[49] In 1775 the Precinct voted to choose one person to lead in singing. Samuel Frost was chosen, but was excused, and William Cutter was chosen to lead in singing and to nominate such persons as he shall think proper to assist him. It was also voted that the second and third seats in the front gallery be the seats for the singers to sit in; and at another meeting, it was voted to have two doors to the said two seats. This is the first mention of a choir.
In the first of 1775 Mr. Cooke was continuing his exposition of the four gospels. The Baptists seem to give him some little uneasiness, for in a sermon in Jan. 1775, he asserts: ‘Baptism don't save us, from any virtue in the water: either in the quality or quantity of it; but only, from the blessing of Christ, when performed according to his will!’ His construction of the case is certainly liberal, for in another place in the same discourse, he says: ‘Much water cannot purge away sin; there is no certainty from this passage [John 3:23] whether they were dipt or sprinkled; nor can it be of great importance for us to know, while we all believe Baptism to be no more than a token of our being cleansed only by the blood of Christ, and our solemn dedication to him * * * * But the mode or manner, if done in sincerity, ought not to break Christian fellowship, or that love and charity among Christ's disciples by which we give the best evidence of our loving union to him. Where is angry disputing, there is contention, confusion and every evil work!’ ‘We are all of the earth, as John was, though in a lower station; we speak of the earth, and are all hastening to dust. Let us all, as he did, endeavor the advancement of Christ's kingdom in the world, and raise our thoughts to things above, where Jesus is now set down at the right hand of God.’ The following summary of Christian living is at the close of this discourse. ‘All they who love Christ will walk in all his ordinances, blameless. The true believer will follow the Lamb of God, copy his Life, ’
