Subject: History of Bedford, Mass. by Lemuel Shattuck, 1835 Source: From: The History of the Town of Concord, Mass. by Lemuel Shattuck, 1835. Part 5 p.264 The sacrement was first administered September 6, 1730 and every two months afterwards, at which times collections were taken for the use of the church. Nov. 12, 1730, being public thanksgiving, £7 were contributed. A short time after, the good people of Concord, Mass. contributed, for the use of the church in Bedford £6. Mr. Isaac Stearns, the widows Sarah Bateman and Eunice Taylor gave 10 shillings each. The last left a legacy of £5 more and Deacon Merriam left a legacy of £6 to the church. Among the peculiar customs which prevailed in the church from its first formation to the ordination of Mr. Stearns, was that of making public con- fession of particular offenses committed by the members. These were drawn up in writing and read by the minister before the congregaton. Frequently notices under different dates are specified in the church records, such as "the confession of _____ for the sin of intemperance," "for the breach of the seventh commandment," or other sins as the case might be, "was read before the congregation." This custom, though particularly revolting at the present day, (1835) was not peculiar to the church of Bedford. It prevailed to some extent in most of the colonial churches. But that a detail of one's own crimes, given in minute particulars before the public, even if publicly known, tends to reform the heart of the confessor, or promote the good morals of the people, is a proposition to which few will now assent. It does not appear that any special attention to religion prevailed during the ministry of Mr. Bowes, as was then the case in Concord and some other places; though the church received considerable yearly additions, and was in a flourishing state. Anterior to 1754, 161 individuals had belonged to the church; and allowing the original members to have been 50, the admissions would be 111. To this time there had been 83 marriages, 350 baptisms and 173 deaths. (see also Epitaphs from the Old Burying Ground, Bedford, Mass.) http: //freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jdevlin/source_files/bedford_ma_cem.htm The Rev. Nicholas Bowes is said to have been born in England. He was gradu- ated at Harvard College in 1725. After sustaining the pastoral office about 24 years, some circumstances occurred which induced him to consider his use- fulness at an end, and to ask a dismission. This was granted by the church August 22, 1754 and by the town, September 2nd. In 1755 he went as a chaplain in the Northern Army at Fort Edward, but died at Brookfield on his return home. He is represented to have been "a man respectable for his abilities and learning and of sound evangelical sentiments." Mr. Bowes married Lucy, the sister of the Rev. Jonas Clark of Lexington, and aunt of Governor Hancock, and had: William Bowes Lucy Bowes Nicholas Bowes Elizabeth Bowes Dorcas Bowes Thomas Bowes Mary Bowes. One of whom married the Rev. Samuel Cook of West Cambridge. The town voted September 29, 1755, "that the church should proceed to the choice of a gospel minister" and on the 17th of November, "to concur in the choice of Mr. Nathaniel Sherman, by 38 yeas," and agreed to give him £113. 6 shillings & 8 pence as a settlement and £53. 6 shillings & pence and 20 cords of wood as an annual salary. He was ordained February 18, 1756. Some years after the settlement of Rev. Mr. Sherman, a controversy arose concerning admitting persons to the privileges of baptism only, without admission to the communion, by assenting to the "half-way covenant." November 6, 1765, the regulations for the admission of members were revised, and a vote was passed, "that there should be but one church covenant." Candidates for admission to the communion were to be examined before the pastor only, who propounded them several days before admission, when he informed the church of their "knowledge, experience and belief of religion." Faith in Christ, repentance for sin, holiness and a belief in the Assembly's catechism, were required of all candidates. If no objections were made, they were to be admitted without vote of the church. The covenant was revised and adopted in a different form, principally effected by the influence of the pastor. Some of the alterations were unpopular with a majority of the church. In consequence of this controversy the affections of his people were alienated from Mr. Sherman. An ecclesiastical council was called December 5, 1766, who adivised his dismission which was accepted by the church, and concurred in by the town December 17th. The Rev. Nathaniel Sherman was born at Newton, March 5, 1724. His father, William Sherman was son of Joseph Sherman and grandson of Capt. John Sherman who came from Dedham, England to Watertown, Mass., in 1634 or 1635. His brothers were William Sherman, Esq., of New Milford, the Hon. Roger Sherman of New Haven, CT [who married Rebecca Prescott dau of Benjamin Prescott & Rebecca Minot of Salem, Mass. see p. 66 - Prescott Memorial] and the Rev. Josiah Sherman of Woburn. p.266 He graduated at Nassau Hall in 1753. During his ministry of about twelve yrs., 46 were admitted to the church. In the unhappy controversy, which resulted in Mr. Sherman's dismission, nothing occurred that affected his religious character. After leaving Bedford he was installed at Mount Carmel, New Haven, CT, where he preached many years and took a dismission and removed to East Windsor where he died July 18, 1797 aged 73 years. He married Lydia the dau. of Deacon Merriam of Bedford, March 1, 1759. To be continued Part 6. - p. 266 Transcribed by Janice Farnsworth. God Bless America History & Genealogy Freely Shared Janice Farnsworth _http://tfeeney.esmartbiz.com/janice.htm_ (http://tfeeney.esmartbiz.com/janice.htm) and Toni Feeney _http://www.tfeeney.esmartbiz.com/page7.htm_ (http://www.tfeeney.esmartbiz.com/page7.htm)