History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

1662-166.3] RAPID GROWTH OF CHURCH AND TOWN. 135
and ])lessing vpon vs in the choise of officers," the church
elected John Strong, Rnling Ekier, and William Holton,
Deacon. On the 13*'' of May, 16G3, these two persons were
''ordained," the
"Elder by the Imposition of y handes of Pastor and M'^ Rnssel Pas-
The Deacon afterwardes by the imposition of the
tor of Hadleigh ;
handes of Pastor and Elder; The messengers p'' sent of the church of
Hadleigh. M' Russell M'^ Goodwin, bro"^ Goodman of the Chtirch of
Springfeild Deacon Chapin and M'' Holyoake who approovd of, and by
these Deligates gaue the right hand of felowship."
Duties of these In accordance with the Cambridge Platoffieers.
form, the offices of Pastor and Teacher were
distinct. The special work of the pastor
was that of preaching and exhortation, while the duty of
the teacher was to explain and enforce the doctrine. The
Rnling Eldei' was to join with the pastor and teacher in
acts of spiritual rule, in admitting members, ordaining offi-
cers and excommunicating offenders. This distinction of
offices had then been generally adopted in the colony, but
it gradually declined and at length entirely ceased. It was
not considered the duty of the pastor to read or expound
the scriptures in the pulpit, this was the work of the
teacher ; where there was no such officer, that part of the
service was omitted, and the singing of a psalm only sepa-
rated the opening prayer from the sermon.'
Town Meeting on Aiiotlier indication that town business was
a Training Day. traiisactcd whenever the people were assembled,
no matter for what purpose, occurred
in 1662. On a previous occasion, "after Lecture" the peo-
ple "stayed," and certain matters were acted upon, so
again the record reads '
' Uppon a Trayneing day in June
(62) It was then voted that James Wright had a dispensation
of 12 month for his home lote." This undoubtedly
means that James Wright had forfeited his right to a
home lot in not having complied with the conditions on
which it was granted, but on showing good and sufficient
reasons for such neglect, he was allowed further time in
which to secure a title.
1 Dexter's Congregationalism, p. 452.