instruction is no security against crime; therefore the Sunday school came to the relief and rescue of society when it maintained that something more was necessary to make men good than to make them intelligent. It taught that the affections are the source of happiness; and it endeavored to develop the moral powers, so as to introduce God and Christ and truth and heaven as permanent occupants of the soul. If it be true that the acquisition of mere science and literature imparts no adequate power to subdue vicious habit or restrain criminal passion, but often gives keenness to their edge and certainty to their aim, it follows, as a solemn consequence, that every patriot, philanthropist, and Christian, is sacredly bound to patronize the Sunday school.

The "communion plate" belonging to the First Church has its history, which is as follows:

Two silver cups, bought by the church in 1719.

gift of Mrs. Sarah Ward, 1725.

One

One large silver tankard, with a cover,-gift of Rev. Ebenezer Turell, 1760.

One smaller silver tankard, with a cover,― gift of Francis and Mary Whitmore, 1761.

One large, open, silver can,-gift of Hon. Isaac Royal, 1781. One silver dish,-gift of Hon. Isaac Royal, 1789.

One Two

Deacon Richard Hall, 1814.
Mr. William Wyman, 1815.
Hon. P. C. Brooks, 1823.
Mr. David Bucknam, 1824.

One antique silver cup; donor and date unknown.

One silver spoon;

Two silver cans, - gift of Turell Tufts, Esq., 1842.
Previously to 1759, there were the following:-
One pewter flagon,-gift of Hon. John Usher.

Deacon John Whitmore. bought by the church.

gift of Thomas Tufts, Esq.; and two pew

ter ones, bought by the church.

One silver baptismal basin,— gift of Mr. John Willis, 1755.

Colonel Royal gave a silver cup to the church in Medford; but, he being an absentee, suspected of not liking the Amercan revolution, his agent could not deliver the cup without legislative authority. The following public document will sufficiently explain itself:

"COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.

"IN SENATE, Oct. 26, 1781.

"On the petition of David Osgood, pastor of the church of Christ in Medford, in behalf of said church:

"Resolved, That, for the reason therein mentioned, the agent of the estate of Isaac Royal, Esq., late of Medford, an absentee, be, and is hereby, directed to deliver a certain silver cup, referred to in the said petition, belonging to the said absentee's estate, to the said David Osgood, for the use of the church in Medford, agreeably to the prayer of the said petition, and take a receipt for the same. "Sent down for concurrence.

"SAMUEL ADAMS, President.

"Read and concurred.

"IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Oct. 27, 1781. NATHANIEL GORHAM, Speaker.

"Received of Simon Tufts, Esq., agent for the estate of Isaac Royal, Esq., an absentee, the silver cup mentioned in the above order of court. DAVID OSGOOD."

By a resolve of the church, in 1824, the pewter dish was sold, and a silver one purchased, thus making the furniture of the table entire and appropriate.

Desiring that full justice should be done to the history of each religious society in the town, I gave public notice in 1853, that whatever account should be furnished of any society, by its pastor or committee, should be inserted in these pages. The following notices have been sent, and they are accordingly printed without alteration; and I have only to wish they had been more ample in details. It should be recorded of all the religious societies of Medford, that they

live together in peace. All of them are faithful in laboring for the same great and holy end, the salvation of souls; and from my inmost heart I wish them all prosperity.

SECOND CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY.

Early in June, 1823, after the death of Rev. David Osgood, and soon after the settlement of Rev. Andrew Bigelow as pastor of the first church, it appeared that the members of the church entertained different views of Christian doctrines; whereupon several members applied respectfully for letters of dismission, and began to meet by themselves for the worship of God. In their letters addressed to the church, they disclaim personal unfriendliness, and base their action solely on the ground of different views of the gospel; particularly, as they say, "respecting the doctrines of the Trinity, the native character of man, the divinity and atonement of Christ, regeneration, and others allied to these."

The following is the closing extract from their request:

"Under these impressions, dear brethren, we, conscientiously and in the fear of God, ask from the church letters of dismission, for the purpose of forming ourselves, in a regular manner, into a new and separate church; and while we deeply lament the necessity, which we think exists, for such a measure, we wish to adopt it from the sole desire of enjoying religious instruction which accords with our views of the system of truth laid down in the gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."

The following is the closing extract of the reply of the church, after some reasoning and remonstrance:

"We shall then feel ourselves compelled in conscience, on the principles we have avowed (viz., privilege to determine our own religious convictions), to allow the liberty you ask. In such case, painful as the severance is, it will still meet with our sanction; and, should your purpose remain unchanged, we formally consent by this our letter.

"In conclusion, permit us to assure you, that, whether in union with or separated from us, we shall ever cherish a lively and affectionate solicitude for your spiritual and immortal welfare. We wish you grace, mercy, and peace from our common Lord. It is our hearts' desire, that, whatever new relations you may mutually form, you may be edified therein, and may be built up in the most holy faith; and we implore of the Lord, that both we and you, and all his people, may glorify him with that holiness which becomes his house for ever."

On the 20th of June, 1823, a public meeting was held, and a new society formed, called "The Second Congregational Society of Medford." After the following sabbath, the members of the new society fitted up a hall in the neighborhood as a temporary place of worship, and their members gradually increased.

Their pulpit was supplied by neighboring clergymen, and from the Theological Seminary in Andover, till Oct. 2; when seventeen members from the first church, with nine members of other churches who had removed lately to Medford, bringing with them letters of dismission, were organized into a church by an ecclesiastical council, of which Rev. William Greenough, of Newton, was chosen Moderator; and Rev. B. B. Wisner, of Boston, Scribe.

The names of the original members were as follows (the seventeen first mentioned coming from the first church of Medford, the others from abroad):

Galen James, Jesse Crosby, Thomas Jameson, Gilbert Blanchard, Mary Clay, Hephsibah Fitch, Nancy Fitch, Mary Magoun, Mary Blanchard, Elizabeth Baily, Harriet G. Rogers, Ann Clay, Mary R. James, Mary Blanchard, 2d, Nancy Jameson, Hannah Crosby, Mary Kidder, James Forsayth, Nathaniel Jaquith, Thompson Kidder, Thomas Pratt, John T. White, Jennet Forsayth, Phebe Pratt, Cynthia White, Lucy Blanchard.

An act incorporating the new society passed the Legislature, Feb. 21, 1824, and measures were adopted for the erection of a house of worship; which, when completed, was dedicated to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Sept. 1, 1824; and, at the time of the dedication, Rev. Aaron Warner, who had labored with acceptance nearly from the time of the organization of the church, was installed its first pastor.

His ministry of eight years was eminently successful. There were many accessions to the congregation, and above a hundred additions to the church, in which his memory is most affectionately cherished.

He was dismissed at his own request, on account of infirm health in his family, Oct. 2, 1832.

His successor was Rev. Gordon Winslow; ordained June, 12, 1833, and dismissed Nov. 12, 1834.

After him, Rev. Levi Pratt was installed pastor, Aug. 19, 1835, who died of fever, in the midst of his labors, much lamented, Aug. 9, 1837.

The next pastor was Rev. A. R. Baker, who was ordained. April 25, 1838.

During his ministry, several precious seasons of revival were enjoyed, the church and congregation increased, and larger accommodations in the house of worship became necessary. From this time, Zion's children began to say, in prophetic language, "Give us room, that we may dwell;" and the church became, in an important sense, the mother of churches. Besides furnishing members from time to time for the organization of several evangelical churches of other denominations, in July, 1847, she sent out a strong colony, sixty in number, to form the Mystic church of Medford, now a flourishing society.

Mr. Baker, after an efficient and successful ministry of over ten years, was dismissed by the decision of an ecclesiastical council in September, 1848.

For several years after, the church was without a settled pastor, passing through more than usual trials incident to such a condition; until, Feb. 25, 1852, Rev. E. P. Marvin, who had been supplying the desk for six months previous, was installed pastor. Under his labors, the society has regained more than its former peace and prosperity.

In the spring of 1853, they harmoniously renewed their church edifice,- replacing the desk with an elegant modern one, and the pews with those more commodious and pleasant; and, by painting and furnishing tastefully, they have rendered their church one of the most appropriate and pleasant places of religious worship. The members of the church. now number about 170 or 180; and, as they look back at their former experience, they are ready, no doubt, to adopt the language of devout Samuel: "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us."

UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY.

This society was formed March 10, 1831. The meetinghouse was built in 1832, and completed Aug. 10th of that year. The desk was supplied by transient preachers till the following spring. In April, the Rev. Mr. Winslow W. Wright was installed as pastor. He resigned in April, 1835, on account of ill health. Rev. Joseph Banfield was soon settled as his successor, but resigned in 1838. Dr. Hosea Ballou was settled in April, 1838. The meeting-house was remo