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ture and religion; the design of which was, to distribute to the various sects, a certain amount of surplus revenue.

February 1st, 1817, as the records state, the church met for the purpose of expressing their opinion concerning this act, and, after some consultation, unanimously agreed in disapproving it; and passed several resolutions, which were forwarded for publication to one or more of the public newspapers in this state. The law went into effect. But this church, true to the great principles of our ecclesiastical policy, resisting with a becoming jealousy all overtures from the civil power, persevered in their hostility to the act.

Hence, March 11th, 1820, the church and society met and passed the following resolution. Resolved, that we do not wish to receive our part of the money granted to the Baptist denomination by the legislature of this state.

We admire this stern integrity, this indomitable fidelity to the great principles of religious purity and freedom. This church knew too well, the baneful effects of state patronage, to be tempted into so unholy an alliance. The history of her early sufferings therefrom was not entirely forgotten, and though there might be no apparent, no real danger, yet would she not be tempted to violate in practice one of the most vital principles of her religious constitution.

H.

We cannot forbear to mention in this place, the name of Ralph I. Brown. He was baptized September 29th, 1822. He early devoted himself to the work of the ministry; had entered upon a course of study; when his life was suddenly terminated, October 27th, 1833. The particulars of his brief life, and of his happy, triumphant death, have been sketched with vivid truthfulness, in a little volume by the Rev. Bradley Miner.

I.

It has always been the custom of this church in the ordination of deacons, to have them examined by a council, concerning their religious experience, views of doctrine, &c. &c. &c. Nor can we regard this as unnecessary. The office of a deacon is responsible, influential, important, and men ought by no means to be admitted to it, of whose soundness in the faith, we have not the most satisfactory proof. It is believed, that one prolific source of difficulty in our churches, is to be found in the hasty, informal admission of men to this responsible station.

If anywhere in the church, we need men of strong minds, clear heads, and good hearts, we need them here. It has thus far been the good fortune of this church to have men of this stamp in this office.

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The Deacons who have served the church, are as follows:

ALLEN BREED,

NATHAN RANDALL,

NATHAN CHAPMAN,

SAMUEL PEABODY,

SMITH CHAPMAN,

REUBEN CHAPMAN,
AARON THOMPSON,
SANFORD MAIN,

PAUL GREEN.

The last four are the present deacons.

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The following individuals are supposed to have been among the first members of the church. Their names are found in the old deed of the lot of land upon which their first meeting-house was built.

JONATHAN BIRCH,
JOSHUA HOLMES,
THOMAS MAINE,

JOSHUA RATHBUN,

WILLIAM PALMER.

The lot was given by DANIEL BROWN and

THOMAS HOLMES.

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