MEMORIALS

FIRST CHURCH IN DORCHESTER,

FROM

ITS SETTLEMENT IN NEW ENGLAND,

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V BOSTON:
FROM '1"I~IE OFFICE OF‘ ‘”.l‘II1E'. DAILY ADVERTISIIR.
W. L. Lrawits, I’rirmo;'.

1830.

DISCOURSE I.

PSALM lxxvii. 5.

“I HAVE CONSIDERED mm DAYS or OLD, Tera "runs or ANCIENT
'rIM1s:s.”

The Psalmist found much to encot11*age his trust
in the care and protection of Jehovah, by pen-
c1e1*it1g upon the divine "ll;1LVOL11‘ townrcls the f'ore-
fathers of" his netiion, end its continuance through
successive generations. H

Alike revievv of ancient times will be pleasing
and pI‘Ofitt1l)l0 to us :----pleasing, because it will g1*eti~
fy e leucleble curiosity with retgercl to persons, ‘tr‘€~1IlS-
actions and events; and profitable, because it will
efFo1*d much useful information. E

So short are our lives, and so limited our sphere
of observation, that the knowledge obtained from
our own experience, or that of our contemportuies,
must he very SI‘11t1ll. If, therefore, we would en-
large the stools: Wl.lLlf1 intelligence of wlrxet has l1ep-
pened in distant places or remote ti1nes,vve must

repz.1ir to the records which hatve been made of

them; We must “inquire of the former age, and
prepare ourselves to receive what has been trans»-—
mitted down from their fetl1ers;”--—-escerteirx what
were their sentiments and conduct, and collect
these rnexims of vvisdorn and goodness which have
the sanction of the l1igl'1est authority and the re--
commendation of the best exern.ple and the hep-—
piest effects; and thus be confirmed in our reliance,
on divine providence, and €I1CO’Ll1't1g6Cl c in our obe-
dience tc the divine will.

4

We have arrived at a period when such a retros--

A pect of the days of old and the years of ancient
A times seems peculiarly proper. The completion of

the sacoun CENTURY since the arrival of our
Forefathers, to begin a settlement here, has a
claim upon our special notice and pious commem-
oration. On this new era in history, “which is for
us a memorial,” we may consider ourselves as hav-
ing reached "an elevation, whence, like Moses upon
Pisgah, we may take an admiring View of the
pleasant places and goodly heritage of those whom
the Lord has blessed. Here, then, “stand still
that I may reason with you before the Lord, of
all the righteous acts of the Lord which he did for
your fathers and has done for you.” With this
purpose, after stating some of the principal reasons
which induced y our Forefathers to emigrate into
this Country, I shall lay before you an account of
the first settlement of this town, with a concise
history of the succession of ministers in the Church

.r from its foundation to the present time.

Our Fathers professed that the great and origi-
nal cause of their emigration, was “the Want of
liberty of conscience in matters of religior1.”-~
Although the temporal and spritual power of the
Pope had been disclaimed, and the established
Church of England had become Protestant; yet
there were several among the clergy and thelaity
who thought that there was too much of the Popish
corruption in many of the forms and ceremonies
which were still retained, and too much assumption
of power by the hierarchy. Offended at what they
deemed inconsistent with the simplicity of the
Christian institute, and shrinking from the requisi-—
tionsof those who had become “lordsover Gr0d’sher-—
itage,” and nothaving sufficient influence to bring
about a more thorough reformation in religious opin-—
ion or clerical domination, some took at once a deci-

5

ded step, refused all submission to the canons of‘ the
Episcopate, and became Separatdsts, under the de-
nomination of “ Brovvnists,” from the name of their
leader ; While others only sought a greater degree of
parity in profession and practice, and hence passed
under the name of“ Puritans.”* . The former car-
ried their clissatisfaction so far as to quit the realm,
and seelt; an asylum from what they deemed civil
oppression and ecclesiastical persecution, first in
Holland, and afterwards in North America, Where
they commenced a settlement in the latter end of
1620, at a place, on the shore of the Massachusettsi
Bay, which they called Plymouth. These had, at
first, to encounter the greatest hardships; but in a
few years became prosperous; and the brightening
prospects which opened before them led others in
Great Britain to form the determination to follow
them to a regioit where they also might enjoy unin-
terrupted their religious privileges. They promp—-

ted each other in these vvords---*--“ The sun shines a
T as pleasantly on America as on England, and the

Sun of Righteousness much rnore clearly. We are
treated here in a manner which forfeits all claim
upon our ailfection. The Church of England has
added to the ceremonies and habits of Popery, the
only inarlzs of antichrist which were lacking, corrup—-
tion. of doctrine and a bloody persecution of the
saints. Let us remove whither the providence of
GOD calls us, and make that our country which
will afford us what is dearer than property or life,
they lribcrty of worslzeyapivzg AGOLZ in the way which
appears to as most corztlucive to our eternal reel»
fare. i  
In the beginning of the year 1630, some pious
people, chiefly from the counties of Devon, Dorset
and Somerset, having come to a determination to
emigrate to North America, held a meeting at

* Note A.

6

Plymouth, and setting: apart arday;f'o1' solemn fast-
ing and prayer to seek divine approbation and as-
sistance, convened in the New Hospital, and united
in church fellowship. In the after part of the day
they called and chose “those godly ministers,
the Rev. Jenn MAVERICK and the Rev. JOHN
WARHAM, to be theirspiritual guides; who ex»-
pressed their acceptance, and were set apart to
that special set*vicc-:."" The Rev. JOHN WI-11TE of
Dorchestergi a very influential promoter of the

projected erniggration, being present, assisted and’

preached in the fore part of the day; and in the
after part, the newly installed pastors performed
the religious services of the solemn and interest-
ing occasion.     .
Ar1~a11gcr11e11ts had been already made for their
emigration ; a vessel chartered for their transporta-
tion a; and such provisions and effects as they deem-—

ed necessary put on board.

Previously to their leaV*i11g their native country,
the new aclventurers atgr'eo(‘l upon a respectful ad-
dress to their brotl*1ern of the Church of England,
the object of which was “ to remove prejuclicesand
misconstructions of their intentions, conciliz~1te the
mindsielofix tl1eciis:§1ih:~:ctc*:cl, and recomrnendi tll1erln-
selves and their expedition to the f'avoral)leyrega1‘cls
of serious christians of the Episcopal 13crsL1asiori,,”

7 whose prayers theyearnestly requested, and for

Whose Welfhre they expressed, in ener*geticltan~

l guage, the mosttaifectionate 1*egard ; promising, on

their own part, a most grateful rernernbrance,
“ when (say they) we shall be in our poor cottages
ini»tl1<'>wv1lderness, overshadowed With the splrit of

 y supplication, through the manifold ‘ necessities and ‘.

  tribulations which may not altogether uynexlpected—

ly,pnor,lWehope, unprofitably befal us.”j‘.

    Theysailed, on the ‘20th of March, inthe ship

“’* Note 13. V 1‘ Note C. :3: Note D.

7

Maryland John, of 400 tons, Captain Squeb. The
parting with relatives and friends, was very afFect-
ing: but their purpose was fixed ; and they relin-»
quished those aflinities and attachments which bind
the affections to native home, resolved, with great
Inagnanimity, to seek, across the wide ocean,
though on a foreign shore and in a dreary vvilder-
ness, an asylum where they might be “ beyond the
interference and annoyance of those who would
restrict that liberty vvherevvith Christ had made
us free.”

It is recorded by one, who was a fellow passen-
ger, Capt. ROGER CLAP, that, as they brought
with them their excellent ministers, “they came,
by the good hand of the Lord, through the deeps
comfortably, having preaching or expounding of the

Word of Goo every day for ten Weeks together.”

They encountered, indeed, a violent storm on the
passage ;"’° but reached at length the harbor in
safety; and they thronged the deck, to look out
upon the pleasant shores andverdant islands of the
Massachusetts Bay. It was the lastday of the week;
the season delightful; the Windfavorable; and
they fondly hoped tobe landed at tlieir place of
destination, while yet the sun, which they saw de-
clining in the west, spread overit its lingering rays.
But the Captain, fearful that there might not be
depth of Water for his ship, and not knowing the

channel, cast anchor for the niglitg and onthe

moi-row, being Lonn’s DAY, May 30th, in viola-
tion of his own engagement to bring therninto
Charles’ river, and in disregard of their conscien-
tious veneration for the sanctified observance of the
day, and heedlessof all their renionstrances and en-
treaties, put them and their goods ashore on N antas-
ket Point. Not only had they great reason for
dissatisfaction with this treatment, as it respected

"’f N ote E.

8

theirnot reaching the port to which they were
bound; but also, as it disturbed the expected

quietand the clue devotions of the sacred day.

 Thus “left to shift for themselves,” they sue»-

C ceeded in procuring a boat from an old planter;

probably Jorm OLDI-IAM, who had left the Plymouth

people, and resided some time at Nantasket,“and

appears afterwards to have attached himself to these
new comers; and, on Monday forenoon commis-

sioned Capt. Sournconr, “a brave Low Country

soldier,” Roenn CLAP, and eight able men, to go

to ,]l:’[’llS]LcLwa’bL7??., at the mouth of Charles’ River,

and ascertain whether they could be accommodated

there. On the next day others made exploratory V
‘ visits to the neighboring region ; on the third they

made choice of .M2:ttta.]9cm as the place for settle-
ment; and during the remainder of the week. were
busily employed in removing from Nantasket thith—~
er. , They then rested from their labours, that they

might hallow the Sabbath, and unite in praising

Gon, who had brought them safely over the ocean,
and found a place for them to dwell in, and fur-
nished “a gtable in the wilderness.” They sung a

portion of the 90th Psalm, in the words to which

our lips have just given utterance. It was “the

Lord’s song in a strange land;’? and the air was

freedom,‘ and the symphony joyous. Devoutly,

too, did they implore the divine blessing on the
settlementtwhich they were forming ;~—-—-~that it might
improve a safe andquiet habitation, and that the work
of their hands might be prospered, and the gracious
“desires of their hearts accomplished.

i i This first Sabbath which they spent here was the
rsixthiozf June, answering to the sixteenth, as the
rrstyleisnovv reckoned; and this is marked; in our
“calendar as the birth-day of our town. i

The following week was devoted to the “setting
up of cottages,'booths, and tents,” for the shelter of

9

their families. A sad contrast these to the ceiled
houses and commodious habltauons 111 which they
had heretofore resided !

Early on the morning of the following Saturday,
the report of ordnance announced the arrival of the
Arbella, Admiral-ship of the New ‘England fleet,
bringing Governour Wruruaor, Deputy Governour
DUDLEY} and many others, who came‘ to lay the
foundatlon of the Massachusetts Colony, of Winch
they ‘brought the Royal Charter; so that the suc-
ceedmg day of rest returned to them with new and
increased themes of gratitude and Joy, and inspired
a more gladdened song “ in the house of their pil-
grimageg ’_ ancl,‘as our people came over a regu--
larly organized Church, the sacrament of the Lord s
Supper was this day administered.

This, it is believed, is the only instance, in the
first planting of North America, of the emigration
thither of an embodied Church, with its pastors and
officers.

The new comers, after a visit to Governour En-
DICOT, and those who had made a settlement at
Salem, located themselves at the place which they
afterwards called Charlestown; and soon the whole
fleet was in port, having brought jtfiieerz hmzclrecl
passengers; on account of whose safe arrival, the
filth 1ci{"t.ll'uly1r) otbserved as a Public Thanksgiving
111 a re ' an ‘a tons.

At the Court of Assistants, held at Charlestowruk

September 7th, following, this town was incor-
porated, and received the name of Donor-Iasraa,
because several of the settlerscame from a town of
that name in England, and also in honour of Mr.
VVHITE, their former Minister, who bore the title
of “the Patriarch of‘ Dorehester,” andpwas so
active an instrument in promoting the settlernent
of New England, and in procuring theCharter, that

10,

he was called “ the Father of the Massachusetts
Colony.” A

Although the Indians appeared to be friendly, it
was deemed expedient to be armed in the defen-

sive. Our forefathers kept a nightly watch near
 their dwellings, and built a fort upon Rock Hill,

wherein were several pieces of ordnance. Even
in erecting an edifice in which to assemble for
public worship, ‘y‘ the builders every one had his
sword by his side, and so builded.” Itywas also
deemed necessary to surround the place by a pali-
sade; and, when they went up to worship, they were
so equipped with martial weapons, that in aliteral,
as well as metaphorical sense, they exhibited them--
selves as “ the Church Militant.”* This building
Was, also, for a munition, to which the women and
children might repair in case of alarm; each one
saying;---“ In the time of trouble God shall shelter
me in his pavilion, in the secret of his tabernacle
shall he hide me.” It was the depository for the
safe keeping ofsome of their more valuable articles,
and was their arsenals? Though the largest and
best that they were able to erect, it was but a mean
structure, with a lowly thatched roof ;_ and, there-
fore, far different from the magnificent Cathedrals,
or even the venerable Churches, with massy walls,
lofty arches, beautiful ceilings of carved work,
painted windows, vaulted domes, and cloud-piercing
spires, in which they:had been accustomed to wor-

"ship. ButGoD, who regardeth more the worship-

pers than the place of their assembling, attended
to their homage, and blessed them with his pres-
ence.

The straits and difficulties to which the people
became subjected, through the winter, from cold
and ‘wet, and the almost famishing want of bread,

  ~=+ Note F‘. tNote e.

11

and of nutritive food, are pathetically described by
Captain OLAP, in his Memoirs, which are familiar
to you all. They had arrived too late for planting
even common legumes. The houses which they
erected afforded but a miserable shelter; and, as
they were “persons of good rank and circumstances
in their native country, and had been brought up
in a delicate manner,” the rigours of the season
proved very distressing. “ Of those that were
compelled to live in tents, and lie upon or too near
the cold and moist earth, before they could be pro—-
vided with more convenient dwellings, severalvvere
seized with the scurvy, of which they died.”*

In the beginning of 1631, bread failed in every
house, except that of the G-overnour; and, even in
that, the finnily was reduced to the last loaves.
Such were the necessities of the people that they
fed on clams, muscles, ground-nuts, and acorns.
Indeed, in the winter season, it was with great
difficulty that they procured these poor articles of
subsistence. But, tl1OLlgl]' minished and brought
low, they murmured not; and, though subjected to
great privations and hardships, their courage did
not fail ; though cast down, they were not forsaken.
One of their chief men, describing their state, says,
“ Yet many of us laboured to bear it as comfortably
as we could, remembering the end of our coming
hither, and knowing the power of God, who can
support and raise us again, and useth to bring his
servants low, that the meek may be made glorious
by judgment.’“r In their extremest need, ’un’ex—-
pected supplies arrived; and a kind providence
sustained and comforted them. I

The Governour, foreseeing in the fall that they
should want provisions, despatched a ship to Ireland

"* HUBBARD. I-Iistory of Maw England, p. 189. I
‘rGov. Dunr.1z:v’s ,Latter to the GouN'rEss‘or' Lnvcomr, dated Jllzmlz 12th,
1631; in Hist. Coll. VIII. 41. I

12?.
to procure a supply. Her happy return on the fifth
of V February, prevented their _;0em'sh'ing_ by fa-
.m.'i'ne.* The restoration of health in the Spring,
the arrival of other vessels with provisions after-
wards, and a plenteous harvest at the close of the
season, gave the affairs of the Colony a more pros-
perous appearances!" . The people, too, became
more provident; while, to’ use their own words,
“they were taught by their many trials and suffer-
ings to stoop to a Wilderness condition, which they
had freely chosen to themselves for the quietof
their own minds and the good of posterity.”

“ On the 24th of July, 1633, a“ ship arrivedfrom
Weymouth in England, with about eighty passen-
gers, and twelve kine, who set down at Dorches-
ter.7’I This incorporation with our people was the
more readily accomplished, Without undue crowd-
ing or encroachment, because some of the first
planters had selectedmore favourable situations for
themselves than those which they had taken on
their arrival, and “ had erected more convenient
dwellings, “thereby making room for others to suc-
ceed them in their old.”H However, such numbers
were constantly emigrating to this country, in con-
sequence of the persecution of the Puritans, that
the people of this and some neighboring ‘towns (to
use the words of their oldest Historian) “were
overprest with multitudes of new families that re-
sorted hither, so as, like a hive of bees overstock-
ed, there was a necessity that some should swarm
out.”1l From exploring parties, intelligence had
been received of the excellent meadows near the
Connecticut river; and as the planters of Dorches-
ter had many cattle,and were fond of agriculture,

*1\Tote H. . ’l'TRU1\(£BULI.. Hist. Cont. I. 10.

iW11v'.rHnor. Journal, Vol. I. p. 105.

ll HUBBARD. General History qf New England, Vol. I. p. 155. ‘
 filflunnann. 305. H ' p

'13

they determined to remove thither. They accord-
inglyunited with some of Newton and Watertown
in a petition to the Council and Court for their
consent ;but, as there was a division in the judg-
ment of the Deputies when theivote was first taken,
the Court agreed to set apart a day of prayer for
divine direction; which was accordingly kept in
all the congregations. By the Dorchester people
the day was observed with great solemnity; and
with earnest supplications they united “ to seek of
the Lord at right way for themselves and for their’
little ones, and for all their substance.”

On a renewed application to the Court in May
1635, leave to remove was granted; and in the
summer about sixty men, together with women
and children, commenced an expedition to the plaee
selected for their settlement, upon the borders of
the Connecticut, by the Indians called Mattaneug,
and afterwards by the settlers named WINnson.*

Wliile roaming thither through the trackless
desert, they endeavoured to dispel the sense of
weariness by singing psalms and hymns asithey
travelled along; “ the Indians following looked on
them with silent admiration :” and the sojourners
praised Goo that “he had made acovenant of
peace with them, that the wild beasts of the forest
should not annoy them, but they could dwell safely
in the wilderness and sleep in the vvoods.’”r

After a tedious and difficult journey of’ fourteen
days, through deep forests, over swamps and rivers,
mountains and rough places, they arrived safely at
the place of their destination.  

Mr. » WARHAM, their beloved Pastor, followed
them in September, but did not judge it expedient
to remove his family until better accommodations

'* In Mr. Bx.AKr:.’s Manuscript Annals it is stated, that “ about half the
Church removed.”

’; Ezekiel, xxxiv. 25.

l‘-“'1

could hemade for them; but Mr. MAVERICK, on
account of his age and state of health, was obliged
to remain behind, and deceased on the third of
February following. Governour Wmcrnnor, who
knew him well, says, “ He was a man of very
humble spirit, and faithful in furthering the work
of the Lord here, both in the Churches and civil
state.”*

Some of the first comers still remained here,
having been at very considerable expense in build»
ing, fencing in fields and gardens, and setting out
orchards; or having engaged in the fishery, which
they found a source of profit. Fearing, however, that
as sheep without a shepherd, they should become
more scattered, and feeling the need‘ of a spiritual
guide, they seasonably sought to have officers as at
the first, and ordinances as at the beginning. As
anumber of Church members remained,‘and the
place of those that had left had been in a good
degree supplied by new emigrants, they agreed to
call an Ecclesiastical Council to assist in consti-

A tuting‘ them in Church order, lwith proper officers.

It convened on the first of April, 1636; but, “ the
Messengerslof the Churches not being satisfied
concerning the qualifications of some that were
proposed as members, the work was deferred.”
On the 23d of August following, a Church was
reorganized, “with the approbation of the Elders
and Magistrates :,” and the Reverend RICHARD
llhrnsn, who had been in the country just a
year, was installed Pastor. This eminent divine
had been settled in the Ministry at Toxteth in
England; but, -on being suspended from oflice‘ and
greatly persecuted, came hither, “that he might
enjoy in peace the rightsof conscience, and the
purity of christian ordinances.” A Covenantjiwas

*Journal, I. 181.

155

drawn up, and signed by the Pastor and Members;
and is the same, with a few verbal alterations, that
has ever since been used at admissions into the
fellowship of the Church. Among the subscribers
are the names of three who were Ministers; Rev.
VVILLIAM TOMSON, who was afterwards settled at
Braintree; Rev. Gaonen MOXON, who became the
first Minister at Springfield; and Rev. SAMUEL
NEWMAN, at Rehoboth.

On the 30th of August, 1637, a Synod was cone-
vened at Nevvtown,"“ on occasion of the antinomian
controversy, or spread of “familistical opinions,”
as they were called. In that large assembly, at
which “ all the teaching Elders through the coun-
try,” and Messengers of the Churches, were pre-
sent, Mr. lV.[ATI-IER gave such evidence of his
profound theological knowledge, sound judgment,
prudence, and moderation, that his counsel had
great influence in allaying the party zeal, and in
producing a result favourable to the union of the
brethren and the peace of the Churches.

As it was usual in those days to have two Minis-
ters settled in a Church, who were distinguishedias
Pastor and Teacher, an invitation to take part in
the ministry with Mr. MATHER was given to the
Rev. NATHANIEL Romans, in 1637, as he was
attending the Synod at Cambridge : but, A“ for the
sake of those who came from England with him,
who could bebetter accommodated at Ipswich, he
preferred that place.”

On the arrival of the Rev. JONATI-IAN Buns, in
1639, the Church gave a call to him, which he
accepted. A misunderstanding arose, however,
which made it necessary to ask the advice of the
neighbouring Churches. A Council was called,
which convened on the second of the eleventh

* Afterwards called Cambridge.

16

month [January], 1640, consisting of Governour
VVINTHROP and another magistrate, and ten Minis-
ters. Four days were spent in examining and
discussing the affair. It appeared that Mr. Benn
had expressed himself in a manner which was
supposed to favour the opinions of the Familists.
There was no reason, however, to tax him with pro--
fessing such opinions; but Mr. NIATHER having so in-
terpreted some of the effusions of his zeal, had made
arepresentation to the Church, which Mr. Bonn
and his most ardent friends considered as doing
him injustice. The Council, in their result, de-
clared that both these good men had cause to be
humbled for their failings, and advised them to set
apart a day for reconciliation. The spirit of pla-
cability and christian charity triumphed; Mr. BURR
was inducted into office, and the peace of the
Church was happily established, and its edification
greatly promoted. ,

As a Minister, Mr. Benn was remarkable for
humility and meekness, and for solemn and pathetic
eloquence; and such was his exalted piety, that, in
the opinion of the most experienced christians, his
ministry and his whole deportment breathed much
of the spirit of a better world. The eminent Mr.
Hooxnn, once hearing him in the pulpit, remark-
ed, “ Surely this man will not be long out of heaven,
for he preaches as if he were there already.” This
prediction was soon verified; for, after a short
sickness, he died on the ninth of August, 1641,
aged thirty-seven years.*  

In 1649 the Rev. JOHN WILSON, jun. was or-
dained as “ coadjutor with Mr. MATHER the Teach»-
er.” In this oflice he continued two years, and
thenremoved to. Medfield, where he was Pastor
forty years. i f if C

. *Note I.

17

The Church then gave anilinvitation to Mr.
VVILLIAM STOUGI-ITON“ to take the: vacant office.
This, though repeated year af'ter‘year,f§ he“‘il.rpter-l-
sisted in declining; but rendered this occasional
assistance during several years, “for which he
received a compensation both from the town
and the Church.” Besides, he was desired and
needed in publiclc affairs ; and was fastrising into
high repute as a civilian and a magistrate, so that
he was sent to England as Agent for the Colony.
On his return he was appointed to the office of
Chief’ Justice in the Supreme Court; was at length
raised to that of Lieutenant Grovernour of the Pro-—
vince, and for a number of years was Commander-
in-Chief. it t ,

Though in his old age Mr. MATI-Ina experi-A
enced many infirmities; great deafness, the loss of
one eye for seven years, and painful attacks from
the stone; yet such was his “ general good health
that it is recorded of him that “in fifty years to-
gether he was not detained by sickness‘ so much as
one Lord’s day from publiclabours.” A t 
‘ As he was attending an Ecclesiastical Council in
Boston, on the subject of a controversy between
the first Church and the third, respecting the call
and settlement of the Rev. Mr. Dnvnnroar, at of
which he was moderator, Mr. M.—v.rr1nn“‘was taken
with a violent fit of the stone, which in five
daysput a period to his life, April 6th, 1669, in
the 73d year of his age, and 33d of his minis-
try here.

‘ Underthe ministry of Mr. MATHER the Church A

and peoplein this place enjoyed eminent advan-
tages ; for his talents were ofhigl'1 order, his knovvl-
edge extensive, his theological attainments pro»-
found, his piety exalted, and his zeal and devoted-

3

13

ness to pastoral duties and the edification otlthe
Church were ardent and persevering.*
I After a vacancy of little more than a year and a

lhalf, the “Church came to the choice of another
' Pastor, and the Rev. .los1AI~I FLINT was ordain-

ed on the 27th of December, 1671. It appears
by the Church records that though letters of invita-
tion were issued to the three Churches in Boston,
to the Church in Charlestown, Cambridge, Roxbury
and Weymouth, to send their Elders and Messen-—~
gers, “ yet the major part did agree by a vote that
Mr. ELIOT, of Roxbury, should be desired to man-
age the Work of ordination, and give the charge;
though some of the brethren were ,not so free
thereunto, but would have had it performed by the
Church alone ; but the Ruling Elder desired to be
spared therein, and that some other brethren or
a brother might be appointed to lay on hands at
the time of ordination, or else some other elders;
but the Church appointed only deacon CAPEN to
be added to Mr. ELIOT and the Ruling Elder.”

, In the record which is ma.de of the ordination, it is

stated that “the work was approved of by the Elders
and Messengers of the Churches sent unto; and
MLCHAUNCY was appointed in the name of all

the Churches to give the Right Hand of Fel-~

lowship.” e» » ,

e The first ministerial duty, which Mr. FLINT per-
formed, was on the succeedingday, at the funeral of’
the venerable Elder, GEORGE MINOT, who had de-~
ceased on the i’Z4tl1.

On the 5th day of March, 1676--7, there was a
solemn recognition of s the Covenant by the Mem-
bers of the Church ; and on the 18th of April fol--
lowing a formal public renewal.

r ML! FLINT continued in the pastoral relatiorr
for about nine years, when he was removed by

n_._.._..._...

,Y"""*'

* Note .1.

‘I9

death, September 16th, 1680, in the 35th year of
hiswage. Of his life and ministry there are few
memorials; but the testimony of tradition accords
withthe pathetid epitaph on his tomb, that he was
a good scholar, an earnest preacher, and assidu——-
ously and zealously devoted to all pastoral duties,-—~
spending his time and talents, and exhausting his
strength, health, and life, in ministerial labours?‘

He was succeeded by the Rev. J orm DAN‘-
some, who was ordained on the 28th ofrJune,
1682. A

On the,29th of February, 1703, “a society of
Reformation, in Dorchester”vvas formed. Its design
was to restrain prevailing dissipation, to encourage
sobriety, to advance good morals, and to promote
piety. Their book of records bears honourable
testimony -to their zeal, their prudent counsels, and
kind endeavours to do good. The last meeting set
down was on June 20th, 1722: Whether it was the
last they held I do not knowq‘ l A T

The beginning of the year 1729 was distinguish»-
ed by numerous additions to the Church.

Mr. DANFORTH sustained the ministry with
great fidelity, in the exercise of very superior talents
and graces, for forty»-eight years, and, at the age
of seventy, departed this life on the 26th of May,
1630, and was buried on the 30th; THE DAY

VVHICI-I CLOSED TI-IE CENTURY FROM THE LANDING OF ‘

TI-IE FIRST sE'rrLe1ts.I«—~And here we will pause in
the narrative of our History, With only remarking
that the memory of those venerable men who laid
the foundation of our Church and Town, and that
of their pious and learned successors, is deserved-~
ly cherished by us. Hallowed is the place of their
mortal repose ; and though the rude lettered tablet

"“'Note K.

1 Their book of records is deposited among those of the Church.
I Note L.

20

on which has fallen many a tear of affection and
gratitude is covered with the moss of age, yet a
voice of counsel seems to arise from their lowly
graves, bidding us consider ourselves as only “ pil-
grims and strangers on earth, as all our fathers
were ;” but comforting us with the assurance that,
if Wetimitate their example of piety, faith, ‘and
holiness, we shall, like them, exchange the Wilder-
ness of time for the blissful region of eternity.

DISCOURSE II.

nan-u—u--n—-wan

PSALM lxxviii. 1--7'.

“ Give ear, 0 my people, to my law; incline your ears to the words of
my mouth. A

“ I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old;
which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.

“ He will not hide them from their children, shevving to the generation
to come the praises of the Lord 3 and his strength, and l11S wonderful works
that he hath done. i

“For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel,
which he comrnanded our fatliers that they should make them known" to
their children; that the generation to come might know them, even the
children who should be born, who should rise and declare them to their
children, that they rniglit set their hope in God, and not forget the works
of God, but keep his commandments.”

A venerable expositor of the Sacred Scriptures,
(Mr. I’IENRY,) remarks of these verses,—-W“ Here
is the preface to this Church History, commanding
the attention of the present age, and recommend-
ing it to the study of the generation to come :’’-----~-
and I will add, the author “ calls upon those for
Whose information and instruction it was composed,
to pay particular attention to what he was about
to narrate, which would consist of a recapitulation,
principally, either of events which they might,
indeed, have heard others describe; or of facts,
some of Which, perhaps, had come within their own

- observation; or sayings of old, the report of an-

cient times, received by tradition from their ‘fathers.
Though, therefore, his recital tmight not contain
anything new, it would comprise important and
interesting particulars, to be treasured up in their
memories, and which it was proper should be pre-—
served and transmitted to posterity.

The great events, to which the Psalmist refers,
form a part of the history of the Jewish nation;

22

and, with such as succeeded till the times of the
Messiah, are handed down to us in sacred regis-
ters, and we peruse them, in the Holy Bible, as
constituting those dispensations in which J EI-IOVAH
has presided over and conducted the affairs of his
people and Church. w

Next to the ancient Israelites, who were his
chosen nation, we are led to believe that our pious
ancestors, the first settlers of New England, were
his peculiar people. Them he called, as he did
the patriarchs of old, from their native country and
their kindred, and led them‘ forth to sojourn in a
strange land. Them  rescued from sore and
grievous oppression, supported under various diffs-
eulties and “trials, preserved amidst great and
threatening dangers, brought over the Wide ocean
to this remoteregion of the World, and, casting out
the heathen, made room for them, and caused them
to prosper. God “ remembered them, the kind-
ness of their youth, the love of their espousals,
when they went after him in the wilderness, in a
land that was not sown.” To their posterity,
through successive generations, his benefits have
continued to flow in afull and uninterrupted cur»
rent. , At one period after another, on various
happy occasions, and in many signal instances, his
blessings have been liberally bestowed; and distin—-
guished marks of his favour have been conferred on
our nation. While one“ generation has passed
away after another, his Church has been preserved,
a godly seed perpetuated, and instead of the fathers
have come up the children to share in his bounties,
to rejoice in his ebenignity, and to celebrate his
praise.

In resuming the History of the Church in this '

town, which, next to that at Salem, is the oldest in
Massachusetts proper, I shall attempt little else
than a clironological statement of the succession of

£1 0
.32)

Pastors; because, excepting the events which took
place near the commencement of the century,
events “ of which our fathers have told us,” several
of the particulars of our later history We have often
heard recited, and many we have actually knows,’
and, therefore, a repetition would be alike uninter-~
eating and unnecessary.

Between six and seven months before the deoease
of Mr. DANFORTI-I, the Rev. Joiv.A.trI-IAN BOWMAN was
ordained his Colleague.* He continued in the

pastoral relation rather more than forty years, when N
an unpleasant misunderstanding arose, which re»,

peated Church meetings served only to increase,
till a Council of fourteen Churches, which was
convened on the 16th of November, 1773, and con»
tinued by several adjournments until December
14th, “advised the Reverend Pastor to ask a dis-
mission, and the Church to grant it.” This was
the second instance, and has happily been the last,
of calling an Ecclesiastical Council to advise upon
difficulties in this Church *: the first being, (asI
stated) in the case of a call given to Mr. Bean, one

lmndrccland thirty years before. May at least as ‘

many years have passed, before another shall be
needed! ‘ a

Mr. BOWMAN is said to have been rather austere
in his deportment; but is acknowledged to have
been a man of inflexible integrity; and he was
venerated by the most eminent of his contempora-
rice in the ministry, by CI-IAUNCY, Mavanvv, and
ADAMS, for his piety, his talents, and his enlarged
views of the grace and truth in the dispensation of
the blessed Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christa”

On the 28th of ~ September, 1774, the Rev,
Moses EVERETT was ordained. He continued in

'3‘ November 5, 1729. 1 Note M.

3211‘

officer until “ January 14th, 1793, when, in conse'«»
quence of ill health, he was induced to ask a dis-
mission. It was still his desire to be useful; and,
having served GOD accordinrg to his ability, to serve
his generation by the W111 of Goo. This desire he

was enabled to carry into effect on his restoration I

to a comfortable, though not uninterrupted state of

health; and he was employed, respected, andi

useful in various departments of civil life, and
filled Wlth fidellty Important offices in society, as a

, Representative of the town in the General Court,

in the 63d year of his age.*

a Justice of the Peace, and a Judge in the County
Court; He deceased on the 25th of March, 1813,
On the 8th of July, 1793, the Church voted to
give me an invitation to become their Pastor, and,
on the 15th following, the town concurredin the
election. Upon receiving these votes, I deemed it
proper to resign my oflice in the University at
Cambridge, and take up my residence here, that I
might give the people an opportunity of being
intimately acquainted with me, before I gave my
answer. I Went to live, in succession, in various
parts of the town, for the purpose of visiting famil-
iarly all the families; and when suflicient expe-«
rience had been obtained to confirm or change the
proposition which had been made to me, on the
Lord’s day, September 81:11, my answer of accept-»
ance was given, and on the 23d of October follow-
ing, I was solemnly ordained. I A I
Of my ministry it becomes me to speak with
deep humility; and I greatly lament that its duties‘
have not been better discharged. Thirty—-seven»
years, lacking four days, have passed since I re--
ceived the call to settle here ; and they have been
devoted to your service with an ‘earnest desire and

* Note N... -I

25

rendeav»our to promote your spiritual edification and
advance your highest interests.

Passing years have brought about great changes
in the families and circumstances of those to whom
I have ministered. Most of the large assembly to
whom I first preached havegone down to the con»-
gregation of the dead ; and, in the Church which
yet remains under my pastoral care, only six sur-
vive, who belonged to it at the time of my ordin~a-

.‘tion.*

So great has been the increase of the town, that,
whereas, when I was settled, there was but one con-
gregation of worshippers, one Church, and one
meeting-house, within what were then its limits,
there are now three parishes, together with the
large and populous district set off to Boston, and
eleven societies of worshippers.+

Titus have I given you, my people, the outlines
of our Ecclesiastical History; and through the
whole we trace the guidance and special favour of
Alrnighty Goo towards this ancient Church.

It is affecting to be reminded of the many hard-~
ships to which the Puritans were subjected in their
native land, the dangers which they encountered
in crossing the ocean, and the sufferings which
they endured in the wilderness;-—--«to be informed
with what exemplary fortitude and patience they
sustained their calamities, and with what devout
gratitude and praise they acknowledged the provi-~
dential support and deliverance which they re-
ceived. r t

“ Noambitious projects of conquest, no deep-laid
schemes of cornmercial speculation, none of the
ordinary causes of an overflowing population, or of

"".Tohn Pierce, Ebenezer To1man,James Humphreys, David Clap,
Mary Wiswell, a.nd‘Anna Wales.

+N'ote 0. “].)orc1iester Neck” was annexed to Boston, by an act of
-the II,cg'is1zttu.11'c, 1Vl'arc11 6th, 1804.

«it

52.736

povertyland inferizy at home, conduced to the emi-«
gration of our forefathers ; but THE HIGH AND HOLY
DEVOTION lzro WHAT THEY ESTEEMED 'I‘IfIE CAUSE or
rune AND UNDEFILED RELIGION.”

They did not come as Israel of old did into Ca-—
naan, to enter upon the labours of other men, and
to build on foundations already laid. No! they
came, expecting neither cities nor houses prepared
for their reception; nor gardens, fields, and orchards
for their support; but to a great and terrible wil-
dernessfit T They came in the exercise of a humble
and self-denying spirit, and en ~ the power» of that
fa/lth which ooereometh the worrlcl, to ‘find an“ asy-
lum in a foreign region, and peace and liberty in
deep solitudes and forests. They ‘came inspired
with a resolution, which no difliculties could dis-
hearten, and with a trust in the divine direction and
favour, which was str'er1gthe11ecl by religious prin»
ciple, andenlivened by a piety the most ardent
and sublirne.+ ,

Let merepeat it~—---and in their "own worcls---their
professed design in coining hither was, that they
might ha/ee cL_;oectceal)le ewjoyaneht oj“v'el'igio7't and
its orclmcmce tn the-tr i_p’l,.t‘l"?ll:I/, it cmcl zm'l'nc2t79zl>e9~ecl
hychuman T mayenttons cmcl yctclycleltrioafze; omel me«m.~
tttiqt the professrzlorh cmrl yolasecrrvcmce wrzcbhtrollecl by
the cleclsiohs of fctllible men :---—amcl that ‘here,
hemg free from restrcttvzt, they might set top
Churches, in their ’lrD0’)"S]L7;:p, matter, form, tend
cl'zJscipl'ia/Le, entirely after the T New Testament
model; eryoy these great and Christian libe/rttes
-without clisturbcmce, amd bequeath them as at pre-—
ciozts legacy to all future ge'hercttio7zs.l; T i

With such views they laid the foundation of
many, generations in the Churches that were gath-—
ered, and in the provision that was made forthe

'3“ Rev. Mr. Foxcrofifs Sermon, 1630, ‘page 14.
1‘ Note I’. iNote Q.

65)’? A

maintenance of the ministry and the support
of schools: and the happy efi"ects of their pur-
poses and plans have been experienced in those
religious, literary, and civil institutions and privi-
leges, which have been enjoyed atnotig their de-—
scendants, which make this Artm"ve’r'srm~;z/ of our
tinguished advantages and privileges——--advantages
and privileges thus handed down to us, it becomes
us to cherish and preserve, and to transmit unim-
paired to those who come after us.

It may be well to remark that though the object
of the Plymouth and of the Massachusetts settlers
was the sarne,-----that of obtaining the unntolested
enjoyment of 1'eligions freodorn,—---—yet their opin-

ions of what it consisted in, and the cast of their

sentiments, particularly respecting discipline, varied

not a little. The NONCONFORMISTS, who went first

to Arnsterclam, then to Leyden, in Holland, and then
to Plymouth, on the Nlassacliusetts Bay, “ were

~rnore rigid in their practice than tl1e‘PUn1'r;tNs,
and totally separated themselves trom the estab-

lished Ohuroh;”-~—l1ler1ce they were denominated
Sc]mv*at'z7.9t:s, and, as respected cccilesiastical polity,
I'ItcZc])crt(Z(m,ts*; Whereas the Puntcuns were only
."l)rI.s:3ertters, and as 1‘Gg‘t1l'(ZlGCl ecclesiastical polity were

,Covzgrcagatrioltzctltets, and held an accordance and

union of churches. Accot*c:li1ig~ly the spirit of the
Pil,g'rirns was exclusive; and tl1ei1'langttage “ come
out frotn t1t‘K10l;'lg thern,andbe ye separate ;” while
the spirit of the Puritans was that of f'orbea1'anco
and long suflieriing, and their latiguage “let us
co~—operate in l*)t'i1igi1ig about a more thorough re-
formation, and in purposes and means for the fur-
therance of each other’s progress therein, and by
our joint endeavours strengthen and establish the
common cause.”* The spirit of the PURITANS

"‘ Note R.

Natvlovtal Independence a commemoration of dis:

28

breathed in the pathetic parting words of oneof’
the first ministers who came to Massachusetts,

the “evangelical Hrcemsou, when standing on the

afterwards.i'

deck of the vessel as it was about to sail, he ex-
claimed, “VVE will not say as the Separattlsts were
wont to say at their leaving of England, “ Farewell
Babylon! Farewell Rome I”----but we i will say,
“ Farewell dear England! Farewell the Church of
GOD in England, and all christian friends there!
We do not go to New England as separatists from
the Church of England, though we cannot but
separate from the corruptions in it ; but we go to
practise the positive part of church reformation,
and promote the Gospel in America.” s t

On their arrival at Salem, and also on the settle-
ment of the New England Company, they were
desirous of availing themselves of the counsel and
experience of the Plymouth people in the gather—-
ing and constituting of churches, who delegated
Mr. Winslotv and Doct. Fuller for this purpose;
and the Doctor wrote to Governour Bradford that
while on this mission he visited the people at
Mattapan, and had conversation with them on church
matters “till he was weary;” and he adds that
Mr. VVarham held that “ the visible Church may
consist of amixecl people, godly and such as are not
so ;’!’*r and, from the manner in which he states this,
we may infer that his own ideas of the qualifica-
tionsof Church members were opposite to those of
our first Minister. ‘

I mention not this to clerogate from the exalted '
character of the PILGRIMS, for they were endowed.
with a piety and actuated by a zeal for religion,

which will nevercease to be honoured ; but merely
to show that the ‘PU1=t1TANs were less‘ exclusrve

and illiberal then, whatever they learned to be”

......—.—

“See Collections of Ingram-at Society, Vol. iii. p. 74..
1 Note S.

329

The ,f'ounders of this Church and first settlers
of this town, in particular, were distinguished
for primitive simplicity of manners; for that faith
which works by love and purifies the heart, and for
attachment to those great principles of Protestant-
ism, THE SUFFICIENCY or THE SCRIPTURES AND THE
RIGHT or PRIVATE JUDGMENT IN MATTERS or RELIGION;
and there is not a town in the Commonwealth
where THE ‘SPIRIT or THE ANCIENT PURI’1‘ANS,flZ6
spirit of piety an/angled with clztwitz, cmcl of zeal
tempered with moderation, has been more _preva-
lent, where there has been a better evidence of
enlightened knowledge in Christian truth, with a
practical illustration of Christian duty; or where

A the institutions of the forefathers have been so
faithfully adhered to, and so long preserved. Cf
those institutions, TI-IE SOCIETY or HEADS or FAM-

1L1Es, andTHE YOUNG MEN’s Sp=cIET'r, are nearly, if
not quite, coeval with the settlement of the town."“
Similar associations for the encouragement and
promotion of piety were formed in other towns, but

have been discontinued formany years; while

these have been kept up without intermission ; and,
like the pillars of Seth, bear the memorial and the
inscription of a purer age. These venerable insti-»
tutions, so unassuming and unpretending, have so
salutary an influence on the spiritual interests of
our community, that we are bound to honour and
encourage them, and to perpetuate those good
influences, by handing them down to the genera-

tions to come as samples of the pure principles and
ydevotional spirit’ of the Christian patriarchs who
settled this town, and of the young men they
trained up to be their successors. E

This town has been favoured with a_ succession N
of ‘ learned, pious, and faithful Pastors. Those

C * Note T.

30

holy‘ men of Goo have passed in review before’ us;

and we have seen reason to praise the Father of"

Spirits, from whom they received their gifts, for

rrthe eminent example of virtue and piety which they
I "exhibited, and for the blessed effects produced by

their ministry on the people of their charge, whom
they instructed in the pure principles of our most
holy faith, and built up in ri=ghteo~usness and peace,
and on whom and their posterity their prayers have

drawn down, and I trust will continue to draw

down, rich spiritual blessings. .
TI-IE sncono cnuruar from the settlement of the

  town has now come to its close. As its latter months
I were hastening away, the state of my health led 1ne

to the expectation that he who should stand in this
place‘ to tell you that they were past, might have a
topic with which to conclude like that of his who

stood over the grave of the former century. But,
though I may adopt the expression of the Apostle,
' and say, “ I have a desire to depart and to be with
Christ ;” nevertheless, while to abide in the flesh is

needful for further employment in the sacred minis»

try, with the design and hope of’ greater usefulness,

I ought to be thanlrfiil that life is prolonged, and
opportunity granted for 1t; and  refiesliing satis-—~
faction is still reserved for me in the harmony,

"peace,and prosperity of this large and respectable

Society,-—--with the assurance that I have never
done any thing to disturb 1t; and these considera-
tions are enlivened by the gratitude that swells my

heart under a sense of the kind regard with which

you, 1ny beloved people, still honour me. Better

to deserve this, your indulgent favour, is my ambi-
tion; always to retaln It Will be my endeavour;

anidythat it may be renewed and perfected in the
spiritual world, ismy devout prayer. “ For what
is my hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing E’ Are not
even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus %C»hrist,
at his coming? For ye are my glory, and my joyl”:

31

Finally, By all that this commemoration has
brought in review before us, may We be prompted
tolive in obedience to the precepts of‘; the holy

gospel, and Worthy the character which We bear as

descendants of such eminent ancestors, that we
may at length be gathered to our fathers in peace,
and be admitted to join the saints in glory ever-
lasting! AMEN '! ~ .

l ilommemoration of the settlement of the first Church in Dorchester, at

the close of" the Second Century from the arrival of the Puritans ;
LORD’S DAY, JULY 4, "1830.

u-.———--n-—u

MORNING snnvron.
A PSALM XC.
a-"non ':rn:a VERSION nsnn er THE I’TJ'1tI'1‘Al\T snrrnnns.
[To be sung, as by them, line by line being rcad.]

Loan, thou hast been our sure defence:
Still for thy aid we plead;

Show favour to thy servants now,
And help them at their need.

Refresh us with thy mercy soon,
And then our cares shall flee ;

And all times, while our life shall last,
In heart rejoice shall We.

As we were vexed oft before,

a N ow make thou us right glad,

According to the years whensore
Affliction we have had.

i 0 let thy Workhand power appear,
And on thy servants light;
And show unto thy children dear
Thy glory and thy might.

Lord, let thy grace and mercy stand
On us thy servants thus;

Confirm the works we take in hand;
Lord prosper them to us.

PSALM CVII.
FROM THE NEW nNe_r..4.Nn VERSION.

Youn thanks unto the Lord express,
Because that good is he,

Because his loving kindnesses
Last to eternity. ’

So say the Lord’s redeemed, whom bought
He hath from enemies’ hands;

And from the east and west hath brought,
From south and northern lands.

In desert strayed in untrod way,
No dwelling town they find ;
They hungry were, and thirsty they,
Their souls within them pinedl‘.

Then did they to Jehovah cry,
When they were in distress,

Who did them set at liberty
Out of their anguishes.

In such a way as was most right
He led them forth also,

That to a city which they might
Inhabit, they should go.

0 that men praise Jehovah would,
For his great goodness then;

And for his wonders manifold
Unto the sons of men.

Nora. “ In the year 1639, there was an agreement among the Ma is-~
trates and Ministers toset aside the collection of Psalms then prints at
the end of their Bible, and to sing one more concrenial to their ideas of
relirrion. The Rev. Mr. WELD and the Rev. Mr. Jinxor offioxbury, and
the ev. RICHARD Mnxmun of Dorchester, were selected to make a me-
trical translation.”-——This was adopted in this church and congregation in
1640, and used for more than a century.

The earliest writer of the General Histom of New England, was the Rev.
Mr. Huzenann. This work, after having aid in manuscript one hundred
and thirty years, has lately been published; and in it is this remark-, p.
210, in connexion with some particulars of the first comers--“ The people
travellin into New England had occasion, more than others, to meditate
on the 1 7th Psalm ; Which, though not penned purposely for them, yet in
especial manner is suited totheir condition. i V

The practice of reading line by line: for singingwas discontinued ‘in the
congregation on the 23d of September, 1781‘; butretained in the church
at the communion service until the 8th of July, 1793.

AFTERNOON.

lst. Singing. XLIV Psalm, C. M., from the version_ of’ TATE
Benny; introduced into use here on the first Lord’s day 1n_.lu1y, 1702.

2d. Singing. CXLV Psalm, C. M., from Dr. VVA'r'.r’s version; in-
troduced on the first Lord’s day in July, 1793.

3d. Singing. XC Psalm, L. M., from the Collection of Psalms and

Hymns by Dr. BELLKNAP, introduced on Thanksgiving-day, November
6th, 1801.

 

The day, being that on which the Lord’s Supper was celebrated, the
following Hymn was sung after the Communion.

Give us, 0 LORI), the living bread

Witli which the welcomed guests are fed;
And here the cup oj'blessing' place,

That thirsting, tai.nting souls may taste.

Thy promised presence grant to-day,
And in this Ordinance convey '4
Pledges oflove that ne’er has ceased,
And foretastes of the heavenly feast.

Those, who, two ]L’M’)?.(1I'¢36Ii:I]GC1'7‘.9 ago,
Came here, their labours to bestow
In lonely wilds a Church to rear,
Partook alike refreshment here.

0 Gen! thou then didst deign to bless
Their table in the wilderness ;

Bless ours, and us, with heavenly love,
And fit us for the Church above !

N own. The above I-Iymn was sung, line by line being read, agreeably
to the ancient practice in this Church, and which continued in use until
Lord's day, 4th of'Angnst, 1793. .

5

NOTES.

w-nun-u-uuu-—

None A.

Dr. Funnn, a distinguished writer of the Church of England, says,
'“ They are called Puv-items who would have the Church t.horo11ghl_y
reformed; that is, purged from all those inventions whieh l1{l.Vt”;‘. l;reorr
brought into it since the age of‘ the Apostles, and 1'eclueed. entirelry to
the .S'c7'i}9tw'e .ym,r'£ty.” Wltll this agrees the remark of the learned and
candid Gno'rrUs-~“Puritanos in Anglia vocant, qui Ecclesize statum
hand dam satis illis integruin atque sincerum existirnant, et puritatis
arnplius requiraut, undo origo nominis.” In England t'he_y call those
Puritans who judge the state of the Church there not su__17icientZ3i/.9ound
and unmiazecl, and require greater purity; whence the origin Q/W716 name.

Norrn B. T

J01-INSON says, that “ the R.everend‘and godly Mr. Mnvnnron was
their Pastor; and the gracious servant of Christ, the Rev. Mr. WARIIAM,
their Teacher.” And Mr. PRINCE observes, that “ it appears that Mr.
MAVERICIC was the elder person; that they had both been Ministers in
the Church of England, and had therefore been ordained by some
Bishop or other; as none other in those days were allowed to preach in
that lririgdom, nor any separate congregation allowed there till the civil
wars began inl164c2. Nor would Mr. MAVE'RIC1£ and WARIIAM have
been then allowed to form a Congregational Church at Plymouth in
England, were it not of those who had taken their passage for New
England, and were just ready to sail thithein” flrmals, Part II. Sect.
2, p. 41. r C

N own C.

Jenn Wrrrrn, A. M. This excellent divine was born at Stanton, St.
John, in Oxfordshire, in the year 1576, and educated first at Winchester,

then in New College, Oxford, where he was chosen Fellow. In the

year 1606 he left the University, and became Rector of Trinity Church,
Dorchester, where he continued, with little interruption, above forty

36

years. He was a judicious expositor of‘ Scripture; and, during his
public ministry, expounded the whole Bible, and went through one halt’
a second timefi“ l

About the year 1624, Mr. VVHITE, with some of his friends, projected
the new colony ofMaslsacl1usetts in New England, as an asylum for
the persecuted N onconformists; but, for several years, the object met
with numerous discouragements. Indeed, the difficulties became so
formidable, that the undertaking was about to be relinquished, and those
who had settled on the new plantation were on the point of returning
home. At this juncture the worthy settlers, who already had out-
braved many a storm, and surmounted the greatest difliculties, received
letters from Mr. VV1-n'r:e, assuring them that if they could endure their
painful conflict a little longer, he would procure for them a patent, and
all the necessary supplies for the new settlement. They concluded to
wait the event; and in all these particulars he made his promise good.
Thus, by the blessing of God upon his active and vigorous endeavours,
the Colonists were enabled to maintain their ground; and they after-
wards greatly prospered.1-

About the year 1630, Mr. VVnr'r1«: was brought into trouble by Bishop
LAUD, and prosecuted in the I-Iigh Commission Court. Though it does
not appear how long his troubles continued, or what sentence was
passed upon him; yet these proceedings against a divine of such distin-
guished excellence, and one so universally beloved, were sure to bring
the greatest odium upon his persecutors. Mr. VVI"1'I'.l."E was aftcrwarcls
a great sufferer from the public coxifusions of his nation, and the destruc-
tive ravages of the civil wars. Prince Rur»nn'r and his fbrces being; in

those parts, a party of horse was sent into the town, when the soldiers "

plundered his house, and carried away his l.ibrary.p "But, upon the
approach of these calamities, the good man fled from the storm; and,
retiring to London, was made minister of the Savoyir r

In the year 1640, Mr. Wnrrn was appointed one‘ of the learned
divines to assist the Committee of Religion, consisting of" ten earls, ten
bishops, and ten barons.§ In 1643, he was chosen one of the Assembl

* Woo:o’s Athena Oxon. Vol. II. p. 60.

iMA'rr-rnn’s Magnalia, G. I. p. 19. Pmnciafs Chronol. I. pp. I44--149.

i:Woo:o’s Athenae Oxon. II. p. 61.

§ This Committee was appointed by the House oi'Lords, and designed
to examine all innovations, as well in doctrine as discipline, illegally intro»
duced into the Church since the Refbrmation. It was extremely oiiensive
to the intolerant spirit of Archbishop Laud. W1-m.1rroN's Troubles of
Land, Vol. I. pp. 174, 175.

3'7

oi‘ Divines, and constantly attended their meetings at Westininster.
He was deservedly admired on account of his zeal, activity, leai-nirig,
moderation, and usefulness, during the whole session. ‘Upon the

meeting of both Houses of Parliament, the Assembly of Divines,

and the Scots Commissioners, in Margaret’s Church, Westminster‘,
to take the Covenant, he engaged in the public“ prayer; and his fer-
vent supplications continued ct full Iz.o'wr."“ In 1645, upon the revival
of the Committee of Accommodation, he was chosen one of its mem-
bersq‘ And about the same time he was appointed to succeed Dr.
Fnarnnr in the sequestered rectory of Lambeth; and to have the care
and use of the Doctor’s library, until the Doctor should be able to pro-
cure his which had been carried away by Prince RUr>1:n.'r’s soldiers:
In 1647, Mr. WI~1r'.rr«:. was offered the Wardensliip of New College,
Oxford, but refused the cities.

VVhcn the public brcils of the nation were concluded, he returned to
his flock and his ministry at Dorchester, where he continued in peace
the remainder of‘ his days. He died suddenly, July 21st, 1648, aged

seventy-two years. His remains were interred in the porch of St.

Peter’s Church, Dorchester, but without any monumental inscription.§

He was a most faithful Pastor; and a divine of sound doctrine, an
admirable judgment, and a most powerful genius, being ‘no less emi-
nent for piety, faith, and diligence. He was a‘ person of uncommon
gravity, and so universally beloved and respected, that he was usually
called ‘f the Patriarcli of l)orcliester.” The Puritans at a distance, as
well as those about him (according to Woon) “had more respect for
him than even for their diocesan; yet he was amost moderate Puri-
tan.”[| “He was a constant preacher,” says Funman, “ and, by his
wisdom and ministerial labours, Dorchester was much enriched with
knowledge, piety, and industry.”il Mr. .To1~IN VV}II'.t‘ZE, the ejected non-
conformist, was his son.”°'3<' I 1

His works were, I. The Wary to the Tree of’ Life; On the .Moml-ity
of the Fourth Oonzmcvrdnzent; and Directions for reading the Sci-i.'pt~u9*es.
l647’.fi \

II. .29 Commentary; on. the three ji-rst Chapters of G-eneeis. 1656.

III. Several Sermons; and some other articles. I

"* VVr~II'rLocrt’s Mam. p. '70. 1‘ Papers of'Accom1nodation, p. 123.

1; Woon’s Athenae Oxon. II. p. 61. § WooI)’s .l?Iist.'ar1dAntq. 1. II. p. 149.
ll Woon’:-3 Athenae Oxon. V. II. pp. 60,61.

TI FuI.r.nn’s Worthies, Part II. p. 340.

"""“ PALM.I«:n.’s N onconformist Memorial, Vol. II. p. 145.

‘ll The volume which contains these three treatises, neatly bound in

black morocco, with gilt edges, is preserved in our church chest.

38

N orzs D.

‘ "Mr. Pnnvca says, that ~’-‘ this parting address is commonly understood

to have been drawn up by that learned, holy, reverend, and famous

man, Mr. JOHN Wrrrrn, of Dorchester.” Nero England Chronology,
p. 205.

Nora E.

Sorneparticulars of‘ the voyage are narrated in a poem of Governour
WOLCOTT’S, son of Roses VVOLCO"T'1‘,Wl1O was one of the passengers.
This poem is printed, from the original manuscript, in the Collections of
the Massachusetts Historical Society, Vol. IV. pp. 262-298. It is entitled
“ A brief account of the Agency of the Honourable Jenn Wrnrrtnor,
Esq., in the Court of King Cnannns the Second, A. D. 1662, when he
obtained a Charter for the Colony’ of Connecticut; written by Roena
Woncorr, Esq.., his successor in the Government of Connecticut.” To
the inquiries of the King about the first settlers, the Agent replies-—-—»

“If to declare their Worth is what you ask,

Then I must beg your pardon: that ’s a task

So worthy due performance, and so great,

As goes beyond my utterance and conceit.

But virtue never fails; succeeding days

Shall much regard their merits, and shall raise
Men of bright parts and moving oratory,

Who shall emblazon their immortal glory.

But if you ask to gain intelligence

i What were the reasons why they went from hence,

‘What straits they met with on their way, and there ?---
These facts I tliink I ?m able to declare.

‘fRn:L1eIoN was the cause that did incline

And moved our founders to this great design.

And sure the Holy Spirit from above

That first did quickening on the waters move,
Inspired their minds, and filled them with intents

To bring to pass such glorious events.

And now they Wholly to this work devote,

Nor mind the country they are going out.

Their ancient homes they leave, to come no more,-»-- i
Their weeping friends and kindred on the shore
They bid adieu to, and with aching heart

Shake hands; ’tis hard when dearest friends must part!

39

But here they part, and leave their parent isle,
Their whiloin happy seat.-—-The winds awhile
Are courteous, and conduct them on their way,
To near the midst of the Atlantic sea,

When suddenly their pleasing gales they change
For dismal storms that on the ocean range.*

i-—-l\/Ieanvvhile our founders in the cabin sat

Reflecting on their truly sad estate,

Whilst holy WnnHAM’s sacred lips did treat
About God’s promises and mercies great.
---And now a. mighty sea the ship o’ertakes,

Which, falling on the deck, the hulk:-head breaks; T

The sailors cling to ropes, and frighted cry,
‘Theflship is foundered! O We die, we die 1’
Those in the cabin heard the sailors screech,
All rise, and reverend Waamiivr do beseech
That he would now uplift to heaven a cry,

For preservation in extremity.

He, with a faith sure hottom’d on the word.

Of Irlixn that was of‘ seas and winds the Lord,‘
His eyes lifts up to Heaven, his hands extends, T
And fervent prayers for deliverance sends.

The winds abate, the threatning waves appease,

r And a sweet calm sits regent on the seas. .

They bless the name of their deliverer,
Who now they found a God that hear-eth prayer.”

Norr. F. _

“It was ordered that every town should keep a watch, and be well
supplied with ammunition. The Constables were directed. to warn the
Watchers in their turns, and to make it their care that they should he
kept according to the direction of the Court. They were also required
to take care that the inhabitants were well furnished with arms and
ammunition, and kept in a constant state of defence. As these infant
settlements were filled and surrounded with numerous savages, the
people conceived themselves in danger, when they lay down and
when they rose up, when they went out and when they came in. Their
circumstances were such, that it was judged necessary for every man

to be a soldier.”

f"‘ Next follows a description of this terrific storm.

40

Norr-2 G.

Under March 19, 1632, Governour VVINTHRO]? relates, that “ Mr.-
NIAVERICK, one of the Ministers of Dorchester, in drying alittle powder,
(which tookfire by the heat of the fire-pan) fired a small barrel of two-
or three pounds, yet did no other harm but singed his clothes. It‘ was
in the new Meeting-house, which was thatched, and the thateh only
blacked a little.” i

Nora I~I.

Captain ‘Johnson describes the straits of these early settlers at this
time, in his Wbndei-«ivorlming Providence, or .S'z'on’s Saviour in New Eng-
land, Chap. xxiv.---~“ In the absence of bread, they feasted themselves-
with fish. The women, once a day, as the tide gave way, resorted to
the muscle and clam—-banks, which are a fish as big as a horse muscle,
where they daily gathered their families’ food, with much heavenly

talk of the provisions Christ had formerly made for many thousands of '

his followers in the wilderness. Quoth one, My husband hath travelled
as far as Plymouth, (which is near 40 miles) and hath with great toil
brought a little com home with him; and before that is spent the Lord
will assuredly provide. Quoth the other, Our last peck of meal is now
in the oven at home a baking, and many of our godly neighbours have
quite spent all, and we owe one loaf of that little we have. Then spake
a third, My husband hath ventured himself among the Indians for corn,‘
and can get none; as also -our honoured Governour hath distributed
his so far, that a day or two more will put an end to his store, and all
the rest; and yet, methinks, our children are as cheerful, fat, and lusty,
with feedingupon these muscles, clams, and other fish, as they were in‘
England with their fill of bread; which makes me cheerful in the Lord’s
providing for us, being further confirmed by the exhortation of our Pastor
to trust the Lord with providing for us, whose is the earth and the fulness
thereof. And, as they were thus encouraging one another, they lift up
their eyes and saw two ships coming in’; and presently this news came
to their ears, that they were come from Ireland full of victuals. Now
were their poor hearts refreshed.”

NOTE I.

The Rev. .IONA'1.‘I~IAN Buns. was born in the year 1604, at Redgrave,
in Suffolk, Great Britain. He was the son of godly parents, who per»,
ceiving his early love of letters, gratified him with alearned education;
and says Dr. Martina, “Though literature did much adorn his child-

311

hood, religion did so much more; for he had frorn a child known the
Holy Scriptures, which made him wise unto salvation.” In his earliest
years, “so studious was he as to leave his food fbr his book, and withal
so pious as to leave "his book for his prayers.”

After having spent four years at the University, upon the death of
his father’ he returned to the country, and was employed in keeping
a school, Here, however, he pursued his studies with such diligence,
that when those of his standing were to take their degrees of Master~
ship, he was appointed one of the Moderators; an honourable distinc-
tion, in which he acquitted himself‘ to great acceptance.

For a while he preached at Horniger, near Bury, in Suffolk; and
afterwards was Rector of’ the Church at Reclringshal. Governour
Wrnrrrnor reinarks, that “ he was a Minister of very good repute in
England for his piety and learning.”

Having been silenced for nonconf'o1-mity, in the beginning of 1639 he
came over to New England, with his wife and three children ; and soon
after their arrival a fourth was born.

From our Church Records it appears, that on the 21st day of the
10th month, [December] 1639, Mr. J ormxrirnn Benn, and _Frances,
his wife, were admitted as members of the Church, and Rebekalr Burr,
(probably his sister) ; and on the 23d of’ the same month, Mary‘, dang-liter
of Rev. J onathan Burr, was baptized. - * J 4

Of the circumstances attending his call to settle at Dorchester, and
of the Council convened for his ordination,a minute detail is given by
Governour. VV1n'r:ano1>, in his Journal, Vol. II. pages 22, 23.’

The following summer he, with his family, had the small pox, which,
as inoculation was not then practised, was a very malignant and dan-

, gerous disorder; but they all happily recovered, though Mr. Bunnlwas

loft in a state of debility which shortened his days.

In the Magrtalia, Dr. M,.&q.‘I{ER comments largely upon his exemplary
piety, bountiful charity to the poor, tender sympathy with the affiicted,
amiable disposition, and unafi'ected meelmess of spirit.

a His widow married to the lflonourable RICK-IARI) Duxvnann, with
whom she livedhappily more than forty years, and died at Newbury,
November 19, 1682, aged 70., . _

His sons were Jonathan, [who was a graduate of Harvard College,
1651] J ohn, and Simon, Peter Burr, [Harm Coll. 1690] aJudge of the
‘Court of Connecticut, and Samuel Burr, [H. C. 1697] of Charlestown,
were his grand-sons. Rev. Isaac Burr, [Yale College, 1717'] was son
of Judge Peter Burr, and father to Rev. Aaron Burr,_the learned ,Pre-
sident of New Jersey College. Vi_ce-President Aaron Burr is son of
Rev. President Burn

6

f—.'2~L-

Li?

Nora J.

RICHARD MATHER was born at Lowton, in the parish of Winwiclc,
and County of Lancaster, in Great Britain, in the year 1596. His-
parents, Thomas and Margaret Mather, were of ancient families in that
village. Though reduced to low circumstances, they gave their son, a,
good education. So great was his proficiency at school, that he was
elected in 1611, being only fifteen years old, to take the instruction of
a school at Toxtetli-Park, near Liverpool. In this office he acquitted
himself so well, “that he was both loved and feared by his scholars,
beyond what is usual "even where there are aged Masters.” After-
having fitted several scholars for the University, he removed there
himself; and entered a student in Brazen-nose College, at Oxford. He
was soon, however, recalled to Toxteth, by a request of the ‘Congrega-
tion there, to be their Minister. He accordinglyreturned, and preached
his first sermon on the 30th of November, .1618. Soon after, he re-
ceived ordination. by Dr. Mormon, then Bishop of Chester.

r September 29tl1, 1624, he married Katherine, daughter of Edmund
Hoult, Esq., of Bury, in Lancashire, with whom he lived in connubial
aifection thirty years. By her he had six sons; of whom Samuel,
Timothy, Nathaniel, and Joseph, were born in Great Britain; and
Eleazer, and Increase, in New England.

After having preached fifteen years, he was suspended from office
and silenced, August, 163?», for nonconformity ; but on November fol»
lowing was restored, through the intercession of his friends. Under
the more rigorous visitations of the Archbishop of York, Dr. Nrsann, he
again received sentence of suspension in 1634. His having never worn
the surplice, and his p111‘il".1”t1’1iCl{a principles, were alleged against him.
Being thus “inhibited from the exercise of his ministerial functions,”

‘placed again in private life, and apprehensive of the severity of those

persecutions which an enraged hierarchy were meditating, he resolved
upon a removal to New England, Accordingly he drew up his reasons
for such a determination, and exhibited them to the Ministers and
others inLancashire, at several meetings appointed for their consider»

i ation. As nothing was objected against them that he deemed satis

factory, in the month of April, 1635, he left his people at Toxteth, and

journeyed to Bristol, in order to take ship there. He was obliged to

change his outer habit, that he miglit travel incognito, because pursui-—
vants were seeking to apprehend him, and by this method eluded their
search. From Bristol he sailed for New England, May 23d, 1635.
Two of his sons, who were afterwards. Ministers, came with him; also
JONATHAN MITCIIEL, then a child of eleven years of age, and after»-

V

L], ‘J,

C‘

wards the famous Pastor of the Church at Cambridge. The ship en»-
countered a most violent and dangerous hurricane on the American
~coa_st, but providentially arrived safe in Boston harbour, August 17th,
1635. ‘

The following account of this gale is extracted from his journal.

“ August 15, 1635. The _Lord had not yet done with us, nor had he
let us see all his power and goodness which he would have us take the
knowledge of‘; and, therefore, about the break of day, he sent a most
terrible storm of rain and easterly wind, whereby we were in as much
danger as I think ever people were. Wheii we came to the land, we
found many mighty trees rent in pieces in the midst of the hole, and
others turned up by the roots, by the fierceness thereof‘. We lost in
that morning three anchors and cables, one having never been in the
water before : two were brol~:.en by the violence of the storm, and the
third out by the seamen in the extremity of distress, to save the ship
and their and our lives. And when our cables and anchors were. all
lost, we had no outward means of deliverance but by hoisting sai1,if' so
be we might get to sea :i'ro1n amongst the islands and rocks where we
had anchored. But the Lord let us see that our sails could not save
us neither, no more than the cables and anchors; for, by the forcedioi‘
the wind and storm, the sails were rent asunder, and split in pieces, as
if they had been but rotten rags, so that of divers of them, there was
scarce left so much as an hand-breadth, that was not rent in pieces, or
blown away into the sea. So that, at that time, all hope that we should
be saved, in regard of any outward appearance, was utterly taken away;
and the rather, because we seemed to drive, with full force of‘ wind,
directly upon a mighty rock, standing out in sight above water; so
that we did but continually wait when we should hear and feel the
-doleful crashing of the ship upon the rocrk. In this extremity and ap-

pearance of death, as distress and distraction would su'Ii'er us, we cried

unto the Lord, and he was pleased to have compassion upon us; for,
by his overruling providence, and his own immediate good hand, he
guided the ship past the rock, and assuagecl the violence of the sea and
wind. It was a day much to  remembered, because on that day the
Lord granted us as wonclerful a deliverance as I tlrink ever any people
hadlfelt. The seamen confessed they never knew the like. The Lord
so imprint the memory of it in our hearts, that we may be the better for
it, and more careful to please liim, and to wall: uprightly before him as
long as we live; andl hope we shall not forget the passages of that
morning until our dying day. In all this grievouslstorin, my fear was
the less, when I considered the clearness of my calling from God this
way: and in some measure, (the Lord’s holy name be blessed for it)

he gave uslliearts contented and willing that he should do with us and
ours what he pleased, and what might be most for the glory of his
name; and in that we rested ourselves. But when news was brouglit
us into the gun-«room that the danger was past, 0 how our hearts did
then relent and melt within us 1 We burst out into tears of j oy ainongst
ourselves, in love unto our gracious God, and admiration of his kind-
ness in granting‘ to his poor servants such an extraordinary and miracu-
lous deliverance. l:Iis holy name be blessed forever E” r
Mr. MATHER, with his family, tarried some months in Boston. Im-
mediately invitations were made to him from Plymouth, Roxbury, and

other towns, to settle with them, but by the advice of Mr. Co'r'roN, .

Mr. I-Ioonnn, and other friends, he accepted that of Dorcliester.

He assisted, Mr. l7Jr.ro'r and Mr. WELD, in 1640, in making the New
England version of Psalms. . r V

The usefulness and the praise of tliisi eminent divine was great in all
the Churches. He was a member of all the Ecclesiastical Councils-
and Synods in Massachusetts, that met during his ministry here.

In 1646, a Synod was called to prepare ‘rules for the better ordering;
of the affairs of the Churches. Aiter various discussions, two clergy—
men of Massachusetts, and one of Plymouth colony, were appointed to
draft, each of them, (16 model of C’}z.wrc7z, discipline and polity, for the
adoption of the sticceediiig session. These were the Rev. J omv Cor-
roar, of Boston, Rev. RICHARD Maxrnnn, of Dorchester, and the Rev.
RALPI-I lhnrninen, of Duxbury. Mr. MA.'.rHnR’s model was made
choice of‘, received the sanction of the Synod, in 1648, and,under the
name of “the Cambridge Platform,” has ever since been considered as
the Ecclesiastical law of the Churches of Massachusetts. .

‘Of the Synodical Council, which met at Boston, June,4, 1657, and of
the Synod in 1662, Mr. MA1‘HER was a very influential member;land
the determination of the questions stated in their result, was ina great
degree owing to positions which he had advanced andsupported.--—
Indeed such respect was paid to his judgment, that “In Ecclesiastical’
Councils to which he was frequently invited, and in weighty cases where
the General Court frequently consulted ministers, his opinion was
much relied upon and generallyradoptedf’

His wife diedin 1654; and on the sea of the at month, 1656, he mar-. C

ried Sarah, the widow of the famous Ions COTTON, who survived him.
He left four sons in the ministry; one of whom, Eleazer, pastor of
the Chtircli at Northampton, died about three months after his father.

Samuel wasa teacher of a Church at Dublin, in Ireland; N athaniel.

was minister at Barnstable,‘ in Devon, Great Britain, and afterwards» at

315

Rotterdam, in I—Io11and:, and Increase, was minister at Boston, in New
England, and afterwards President of ld:n'vard College.

The publications of‘ Mr. Rrcrrhnn Mmrrxnn, were 1. The Discourse
about the Church Covenant; and the 6./flnswers to xxxii questions, pub-
lished in 1639, which pass under the name of the Elders of New
England. 2. «fl modest and brotherly answer to  Charles Itlerlcs’
book, against the Independency of the Churches, 1646.  ./fl heart~melt-
ing e:rhortation, 850., to his "countrymen of Lancashire, 1650. 4. ./fl Cate-
chism, 1650. 5. ./El treatise cy" Justification, 1652. 6. oil letter to 
Hoolccr, to prove that it is lawful for a .Minister to administer the Sacra-
ment to a congregation that is not particularly under his care. 7. Elec-
tion Sermon, 1660. 8. sin answer to the Essay of .Mr. Davenport,
ctgainst the propositions of the Synod, 1662.‘)? ./Slnd Qthly, ..rf1.farewcll
exhortation to the Church and people cy" Dorchester. [This last, he dis-
tributed in all the families ; and yet a copy is not to be now found]

Mr. Ms.'r1—nsn left a large number of writings on Church government
and controversy, which are preserved in the Cabinet of the ./flmcrican
.£lnt'iquarianSociet_7/. Those which I have perused are the following:

1. ./in answer to objections against imposition ofhands at ordination.

This is a manuscript of eleven pages; and is dated 2(itl1 Octo-
ber,.16;35. V i

2. ./filn apology for the C’hurchcs of E New England, against the creep»
tions of Rrcnnnn Bnnnsnn, minister of Batcombe, in Sornersctshirc,
sent to us in two books, one written to the Govcrnour, .7lIagistratcs and
Commons; the other, to the Minister-s, and Elders of the Churches.

This is a manuscript of one hundred pages, in the hand-writing
of Rrcnnnro l.V[A'1‘I~IER. I r «

Governour WIN1‘IiROP, in his Journal, records “1638, Bber. About
two years since-, one Mr. Bnnnnnn, a minister at Batcornbe, in Sorner-
setshire, in England, sent over two books in w1~iting,', one to the Magis-
trates, and the other to the Elders, wherein he laid down argurneiits
against the manner of our gathering Churches,‘ ¢SLC:., which the "Elders
could not answer till this time, by reason of the many troubles about
Mrs. I~Iutchinson’s opinions, dzzc.” t E

The original copy of Mr. Berna-rd’s book, which was sent‘ to the
ministers, very fairly written, is contained in a volume of manuscripts
of Rev. Jonnif Corron, now in the possession of the I~Ion.VJonN
DAVIS. t

 Of this book Mr. I-Ixoernson of’ Salem, rernarhed "‘ that Mr. l.l'v’.[.A.'1'I:-113133.
sl'1eWedl1i1nself,a pattern to all answerers to the end of thevworld.” , And
the late Dr. ELIOT‘ pronounces it “ an able discussion, and as liberal as itis:
masterly.”

116

In the same volume is a precious treatise, which has never been"
printed, entitled, Considerations brief‘ but necessary about toleration in
religion, humbly tendered to them in authority, by J or-IN ROBINSON, Pas-
tor of the English Church at Leyden.

3. ./éln answer to nine reasons brought by J 0 HN Srxnsnunv, in the 25th
and 26th pages of his book, to prove that infants ought not to be baptized’.
3. Gmonth, 1646. i ,

This is a manuscript of sixty-six pages. Mr. Srrnsnunv was Pastor
of a Baptist Church in London.

4. A manuscript of ninety-five pages, inscribed ./Q model of Church .

Government, 1648. On the first leaf of’ which he has made this record
—-—-“ The Synod at Cambridge having nominated sundry of the Elders
to draw up each of them a several model of Church Government; and
amongst others, having nominated me for one for that service; to the end
that out of those several modelsthere might be one proposed, such as the

Synod should jointly agree upon. I therefore, upon this occasion and 1

call, drew up this that follows, and presented it to the Synod at their
next meeting, which being then by the Synod deliberately read and
perused, they afterwards agreed upon that which is now printed and
published; which vvorlr of theirs and this of mine being compared, it
may appear that the doctrine herein by me expressed and delivered,
was well approved of by that reverend and judicious assembly.”

The Rev. J01-IN Neuron was appointed to revise this model, and to
insert such amendments as were proposed in the Synod, in order for
publication.

5. Tan Pnarronm, as it was prepared for the; press; in the hand-
writing of Mr. Marnznn. 1 it
6. The answer of the Elders to the e.rcept'z"ons against the Platj'orm..* 1

This is a manuscript of f'orty—three pages. It is very curious and
interesting, particularly as the names of the principal objectors are
placed in the margin. It cornmences with stating-—“ Accordiiig to the
order of the much honoured General Court, bearing date 26. 31110. 1651 ;
and in obedience there-unto, the Elders of this jurisdiction, or so
many of them as could be conveniently obtained to come together,
have seriously perused the papers imparted to us by the Secretary, as
the answers of the Churches concerning the platform of discipline, and
divers other papers from particular brethren, 850. &c.”

7. _./ins answer to Xxi questions, sent from the honorable General
Court at-_Harzford to the honorable General Court at Boston, and by them
proposed to certain Elders of botlz.jurt'scl'let'lons, which they called togethper

J17

and -appointed‘ to confer and debate upon, and present their resolutions
concerning them to the said General Courts, respectively.

This is ‘a manuscript of’ twenty—-one pages ;. and is dated 19th, 4rno.,
1657. From anote of Rev. Irrcnnasn lVIA'ri~n.:n’s, it appears that it
was sentitor London and published. I cannot, however, find a printed
copy in any of our public libraries. 1

8. fln answer to arguments for the government of the Churches in the
handsqf the people. ‘ V p

A manuscript of seventy-eight pages. The title, andtwo first pages
lost.--—It is a learned treatise on ecclesiastical polity.

There is also a small quarto volumeof 550 pages in manuscript, pre-
served in the library of the .Massachusetts Historical Society, entitled
“fl plea for the Churches of Nero England; divided i-nto two parts, the

former containing a survey of Mr. W. R. his book, entitled a narration
of‘ Church courses in New England; wherein the manflold mistakes and
anisreports contained in the said narration are discovered; and such
arguvtents and olgjections against the said C'h/arches as are contained in
his marginal anirnadversions are weighed and answered; the other con-
taining positive grounds from Scripture, and reason for justyication of
the way a said Churches, contrived into an answer to sundry questions
collected and raised out of the several chapters of the .N'arrator’s dis-
course. 1 it 1 1

-By Rrerrann MATIiER, Teacher of the Church at Dorchester, in New
England. ~

This bears‘ the Imp7'imatur of‘ Josnzsn: CARYL, April 28th, 1646;
but was never printed. It is an elaborate vindication of’ the order
and discipline of our Churches against the exceptions of VVILLIAM
Rwrrnoun.

N0'rn K.

Rev. J OSIAII FLINT was the son of Rev. I-Ienry Flint, of Braintree;
born August 24th, 1645 ; graduated at Harvard College in 1664.

The only publication of his that I have met with, is an Epistle Dedi-
catory, to Mrs. Bridget Uslievr, his aunt, prefixed to a Sermon of the
Rev. Leonard Hoar, President of Harvard College, on the death of
Lady Mildmay. _ Printed at Boston, by John Foster, 1680.

N earn L.

Rev. Joan Dauronrza was the son of the Rev. Samuel Danforth, of
Roxbury; born Novemberp8,1660; graduated at Harvard College in
1677, and was afterwards a fellow of the Corpomtion. 1

£18

The following obituary notice is from the New England WeehZ3/

‘Journal, for .Monday, Jiine 1, 1730.
“On May 24, last, died at Dorchester, the Rev.iMr. Jo1~IN DAN- p

ronrxr, the very worthy and faithful Pastor of the Church of Christ in

‘that place, aged about 70 years; who was one greatly qualified by

many bright accomplishments for the Evangelical Ministry, and was
eminently a man of God and a man of prayer; a close and profitable
preacher of sound principles ; a pattern of all the virtues of the chris-

itian life, and zealous for the ‘cause of God and religion among us;

greatly beloved and valued While living, and now lamented at his
death; and his memory will be always precious to those who had the
honour and pleasure of an acquaintance with him.” 1

The following character is extracted from Mr. BLa1{n’s Manuscript
Annals. H H 1 “

“He was said to be a man of great learning. He understood the

Mathematics beyond most men of hisfunction. He was exceedingly
charitable, and oi"a very peaceful temper. He had a good taste for

poetry. - He took much pains to perpetuate the names of many of the

good Christians of his flock, by writing Inscriptions and Epitaphs for
their grave stones; and yet the world is so ungrateful that he has
not a line written to preserve his memory. He was buried in Lieut.
Gov. Stoughtoxfs tomb ; and there also lieth his consort, Mrs. Eli:/.abetl1
Danforth.” —
He published several occasional Sermons. 1. ./fl, Sermon on the De~
partureof the Rev. Joseph Lord and his Church, to go to Carol'ina. 1697.
2. .151 Fast Sermon, before the General Court, on Exod. ix. 33, 34. 1703.
3. The Blackness of sinming against the Light; a Sermon on Rom i.
21. 1710. 4. Judgment begun at the House of God. 1716. 5. Two
Sermons on the Earthquake. 1727. He also published ./1 Poem on the
death of Rev. Peter Thacher of .Mt'lton, and Samuel Danforth of
Taunton. , j p
1 Mr. DANFORTI-I preached the ./.‘l'rtiller3/ Election * Sermon in 1693, and
the Electwion Sermon in 1697; but I do not know of their being printed.

Nora M.

Rev. JONATHAN Bowman was born at Lexington, in the year 1707;
and graduated at Harvard College in 1724. He was ordained at Dor-
chester,Novernberl5,1729. The Churches sent to were Lexington,
Roxbury,Scituate, Braintree, Milton, and Stoughton. , Rev. Mr. HAN-
CO0-K. preached from 2 Cor. xi. 28; ‘Mr. DANFORTI-I gave the Charge,
and Mr. WALTER the Right Hand of Fellcvvship. H 7

49“

Mr. Bowman died lVlarch 30th, 1'7’75, aged 68. Tliough a good
scholar, and a handsome composuist, yet such was his diflidence, that
he declined preaching on public occasions, and never consented to have
any of his sermons printed.

NOTE N.

The following Obituary Notice is inserted from the public papers.‘

“Moses Even:-rrr, E_sq., of Dorchester, whose death was lately an-
nounced, was born in Dedham, of respectable parents, July 15, O. S.,
in the year 1750. He was the youngest but one of nine children. He
‘pursued his studies, with a View to enter College, under the care of
Mr. BALCI-I, the Minister of Dedham, (whose daughter he afterwards
married) and after the usual course of preparation, was admitted at
Cambridge, and received his first degree in 1771. His education had
been with a view to the profession of a Christian Minister, which, on

leaving College, he adopted. "When the Church in Dorchester became a

vacant by the dismission of Mr. Bowmmsr, he was invited to preach
‘there; and, September 28th, 1774, was ordained to the pastoral charge
of that ancient and respectable town, then consisting of one parish.
"He remained in this ministry eighteen years, and perforrned the duties
of it to the satisfaction and improvement of his people. At the end of
that period, the decl'iningstate of his health compelled him to relin-
quish an ethos, which he was too feeble to fulfil, and too conscientious
to neglect; and inthe year 1793, he requested and obtained a dis-
mission. C

“The approbation of his townsmen distinguislied Mr. Evnasrr in
his retirement; and the next year after he left the pulpit, he was elected
one of the Representatives of Dorchester, in the General Court, and
tool; his seat accordingly; but the prevalence of different opinions on
politics prevented him from being returned again. Afterwards he
received a commission of Justice of the Peace, was made Special
Justice of the Court of Common Pleas of Norfolk County, and in the

‘year 1808 was appointed to fill the vacancy on the bench of that Court,

occasioned by the death of ‘ his brother, Orrvnn Evnanrr, Esq, In
this situation he acted with integrity and ability, and held _it till the
abolition of the Court. This was the last duty, of a public nature, that
he was called upon to exercise. His health continued feeble, and by
repeated paralytic shocks he was deprived of vigor, and finally of life.”
During his ministry he published, ./fl Sermon before the Society of
"Young Men in Dorchoster, February 1, 1778; and, ./El‘ Sermon at the
Ordination of his brother, Rev. OLIVER Evnnnprr, to the pastoral care
of the .N'cw—South Church. in Boston. 1782. C ‘ '
7,

50

He died March 25, 1813, leaving a widow and ten children ;—--one by
his first Wife, one by the second, and eight by his relict, tl1e third.

A Sermon was delivered at his funeral, by his successor, on Joshua
i. 2,. which was printed.

N one 0.

I. The Fmsr Cannon, gathered in England, March, 1630 greinoved
to New England, and began to settle at Dorchester, June 6th, 0. S., of
the same year.

II. The SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CI~IURCI~I, was gathered January
1, 1808; a Meeting—house having been built, and dedicated October
30, 1806; and Rev. Jo1—IN CODMAN, D. D., ordained the Pastor, Decem—
her 7, 1808. *

III. The Tnmn CONGREGATIONAL Siocnrrr was formed in 1813;
its Meeting-l—houee dedicated October 6th, of that year; and the Rev.
EDWARD Rrcr-nvroun, D. 1)., installed Pastor, June 25, 1817.

IV. An E1=1soo1>.s.r. Mnrnonrer Socrerv, in the South part of the
town, was formed in 181]; the first place of W01‘Sl1lp dedicated May
6th, 1818; and the present place of Worship, September 24th, 1829.

V. Iilawns’ PLACE FIRST Cone-nnearronar. Socnzrr, in South Boe-
ton, incorporated February 19, 1818; Church gathered October 17,
1819; Rev. Lnluum. Caren installed Pastor, October 31, 1827..

VI. S'r.l\/.[.4.f1"rnnvv’e Cannon, [Episcopal] consecrated June 24th,
1818. Rev. J. L. BLAKE, Rector.

VII. The Roman Catholic Church, dedicated to ST. AUGUSTINE,
South Boston.

VIII. Evauennrcar. C.ar.v1me'rxc Socrnrr, South Boston, forined
December 10th, 1823; Meeting-house dedicated March 29th, 1825;

I present Pastor, Rev. Mr. F.4.Iac_nn:.:o, installed November 22d, 1827.

IX. Barrier Socrnrr, South Boston, formed January 16th, 1828;
Rev. THOMAS Dnrvnn installed April 16th, 1829; Meeting-house dedi-
cated July 22d, 1830.

X. VILLAGE Cnuncnt, in the South part of Dorcheeter, gathered

March 18th, 1829 ; Introductory prayer by Rev. E. Beecher of Boston; “

Sermon by Rev. R. S. Storre of Braintree ; Consecrating prayer by Rev.
Samuel Green of Boston; Fellowship of the Churches by Rev. John
Codman, D. D.; Concluding prayer by Rev. Wflliain Cogsvvell of Ded-
ham. The Church consisted of 27 members, 21 of whom were from the
Second Church in Dorchester. Their Meeti:ng—house was dedicated
September 1, 1829. I The exercises of the occasion were, an Introduc-
tory prayer by Rev. Dr. Fay of Clrarleetown; Lessons: of Scripture by
Rev. Mr. Fairchild of South Boston; Dedicatory prayer by Rev. Dr.

51

‘Codman; Sermon by Rev. Professor Stuart of Andover; Concluding-
prayer by Rev. Dr. Wiener of Boston.’

Rev. DAVID SANFORD, a graduate of Brown University, wasinsta11—
ed Pastor, July 14, 1830. The Introductory prayer was made by Rev.
E. Smith of Hanover; Sermon by Rev. Dr. J enks of Boston; Conse—
crating prayer by Rev. Samuel Grile of Milton; the Charge by Rev.
Dr. Codman; Right Hand of Fellowship by Rev. Ebenezer Burgess
of Dedharn; Address to the people by Rev. R. S. Storrs of Braintree;
and concluding prayer by Rev. Wm. Eaton. of Middleborough. .

XI. UNIVERSALIST Socrr-arr, South Boston, formed May, 1830.

N orn P.

“ Vestra autem pietas, Viri Exules, quze I-naluit patriam, quani Evan-
rreliurn deserere cornrnodis . ue carere tern orariis uam ierrniscere
up 2 1 (1 l
sacris a Climsto alienis errrcrriarn sane rneretur 1auclen1.” BULLINGER.

9 ta 2:‘:
Pnzef. in Comment. Apocalypt. p. 16.

N orr. Q.

The General Court, in their address to Cnanrns II. in the year 1661,
say, “We supplicate your Majesty for your gracious protection of us
in the continuance both of our Civil and Religious liberties, according
to the Grcmtecs’ Ian-own end of smug for the Patent, conferred upon this
Plantation. Our ii liberty to wall: in the-way of the Gospel, with all
good consciences according to the order of the Gospel, was the cause
of our transporting ourselves, with our wives, and our little ones,
and our substance, from that pleasant land, over the Atlantic Ocean,
into the vast wilderness; «clioosing rather the pure Scripture ‘Worship,

__ with a good conscience, in this remote wilderness, than the pleasures

of England, with submission to the iinpositions of they then so disposed
and so far prevailing hierarchy, which we could not do ‘without an
evil conscience. We are not seditious, as to the interest of Caesar;
nor schisrnatical, as to matters of Religion. Wei distinguisli between
Churches and their impurities. We could not live without the public
worship of God, nor be permitted the public Worship, without such a

yolce of subscription omd conformity as we could not consent unto With-

out sin. That; We might, therefore, enjoy divine worship, without
{human mixtures, Without offence to God, man, and our own consciences,
we with ilewvc, but not without tears, departed from our Country,
ltinclred, and fatliers’ houses, into this Patrnos.” C

NOTE R.

Dr. COTTON Mariana, speaking of “ that party in the Church of
‘England, who, resolving that the Reformation should never proceed

I one jot further than the first essay of it in the former century,” says,

“they made certain unscriptural canons, wherebyall that could not
subscribe and practice a multitude of, by themselves confessedly, purely
human inventions in the worship of God, were accursed, and ipsofacto
excommunicate ; and by the ill obtained aid of bitter laws to back these
canons, did, by fines and goals and innumerable violences, contrary to
the very «Magma Charta of the nation, ruin many thousands of the so»
berest people in the kingdom ; and who continually made as many
Shibboletlze as they could for the discovering and extinguisliing all real
godliness, and gave not over till they had thrown all into the lamentable
confusions of a civil war. The Churches of New England say, ‘come
not into their secret, 0 myisoul 1’ We dare not be guilty of the schism
which we charge upon that party in the Church of England. And if
any faction of men will requireithe assent and consent of other men to
a vast number of disputable and uninstituted things, and, it may be, A

lmsxrrinmmrrcnii 1.~*.M:.s1ar~1oon among the first of them, and utterly re»

nounce all Christian communion with all that shall not give that assent

I and consent, we look upon those to be separatists. We dare not he so
. ‘narrow spirited. The Churches of New England profess to make only

the substantials of the CI"II%.IS*'.l?IAN Rnnreion to be the terms of our
sacred fellowship. We dare make no difference between a Presbyte-
rian, a. Congrcgationalist, an Episcopalian, and an ./lntwipcedo Baptist,
where their visrible piety makes it probable that the Lord Jesus Christ
‘hath received them.” Magitalia, Book III. p. 12. p p ‘

l\To'r:e S.

Mr. I-Iunnnnn, in his General History o_f'J\/‘ow England, p. 118, de-

- clares, “ It is certainly known that the old Nonconformists and good old

Puritans of Queen Elizabeth and King James his time, did in many
things not symbolize with the Separatists, whose way and form of dis-
cipline "was always disowned and disclaimed, yea, publicly condemned,
by the writings of the learned N onconformists of that age, such as Mr.
RobertlParker, Dr. Ames, Mr. Cartwright, Mr. Hildersham, that mal-
leusl BrowmIstarum., as he used to be called; especiallyas to their
notions about separation from the Church of England, as anti—christian.
The one endeavouring only a reformation of some corruptions, retained,

V or crept into the Church, as they thought, either before or after its

533

l

reforined state; the ‘others, not content therewith, stood as stifly to
maintain a necessity of abrogating and disannulling their former church

F state, and begin all anew, as if things.l1ad'been so far collapsed in the

days of our fathers, that, like a vessel once infected with the contagion

M of leprosy, it must be broken in pieces to be new cast and moulded, or

else to be judged unclean and unfit for the service of God. It is affirmed
by some who had more reason to be best acquainted with the said Mr.
Higginson when he first went over thither, that Mr. Hilclersham, upon
their first removing, advised him and other Ministers looking this way,
to agree upon their form of Church government before they came away
from England. The which counsel, if it had been attended, might have
prevented some inconveniency that hath since fallen out, or at least
have saved some of the succeeding Ministers from the imputation of
departing from their first principles, because they were not publiclrly
professed and declared when the foundation of their Church order was
here laid in the beginning of things.”

In further illustration,'l here insert it letter from the famous J OHN
Coirron of Bostcm, in LincoZns7u're, England, three years before he
came to this country, to Rev. SAM'U'.EL Srcnnrou of Salem, .7V'ewEng-
lcmd. I transcribed it from an ancient manuscript, which bore the en-
dorsement, “ copied out June 13, 1631, by me Rrcrman lVl.A.Cl‘]1~IER;”
and have since collated it with an original in Mr. Co'r'roN’s ownhand-
Writing, in a small quarto volume of his adrvcrswrria in the possession of
the Hon. J01-nv,DnvIs, of Boston. M _

“Beloved Sir, l

“ I am glad to hear of your health by others, though I do not hear
that you have written to any of your friends in these parts by this last

‘return. I thank you for your loving entertainment of Mr. Coddington

and his wife, (my loving and Christian neighbours) into your house.
Only as the death of so many of the former plantation hath been
grievous to me, so hath it not a little troubled me that you should deny
the Lord’s Supper to such godly and faithful servants of Christ as Mr.

Governour, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Dudley and Mr. Coddington, whereof the

three latter were ‘known unto you to be men of an upright heart and
unblameable life, andthe first might have been evidenced unto you to
be no less by their approved testimony.” My grief increased upon
me when I heard you denied baptism unto Mr. Coddington’s child, and
that upon a reason worse than the fact; because he was not a member
of any particular reformed‘Cl1urch, though of the Catholic. And that

M which added wonder to my grief was that I heard you admitted one of

Mr. Lathrop’s congregation not only to the Lord’s Supper, but his
child to baptism -upon sight of his testimony from his Church, whereas

54

Mr." Coddington, bringing the same from the Chief‘ of‘ our Congre.. I

igation, was not accepted.

A quartain ague (some fits whereof Ihave already borne) hath so
"weakened my body and prostrated my spirits, that I am not fit to
write my mind of these things; yet the unfeigned love I bear you, and
the desire I have that peace and truth may dwell amongst you, hath
constrained me to bear witness against your judgment and practice
in a word or two-.

Two things I conceive herein to be erroneous; jirst, that you think
no man may be admitted to the Sacrament though a member of a Cath-
olic Church, unless he be a member of some particular Reformed

Church. Secondly, that none of the congregations in England are par-- ,

ticular Reformed Churches but Mr. Lathrop’s and such as his.” For
the first, we do not find, (neither is it credible) that the Eunuch [Acts
viii] was a member of any particular congregation, yet Philip baptized

«him; neither yet did he baptize him into any particular congregation

which he should betake himself unto after his baptism; his calling, it
may be, requiring; his necessary absence in a foreign court. But you
will say, he made profession of his faith, before baptism, v. 37 : neither
do I deny that it is meet for parents (whether they be members of a
particular Church or no) to profess their Covenant with God to them
and their seed, whereof‘ baptism is a seal; and you know all English
congregations require it. But this I deny that he made profession
to become a member of Philip’s particular Church: and besides, such
a profession as he made to Philip, I dare say the servants of God whom
you have refused have made as great, yea larger unto yourself.

You will say, perhaps, such an example was extraordinary, and not
imitable. But, say not so; for though his rapture was extraordinary,
‘yet all the Acts of the Apostles, Evangelists, and Brethren, touch»-
ing doctrine, or sacraments, or discipline, are precidental to all
Churches in all ages; which, ‘further to evidence in this point,
see Acts 2:. 47, 48. ‘What particular congregation was the Cen—
turion, or his devout soldiers, or his friends of, when Peter bap-
‘tired them? It may be you will say, they were proselytes to the Jew-
ish synagogue. But I believe not; for then had they been circumu

 cised, and then the Christian Jews would not have contended with

Peter for eating with them; [Acts xi. 3.] where the text plainly, ,,

calleth them uncircumcised. And yet when Peter saw they had received
the Holy Ghost, he openly pleadeth for them, v. 47. “Can any man
forbid water, why these should not be baptized that have received
the Holy Ghost as well as well!” And if no man can forbid them the
water of‘ baptism, who then can forbid them the Lord’s Supper? When

‘ 55

“men have received baptism and the Holy Ghost, and have examined
and judged themselves, who can forbid themto eat and drink of the
body and blood of Christ which is given for them, or who can forbid
their children to be baptized! A  A

Your other error requires a book rather than a letter, to answer it.—--

’ You went hence of another judgment, and I am afraid your change hath

sprung from New Plymouth men, whom, thoughl much esteem as godly
and loving Christians, yettheir grounds which they have received for
this tenent from Mr. Robinson, do not justify me, though the man I rev»-
erence as godly and learned. Cyprian of old laboured underalilre
kind of error, yet held his integrity and zeal in the main. His grounds of
dischurching all our congregations are three. First, he saith we want
the matter of a visible Church, which are saints by calling. But I de—
mand where had he, or all they that deny the right hand of fellowship
to us, their calling to be saints, if not in our English congregations?
Say not, all the godly that are begotten here are begotten of adultery,
for God is not wont to bless the bed or adultery* with greater increase
than the bed of married wives. And if Paul justified his calling, to the

ministry and Apostleship from the success of his labours in this kind,

as he cloth 1 Cor. ix. 2; Gal. ii. 7; why may not the saints of God jus-
tify the congregations in which they are called, and in which they find
the power of God’s grace in word and Sacraments to be the Churclies
of God by the alike gracious and ordinary presence of Christ therein?
Saynot, (as he doth) that saints are gathered out of the world; for
though that be true in the first plantation of the Church, yet, jirst, they
that so gather them are the Ministers of Christ. Now if the congre-
gations be no Churches, then are we that preach to them no minis-
ters, and so no likely instruments to be blessed of God in such a
work. uflgain. When men profess themselves to be the Church of God,
and are not, God is not wont to bless the labours of such preachers to

such people, but will rather bless the labours of private Christians

amongst a world of Pagans. What though many scandalous Gospel»
lers be tolerated amongst us? that argueth the neglect of discipline,
not the nullity of a Church. Sardis had but a few names in her, and
the Churches of Corinth and Grallatia hadpsundry scandalous persons
both for life and doctrine, yet are styled by Christ and his Apostles
C’hurchcs, yea and Christ described as walking in the midst of them, as,
praised be his name, he hath not withdrawn his presence from us; and
where he vouchsafeth liispresence, who are we that we should deny
ours? Are we purer than he? ' l i is

"" Var. “ An adultress.’.’

5 .

His second ground is taken from our want of ’ the essential form of
a Church, Which, (as he conceiveth) is a riglit constitution by mutual
Covenantbetween Pastor and people to yield professed subjection to
the Gospel of Christ. Whereto I answer, that such an explicit Cov-
enant is rather a solemn vow to bind the members of the Church
together in nearer fellowship with God and one another, than any such
essential cause of a Church Without which it cannot be : and therefore
we read that in the Church of the Israelites it was often renewed,
whereas their Constitution was set up at the first. Twice was the
Covenant renewed in Moses’ time; afterwards in Asa’s and Joas his

' time, in J osiah’s and N ehemiah’s, &c.: nor have we any mention of

such a Covenant in the N ew Testament, in the first Constitution of any
Church, unless very obscurely, for indeed the nature and definition of
a Church lieth in this, it is ajloclt Q/‘saints, (1) called by Goal into thefeZ'-
lozoslrip of Olmist, (ii) meet"in,g' together in one place, (3) to call upon the
name oftlrc Lord, (4) and to edg7}"~g/ themselves in comrzzurzieating spiritual
gifts, (5) and pct-rl'almIn.g of the ordrlnanccs cy" the Lord. (6) [Acts X. 28 ;
2. 1 Cor. i. ‘2; 23. 1. Cor. i. 9; 4-. 1 Cor. xiv. 23 ; 5. 1 Cor. L2; 1 Tim. ii. 1;
6. 1 Cor. xiv. 13, 31; 1 Cor. xiv. 26.] ‘Where these things are found
there is nothing ‘wantiiig to the nature, essence, or Constitution of a
Church. Nevertheless I easily grant you, such a Covenant is very
requisite to the ivell-bei1ig_ and continuance of a Church; and there-
fore, '[ answer, 8GC07'?;£ll;'Ij, such a Covenant is not so much wanting to
our Churclres as you suppose. For, _first, it is not a vain thing that the
whole State in Parliament, in the beginning of Queen Elizabetlrs reign,
did renounce Popery under a penalty to embrace the Gospel of Christ;
for such a tliirigwas Asa’s Covenant, a law of the chief 1'1’1C‘.1“1"ilJ‘,(-3‘1‘£E3 ofthe
state in the name of the rest. [:2 Chron. xv. 12, 13.] And in this act
of Parliament all the people of the land are conceived (as in other leave)
to give their free consent, because the law-rnal-rers are chosen and ap-
pointed by them. Secondlil 3 neither is it a vain tiring; that geiierally
all the people of the kli11gdOm offer their children unto baptism, and
therein openly profess their repentance and faith, and desire to have
their children baptized in that faith. .’['lz.'£rcll_':/ : in many congregations
the people choose their ministers, and in many others willingly accept
them; wherein is implied a mutual engagement to perform the
duties of minister and people. Fo'wrtlI1;I/5 there be with you (and

C some of them whom you have refused) that can tell you that in some t

congregations in England, the ministers and all the professors amongst
the people have entered into such a Covenant to yield professed subjec-

tion to the Gospel of Christ, so far as they conceive Christ requireth of

them in their ‘places in these times.

57

His third ground is taken from the state of our Church government,
which he reporteth to put a heavy yoke upon God’s “people. What is
amiss in any of them or their ways I will not take upon line. to justify,
but to omit other questions too large for this piece of paper, and to‘ join
issue with him upon his own principles, it is neither a false lnori la
tyrannical government (as he calleth it) of the P1-relates of the -Church,
that can vdisannul the being of a Church. What more anti-«christian
than to set up two Churches? Yet so did the Church of Israel, 
express type, when they admitted two High Priests together, Annas and

Caiaphas. [Luke iii. 2.] And was it not more than a heavy yoke, ,

when the Priests and the Pharisees put upon the people not only their
own traditions, [Math Xxiii. 4.] but also made a law that whosoever

professed the name of Christ should be excommunicated? [John ix. 22.] l

Yet did not Christ communicate with that Church? and send his disci-—
ples to it? [Math xxiii. 3.] yea, and yet called it God’s vineyard?
[Math. xxi. 39.]

I say no more. Reject not the womb that bare you, nor the paps
that gave you suck. Till Christ give us a bill of divorcement, do not
you divorce yourselves from us. i

The Lord Jesus show you as much mercy as he hath done us, and
still doth; and so may he do to you and us more and more forever.

Have pity upon those poor creatures that die amongst you, and (as it
is said) some for lack of necessaries. Call upon the richer sort for a
compassionate heart and hand. We do the like here for yours and
ours as we may.

My Wife and self commend our hearty love to you and all our friends
with you, with your wife. So I rest in much Weakness, yet desirous
of your best comfort. p n J. C.

Boston, October 2,1630.

Nora T.

Dr. COTTON MATIIER observes, “In the beginning of the country
devout Christians had their private meetings wherein they would seek
the face and sing the praise of God, and confer upon some questions of
practical religion, for their mutual edification: and the country is still
full of these little meetings.” Magnalia, Book III. p. 6.

This was written in 1696.

The Young Men’s Society in Dorchester had been supported more
than half a century, when, on the 25th of December, 1698, the members
had their articles of fellowship engrossed on parchment, and subscribed.

8

58

NOTE.

My Brother Pxxmcn has requestedtme to state, that, since the pub-
lication of his Discourse here, he has ascertained that the Sermon
ascribed to Elder BREWSTER, page 17, was by ROBERT CUs1~1MA.N;
and refers, for the authority, to Dr. BELKNA19’s Biography, Vol. II. p.
269 ;- and Dr. E1.Io'J:’s Biographical Dictionary, p. 146.

LIST OF THE FIRST SETTLERS IN DORCHESTER, OR THOSE
WHO WERE INHABITANTS PREVIOUSLY TO 1636.

 

[No'rn. T. R. means the time when the name first appears in the Town
]i'.ec07'ds. F, the time when admitted F'rcomcm.. 0‘ 0'

The first book of‘ C'h'u'r/:’/z. Records was probably carried to Windsor, Con-
necticut, by the Pastor, and those of the Church thaturernoved thither in
1636.

“ On the 24th of'.Tu1y, 1633, a ship arrived ‘From Weymouth in England,
with about 80 passengers, who set down at Dorchester.” These are prob-
ably those which are noted as rnentioned in the T. R. under the years
1634 and 1635.]

 
 

Rev. Jornv Mavnnrorr, came to New England 1630, anddied 3 Feb.
1636, aged 60.

Rev. Jenn VVARPIAM, came hither with Rev. Mr. Maverick anditheir
Church, in 1630; removed in 1635, with part of the Church, to a
place on Connecticut river, which they called Windsor. There he
continued about thirty-four years, till his death, 1 April, 1670.

J01-IN Moonn, came here, as Deacon of the Church, 1630, and removed
to Windsor in 1635. '

WILLIAM Garnonn, the other Deacon of the Church, 1630, removed
also to Windsor. . ‘ 1'

Alcock (George). Mr. Prince, quoting the Roxbury records, remarks, 0 it

that “the people at Roxbury joined to the Church in Dorchester till
God should give them an opportunity to be a Church themselves;
and Mr. George Alcock, who came in 1630, and lived in a godly
sort, was by Dorchester Church chosen a Deacon, especially to regard
the brethren of Roxbury, and after he joins to Roxbury Church is
ordained their Deacon.’1 [Anna1s, Part ‘II. Sec. 2.1). 64.] His wife,
a sister of Mr. I~Ioo1rer, died, 1630. He was aidelegatie in the first
General Court, 14 May, 1634; and died 30 December, 1640.  

60

Allen (John) '1‘. R. 1634.

Andrews (Thomas) T. R. 1635 to 1638. :

Bascom (Tho.) 1630. T. R. 1634. Removed to Windsor.

Benharn (John) 1630. F. 1632.

Biggs (John, Mr.)* 1630; F. 1634. Removed to Boston)‘

Branker (John, Mr.) 1630. F. 1632.

Bursley (John) 1630. F. 1631. Removed to Weyrnouth.

Capen (Bernard) F. 1636; died 8 Nov. 1638, aged '76.

Capen (John) F. 1634; Captain of the Militia; Deacon 1656 ; Repre-
sentative 1671, 16’73———1678, six years. He died 4 April, 1692,
aged 80. J

Clap (Roger) 1630. 13‘. 1634; Captain of the Militia, and of the Castle ;.
Representative of the town 14 years; died 2 Feb. 1691, in his 82d

. . year. Author of interesting .Mem.oo}rs of the first settlement of the

town, in an Appendix to which are Biographical notices of‘ him and
his descendants, by Mr. James Blake. .
Clap (Edward) brother to the Captain, and came over in 1633; was a
‘ Deacon of the Church 26 years; and died January 8, 1664.

Clap (Nicholas) 1634'; Deacon of the Church.

Clap (Thomas) 1634. F. 1638, [brother to Nicholas, and cousin to Capt.
Roger Clap.] Removed to Hingham, and from thence to Scituate,
and died 1684.

Clarke (Thomas): 1630.

J Clarke (J oseph)i 1630. F. 1635.

Clarke (Bray): 1630. '1‘. R. 1634.

Clement (Austin) an It. 1632. c. 1638.

Collicot (Richard) 1630. r. 1633. Representative, 1637. Removedito
Boston, and died in 1686. [See other particulars in Winthrop’s
Journal, V. II. p. 336. Hon. Mr. Savage’s note]

Cooke (Aaron) 1630. '1‘. :a. 1634. I-*. 1635.

Crab (John) 1630. an n. 1632. Removed to Connecticut.

Dimrnocl: (Thomas, Mr.) T. n. 1635---1638.

*.M1-. was a title of distinction in those days.

1‘ Rev. Incarasn MATIIER, in a Sermon published 1677, says, “ Most of
the members of the Second Church in Boston, when first constituted, were
such as did once belong to the Church of Christ in Dorchester.” p. 16.

at A grave stone was erected to the memory of these three brothers, on
which is this Epitaph ;-?- J

 J “ Here lie three Clarke, their accounts are even,
. Entered on earth, carried up.torI-Ieaven.”

61

Denslow (Nicholas, goodinanii) 1630. F. 1633. 1 ,

Dibble (Thomas) 1630. '1‘. n. 1635. in. 1638. Removed to VVindsor.

Duce (Thomas) .'r. n. 1634. ,

Dyer (George) 1630. T. n. 1630. F. 1633.

Eelles (John) T. a. 1635---1638.

Egglestone (Bagot, Mr.) 1630. F. 1631. Removed to Windsor.

Elwell (Robert) T. 11. 1634-—-1638. Removed to Salem.

Fay (Richard) '51‘. n. 1634.

Penn (Benjamin) 1630.1 T. n. 1638. Removed to Connecticut.

Filer (Walter) 1630. Lieutenant. I‘. 1634.

Flood (Joseph) T. n. 1635. '

Ford (Thomas) '1‘. n. 1630. n. 1631. Removed to Windsor.

Foster (Hopestill) 'r. :a. 1635. F. 1636. Captain of the Militia. Repre-
sentative 20 years. ,

French (Stephen) '1‘. a. 1630. 1;‘. 1634. Removed to Weymouth.

Grallope (I"Iu1npl'1rey, Mr.) '1‘. n. 1630. 1

Gibbs (Giles) (1630. 'r. n. 1630. F. 1633.

Gibson (Christopher) 1630. F. 1631. One of the founders of the 2d
Church in Boston. He beqneatlied his property, after the payment
of his debts and legacies, to be invested in some real estate, “ for the
promoting of learning in Dorohester.” It amounted to £104, and
was expended in the purchase, of Samuel Rigby, in 1680, of what is
now called “the School Pasture,” containingabout 536 acres. '”

Gilbert (John, Mr.) 1630. One of the earlysettlers of Taunton. [See
Baylies’ Plymouth, Part II. p. 281.] 1

Gillet (Nathaniel) 1630. '13. n. 1630. F. 1634. Removed to Windsor.

Glover (John, Esq.) 1630. Captain; Representative in 1637, and for
14 years; fir-st who set up tanning in Massachusetts; was Assistant
in 1652 and 1653. [VVinthrop, 1. 46, 212.] He died in January, 1654.
Johnson calls him “a man strong for the truth; a plain, sincere,

, godly man, and of good abilities.” [I~Iist. N. E. p. 109.]
Goyt (John) '1‘. It. 1635. Removed to Marblehead. .
Gornall (John) 1630. A tanner. He left by his Will, dated 19tI1.Nov.

, .1673, the value of £40, out of his tan yard, “ to be put into the 

of some godly and honest man, to be by him loaned, from time to
time, to some poor, honest, and godly mechanick, to assist in setting
him up in business.” 1 1 p 1
Grant (Matthew) 1630. '1‘. n. 1630. F. 1631. Removed to Windsor.
Grreenvvay (John, goodman) 1630. 1-1:. n.1630—--1638. F. 1631.

_..._...._.......

"” Goodman, was the ancient term of respect, usually given to anaged
person. 1

6?

Hall (Nathaniel) T. R. 1634.

I-Iaiinun (William) 1630. T. R. 1635. Removed to Northampton.

Hart (Edmund) 1630. T. ta. 1630. F. 1634.. Removed to Weymouthf.

Hatch (Thomas) T. R. 1635---1638. F. 1634.

Hathorne (William, Mr.) 1630. T. 11.1634. F. 1634. Representative,
May, 1635, and Dec. 1636; removed to Salem, and was Representa-
tive Sept. 1637, and 20 years afterwards; Speaker of the House
1644, and 7 years ; Captain of the Militia 1645; Major 1656; Assist-
ant 1662 to 1679, 18 years; and died about 1681, aged '74. [See
FAnMn:a’s Genealogical Regt'ster.] V ,

Hawes (Richard, Goodman) T. R. 1635---1638. T. 1638.

Hawkins (Thomas) T. R. 1636. C. 1636.“ Captain; Representative 1639 gt

built a Mill on a creel: near the mouth of Neponsett river.

Hayden (William) 1630. T. n. 1630». ~—1.638. 1+‘. 1634. Removed to
Windsor. _ A ‘ A 1

Hill (John, Mr.) T. R. 1634. A J ‘

Holcombe (Thomas) 1630. T.‘ :a. 1634. r. 1634. Removed to Windsor
in 1635. 4

Holland (John) T. R. 1634-1638.

Holley (Joseph) '1".R. 1634.

Holman (John) T. 11. 1634.’

Hosf’ordl(William, Goodman) 1630. T. R. 1633. 12‘. 1634.

Hdskins (John, Goodman) 1630. T. n. 1630. 15‘. 1.631. 1

Hubbard (Wflliam) 1630. T. n. 1630.

Hulbert (William) 1630. F. 1632. Northampton.

Hull (George) 1630. T. n. 1630. F. 1633. Representative to the first

General Court, 14 May, 1634; removed to Connecticut, and was _

elected an Assistant in 1637. [FA.RME'R. , A T
Humphreys (Jonas) arrived 1634, with James, his son.
Jeffrey (Thomas) T. R. 1,635. :5‘. 1634. 
Jenkins (Reynolds) 1630. Removed to Cape Porpus, and was killed
by an Indian in 1632. ' . T
Johnson (Mr.) 1630. Removed to Roxbury.
Jones (Richard) T. R. 1635.
Kinsley (John) T. R. 1635.
Knight (John, Mr.) T. 11. 1634.

 Leavitt (John) T. n. 1634. Removed to I-Iingham.
Lovell (1/Villiam, Captain) 1630. T. R. 1630., After him, Lovel1’s Island,

in our harbour, received its name.
Ludlow (Roger, Esq.) 1630. T. R. 1630. Was an Assistant four years,
until 1634,when he was elected Deputy Governour. He removed
with the first emigraiits to Winclsor; was an Assistant in Con~

63

necticut in 1636, and also Deputy Governour; removed to Fairfield
in 1639, and in 1654 went to Virginia, where he is supposed to have
died. 'I‘he first code of laws of the Colony of Connecticut was com-
piled by him. [FARMEIR., and comp. E:r.rocr’s Bigor. Dictionary.

Marshall (Thomas) T. R. 1634.

Mason (John, Captain) 1630. '1‘. R. 1634. :9. 1635. Representative in
1635 and 1636; removed tb Windsor, was elected a Magistrate from
1642 to 1659; removed to Saybrook in 1647, and to Norwich in
1659; was elected Deputy Governour in 1660 and the 9°succeeding
years; was Major General, and died at Norwich in 1672 or 1673,
aged 72. [F.A.RMER.

Miller (Alexander) 1630. ’1".R.. 1638. F. 1638.

Miller (Thomas) '1‘. R. 1635.

Minot (George) 1630. in 1634. Representative in 1635 and 1636; Rul-—
ing Elder of the Church 30 years; and died 24th December, 1671,
aged 78. 4

Mose1ey* (John) 1630. c. 1638.

Moseley (Henry) 1630.

Newbury (Thomas, Mr.) 1630. 1*. It. 1634.

Newton (John) 1630. '1‘. n. 1632. ,

Niles (John) '13. n. 1634-“-1638. Removed to Braintree.

Parker (James, Mr.) 1*. R. 1630. iv. 1634. Removed to Weymouth, and
was the Representative‘ from 1639 to 1643. Being a preacher, he
received a call to settle at Portsmouth, which he declined. He left
N. E. and Went to Barbadoes, whence he wrote, in 1646, a letter to
Gov. Winthrop, vvhich is in I~Iutchinson"s Coll. 1.55-4.58. [Fnruanrt.

Parkman (Elias) 1635. 'r. n. 1635. Removed to Windsor 1636; but after-
wards became aninhabitant of Boston.

Phelps (George) 1630. 'r. R. 1630. r. 1635. Went to Windsor‘.

Phelps (Samuel) 1630. Removed to Windsor.  .

Phelps (William) 1630. F. 163.1. Representative 1634; removed to
Windsor, and was elected a Magistrate in 1636. .

Phillips (John) 1630. F. 1632. Was one of the founders of the second
Church in Boston. r 

Pierce (John) 1630. F. 1631. T. 1.. 1631.

Pierce (Robert) 1630. y :

Pinney (Humphrey, Mr.) 1630. T. R. 1630. F. 1634. Went to Windsor.

Pitcher (Andrew) T. R. 1634. 4 '

Poole (William, Mr.) 1630. Town Clerk 10 years; and often a School
Master; died 24th Feb. 1674, aged 81. See his Epitaph, Written by

"" Sometimes spelled Mcmdeslsy.

64

himself, in Hist. Coll. V. II. p. 9; and his character, Hist. Coll. IX.
p. 193. I

Pomroy (Eltweed) 1630. T. n. 1630. F. 1633.

Pope (John) T. R. 1634. F. 1634.

Pope (Richard) F. 1635.

Preston (William) T. R. 1635.)

Purchase (Oliver) 1633. T. n. 1634. Removed to Lynn, which he rep-
resented for 13 years, from 1660, the last time in 1689; was elected
an Assistant in 1685, but declined taking the oath. I-Ie removed, it
is believed, to Concord, in 1691, where he died 20th Nov. 1701, aged
88. [FARMEr.. .

Rainsford (Edward) T. :a. 1633. F. 1637’. Brother of Lord Chief‘ Justice
Rainsford; removed to Boston, and was Elder of the Church; an
island ‘in our harbour named, for him. I

Randall (Abraham) 1630. Removed to Windsor.

Rawlins (Thomas) T. R. 1634. Removed to Weymouth.

Raymond (Edward) 1630. T. R. 1630.

Rendall (Philip, Goodman) F. 1634. Removed to Windsor.

Richards (Thomas, Mr.) 1630. T. R. 1630.

Rocket (Richard) T. R. 1635. Removed to Braintree.

Rossiter (Bray, Mr.) 1630. T. a. 1630. Removed to Windsor 1635.

Sandford (Thomas, Goodman) T. R. 1634. F. 1637.

Sension (Matthias) F. 1634.

Sheldon (Isaac) 1634. Removed to iWindsor.

Smith (John, Mr.) 1630. T. 11. 1630.

Southcot (Richard, Captain) 1630. T. R. 1630.

Stokes (Henry) T. :a. 1635.

Stoughton (Israel, Mr.) 1630. T. It. 1633. F. 1633.’. 1 Representative

. from 1634 to 1636; member of the Artillery Company 1637', its Cap-
tain in 1642; elected Assistant in- 1637, and the seven succeeding
years. He returned to England, was a Lieut. Colonelito Rainsboiu
row," and died in the time of the civil wars, at Lincoln, in England.
iWil1iam Stoughton, Lieutenant Governour, «Sac. was his son.
[FA.aMnR. I

Stoughton (Thomas) 1630. F. 1631. T. n. 1631. Removed to Windsor.

Strange (George) T. n. 1634. Removed to Hingham.

Swift (Thomas) T. R. 1634. F. 1635.

Talbot (Joshua) T. R. 1635.

Terry (Stephen, Mr.) 1630. T. a. 1630. F. 1631. Removed to Windsor.
Thornton (Thomas, Goodman) 1630. T. a. 1634. Removed to.Windsor.
Tilley (John, Mr.) 1630. T.:a. 1633. F.  Killed. by the Pequot

Indians.

.65

Tolman ('1‘ho1nas)

Tuthill (Francis) '1‘. r.. 163-1. -

Upsall (Nicholas) '1‘. n. 1634. [See account of‘ him in FAR.M:eB.’s Re-

gt"ste»r°.] I

Vose (Richard) 1630. Removed to ‘Windsor.

Vose (Robert) 1635. Milton.

'Wade (Robert, Goodman) '1‘. R. 1635.

Way (Henry) 1630. '1‘. R. 1630. Died in 1667’, aged 84.
Whitfielcl (John) 1630. 'r. n. 1630. Removed to VVindsor..
Wilton (David) '1‘. n. 1633. F. 1633.

Wlllcllell (Robert) '1‘. R. 1.635.

 

As there is no list remaining of origi11a1 settlers, I cannot presume
that the foregoing is perfect. It is compiled from the Town Records,
where naines are incidentally mentioned, i'ro1n Records of the General
Court, and fronl Family Genealogies; and by collating  these with
the Genealogical .Re_.g'ieter, published by Mfr. FARIVITER. After all, there
were undoubtedly persons whose names are not inserted.

List, from the Town Records, of Inhabitants in Dorchester,
1637, among whom the land on the Neck, (since called South
Boston) was divided. Consisting of those of the original
settlers who remained after‘ the removal of some to Windsor,
and of those who arrive<.l with Rev. Mr. MA’EIlER, in 1635.

Andrews (Thotmas). . _ Collicot (Ricliard).
Atherton (Mr. Irluxnpluoy). Deoble (Robert).
Bates (Mr. James). Dickerman (Thomas).
Be1lingham(Mr.) v Dimmock (Thomas).
Benharn (John). Duncan (Nathaniel).
Biggs (Mrs.) J Dyer (George).
Blake (William). Eelles (John).
Bullock (Edward). ' Elwell (Robert).
Butler (Mr. Nicholas). r Farnsworth (Joseph).
Capen (Bernard). Fenn (Benjamin).
Capen (John). Flood (Joseph).

Clap (Edward). Foster (Widow).
Clap (Nicholas). Gibson (Christopher).
Clap (Roger). Gilbert (Mr.)
Clement (Austin). Glover (Mr. John).

9

Greenway (John).
Hatch (Thomas).
lrlathorne (Mr.) house.
Hayden (John)

Hawes (Richard).
Hawvlzins (M12)

Hill (John).

Holland (John).
I-Iohnan (John).

Hull (John).
Humphreys (Jonas).
Hutchinson (Mr.)
Jones (Richard).

Jones (Thomas).
Knight (Mr.)
Kinnersley (Tho.) _
Kinsley (John).
Lambert (Thomas).
Lane (Wi1lia1n, Goodman).
Malcepeace (Mr. Thomas).
Martin (M12)

Matl1er (Mr.) [ReV. Richard].

Miller (Alexander).
Miller (John).

Millet (Thomas).
Minot (Mr. George).
Moore (John).
Munnings (Edward).
Newbury (Mr.) _
Niles (John).

Parker (Mr.)
Phillips (John).
Pierce (John).

(36

Pierce (Robert).
Pitcher (Andrew).
Pope (John).
Preston (Willia1r1).
Price (Daniel).
Proctor (Geor-ge).
Purchase (VVidoW).
Read (Williarn).
Richards (Thomas).
Rigby (Joseph).
Sarnford (Thomas).
Sension (Matthew).
Smed (VVidow).
Smith (John).
Stoughton (l.\’I1‘.)
Sumner (Willian1).
Swift (Thomas).
Upsall (Nicholas).
Wade (Richmrd).
‘Wales (Nathaniel).
‘Nay (George).
Way (Henry).
'VVeel~:s (George).
Whitcoinb (John).
VVhite (Edward).
Whitfield (Mix) house.
Wlritman (1V.[r.)
‘Wilkins (Bray).
Wiswall (Thomas).
‘Withington (Mr.)
Wriglrt (Henry).
Wriglrrt (Riclmrd).

EARLY SETTLERS NOT

NAMED ON THE li’R.ECEDlNGr
LISTS.

Baker (Richard) Church member. 1639. .1». 164:2.

Billings (Roger)
Bird (Thomas)
Blackman (John)

Breck (Edward) Member of th

e Clhurch, 1636. 1-“. 1637:3335.

6'7

Davenport (Thomas) Member of the Church, 1640. re. 1642.

Holden (Nathaniel) R

Howe (John &. Abraham)

Leeds (Richard) Member of the Church in 1636.

Robinson (Williani) 1636.

Tilestone (Thomas) '1‘. R. 1637’.

Trott (Thomas)

Wiswall (John) F. 1636. Representative 1646; Deaconof the Church‘;
removed to Boston, and was Elder of the First Church, 20 July, 1664;
and died 17 Aug. 1687, aged 86.

BAPTISMAL NAMES FROM THE EARLY CHURCH RECORDS.

Males. Females.
Constant. Amity.
Comfort. Christian.
Consider. I-Iope.

M Dependence. Repent.
Desire. ) Rest.
Freegrace. R Thankfhl.
Friend. Virtue.
Hopestill. ‘ Waitawhile.
Increase. . Waitstill.
(Praise-ever.

Preserved.
Purchase.
Rejoice.
Remember.
Return.
Standfast.
True-cross.
Unite.
Vigilance.

Watching.