same, and order that there be a seasonable uniting of the Second Society in Windsor with the first, according to order of the council, by an orderly preparation for their admission; and if there be objection against the life or knowledge of any, then it be, according to the council's advice, heard and issued by Mr. Hooker and the other moderator's successor; and that both the former ministers be released. And that the committee appointed to seek out for a minister, with the advice of the church and the town collectively by their major vote, do vigorously pursue the procuring of an able, orthodox minister qualified according to the advice of the Governor, and Council, and ministers, May last; and all the good people of Windsor are hereby required to be aiding and assisting and not in the least to oppose therein or hinder the same, as they will answer the contrary at their peril."

Soon after a communication without date is sent to the assembly, by the Second Society, complaining that the First Church would not receive them, and would not abide by the advice of council. 1

"Our communicants," say they, "are not entertained or objected against [if they had been objected against they could have obtained certificates of orthodoxy from Mr. Rowlandson and Mr. Hooker] neither we or our minister could enjoy communion in sacraments, nay the sacrament was professedly put by, that we might not. * * * * Indeed we did enjoy the preaching by our minister, and maintainance by the whole town] a little while, and then were jostled out of that too."

They furthermore profess their willingness that the First Church should call Mr. Chauncey back again, or get another minister, but even if this is granted, "we are yet suffering that we had it not above two years and a half ago."

Tradition says, and it seems quite probable, that the people of Windsor had, by this time, become so disgusted with their own wranglings, and so dissatisfied with those who had preached to them, that they unwittingly found themselves united in one point, viz: to seek a new minister. And at a town meeting held on March 11th, 1680-81, "It was voted unanimously, that Mr. Mather, of Branford, should be sought unto and endeavors speedily [made] to secure him, if God shall succeed, in the work of the ministry, and to tender to him a salary of £100 per year."

1 Probably the 1st Church still insisted on terms which the 2d considered as unjustly rigorous.

In May following (1681), Mr. Woodbridge's connection with the Second Church was severed. That there was some difficulty in the matter, and possibly some hard feeling, is evident from the fact that he complained to the assembly, of injustice done to him by the Second Church. To this the assembly replied (May 19, 1681) as follows:

"This court having heard Mr. Woodbridge, his petition, do find that it may be difficult to come to a just issue of the case, and that it may be hazardous to the peace to enter particularly into the bowels of the case, as matters are circumstanced, therefore as a final issue of all matters of strife about demands by Mr. Woodbridge upon the people of Windsor for his labors there. This Court do grant unto Mr. Woodbridge the sum of 200 acres of land for a farm, provided he take it up where it may not prejudice any former grant to any particular person or plantation. And this court do recommend it to those of Windsor who have been engaged to Mr. Woodbridge, that now at his parting, they would consider their engagements to him, and act towards him as they are in duty bound; and we recommend to Mr. Woodbridge as a friend to peace, that he would rest satisfied therewith."

Meanwhile, the people of Windsor, with a unanimity which must have surprised themselves, were negotiating with Mr. Mather. In July (27), 1681, the town voted to have the Town House (previously occupied by the Second Church) "finished and made suitable for the entertainment of Mr. Samuel Mather, if God in his providence sends him amongst us." Also voted, to give him £100 upon his settlement, "and the use of the house and lands belonging to it."

There was still an impediment in the way of the union of the two societies, viz: some plan of union upon which both could reasonably and mutually agree. But the heartfelt desire for peace and quiet, which now possessed all minds, led them to make the following judicious and Christian resolution.

"August 25th, the Congregation being met, do jointly agree to present an invitation to Mr. Mather, and if it may be to obtain him, and leave the pursuance of the union of the two societies, till such time as he is present among us; and we are unitedly agreed in this, that so far as Mr. Mather can be helpful to us, from the word of God, to effect our union together, we shall readily attend. And wherein any person can not concur with his apprehensions, we are willing to wait till God shall help us to see reason to concur with him, and in the meantime not to make any disturbance, or occasion any trouble."

But it was not until the following Spring (May, 1682) that the way was fully prepared for the much desired union. Then the Assembly, "upon application made by the Church in Windsor, respecting the difficulties they meet with in the settlement of Mr. Mather, all former orders and endeavors not being effectual to remove the impediment that lies still in the way, that the matter of the union may be plainly stated, which is now mainly impedimenting unto them, this Court see cause to declare their ready owning of the said Church in the quiet practice of their professed principles in point of order; and so that the forementioned union be carried on in manner following, viz: That Mr. Mather being in due time called and settled in office by the church of Windsor, thereupon such of the Second Society as desire fellowship with them in all ordinances (excepting those that were formerly in full communion with that Church, that are returned, or to return to the same standing in it), address themselves to Mr. Mather; and having satisfied him about their experimental knowledge, and the grounds of that satisfaction by him declared to the Church unto their acceptance, with encouraging testimony given in reference to their conversation, they be thereupon admitted."

The plan thus proposed by the court, and which gave the First Church all they ever demanded, seems to have reconciled the previous difficulties; and a new spirit of harmonious enterprise at once infused itself throughout the town. Yet the task of softening the prejudices and fusing the discordant elements of the two churches, was a work which required time and patience, as well as the exercise of sound judgment and consummate tact. All these qualities were in a high degree possessed by Mr. Mather, and probably in the fall of 1684, he was fully ordained and settled in the charge of the united congregations of Windsor.1

At a town meeting in Dec'r of that year, "it was voted, that the town allow ten pounds per winter to be payed out of the

1 We are well aware that Trumbull and all other authorities assert that Mr. Mather was settled at Windsor in 1682. The following vote of the town, Dec. 28, 1684, "to give Mr. Samuel Mather 100 acres of land at Salisbury plains in case he settles in office amongst us ;" and also the record of admissions to the church during his ministry (as copied by Mr. Rowland from the original manuscripts of Mr. Mather-see Ch. Rec'ds, which begins thus: "The following were admitted to the church the 1st year, 1685," lead us to the conclusion that 1684 was the true date of his settlement and ordination.

town rate towards procuring wood for Mr. Mather; the money to be laid out yearly by the townsmen, then in being, so as best [to] attain the end aforesaid.

Also that any man may have liberty to bring one load of wood yearly to Mr. Mather; and to be paid for the same out of their town rate, provided they bring it before the first day of February yearly, until the ten pounds be expended. Should there not be so much wood brought to Mr. Mather before the first of February as shall amount to the said sum, then any man may bring wood until the same be [made] up, and be paid as before said, the price to be three shillings and four pence the load."

"It is voted by the town that a new meeting house be built for the more comfortable carrying on the worship of God — and the form of the house to be according to the meeting house at Springfield, unless the committee chosen do see cause to make alteration in height or breadth. The Committee chosen to carry on this matter and to procure and agree with an able workman to do the work, are Benjamin Newberry, Mr. Henry Wolcott, Nath'l Bissell, John Porter, and Timothy Thrall.

1

Mr. Samuel Mather, the second pastor of Windsor, was in every respect a fit successor to the venerable Warham. Descended from a highly respectable and gifted ancestry, he was one, and by no means the least, of a circle of noble men, whose varied talents and pious lives, have rendered the name of MATHER, distinguished among the families of New England, even to the present day. His father, Timothy Mather of Dorchester, was a son of the Rev. Richard, third minister of that town, and his mother was a daughter of the excellent Major General Humphrey Atherton. Thus highly connected, hist earlier years were spent in the enjoyment of all the advantages which the best society of that day could afford. Graduating at Harvard College in 1671, he went first to Branford, Conn. From thence he was called in the Providence of God, to Windsor, where the powers of his mind, the amiability of his character, and his piety, speedily won the esteem and love of his people, and composed the difficulties which existed among them. He was then in the prime of his life, grave and dignified in

1 He succeeded Mr. Warham, and had the charge of the new church which was formed after the emigration of the old church to Connecticut, 1635. It is a curious coincidence that his grandson should succeed Mr. Warham in the charge of the same old church in Connecticut.

person, faithful and consistent in his daily life, and benignant and winning in manner. His connection by marriage with the daughter of the Hon. Robert Treat of Wethersfield, afterwards governor of the colony of Connecticut, was in itself happy, and served to increase the influence which his gifts of mind and heart had already secured for him in the public estimation. Thus happy in his domestic and public relations, his life was quietly passed in the faithful discharge of his pastoral duties to this now happy flock. And it is pleasant to record, that during the whole period of his ministry, not one shadow of complaint seems to have darkened his or their pathway. On the contrary, there is abundant evidence that he was the constant recipient of many marks of public and private respect and care. He is known to have published but one work, entitled A Death Faith Anatomised, printed at Boston, 1697, with an introduction by his cousin, the celebrated Cotton Mather, which concludes thus:

"The author is known throughout the churches of the famous and happy colony, to none of the least whereof he hath for many years been a faithful Pastor; known for his Piety, Gravity and Usefulness more than any recommendations of mine can render him; and my relation to him will readily excuse me, as well as his modesty forbid me, for saying any more."