Page:History of Gardner, Massachusetts (1860) - Glazier.djvu/154

150 under the name the of Evangelical Congregational Society of Gardner. On the 11th of the same month Rev. S. Lincoln was installed as pastor of the church and society. By much trial and great sacrifice, the new organization built a meeting-house at a cost of about two thousand dollars, which was dedicated June 16th, 1831; and continued to be their house of worship until they removed to their present house, which was built in 1856, at an expense of about nine thousand dollars.

This church, while it was under the care of Mr. Lincoln, was actively engaged in the moral reforms of the day; it was especially so in relation to anti-slavery and temperance. It was here that the Worcester County North Anti-Slavery Society was formed.

During the ministration of Mr. Lincoln, as also of his successor, Mr. Stone, this church had quite too much anti-slavery spirit to be very popular with most of the neighboring Orthodox churches.

One hundred and twenty persons united with the church by profession under Mr. Lincoln's ministry of eleven and one-half years. In