"to make an explanation to Colo. Barr, and ascertain what damage has accrued to him in consequence of his not having the singing-school." In 1839, the parish voted to substitute "Church Psalmody" for "Watts' Select Hymns;" at the same meeting, $125 was appropriated for the "double bass viol lately procured for use of the singing choir," and for room, lights and fuel. In 1850, the parish voted to pay $250 and what it could get for the bass-viol for an organ, provided that not less than $250 be obtained from other sources for the same purpose. In 1855, it was voted to raise $200 for the purchase of an organ, and give the bass-viol in addition, if $800 could be raised in three months by subscription; the organ, a small second-hand one, was purchased the same year. In 1856, $200 was appropriated for singing.

The attitude assumed by the parish on the anti-slavery question, at the time the matter was receiving so much attention from the students at Amherst College, is made apparent by a vote passed April 9, 1838, dismissing the article relating to granting the use of the meeting-house for the purpose of holding lectures on the subject of slavery. In 1861, it was voted to allow the use of the church for a lecture by John B. Gough.

The parish first showed recognition of the need of a parsonage in 1841, when a vote was passed to purchase the house and lot lately occupied by Mrs. Deborah Shepard, for a parsonage; this vote was rescinded, Aug. 21, at an adjourned meeting. The next minute in regard to the matter is found under date of Jan. 18, 1854, when it was voted "desirable that this parish have a parsonage." Feb. 15, the foregoing was qualified by a vote that it was "not expedient for the parish as a parish to build or purchase a parsonage by taxing its members." In 1854, the General Court passed an act incorporating the proprietors of the parsonage of the First Congregational parish in Amherst. Nov. 16, 1860, a committee was appointed to report in regard to the purchase of a parsonage. Jan. 3, 1861, it was voted to purchase a parsonage for $2,500.

It was

The parish, at its organization and for many years thereafter, raised the funds needed for its expenses by a rate laid upon its members. not until well along into the nineteenth century that the plan of renting pews went into effect. In 1813. Josiah Warner gave a note of $100, which was to remain in the parish treasury as a permanent fund, the interest to be paid each year to Rev. David Parsons and his successors in the ministry, as a free gift and not as a part of their salary. Feb. 13, 1816, a special act was passed by the General Court, incorporating Noah Webster, Rufus Cowles, Moses Hastings, Enos Baker and Calvin Merrill as trustees of the ministerial fund of the First parish in Amherst. They were authorized to hold property not exceeding $12,000 in value. The office of collector was put up at auction annually and went to the lowest bidder.

Jan. 6, 1825, the pews were rented for the first time, the sum realized being $605. In 1860, the parish voted to avail itself of the provisions of an act passed by the General Court in 1845, permitting the assessment of all religious charges upon the pews in the meeting-house.

In 1840, the parish voted that its minister should not accept gifts from one not a member of the parish, without accounting to the parish treasurer therefor; this vote was rescinded the following year. In 1859.

it was voted that when a person died the sexton should toll the bell five minutes and then strike the person's age, at sunrise or sunset.

As early as 1864, the need of a new meeting-house became apparent and forced its way into prominence at parish meetings. In 1866, a committee was appointed to consider building a new church. Jan. 30 of that year, the parish voted to offer to sell to the trustees of Amherst College the meeting-house and the land on which the lecture-room stood for $10,000; if the trustees refused to purchase, then the property was to be offered to the town; if both parties declined to buy, then it was voted to build upon the same site. A committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions for erecting a new church amounting to at least $15,000. The committee met with little success, and April 9, 1867, a proposition was made to erect the new church on "the Montague lot." April 15, of the same year, it was voted that in order to secure new strength to the parish and prevent the forming of a new society, steps should be taken looking to the erection of the new building on land belonging to George Montague. April 29, a committee appointed for the purpose reported that they had secured the land desired as a site for $3,900, and that the estimated cost of the church, if built of stone, was $30,000. July 8, the parish accepted the plans presented, and the bid of C. W. Lessey to construct the church for $38,950. The corner-stone of the new building was laid Sept. 21, 1867, and it was dedicated, Sept. 23, 1868. Jan. 20, 1869, the building committee reported that the cost of the church, parsonage, land, grading and organ had been $66,482.86. The parish debt was a few dollars less than $34,000. Feb. 11, 1889, a committee appointed to solicit subscriptions to cancel the debt reported that sufficient money had been paid in and pledged to pay the debt in full. At the same meeting it was voted to celebrate in fitting manner the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the church and parish. The anniversary was celebrated, Nov. 7, 1889, and in connection with this event a historical review of the church and parish was printed.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

THE SECOND CHURCH.-PASTORS AND TERMS OF SERVICE. FIRST AND SECOND MEETING-HOUSES.-JANITOR'S DUTIES.-CHURCH MUSIC. -DifferencES BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND CHURCH.

The Second church and parish grew and prospered under the ministrations of Rev. Nathan Perkins, Jr., whose pastorate began in 1810 and continued until his death in 1842. Shortly before his installation, the First church had voted to remove all the censures it had placed upon those who had gone out from it and organized the Second church, and the latter henceforth was recognized and treated as a sister organization. Mr. Perkins was a man greatly beloved by his parishioners. In an obituary notice published in the New York Observer soon after his decease, which it is supposed was written by his intimate friend President Humphrey of Amherst College, he is described as "a man of highly respectable talents, good common sense, and unusual prudence; as kind, affectionate and cheerful in his domestic and social relations, always happy himself, and always contributing to the happiness of those around him; as a solemn, persuasive and affectionate preacher, as possessed of vigorous health, and rarely absent from his pulpit on the Sabbath, and as holding more occasional meetings than most of his brethren were able to hold; as instant in season and out of season, in times of revivals; as deeply interested in the cause of popular education; as a pattern of punctuality in all his appointments; as for many years the oldest active member of the ministerial association to which he belonged; and of his loss as one which would be severely felt for a long time." Oct. 4, 1831, a committee was appointed to confer with Mr. Perkins on the subject of his dismission. Oct. 12, a committee was appointed to consult with him and see if he would make any reduction in his salary, if so, how much. Oct. 14, it was voted that the parish would not take any measure at that time to dismiss Mr. Perkins. He died after an illness lasting but two days, his dying words being "I love my people."

During the 32 years of his pastorate the church experienced no less than six extensive revivals of religion, as the fruit of which 300 members were added to the church. On his settlement the church numbered 83 members; before the North and South churches were organized, each of which drew largely from its numbers, the membership had increased to 349The whole number of admissions up to 1840, by profession and letter, was 360, the whole number during his ministry 373- The whole num!