Page:History of Barrington, Rhode Island (Bicknell).djvu/265

 ME. heath's ministry. 209 othy Wadsworth, James Adams, Ebenezer Allen, John Read, Nathaniel Peck, Edward Bosworth, Josiah Humphrey, Jonathan Viall, and Rachael, the wife of Samuel Allen. March 28, 1730. Deacon Humphrey, Deacon Peck, Lieut. Adams, Kb. Allen, and Nathaniel Peck were chosen a com- mittee "to treat with the church or a Committee of the Church of Swansea belonging to Elder Ephraim Wheaton concerning proper methods for the recovering and dividing the ministerial lands, 'or pastors and teachers lots,* lying in Swansea pursuant to an agreement of the two churches, the Barrington Church to bear two-fifths of the expense." The same matter was brought before the church, March 16, 1736, and the committee was instructed to bring suit for the min- isterial lands in Swansea, "to a full issue in the law," unit- ing with the committee and church of Swansea, then under the pastoral care of Elder Maxwell, successor of Elder Wheaton. We have no evidence at hand as to the final settlement of the case, but as the two churches, the Baptist of Swansea and the Congregational of Barrington, were united in press- ing the suit to an issue, there can be no doubt that satisfac- tory results were obtained, inasmuch as Mr. Heath's vigor- ous management usually accomplished his purpose. In matters of discipline, Mr. Heath aimed to exercise the largest Christian charity, consistent with a just administra- tion of church affairs. The following action of the church, taken on the 17th of March, 1733, indicates the spirit of his administration. "At a Church meeting, all the members except one being present, a question was put, viz. : whether that all persons under the watch and care of the church, any of them falling and being guilty of scandalous sins and offenses to the dishonor of God and his holy religion and the members of Christ's Church: — all such offenders making their peace and manifesting their repentance to and with the brethren and sisters of the Church and not before the con- gregation — be sufficient ; information of their giving satis- faction afterward being declared in publick to the whole 14