The Rev. Mr. Clap continued his pastoral care over the first church till his death, though he abandoned the house of worship to Mr. Adams and his church.

The Rev. Mr. Adams was dismissed Feb. 25, 1729–30. April 21, 1731, Rev. James Searing was ordained over the second Church. He died January 6, 1775, aged 50 years. May 15, 1740, Rev. Joseph Gardner was ordained co-pastor with Mr. Clap over the first Church, and was dismissed June 10, 1743.

June 20, 1744, Jonathan Helyer was ordained co-pastor with Mr. Clap, over the first Church, and died May 27, 1745. He was a very ingenious and excellent man.

Oct. 30, 1745, the Rev. Nathaniel Clap died at the advanced age of seventy-eight.

Oct. 29, 1746, the Rev. William Vinal was ordained pastor of the first Church, and was dimissed Sept. 21, 1768. Oct. 22, 1755, Rev. Ezra Stiles was ordained pastor of the Second Congregational Church.

April 11, Rev. Samuel Hopkins was installed pastor of the first Congregational Church.

At the settlement of Mr. Stiles and Mr. Hopkins over the two Churches in Newport, they were in a flourishing and prosperous condition, and continued so for many years, and many additions were made to them. But in 1774, the difficulties connected with the relations that existed between Great Britain and her American Colonies, began to give warning of the conflict that ensued: and the noise of war began to derange the employments of peaceful life. Newport, from its very situation and its defenceless state, from the commencement, suffered from alarms. Threats of violence, in case of refusal, had accompanied demands for provisions and water, made by vessels of war on her coast. It is no matter of surprise that all, who could, sought a safer residence. Consequently, from the commencement of the struggle, "Newport began to decline, commerce forsook her wharves, many dwellings were emptied of their inhabitants, and the churches were in a great measure forsaken. Dr. Hopkins had removed his family, and in 1776, when the town was taken by the enemy, he left it and retired to his family."

On the 23d October, 1775, the remnant of the Second

paste i de irs Chirat, and was csmset Karma 12 31481. Rex Willian Shencher of past or a the frs Cure, aut dismissed 7 256. 1633Ama 18.1155. Ber. Wiliam Fation was dismissed inde bie pomora, a large over the Secone Church

These reserade Carches wich and once been so foaFishing, at lengts from various causes, began to decline. — And wince the late war, the influence of which in depressing its property, was no where more sensibly felt than in theit march was only downward. For many

May

years
the Second Church was destitute of a single male.
member, and was indebted to the kindness of the deacons
of the First Church for the discharge of the duties which
pertain to that office in the celebration of the Lord's Sup-
per.
For a considerable time indeed the Pastor was as-
sisted in the distribution of the elements of the Holy Eu-
charist, by the venerable Robert Rogers, a member
of the 2d Baptist Church in Newport.-And in the first
Church, at the time of their dissolution, there were but se-
ven male communicants.

At length in the summer of 1833, a project for re-uniting these two Churches in one, began to be talked of, and gradually gained favor with their respective members, until at length on the 24th day of J, 1833, the two Churches held simultaneous meetings, and separately adopted the following preamble and resolutions :

Whereas, a union of the First and Second Congregational Churches has been thought essential to the interests of both, and to the maintenance and prosperity here of their common cause, and votes for the purpose of establishing and forming such union have been passed by the Societies of both corporations, and whereas we entertain a like opinion and belief of the importance and necessity of such union, to advance and promote the same: It is therefore

Voted and Resolved: That this Church unite with the Church of the First, (or Second, as the case was,) Congregational Society: and that in consideration of a like vote and agreement on the part of the Church of the First (or Second,) Congregational Society, We hereby resolve and agree to unite all the estates, property, rights and privileges by this Church held, possessed, and enjoyed, or to it in any wise appertaining and belonging, with the estate, property, rights and privileges of the Church of the said First, (or Second) Congregational Society, to the use and for the benefit of the United Churches of said First and Second Congregational Societies.

Voted and Resolved: That William Guild, (on the part of the First,) and Nathan B. Hammett, (on the part of the Second Church,) be a committee to act with any committee appointed by the other Church, to carry the above resolution into effect, to support the petition now pending before the General Assembly, and to do any other act or

Augant 31. 1835.

THE