the inhabitants, and where the same families reside year after year. At the close of 1814, the church numbered one hundred and eightyfive. *

The next general revival, under the ministry of Mr. Miner, commenced in the autumn of 1822. The record of baptisms commences with September 28th, and extends to April 6th, 1823. Most of the members, now in the meridian of life, were received in this revival. Its hallowed seasons of prayer, its baptisms and communions, are still in fresh and sweet remembrance. Then we often sang, as we still sing, when our thoughts wander back to this bright and happy period,

'Jesus sought me when a stranger

Wandering from the fold of God.'

With many of us, these were the days of childhood. But they left an impression upon our hearts which I trust neither time nor eternity will ever efface. It was the first bright spot in our existence, the enkindling of the spiritual life within us, the lighting up in our young, yet benighted minds, of the hope of immortality.

* See Appendix, letter G.

Of the numerous subjects of this work, the greater part remain until the present time, but some have fallen asleep. By this revival the church received an accession of fifty-one members, making the whole number two hundred and thirty-one.

February 14th, 1824, deacon Nathan Chapman died, having been a faithful member of the church, forty years. He came like a shock of Of him it may

corn fully ripe to the harvest.

truly be said, that he used the office of a deacon well, purchased to himself a good degree and great boldness in the faith.' He was succeeded in the deaconship by his son, Smith Chapman, who was ordained May 18th, 1826.†

In October, 1828, another awakening commenced, and continued through the following winter. It was not, however, as extensive as the one preceding it. Twenty-seven were added by baptism.

In 1830, the old house in which the fathers first worshipped having become dilapidated, and in many respects inconvenient, the present neat and commodious house was erected

* See Appendix, letter H. † See Appendix, letter I.

and dedicated, to the service of Almighty God, with appropriate religious exercises. The sermon was preached by elder John Gano Whightman.

In the latter part of the summer of 1831, another revival commenced, from which twenty-five were gathered into the church, making the aggregate number two hundred and thirtytwo. We have now come down to the close of Mr. Miner's ministry, as the pastor of this church. It terminated March 15th, 1834, embracing a period of twenty years; and, though briefer than either of his predecessors', yet it appears long, when placed by the side. of our modern system of pastoral itinerancy. From its rise up to this period, the church had enjoyed, from year to year, the steady, unbroken ministrations of the pastoral office. During ninety-one years it had but four pastors, and under their labors, had advanced from a state of the most extreme feebleness, to comparative strength and prosperity.*

The ministry of Mr. Miner, compared with that of his predecessors, was very successful.

* See Appendix, letter J.

This may have arisen, partly from the increase of population, and partly from a more general diffusion of a revival spirit in the churches, towards the close of his labors.

His preaching, however, especially as embracing a compass of twenty years, was very effective. His discourses were rich in doctrinal, experimental, and practical truth, commingled and combined, in a manner unusually interesting and instructive. In his doctrinal views, he was thoroughly evangelical, and, like his predecessors, decidedly calvinistic. His sermons were often marked by a range of thought, and strength of sentiment, truly astonishing in a man of so limited literary advantages. It hence required close attention, at times, to follow him; and on this account he was regarded by some as dry and uninteresting, but to the attentive, thinking hearer he was always instructive.

That he had imperfections, is doubtless more than probable; but even these were constitutional, rather than moral, occasional, rather than habitual. He was subject to a depression of mind, which induced a distrustfulness, painful in the extreme to himself, and sometimes

embarrassing to his brethren.

But from this, he would soon recover, and exhibit his wonted cheerfulness and usual good nature. He was a good man, strong in the faith,' at times full of the Holy Ghost,' and under his ministry 'much people were added to the Lord.'

The year following the dismission of Mr. Miner, the church enjoyed another season of refreshing; forty-five were received by baptism. During the years 1834, 1835, 1836, and 1837, the church was destitute of a pastor.

In the autumn of 1837 another awakening commenced, and as the fruit of it forty precious souls were gathered into the fold of Christ. In the absence of a pastor during these years, 'the oversight of the flock' devolved chiefly upon the deacons, namely, Samuel Peabody and Smith Chapman; and of the fidelity, with which they met this responsibility, the prosperity of the church, while under their care, is the best proof. During the year 1838, the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Benjamin N. Harris ; in 1839 by Rev. Cyrus Miner. April 1st, 1840, Rev. Charles Randall became the pastor of the church; under his ministry during this year, thirty-six were added by baptism.