale Theological Seminary in IS28; and was ordained pastor, December 4, 1828. In the midst of a promising revival his health failed and he was obliged to leave the place; he was dismissed, by council, November 30, 1831. During his ministry and previous to the settlement of his successor, one hundred and ninety-six were added to this church, of whom thirty-six were by letter. During his pastorate the fifth house of worship was built, being dedicated 31 Dec., 1829. Mr. Winslow was installed pastor of the Bowdoin Street church in Boston, September 26, 1832, and dismissed in March, 1811. In is5; he accepted the pastorate of the Presbyterian church, Geneva, N. Y., and stayed two years, adding nearly two hundred members to the church. His health failing, he resigned. While in this pul- pit he published three sermons on the Trinity, and an his- torical discourse embracing a history of the First Parish, Dover, from 1633 to 1831. He was in active service many years, especially in charge of seminaries for the liberal educa- tion of young ladies. He published various works, mainly educational. He died at Williston, Vt., August 13, 1864, aged 64 years and 9 months.
DAVID Roor, sixteenth minister, was born in Piermont, N. 11., June 17, 1791 ; was graduated at Middlebury College in 1816; received his theological education principally under the direction of the Rev. Dr. Nathan S. S. Beman, late of Troy, N. Y. ; labored as a missionary some time in Georgia ; was ordained pastor of the second Presbyterian church in
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FIRST CHURCHI MANUAL. .
Cincinnati, O., September, 4, 1819; resigned his charge in 1832, and was installed pastor of this church, February 6, 1833 ; his connection ceased, September 4, 1839. During his ministry here, one hundred and sixty-six were added to the church, of whom thirty-nine were by letter. While in Dover he published seven sermons. Mr. Root setled in Waterbury, Conn., in 1840, and afterwards at Guilford. Ile died in Chicago, Ill., August 30, 1873, aged S2.
JEREMIAH SMITH YOUNG, seventeenth minister, was born in Whitestown, N. Y., September 10, ISog; received his theological education at Andover, where he was graduated in 1839; was ordained here, November 20, 1839 ; his connection was dissolved, September 4, 1843, in consequence of ill health, and he never afterwards settled. During his ministry, and previous to the settlement of his successor, one hundred and eighty-one united with the church, of whom thirty-five were by letter. He died in Somerville, Mass., April 26, 1861, aged 51 years.
HOMER BARROWS, eighteenth minister, was born in Ware- ham, Mass., December 19, 1806; was graduated at Amherst College in 1831, and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1834 ; was ordained pastor of the second church in Middle- boro', Mass., June 1, 1836; left that place in 1842; was stated supply at Norton, Mass., for three years, and was installed pastor of this church, July 9, 1845. His connection was terminated by a mutual council, held, July 6, 1852. During his pastorate, fifty-eight were added to the church, of whom twenty-seven were by letter. Mr. Barrows was installed pastor of the church in Wareham, Mass., Oct. 27, 1852, and was afterwards, from 1859 to 1869, acting pastor at Plaistow, N. H. He afterwards resided at Andover, Mass., and died there, April 1, IS81.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PARSONS, nineteenth minister, was born in Wiscasset, Me., June 21, 1820; was graduated at
-
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Bowdoin College in 1841 ; received his theological education at New York and Bangor, graduating at Baugor Theological Seminary in 1846. He was ordained as the first minister of the Congregational church at Watertown, Wis., January 25, 1847 ; installed as first pastor of the First church, at Wauke- gan, Ill., November 1, 1848; resigned his charge in October, 1852, and was installed pastor of this church, January 12. 1853. Hle was dismissed, July S, 1856, and on Sept. 3, 1856, became pastor of the Belknap church in this city, from which he was dismissed, October 24, 1861. He is still in ministerial service, and from November, 1874 to 1877, was acting pastor of the church in Woonsocket, R. I. ; from 1877 to 18So, was acting pastor at Webster, Mass. ; his home is in Derry, N. HI. During his ministry here, forty-one were added to the church.
ELIAS HUNTINGTON RICHARDSON, D. D., twentieth minis- ter, was born in Lebanon, N. H., August 11, 1827; was graduated at Dartmouth College, in 1850, and at Andover in IS53 ; was ordained pastor of the church in Goffstown, N. H., May IS, 1854; dismissed, October 30, 1856. Ile was installed over this church, December 10, 1856, and dismissed, December 10, 1863. He was installed over the Richmond Street church in Providence, R. I., Dec. 30, 1863, and dis- missed, April 2, 1867. He was installed, May 1, 1867, in Westfield, Mass., and dismissed, March 5, 1872. He was installed over First church, Hartford, Conn., April 24, 1872, and dismissed, January 1, 1878. On January 7, 1878, he was installed at New Britian, Conn., where he died June 27, ISS3, of pneumonia. During his ministry, ninety were added to the church, and thirty by him after he was dismissed and prior to the settlement of his successor.
AVERY SKINNER WALKER, D. D., twenty-first minister, was born in Union Square, Oswego Co., N. Y., October 15, 1829; was graduated at Oberlin College in 1854, and at Union Theological Seminary in 1857. He was ordained by
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the Third New York Presbytery, June 14, 1837, and was acting pastor at Lodi, N. Y., from 1857 to June, IS60. He , was installed pastor at Rockville, Conn., February 13, 1861, dismissed, September 20, 1864; and was installed over this church, November 16, 1864. He was dismissed, September 7, 1868, and was installed, October 28, 1868, pastor at Fair- haven, Mass., and was dismissed, July 27, 1871. He was installed pastor of Presbyterian church in Gloversville, N. Y., on Dec. 6, 1871, and was dismissed, Oct. 6, 1877. He was installed over the church in Spencer, Mass., Nov. 14, 1877, and was dismissed, Sept. 1, 1887. He was installed pastor of the Presbyterian church at Canton, N. Y. Seventy were added to the church during his ministry, and two others prior to the settlement of his successor.
GEORGE BURLEY SPALDING, D. D., twenty-second minister, was born in Montpelier, Vt., August 11, 1835; was gradu- ated at the University of Vermont in 1856, studied Law at Tallahassie, Florida, entered Union Theological Seminary, New York city, in 1858, remaining two years, was graduated at Andover Theological Seminary in 1861 ; was ordained and installed as minister at Vergennes, Vermont, October 5, 1861, dismissed, August 1, 1864; installed over the North (now Park ) church in Hartford, Coun., September 28, 1864; dismissed, March 23, 1869 ; installed over the First Church in Dover, N. H., September 1, 1869. He was dismissed, Feb. 6, 1883, and was installed pastor of the Franklin Street Con- gregational church, Manchester, N. H., on February 14, 1883, and was dismissed, Sept. 30, 1885. He was installed pastor of the Presbyterian church in Syracuse, N. Y. He published ten sermons and addresses while in Dover, and during his pastorate two hundred and fifty-four were added to the church, of whom one hundred and forty-six were admit- ted on confession .
GEORGE EDWARD HALL, twenty-third minister, was boru
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February 23, 1851, in Jamaica, West Indies ; was graduated in 1872 at Oberlin College, and from New Haven Theological Sem- inary in 1875 ; was ordained and installed, September 2, 1875, pastor of the Congregational church at Littleton, Mass., and was dismissed, February 28, 1877; was installed, May 2, 1877, pastor of the Congregational church at Vergennes, Vt., and was dismissed, December , 31, 1883; was installed, Jan- uary 2, 1884, over First Church, Dover, N. HI. He pub- lished a sermon on the occasion of the death of General U. S. Grant in 1885. The church, on Dec. 18, 1888, celebrated the 250th anniversary of its organization.
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FIRST CHURCHI MANUAL.
RECAPITULATION.
I. WILLIAM LEVERICH, 1633-35.
2. GEORGE BURDETT, 1637-3S.
3. HANSERD KNOLLYS, 1638-41.
4. THOMAS LARKHAM, 1640-42.
5. DANIEL MAUD, 1643-55, dying in office.
6. JOHN REYNER, 1655-69, dying in office.
7. JOHN REYNER, JR., 1669-76, son of the last preceding, and dying in office.
S. JOHN PIKE, 1678-1710, dying in office.
9. NICHOLAS SEVER, 1711-15.
10. JONATHAN CUSHING, 1717-69, dying in office, and the last minister of this church dying in its pastorate.
11. JEREMY BELKNAP, D. D., 1767-86.
12. ROBERT GRAY, 1787-1805.
13.
CALEB HAMILTON SHEARMAN, 1807-12.
14. JOSEPH WARD CLARY, 1812-2S.
15. HUBBARD WINSLOW, D. D., LL. D, IS28-31.
16. DAVID ROOT, 1833-39.
17. JEREMIAH SMITH YOUNG, 1839-43.
18. HOMER BARROWS, 18.45-53.
19. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PARSONS, 1853-56.
20. ELIAS HUNTINGTON RICHARDSON, D. D., 1856.63.
21. AVERY SKINNER WALKER, D. D., 1864-68.
22. GEORGE BURLEY SPALDING, D. D., 1869-83.
23. GEORGE EDWARD HALL, IS84- .
ノ
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FIRST CHURCHI MANUAL. .
ELDERS AND DEACONS
OF THE FIRST CHURCH, DOVER, N. H.
Rev. Dr. Belknap says that "Mention is made of persons with the title of Elders, from 1647 to 1662, and it appears that there were three Elders; viz., Nutter, Wentworth and Starbuck." (Nutter and Starbuck were called elders as early as 1638, and probably were chosen when the church was organized. )
ELDERS.
1638. Ilatevil Nutter . Died, 1675. 1638 Edward Starbuck. Left Dover, 1659, and went to Nantucket. . Died, Dec. 4, 1690, aged 86. 1650. William Wentworth. . Died, March 16,
1697, aged Sı. DEACONS. *
1655 John Hall. Died about 1693, aged 76. 1675 . John Dam Died, Jan. 27, 1690. 1717, Oct. 15. . Gershom Wentworth . Died, March 2,
1731, aged 82.
1717, Oct. 15. . Samuel Tebbets. Died, Dec. 9, 1738. 1731, Mar. 2. . John Hayes. .... Died, July 3, 1759, aged 73r 1745, Apr. 11 . John Wood ... Died July 27, 1773, aged 65. 1758, Apr. 20. Shadrach Hodgdon. .... . Died, Nov. 1, 1791, aged 82. 1758, Apr. 20. . Daniel Ham. Deposed july 6, 1774. . . Died, 1803, aged 89.
1769, Dec. 27. . Thomas Hayes. ......
. Died, April 7, 1774, aged 59.
*No names of Deacons have been preserved from 1697 to 1717.
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FIRST CHURCH MANUAL.
1774, June 12. . Ephraim Kimball . Died, Mar. 19, 1792, aged 66.
17So, Nov. 5. . Benjamin Peirce. . : Died, Sept. 12, 1823, aged So.
1823
1790. . Ezra Green, M. D. Dismissed, Feb. 13, 1829. Died, July 25, 1847, aged 101 years, 27 davs. .. John Wingate Hayes. Dismissed to the church in Haverhill, Mass., Dec. S, 1839. Died, Nov. 11, 1845, aged 68.
1829. Peter Cushing, 2d. ...... Died, June 6, 1874, aged 78.
1838, Dec. 30. . Andrew Peirce. . Died, Sept. 4, 1862, aged 76. 1838, Dec. 30. . Edmund James Lane. . . Died, Feb. 28, ISS4, aged 81.
1838, Dec. 30. . Isaac A. Porter. Dismissed to Belknap church, April 24, 1856. Died, April 15, 1860, aged Sı.
1858, Aug. y. . Joshua Banfield. Dismissed to the church in Hampton, Jan, 8, 186S. ... Died. March 20, 1869, aged 66. 1869, Jan. 19. . Nathaniel Low, M. D. . . . . Died, April 2, 1883, aged 90. 1869, Jan. 19. . James Henry Wheeler, M. D., . . Died Jan. 26, 1893, aged 61.
1869, Jan. 19. . Alvah Moulton. 1874, Oct. 27. . Oliver Wyatt, .... Died July 16, 1891, aged 79. 1874, Oct. 27 .. George Quint .. Died, Oct 22, 1877, aged 74. 1878, Jan. 15. . John Riley Varney. ..... Died, May 2, 1882, aged 63.
187S, Jan. 15. . John Randolph Ham, M. D. 1885, Jan. 20. . Elisha Rhodes Brown. 1885, Jan. 20. . Benjamin Brierley. 1893, Feb. 7. . William Wood Hayes.
POLITY.
IT is the duty of Christ's disciples to associate themselves together for worship and communion, for mutual watch- fulness and improvement, for the administration of baptism and the Lord's Supper, and for the perpetuation and exten- sion of His Kingdom among men; and any association of Christians for these purposes is a Christian church, complete in itself, with all necessary power for its own government. Such a church is in fellowship with all Christian churches, and should receive from them and extend to them the advice and assistance which the law of Christ requires. But it has a special relation to churches of like character, and, in all matters of common concern to the brotherhood of churches, should consult the common good.
Our fathers organized this among the most ancient of the churches of New England upon these principles, and found in them a security for their religious rights and liberties.
We, the children, seek to perpetuate this ancient faith and order. We, therefore, affirm our purpose in all matters of our own, and in those relating to churches of like organiza- tion, to be governed by these established principles of New Testament polity.
:
THE CREED.
A LTHOUGH the Congregationalists have no denomina- tional creed they have on different occasions, to some extent denominationally, formulated their doctrinal beliefs. The real Confession of our denomination is the summation of the thousands of confessions of our churches. The last general statement of doctrine is known as the Creed of ISS3. At the triennial meeting of the National Council of the Congrega- tional churches of the United States in ISSo, a committee of eleven was appointed to select a commission of twenty-five to be charged with the duty of preparing for our churches a "simple, clear and comprehensive exposition of the truths of the glorious gospel of the blessed God." The result was the New Creed. It was signed by twenty-two of the commis- sioners and sent out to the churches to receive such favor as it might seem to deserve.
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