The New Hampshire Gazette

To the Publisher of the New Hampshire Gazette.

WE the said Messengers from the First Church in Biddeford, the Second in Wells, and the Messengers from the Second Church in Scarborough, convened in an Ecclesiastical Council at Gorham Town, January 19, 1758, by the Desire of Pastor and Church, to give Advice relating to the unhappy Contention that has so long subsisted between them -- After Serious and humble Prayer to GOD for Direction. and after hearing and fully debating all that was thought proper to be laid before us-- the Reverend Mr. Lumbard and the Church voluntarily exhibited the Conditions for a Separation, viz. that Mr. Lumbard shall give up one Half of all the Parsonage, upon the Settlement of another Minister; and that he will give Security to all his disaffected Brethren and the disaffected Inhabitants against ever paying any Taxes for his Support- And that all the disaffected Brethren shall be incorporated into a distinct Church by this Council, by the Name of the First Church--On the other Hand- that the disaffected Brethren do freely and fully consent. that all the well affected Brethren be by this Council incorporated into a distinct Church- and they will Secure them and the well affected Inhabitants from ever paying any Taxes, to any other Minister, during Mr. Lumbard's Ministry-- And that there shall be a distinct List of the well affected and disaffected, to ascertain what Minister they support-- And that all Injuries, Provocations, Offences be forgotten, forgiven, and forever at an End, and the peaceful Spirit of the Gospel be promoted to our utmost.-. - Put to Vote-- Whether this Council approve of the above Agreement? Passed unanimously in the affirmative-- to which the Pastor and each Party unanimously concurred in the Presence of this Council.

Now sincerely and ardently wishing you all the Blessings of peace, truth and Holiness; and exhorting you to use your Endeavours to promote the peaceful Kingdom of Christ among you, to whose Guidance and Blessing, we commend you all.

Gorham-Town,

Thomas SMITH, Moderator.

Jan. 25. 1758.

Daniel Little. Scribe.

P.S. The well affected and disaffected Brethren, as distinguished above, were incorporated into two Churches by a Committee of four Ministers, and four Messengers of said Council, and Obligations by mutual Bonds given to secure each Party from paying towards the Support of any other Minister in this Town, but the Minister to whom they are well affected, as expressed in the above Agreement.

Gorham Town,

Certified per Daniel Little, Scribe.

Jan. 25. 1758.

True Copy attes. Daniel Little, Scribe.

-Upon the Conflagration of all Papers relative to the Dispute, in Presence of the Committee and Parties. it was pleasantly observed. That all Malice was burnt, No body kill'd, No body hurt, and Every body help'd.