USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. V > Part 15
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Whereas the Commonalty thought it highly necessary that there should be Ryde 1600 Stockadoes for ye forti- fying ye sd Citty (Being ye Stockadoes are Roaten and Decayd) and 200 Load wood for ye Guards, by ye inha- bitants of ye sd Citty, and did for that purpose issue a warrant on ye 5th instant to ye assessrs of this Citty to make an estimate of ye sd 200 Load of wood and 1600 Stockadoes, but Capt. Pr. van Brugh, one of ye assessors of ye sd Citty doth absolutely refuse to make any such assessment. ye act for that purpose being out of force, so that by such means the Ryding of Stockadoes doth not proceed, however ye night guards cannot be kept without fire wood.
It is therefore Resolved y' ye Commonalty do meet again here at one aclock in ye afternoon in order to make an estimate of 200 Load of fire wood for ye sd Guards on ye freeholders and inhabitants of this Citty.
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The Commonalty have made an estimate of 200 Load of fire wood for ye Guards on the freeholders and inha- bitants of this Citty, and ordered that the respective notes shall be drawn out forthwith by the Clark and given to the Constables of each ward in order to warn ye Inhabitants for ye Rydeing their quota on or before the 20th instant.
January 21 .- Whereas there is a Detachment made of several men belonging to this county to lye and guard in this Citty of Albany, it is ordered by ye Commonalty that Mr. Mayor shall issue billets for ye quartering of sd men.
February 13 .- Whereas the pattentees of Sarachtoga, having demanded thirty eight pounds 13 pence due them from ys Citty on account of ye Land had from them, and whereas there is no money at present in Cash, it is there- fore Resolved by the Commonalty that Publick notice be put up that five and twenty morgan or fifty acres of Land scituate within ye bounds of Sachtekook belonging to the sd Citty near ye River syde adjoining to ye foot of ye steep hills that are between ye River and ye Schatekooks Land where ye buyer shall like it best, provided it be in one piece, are to be sold at publick vendue to ye highest bid- der, in ye Citty hall of ye sd Citty, on the 15th day of May now next ensueing, together with free Liberty of Cutting wood, fencing, building & fuel on ye sd Land only, & free grazing for cattle within ye vacant unappropriated land belonging to ye sd Citty, and that ye payments to be made according as ye same shall then be made known to them,
February 22 .- The Church Wardens of ye neder Dutch Church, bring in a petition wherein they desire to have a Release from ye Commonalty of the Church Yard to them and their successors for ever, which was unanimously graunted, and yt a Release shall be drawn & given them.
February 15 .- Whereas it is thought highly necessary that new Stockadoes be Ryde for the fortifications of this
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Citty ye old ones being decay'd, for ye Reparation whereof 1600 Stockadoes will be required, and Since ye assessors of this Citty have refused to make an assessemt thereof, alledgeing that there is no act of genll assembly to Com- pel them thereto, the Commonalty in Consideration of ye absolute necessaty thereof, Especially whilst there are some french Spyes in Citty who have taken ye freedom to view ye Citty Stockadoes, & oyr fortification's of ye sd Citty Have Resolved yt 1600 Stockadoes of yellow pine of 14 foot Long and one foot over at y" Smallest End, be Ryde by ye Inhabitants of this Citty before ye 13th of march next Ensueing according to ye assesment made by ye Commonalty
March 7 .- It is Resolved by ye Comonalty yt notice be given to ye Inhabitants of this Citty by ye Constables to Show & give up how many Stockadoes they have Ryd for ye fortifing of ye sd Citty on Saturday next at two a Clock in ye afternoon.
March 21 .- It is Resolved by ye Commonalty yt ye Con- stables of this Citty go round to warnd ye Inhabitants of ye sd Citty that they Square on two Sydes & ye bark peeld off & Sharpn of ye Stockadoes now Ryd for forti- fying ye Same to be done by a Carpenter or by themselfs if they can do it well, on or before ye first of april next. It is Resolved that Mr. hend hansen, Mr. Abraham Cuyler Esqr aldm & Coenraet ten Eyk be appointed a Committe to draw up a Petition to ye genl assembly of this Collony Representing ye State & Condition of these fronteers, and bring a Report on Saturday next.
March 25, 1710 .- According to ye resolution of ye Co. monalty on ye 21th past of ye Comittee yn appointed have brought in a form of a Petition to ye genll assembly of this colloney of n: york for ye fortifying & Repairing this city wh is as followeth (vizt)
To the lionble house of Representatives of ye Colony of new york. The humble Petition of ye mayor Recordr aldermen & Comonalty of ye Citty of albany & y^ Just ices of ye sd Citty & County Humbly Sheweth :
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Whereas the act of genll assembly of ye sd Colloney Entituled an act to Enable ye mayor Recordr aldermen & Comonality of ye Citty of albany for ye time being to Raise moneys for Defraying their Public & neccessary Charges annually, whereby ye sd mayor Recordr aldn & Comonalty were Enabled to raise yearly (for ye Space of three years) the Sume of Sixty Pound for Defraying their Public and neccessary Charges, as also to Tax for Raiseing new Stockadoes for ye sd Citty & Repairing ye Same, together with fire wood for ye militia guards, the Said act being expir'd by own Limitation-and Since it is highly requisite in time of war that ye fortifications of ye sd Citty should be kept in good & Sufficient Repair, we do therefore humbly pray yt ye Petitioners may be admitted to bring in a bill for the Repairing & fortifying y" sd Citty & Likewise to have a Clause in ye sd bill that ye mayr, Recordr, aldn & Comonalty of the Said Citty for ye time being may be Enabled to Raise a Certaine Sume of money for Defraying their Public & necessary Charges annually not Exceeding Sixty pounds & fire wood for ye militia guards.
Whereupon the Comonalty have Resolved that a bill Be Drawn in form, in ordr to be given in to ye genll assem- bly of this Colony of new york Desireing an act whereby ye Justices of ye Citty & County of albany or ye major part of them may be Enabled to ordr the Rydeing of Stockadoes & Setting up ye Same Round ye Citty of albany for ye defence thereof to be done by ye Inhabitants of ye sd Citty & County.
And that the mayor Recordr aldermen and Comonalty of ye Citty of albany for ye time being may be Enabled to Raise a Certain Sume of mony for Defraying their public & necessary Charges annually not Exceeding Sixty Pounds and fire wood for ye militia guards and yt a copy hereof be Deliverd to ye Representatives of this Citty and County before their going to n : york.
It is Resolved by ye Comonalty that ye Stockadoes of this Citty Shall Be Sett up at or before the 15th of april next Ensueing, and that each aldn in his ward is to give notice thereof to ye Inhabitants thereof.
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STATE STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
HOFFMAN.
In the year 1843, a subscription was started among the members of the Pearl Street Baptist church, and the Green Street church, for the purpose of raising funds to erect a building for a Baptist church, above the Capitol, as there was no church of the kind for the accommo- dation of the residents on the hill. Some individuals (Mr. Newton) went so far as to purchase the lot on which this edifice was finally erected.
But the effort having failed, the next year William Newton, Samuel M. Fish, Eli Perry and Charles Joy, commenced the building which is represented at the head of this article. The expense of construction was about $14,500, which was shared as follows: Mr. New-
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ton $6250, Mr. Fish $6250, Mr. Perry $1000, Mr. Joy $500, Mr. Many $500. Subsequently Mr. Joy sold his part to James Wilson, who continues with the others named sole owners of the church and its fixtures.
The gas fixtures, furnaces &c. are not included in the above estimate. The building cornering on State and High streets was constructed in 1845. It is con- structed of brick, and the interior as well as the exterior is a specimen of studied plainness united with neatness and durability. Its dimensions are 64 by 84 feet. It was erected under the supervision of Mr. W. V. Many ; the mason work was done by Mr. Wm. Knight, and the carpentry by Mr. Wm. Harrison.
On the 15th of January 1846, the following individ- uals met in the lecture room for the purpose of organiz- ing themselves into a Baptist church :- William New- ton, Sally D. Newton, Samuel M. Fish, Jane E. Fish, Charles Joy, Harriet Joy, Joel Marble, Nancy C. Marble Thomas W. Valentine, Harriet D. Valentine, Jacob Knapp, and Uriah St. John.
Elder Knapp was chosen moderator, and S. M. Fish, secretary; after prayer by Elder Knapp the letters of dismission from the churches to which they previously belonged, were read, as follows: Jacob Knapp, from the First Baptist church, Hamilton, N. Y., and all the others from the Pearl Street Baptist church, Albany. Their organization as a church is expressed in the following words :-
" Resolved, That we now, in the presence of God and of each other, do unite in, and form ourselves into a Baptist church, and do agree to walk together in church fellowship until God in his providence shall separate us; So help us to do, Almighty God !"
" Resolved, That we take the name of and be known by the " State Street Baptist church in Albany."
William Newton and Charles Joy were elected Dea- cons; and Samuel M. Fish, Church Clerk. They also adopted the following as the Articles of Faith.
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State Street Baptist Church.
ARTICLES OF FAITH.
ARTICLE I .- THE BEING OF GOD.
We believe in the existence of the " King eternal, im- mortal, invisible; the only wise God; to whom we ascribe the glory of our salvation for ever and ever."
ARTICLE II .- THE DEITY OF CHRIST.
We believe that Christ Jesus is the true God and Eternal Life ; that he is the only wise God, and Savionr.
ARTICLE III .- CREATION AND FALL OF MAN.
We belive that " God made man upright," and that " he has sought out many inventions."
ARTICLE IV .- RECOVERY OF MAN BY CHRIST.
We believe, " In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him," and " be- ing justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus ;" and " being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
ARTICLE V .- INSPIRATION OF THE SCRIPTURES.
We believe, " all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for cor- rection in righteousness," and that " the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."
ARTICLE VI .- NEW BIRTH.
We believe, that " except a man be born again, he can not see the Kingdom of God ; " and " except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he can not enter into the Kingdom of God:" " marvel not that I said unto you, ye must be born again."
ARTICLE VII .- ELECTION.
We believe, "we are bound to give thanks always to God, for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through the sanctification of the Spirit, and the belief of the truth," " for whom he did foreknow, he also did pre- destinate," " to be conformed to the image of his son that he might be the first-born among many brethren."
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State Street Baptist Church.
ARTICLE VIII .- PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS.
We believe that, " He that shall endure unto the end, shall be saved." " And I gave unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish ; neither shall any pluck them out of my hand. My Father which, gave them unto me. is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand."
ARTICLE IX .- THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
" Upon this rock I build my church, and the gates of. . hell shall not prevail against it."
ARTICLE X .- THE CHURCH THE HIGHEST AUTHORITY OF APPEAL."
" If he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church; but if he shall neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican." " Verily I say unto thee, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven."
ARTICLE XI .- OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH.
" Be ye not called Rabbi, for one is your Master, even Christ : all ye are brethren." " Call no man your father upon earth, for one is your Father which is in heaven :" "Neither be ye called master; for one is your master, even Christ;", "and hath put all things under his feet, and given him to be the head over all things to the church which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all."
ARTICLE XII .- ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH.
BAPTISM. Section 1. The Subjects .- " If thou be- lievest with all thy heart, thou mayest;" " repent, and be baptized every one of you."
Section 2. The Ordinance .- " We are buried with him by baptism ;" "Planted together in the likeness of his death;" "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen through the faith of the operation of God who hath raised him from the dead "
COMMUNION. Section 1. - Qualifications. - " Repent and be baptized every one of you." " Let a man examine himself and so let him eat of this bread and drink of this cup ; for he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth
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and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body." "Now I pray you, brethren, that you re- member me in all things, and keep the ordinances as I delivered them to you." " Now we command you, brethren, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walks disorderly and not after the tradition which he received of us."
Section 2. The Ordinance .- " As they were eating, ·Jesus . took bread and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take, eat ; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the New Testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins. And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives."
ARTICLE XIII .- CHRISTIAN SABBATH.
" Remember the sabbath day to keep.it holy. Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work; but the seventh is the sabbath of the Lord thy God."
ARTICLE XIV .- RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD.
"Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you that God should raise the dead ?" " For since by man came death, by man also came the resurrection of the dead:" " Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus, shall raise us up also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
ARTICLE XV .- FINAL JUDGMENT.
We believe " He hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness, by that man whom he hath ordained; " "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ." "For God will bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing whether it be good or whether it be evil."
ARTICLE XVI .- FUTURE REWARD AND PUNISHMENT.
"And these shall go away into everlasting punish- ment ; but the righteous into life eternal." " The wicked is driven away in his wickedness, but the righteous hath hope in his death."
It was farther ordered at the same meeting that Elder Knapp should prepare a covenant for future consideration.
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State Street Baptist Church.
The proprietors of the house had previously engaged Elder Jacob .Knapp, the distinguished evangelist, to preach the opening or dedicatory sermon, which he did in the afternoon of January 15, 1846.
In accordance with a previous engagement, he (Elder Knapp) immediately commenced a protracted meeting, which was continued with great success through the entire winter.
CHURCH COVENANT .- Adopted March 5, 1846.
We now solemnly covenant and agree before God, angels and men, to. give up ourselves to the Lord Je- hovah, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and to consecrate ourselves, soul, body and spirit unreservedly to Him ; to lay our property, our all upon his altar, and to use the whole faithfully as stewards for the promotion of his kingdom and glory, as connected with the best interests of the world of mankind.
We also covenant and agree to conduct toward each other as brethren and sisters, members of the same family ; to watch over each other for good, to exercise that charity which thinketh no evil, but covereth a multitude of faults.
We also agree to abstain from all disputing about words and questions which do not profit, but engender strife and debate; to live in love and be at peace among ourselves, and to have the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. without respect of persons.
We also agree to maintain the worship of God in our families daily ; to bring up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; to abstain from all idle, vain, and unnecessary conversation on the sabbath, and strictly to observe that day as a day of rest and religious worship. We furthermore agree to give our influence against every thing bad, and in favor of every thing good, that we may do all in our power to prevent the greatest possible amount of misery and produce the greatest amount of happiness.
All these things together with everything else enjoined upon us in the word of God, we do mutually agree to
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observe, relying upon His grace who hath said "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee."
And may the God of peace sanctify us wholly, and preserve our whole spirits, soul and body blameless until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. "Faithful is He who hath promised, who also will do it." Amen, Amen.
During the same month, the church voted to call Jacob Knapp as their pastor, which call was accepted.
Up to this time, the church had not been recognized by the other Baptist churches as a regularly organized body, not having conformed to the usual custom of calling a council and receiving a public recognition.
A council convened at the call of the State Street Bap- tist church, in Albany, April 14, 1846, for the purpose of determining the propriety of recognizing it as a regular Baptist church of our faith and order. Rev. B. T. Welch, of Albany, was chosen moderator, and Mr. Z. Richards, of Stillwater, was chosen clerk.
The following were represented by their delegates:
1st Baptist church, Albany .- Pastor William S. Clapp, and Messrs. R. C. Russell and Charles Pohlman.
Pearl Street Baptist church, Albany .- Pastor B. T. Welch, and Messrs. Friend Humphrey and Wm. Adams.
South Baptist church, Albany .- Pastor Stephen Wil- kins, and Messrs. Reuel Clapp and Alanson C. Churchill.
Second Baptist church, Stillwater .- Pastor Isaac Wes- cott, and Messrs. Zalmon Richards and Gotham Den- nison.
1st Baptist church, Troy .- Pastor G. C. Baldwin, and Messrs. Mattocks and Gibbs.
1st Baptist church, Lansingburgh .- Pastor W. W. Moore, and Messrs. Brooks and Carter.
1st Baptist church, Poughkeepsie .- Pastor Charles Van Loon, and Messrs. Christian Mattern and Elisha Clark.
1st Baptist church, Kinderhook .- Messrs. James Drew and Anthony J. Loomis.
State Street Baptist church .- Pastor Jacob Knapp, and Messrs. Wm. Newton and Charles Joy.
After a lengthy discussion of the articles of faith and practice adopted by the church, it was Resolved, that we [ Annals v.] 18
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now recognize the State Street Baptist church of Albany as a regular church of our faith and order.
In the evening of the same day, a sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. Wescott, and the right hand of fellowship extended to the church by Rev. Mr. Van Loon; the prayer of recognition was offered by Rev. Mr. Moore, and the church was addressed by Rev. Mr. Baldwin.
The association of Baptist churches called the Hud- son River Baptist association, held its session in Albany on the 17th of June.
The State Street Baptist church presented the follow- ing letter asking admission to that body :
To the Hudson River Baptist Association :
Dear Brethren-Understanding the uniformity of sen- timent pervading the entire body of the Baptist denomi- nation, and believing that "union is strength," we re- spectfully ask admission to become a member of your body. Our church was organized on the 15th of January, 1846, and recognized by a council of delegates from eight Baptist churches on the 14th of April following. At the time of our constitution, our church was com- posed of but twelve members. Since then we have received by baptism 135; by letter and experience 47; dismissed 3; leaving our present number 191.
We send to sit with you in the association, our Pastor Jacob Knapp, Elder Charles Ferguson, our Deacons, Wm. Newton. A. T. Teall and Charles Joy, and brethren S. - M. Fish, James Wilson, George Sand, and Uriah St. John.
By order and in behalf of the church.
S. M. FISH, Church Clerk.
Albany, June 15th, 1846.
The following is a list of the various pastors and of- ficers of the church up to this time :
PASTORS.
Rev. Jacob Knapp, for opening of church to March 28, 1847. (Pulpit temporarily filled by Elder Charles Fer- guson.)
Rev. Edwin R. Warner, from Oct. 8, 1847 to Nov. 1848.
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Rev. Jabez S. Swan from 1848, to May 1, 1849. (Pul- pit temporarily filled by Elder Ferguson.)
Rev. W. W. Moore for Oct. 21, 1849, to Dec. 1851. (Pul- pit temporarily filled by Rev. A. S. Post, and Rev. H. G. Day.)
Rev. C. B. Post, Nov. 5, 1852.
DEACONS.
William Newton elected Jan. 15, 1845, Charles Joy, left July 10, 1846.
A. T. Teall elected May 15, 1846, James Wilson, Dec. 28, 1846, Samuel M. Fish, Jan. 7, 1848,
CLERKS.
S. M. Fish, Jan. 15, 1845, resigned Dec. 28, 1846; Joel Marble, Dec. 28, 1846, Samuel Patten, March 6, 1852.
The history and management of this church are some- what anomalous, as it has gone through with many changes during its brief history. Indeed, it may be a question whether its policy is yet settled! It is not a corporate body with the power of electing trustees, but the property and all the financial interests of the society are in the hands of a few men, who may at their pleasure dispose of the property or shut up the church. But as long as they live, things will not probably come to a crisis, because they have the means and the disposition to defray all expenses and sustain the stated preaching of the word.
Their sabbath school numbers from 80 to 100, and is mainly a missionary enterprise.
Their views on several topics are also peculiar. They discountenance all secret societies, whether sons of Tem- perance or Free Masons, and discipline their members accordingly.
They are more democratic in some respects than other Baptist churches, as they open their doors to those who do not entertain views just like themselves. Tem- perance, anti-slavery, and other practical subjects are treated by them as matters of religion, and are advo- cated from their pulpit,
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Population of Albany, 1825.
July, 19, 1847 .- A member was excluded for belonging to secret societies, the church having at its organization by general consent, agreed to discountenance such so- cieties.
Jan. 7, 1848, S. M. Fish, Deacon; May, 1, 1849, Elder, Swan resigned.
March, 6, 1852, Samuel Patten, Clerk; Sept. 7, 1852, C. B. Post, Pastor.
POPULATION OF ALBANY, 1825.
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[The following scrap is from one of the Albany papers, published on the completion of the canvass for that year :]
CITY CENSUS .- Through the politeness of the Marshals of the several Wards, we are this day enabled to give a statement of the result of the census in this city. It will be seen that we lack but twenty-six of having a population of SIXTEEN THOUSAND! In the year 1820, we could number but 12,500, or thereabouts. No city in the Union has more flattering prospects before her than Albany. Blessed as she is with a most salubrious climate, situate at the commencement of an internal navi- gation which passes through a territory rich in all the products necessary to the comfort of man and extensive enough for an empire; and possessing men of enterprise able and determined to improve all the advantages with which nature and art has endowed her, she will go on prospering to prosper.
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REV. HENRY BARCLAY, D. D.
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[From Holgate's American Genealogy.]
This gentleman was appointed catechist to the Mohawk Indians in 1736, ten years before his election to the rec- torship of Trinity church. At that time, in the very outset of his labors, he represented to the society that the prospect of converting these Indians was very great, and that in the short time he had been among them, he had met with great success. In the following year he was recommended by the president of the council of New York, by the commissioners of Indian affairs, by the mis- sionaries and inhabitants of the province, and by the Rev. Commissary Vesey, as a person of good morals and learning, who had many years applied himself, with great diligence, to attain their language, and had made such progress as actually to instruct and catechise them and their children in the Mohawk tongue. The society read their petitions with great pleasure, and sent for Mr. Bar- clay to England, who on his appearance, fully answering the good character transmitted of him, was ordained both deacon and priest. On his return to his mission, he was gladly received by his congregation at Albany, and even with tears of joy by the poor Indians, with whom he purposed to reside half of his time, in great hopes of being serviceable among them, and these hopes were hap- pily fulfilled. For Mr. Barclay informed the society by a letter of November 10, 1738, that there grew daily a reformation of manners among the Mohawks, and an increase of virtue proportionable to their knowledge, insomuch that they composed a regular sober congrega- tion of five hundred Christian Indians, of whom fifty were very serious communicants. This happy state of things not only continued for many years, but the moral and spiritual condition of the Indians was constantly and gradually improving, until in 1744 and 1745, the machina-
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