Plymouth County, Massachusetts - Chapter 4: Ecclesiastical History (2 of 2 so headed), 1884

Tlie First Parish - South Uiujjhivin Church - The Third Puriali - Evaagclical CoDj^rejjiitiouuI Church - Church of St. John the Ev';iDgeli±it - Universulist Churcii - Methodist Episoopul Church - First Baptist Church - Church of Zion - Roiuuq Ciilhulic Church - Tlie Third Congrcgutionai Church - South lI(D;rliaui Church.

Up to 1717 the town constituted but une parish; but Nov. 21, 1717, the inhabitants of Coha.sset >uceecded, after some opposition, in having themselves set apart, and Cohasset became known as the Second Precinct or Parish of Hiogham. The remaining inhabitants of Hiogham not included within the limits of Cohasset composed the First Parish or Precinct, and organized as such the 6th of March, 1720/1.

In 1729 the parish voted " that there bo an addition made to the back part of tlie Meeting-house, and that the same do not exceed fourteen feet wide or back."

The First Parish." - The first church in Hingham was formed in 1635, with the Rev. Peter Hobart as its minister. The first house for public worship was erected by the first settlers of the town about 1635. Its situation was on a slight eminence in front of the i outside of the same where tliey thought necessary, present site of Derby Academy. This was the only i ""J "-'*'> "^ plaster with lime as much of the inside as place for public worship in the town for forty-five ''"^y thought proper, ygars. 1° 1755 further changes were made, and at that

The Rev. Peter Hobart died Jan. 20, 1G78/9, 1'"'^ the central space or body of the house was filled and the Rev. John Norton was ordained as his sue- ^*'"h '""S <^'»''e" '^'^a'". -"'" '^e men on one side of the cesser Nov. 27 1678 i broad aisle and for the women on the other. A new pulpit was built in the same year, and these addilion.s

' Lieut. Joseph Andrew?, a brave and promising officer, was ustabliahed the dimensions of the meeting-hou.ie as mortally wounded at the battle of Brandy wine. His valor on , ^, ,,^^ are, - I.e., sevenly-three feet by fifty-five feet. ihut uccusiun utti'dcLed much attuntion. Dulce ct decoi iiin e:)t ^« « - i i ..

tlie years 1755 and 1869. At the parish-meeting held March 10, 1869, it was voted " tliat a committee be cliosen to consider tlie matter of reseating the lower floor of the church," and ascertain the probable expense of a new floor and new pews, and report to the parish at their next meeting.

The committee was appointed by the moderator. Gen. Luther Stephenson, Jr., and consisted of Warren A. Ileisey, Ebed. L. Ripley, William Fearing (2d), E. Waters Burr, and Henry C. Harding. The members of the parish committee, consisting of John K. Corthell, Israel Whitcouib, and Quincy Bicknell, were added to the above-named committee.

Quite extensive changes were now made, leaving the present condition and aspect of the meetiug-house something as follows : " A cellar has been excavated under the house of sufficient depth, in which are placed two brick furnaces for heating purposes. The new sills and large floor timbers, and the columns supporting the same are of the best Southern pine. The pews are made of chestnut, with black walnut ends and mouldings, furnished with cushions and carpeted uniformly with the ai.sles.

In 1881 the parish celebrated the two hundredth anniversary of the building of its meeting-house ; ou Monday the 8th of August, Mr. Charles Eliot Norton, a descendant of the Rev. John Norton, second minister of the parish, delivered the address. This parish has had during its existence but seven pastors, not including the associate pastorship of the Rev. E. A. Horton.

The first minister was the Rev. Peter Hobart, who was born in Hingham, England, in 1641 ; he was minister from 1635 to 1679. The Rev. John Norton, the second mitiister, was born in Ipswich. He was ordained as colleague of Rev. Peter Hobart in 1678, about two months before the death of Mr. Hobart. The Rev. Mr. Norton's pastorate was from 1678 to 1716.

The Rev. Ebenezer Gay, D.D., was ordained as the third minister of the parish in 1718, and his pastorate was of unusual length, from 1718 to 1787.

The Rev. Henry Ware, D.D., born in Sherboru, was the fourth minister, and he was pastor from 1787 to 1805, when he became Hollis Professor of Divinity in Harvard College.

In 1875 the Rev. Mr. Lincoln .sent in his resignation, but it was not accepted by the parish, and the Rev. E. A. Horton was inducted into the office of associate pastor with the Rev. Mr. Lincoln in 1877.

The present pastor is the Rev. H. Price Collier, who was ordained the 29th of September, ISS2. From all that can be learned, after diligent and accurate research, it is safe to say that the old meetinghouse of the First Parish of Hingham is the oldest house for public worship which exists within the original limits of the United States. Though there have been many changes, still it remains in its essential particulars the same house that was built in 1681.

It would be afiectation on the part of any one attempting to recall the historical antiquities of the town of Hingham not to mention the name of the Hon. Solomon Lincoln. Even for this fragmentary sketch, all of the material used is culled from die stores of accurate historical research left by that gentleman.

South. Hingham Church.' - The South Hingham Church was erected iu 17-12, and is well situated on the rock in the middle of the " Glad Tidings Plain," in the township of Hingham. No better nor more convenient site could have been selected, being just about the centre of the old territorial limits assigned to the parish on its formation, in 1715. The lands and estates set off by new boundaries to ibrm the parish attached to the church were originally part of the First Parish in Hingham, and the new arrangements were made final by a committee from the General Court who visited the town for the [jurpose. This new parish thus formed with the title uf the -' Third Congregational Society iu Hingham," or the Third Parish, was set off on the petition of a Mr. Tlieophilus Cushing, " in behalf of himself and others, inhabitants of the southerly part of the First Parish iu Hingham." This gentleman - being one of the principal iiihubitaats - is worthy of notice in this uiatter. He waa the iiiaiii proprietor of tiie church before tlie formation of the parish, and tlie House of Representatives - J. Quiucy being Spcaiier - granted to him the power to call the first meetiiiir to ehoose precinct officers, and transact ail other affairs according to law. The meeting was called on May 19, 1746, and the First Parish officers were elected to serve one year, himself being chosen treasurer.

Mr. Cushing's descendants in direct line are now living, and are active members of the parish, and he was the fourth in lineal descent from Mr. Matthew Cushing, who came from England, und commenced the settlement of Hingham in 1638. In the year 1749 an agreement was made between the proprietors of the church and parish, whereby the church became the property of the parish on the payment of a large sura of money, and this same Mr. Theophilus Cushing then gave to the parish a quarter of an acre of land surrounding the building. Alterations on the exterior of the church have been made at various times, and the arrangement of the interior has been entirely changed since its first days. Originally the front faced the south, had a porch at the entrance, wliile there was also a door at the west side for admittance to the galleries. The pulpit stood on the north side with a large sounding-board overhead, and was approached from the main entrance through a broad aisle ; old fashioned square pews covered most of the ground floor, and bare long seats were placed in the galleries.

The first work on the exterior could not have been substantial, for in fourteen years afterwards the meeting-house needed to be remodeled all round, which was done ; with this exception the structure remained unchanged until the close of the last century, when some alterations and additions took place. A porch was built at the west door; the tower was built up (179-) from the ground floor at the east end where it now stands ; more pews and seats were put in, also larger and additional windows. A bell was hung (1793) in the tower, purchased from a firm in Hartford, Conn. The church then remained with but few repairs until the years 1820-30, when great changes took place. The south and west doors, with their porches, were removed, and the east end made the front, this was done b}' widening the tower on its north and south sides, when two doors were placed to form the entrance. This widening of the tower was carried up to the roof; and the old bell was taken down to make place for a larger, weighing eight hundredweight.

the pulpit was at that time removed to the west end. We now come down to the year 1809 before any further and marked changes occur, but then the organ was placed in a gallery built for it at the west end, the pew doors were taken off, and the church cleaned and carpeted. Twelve years subsequent to that date the present clocks were placed in tiie tower and church. Turning from these changes in the building we find the parish took its present title of the Second Parish in Hingham iu the year 1771, when Cohasset was incorporated and no longer a distinct part of Hingham. From the old records of parish meetings, made by the successive clerks from the earliest date, we gather a few ecclesiastical usages ; the business was always transacted at a meeting made legal by a due notice to the inhabitants, published at least more than two Sundays previous ; the ministers were settled for life, and their salary and the money for the other expenses of the parish raised by taxation. This was uniformly the case at least up to the early decades of the present century, atid tiie officers of the parish had power to issue a warrant against " delinquents." Parishioners would sometimes pay their taxes by work done for the minister. The management of the schools of the parish was directed at the annual meeting of the society, their portion of money being drawn from the town treasury to defray the expenses thus incurred. In the earliest time the meeting would decide the precise regulating of the schools, but later on, towards the years 1780 and upwards, it was the custom to appoint a committee. The parish officers, viz., assessors, treasurer, and clerk, were annually sworn before a justice of the peace. It was the custom to ring the bell at nine o'clock iu the evening; a sexton was appointed for the purpose, who had also to ring at fUnerals, and at one particular time to announce by the bell the day of the month. The first pews placed in the church were sold by auction, and became the property of purchasers and their heirs by a legal deed, and as new pews were put in, they were sold annually to the highest bidders, who might use them for one year. These are a few of the precise customs which have gradually pa.ssed away.

It now remains to notice the ministers who have had the charge of the society. The parish has been singularly fortunate at times in settling notable and talented men, but never more so than in the case of their first minister, the Rev. D. Shute, U.D., who was born at Maiden in 1722. He was a student at Harvard, and graduated in 1743, then settled with this parish at its formation, and passed the whole of his subsequent long life in South Hingham as the niirjister of the society. The extant records and local tra- ditioiis declare liiui to have beeu a luau of strong iutellect and One moral character, with broad aud lib- , cral religious ideas, while he had u di^^position and ' parts to please and profit his people to no comiuou decree, both iu his ministrations and ordinary intercourse with them. He was thoroughly publicspir- I ited, and twice became the public servant, rendering good .service to the couimouwealth, being appointed by the citizens a member of the convention which formed the Constitution of Massachusetts, and also a member of that which adopted the Coustitution of tlie United States. Mr. Shute also preached the artillery election sermon in ITGT, and the election sermon before the Legislature in 1768, which were duly publibhed. His funeral sermon on Dr. Gay, the minister of the First Parish, was a notable one, and is now in a printed form. He passed a busy life as a minister, as a teacher preparing young men tor Harvard, and ;is a public uian, aud built a house which is to this day one of tlie best in the whole town. With wisdom and heart to serve his people and country, he lived to a good old age, and died Aug. 30, 1802, in tile fifty-si.'cth year of his ministry, when he was eiglity years old.

The Rev. Nicholas Bowes Whitney svas the colleague of Dr. Shute for two years. This gentleman continued to be tlie clergyman of tlie parish until 1833, and died in 1835. He was the last minister Settled for life. Mr. Whitney was succeeded by the Rev. Warren Burton, who remained two years, and subsequently became the author of " Helps to Educaticju," published by a Boston firm.

The years 1836 and 1837 the parish waa served by Rev. T. Lewis Russell, and again by the .same gentleman iu 1842 to 1S49, and also 1853 and 1854. Mr. was an eminent scientist, and was especially distinguished by his knowledge of natural history. During the interval of Mr. Russell's first and second ministry Rev. Lyman Maynard was the minister.

The next minister for any length of time was Rev. W. Travis Clarke, who was at South Hingham from 1855 to 1859. The Rev. J. L. Hatch became the minister in 1862, and stayed two years. A Rev. Mr. Sawyer and a Rev. J. Savary were then the ministers in succession for short periods, and in 1870 the Rev. A. G. Jennings settled with the parish, who stayed eleven years, - a public-spirited gentleman who did much to bring about an improvement in the .system of | education of the town. He was appointed the school i superintendent by the citizens of Hingham, and lield that office for niuc years. Mr. Jennings was succeeded by Rev. W. I. Nichols in 1881, who was an ardent advocate in all social reform movements, but who resigned in 1883, and was followed by the present pastor of the society, the Rev. A. Cross.

The Evangelical Congregational Church, Hingham Centre.' - In the month of August, 1847, Rev. E. Porter Dyer, upon the invitation of the Norfolk Conference of Churches, visited Hingham, aud inquired into the practicability of establishing Evangelical Congregational preaching in this ancient town.

He found that religious services bad been held in the old town hall, by Rev. Mr. Loring, and reported that one hundred and thirteen dollars could be raised for the support of preaching, provided there was a prospect of a permanency in the enterprise.

In September, 1847, Mr. Dyer, made an engagement to preach in the old town hall one year, the Norfolk Conference contributing to his support.

In October a Sunday-school was formed ; and Dee. 21, 1847, a church of eleven members was organized. Asa H. Holden was chosen deacon. During the following year the present church edifice was built, and Mr. Dyer, in September, the close of his eiigai;uuient, was invited to settle as pastor of tlie eliureh and society.

This invitation was accepted, and Rev. E. Porter Dyer was installed first pastor of the Evangelical Congregational Church Jan. 4, 184'J ; at which time, also, the present house of worship was dedicated.

The pastoral relations of Mr. Dyer closed iu September, 1863, after a faithful service of sixteen years. September, 1858, Caleb S. Hunt waa elected deacon. which position he lield until his death, Oct. 17, 187IJ.

Iu September, 1875, Rev. JOdward C. Hood, by invitation of the church and society, became acting pastor. With the beginning of the year 187S, the weekly offering system was introduced, which proveil very successful, and has been continued until the present time (July, 1884). Through the efforts of Mr. Hood the church edifice was repaired, an organ was placed in the audience-room, and a piano wa.s procured for the vestry. He acted as the pastor of the church seven years, and in September, 1882, re-

Mr. Robinson is a graduate of Union Theological Seuiiiiar}-, New York City, and this is his first scttlelueiit. The clmrch is unusually prosperous, and a goodly number are uniting with it by profession. Although for thirty years it has been aided by the Massachusetts Home Missionary Society, it is now self-sustaining, and the parish is free from debt.

Church of St. John the Evangelist.' - The history of the establishment of the Episcopal Church in Hingliam extends back over many years. Away back in 1824, Daniel Bassett, Esq., a very zealous churchman, fitted up a suitable hall to use for the services of the Episcopal Church. These services were well attended for a while, but there wore so few who had any real interest that finally they were discouiinued. About the year 1840 the Rev. Mr. Cutter, of Hanover, and the Rev. Mr. Robinson, of Quiney, united to make another attempt to hold services ill the same hall. They were assisted by clergymen stopping in the vicinity during the summer. The Rev. Mr. Snow, a missionary, officiated a part of the time, but was giving his attention to Plymouth also, and concluded that that w;ts a more promising ])lace for establishing the church. The efibrts at Hingliam were therefore abandoned. The families of Mr. Daniel Bassett and of Mr. Atherton Tilden, now residing in Dedliain, wore the only ones identified with the church at that time.

As early as 1843 services were again held in a hall owned by Daniel Bassett and loaned and fitted up for the purpose. The seats were numbered like pews, and a special lot of prayer-books were procured, bound ill sheep-skin and stamped on the outside in gilt letters, '- Episcopal Church, Hingham." Several of these old prayer-books still remain in use. The interest in the services was not strong or widespread enough, and they were finally discontinued.

The interest again revived iu 1869, and a new attempt was made to maintain the services of the church in Hingliam. On the first Sunday after Trinity, May 30th of that year, the Rev. Thomas W. Street, rector of Trinity Church, Weymouth, held an evening service in Loriug Hall. About one hundred persons

In the fall, however, they were discontinued, though occasionally held during the two succeeding summers. During the following years most of the church people were regular attendants at Christ Church, Quiney, or at Trinity Church, Weymouth, each church being about six miles distant.

There were earnest and devoted souls who, firmly convinced of the power and divine appointment of the church and its perfect adaptation to the real religious needs of all people, would not despair, and in 1879, on the fourth Sunday after Trinity, July Ctli, services were held by the Rev. Julius H. Ward, of Boston, in Southworth's Hall. These services were continued every Sunday during the summer, and at least twice monthly during the winter, the Rev. T. A. Snively, then rector of Christ Church, Quiney, and the Rev. George S. Bennett, lector of All Saints Church, Dorchester, having charge. In November of the same year a Sunday-school was started. During the summer of 1881 the congregation was in charge of the Rev. P. C. Webber, and during the succeeding winter in charge of Mr. Sherrard Billings as lay leader, then a candidate for holy orders, and a student at the Cambridge Theological School.

On the 1st of July, 1881, a lot of land on Main Street, at the head of Water Street, was purchased for a thousand dollars, and a fund started for the erectioti of a church.

At Easter, 1882, the congregation organized as a mission, with the choice of Dr. Charles H. Alden, warden; Mr. T. E. Harlow, treasurer; and Mr. H. C. Lahee, clerk. The Rev. Charles h. Weils was placed iu charge of the mi.ssion July 1, 1882.

Services were continued in the hall, hut as its accommodations were limited and its iiicunvenienees many, special exertions were made to increase the amount of the building fund so a.s to justify ]iroceediug to build. By the eflForts of the Woman's Guild a sale was held during the -summer of 1882, which netted about four hundred dollars. This, together with amounts subscribed by members of the congregation and by generous churchmen in Boston, enabled the officers to begin the work, and the ground was broken in November of that same year. Mr. E. A. P. Newcomb, a noted architect of Boston and a devoted churchman, very kindly gave the plans and much of his time and personal supervision. The work progressed during the winter and spring, and an exceedingly pretty church was finished and coii.secrated June 5, 1883, by the Rt. Rev. Benjamin H. Paddock, Bishop of Massachusetts.

The church is of wood, about sixty feet Ion;; by twenty-four wide, and will seat one hundred and fifty persons. It is built in the colonial style, and the interior is richly painted in peacock blue and I'oiupeian red. The high wainscotting and ash pews are stained with a rich old oak color, while the chancel-rail and furniture is ol' solid oak. The windows are stained glass, amber shading into peacock blue.

It is already the recipient of many beautiful and valuable gifts: the chancel-window, in memory of George and Mary Parkmaii ; the large window in the west end, in memory of Mary Woodward Long, wile of the Hon. John D. Long. The chancel furniture and a beautiful font, also of oak, have been given by various friends. A fine church-organ was presented by St. Paul's Church, Stockbridge. The chaliee and paten, of silver and gold, beautifully engraved and inscribed, were sent in a brass-mounted oak box, from the church in liingham, England, as a sign and seal of devoted Christian brotherhood. A lectern and bishop's chair, very massive and elaborately carved, were in use for many years in the old church in Hiiighani, England, dating back to the middle of the fourteenth century (1350 A.D.), have been presented, with very plea.sant words of cordial and intimate church relationship, to the church in Hingham, New England.

All the church property has been deeded over to the trustees of donations, who hold it in trust for the use of the Episcopal Church forever.

The church is free, and a cordial invitatiou is extended to all to unite in the services. In the winter the congregations arc not so large, but in the summer there are regular attendants from the summer visitors at Nantasket and Cohasset, as well as at Hingham, among whom are many of our most prominent and devoted churchmen.

Universalist Society.' - This religious body was organized at a meeting of several members of the First Universalist Society of Scituate, Mass. (now known as West Scituate, a part of the town of South Scituate), at the house of Capt. Charles W. Cushing, in liingham, on Saturday evening, Nov. 1, 1823.

The object in meeting with the Scituate society was because of the mutual sympathy exi.iting between the believers of the same faith in both towns, and an earnest desire to strengthen the cause by the foriualion of an additional society'.

In the articles of agreement occurs the following statement : " We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, being sensible of the unchangeable and universal love of God to mankind, exhibited in the lledeemer, and in humble thankfulness to lliiu fur disposing our hearts to unite together in the bonds ol' Christian love and felloW»hip, think it our duty, as tending to the good order of society in general, and the improvemeut aud edification of each other in particular, to form ourselves into a Church of Christ, whicli, we conceive, consists of a number of believers united together in the confession of the faith of the gospel."

The corner-stone of the church edifice used by this society w;is laid May 18, 182'J, when prayer was offered by Rev. Sebastian Streeter. and tiie house of Worship dedicated ou the 19th of September, IS-'J, on which occasion the sermon was delivered by llev. Hosea Ballou.

Among those who have been pastors of the society were Rev. T. J. Greenwood (deceased). Rev. J. P. Atkinson, Rev. A. A. Folsom (deceased), llev. J. F. Dyer, Rev. S. A. Davis, Rev. J. II. Fanisworth, Rev. J. W. Talbot, Rev. M. M. Preston (deceased), Rev. A. Case (deceased). Rev. J. D. Cargill, Rev. E. Partridge (deceased), Rev. J. E. Daven[:ort, Rev. Phebe A. Hanaford, and Rev. D. P. Livermore.

Soon after the formation of the society, and for many years following, the church ordinances were administered at stated times to all of its members who felt it a privilege to join in the observance of the Lord's Supper. During the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Cargill, in 1856, a church was formed distinct from the society, but composed chiefly, if not entirely, of its members, at which time the ^Vinche.ster ConlLsaion of Faith was adopted. The following persons are its oflBcers: Deacons, Samuel W. ]Marsh, George lleisey ; Clerk, Franklin Kersey; Treasurer, George Hersey.

The Sunday-school connected with the society has usually been in a flourishing condition. Its average membership was for a long series of years upward.s of one hundred and twenty-five, and it is still doing active work.

It is worthy of notice that, while Hingham, Ma.ss., is celebrated for having within its buiders the oldest church edifice in the United States now worshiped in, it will henceforth be knowu as the town in which was ordained and installed the first woman minister in Massachusetts.

Methodist Episcopal Church.' - Tliis station was formeil)' a part uf Scituate Station. A class of about a dozen njeinbers was formed in the year 1818, by llev. Edward T. Taylor (of Bethel fame), and there was occiisioual preaching at Brother Robert Gould's house.

The first Methodist meeting-house was dedicated July 3, 1828, funds for building being given by Rev. Stephen Puffer, a local preacher residing in the town. The dedicatory sermon was delivered by Rev. John Newland Maffil. The first stationed minister was Rev. Samuel Heath. Since that time forty-four preachers have been stationed at Hingham, prominent among them Stephen Puffer, Ralph W. Allen, David Wise, James Mudge, George W. Bates, Amos Binney, Levi Daggett, A. H. Newton, Daniel Webb, Robert Clark, William H. Starr, George E. Fuller, Merritt P. Alderman, James H. Nutting, Joseph 0. Thompson, Augeio Carroll.

The first meeting-house lot and building was transferred in July, 1828, to a board of trustees. In December, 1845, alterations were made, as the society had grown in numbers and influence.

In May, 18G7, while the church wa.s under the charge of Rev. George E. Fuller, the building was moved back some thirty feet, raised sufficiently to add vestries, three in number. A new front, with steeple, was added, giving the building an entirely different appearance. The vestries were finished in December, 1867, dedicated on the 17th, the audience-room completed and dedicated the following spring. Nearly four thou.sand dollars expense was reported by building committee, all but nine hundred and forty-six dollars of which was paid by .selling pews, lectures, etc. Brother Alderman reduced the debt very materially, if, possibly, not canceling it during iiis stay.

In 1882 another change was made. It was found, upon examining the spiles on which the back part of the building rested, they were in an unsafe condition, and as a piece of laud on the opposite side of the street could be obtained for four hundred dollars, the trustees removed without further delay, the moving, etc., not to exceed one thousand dollars. The building wa." accordingly removed, without any difficulty, to the corner of Thaxter, facing South Street.

In 1883 the widow of Rev. Stephen Puffer wrote to the trustees, saying she had for a long time wished to have a parsonage in Hingham, offering seven hundred dollars towards the building. At once the land back of the church, facing Thaxter Street, was prepared, a cellar dug, and building commenced.

Mrs. Puffer being pleased with the promptness of the work, gave three hundred dollars more to complete it. as her gift to the Hingham Church. Through extra exertions of the brethren and sisters, it was comfortably furnished by the 3d of July, when Rev. Arthur Thompson, the present pastor, brought his young bride and took possession. During the lapse of years, since the first class was formed, there have been many changes. Very many have gone home rejoicing.

Others are scattered over the earth ; some of I hem are holding responsible positions; their kindly letters, coming now and then to the " dear, old church," prove that seeds sown early and watered by prayers and tears of those now growing old and feeble, are bringing forth an abundant harvest for the Master. A singular fact concerning the church and congregation is that nine ladies have married Methodist ministers, several of whom are now living, co-workers in the vineyard of the Lord.

First Baptist Church.^ - In the year 1818 a few Baptists in Hingliam, Mass., gathered for their first prayer-meeting, which was held in the house of one of their number, Mr. Nathaniel T. Davis.

Mr. Asa Wilbur, of Boston, was present, and often afterwards visited the little flock, and aided them with his counsels, his money, and his prayers. In the same year the first sermon was delivered in Hingham by a Baptist, Mr. Ensign Lincoln. These Baptist people also organized this year the first Sabbathschool in the town, and during the summer the attendance upon it increased to ninety.

In the year 1820, Mr. Joshua Beal, Miss Polly Barnes, and Miss Nancy Studley were baptized by Rev. Dr. Baldwin, of Boston, and the .scene made a very deep impression upon the multitude which gathered at the water-side. Many of those present had never seen a person buried with Christ by baptism, and some who were afterwards converted dated their first serious convictions from this hour.

In August, 1823, a hall, with unpla-stered walla and seats of boards, was engaged at " the harbor," and in this services were held for nearly a year. Here souls were won to God, but the success of such a feeble band aroused opposition. Their assemblies were disturbed by the firing of guns, and by other noises near the hall, and a determined but futile attempt was made to suppress their meetings by process of law. Once, while quietly worshiping, they were locked in their hall, and no officer of law inter- fenod to prevent the deed, or to punish the offenders. But perseeution wiouirht its usual lesult.s, and tiie little band grew in numbers and in influence. A building wii.s purchased in a more quiet pun of the town, and an upper room fitted for worsiiip. The antipathy to Baptists was, however, so strong that it was not thought wise to make known the purpose for which the building was to be used, nor that it was to be conveyed to Baptists. A gentleman of another denumiuation consented to receive the deed in his own name, and afterwards transfer the property to the real purchasers.

On the "Jtli of March, 1828, twenty persons, all but two being wumeu, were publicly recognized as a branch of the Second Baptist Church of Boston, of which Rev. J. D. Knowles was tbeu pastor. Mr. Harvey Ball was ordained as an evangelist September 21st of the same year, and served this branch church in Hingham for two years. He advised and encouraged them to build a house of worship. A day of special prayer for divine guidance was set apart, and soon afterwards they purchased the lot on which their house now stands, and erected the building in which they still worship. It cost three thousand three hundred dollars, and was dedicated Dec. 3, 1828, amid much rejoicing, Dr. Sharp, of Boston, preaching the sermon.

Mr. Timothy R. Cressey, a student at Newton Theological Institution, often supplied the pulpit after Mr. Ball's resignation, and, on the 5th of May, 1831, he was ordained, and the church recognized as an independent body, with fifty-one members. The pastorate of Mr. Creasey continued three years and a half, during which a vestry was built in the ba.sement, and twenty-eight persons were received into the church.

After being two years without a pastor, Mr. Waterman Burlingame, also a Newton student, was ordained, and began his labors Sept. 27, 183C. He remained until Aug. 5, 18-10, baptizing seventeen and receiving three by letter.

The church w:i3 again pastorless for two years, when, on the 28th of September, 1842, Rev. Sereno Howe, who had been previously ordained as an evangelist, was installed as pa.stor. His term of service was nearly .seven years, and he received seventy five persons into the fellowship of the church. In 1845 those elms were planted in front of the church, which, with the hedge, now make the grounds the most attractive in the town.

During the summer of 1851 the house was raised, repaired, and a new pulpit and furniture added. The vestry also was much enlarged, and a committee-room built in the rear. In the autumn of that year 3Ir. Jonathan Pilson was called from the institution at Newton, and was ordained on the 5th of November. His was a long and prosperous pastorate, ending Sept. 24, 1870. lie received into the church one hundred and tiity-six, of whom he baptized one hundred and twenty-five.

In April, 1877, the church extended a call to Ruv, A. S. McLean, of Charlestowu, and he was installed June 28th. He served the church, however, but a little more than one year, reaigning July 7, IS7S. The house of worship was repaired during his ])astorate, and there were some accessions.

In December, 187G, Rev. H. M. Dean, of Dayton, Ohio, began the discharge of pastoral duties, and has continued to the present time (June, lSS4j. The progress of the church during tiiis period, though not rapid, has been healtliy ; and while there never was greater reason for thanksgiving for past bles-^iiigs, there has probably never been a more hopeful outlook for the future than there is to-day.

The first deacons were chosen in 1835, and six brethren have since served in that capacity. Their honored names are Nichols Litchfield, Issachar Fuller, Joshua Thayer, Joseph Ripley, Levi Ilcrsey, and Walton V. Mead, Deacons Ripley and Mead still serving. Among the bequests which the church has received, that of Deacou Joshua Thayer, who bequeathed a commodious parsonage and grounds, deserves especial mention.

The ohurcli has from the first sought and relied upon the aid of the spirit of God. A church library was founded in 1830, and the pastors, with the exception of Rev. Mr. McLean, have been graduates of Newton Theological Institution, but the church has depended not on learning, nor eloquence, but upon the power of God. It has unswervingly adhered to evangelical truth, and to-day, as in the earlier years of the century, is earnestly contending for the faith once for all delivered to the saints.

The Third Congregational Church was incorporated Feb. 13, 1807. The following is the record: " An act to incorporate a number of Inhabitants of the North Parish of the Town of Hiiigliani, in the county of Plymouth, into a religious Society by the Dame of the Third Congregational Society in Hingham. Dated February 13th, 1807. Approved by the Governor, Caleb Strong."

May 10, 1807. Parish meeting held, Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, moderator, to see if the society concur with the church in calling Mr. Henry Coleman to settle as their gospel minister. Mr. Coleman's connection with the society was dissolved March, 1820.

1840, Feb. 3. Rev. Oliver Stearns was invited to become the pastor of the society ; he remained with the society till Oct. 1, 1S56, he having been invited to the presidency of Meadville Theological School.