but one instrument. Indeed, a formula of faith distinct from the cove nant was a thing unheard of in the formation of the early congregational churches of New England. "Accordingly it was desired of Mr. Higginson to draw up a confession of faith and covenant in scripture language; which being done, was agreed upon. And because they foresaw that this wilderness might be looked upon as a place of liberty, and therefore might in time be troubled with erroneous spirits, therefore they did put in one article into the confession of faith, on purpose, about the duty and power of the magistrate in matters of religion: Thirty copies of the aforesaid confession of faith and covenant being written out for the use of thirty persons who were to begin the work. When the 6th of August came, it was kept as a day of fasting and prayer, in which, after the sermons and prayers of the two ministers, in the end of the day, the aforesaid confession of faith and covenant being solemnly read, the forenamed persons did solemnly profess their consent thereunto; and proceeded to the ordaining of Mr. Skelton pastor, and Mr. Higginson teacher, of the church there. Mr. Bradford, the Governour of Plimouth, and some others with him, coming by sea, were hindered by cross winds, that they could not be there at the beginning of the day, but they came into the assembly afterward, and gave them the right hand of fellowship, wishing all prosperity, and a blessed success unto such good beginnings. After which, at several times, many others joined to the church in the same way. The confession of faith and covenant forementioned was acknowledged only as a direction, pointing unto that faith and covenant contained in the holy scripture, and therefore no man was confined unto that form of words, but only to the substance, end and scope of the matter contained therein. And for the circumstantial manner of joining to the church, it was ordered according to the wisdom and faithfulness of the elders, together with the liberty and ability of any person. Hence it was, that some were admitted by expressing their consent to that written confession of faith and covenant; others did answer to questions about the principles of religion that were publicly propounded to them; some did present their confession in writing which was read for them; and some, that were able and willing, did make their confession in their own words and way; a due respect was also had unto the conversations of men, viz: that they were without scandel."---New England's Memorial, Davis's Ed. p. 145. Rev. W. Hubbard and Rev. J. Higginson, referred to by Dr. Mather as his assistants in compiling the Magnalia, having been intimate friends, the former doubtless received from Mr. Higginson much of his information respecting the institution of the First Church. The following brief extracts from Hubbard's History of New England are therefore added to the precceding: "But they had not as yet waded so far into the controversy of church discipline, as to be very positive in any of those points wherein the main hinge of the controversy lay between them and others; yet aiming as near as they well could, to come up to the rules of the gospel in the first settling of a church state, and apprehending it neces sary for those who intended to be of the church solemnly to enter into a covenant engagement one with another in the presence of God to walk togethey before him according to the word of God, and then to ordain their ministers unto their several offices, to which they were by the election of the people designed, scil. Mr. Skelton to be their pastor, and Mr. Higginson to be their teacher. In order to the carrying on of that work, or preparation thereunto, the said Mr. Higginson, according as he was desired, drew up a confession of faith and form of church covenant according to the Scriptures; several copies whereof being writ ten out, they publicly owned the same, on the day set apart for that work, a copy of which is retained at this day by some that succeed in the same church..... There were at that time thirty persons joined together in that church covenant; for which end so many copies being prepared aforehand, it was publicly read in the assembly, and the persons concerned solemnly expressing their assent and consent thereunto, they immediately proceeded to ordain their minister.....Those that were afterward admitted unto church fellowship, were with the confession of their faith required to enter into a like covenant engagement with the church, to walk according to the rules of the gospel, as to the substance, the same as at the first; but for the manner and circumstances, it was left to the wisdom and faithfulness of the elders, to be so ordered as was judged most conducing to the end, respect being by them always had to the liberty and ability of the person."-Hubbard's Hist. of N. E. p. 119. JOHN HORNE, one of the first thirty members of the Church, deserves a special notice. He was deacon from 1629 to 1684. Mr. Higginson, in 1680, says of him in the church records,-" Our bro. Horne, having been Deacon of this Church above this 50 years, being now very Antient, the Church proceeded and agreed to choose 2 Deacons to be added unto him." He finally dropped the H from his name, signing it, in his will ORNE. From him have descended all the Salem Ornes. He left four sons, John, Symon, Joseph and Benjamin. Joseph was the great grandfather of the late Capt. William Orne, and Dr. Joseph Örne who graduated at H. C. 1765. |