The first pastor of the East Congregational Church was Rev. Timothy Morgan, a graduate of Gilmanton Theological Seminary, under whose ministry the church was organized. He continued as pastor but about a year, during which, beside the charter members, fifty-one were added to the church, of which number but one is living to-day, Harrison Bean, who united with the church (on confession of faith) May 1, 1842.

Hiram Freeman was next called, and ordained into the gospel ministry and installed pastor of the church September 27, 1843. After two years of faithful service, during which twenty-four members were added to the church, he resigned his charge to enter upon missionary labor in the far West, and was dismissed June 25, 1846. Among those who united with the church under his ministry but one is living, Mrs. Lucy Graham, a resident of this ward.

Rev. Winthrop Fifield was called and installed pastor March 24, 1847, and dismissed May 21, 1850. Under his labors there were added to the church six members.

Rev. Henry A. Kendall, pastor of the church at Dublin, was invited to become the next pastor, and was installed June 26, 1851. Mr. Kendall was a graduate of Gilmanton Theological Seminary, a man of strong convictions, of unwavering integrity to the truth and loyalty to the Congregational denomination, a man of commanding appearance, who is still living at the advanced age of eighty-two years, and well known to many in Concord and vicinity. He continued as pastor of the church until May 1, 1858, when he retired from the active ministry, closing the longest pastorate in the history of the church. During his ministry there were added to the church thirty-four members.

February 10, 1860, E. O. Jameson, a student at Andover Theological Seminary, accepted an invitation from this. church to become its pastor, and on March I was ordained into the gospel ministry and installed pastor by a council called for that purpose. Mr. Jameson remained with the church until November 1, 1865. During his ministry twenty-two persons were added to the church. Mr. Jameson is at present pastor of the Congregational Church, Millis, Mass., where he has been located since 1871, and is quite eminent as a historian.

From the date of Mr. Jameson's dismissal until October 1,

1883, a period of about eighteen years, there were no settled pastors, and the church was supplied in about the following order:

October 3, 1866, by Rev. A. A. Baker, who was somewhat of a revivalist, under whose labors the church was greatly blessed, and many were added to its membership who are living and active members of the church to-day. Mr. Baker at present is pastor of the Congregational Church at Independence, Iowa.

Rev. Smith Norton, since Field Superintendent of Home Missions in Wisconsin, at present pastor of the Congregational Church, Shoreham, Vt., began as stated supply October 10, 1867, and continued until February 1, 1869, during which time the church made great gains in Sabbath attendance. There was also a marked advance in Sabbath school work. Mr. and Mrs. Norton were great favorites with the young people.

Rev. George Smith commenced as a supply February 8, 1869, and continued for two years. He is now retired from the active work of the ministry and settled at Northwood.

January 1, 1871, Rev. Herbert R. Howes of Charleston, Me., was called, who remained but a year. His labors were greatly blessed, and many were brought into the fellowship of the church.

Rev. Abram Burnham began as a supply during the spring of 1872, and remained with the church six years, during which time there were two marked revivals, and several were brought into the church.

Rev. W. Gleason Schoppe, at present pastor of the First Congregational Church, Charlestown Dist., Boston, Mass., supplied from January 1, 1879, to November 1, 1880. His labors were attended with revival interest.

Rev. C. L. Tappan of Concord, secretary of the N. H. Historical Society, supplied the pulpit immediately following the work under Mr. Schoppe, and continued with the church for about two years, and has served at different times since as the church has been in need. He has twice served as moderator of councils called by the church and society.

Rev. A. E. Dunnells, at present pastor of the Central Congregational Church, Bath, Me., began as a supply

December 1, 1882, and continued with the church for ten months.

James T. Pyke, a student of Andover Theological Seminary, began as regular supply October 1, 1883, and continued as such at his own request till October 17, 1884, when, at the request of both church and society, he consented to accept a call to become pastor, and was ordained into the gospel ministry and installed pastor by a council of churches. Owing to poor health, he was obliged to resign his charge the following spring, much to the regret of his people.

The present pastor began his labors with the church as a lay preacher April 26, 1885; was ordained into the gospel ministry and installed pastor by a council called for that purpose October 1st of the same year. Owing to poor health he was obliged to relinquish his charge October 1, 1886.

For fifteen months, from January 1, 1887, to April 1, 1888, the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Lewis Goodrich of Manchester, during which time the church edifice was repaired and the chapel moved across the street and joined to the church. The work was done under the immediate supervision of Rev. C. L. Tappan of Concord, assisted by Thompson Tenney and C. E. Staniels. About $2,200 was expended in remodeling and refurnishing the same, which amount, with the exception of about $140, was raised within the limits of the parish.

January 1, 1888, the church extended a call to Rev. E. J. Aiken to again become its pastor. He entered upon the work April 1, 1888, and continued two years, during which time nine were added to the church. Mr. Aiken resigned April 1, 1890, to accept a call to the first church of Andover, N. H.

A call was immediately extended by the church to Rev. R. M. Burr, pastor of the Congregational Church of Chichester, who accepted the same; commenced his labors about June 1, 1890, and continued with the church until July 1, 1891. Under his ministry a Y. P. S. C. E. was organized, members were added, and the church greatly prospered. Mr. Burr at present is pastor of the Second Congregational Church of Alstead.

At the close of Mr. Burr's ministry, the church and society

met and voted to extend a third call to Mr. Aiken, who was then laboring as state missionary for the New Hampshire Home Missionary Society, and engaged Rev. N. F. Carter of Concord as supply, until an answer should be received. Mr. Carter's more than acceptable service continued until October 1, 1891, when Mr. Aiken, for the third time, entered the service of the church as its pastor.

The following have served the church as deacons : Nathaniel Ambrose, Jonathan Brown, Joel S. Morrill, John Eastman, James M. Carleton, Joseph Smith, Thompson Tenney, George H. Curtis, John T. Batchelder. The last two named were elected in 1879, and are at present in office.

March 6, 1892, a committee was appointed, consisting of the following persons, to arrange for the semi-centennial anniversary of the organization of the church: Deacon George H. Curtis, Deacon John T. Batchelder, Mrs. A. S. Farnum, Mrs. Martha Drew, Mr. and Mrs. Elbridge Emery.

The following letter-missive was immediately sent to all former pastors now living, and to churches of like faith in the city of Concord, also to others prominent in Christian work in the immediate vicinity:

The semi-centennial of the East Congregational Church, of Concord, N. H., Sunday, March 27,-Wednesday, March 30, 1892. The East Congregational Church, of Concord, N. H., sends greeting:

Services for Sunday, March 27th.

Sermon by the pastor, Subject "The Church of Christ."
Original poem, by Rev. N. F. Carter.

Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

Wednesday, March 30th, is the fiftieth anniversary of the organization of this church, and her people desire to appropriately recognize the day. We would cordially invite you to be present and participate with us in the reunion of family and old acquaintThe afternoon exercises will include:

ances.

A Historical Address, by Rev. F. D. Ayer, D. D.
Church History, by F. P. Curtis.

Report from the Ladies' Benevolent Society, by Mrs. Sarah H.
Potter.

Supper will be served at 5 o'clock.

The exercises of the evening will be under the direction of the Y. P. S. C. E.

At 8 o'clock, address by Rev. Edgar T. Farrill, president of the New Hampshire Conference of Y. P. S. C. E.

JOHN T. BATCHELDER, Deacons.
ELBRIDGE EMERY,

Chairmen Executive Committee.

Concord, N. H., March 14, 1892.

The services of the Sabbath were largely attended, at which the following hymn, written for the occasion by Rev. N. F. Carter, was sung:

O Lord our God, like sands of gold,
The years are running from Thy hand!
Their silent passage, as of old,

Bring changes Thy great love hath planned!
Many, who once these ways have trod,

And wrought with willing hand and heart,

No longer in this house of God,

Their cheer of fellowship impart !

We bow responsive to Thy right,
Thy many, many mercies own,

And pray, as children of the light,

Our work and worship may be known.
Grant, Lord, that while we linger still

In service, we, with one accord,
May do the Master's holy will,

And find in service full reward!

So add rich blessing to Thy praise!
Thy saintly harvests grow and reap;
With glory cover coming days,

Till comes to Thy beloved sleep!

The final ceremonies were consummated Wednesday, March 30th. The attendance was large and comprised quite a representation from outside the parish, among whom were his excellency, H. A. Tuttle, governor of New Hampshire; Rev. C. B. Crane, D. D., pastor of the First Baptist Church of Concord; Rev. N. F. Carter, Rev. C. F. Roper and others, who, by their words of hearty cheer, added much to the enjoyment of the occasion.

The closing exercise was a gathering in the evening of the Y. P. S. C. E., which was attended by members of