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as senior deacon, assumed the duty of caring for the conduct of the weekly and monthly meetings. These were regularly held, and special meetings were called when required. other interests of the Church were considered as presented, the aim being to have all the ordinances and services of the Church regularly observed. There was a membership then existing of about five hundred and forty. A circular sent out by the Standing Committee, calling for the united and prayerful efforts of the whole Church for her welfare, had a most salutary influence.

This circular read as follows:

Dear Brethren and Sisters,

CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH,

FALL RIVER, MASS., October 10, 1896.

Members of the Central Congregational Church:

In the providence of God, we are to be without a regular pastor, for a little time at least. The interim cannot fail to be an anxious period for your committee, and we desire to make an earnest appeal to each member to give more than usual effort for the success of our church work. Will you in harmony with this request, do all in your power to sustain our religious gatherings; support the Sunday morning and evening services; attend the Thursday evening meetings; and by your constant presence encourage each the other? Do not forget the Sunday school. The superintendent wants your hearty support. Enter the Bible class and so influence our younger pupils to gather for the study of the Word of God. By voice and presence will you not kindly help to bring all our church membership into action and harmony with the Master's desire?

Sincerely your brethren in Christ,

CHARLES J. HOLMES,

CHARLES A. BAKER,

GEORGE O. LATHROP,

HENRY H. EARL,

EDWIN A. BUCK,

CLINTON V. S. REMINGTON,

ANDREW BORDEN,

JAMES W. BRIGHAM,

Standing Committee.

Rev. William A. Knight

Sixth Pastor, A.D. 1897-1902

1897. A special church meeting was called on September 20, 1897, to hear the report of the committee on pulpit supply. That report presented the name of REV. WILLIAM ALLEN KNIGHT, of Saginaw, Mich., as the unanimous recommendation of the Standing Committee for the office of pastor. After due consideration, a ballot was ordered, resulting in an affirmative vote of eighty-five yes; six no.

A committee of three, namely, Charles J. Holmes, Richard B. Borden, and Albert F. Dow, was appointed to unite with a committee from the Society in extending the invitation to Mr. Knight to become pastor, and upon his acceptance to take the necessary steps preparatory to his installation. The Society met September 30, and voted unanimously to join in the call, and appointed Henry H. Earl and Edward B. Jennings as its committee.

Mr. Knight's letter of acceptance was received on October 4, and a call was immediately issued for an ecclesiastical council, to be held on October 20, 1897.

The council met at 2.30 o'clock P.M., on the date mentioned, and after the usual examination of papers, records, and candidate, it was unanimously voted to proceed to the installation of Mr. Knight in the evening, at 7.45 o'clock, with services as follows: Invocation, Rev. E. A. Buck; reading of Scripture, Rev. H. G. Megathlin, F.R. [Broadway Church]; singing, "O Worship the King, all glorious above"; sermon, Rev. Wm. E. Barton, D.D., Boston; singing, "O where are kings and empires now"; installing prayer, Rev. Eldridge Mix, D.D., Worcester; charge to the pastor, Rev. William H. Davis, D.D., Newton; right hand of fellowship, Rev. Francis J. Van Horn, Beverly; address to the people, Rev. Matthew C. Julien, New Bedford; singing, "With

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heavenly power, O Lord, defend"; concluding prayer, Rev. Payson W. Lyman, Fall River; doxology, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow"; benediction by the pastor.

The life of the Church during Mr. Knight's pastorate is best portrayed by successive extracts from the annual reports of pastor and deacons. Not many new or startling events occurred to mark its outward relations to other work and workers, but its life was largely the development of its internal affairs and spiritual interests.

1897. December 19, the pastor writes:

The hearty manner of our people in the support of the midweek prayer-meeting is a pleasant feature of our church life. The people come steadily and in large numbers. They take hold of the meeting. "I am a stranger," said one," but I am thoroughly enjoying the few meetings I have been with you.' That is as it should be. Our meetings should be joy-bringers, and help-givers.

From the formation of the Church in 1842 until 1898, the first week of each new year was set apart as "The Week of Prayer," according to the general usage in Congregational churches. Meetings were held in the olden time every evening, except possibly Saturday evening, and two, three, and sometimes four afternoons. Special topics were assigned for the various services.

In January of 1898, it was decided to observe "Passion Week" in our church as "The Week of Prayer," rather than the first week in January. The calendar for January 9, mentioned the change, and said, "The pastor desires to direct the attention of the whole parish to a consecutive reading of the life of Christ from now until Easter, culminating in our observance of "Passion Week." On each evening of that week, except Saturday, a service was held in the Chapel, with a descriptive address by the pastor, portraying the scenes in each successive day in the last week of our Lord's ministry. The whole service was most profitable and impress

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