Haggai 1: 7, 8. While the pres

April 1788; and the last sermon was from The house was occupied nearly 54 years. ent house was in building, public worship was performed 32 sabbaths in the hall of Phillip's Academy. The new house, 70 feet long, 54 wide with a porch in front and at each end, was raised may 26th and 27th, and completed and pews all sold, so that the first time of assembling for public worship was on Lord's day, Dec. 7, 1788; and the sermon on the occasion was from John 10: 22, 23, by the Pastor.

1792, June, Samuel Abbot Esq. presented a bell of 1100 pounds weight for the use of the meeting house.

1798, March, Voted to procure a Hearse. Before this it was customary to bear the dead to the grave on the shoulders on a bier.

Mr. French died suddenly June 28, 1809, after a faithful and successful ministry of 37 years, in the 70th year of his age.

It was voted, that the Parish will be at the expense of the funeral of the Rev. Jonathan French; procure mourning for the family; that suitable provision be made for the bearers, and other clergymen who attend the funeral, and the friends of the deceased. Also that Mrs. French have the use of the parsonage buildings till April, and that she have the crops of the present year; to continue Mr. French's salary to the 1st of April next; and to give Mrs. French 12 cords of fire wood, and more if necessary. Much affection and respect subsisted between Mr. French and his people. The assembly on the Sabbath was full; there were very few dissentients from the Parish; good order prevailed; and very few difficulties arose to disturb the edification and peace of the church. During a century, which included the ministry of two pastors only, no troubles arose in the Parish to render it necessary or

expedient to call for the advice of a council.

Much effect was given to the ministry by the influence and example of leading members of the Society.

Baptisms from 1773 to 1812 inclusive, were 1449; communicants admitted to the church during the same time were 771.

1809, Sept. A day was set apart for fasting and prayer previous to settling a gospel minister.

The Parish heard a number of candidates, and invited Mr. G. Spring, Mr. G. S. Olds, and Rev. A. Hooker to settle, but without success.

1812, Aug. 10. The Parish concurred with the church in calling Mr. Justin Edwards to settle in the work of the gospel ministry, and voted a salary of $900 annually, and the use of the parish pew, for his support.

He con

1812, Dec. 2. Mr. Edwards was ordained. tinued to labor in the ministry till 1827, October 1st; when at his own request he was dismissed; and on the first of Jan. 1828 was installed the first minister of a new church in Boston.

Confession of Faith and Covenant, adopted by the South Church in Andover, 1812.

1. You believe in one only living and true God; the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and that it is the duty of all intelligent creatures, to love and obey him.

2. You believe that the Bible is the word of God; that it was given by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost; and is the sufficient and only rule of faith and practice.

3. You believe that God created man upright; you believe the fall of man, the depravity of human nature, and that men, unless they are born again, can never see the kingdom of God.

4. You believe in the incarnation, obedience, suffering, and death of Christ; his resurrection, and ascension; that

he alone, by his suffering and death, hath made atonement for sin; and that he ever liveth to make intercession for us.

5. You believe that Christ hath appointed two special ordinances, viz. Baptism and the Lord's Supper; that baptism is to be administered to unbaptized adults, who profess their faith in Christ, and to infant children of members of the church.

6. You believe the future existence of the soul; that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked-a day of final judgment; that all will receive according to their works, that the wicked will go away into everlasting punishment, and the righteous into life eternal.

COVENANT. You now, humbly and penitently asking the forgiveness of all your sins, through the blood of the great Redeemer, give up yourself to God, in an everlasting covenant, in our Lord Jesus Christ; and as in the presence of God, angels, and men, you solemnly promise, that by the assistance of the Holy Spirit, you will forsake the vanities of this present evil world, and approve yourself a true disciple of Jesus Christ, in all good carriage toward God, and toward man.

And you likewise promise, so long as God shall continue you among us, to walk in communion with the church of Christ in this place; to watch over other professing christians among us; to submit to the power and discipline of Christ in his church, and duly to attend to the seals and the censures, or whatever ordinance Christ has commanded to be observed by his people, so far as the Lord, by his Word and Spirit has, or shall, reveal to you to be your duty; adorning the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things, and avoiding the appearance of evil; and by daily prayer to Almighty God in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, you will seek for grace to keep this covenant.

The baptisms from 1813 to 1827 inclusive, were 509,

and members during the same time admitted to the church were 268.

Mr. Milton Badger, from Coventry, Con. was employed to preach as the first candidate, and was soon invited to settle as successor of Dr. Edwards, with a salary of $730 annually, and was ordained Jan. 3, 1828.

1815. A vestry was built by individuals.

1820, Dec.

Stoves were ordered to be placed in the meeting house for the purpose of warming it.

1810. An act of the Legislature was obtained authorizing the sale of the parsonage lands, and requiring the property to be committed to the care and management of seven Trustees, who are accountable to the parish; the income of the property to be applied for the support of the ministry. -The amount of the funds at the present time, 1828, is $15,000.

1812, March 5. Samuel Abbot, Esq. presented a clock to the Parish for the use of the meeting house; and on the 18th of the same month, he gave the church $500, the income of which he directed to be distributed among the poor of the church under the direction of the minister and deaThe Rev. Samuel Phillips had made a donation of £100 lawful money, for the same benevolent purpose.

cons.

Church Plate. 1801. Five silver tankards were purchased by the church, and one presented by an unknown friend; three silver tankards belonged to the church before. 1802. Two Flagons were presented to the church, one by the direction of the late Hon. S. Phillips, and the other by Samuel Abbot, Esq., the cost of both $218, 10.—–1810, A tankard was presented to the church by direction of the late Deacon Joshua Holt.-1812. A tankard was presented by Samuel Abbot, Esq.

THE WEST PARISH, taken from the South Parish in consequence of increased population, was incorporated March, 1827.

The West Church, with the consent and approbation of the South Parish and Church, was organized, December 5, 1826, with the same confession of faith and covenant as is used in the South Church. The Deacons elected were Zebadiah Abbot, Solomon Holt, and Ebenezer Lovejoy.

In 1826, a meeting house was built of granite, 64 feet by 52, 25 feet post. It was dedicated December 26, 1826.

Mr. Samuel C. Jackson was invited, April 3, 1827, to settle in the ministry on a salary of $600, and was ordained 6 June following.