Plymouth County, Massachusetts - Chapter 6 (1 of 3 so headed), 1884

Second Congrej^ational Society - Rev. Jobn Goldsbary - New Jurusiileui Cliurcb - -Act of Incorporation - Descii|»tion of tbo New Cliureb Teiuijle - Kcv. Warren (.ioildaril, Rev Henry E. (juddurd - Or^^anization for IS.Sl - Quakeri or Frieiida - St. I'atrieli'a Uuaian Caihidic Church - Bethcsda Swedish I,utlieian Cfmreh, Cauipeilo - Swedish livanj^eiical Independent (Jburch, Cauipcllo - Kirst Univursaliat Churcli and Society - l''ir?t liaplist Church - First IMethodidt Episcopal So.;iety - Central Jleiliodi.-it Episcopal Society - Methodist Episcopal Cliurch at Cauipello.

Second Congregational Society. - During the year 1821 luauy of the njcnihers of the First Con- ;:rej;uticinal Church, under the pastoral care of Rev. Daniel Huntington, becoming disaatisfied with the views of their pastor, and entertaining different views of Christian doctrines, especially on the doctrine of the Trinity, the native character of man, divinity and atonement of Christ, regeneration, and other kindred views of the go.spel, petitioned the General Court to be incorporated into a separate society, which petition was granted in the following words, which we copy verbatim :

*' i?e /( enavUd hi/ the Seiuile and I/oule of liepreHentutiveu in General Citurt AnneniLUd and bi/ the authority ff the Same. " Tliat .Abiel Kinsman, Micah Paeluird, David Colib, Jr., Nathan Ilayward, (iideon Howard, David Packard, Marcus Sliuw, Jesso Packard, Joliu Battle:*, Hiram Atherton, Nabum J. Smith, Newton Sliaw, Anthony S. Allen, Edwin Keitb, W'aahburn Packard, Asa liiett. Hervey Hersey, Sauiuel Thu^'Cr, Samuel Howard, EIi])balet Tbjiycr, Oliver Sncll, Jr., Zeba Thayer, Sihun Packard, Jr., ApoUas Howard, Welcome Howard, Caleb Howard, Jr., A:£or Packard, Siuieun Dunbar, Nathaniel II. Cross, Jo>epli S. I'ackard, Joseph D. Snell, Zcnas Packard, Jr., Stilltnan Willis.Silas ."^now, Silas Snow, Jr., John Curtis, Ilosca Packard, .^sa Shaw, Samuel Packard, William Curtii, Jr., Isajic Packard, Isaac Uichards, John Field, Zophar Field, Austin Ilowaid, Jo.siah W.Cuitis, Itichmoiid Carr, Otis Howard, David Edson (:id), Luke P. Lincoln, Tbomus Iloynolds, Aid Ucyuolds, Oliver Sncll. Isaac Snell, Jeremiah Snell, James J.. 'zanders, Daniel Itryant, Ala Battles, .Vliijah Childs, Thomas White, Thomas White, Jr., Arza Leonard, .luhn White, with tlieirfatiiilies and estates, lo^ilber with such others as may hereafter a.>.^ociatc with them and their successors, be, and they are hereby incurpmatcd into a Society by the name of tlic 'Second O"n;;regational Society' in the town of North Iirid;,'ewatcr, with all tile Powers, piivilcj^es, and iiiiuiiinilies which cither reli"- ious societies in this Commouwealth are by law entitled to, and may purchase, receive by gilt, or otberwiae real estate to the value of which. Shall not exceed the sum of Eight Thou^^und Dollars.

About this time land was purchased of Micah Faxon for a church. This was located on a rising spot of ground, south of the present pubiic-liouse, and near " Kingman's Brick Block." A house was erected, which was dedicated Aug. 9, 1S2G, with appropriate services, as follows: Ititroductory prayer and reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. John Pierpoiit, of Boston ; dedicatory prayer, by Rev. lilliphalet Putter, D.D., of Roxbury, Mass. ; sermon, by Rev. Benjamin Iluiitoon, of Providence, 11. I., from the text. Acts xxiv. 14; "But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they cull heresy, so worship I tlio God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law, and in the prophets;" concluding prayer, by Rev. James Kendall, D.D.. of Plymouth ; benediction, by Rev. Richard M. Hodges, of Bridgtrwater.

Rev. John Gold.sbury, of Warwick, Mass., received an invitation to become their ptistor, and, accepting of the same, he was ordained Wednesday, June 6, 1827, with the following services: 1, introductory prayer and reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. J. P. B. Storer, of Walpole, Mass. ; 2, sermoo, by Rev. Luther Hamilton, of Taunton, Mass. ; 3, ordaining prayer, by Rev. John Reed, D.D., of West Bridgewater, Mass. ; 4, charge to the pastor, by Rev. Eliphalet Porter, D.D., of Roxbury, Mass.; 5, right hand of fellowship, by Rev. Ezra S. Gannett, D.D., of Boston ; 6, address to the people, by Rev. John Pierpont, of Boston ; 7, concluding prayer, by Rev. Hetiry Edes, D.D., of Providence, R.I. The pleasaiitiie.ss of the day, and the deep interest in the occa.siun, caused the house to be thronged. The sermon was from text, John xviii. 37 : " To this end was I born, and fur this cau.se came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth."

The sermon oo that occasion was exceedingly iiiteresiiug and very judicious, dwelling at some letigth on the simplicity of the truth which the Christiati teacher is required to inculcate. Among the many things noticed were the difficulties of a Christian uiinistry, - the indifference to truth prevalent in the world, the prejudices of opinion that hinder the reception of truth, and the disposition among men to mystify and obscure the plainest princi|ileb. The charge to the pastor, by Rev. Dr Porter, was listened to with peculiar interest, from his filial allusion to one under whose ministry many of this society had formerly sat, - Rev. John Porter, father of Rev. Eliphalet Porter. D.D , of Roxbury, Mass.

Rev. John Goldbbury was born in Warwick, Mass.. Feb. 11, 1795 ; fitted for college at different .schools and academies, and under private instiuetiou ; gradu- ated at Brown University in 1820; cummenced tlie study of divioity at Harvard Collesje in 1821, under Professors Ware, Norton, and Willard ; taught in Taunton Acadeujy several years; was ordained in North Bridgewater Wednesday, June 6, 1827, where he remained till Sept. 4, 1831 ; and resided in Warwick, Mass., where lie died.

New Jerusalem Church. - The knowicdp:e of the "New Church" doctrines was introduced into this part oi' the country by the Rev. Holland Weeks, of Abinmon, Mass., who was distuissed from his society in that town about the year 1820 for having become a believer in them, which circumstance created no little excitement uc the time, and was the means of inducin^i some others to look into the subject, and to become believers themselves. The first society of receivers of the doctrines in this place was formed in 1827, and consisted of ten members, namely, Sidney Perkins, Nathaniel B. Harlow, William French, Martin Beal, Jubez Field, John Field, of North Bridgewater, Isaiah Noyes, Daniel Noyes, Elisha Faxon, and Austin Cobb, of Abington. In 1828 the number had inoieased to twenty. During that year a hall was Btted up in the house of Jabez Field, to hold public meetings. Rev. Eleazer Smith preached for them once a month, from 1827 to 1831, and afterwards every Sabbath, till 183-1. In 1831 the hall owned by Maj. Nathan Hayward was occupied by the society for meetings, and, still later, the building previously used by the Second Congregational Society, or better known as the " Unitarian meeting-house." Also the hall over the hotel, then kept by Edward E. Bennett. In 1832 the society petitioned the Legislature for an act of incorporation as a religious society, which was granted, as may be seen by the following act, dated March 3, 1832, and styled, -

"Tli:it Jubei KielJ, Lucius Fic'lJ, Juiik-s A. Tulmiin, Ruel RichuiuKil, Uoliert Stixi'lard, Nahuui Suiitli, llufus Dorr, Orvillc ILiiiJv, Win.-luiv U. Cu^jbmuu, Juuu lluuiplircy, William Frcncli, Ephr.iiui Howard, Jusiah Paukard, Cbarlt^s Howard, Natlianiul B. Harlow, Ljiuan Chirk, Sidney Perkins, Eleazer Suiih. John Field, Sunfurd Brett, Samuel Howard, Marcus Shaw, William l''u.\ou, Jtdin Ide, and Arnold Hunt, together with thu^e wlio have associated, or luay herealter u.ssuciate with Iht-m, oi their .Successors, lur the purpose uC public ivoriihip, he, and tlicy hereby are, incorporated intu a reli;^ious Society Uoown by the name of the ' Fii-nt Sucitlii of the New Jei uHulem Church,' in the tuwn of North lirid;;ewater, with all the powers and privilegei", and subject to all the dulii'S and liabilities of Parishes, according to the CoM^titution and Laws of this Cumiuunweultb.

or personal, not e.\ceodiDg the Sum of Twenty Thousand Dollars, for the Support of public Worship, and for other lawful Parochial purposes."

The first meeting held under the provisions of the above acts was held April 5, 1832, at the house of Jabez Field, at which William French was chosen moderator; Lyman Clark, clerk and treasurer; .Jubez Field, collector; John Field, Nathaniel B. Harlow, and Marcus Shaw, prudential committee. In August,

1834, Rev. Haskell M. Carll was invited to pieach to the society, which be continued to do about three years. On the 7th of December. 1834, he organized a church in the society. Soon alter, in September,

1835, the building of the first house of wor.-hip in the town of that denomination was commenced, and was dedicated on Saturday, Jan. IG, 1831!. There were present at the dedication Rev. H. M. Carll, the pastor of the society ; Rev. Thomas Worcester, of Boston ; Rev. Adonis Howard, of East Bridgewater. The dedicatory service was read by Rev. Mr. Carll ; sermon, by Rev. T. Worcester ; reading of the Word, by Rev. Adonis Howard. Mr. Carll left the society in the fall of 1837, and Rev. Warren Goddard, the late pastor, commenced preaching for them Oct. 14, 1838; and January of the next year (1839), an invitation was extended to him to settle with them as their pastor. This call was accepted, and he was ordained the 19th of September, 1839. The following are the doctrines of Charity and Faith :

"1. That God ia one in essence and in person, that from love towards meil he assumed humanity and j;lorilied it, and that he thus became God with as, the Saviour and P^cdcemer, Jesus Christ.

"2. That the word is divine Truth proceeding from the Lord; that it vtoa written by inspiration, and is adapted to all the various states of Angels and men, and that thus it is the divine Medium by which men are con.sociated with .\n;jelaanil by which men and Angels are conjoined with the Lonl.

" A. That the Lord alone is the Source of Genuine life, the precepts of which are the ten Commandments; that these precepts are to be obeyed by man as of himself, with the acknowledgment that the will and power to do them are of the Lord alone. And thus that men are regenerated and Saved by the Lord, by means of a life according to his precepts."

The first house of worship was fifty-eight feet in length, forty feet in width, and twenty feet hi'_'h ; spire, sixty-five feet high, painted white, with green blinds. The interior contained fifty-two pews, be.-.ides a neat, plain pulpit and a small choir-gallery. The building was situated on land purchased of Sidney Perkins, the building and land costing about three thousand dollars.

This society worshiped in the old house abc.ve described until the dedication of another house, which had been built to suit the wants of the "ic/wiii;; so- ciety, aod which took place Jau. 22, 1857. The services commenced about ten o'clock in tlie forenoon, and were conducted by the pastor, Rev. Mr. Goddard, and were of a deeply impressive character, well fitted to bring the hearer into a state receptive of his love who desires our ofieriuf^s, " to the end that he may more abundantly enrich us with spiritual blessings." The weather was such on that day, so very severe, that but few, comparatively, were present, and those mostly from the people pf the town. The services were reading of the Psalm cxxii., followed by a chanting from an appropriate selection (No. 80, Psalm Ixssiv.). After which Psalm cxxxii. and others were read responsively by both pastor and people, the people of the society standing, mostly in front of the desk, and responding as an act on their part of offering up the house to the worship and service of the Lord. The music was not only appropriate, but well performed. After the exercises were over, a collation was partaken of in the hall below by nearly all who had been present, including many from tlie neighboring societies, and a very pleasant season of social interview closed the exercises of the day.

Desaiption of tlie Neiu Churoli, T<;niple. - This church is situated on a spacious lot of ground, bordered with trees of considerable size, fronting the west. The dimensions of the main building are seventy-nine by filty-six feet. It is built in the Italian style, with a plain square tower at the west (front) end, eighty-eight feet in height, and twenty-two feet square, projecting ten and a half feet forward from the main building. The entrance in front is by a wide double door into the vestibule, from which there is an ascent by eleven easy steps into side entries, or lobbies, from which one enters the body of the church. 'I'his measures sixty-one by forty-five feet, and contains one hundred and two pews, all on the main floor, there being no side galleries. They are arranged In .semi-circular order, without doors, cushioned, and covered with crimson damask. The floor is handsomely carpeted, and walls and ceiling elegantly painted in fresco. On the east side is a projection of four I'uet deep by thirty-two wide, a space for the tabernacle, a repository for the Word in the centre, and for a small piivate room"each side of it. The tabernacle consists of an ark of fine cabinet-work, overhung with crimson cuitains. Over it is the inscription in large letters, " Heboid the tabernacle of God is with man." To the right of it, but standing out in front, on the edge of the platform, is the pulpit, which is of octagonal form and, like the tabernacle, of black walnut. The communion-table stands at the left side. The organ-loft is within the body of the tower, opposite the pulpit.

having in front a small gallery for the singers, elevated about eight feet above the pew-floor. There is a basement of brick, affording space for a hall under the whole main building, to which there is an entrance from the vestibule within, and also by doors from without, at the northwest and southwest corners. The superstructure is of wood, colored in imitation of freestone. The house is provided with a good-toned organ, of suitable size and capacity, manufactured by George Stevens, Esq.

Martin Wales, Esq., of Stoughtou, piesentcd the society with two thousand dollars towards paying the expense of building the new house. Chandler Sprague, Lyman Clark, and George W. Bryant were building committee; Jason Perkins, contractor.

Rev. Warren Goddard was the son of the late Dr. John Goddard, of Portsmouth, N. H., whure be was born Sept. 12, 1800. He fitted for college at the Portsmouth Academy, and entered Harvard University September, 1815, one year in advance; graduated at that institution August, 1S18. In the spring of 1819 he became fully satisfied of the truths of the doctrines contained in the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg, and entered as a stiulont of theology in the family of Rev. Thaddeus M. Harris, D.D., of Dorchester, Mass. At the completion of his studies, there being only one society of the New Church in all Now England, - namely, that in Boston, consisting of less than a score of members, and already provided with a piistor-elect, - and the few societies in the United States being also provided with ujinisters, he was obliged to postpone his former purpo.se of entering the ministry until there should be some society needing ministerial services. At this time an opening presented itself in the academy at Sandwich, Mass. He therefore accepted the office of principal, and was very successful, commencing with twelvu pupils, all belonging in that town. Si.on aftur this, applications for admission conlinucd to iiierL-ase, first from the adjoining towns, then IVum mole di.-tant places, even as far as South Carolina. At the end of two years he commenced and pursued the study of law in the office of the late Lieutenant-Governor John Reed, of Yarmouth, Mass., and was admitted to the bar of Barnstable County; practiced law two years in Barnstable, and nearly a year in Boston, in (-oniieclion with Professor Parsons, when, becoming dissatisfied with the practice, so far as it related to the management before juries, he relinquished the practice of law, and accepted an appointment as principal of the English and classical school at l^riiiceton, Mass., where he labored two or three years with signal success. Several societies having during this time been fortued, and DeediD<; ministerial services, Mr. Goddard returned to the profession of his first choice, and after preaciiiii!; and receivin;.; several culU to settle in Abington, Portland, and North Bridgewater (now Brockton), he at len<;th settled at the latter place, where he was iustaik'd Sept. 19, 1839, and where he has continued to labor in the ministry until 18G5, when he resigned. He was one of tlie most acceptable and useful New Cliuroli ministers to be found in the country.

Mr. Goddard married, first, Mary Crowell Tobey, of Sandwich, Mass., by whom he had sisc children. He married, second, Sarah Eldridi;e, of Yarmouth, Mass., by whom he had fuur children, - Warren, a New Jerusalem preacher, who was for a time settled in Broukliue, Mass., now in Providence, R. I. ; Henry Edward, a preacher in Brockton ; also another sou, Jolin, a New Jerusalem preacher, settled in Cincinnati, Ohio; and Asa Eldridge, a teacher in Washim,'ton University, St. Louis, Mo. Although the fatliL-r has retired from active duty as a preacher, he is still a resident of Brockton, enjoying a ripe old age, surrounded by pleasant associations.

Rev. Henry Edward Goddard, the present pastor, is the son of Rev. Warren and Sarah (Eldridge) Goddard ; was born in Brockton, May 20, 1852 ; graduated at the high school in his native town in 1871; Brown University, Providence, R. I., 1875. After a three years' course of study in the New Jerusalem Theological School, at Waltham, Mass., and one year at Cornell University, he became assistant pastor of the New Jerusalem Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was ordained pastor of the church in Brockton, Sept. 24, 187(J. Rev. Joseph Pettee, of Abington, Mass., preaching the sermon on that occasion. Mr. Goddard has served the town on the school committee three years.

The following is the organization for 1884: Rev. Henry E. Goddard, pastor ; Thomas H. West, J. Willard Packard, B. Ellis Eaton, Rufus C. Kimball, B. F. Battles, church committee ; Rufus C. Kimball, treasurer; Rev. Henry E. Goddard, superintendent of Sabbath-school ; Flushing Cornwall, sexton.

Quakers or Friends. - There was an a.ssociation or society of Friends, in North Bridgewater, formed April 2G, 1838, and consisted of twenty-five members, as appears by record, which is as follows :

"We, the underaij^'ned, hereby become members of a Society formioj; of this sect, called Quakers, and do liereby iigree to subject ourselves to the rules nnd rej^uhaioDS which shull be uJoptcd by said Society, iu the town of North Bridgewater.

At the request of Nahum J. Smith and twentyfour other members a meeting was called by Hon. Jesse Perkins, Esq., a justice of the peace, wliicli met at the hall of Col. Edward Southworth, April 30, 1838, at seven o'clock p.m., for the purpo.se of organization, at which time Edward Southworth, Jr., was chosen clerk, who took the oath of affirmation in the usual form ; Jacob W. Crosby, Nahum J. Smith, John L. Skinner were chosen overseers; Cyrus Packard, treasurer and collector, besides a committee to prepare a constitution and by-laws ; meeting then adjourned to May 8, 1838. The " meeting met according to adjournment, and, after discussing various matters connected with the society, adjourned to June 7th," when they again came together for friendly conversation and again adjourned sine die.

The above is the latest record to be found concerning this society ; and it is presumed that the society did not flourish for any length of time.

St. Patrick's Eoman Catholic Church. - Previous to the year 1856 the members of this church were attendant on church worship in private houses and in the various halls in the village, and were supplied by transient clergymen. During that year Rev. Thomas B. McNulty came to the town as a stated pastor, in connection with some others in the immediate vicinity, the care of which devolved upon him.

Rev. Thomas B. McNulty was born in Londonderry, Ireland ; fitted for college at Londonderry Academy ; graduated at Foyle College ; studied philosophy and tlicology at Irish College, Paris ; was ordained June 6, 1846, at the parisli church of Sulpice, by Monsieur Affr6, Archbiahop of Paris; came to America in 1853, and after preaching at Lowell, Salem, and other places, was appointed to take charge of the Catholic Church in Brockton and vicinity.

Here he soon succeeded in gathering a large number of regular church worshipers, and during the same year purchased a parcel of land for the sum of live thousand two hundred and twenty-five dollars, situated on the west side of Main Street, near Wales' Corner, in the south part of the village, and containing about tliree-fourths of an acre, upon which he has caused a large and splendid church edifice to he erected, one hundred and ten feet louf;, fifty feet wide, built in the Komanesque style of architecture. The basemeut is built of Quincy granite. The principal story is of brick, triniujcd with freestone. The tower and steeple Is one hundred and eighty feel iu heigiit. The auditory is furnished with one hundred and forty-six slips, capable of holding seven hundred persons. The altar is at the west end of the building, and at the east or front, end is the choir-gallery. The chancel- window is made of stained glass, with emblematic panes representing the four evangelists, - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The house is furnished with a magnificent organ, from the manul'actory of E. & G. G. Hook, of Boston. Upon the side walls are displayed fourteen pictures, representing different scenes in the Lord's Pa.ssiou, painted at great expense in Italy. The cost of the church was twenty-five thousand dollars, which, together with the land, cost about thirty thou.sand dollars. The architects were Messrs. Fuller & Ryder, of Boston. Mr. Andrews, of Nashua, N. II., was the contractor. The preacher's pulpit, also the railing around the altar, was manufactured by Messrs. Howard, Clark & Co. la the southwest corner of the house is the sacristy, and in the northeast corner is a private room, out of which is the entrance to the basement story. In point of durability and style of architecture, when built, this house was not surpassed by any in the town. Its position is prominent, and makes a bold appearance upon the principal thoroughfare in town.

This church was dedicated Sunday, May 22, 1859, and, although the weather was quite rainy, there was a large assembly present. The services were as follows :

Bishop Fitzpalrick, of Boston, delivered the sermon; high mass wa.s celebrated by Rev. Mr. Roach, of Randolph ; Rev. Mr. Shahen, of Salem, officiated as deacon ; Rev. Mr. Tallon, of New Bedford, as sub-deacou; Rev. Mr. Haley, of Boston, was master of ceremonies, a number of other priests assisting ; Rev. Mr. McElroy, of Boston, preached at vespers; singing was performed by a choir from Salem.

Rev. Thomas B. McNulty, pastor; Rev. Francis J Glynn and Rev. Michael Doherty, assistant priests; Patrick Gilmore,3uperinteudentof the Sabbath-school ; Arthur Dimond, organist.

came to the town, finding employment iu the various shoe manufactories. Since that time, and up to the present, they have increased iu numbers, till at length it was deemed advisable among the new-comers to have religious services in their native language. After preaching in a hall for a time, a new house of worship was erected on the east side of Main Street, in Campello, in 1867. The building is about thirty by sixty feet, with a steeple seventy-five feet high. The audience-room contains sittings for about three huudrud persons. It has a neat pulpit, painted while, with gilt trimmings, with a railing around the same The main building has stained-glass windows, rendering the whole very pleasing. This church has been quite flourishing, and now numbers one hundred and fifty. Communicants, 150 members.

Madame Christine Nilsson, the famous songstress, when visiting this country, sang at a coiiceri held in this church, November, 1870, the proceeds of which she kindly donated to this society to free them from debt. The amount received as the benefit of that concert was about two thousand dollars. A street has since been named by the town in honor of her beneficent gift to this people.

This is said to have been the first Swedish Church built in New England, and is now fully established under the New York Conference of Swedish Churches. The society have recently raised their church edifice, and placed a brick basement, for religious meetings, under the same, thus furnishing them with a large vestry for evening services. Sabbath-schools, etc. The entire cost of the building is about ten thousand dollars.

Swedish Evangelical Independent Church, Campello. - The church was the outgruwlli of the Bolhcsda Swedish Church in Campello, and originated with a few members who withdrew from the above-named church and organized themselves into an independent body, and commenced services in Drake's Hall, where they worshiped about uue year, when they erected a church of their own, on Nilsson Street, but a short distance from the oiiginal Swedish Church. It has about one hundred communicants.

A lot of land was purchased of Jonaa R. Perkius, ' Esq., in 18S0, ou which tliey erected a buildinj; fifty i by thirty, which was completed aud dedicated in 1881, on the same day of the assa.>^siiiation of President Garfield. The buildini: is a neat, plain building, without any tower, with a choice lot of land around | the same, neatly kept, with a gross lawn. ;

The interior aspect Is pleasant, and contains sittings I for about two hundred persons. The seats are of ash, in keeping with the entire building. They have a neat pulpit, a divan presented by Lyman Carlson, and a "Smith cabinet organ." The cost of the church is about twenty-five hundred dollars.

In the recess back of the pulpit is a cross made of native cedar, standing ou the floor, on the arms of which is a representation of the nails ; on the centre of tiie cross is a crown of thorns made from the thorn-tree, Euphorbia spleadeiis, which was imported from Palestine and presented to the church. Over and above this are the words, in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin :

Directly over the pulpit is the followiug inscription : ETT BARN AROSS FODTENSON, AROSS QIVEN.i The first pastor was Rev. Andirs Gustaf Nilson ; the present pastor is Rev. Emil Holmblad. List of officers of this church for 1884 : Rev. Emil Holmblad, pastor; Gustave Smith, secretary ; John Peterson, treasurer ; Augustus Dean, superintendent of Sabbath-school ; Alfred Johnson, as.slstaiit pastor.

First TJniversalist Church and Society. - This society was organized Aug. 31, 1857, at which time Josiuh V. Bisbee was chosen clerk ; David E. Studley, treasurer ; Ellis Packard, O. 0. Patten, Lorenzo D. Hervey, F. 0. Howard, William H. Cooper, executive committee ; Thaddeus E. Gifford, collector.

Previous to this time this denomination had no regular preaching, and since its organization it has had transient preachers until the settlement of Rev. William A. Start.

The society erected a ueat and commodious house of worship on Elm Street in the month of May, 18(33. Its dimensions are sixty feet in length, thirty-eight in width, and contains sixty pews, capable of seating three hundred persons comfortably. The pews are of a circular form, with the seats nicely cushioned, floor carpeted, and in all respects the house i.>i complete. In the rear of the pulpit is the following inscription upon the wall, which is nicely frescoed : " Behold. I bring you glad tidings of great joy, which shall be unto all people." Underneath this house is a capacious and convenient vestry.

The house was dedicated, with appropriate exercises, on Wednesday, May 20, 1863, commencing at 10 o'clock A.M., aa follows: 1, voluntary, by the choir; 2, prayer of invocation, by Rev. E. Hewitt;

4, anthem, by the choir ; 5, consecrating prayer, by Rev A. P. Cleverly ; 6, hymn ; 7, sermon, by Uev. A. A. Miner, of Boston ; 8, anthem ; 9, prayer, by Rev. H.Jewell; 10, hymn; 11, benediction. The sermon was from the text in Psalm xxii. 27, 28 : " For the kingdom is the Lord's : and he is the governor among the nations." At the cuuclusion of these services the friends were invited to a most generous repast in the vestry, and the society spared no pains or expense to secure temporal as well as spiritual comfort to their visitors. After a short intermission the services of installing Rev. William A. Start as pastor of the church were commenced in the following order of e;iercises : 1, anthem, by the choir ; 2, invocation, by Rev. J. Eastwood, of Brighton ; 3, reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. M. R. Leonard, of South Dedham ; 4, hymn ; 5, sermon, by Rev. J. Crehoro, of Abington, text, Eph. iv. 12, 13: "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ : till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto tiie measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." The .sermon was very timely and effective, as well as practical, showing fully the needs of a minister, his dependence ou the people for support, the minister's relation to the sorrowing, the various relations of the peo]>le, and the sources of inspiration to his labor, and the awards as fruits of his toil. 5, hymn ; (J, installing prayer, by Rev. G. 11. Emerson, of Somerville ; 7, charge to the pastor, by Rev. A. A. Miner, of Boston ; 8, right hand of fellowship, by Rev. James Eastwood, of Brighton ; 9, charge to the people, by llev.

First Baptist Church.. - This church was coiistitutuJ Jan. 10, 1850, ami consisted of seventeen members, tiie names of which are as follows : Rev. James An Jem (pastor), Emma A. Audem, Williams AlJen, Persia Packard, Nathaniel Shepardsou, Alplieus Aldeii, Priscilla C. Alden, Edmund R. Wade, Julia Ann Wade, Harriet Thayer, Joanna Packard, Olive T. Packard, Caroline F. Packard, Sally Hall, A. Amanda Frencli, Frederick L. Trow, Jonas P. Jameson. Officers of the church: Rev. James Audeui, pastor; Edward S. Packard, George F. Parish, deacons; Alpheus Alden, clerk; Edmund R. Wade, treasurer; Deacou Edward S. Packard, Deacon George F. Parish, Nathaniel Shepardsou, F. L. Trow, slandiug committee.

Previous to the organization of this church, in 1S50, those members belonging in the town had met in a hall, where they had preaching from February, 1849, Rev. Isaac Woodbury, of Haverhill, Mass., being the first preacher, who preached for four successive Sabbaths. The people were next supplied with transient miniaters, mostly from the Newton Tiieolugical Institute, among whom was Rev. S. A. Thomits, of Dighton, who spent one of his vacations with tiiem. Rev. James Audem, of Brookliue, commenced to sup|)ly their pulpit for one year, from October, 1849. During the year 1850 the church had great encouragement to erect a house of worship, the numbers having already increased from seventeen members to fiftyseven in the short space of one year. Its members consisted mostly of young persons, and not belonging to the most wealthy class, their perseverance in erecting and sustaining a church is all the more creditable.

A small hut neat liouse of worship was ereuted by this society in September, 1850, fifty feet lung, thirtyfive feet wide, twenty feet high, without steeple or bell, costing about two thousand five hundred dollars, which was dedicated Jan. 22, 1851, with the following exercises: 1, chant; 2, invocation; 3, hymn, written by the pastor, RfV. James Andem (music, by Isaac T. Packard), -

"Great God, our Father and our Friend, Before thy throne thy children bend; Let songs of praise before thee swell, AVhile in thy courts tby children dwell.

" Great Source of truth, to thee, in prayer, We give this house; - mako it thy earo. Here let thy saint.s, a goodly vino, Nurtured by grace, be lolnAhj thine.

" Be thou their shield ami tbou their rock, - Be Christ the shepherd of his lluck, - And hoary age and blooming youth Uero drink of living wells of trutli.

*' From year to year loud anthcuis rise In saored numbci's to the skies, And prayer ascend from Zion's hill, That heavenly grace may here distill.

"Praise to thy name, through Christ thy Son, Great God, for what thy love has done; When praise on earth is still in death. We'll praise thy uumo with nobler breath."

The land on which their building stood is on the west side of Montello Street, and was purchased of Mr. Sidney Perkins for the sum oi' three hundred dollars.

1, voluntary, by the choir; 2, reading of doings of council ; 3, reading of Scriptures and introductory prayer; 4, the Lord hath cho.seu Zion ; 5, ordination sermon on that occasion was by Rev. J. Aldrich, of AHddleboro', Mass.; - t), antlium, "How Bcautilul upon the Mountains ;" 7, ordaining prayer, by Rev. I. Smith, of East Stoughton ; 8, charge to the pa.^tor, by Rev. N. Colver, of South Abington ; 9, right hand of fellow.ship, by Rev. A. E. Battulle, of iMaialiticld ;

10, address to tlie people, by Rev. Thomas E. Keely, of Kingston, Mass. ; 11, hyuin, - We bid Thee Welcome in the Name;" 12, concluding; prayer; 13, doxolo^y, - " Praise God from whom ail blessings flow ;" 14, benediction, by tiie pastor.

Their buildinfi was sold at auction, July 13, 1854, to Samuel S. Brett and Fearins W. Bent, and was used as an armory for the North Bridj;ewater Dragoons.

For many years the society had no regular church services, until at length new life was infused into the Baptist brethren, and a new tire was kindled from the remaining embers of the old society with gratifying results.

11. Perry, of Middleburo', resulted in the formatiun of a Daptidt Churcli under the above mime, and iitarted with a membership of thii-ty-five. The meetinj^ for organization tooi£ place on Tuesiluy evening, April 17, 1877, the venerable Father Fitz bciii;^ present and taking part in the devotional exerci»e:i. It was voted lh.it tlie now church meet the council culled for thu purpose of cxtendiug recognition iind present the articles of faith adopted.

"On Wednesday afternoon, April 25, 1S77, a council assembled in the First Congregational Church for the purpose of formally recognizing the new organization. It was composed of pastors unil delegates from the following churches:

" Rev. Mr. Fairbanks was chosen moderator, and Rev. B. P. Byram clerk. Prayer was olfored by Rev. Dr, Pollard. Slatemenis were presented showing the action which had been taken in the organization of the church, and it was unanimously voted that the proceedings be approved, and that the public 3ervice<)f recognition take place. The order was arranged and carried through as follows:

" Invoc:ition, llcv. J. C. Reed, of Hanson; hymn, Rev. II. II. Beaman, of Cochesett; reading of the Scriptures, Rev. B. P. Byram, of Plymouth; hymn, Rev. R. G. S. McNeille, of thu Porter Church, lirocktcm ; prayer, Rev. G. G. Fairbanks, of Middleboro*; sermon, Rev. C. A. Snow, of New Bedford; prayer of recognition, Rev, Dr. A. Pollard, of Boston; hand of fellowship. Rev. L. B. Hatch, of South Abington ; charge, Rev. H. Fitz, of .Middleboro'; benediction. Rev. G. N. Fullerlon, of Carver.

"The services were all of deep interest, the sermon being an able elueiihition of the te.\t, ' He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same biingeth forth much fruit.'"

The public services attending the recognition of Mr. Thomas as pastor of the First Baptist Cliureh in Brockton took place on Wednesday evening. Doc. 18, 1878, in Perkins' Hall, Main Street. The apartment w;is neatly and tastefully trimmed with festoons, mottoes, etc., and presented a very attractive appearance. A large audience was present to witness the services, which were of deep interest throughout. The exercises took place in the following order :

Invocation, by Rev. D. A. Jordan, of the Central Methodist Church, Brockton ; anthem, by the choir, utider the direction of T. G. Nye ; reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. Z. T. Sullivan, of the Porter Church, Brockton ; prayer, by Rev. C. D. Sweet, of Middleboro' ; singing, hymn read by Rev. H. I. Kelsoy, of the First Congregational Church, Brockton; sermon, by Rev. H. K. Potter, of Springfield ; prayer of recognition, by Rev. L. G. Barrett, of South Abington ; singing ; welcome address to the pastor, by Rev. G. G. Fairbanks, of Middleboro' ; address to the churcii, by Rev. G. W. Bosworth, D.D., of Haverhill ; doxology, by the congregation ; benediction, by the pastor.

Rev. Mr. Thomas is from Springfield, where he has held the pastorate of a young Baptist Church for three or four years. His success in the field he left, and the exceedingly favorable impres.sion he h;is made, both among the people to whom he comes as a minister and others in the place whom he has met, encourage great hope that his labors here may nut only strengthen and establish the ecclesiastical organization of which he has now become the head, but may also add largely to the Christian forces in operation here for the diffusion of religious truth and light among the people. Our friends of the Baptist Churcli are to be warmly congratulated on the consummation of their relations.

This church has a neat edifice for church worship, occupying a commanding position, at the corner of Belmont and Pond Streets, seventy-four by forty-one feet floor, with a bell-tower and spire, one hundred feet high, on the prominent corner, through which, as well as at the otiicr front corner, are the entrances to the building. The audience-room presents ;in exceedingly attractive appearance, the ceiling being carried up under the roof, stained Gothic witidows admitting light, and handsome pews of ash furnishing the sitting accommodations for the congregation. At the southerly end is ihe preaclior's platform, which has been furniahed with a neat and tasteful deak, chairs, etc., aud underneatli the floor is arranged a large tank or baptistery. At the riglit of tlie platform and under an arehed alcove are the seats for the choir, while on the opposite side is a retiring-room for the pastor and stairway to the vestry, and over the entrance-ways is located a commodious gallery. A pretty carpet covers the floor, comfortable cushions are provided for the pews, while harmonizing with both is the neat and pleasing fresco that covers walls and ceiling. In the rece.ss, in the rear of the pulpit, is the cabinet organ, and ou the wall is the following:

The lot on which the building stands cost two thousand three hundred and eighty-one dollars. The house was built by James Beal, master builder, at a cost of about eleven thousand dollars, and has sittings in the main audience- room for about four hundred and fifty people. The vestry will seal about two hundred and fifty persun.s. The new edifice was dedicated to the Worship of God on Thursday, March 17, ISSl, in the presence of a large and deeply-interested congregation, who came from towns adjoining aud from places more remote. The services were in charge of the pastor, Kev. 0. D. Thomas, and were arranged in the following order: Voluntary; invocation, by Rev. N. N. Glazier, of South Abington ; reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. J. C. Foster, of Randolph ; singing, by the choir; prayer, by Rev. G. G. Fairbanks, of Middleboro' ; hymn, sung by the congregation ; report of the building committee ; sermon, by Rev. Dr. Gordon, of Boston ; hymn ; dedicatory prayer, by Rev. G. W. Bosworth, D.D., of Boston; singing; benediction.

The musical part of the services was under the direction of Loyed Chamberlain, Esq., with Miss Minnie Chamberlain at the organ, and a well-drilled choir, reinforced for the occasion by some of our wellknown singers.

The report of the building committee was read by the pastor, showing the eliurch as substantially free of debt, and thanking the many who have aided iu the enterprise.

The sermon by Dr. Gordon w;is founded on the text in John xv. 24 : " If I had not done among tliem the works which none other man did, they had not had sin," from which the preacher developed the twofold theme, - the approving and reproving character of Christ's works. It was an able presentation of the subject, and was listened to with deep attention.

uumbers are increasing rapidly, - so iliat the work of the church is not confined to this locality, but it is proposed to branch out in the good work of the gospel ministry. The present active and clfieient pa.^tor has already the elements of strength for a new church in the northerly portion of the city, where he has a mission church, which originated in the starting of preaching in what is known at "Snell's Grove," ou North Main Street, June 14-, 1883. Iu SeptL-mber of that year a Sabbath-school class held services in a vacant store at the corner of Main and Oak Streets. In March, 1884, they moved to the shop of Bradford Snell.

Plans have been matured by the (jfficeis of this church for the building of a chapel, to be located on Snell Street, which will be a neat edifice, witii sittiiig.s for three hundred people. On the same floor with the auditorium will be a smaller room for chapel purposes, and on either side of the pulpit will lead to anterooms to be used for committee meetings. The finish of the interior will be of ash. The windows to be in cathedral style of stained glass. The out.-ide of the building will be surmounted with a tower one hundred feet high.

First Methodist Episcopal Society. - Previous to 1830 there was no regular organized society of this denomination in the town. Ou the 0th day of March iu that year Nathaniel Manley and one huudred and ten others formed themselves into an association, with the following articles of agreement :

" Wheukas, We the subscribers, beiag tlis[»oijeJ to eiicouraj^e and priiLQOto the public worship of Lioil in a way uj^rceuble to the dictates of uur own conscieneea, do hereby a;^rec to form ourselves into a retijjious society by the naiuo of the ' First Episcopal iMethodist Society in North Biid;,'ewater,' for the purpose of promoting, carrying on, and supporting the public worship of God in confortuity to uu Act passed Feb. Itj, ISJf."

Ou the 12th day of April of the saiue year a committee, consisting of Isaac Packard, John Tilden, and Galen Mauley, were chosen to procure land and erect a church. They purchased a lot of land of Micah Packard for the sum of §41.20, it being the lot where the house now stands. A house was erected, fiftyfour feet loug, twenty-one feet wide, twenty-two feet hijrh, witli a sjjire eif;lity fout hi-jh, and a boll wtighiui; one tliuusand and sixty pounds, made by George Holbruok, of Medway, Mass. Tlie exterior appearance of llie house ia neat, painted white, with nine windows and i;reeu blinds. The interior of the house is well furnished, containing fifty-eight pews, choirgallery, with seats tor fifty persons. The floor is neatly carpeted, walls arched overhead. In 1855 a clock was put up, and in 18.")7 a new and comiuodious pulpit was placed in the house. The instrumental music is a seraphine.

The house was built under the direction of Messrs. Isaac Hartwell, John Tilden, and Galen Mauley, as buildin;: committee, and cost three thousand dollars. Mr. John Peterson was master carpenter. A parsonage-house was built in, 18(10.

This is the only meeting-hou.se in this section of country that retained the corner-seats especially for the colored people, which were in the corners of the gallery. This was removed at the time of the remodeling of the church, in 1873.

From 1866 to 1870 this church worshiped with the cliurch in Easton, holding services on alternate Sundays. In 1870 the plan was adopted of the Boston University, sending students to supply the pulpit. That arrangement continued for several years.

In 1873 extensive repairs were made upon this meeting-house by the labors of Rev. Samuel M. Beal, who had been preaching to this people for some time. The pulpit was transferred to the opposite end of the house, the pews rearranged, the gallery lowered, pulpit platform remodeled, an arched recess constructed at its rear, a new black-walnut railing and furniture to correspond was furnished ; new lighting fixtures, new heating apparatus ; new carpets were placed on the platform and aisles ; the walls freshly colored in delicate tints ; a new centre-piece placed on the ceiling, thus rendering the audience-room very attractive.

The services at the rededication of this edifice were held March 13, 1873. Rev. Mr. Dunham, of Easton, oifered prayer and read the Scriptures. Sermon preached by Rev. G. E. Reed, of Fall River.

Rev. A. Hagerty, pastor ; Samuel Clark, Bradford Packard, George Smith, parish committee ; Bradford Packard, Samuel Clark, George A. Packard, Mrs. Bradford Packard, Mrs. S. J. Clark, Jlrs. M. L. Reynolds, Jlrs. Charles Phillips, Mrs. E. L. Snow, stewards ; Seth M. Hall, parish clerk ; Bradford Packard, treasurer and superintendent of Sundayschool.

Central Methodist Episcopal Church. - This church was formed March 2, 1842, consisting of about thirty members, among whom were the following persons :

The society first held meetings in Hayward's Hall, commencing March 2, 1842; afterwards occupied the Unitarian Church till July 23, 1843, when they removed to the hall of Tyler Cobb.

Rev. 0. G. Smith was their first pastor, who preached to them from the organization of the church till 1844. He was succeeded by Rev. Addison Childes, of the Providence Conference, who .soon after closed his earthly labors, and the society employed Rev. H. C. Atwater, a graduate of Yale College, and at that time a teacher of the Adeliiliiaa Academy, till the close of the Conference year, when he was admitted to the Conference, and stationed there in 1845. During the same year, a plain but substantial house of worship was erected, costing two thousand six hundred dollars, built by Messrs. Dunbar & Soule, and dedicated Jan. 8, 1846, Rev. Edward T. Taylor preaching the dedication sermon. Sanford Alden, Fearing W. Bent, Thomas Hathaway, Liberiy

During the year 1853 this society erected a new and splendid uhurch edifice at an expense of twentyfour thousand dollars. Barnab;is Snow was the contractor and master-builder, Isaiah B. Young, of Boston, architect. The building is ninety-four feet long by sixty feet wide, with a tower one hundred and ten feet high, containing a bell weighing eighteen hundred and tweuty-seveu pounds, iiom the foundry of Henry N. Hooper, of Boston, costing six hundred and sixty-five dollars. The interior of the house is furnished with one hundred and ten pews and an elegant organ, manufactured by Mr. George Stevens, of Cambridge, iNlass. A baptismal font of marble was presented to the society by S. S. Green; uLso a beautiful Bible aud hymn-book presented by the Young Gentlemen's Charitable As.-ioeiatiun conuecied with the church.

The corner-stone of this church was laid July 25, 1853, with appropriate ceremony, as follows: 1, remarks, by Rev. A. B. Wheeler; 2, reading of the Word, by Rev. Paul Couch ; 3, singing ; 4, prayer, by Rev. T. B. Gurney ; 5, benediction.

Previous to the benediction occurred the ceremony of depositing a tin box in one of the corner foundations of the tower, which contained the following:

Records of the Second Methodist Churcii in North Bridgewatcr; names of original aud present members of the Second Conference ; officers of the Sabbathschool ; trustees of the chureli ; building committee ; architect aud master-builder ; pastors of the various churches in town ; copies of order of exercises on the occusiuu ; minutes of the Providence Annual Conference; mis.iionary report of the Methodist Episcopal Church; Sabbath-school report; discipliue of ihe Methodist Episcopal Church ; copies of Zion's IleralJ, Chinch Ailvocdte and Journal, Missionari/ Advucule,

1, voluntary, on the organ; 2, reading of the S4th Psalm, by Rev. George W. Stearns; 3, voluntary, by the choir; 4, reading of the y64th hymn of the .Methodist Collection, by Rev. J. B. Gould; 5, reading of Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the tenjple (1 Kings viii.), by Rev. J. Mather; 6, dedicatory ]jrayer, by Rev. F. Upham ; 7, voluntary, by the choir ; S, sermon, by Rev. Miner Raymond (principal of Wilbraham Academy), text, 1 Tim. i. 15, - " This a faithful saying, aud worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the wprld to save sinners;" 9, concluding prayer, by Rev. I. J. P. CoUyer; lu, reading of the 970th hymn, by Rev. W. T. Ilarlow.

Pews were sold to the amount of sixteen thuusand dollars a short time after the dedication, and everything bade fair for a prosperous and useful society.

This church was blessed with a great revival in Jauuary, 1843, the result of which was, large numbers were added to the church, and a flourishing Sabbath-school organized March 2, 1842.

Superintendents of the Sunday-school have been as follows: Liberty Packard, Arba Pratt, L. I''. C. Loomis, Richard P. Thurston, Israel Packard, Mciiry Baylies, Charles Worth, Philip Reynolds, Rul'u- L. Thacher^John Filoons, George M. Copeland, Uriah Macoy, Edwin Sawtell, J. B. Wiswell, Cyrus F. Copeland, E. T. Sampson.

The church organization for 1884 is as follows : Rev. A. P. Palmer, pastor; C. F. Copeland, Apolas Eaton, C. Barney Rounds, George M. Cupjland, F. S. Reynolds, W. E. Real, WiMiam A. Pannentor, Charles Hartwell, Jr., J. II. Dickin.-son, .-.tewards; Sauford Wiuter, president; D. B. Lovell, secretary; Philip Reynolds, treasurer ; N. S. Holmes, Edwin Sawtell, Asa Snow, Uriah Maeoy, C. F. Copeland, Henry L. Thompson, trustees; N. S. Holmes, Philip Reynolds, W. H. Gray, J. W. Jameson, Mrs. A. P. Palmer, E. T. Sampson, superintendent of the Sundayschool.

Methodist Episcopal Chnrcli of Campello. - In 1870 the number of attendants upon the .Methodist Cliurch worship in the central village of Brockton had become so numerous, and the many inconveniences of attendance on all the meetings were such, that a few members thouirht the lime had arrived when this denomination should liave a church of their own in Cauipello. Accordin^lj-, Rev. John Livesey, a preaclier, who iiad formerly supplied in tlie First Church at the " West Shares," was appointed to preach to the people of Campelio hy the New England Southern Conference of Methodist Churclies, formerly known as the Providence Conference. Services were comuienced by preaching in " Huntington Hall," on Main Street, in the early part of 1879. On the ISth day of May of that year John Montgomery, a wellknown and active member of the Second Chnreh in the village, was appointed clas.sleader. The first year the church numbered fifty-fuur members, which has incre;L->ed to a membership of one hundred and fifty members, and is rapidly increasing with the growth of the city.

In 18S0 a lot of land was purchased on the south side of South Street, sufficiently large for a church and parsonage buildings. William S. Green and George R. Pierce were building committee. A neat wooden building, forty-five by sixty feet, with au addition of twelve by twenty, was erected, surmounted with a small tower, in which is a bell.

The interior is furnished with a good cabinet organ, manufactured by George Woods & Co., a neat blackwalnut pulpit, presented by George M. Copeland, of Brockton, and chairs inclosed within a rail, of the .same material. It contains sittings for three hundred persons, in fifty-eight pews. In 1883 the society added a two-story parsonage at an expense of twentyfive hundred dollars. The church cost about five thousand dollars, besides the improvements now being made in the raising of the church building and adding a vestry.

Since the organization was started it has had the kind assi.-taiice, co-operation, and good wishes of all the other churches, and is in a flourishing condition, bidding fair to become a large .society.

Rev. Augustus W. Kingsley was born in Montville. Conn., Oct. 2, 1840, son of Charles and Evelina (Spalding) Kingsley; graduated at Middletown University, Conn., 1863; joined the Providence Conference, 18U8 ; settled in South Manchester, Conn., 1868-70; in Burnside, Conn., 1873-75; with Hope Street Methodist Church, Providence, R. I., 1876- 78; Middleboro', Mass., 1879-81; in Burnside, Conn., 1882 ; in Campelio, Mass., 1883-84.