Churches of this Jurisdiction for to set apart a day to fast
& pray both in regard of y" many sins y' wecr found in y*-"
Cuntry and likwis in y' behalf of o^ native Cuntry : y"' day
appointed is y'' 2 of y'' (11) 61
M' Mather did exercis both p'ts of y'' day in prayer &
preaching from y" i of y' Lament : 7 Jerusalem remembered
in y" days of her affliction all her pleasant things w'"'' once
she injoyed &c
The 23 (12) 61 notice was given to y' Church y' y" gin-
erall Court did requier all the Churches in this Jurisdiction
for to send of ther elders or messengers unto Boston upon
y" II of y'' (i) 62 for a Senod to be held, to Consider of some
questions, relateing to Church order Viz : first What is y''
subject of baptisme : of Consosiation of Churches, w"' maner
how : for w*^'' Mr Mather & Mr Increase his sonne was Chosen
The 25 (3) 62
The day abovesaid notice was given y' y" ginerall Court
did call upon all y' Churches for to fast & pray in y*" behalfe
40 DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
of this Cuntry because of gods hand goeing out in an un-
usuall maner in regard of sicknesses & disseases & mor-
tallety more than formerly & y'' great drowth over y*" Cuntry
Mr. Broadstreet ) as alsoc iu regard of thos that went to England
Mr. Norton f foj- ^q ncgoclate on y" behalfe of y' Cuntry that
god would bless them in that worke y" day apointed is y'^ 5
day of y*" 4 M" being y" 5 day of y'' weeke
Mr Mather did pray & preach the former part of y*" day
from y'' 2 Cron 7 13 14 v : & M' Tory y'^ latter p't of y'' day
The 10 (6) 62
The day abovesaid the Church and Congregation together
did unanimously agree & vote that the elders & some of y*^
breatheren should give Mr William Stoughton an invitation
for to bestow his labours in preaching y'" word amongst us
in a Constant way : & the next saboth being y" 17 Instant
they returned ther answer of his loveing acceptation of ther
message for to take it into consideration & at y" same time
M Stoughton himselfe did manifest his willingness to y°
motion p'sented to him
The 28 (7) 62
The day above said Mr Mather (who was on of y*
Churches messengers sent unto the senod) did give a breife
account of what was ther concluded on : Viz : that after the
thcird meeting of y'' messengers the first being in y'' first
month the 2'^ in y'' 4"' month & the 3*^ in y' (7) Moneth the
Senod had agreed upon thos two questions p'pounded & Mr
Mather did at that time read over the heads of thos things
then
[56]
Concluded on & soc dismissed the assembly :
The 26 (8) 62
The day abovesaid notice was given that the ginerall
Court did call uppon the Churches for to keep a publique
day of thanksgiveing to god for thes Reassons: Viz for give-
ing unto us such a portion of y'' fruts of y*^ earth in o' late
harvest notwithstanding the greate drouth y' we had this
Summer : 2 y*" saffe & speedy retorne of o' publique messen-
gers from England : 3 the libertys of y*" gospell w'^'' we doe
yet injoy : the day appointed is y'" 5 of November being y^
4"' day of y" weeke
M' Mather preached y" fore p't of y*" day from y' 30 Esai
20 21
DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS 4I
M' Stoughton y' latter p't of y" day from y" 147 psa : 10 11
Ther was alsoe at y' same time notice given y' the gincrall
Court did alsoe thinkc it meet to Call uppon y'' Churches to
kecpe a publike day of humiliation for thes Causes Viz:
first the sad & low ConditiiMi of the Churches of god abroad
in other p'ts 2 y'' prvalcncy of Ante Christ 3 some publicke
rebuke of god p'vedence towards this Cuntry : the day
appointed is to be the 3 day of Dcsem : being y' 4"' day of
y"' weeke
Mr Mather preached y" fore p't of y' day from psal : 25 : 22
Mr Stoughton y' latter p' of y'' day from i pett 4 17
Mr Increas Mather & his wife weer boath of them dis-
missed upon y'' 12 (2) 63 to Joyne to the new Church at
Boston
The same time Mr. Mather did give notice to y*" Church
that uppon y' second day of y'' week before
[57]
being y^ day after Mr Norton dyed the ciders met together
& at that meeting they concluded to acquaint the severall
Churches in this Jurisdiction that they thought god called
us to humble o"" soulls by fasting & prayer p'tly for that god
by his p'vedences had shortened us of y'^ fruts of the earth
by reason of y" drouth y'' last sommer & the cold & unseas-
sonable approaching of y'' spring at p'sent : and alsoe that
god would Continue o' peace both Sivcll & ecclesiasticall &
to p'vent y"' fears & rumors of trouble y' next Court of elec-
tion : and alsoe for y'^ rising gineration : and for y'' people of
god in Ingland & those p'ts : y'' day thought on was the 22
of y"" (2) 63 being y' 4"' day of y*-' week : unto w''*' motion y'=
Church consented
Mr Mather preached the fore p't of y"' day from the 122
psa 6: pray for y*" peace of Jerusalem &c
Mr Stoughton preached the later p't from 14 Jer S 9
The 2 of y" (6) 6^
The day abovesaid after the evening exersiz ther was
p'sentcd & read a leattcr w"'' Came from severall of y' majes-
trats directed to severall of y' minesters mett latly at boston
wherin they made a motion unto them & by them to be
communicated unto thes six ajacent Towns Viz boston
Rocksbery Dorchester, Charlstowne, Cambridg & watcr-
townc : whether it weer not meete y' ther should be mure
42 DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
than ordinary seeking to god by fasting & prayer in the be-
halfe of y*" people of god & the Churches abroad in other
p'ts of y^ world & to y' end did p'pos whether it weer not
best for to turne the lectures of thes severall towns into
days of
[58]
humilliation as the like was done about y*" begining of the
trouble in England about the year 42 & 43 and that it should
begin w"' y*" Church at Dorchester on our lectuer w*^"* is in
Cours to be uppon y' 18"' of this Instant to this y^ Church
& Congregation did agree theerunto
Mr Mather did pray & preach the former p't of y*" day
from I : Tim 2 : 1:2 & Mr Stoughton y'" latter p't of y'' day
from y*" 9 Zack 1 1 vers
y"' next weeke y*" fast was kcept at Charls towne on y* 2S
(6)63
y" next week at Cambridg y'^ 2 (7) 63
y' next week at Rocksbery y" 8 (7) 6}
y^ next week at y'^ new Church at Boston y*" 18 (7) 63
y'' nex weeke at VVatertowne y" 23 (7) 63
y'' next weeke at Boston y*" old Church the 2 of y" 8 M° 63
y'' next weeke at Deadham y'' {7"') day of y'' 8 M° 6^
y" next weeke at Brantry y*" 14 (8) 63
The 22 (9) 1663
The day above said M' Mather informed y'' Church y* y*
Elders meeting together at Boston y*" last weeke they thought
good to put y'' severall Churches heer about in mind of keep-
ing a day of sollemne thankgiveing unto god as for other
mercys vouchsafed to us soe in speciall for his mercy to this
Cuntry in y" Continuance of peace & liberty's w"'out restraint
both in Church & Civell government the day thought on to
be y'' 2 of y*" (10) being the fowerth day of y"" weeke : Also
they thought good that the sollemne days of humilliation
should be Continued in thes Churches heer abouts after y*
day of thanksgiveing is over to all this the Church & Con-
gregation did assent
M' Mather & M' Stoughton did excrsis that day being
a cold day
The fasting days goeing on againe in Especiall maner for
England It began at Boston y*" old Church on the 30 day
of desem 1663 being y" fowerth day of y" weeke
DORCHESTER CHURCH KIXORDS 43
[59]
The 5 (12) 63
Ther was a fast keept at )•' new Church at Boston
The 26 (12) 63
Ther was a fast keept at Charlsstown
The 29 March 64
Ther was a fast keept at dorchester M' Mather did pray
& preach the former p' of y° day from 62 Esa 6: j 81 'SV
Increas Mather in y afternoone from y" 2 Zeph 3
The 3 (2) 64 M' Mather after y'' evening exersis did declare
that M' Stouiijhton did intend y'^ next lords day to preach
againe at y"' motion of y" messengers of y'^ Church although
he had not preached publikly full 14 saboths before only
reserveing liberty to himself as well as y" Church to accept
of any other motion that might be made unto him
Ther was a fast at Rocksbery the 17 of aprill 1664
Also at Cambridg 1 1 of May 64
The 22 (3) 64
The day above said ther was a letter read sent to y*
Church from y' last gathered Church at Boston wherin was
manifested & declared ther purpos for to p'ceed to ordaine
M' Increase Mather to y" office of a teacher unto that
Church, alsoe ther desier is y' y' Church of dorchester
would send some messengers for to assist & be p'"sent at
that work y'' day appointed was the 21 of this Instant for
w"^ end y'' Church Chose o' Teaching & Rulling Elders
The 5 of y' (4) 64
The day a bovesaid Thomas W'iswall was dismissed for
the beginning of a Church at that place neer wher he liveth
at Cambridg village wher M' John Eliote doe preach
The same day was published an order from y'' Ginerall
Court appointing a ginerall day of Humilliation on y' behalfe
of y' sad condition of y'" Church & Peoples
[00]
1664
of god in this Cuntry & other p" of y* world y" day to be the
I5''' day of this instant June being y' 4"' day of y' wccke
44 DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
M"" Mather did pray & preach in y' fore p' of y'' day from
62 Esai 6 : 7 : & M' Stoughton y'' latter p' from : amos 6 : i
The 17 (5) 64
The day above said ther was a letter read to y"" Church from
y^ breatheren dwelling at Nonandom or Cambridg villadg
who (intending to gather a Church) desiered messengers to
be sent from this Church to help & asist therin. The w*^''
was granted & ther was Chose for y* work y'^ teaching &
rulling Elders, y'' day appointed was y'' 20"' of this instant,
at w'='' time they ordained M"" John Eliot for a pastor &
Thomas Wiswall, formerly a member of this Church, to be
a rulling Elder
The 21 (6) 64
The day abovesaid an order was read from y*" ginerall
Court (who latly was called together upon the Coming of y*"
Comissioners from England) wherin y*" Court did Commend
unto the Churches the first of the next month to be keept
as a publick fast in this Collony p'ly for England & Espe-
sally ni behalfe of this Cuntry in regard of y*" frowns of god
uppon us in y'' ginerall blasting of our wheate as alsoe in re-
gard of other troubles feared ; y' god ould grant us o"" lib-
ertys in Church & state, and o' fears of gods withdrawing
his Sheepardly care over his people
mr mather exersized y'' former p' of y"" day from Zack 1 1 :
9 & Mr stoughton y*-' latter p' of y*" day from Hosa : 14 : i.
[61]
The 1 1 (7) 64
y^ day above said ther was dismissed y"' wife of Tho Wis-
wall & y' wife of goodman kimwright w''' was y'' wife of
John Hotton & Margerit y' wife of James Trobridg to Joyn
to y" Church latly gathered at Cambridge Villedg called
Nonandum wher M' John Elliot is pastor :
The 23 (8) 64 M'^ Hinckly (who was formerly y' wife of
M' Nathaniell Glover whose maiden name was Mary Smith)
was dismissed to Joyne unto the Church at Bastable
The 30 (8) 64
The day above said it was publickly declared an order
from y' ginerall Court who appointed a day of humilliation
to be keept upon the 16"' of November being the 4'" day of
y"^ weeke, both in regard of y" Church of god in other parts
as alsoe amongst ourselves
DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS 45
The 5 (12) 64
The clay a'o<)\c said thcr was a letter read w'^'' was sent
from y'' Church at way mouth whcrin they did empart to
this Ciuirch ther intention namly to ordaine a teaching
officer amongst them : ther former officer M' Thecher being
removed. Ther request to this Church was that they would
send some IMesengers to asist them therin y'' day appointed
is y" 14"' of this Instant The Church made Choice of ther
Teacher M' Mather & ther Deacon John Capen
[02]
1664
The 12'*^ of y'^^ 12 :\Io : 64
The day above said after y- evening exersiz the Church
was desiered to stay y" Reason was (as y' Elder did declare)
because ther weer severall yong men in the Towne who
would be willing to Joyne to y"" Church if they might have
ther Confession taken in privat by wrighting & declared
publickly to y" Church, they standing forth & owneing what
was declared, and ther eng.igeing themselves in y'^ Covenant,
upon this ther was some debate & divers did declare them-
selves willing that it should be soe "ractized but on or two
of y'' breatheren declared themselves to y" Contrary, in Con-
clusion the matter was left to a farther Consideration &
then to be spoken too againe.
The 19 of y" (12) 64
Mr Mather gave an account of what was done at Way.
mouth uppon y" 14 of this Instant viz y' y*" fore p' of y'^ day
was spent in praying & preaching by M' Torry in y*' latter
p' of y' day mr Thecher did pray & afterward (w"' y"' Con-
sent of that Church and y*" messengers w*"'' came thither) Mr
Torry accepting therof he was ordained pastor unto that
Church Mr Wilson of Boston & M' Thecher & ther rulling
elder laying on ther hands & afterward Mr Wilson in y''
name of y" rest of y"" churches gave unto him the right
hand of ffellowship & did owne him & acknowlige M' Torry
to be pastor to that Church at Waymouth :
The 19 (i) Gt
a letter was read from y" Court whcrin they did commend
unto y*^ Churches of this Jurisdiction y' 22 Instant March to
be kecpt a day of jjublick humilliation : but y'' recorder
hecrof being sick was not then p'sent nor a uK^ntli before
46 DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
[63]
The 26 (i) 65
The day abovesaid at the motion of Mr Mather ther was
a Contribution for M' Thomson at Brantry unto which ther
was given y" same time in money Six pounds & nine pence
besids notes for Corne & other things a bove thirty shil-
lings : and some more money was added afterward to y*
vallew of 8' — 3"^
The 2 (2) 65
The day above said it was p'posed to y*" Church whether
ther should not be another deacon Chosen in y" roome of
Deacon Ed Clap
unto this motion some made answer y' we had two dea-
cons already namely John Wiswell & Jn" Capen : but to y'
answer was made y* deacon Wiswall did not attend on y*
service of y*" Church, therfore y*^ Conclusion at that time
was to deferre y'' bussincs about another dtacon untill an-
other time & y' deacon wiswall should be spoken too y''
next lords day to know whether he would attend upon his
office according to y* rull of y' apostle or else to lay down
his office
The day above said it was alsoe p'posed to y'^ Church y** 2^
time whether they would be willing y' men as well as women
should be receaved into y*" Church by ther private relation
being taken in writting & publickly read before y'^ Church :
after some adjetation y* Conclusion & vote of y" Church was
y' it should be left too y'' Elders namely that they might
heer ther relations in privat & if ther voyce weer soe low
in private y' Mr Mather could not heer them soe as to write
it from ther mouths y' then y'' p'^' might wright it himself &
p'sent it to y* Elders & they to compare it w"' what he had
formerly declared by word of mouth & when they Judged
them fitt then to read it to y' Church publickly : only if
they judged any
[64]
man able to make a publick relation by his owne mouth they
should endeavor to p'swad him soe to doe
Alsoe y' same day M' Withington did declare to y' Church
y' (he being formerly appointed (w"' y' other elders) for to
seat people in y* seats of y'' meetting hous) he was not will-
ing to doe y' worke any longer but was resolved to lay it
down y' other elders not acting in that thing w"' himself but
left it to him only
DOKCHESTKR CHURCH RECORDS 47
The 9 (2) 65 Deacon Wiswall beinj; p'scnt, y" question
was p'posed to him by y'' Elder whether bee would or Coultl
attend upptMi his office of a Deacon or whether he would
leave y" office unto anotiier whom y" Church should Chouse:
his answer was that bee was called to that office, off god &
by y' Church & thcrfore if y'' Church did see cause to dis-
place him they might but for his resigning y'' office he did
not see Cause soe to doe & soe y' matter was left at y' time
after some more agetations
The 1 1 (4) 65
The day above said ther was a letter read w'='' Came from
y'' ginerall Court assembled at Boston y"" 3 of may wherin
they did Commend unto y" severall Churches & Congrega-
tions of this Jurisdiction y'' 22 of this instant June to be
keept in publique fasting & prayer for severall Causes re-
specting o' selves & also y' bleeding & dying condition of y"'
p'testant Intrest all y'' world over & y' Judgment of god
threatening y" removeall of his Candlestick from amongst us
& his afflicting p'vedence in respect of y" Catterpiller & y'
palmer worme & other Causes ther mentioned M' Mather
did pray & preach y'' former p' of y* day from
[05]
The 3 lamentation 39 40 41 and M' Stoughton y'' latter p'
of y' day from y* i Habbuk : 12
The 30 (5) 65
The day above said Elder withington accquainted y" Church
y' (for some nattuerall infermetie in y' rulling elders to read
y* psalmes in the publique assembly) they had thcrfore
desiered Deacon Capcn to read y'" psalmes
Alsoe y" same day ther was a letter read w*^'' was sent
from y" breatheren of y" Church of Tan ton wherin they doe
declare ther sad Condition in regard of differences y' are
amongst them & therfore desiers y'" Church of Dorchester to
send them some help for Counsell & advice & for ther heal-
ling if it be y" will of god :
M' Mather was then p'posed to be sent but not fully Con-
cluded on but left tell y'' next lords day
Also y' same day y'' assembly was called on to send in y"
names of thos who they would have to be Cattechized y'
next lords day
48 DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
The 6 (6) 65
The day above said M' Mather declared his unabillety of
Body for y*^ Jorney to Tanton wheerupon M' Stoughton was
desiered by y" Church to attend that service but he granted
it not but would Consider of it tell y" next lords day at w'^
time being y" 13"' (6) 65 he consented therunto & besids him
ther was Chosen Liftenant ffoster to be another messenger
for to goe to Tanton
[66]
The 20 (6) 65
The day above said y*" messengers w"^^ weer sent to Tanton
returned an answer to y*" Church Viz : y' by y" blessing of
god uppon y' Counsell & advice of those w*^'' weer mett to-
gether they came to a Comfortable agreement w"' a purpos
y* on y*" 13 (7) 65 they would humble themselves before y^
lord for ther sins & renew ther Covenant & admitt those
into ther Church ffellowship w*^'* are quallefied for it
The 29 (8) 65
The day above said a letter was read from y" Generall
Court unto y" Church wherin they did Call upon the
Churches to keepe a day of thanksgiveing for thes Causes
viz the seasonable showers y' we had this Summer wherby
ther is soe much of y'' harvest reserved to us as may be a
supply for us & o"" famelys :
alsoe for diverting a Squadron of Duch ships which threat-
ened y" envasion of o' Coasts alsoe for y'" peace & liberty w'^''
we doe yet enjoy, through w''^ many favors from god are con-
fer'd uppon us y" day appointed is the 8"' day of November
M'' Mather preached out of the 12 Rom i ther beinge but
one exerciz that day by Reason of y" shortness of y" days
The same day alsoe notice was given from y'' same Court,
requiering y" Churches to keepe a pubike day of humilliation,
partly because of y*" many frowns of god uppon
[67]
our selves and alsoe in regard of y" rageing of y^ pestelence
in London & many other places in o'' Native Cuntry, & other
Causes, y'^ day appointed is the 22 of y" 9*'' mo next
Alsoe y'^ same day ther was read a letter from Tanton
wherin they did declare to this Church ther intention to
Call M"" Shoue to y" office of a pastor to that Church and
DORCHESTER CHLRCH RECORDS 49
did dcsier y' messengers mi-ht be sent to them from this
Church to assist them therin. for which end the Church
made Choice of Liftenant ffoster and deacon Cajjen : the
time to be y' 15"' of Novcm : G5
The 17"' of y' (9) 65 the messengers sent to Tan ton re-
turned ther messadg : Viz that upon y"' 15 (9) 65 the Church
at Tanton & y" tovvne w"' y" messengers of y'' Churches being
assembled together at that place ther was ordained M' Shoue
to y'' office of a pastor to y' Church
The 10 (10) 65 after y' evening exersiz it was p'posed to
y'' Church whether AT Stoughton should be invited to accept
of office in y" Church to w"'' y'" most of y'" Church consented
by Vote though some declared y' they did not act but would
[08]
not oppose y' Church
at y same time y'' Elders and select men weer appointed
to speake to him about it :
The same day motion was made to y- Church (upon occa-
sion of Robert Spurs being latly admitted a member) whether
his two elder daughters (y"" on being marryed & y'" other
grown in ycers) might not be baptized as well as y*" other
yonger Children ? against this some breatheren objected y'
they ap'hended y' seeing they weer adult they viz y'' two
elder daughters should manifest faith & repentance before
they should be baptized upon this objecting : y"' resolution of
y'" question was deferred till y" next lords day
The 17 (10) 65 y'' Elders made report to y' Church M'
Stoughtons answer w"'' was y' he had some objections w"'in
himself against y" motion but yet he would not hold y"
Church in long Suspence but would give them a full answer
in a weeke or two
y" same time y"' former motion about baptizing Robt Spurs
Children Viz thos w*"'' weer adult it was discussed againe y''
major part of y"' Church was for ther baptisme but some
breatheren weer unsatisfied but yet would not oppos y" thing
if M' Mather did baptiz them ; he Judging it his duty soe to
doe ; & to that end Robt Spur was appointed to bring out
his Children y" next lords day
The 31 of y" (10) 65 y" Elders reported to y" Church M'
Stoughtons answer Which was that he Could not accept of
y" motion made unto him for to be an officer to y"' Church
but did thankfully accknowlige y" Churches love & respect
to him therin
50 DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
At the same time some of the
[69]
breatheren p'posed to y*^ Church whether it weer not fitt to
make motion to M'' Stoughton the Second time & to that
end y*-' same p'sons weer desiered to make theer adress to
him againe
The 7"' (11) 65 y*^ Elders reported to y'^ Church againe M""
Stoughtons answer namly that he Could not as yet be will-
ing to accept of office but should be willing to Continue
preaching as he have formerly done; alsoe y' he did thank-
fully accknowlige y" love of y" Church though (for some rea-
sons within himself) he could not accept of office
The 21 (11) 65 notice was given of a fast to be kept at
Boston y" next fift day being 25 (i i) 65
Another fast was kept at Rocksbery y^ 6 (12) 65
Another fast was kept at Cambridg y* 14 (12) 65
Another fast was kept at dorchester y' 27 12 65
mr Mather did pray & preach y" fore p' of y'' day from y" 79
pla : 9 & m' Stoughton y'^ latter p' of y'' day out of y" 26
Esa
Another fast at Brantry y*^ 21 (i) 66
Another fast at Charles Towne about y*" latter end of y*^
(i) M°66
The 5 of y^ (2) 6)6 ther was a ginerall day of humilliation
kept in this jurisdiction
IVr Mather did pray & preach y* former p' of y'^ day from
y'' 36 Ezek 37 verse & M"' Stoughton from psa 90 10
The 20 (3) 66 Bro"" James Humphry was elected Deacon
to y'' Church at Dorchester & y'' 3 (4) 66 he was ordained
[70]
The 17 4 66
The day abovesaid after the evening exerciz m' Mather
did declare unto y'^ Church y' the Elders being together at
Boston (some time y'' weeke before) they did Consider
among themselves what god Called us in this Cuntry to doe
at this time Considering y" troubles that weer amongst y"
nations (o"" ownc & others) as alsoe y" fears of enemies com-
ing against our selves, the conclusion was that they
thought god called on us for seriouse & sollemne fasting &
prayer & therfore did p'pose to y'^ Severall Churches heer-
abouts to keepe y'" next fift day being y'' 21 of June in hu-
milliation & y'^ rather because of great drouth y' is at this
DOKCIli:STEl< CHUKCII RECORDS 5 1
time on y*" wholl Contry unto the hazard of y'' loss of y*
fruts of y' earth both Corne & grass : but the Church of
Rocksbcry Conceavcing y'' extrcmety of y'' Drouth soe great
was willing to keepe y'' day on y' third day of y"' weeke
being y' 19"' day of this Instant
IVr Mather did pray & preach in y' fore-noone from 2
Cron : 7: 13: 14 & M' Stoughton y"" afternoone from i
Habbuk : 12
The 29 of y" (5) 66 thcr was a Colection for poore distressed
Christians in England at which Contribution ther was given
thirty fower pounds & 13' lo'.j in money & about 5 pounds
in bils on that day but more was added afterward in money
20' & p't of y*^ bills also Came in in money Viz 24' y'' whole