trate, is said to have besought him with tears, not to give judgment against so innocent and holy a man ; but the influence of the clergy, and the clamors of a set of bigoted gentry, who declared that his preaching was not according to law, prevailed; and he was sentenced to pay a fine of twenty shillings, or receive ten lashes at the whipping post. The fine he could not pay, and he was taken to the place of punishment; but while the constable was preparing to inflict the stripes, Mr. Morse is said to have addressed him thus: 'Well, my friend, I suppose you must do your duty, but remember that when you strike me, you strike one of God's dear children.' The simplicity and tenderness with which he spoke, drew tears from the stout-hearted man, and he refused to execute the barbarous penalty, pronounced the law unjust, reproached the court for cruelty, and with a truly noble generosity, paid the fine, and released the innocent sufferer.

On another occasion, as he was preaching, a clergyman came in, put his hand upon his mouth, and commanded a man who accompanied him to strike him.

At another time, while preaching in the south part of the town, two men rushed in, and with violent blows brought him to the floor. When he had recovered a little, he looked upon them, and said, 'My friends, if you die natural deaths, the Lord hath not spoken by me.' The word of the Lord was not in vain. Both perished in the deep.

At another time, while engaged in prayer, he was knocked down, dragged by the hair down a flight of steps into the street, and was there beaten in the most inhuman manner. A gash on his face was laid open so deep, that he carried the scar to his grave.

On another occasion, the house where he was preaching, was surrounded by a gang of the elite and fashionable of the town, who had bound themselves by an oath that they would kill him whenever he came out. His wife and friends entreated him with tears, not to commit himself to the infuriated rabble. But he replied, 'what mean ye to weep and to break my heart!' Accordingly, he went out, and finding the mob armed with clubs, he lifted up his hands and began to pray for his enemies. The result was, they were confounded and subdued, and some, convinced of their wickedness in persecuting so good a man, begged his pardon and retired.

We speak not of these things in this place to enkindle resentment, much less to excite an unholy prejudice, towards any portion of the existing evangelical church; but as matters of history; as incidents full of interest to ourselves, and of instruction to others.

It is surely a matter of no small importance to us to know minutely these incidents of our early historythese sufferings, through which our fathers passed, in procuring for us, the high immunities of religious

freedom, in transmitting to us in their purity the precious doctrines and ordinances of the gospel.

They were engaged in a mighty struggle with a dominant, but nominal church. They fought the battle well, achieved a glorious victory, and we enjoy the fruits. But let us never forget that the weapons of their warfare were spiritual, and were, therefore, mighty through God, to the pulling down of the strong holds of Satan, both in church and state. It was by a simple 'manifestation of the truth, commending themselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God,' that they obtained these splendid victories. Through faith they overcame the world, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, and turned to flight the armies of the aliens.'

In despite of all opposition, Mr. Morse continued his labors in this town with great success; the truth prevailed, converts were multiplied, and the feeble church was strengthened and increased.

D.

In 1782, is found the first record of the appointment of messengers to the Association. Yet, as appears from the manuscript minutes of that body, it held its fifth annual session with this church, October 2d, 1775.

The association was formed in Lyme, October

7th, 1772. At its session in 1775, in Groton, the pastor of this church was chosen moderator. The primary design of the association, seems to have been to settle certain existing difficulties, and to unite the churches, upon some general principles of faith and discipline. Hence at their first session they recommended to the churches, to adopt the English Baptist confession of faith, and the minutes of the following year show, that it was generally complied with.

They say as follows: The delegates made returns, that the churches generally acquiesced in the doings of the last association, namely: not to covenant and build with Congregational members that hold to the practice of infant sprinkling, nor to commune with them at the Lord's table; and also to adopt the English Baptist articles.

In the minutes of the same year the following record is found: Some mention was made that elder Eliezer Brown, had a member in his church that communed with those who were only sprinkled for baptism, which was a grief to the association, and they requested elder Brown, to let his church know, that they requested a reformation in this matter.' Yet no notice is found of this, in the records of the church. It was doubtless an exception to their general practice, though it is by no means certain, that the church did not, during a few of the first years of its existence, allow this mixed communion.

E.

Mr. Palmer at this time, resided in Preston, and maintained public worship in his own house. He gathered a small congregation, baptized a number of individuals, who placed themselves under the watch care of this church. There is now in Preston a flourishing Baptist church.

F.

It is interesting to notice the doings of the associations of these times, as they throw light upon the prevailing sentiments of the churches, relative to many interesting questions.

In the minutes of this year, the twelfth item is as follows. In answer to a question proposed by Joshua Morse, respecting the validity of baptism, administered by a person who had never been himself baptized, nor yet ordained, it was replied, that under the present circumstances of the church, such baptism is deemed null and void. In 1790, the association met with the Second Baptist Church in this town. The introductory sermon was preached by the venerable Isaac Backus, from 1 Samuel, xxii. 1, 2.

G.

In October, 1816, the legislature of Connecticut passed an act entitled an act for the support of litera