108 



invited the Rev. Andrew Dunn to supply the desk. In 

 Ju\y of the same year (63) a council was convened to 

 consider the propriety of organizing a church (an inde- 

 pendent society). After a satisfactory examination a 

 church was constituted, composed of fifty-six members. 

 Two deacons were chosen, viz. : Brethren Geo. Parsons 

 and Herbert Stanley who still serve the church. Bro. 

 Dunn stayed with them as their pastor for four years, 

 then resigned. 



The infant church in the spring of 1867 sent to the 

 Theological Institute at Newton, for a candidate, where- 

 upon a .young man by the name of J. H. Gannett was 

 sent them, to whom the church and society extended a 

 call to the pastorate. He accepted, and entered the work 

 August 1st, 1867, receiving ordination the 22d of the 

 same month, Rev. G. Cole of Weymouth preaching the 

 sermon. 



The church for years had been in a low condition, and 

 was still, the Sabbath school few in numbers, sadly in 

 want of efficient teachers, and entirely destitute of library 

 books. During the following winter (1867-68) one hun- 

 dred dollars expended in books supplied the school with 

 a good library. This seemed to be the only movement 

 manifested for the better — the meeting continuing dull, 

 the preaching powerless. Our village had increased in 

 population and now numbered about 1500, and it seemed 

 expedient to have a larger place for worship. 



The building was raised ten feet, lengthened about 

 twenty-five, a vestry was finished under the entire length, 

 and a spire of seventy-five feet added. Eighty pews 

 were placed in the auditorium, the settees being moved 

 into the vestry below. The entire expense was about 

 $5,000. About $3,000 of it was raised, leaving the 

 society in debt $2,000; the following year 81,000 of this 



