| Citation |
BNL.729.020
14-21 Aug 1729:21,22 (138)
Salem, August 12. On Wednesday the 6th of this instant, was
celebrated here, the 1st century lecture in the Meeting
House of the 1st Church, in commemoration of the good hand
of God in founding the same, on August 6. 1729. just 100
years since, enlarging and making her the mother of several
others and preserving and blessing her to this day. She was
the 1st Congregational Church that was compleatly form'd and
organiz'd in the whole American continent; which was under
the conduct of Deputy Governour Endecott on the day
abovemention'd; when the Reverend Mr. Higginson was ordained
their teacher and the Rev. Mr. Skelton their pastor &c. the
1st protestant ordination in America. Governour Bradford
and others, deputed from the Church of Plimouth at their
invitation, coming into the assembly in the time of the
solemnity, (having been hindered by contrary winds) gave
them the right hand of fellowship, wishing all prosperity
and a blessed success to such good beginnings. The century
lecture began with singing Psal. CXX[2 numerals torn &
missing] The Rev. Mr. Barnard of Marblehead prayed [torn]
then sang Psal. CVII.1-----8. The Rev. M[torn] preach'd a
very agreeable sermon, from Psal. [torn] 1-----7. which is
earnestly desir'd and hop'd [torn] ted. We then sang psal.
XLIV. 1, 2, 6,[torn] the Rev. Mr. Prescot prayed. We then
sang Psal[torn] 1st meter, and the Rev. Mr. Fisk pronounced
the [torn]ing. There were thirteen ministers present, and a
considerable confluence of people both from this and the
towns about.
N.B. Mr. Morton seems to speak of 30 persons in the 1st
foundation: But Capt. Johnson says there were but 7.
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