Ecclesiastical History, 39 



hearing several candidates, Mr. John Fowle, of Charlestown, was 

 ordained, not without a strong opposition, though with the ultimate 

 consent of a number of the parish, Dec. 31, 1741. Mr. Fowle was 

 graduated at Harvard College in 1732, and " was allowed, by good 

 judges, to be a man of considerable genius, and handsome acquire- 

 ments." He soon, unfortunately, developed " a most irritable 

 nervous temperament, which rendered him unequal in his per- 

 formances, and at times quite peevish and irregular." The 

 number of those opposed to him increased, and his pastoral con- 

 nection with the parish was dissolved in the fifth year of his 

 ministry. 



At this time the parish had so increased in numbers and ma- 

 terial prosperity that the need was felt of a new and more com- 

 modious meeting-house. The work of building the same was 

 commenced about the time of Mr. Fowle's dismissal, and in the 

 ensuing vear the house now standing was erected, at a cost of 

 £1522 19*. 9c?. The building was sixty feet by forty-five. On 

 the northerly end of the roof was a belfry, and two flights of stairs 

 leading to the galleries were on the inside. The front porch and 

 the steeple were added at a later date. 



Before the completion of the new meeting-house, several candi- 

 dates were heard, and with great unanimity Mr. John Brown, a 

 native of Haverhill, was invited to become the pastor. He was a 

 graduate of Harvard College in 1741, and was ordained over the 

 Second Parish Sept. 2, 1747. 



The following anecdote is told of his settlement. 



It is said there was one opposer only, whom Mr. Brown recon- 

 ciled by a stroke of good humor. Calling to see the opposer, he 

 inquired the cause of opposition. " I like your person and man- 

 ners," said the opposer, " but your preaching, sir, I disapprove." 

 " Then," said Mr. Brown, " we are agreed. My preaching 1 do 

 not like very well myself ; but how great the folly for you and I 

 to set up our opinion against that of the whole parish." The 

 opposer felt, or thought he felt, the folly, and was no longer 

 opposed. 



u The talents of Rev. John Brown were considerably more than 

 ordinary. In a stately person he possessed a mind whose percep- 

 tions were quick and clear, and his sentiments were generally the 

 result of just reflection. He thought for himself ; and when he 

 had formed his opinions, he uttered them with fearless freedom. 

 Acquainted from childhood with the Holy Scriptures, from them 

 he formed his religious opinions. He believed the Son of God 

 when he said, ' The Father is greater than I ; ' and although he 

 believed that mankind was sinful, yet he did not attribute their 

 sins to his immediate act who is the Author of all good. Till 

 advanced in life he was fond of social intercourse, and was able 

 always to make society innocently cheerful." He served in one 

 campaign as chaplain to a colonial regiment in Nova Scotia, and 



