opened. From two hundred to two hundred and forty gentlemen and ladies were present.

The whole number of deaths in this place within my own and Mr. Whitney's ministry, for fifty years past, has been 375; 207 females, and 168 males, — making a preponderance of 39 females.

Of baptisms, from the first formation of this society to the present time, for seventy-three years, 664; 358 females, making a preponderance of 52 females.

Of marriages solemnized by myself, 287 couple; 574 persons.

March 9, 1831, instead of having the church covenant publicly read, as heretofore, to persons joining this church, voted, that hereafter the signing of the covenant be deemed sufficient to constitute any one a church member, without being publicly propounded. The following is the covenant to be signed:

"In the presence of Almighty God, we, whose names are hereunto subscribed, declare our serious belief in the divine authority of the Holy Scriptures, as the only rule of our religious faith and practice, and promise to conform to them in that sense which appears to us to be their purpose and design. And uniting ourselves, as we hereby do, to the church of Jesus Christ, we resolve, by our lives and example, to recommend his ordinances to universal observance and attachment."

In 1777 William Burroughs left by will £20 ($66 66) to the third church in Roxbury, to be at interest till doubled, and then the annual income to be appropriated to such poor members, if such there be, as the minister and deacons think best.

He gave, also, half an acre of land in Burroughs Street, so called, on the Plain, for a parsonage, provided the parish build a house upon it, within five years after his death; which not being done, the land became forfeited to his legal heirs.

In 1773 Samuel Scarborough left in his will the sum of £10 ($33 33) to the third church in Roxbury.

Plate belonging to the church, 1842:

Silver tankard, "presented by Samuel Scarborough, April 9, 1773;" silver tankard, "presented by Ebenezer Pemberton, in his will;" silver tankard, "presented by William Burroughs, 1777;" silver tankard, "presented by Deacon Nathaniel Weld, January 12, 1806;" two silver cups, "presented by Elizabeth Gray, June 16, 1799;" two large silver flagons, "presented by Benjamin Bussey, July, 1831;" two plated dishes, purchased by the church, August 3, 1820; one plated christening basin, purchased by the church, December 7, 1815.