[45]
All these discourses are interesting and able.
In No. 1286, however, is a passing allusion to the British military occupation of Boston at that period, in the following words: ‘The Jews were once a free people, but were now brought under the Roman Iron Yoke of Bondage, and obliged by superior force to pay tribute to Caesar.
To enforce this subjection military forces were sent from Rome into Judea, as troops are now sent among us!
This centurion, as they were then called, or captain of an hundred, was a Roman officer; but appears not to be a man of blood, or destitute of all religion and humanity, as too many of that order, professing Christianity, are!’
In 1771 the officers of the train-band in
Menotomy were
Ephraim Frost, captain;
Daniel Brown, lieutenant; and
William Adams, ensign.—
Paige.
In 1771 it was voted by the Precinct that any person that hath brought stones for the wall to fence the burying-place, shall have the privilege of laying up the stones they have already brought.
The wall to fence the burying-place (voted to be built in 1767) was to be accomplished within twelve months from May 27, 1771.
1772
Witnesses the continuation of
Mr. Cooke's sermons on the exposition of Matthew.
Those extant are too numerous to be particularized, and extend to No. 57 by August, 1772.
By Dec. 23, 1772, we find sermon No. 8 on the exposition of Mark.
In No. 1316, exposition No. 39—Matt.
19 throughout—he expresses these sentiments on the subject of infant baptism: ‘There has indeed been, and is, an inconsiderable sect who deny infant baptism, but not one sufficient argument has ever yet been offered against this blessed privilege of bringing our children in this way to Christ, that he may bless them * * * * Those who oppose infant baptism, inquire what advantage can they receive by being sprinkled with water in the name of the Sacred Trinity?
It may be asked of such persons, what benefit they expect from being plunged in rivers, or an ocean of water? * * * * Water used in baptism is only typical, or a sign or token.’ * * * * (Mar. 1772.)
At this period the following notice was publicly read in church: ‘Zechariah Hill with his wife desires to return thanks to God for his goodness to them in granting her a safe delivery in childbirth, and they also desire prayers for perfecting mercy—The child's name is to be called Ruth.’
One sermon (No.
1326—May 31, 1772) refers to earthquakes ‘in divers places, and frequently in this land, as foreboding, we may conclude, our present calamities [the British military occupation of Boston]; ’
