921.73 W589w.pdf - Mesa FamilySearch Library

Rev. Samuel H/_ilin_. 13 I
had so long contended, the events which then
transpired deserve especial notice.
It is stated in Hutchinson's History, that
"the strict union, which had been from the
beginning between the civil and ecclesiastical
parts of the constitution, was about this time
in danger of being broke, or greatly weakened.
After Mr. Wilson's death, the first church in
Boston invited Mr. Davenport, the minister of
New Haven, to succeed him. He was then
about seventy, had gone into the wilderness
with persons close]y attached to him, and re.
mained with them about thirty years, and they
were extremely averse to his leaving them ; and
besides, he was at the head of a party more strict
and rigid than the body of the people of the
country, for he had always opposed the admit.
ting to baptism the children of any who were
not in full communion with one or other of the
i
churches. It is not strange that there should
have been a party of Boston church which op-
posed his settlement. The two parties in this
church, the first in rank (.although the church
of Salem was the oldest) in the country, pro.