The Separates; Or, Strict Congregationalists of New England

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1902. Excerpt: ... VI WHERE THEY WERE AND WHAT BECAME OF THEM The principal scene of this movement was in Connecticut, after about 1741. But before this date there were not wanting evidences of protest against the practice of the Half-Way Covenant in the division of churches'over it. The principles of the Separates had been in the air for more than three quarters of a century when the decisive cleavage came. One of the earliest instances of protest against the practice of the Half-Way Covenant was in Branford in 1665, severity-five years before the real Separate movement, but which was yet of the same spirit. After the union of the New Haven and Connecticut colonies, under the charter recently obtained from Charles, Mr. Pierson and almost his whole church and congregation, says Trumbull, were so displeased that they soon removed into Newark, New Jersey. They carried off the records of the church and town, and after it had been settled about twenty-five years left it almost without inhabitant. No pastor was settled in Branford to take the place of Mr. Pierson for more than twenty years. The reason for this exodus was, tfhat, 136 in the Connecticut colony, the Half-Way Covenant was approved by the civil authorities, and Mr. Pierson and his people refused to live under such jurisdiction. About 1667 the church in Windsor became divided over the settlement of a colleague for the pastor, Rev. Mr. Warham, who had become advanced in years. Hot words passed between the contending parties. Matters came to such a pass that permission was given by the legislature to the minority to form a distinct church. Mr. Benjamin Woodbridge was called and settled in 1668. After twelve years Mr. Woodbridge was dismissed by order of the court, and the church was disbanded to unite with the First...