NOTE D.

Names of the original members of the Congregational

Church, organized Sept. 4, 1776.

COVENANT adopted by the Congregational Church, at their organization, Sept. 4, 1776.

We, being distant from any neighboring church, and desirous of having the ordinances of the gospel occasionally administered among us, till settled, which we hope will be soon, do enter into a church estate; and in the fear of God and under a humiliating sense of our own unworthiness to transact with the glorious God; and with a humble dependence on the grace of God, covenant with Him and with one another as followeth, viz :

First of all, we do solemnly avouch the Lord Jehovah,

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for our portion and chief good; and give up ourselves, bodies and souls, to Him, to be his servants, promising by his aid and assistance to love, fear and trust in Him, and yield obedience to Him in all things, all the days of our lives.

And whereas the Son of God, in our nature, is exalted as a Prince and Saviour, the only Mediator of the new covenant and means of coming to God, we do therefore, through grace accept of Him according to the tenor of the gospel offer, that is to say, of Prophet, Priest and King of our immortal souls, purposing and promising to attend his teaching, his word and Spirit, to lean upon his merits and intercession with the Father, as the only way for the obtainment of the pardon of our sins, the favor of God and continuance therein, and finally the subduing of all our enemies, and working all our works in us and for us.

And further, whereas there are different apprehensions in the minds of the great and wise men, even in the doctrines of religion, we do declare our consent to them, as held forth in the Westminster Confession of Faith, or Shorter Catechism, apprehending in our judgments and consciences, that they are agreeable to the holy Scriptures.

Again, whereas God has promised to be a God unto his people and their children after them, we do therefore dedicate our children to the service' of God in Jesus Christ, promising that we will seasonably bring those of them, that are unbaptized, to Jesus Christ in the ordinance of baptism; and as they grow up in years of understanding, instruct them into the nature, use and end

of that ordinance, and in the principles of the christian religion so far as need is, that we will set good examples of piety, righteousness and sobriety before them, restraining them, as we are able, from being carried away with the temptations of their age and time, endeavoring that they may be prepared for the enjoyment of Christ in all his ordinances; and finally be much in prayer for their conversion and salvation; and we further engage to watch over all the children of the covenant growing up with us, that they be obedient to the rule and government of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We promise that we will, by the help of God, avoid all the superstitions and inventions of men in the worship of God, as derogating from the sovereignty and wisdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, the supreme Head of the Church; that we will not slanderously absent ourselves from any part of the instituted worship, but do what in us lies to prepare ourselves for, to uphold and improve all the ordinances of Christ, to the spiritual benefit and advantage of our souls, leaning upon that promise, that God will meet those that rejoice, work righteousness and remember Him in his ways.

We promise, by the help of God, that we will, with as much frequency as may be, read or cause the word of God to be read in our families, that so the word of God may dwell richly in us, seasonably and constantly upholding the worship of God there and attending the same with sincerity and affection.

And whereas we have given ourselves unto the Lord and unto one another in the Lord, we propose and prom

ise that we will live together in this holy fellowship, in all holy watchfulness over each other to the prevention of, or recovery from any scandalous evils, that through the temptations of satan or the corruptions of our own nature, we may at any time be overtaken with, that we will be as speedy as may be in making up any difference that may arise, in some orderly way, endeavoring also the spiritual and temporal good one of another.

We promise, that by the help of God, we will have respect to all the duties of the second table, as being necessary parts of a right ordered conversation, and particularly, be true and faithful to all our civil contracts and agreements with one another and all men that we have to deal with, so that none may have occasion to speak evil of our profession.

And finally, whereas there is a strong propensity in our nature to what is evil and sinful, we purpose and promise that, by the help of God's Spirit, we will keep our hearts and mortify those lusts that dwell in us, avoiding all such temptations as our sinful hearts are wont to be drawn aside withal; and that we may keep this covenant inviolable for ever in all the branches of it, we desire to deny ourselves, not trusting in our own wisdom or strength, humbly and believingly depending upon God in and through Jesus Christ, and the presence of his Holy Spirit with us, and where we come short, there to wait upon Him for pardon and healing for his namesake.

NOTE E.

Oct. 17, 1781, the town voted as encouragement to Rev. David Jewett to settle with us to give him the grant of a two hundred and sixty acre lot, and sixty pounds lawful money the first year, and the said salary to increase yearly as our interest increases, until it arrive to eighty pounds, the same to be estimated at Rye at 5s per bushel, Indian corn at 4s, and beef at 3d per pound, what money he shall receive towards his salary shall be in proportion to the aforesaid articles as herein stated. And to prevent all misunderstanding of this vote, it is the true intent and meaning of the same, that if said articles shall fall, the salary shall fall in proportion, but that his salary shall be paid in proportion to the above, said articles not exceeding the within price. The town voted to raise and pay Mr. Jewett £12 lawful money, probably for his services prior to his settlement.

Rev. David Jewett's answer to the call of the church and people of Winthrop to become their Pastor.

"And now Gentlemen of the town of Winthrop respecting your grant for the support of a public Teacher, you have done honorably and well; and have even exceeded my most sanguine desire. I therefore most cheerfully donate and refund one-twentieth of my annual salary during my ministry among you, for the support of a