Page:History of Gardner, Massachusetts (1860) - Glazier.djvu/161

Rh was settled as pastor, and remained until October, 1842; seven persons were baptized under his ministry. He was succeeded by Rev. Erastus Andrews and Rev. W. B. Jones, who supplied them with preaching until Oct., 1843. Neither one of the last named permanently resided in the town, and no baptisms are reported.

April 21st, 1844, Rev. Josiah H. Tilton, now the pastor of the Holden Baptist Church, was chosen pastor; five individuals were baptized while he was with them. His labors closed in 1847, and Rev. Benjamin H. Cliffts' services were secured until the spring of 1849, and that year Rev. Amasa Brown, now Agent of the American and Foreign Bible Society, was chosen pastor; during his pastorate of five years, nineteen individuals were baptized.

He was succeeded in the fall of 1854, by the present pastor, Rev. Richard K. Ashley, and nineteen individuals have put on Christ by baptism under his ministry.

All the above named Pastors and Ministers it is believed have labored to preach the gospel with plainness and simplicity, and the church have enjoyed several very pleasant seasons of the outpourings of God's Holy Spirit.

At the decease of Sister Mary Wright Severy