The sacred desk was immediately supplied in succession by Mr. Field, now the minister of Weston; Mr. Abbot, late pastor of the North Church at Salem; and Mr. Lemuel Capen, of Dorchester, now pastor of a Church at South Boston.

1815. Jan. 30. The Church gave a call to Mr. Capen to settle in the ministry, by a vote of 35 to 15. In this the town concurred, 170 to 31.* It was also voted to allow him $400, as a settlement, and $600 as an annual salary. This was punctually paid him half yearly. The ordination solemnities were held March 22, 1815.†, Great unanimity subsisted through the ministry of Mr. C. The covenant was now amended, so that all Congregational Christians might conscientiously assent to it. It was adopted, April, 1815, as follows, and has ever since been unchanged:

"1. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, with humble dependance on the Holy Spirit, and with sincere repentance of all our sins, we solemnly enter into covenant with the Lord Jehovah, taking him to be our God, giving up ourselves to his sovereign direction and disposal, and promising to make it one great business in life, to love and serve, to honor and glorify him."

"2. We receive the Lord Jesus Christ as he is offered to us in the Gospel, as the only Mediator between God and man, and through whom alone salvation may be obtained by the sinful children of men."

"3. We resolve to use the Holy Scriptures as our platform, whereby to discern the mind of Christ, believing them to be the only infallible rule of faith and practice."

"4. We promise that by all the means in our power, we will instruct those who are, or may hereafter be, under our care and direction, in the doctrines and duties of our holy religion."

"5. We promise to attend on the administration of God's holy

some office. He has not unfrequently supplied the neighboring pulpits with occasional preaching. His stated attendance upon the word and ordinances has been continued in the place of his former labors.

*Mr. Holcomb and his adherents opposed this call, not from any disaffection to the talents or sentiments of the Candidate. Most of them were his stedfast friends, and constant attendants upon public worship, through his ministry. Mr. Capen was born at Dorchester, November 27, 1788; graduated at H. U. 1810.

+ On this occasion, Dr. Harris, of Dorchester, preached the Sermon, which was printed. Introductory Prayer by Dr. Porter, of Roxbury; Ordaining Prayer by Professor Ware; Charge by Dr. Sumner, of Shrewsbury; Right hand of Fellowship by Mr. Thayer, of Lancaster; and Concluding Prayer by Mr. Pierce, of Brookline.

word and ordinances, to submit to the council and discipline of this Church, so far as it shall be exercised in the spirit of the Gospel, and to cultivate a kind and charitable temper towards our fellow Christians and fellow men. And by the aids of Divine grace, we will in future order our conversation as becometh the Gospel of Christ, and walk worthy of this our solemn and holy profession."

1819, Jan. 4. Mr. Capen having at a previous meeting, presented to the consideration of the town a statement of his financial concerns, from which it appeared that his annual salary did not meet the expenses of his family, and the town not thinking it expedient to endanger their union by an attempt to increase his compensation, he now asked for a dismission. The preliminary steps were accordingly taken for a separation, which was consummated by an ecclesiastical council, Jan. 21, 1819.

In their result, the council bear ample testimony to the fidelity and uprightness of Mr. Capen's ministerial character, as well as to the justice, kindness and liberality of the town towards him. They observe

"This Ecclesiastical Council feel constrained to express their mingled joy and lamentation, which have been excited by a review of the present state and prospects of their fellow Christians in this town. We have learned with peculiar satisfaction, that during the ministry of the Rev. LEMUEL CAPEN, this Christian Society has been in peace. In his instructions he has kept back nothing which was profitable. He has abstained from the encouragement of a spirit of controversy, and from the discussion of topics which minister to strife rather than to godly edifying.' Testimony is borne by those who have been his constant witnesses, to his exemplariness, to their increasing satisfaction in his public labors, and to the prospect of continued union. We have deliberately considered the steps be has taken as previously necessary to his separation from a people whom he respected and loved. We find in the disclosure of his pecuniary concerns a frankness and sincerity which are highly estimable. We are persuaded, the impression that his embarrassments were such as he had no means to retrieve, that his usefulness would thereby be prevented, and that it was his imperious duty to provide for his own, and especially for those of his own household,' led him to ask a dismission.

"Evidence has been given us that this people have fulfilled their civil contract, and have shewn towards their minister many tokens of kindness and liberality.

"We affectionately recommend the Rev. LEMUEL CAPEN to the ministers and churches of Christ, as one who has been an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.' We sympathise with him under his trials, and devoutedly pray that he may still be honored as an instrument in defending the faith which was once delivered to the saints;' and that he may have the consolations and rewards of long tried and persevering fidelity."

Upon this occasion, Mr. C. delivered his valedictory Sermon. An edition of it was published at Worcester, and another soon after in Boston, accompanied with the documents that led to the event. This discourse will long be preserved by his people, as exhibiting a striking portrait of the character of their beloved pastor. The reasons for the separation are here set forth in a manner plain and undisguised.* It breathes forth in an eminent degree a spirit of catholicism, of faith, of hope and charity. The simplicity of its manner and the cogency of its arguments reflect great honor upon him as a scholar, and the style of unrivalled pathos and fervent piety, with which he developes his views and his feelings will procure for him equal credit as a man and a Christian. His farewell addresses at the conclusion of the sermon, produced an effect in their delivery that has seldom been equalled. The town by an unanimous vote expressed their sense of his virtues, his learning and his piety.†

"The thought of being separated from you thus early has always been painful to me; and I have no reason to suppose it less so to you. But however unpleasant may be the dissolution of a connexion, attended with so many happy circumstances on both sides, I am confirmed in the belief, that in the present instance it is expedient. The reasons assigned by me in my communication to you still prevail with me to justify the measure. It is not necessary here to repeat them. But acknowledging as I ever have, and still most cheerfully and gratefully do, the repeated instances of your generosity to me, I could not submit to the idea of being burdensome to you by urging repeated claims, and thus endangering that unusual degree of harmony and unanimity, which now so happily subsists among you, as a religious society, and as a town. It affords me much satisfaction to be able to say, that I have been induced to this measure by no motives of discontent, or ambition, and by no disaffection with my people. And since we must separate, it is a circumstance, which, though it renders the separation much more painful, and much more to be regretted, still leaves much consolation, and will ever remain a subject of the purest satisfaction to us all, that we separate with such mutual attachment and mutual good wishes." Extract from Farewell Sermon.

+ IN TOWN MEETING--Sterling, January 21st, 1819.

"Voted, That after mature deliberation on the communication of the Rev. LEMUEL CAPEN, of the 4th instant, and the consequent result on that communication, we cannot with honour to ourselves and justice to him, but declare, that we received his communication with extreme regret and con

Jan. 24. Mr. Peter Osgood was invited to preach as a candidate, and on the 26th of April following, he had a united call from the Church and Town, without any division, to settle in the ministry, and was ordained June 30, 1819. Rev. Mr. Cotton of Boylston, made the introductory prayer: Rev. Dr. Eaton of Boxford, preached the Sermon: consecrating prayer was by Rev. Dr Thayer of Lancaster charge by Rev. Dr. Bancroft of Worcester: right band of fellowship by Rev. Mr. Clarke of Princeton, and the concluding prayer by Rev. Mr. Walker of Charlestown.* The annual salary of Mr. Osgood is $700.

The number of Baptisms and Admissions into the Church, have been as follows:

The members of our Churches are not careful always to remove their relations with their residence, it is difficult, therefore, to ascertain the exact number of communicants, it is estimated generally to be from 250 to 300.

A considerable part of the Church in West Boylston, was formed from this. In August, 1796, nine males and eleven females were dismissed for this purpose.

The following persons have held the office of Deacons in this Church.

cern; that the manner in which his request was disposed of, was not the result of dissatisfaction as to his acquirements as a Scholar, his deportment as a Man, or his attainments as a Christian; but the conviction that an addition to his salary at this early period, might materially endanger that universal harmony which now so happily prevails among us."

"And while we believe that the talents of men, as well as their speculative opinions, are not fit subjects for us to judge of for others; yet we consider the principles of morality to be universal; and we do most cordially declare our fullest confidence in his character for purity of heart and rectitude of life." "It now only remains for us to wish him all the joys and hopes of the good Man, the polished Scholar, the sincere Friend, and real Christian."

Mr. Osgood was born at Andover, Mass. Feb. 4, 1793, and was graduated at Harvard University 1814.

The Church records contain the deaths from 1779, but the ages are not marked until the year 1800. Instances of longevity are frequent. The whole number who exceeded 80 years of age is 58 in 25 years, and of these the following passed the age of 90.

* Deacon Mason still lives, at the age of 88, being the oldest man in town.

+ The above females had all been married, and were widows at the time of their deaths. The eldest was a woman of color, who formerly belonged to the family of Dr. Prescott, in Groton; her age has been ascertained from the descendants of her former master.

G.