Plymouth County, Massachusetts - Porter Evangelical Church and Society, 1884

Original Organization - Ministry of Rev. Jolin F. Norton - Ministry of Rev. Charles L. ilills - Mini.-^try of Rev. .Saiiiuol H. Lee - Ministry of Rev. John V. Hilton - Ministry of Rev. Robert G. S. McNeille - Ministry of Rev. Z. T. Sullivan- Ministry of Rev. F. A. Warlield - Dedication of the Fust Meeting-Housc - Rededication of thu Enlarged ilccting- House - Organization of thu Society, ISJ^I.

Porter Evangelical Church. - This church was formed of members who withdrew from the First Congregational Church in North Bridgewater for the purpose of forming another church, it bf ing deemed advisable that something should be done to awaken a new interest in the cause of truth, and to induce union of feeling and action in the support of the ordinances of the gospel, according to orthodox Congregational u.sages and principles. The first meeting of a series held, which resulted in the organization of the Porter Evangelical Church, was at the house of Hezekiah Packard, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 1850.

Other meetings soon followed, and on Thursday evening, Feb. 7, 1850, at the same place, Davis Kingman was chosen moderator, when it was " Voted, unanimously, ' that we will take measures to form another orthodox Congregational Church in this place, as soon as it may be deemed expedient.'"

A committee of five were cho.sen, viz. : Deacon Simeon Packard, Simeon Leach, Abel W. Kingman, M.D., Robert Holbrook, and Lsaac Kingman, to see how many would unite in the movement. This committee reported Feb. 12, 1850, the names of seventy persons who were in favor of immediate action, and who were prepared to unite in the formation of another church. At this meeting it was agreed to lay the subject before the church at tlieir next meet ing, and take means to call a council ininiediatcl) for the purpose of formation, if they deemed it e.Kpedient.

This was done at a niceciug of the churcli held the day followiiiii (February Kith), and a couimittee was appointed by the cliureh to call a council for that purpose. At a meeting of the church, held February 19th, it was voted that they adopt the same articles ot" faith and covenant as those used by the First Church. Also voted, that the uaaie of the new church shall bo the Porter EvaD!j;elical Church. A council was accordinsily called, which met on the 6th day of Jlarch, 1850, the following churches composing the council :

After hearing statements and facts regarding the rea.sons for a new organization, and a thorough examination into all matters pertaining thereto, the council " voted, unanimously, that under existing circumstances in this church it is expedient, agreeably to the request of the members calling this council, that another ' Orthodox Congregational Church' be organized in this place to be called the 'Porter Evangelical Church.' It being understood that they are to adopt the Articles of Faith and Covenant now adopted by the church they leave." The public services of organization were assigned for seven o'clock iu the evening, which were as follows: 1, introductory prayer and reading of the Articles of Faith and Covenant, by Rev. Luther Sheldon, D.D., of Eastou ; i, consecrating prayer, by Rev. David Brigham, of Bridgcwater; 3, fellowship of the churches, by Rev. E. Porter Dyer, of Hingham ; 4, address to the church, by Rev. David Dyer, of Dorchester ; 5, concluding prayer, by Rev. Erastus Maltby, of Taunton. The church met Friday, March 8th, and " voted to establish public worship forthwith," and various committees were chosen to make such arrangements as seemed necessary for that purpose.

The first meeting for public worship was held in the hall of Tyler Cobb, on Sunday, March 10, 1820. Rev. Joseph Merrill, of Dracut, Mass., preached on that day and the two succeeding Sabbaths.

Ministry of Rev. Joun F. Norton. - The next minister was Rev. John F. Norton, who came to the town April 6, 1850, and preached five Sabbaths, when the church and society united in giving him a call to become their pastor. May 7th, which he accepted May 10, 1850 ; and immediate measures were taken in calling a council to install him as their pastor. The following churches were represented in the council :

The council was organized by the choice of Rev. Daniel Huntington as moderator, and Rev. James W. Ward, scribe, who convened in the vestry of the JNIethodist Cliuich, by invitation of that church.

His installation took place in the meeting-house of the First Church, June 5, 1S50, at 1;! o'clock P.M., with the following order of services on that occasion :

1, voluntary, by the choir; 2, reading minutes of the ecclesiastical council ; 3, invocation and reading of the Scriptures ; i, anthem ; 5, introductory prayer ; 6, hymn, - words and music composed for a similar occasion by Rev. D. Huntington, - " Herald of our Saviour God ;" 7, sermon, by Rev. A. C. Thompson, of Roxbury, Mass. ; 8, chant, - " I will give you pastors according to mine own heart ;" 9, installing prayer, by Rev. Luther Sheldon, D.D., of Eastou ; 10, charge to the pastor, by Rev. Calvin Hitchcock, D.D., of Randolph; 11, right hand of fellowship, by Rev. J. P. Terry, of South Weymouth; 12, hymn, - -' How beautiful upon the mountains ;" 13, address to the people, by Rev. Daniel Huntington, of the South Congregational Church, Campello ; 1-1, concluding prayer, by Rev. David Dyer ; 15, hymn, by the congregation, tune, " Hamburg:"

" The covenants of this sacred hour, Great Shepherd of thy people, seal ; Spirit of grace diUuse thy power, Our vowa accept, thy ujiglit reveal.

** Tlie sun may set in eudlcss gloom. The planets from their stations Hce, Crcatiuu tilt ohlivion's tomb ; Jtut souls can never cease to he.

*' Oh, wlicn before the judguient-aoat The wicked quake in tlread despair, May vte, all reverent jit Ihy feet. Pastor and flock, tind mercy there."

Rev. JoiiD F. Norton was born in Goshen, Litchfield Co., Conn., Sept. 8, 1809 ; entered Yale College in 1829 ; but his health failing, he left college during his junior year. He received the degree of A.M. from that institution in 1848 ; studied theology at the Theological Seminary at lOast Windsor, Conn., where he graduated in 1837 ; traveled nearly a year in Northern and Western Europe ; was principal of academies in Goshen, Brooklyn, and Norfolk, Conn., for eight years; was ordained pastor of church in Milton Parish, Litchfield, Conn., Oct. 23, 1S14; installed pastor of Porter Evangelical Church in North Bridgewater, Mass., June 5, 1850; dismissed at his request, Dec. 4, 1851 ; installed pastor of the ]']vangelical Church in Athol, Mass., March 17, 1852; married, first, Harriet Frances Jenkins, of Falmouth, Mass., Aug. 19, 1839, who died Feb. 3, 1.S49; second marriage to Sophia W. Elliot, of Bridgepoit, Conn., Dec. 31, 1850 ; she died June G, 1S52. He then married Ann Maria Mann, of Stoiigliton, Ma.s.s.. Sept. 2G, 1853; has one child living, Lewis Mills Norton, born Dee. 2G, 1855.

Ministry op Rkv. Charles L. Mill.s. - Various ministers supplied the pulpit, among whom were Rev. Hubburd Becbe, of South Wilbrahaiu, Mass., and Rev. Edwin P. Wright, of Ackworth, N. H., after which the church and society united in giving Rev. Charles L. Mills a call, in July, 1852, to settle with them as their pastor.

A council, composed of the following churches, convened at the meeting-house of the Porter Evangelical Church, on the lltli day of August, 1852, at nine o'clock a.m., for the purpose of installing Rev. Mr. Mills, viz. :

After a satisfactory hearing as to the qualifications and belief of the pastor-elect, the council voted unanimously that they would proceed to the services of installation in the following order:

1 , reading of the minutes of the council, by the scribe ; 2, invocation and reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. Abel K. Packard, of Yarmouth, Mass. (now of Anoka, Minn.) ; 3, introductory prayer, by Rev. J. P. Terry, of South Weymouth ; 4, sermon, by Rev. Richard S. Storrs, D.D., of Braintree ; 5, installing [iraycr, by Rev James W. Ward, of Abington ; G, charge to the pastor, by Rev. Luther Sheldon, D.D., of Kaston; 7, right hand of fellowship, by Rev. Daniel Butler, of Westboro', Mass. ; 8, hymn, -

** Lo, the scene of verdure bright'ning. See thti rising gr.iin appear; Look again! the tielda are whit'ning; Sure the harvest time is near."

Rev. Charles L. Mills was born in Morristowo, N. J., Aug. 11, 1812; graduated at Yale College in 1835 ; studied theology at the Theological Seminary, Princeton, N. J. Mr. Mills preached in various places iu the West and about New England for twelve years or more, and in 1852 was called to settle as pastor of the Porter Evangelical Church of North Bridgewater, where he remained till February, 1862. After a brief respite from pastoral labor, he received a call to settle at Wrentham, Mass., where he was ordained as pastor of the First Congregational Church, Feb. 10, 1803. He married, first, Elizabeth, daughter of Deacon William Lyman, of Middletown, Conn. ; second, Rebecca, daughter of Deacon Peter Smith, of Andover, Mass.

Ministry op Rev. Samuel H. Lee. - The church was without a pastor but a short time, as we find by record, the church " voted, June 16,1862, unanimously, to give a call to Rev. Samuel H. Lee to settle with them in the ministry." This call was accepted.

A council, consisting of the following churches, was called to advise in reference to the ordination of Rev. Samuel H. Lee, Sept. 17, 1862 :

South Congregational Church, Caiupcllo : Rev. Charles W. Wood, pastor; George Sawyer, delegate. The council organized by the choice of Richard S. Storrs, moderator ; Charles W. Wood, scribe.

After an examination of the candidate and his credentials, and finding them satisfactory, the order of exercises at the installation wa.s as follows; 1, invocation and reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. E. Porter Dyer, of Hingham ; 2, introductory prayer, by Rev. E. Douglas ; 3, sermon, by Rev. Edward N. Kirk, D.D., of Boston ; 4, ordaining prayer, by Rev. S. G. Dodd, of East Randolph ; 5, charge to the pastor, by Rev. Richard S. Storrs, D.D., of Braintree ; 6, right hand of fellowship, by Rev. Charles W. Wood, of Campello ; 7, address to the people, by Rev. David Temple Packard, of Somerville ; 8, concluding prayer, by Rev. F. R. Abbe, of Abington ; 9, benediction, by the pastor.

On the 8th of February, 18G6, Mr. Lee sent in his resignation to the church, who united with him in calling a council for the purpose of dismissal, which was held on the 20th of the same montli. The churches present were:

The couucil, after a full hearing, " voltd, that in their judgment it is expedient, and they accordingly advise that this relation terminate."

Rev. Samuel H. Lee waa born in Sprague, Conn., Dec. 21, 1832; fitted lor college at Williston Seminary, East Hampton, Mass. ; entered Yale College, 1854; graduated in 1858; graduated at the Normal School, New Britain, Conn., 1852 ; was a teacher in the Normal School three years; studied theology at Yale Theological Seminary two years; received an invitation to settle as pastor of the Porter E\'angelical Church in North Bridgewater in 1802, where he was ordained Sept. 17, 18G2.

MiNisTEY or Rev. John V. Hilton. - Jan. 31, 1867, a call was extended to Rev. John V. Hilton to settle as their pastor, which was declined. Various ministers were heard till March 22, 18G9, at which date Rev. Charles M. Lauisoii was invited to settle with them in the gospel ministry, the call being unanimous. This call was accepted and Mr. Lamson was duly installed. Pursuant to letters missive from the Porter Evangelical Church, an ecclesiastical council was convened iu the meetinghouse of said church on Thursday, Aug. 5, 18U9, at 9.30 o'clock A.M., as follows:

Ministry ov Rev. Robert G. S. McNeille. - Several ministers were heard till April 1, 1872, at which time it was voted " that wc extend a call to Rev. Robert G. S. McNeille, of New Haven, Conn., to become our pastor." This call was accepted, and a council was culled April 25, 1872, at three o'clock p.m.

1, reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. Heman Packard DeForest ; 2, prayer, by Rev. Thomas Wilson ; 3, sermou, by Rev. Edward L. Clark ; 4, installing prayer, by Rev. Charles W. Wood ; 5, charge to pastor, by Rev. E. B. Webb, D.D. ; 6, right hand of fellowship, by Rev. H. A. Stevens;

The council organized by the choice of Rev. George E. Freeman moderator, and Rev. L. S. Woodworth as scribe. The resignation was read, and all parties interested were heard, and the council advised " that the pastoral relation to this church cease," as follows :

" Uaving beard Rev. R. G. S. MuNeille's letter of resi^jnatioD read, nod abo the action of tlie church and pari^li accepting the same, we hereby as a council adjudge the action tu bo orilerly, and advi.-e that Bro. McNeille's pastoral relation to this church hereby cea^e. And in coming to this conclusion, we with pleasure bear witness to Bro. McXeillc's high abilities us ft preacher, to bis genial social qualities, which have secured for him a warm place in the hearts of hia friends and u:-sociates in the ministry, and have given bim a strung hold upon this church and community, and also to the peace and iiros[>urity which have attended bis ministry here.

" We heartily commend hitu to the held of his future labors, and trust that there he will prove himself a good minister of Jesus Christ and be eminently successful in tbe edifying of the church and in tbe salvation of souls.

*' We tender our sympathies to the church in tbe dissolution of the pastoral relation, and pruy that the Great Head of the church may soon till this vacant place with a teacher and guide who will lead this people on to future peace and prosperity, and to great success in advancing the kingdom of Christ in this place."

Ministry op Rev. Z. T. Sullivan. - On the 1st day of April, 1878, the following vote was passed by the church : " Voted, unanimously, that we extend a call to Rev. Z. T. Sullivan, of New Bedford, Mass., to become pastor of this church."

The call was accepted April 15th, and a council met on the 2d day of May, 1878, for the purpose of installing Mr. Sullivan. The churches represented were as follows :

The council was organized by the choice of Rev. George H. Freeman, moderator ; Rev. Horace D. Walker, scribe. After the usual examination of the candidate, and his reasons for changing his pastoral relations, the council advised his settlement, and assigned the various parts of the installation services, as follows :

1, invocation and Scripture lesson, by Rev. John Herbert ; 2, sermon, by Rev. Alonzo H. Quint, D.D. ; 3, installing prayer, by Rev. M. C. Julien ; 4, charge to the pastor, hy Rev. A. H. Heath ; 5, right hand of fellowship, by Rev. H. L. Kelsey ; tj, address to the people, by Rev. Charles M. Lamson ; 7, concluding prayer, by Rev. L. S. Woodworth.

May 28, 1881, Rev. Mr. Sullivan sent his resignation to the church, with a request that the pastoral relation between him and the church should terminate July 1, 1881. Accordingly a council was called to take action in the matter of his dismission, represented by the following churches, viz. :

The above persons convened in the Porter Church on the 28th day of June, 1881, agreeably to the request of pastor and church, and organized by the choice of Rev. J. C. Bodwell moderator, and Rev. D. 0 Clark as scribe.

The council, after listening to the above representations, voted unanimously to confirm the doings of the church and society, and agreed to the following resolution :

" WiiEntAs, in the pruvidcnce of God it lias bcuoino necessary, on aucount of loss of health, for Kev. Z. T. .-^ullivan, pastor of the Porter Evangelical Church and society of Drockton, to discontinue hiu iniuisterial labors, and to tender hi.-, resignation of tlio pastomle; and whereas, the I'orter Church and society have accepted bis resignation ;

" ItenohcJ, That this council hereby approves of the action taken by pastor and ehurch, and advises the di^solution of the existing pastoral relation. We desire to say further that wo accede to the termination of this relation witli ileep regret. We deeply sympathize with Bro. Sullivan in the allliction tiiat baa befallen him, and praying that he may be rc.-toied to healtli by a change of residence, commend him to the churches us a faithful and able minister of our Lord Jesua Christ. We e.Mend also to the I'orter Church and people our sympathy'in tlie loss of the pastor for whom they have tesliiied so much love, and trust (hat in His own good time the Lord may send them another to ho their spiritual guide.

Ministry of Rev. F. A. Waui-'ield. - On the 31st day of January, 1882, the ehurch " voleil, that we extend a call to Rev. F. A. Warfield, of Boston, to become Pastor of this church." This call was accepted by letter from Mr. WartielJ, March 7, 1882. A council was held in the Porter Evangelical Church of Brockton on Tuesday, March 28th, at three o'clock P.M., for the purpose of installing the pastor-elect. The following ohurches were represented, viz :

The examination of the pastor-elect having been declared satisfactory, the council assigned the following as the order of services at the installation held at seven o'clock p.m., March 28th, viz. : 1, reading of the minutes of the council, by the scribe ; 2, invocation and Scripture lesson, by Rev. H. L. Kcl.sey ; 3, sermon, by Rev. R. R. Meredith ; 4, installing prayer, by Rev. J. C. Larrabee ; 5, charge to the pastor, by Rev. Heroan Packard DeForest ; G, right hand of fellowship, by Rev. John T. Blades; 7, address to the people, by Rev. R. G. S. McNeille ; 8, concluding prayer, by Rev. H. A. Loring.

The deacons of the Porter Evangefical Church from its organization have been as follows : Simeon Packard, March 19, 1850; Elbridge H. Packard, March 19, 1850; Henry W. Robinson, April 29, 1864; Augustus T. Jones, April 29, 1864 (resigned Jan. 18, 1866); George H. Cushman, March 1, 18GG (resigned Jan. 29, 1869); Samuel W.S.Howard,

The following is a list of the clerks of Porter Evangelical Church from its organization : David Howard, March 19, 1850; Samuel W. S. Howard, Jan. 16, 1862; George C. Cary, Jan. 15, 1874, who is the present incumbent.

Porter Evangelical Society. - This ecclesiastical society was legally organized March 20, 1850, and a committee, consisting of Simeon Leach, David Howard, and Edwin H. Kingman were chosen to select a lot of land, and procure plans for a house, who were subsequently authorized to purchase a lot and proceed with the building. The lot on which the edifice now stands was purcliased of the late Silas Packard, Esq., for the sum of one thousand dollars, and contains about eighty-four square rods, having a front on Main Street of seven rods, with a depth of twelve rods. The house is situated between the residence of the late Silas Packard, Esq., and that of Franklin Ames, Esq., and but a short distance north of the First Church. The plans of this building were drawn by Messrs. Melvin and Young, of Boston, and the building is sixty feet wide, eighty-eight feet in length, with twenty feet posts, with a spire une hundred and seventy-five feet in height. The house has ninety pews on the main floor, besides the front seat, which is held free; has twenty-four pews in the side- galleries, with seats for sixty persons in the choir-gallery, in front of the organ. There is a large and commodious basement, finished into three rooms, the largest being used as a chapel, which is forty-three feet by fiftyeight, and eleven feet high. Mr. Joseph Sanger, of Watertown, was the contractor, who furnished all the material (excepting foundation and brick work for the basement), for the sum of seven thousand nine hundred and thirty-seven dollars. The house was raised about the 1st of August, 1850, and so far completed that the chapel was first used for public worship Sunday, Oct. 13, 1850.

Dedication op tbe First Meeting- House. - The house was completed and dedicated Jan. 9, 1851, with the following order of exercises: 1, voluntary; 2, invocation ; 3, chant, - " I was glad," etc. ; 4, introductory prayer ; 5, hymn, by a member of the Porter Church, -

" From thy high throne, Eternul King, Oh lititeD, while thy children sing ; And tuoe our hearts to lol'ty praise, As we tbe joyful anthem raise.

*' Yes, io thia bouae, * Thus aaith the Lord,' I'll luugnify my boly word; And siiiDera, humbled io the dust, Sliall learn my boly name to trust.

" Within this house shall mortal tongues Bcj^iu to chant immortal songs; Whilst listening angels, hov'ring round. Join to prolong the sacred sound.

" Then let us lift our vuiues high, Let shouts of praise ascend the sky ; Loud let the solemn organ peal, Whilst we express the joys we feel.

"Great God of sov'reign power and grace, Ob, with thy presence till this place ; This temple make (in mercy given) ' Tlie house of God, the gate of Heaven.' *'

6, sermon, by the pastor, Rev. John F. Norton, from tlie text, Psalm xi. 3, If the foundation be destroyed what can the rigliteous do"?" 7, anthem; S, dedicatory prayer, by Rev. Daniel Huntington, of Campello ; 9, dedication ciiant; 10, concluding prayer; 11, hymn, by Rev. Daniel Huntington, of tlie South Congregational Church, Campello, tune, " Old Hundred," by the congregation, -

" To Thee, Most Holy and Most High, AVhoni all the hosts of Heaven adore. Again we I'aise our earnest cry. Thy gracious presence to implore.

"Within these walls, oh, deign to dwell And hero thy suppliant people meet, Oft iis they come their wants to tell, Or lay their offerings at thy feet,

" Nor here alone thia grace be given ; Let all around thy glory see; Each house becuiuu a ' gate of Heaven ;* Each heart a living temple bo."

" Praise God, from whom all blessings flow ; Praise hiui, all creatures here below ; Praise him above, ye heavenly boat; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost."

The total cost of house, land, furniture, and organ, including iutcrest on borrowed money, up to the time of selling the pews (Jan. 10, 1851), was fourteen thousand nine hundretJ and thirty-tive dollars. The amount obtained from the sale of pews was twelve thousand five hundred dollars, beside other pews taken soon after the adjourumeut of the sale, making nearly enough to cover the entire cost to the society. Various donations were made to the society toward furnishiug the house, amounting to four hundred and thirty-five dollars, frotu different individuuk. The church and society paid two hundred dollais for a new collection of hymn-books for church and cliapel use, making about sixteen thousand two Imndred dollars paid and pledged for future payment during the first year of ita existence.

In 1866, extensive repairs and inipioveiiients were made, particularly in the audience-rouiu ; the ceiling and walls were neatly frescoed, the sinning gallery was lowered, new windows were put in, and the original pulpit replaced by platform furnishings of a more modern pattern. More than all, the pews on the maiu floor were rearranged, and iwenty-fuur uuw ones were added, iticreasing the number of sittings to about seven hundred. The expetise attending these improvements was not far from seven thousand dollars.

RededicatION. - The congregation worshiping with the Porter Evangelical Church had so increased during the past seventeen years since the la^t repairs were made, in 1866, that there was u long-felt need of enlarged accommodations. The sum of ten thousand dollars was subscribed for providing the same, and plans were elaborated and completed by the wellknown churcli architect, T. M. Silluway, of Bo.-ton.

A new section was added in rear of the original edifice, forty by sixty-eight feet in size, the transept projecting eight feet outward from the main building on eitiier side, chiefly for aichilectural effect. The new section, which in itself contains mure than half as many square feet as the original stiuelure, not only affords space for the introduetitm of over sixty additional pews, but an opportunity of cariying (jut an improvement for a long time desired by many, viz , the transfer of the choir gallery to a position in the rear of the pulpit. Other improvements embraced in the plan were the topping out of the spire, which, since tiie day it had been so rudely assailed by the winds, had remained an ill-proportioned and unsightly stump, suggestive of amputated strength as well as of departed beauty. Enlarged and convenient ve.stry accommodations were also features provided for in the plans, and these, as they have been realized, :ire proving to be among the most valuable and most thoroughly appreciated of the acriuisiiioii.-. gained by tlie enlargement. To note in brief the results of the work which has been brought to completiun, it may be said that sittings in the audience-room of the chuich will comfortably accommodate eleven hundred people ; the choir and organ liave been moved to a better location, steam-heatiuLC throughout tlie building lias been provided, the iiiain uudience-rooiu lias been furiiisliej lliroughout with ouw pews, pulpit furuishings, cuniiiuiis, and carpets, and duw and ioipruvud liglicing fixtures have been introduced, while below there is a main vestry or lecture-rooiu fifty-two by fifty-six feet in size, occupied also by the upper department of the Sunday-school, newly furnished, and with sittiuics for sis hundred. Openinj; out of this room, and connected with it by larf;e sliding sashes, are two smaller rooms, one of which has been furnished as a ladies' parlor and the other fitted for the use of the primary department of the Sunday-school, for social purposes, and for the weekly prayer-meetings of the church. Contiguous to the above are other apailmonts used as kitchen, committee-room, etc. All are convunicut and pleasant, and well adapted for use as work-rooms of the church.

The entire expense incurred to bring the work to completion, including the outlay for the new carpet, paid for entirely by the ladies, in addition to the one thousand dollars subscribed by them to the genoral fund, is, as near as can be ascertained, about seventeen thousand dollars. This is some six thousand dollars in excess of the amount pledged at the outset.

The house was rededicated on Wednesday evening, Dec. 2ci, 1883, marking a notable event in the history of the society. The exercises were witnessed by over one thousand persons.

The musical selections were prepared with special care, and were rendered in a way to indicate in an even more than usual degree the musical intelligence and skill of the choir, and the results of the careful training of Organist and Director Burrell. Perhaps these points were best shown on this occasion in the singing of Rundeggcr's anthem, " Praise God," which was not only artistically sung, but was to the congregation the most impressive of the musical numbers in the order of services.

After the opening exercises, including the organ voluntary, the anthem " Come all ye Faithful," the reading of Scripture by Rev. John T. Blades, of the South Congregational Church, Campello, prayer by Rev. George E. Martin, of the First Church, and a fine rendering of Buck's paraphrase of the 4tith Psalm by the quartette, a statement of the building committee Was read by A. T. Jones, Esq., giving a brief history of the church from its organization to the present time. Rev. Dr. Ueuen Thomas, of Bruokline, Mass., after a few congratulatory remarks to the people, preached the dedicatory sermon from the text, Mattiiew xxiv. 35. '' Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away," which was au elocjueut and forcible discourse.

The exercises of the evening closed with an anthem by ilie choir, the dedicatory prajer by Rev. J. C. Labarce, of Randolph, a hymu by the congregation, and the benediction by the pastor. The services were in all respects impressive and pleasing, and the very many friends of the Porter Society from other churches who came to participate in them joined in rejoicing and congratulations at an event which makes progress and growth in the work in which all are interested in common.

Organization of the church for 1884 ; Rev. F. A. Warfield, pastor ; Simeon Packard, Elbridge II. Packard, George C. Cary, Edmund W. Holmes, Joseph S. Smith, and Huram Wade, deacons ; George C. Gary, clerk; Edmund W. Holmes, superiutendeot of Sunday-school.

Organization of the parish for 1884 : Augustus T. Jones, Lucius F. Alden, George A. Perkins, parish committee ; Charles A. Noyes, clerk ; George II. Jameson, treasurer; Joseph D. Parish, sexton.