Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 6.djvu/167

 MEMOIR OF EBENEZER WEBSTER.

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��to procure a minister. He often com- posed one of the committee in subse- quent years to provide preaching ; also, to build the first meeting-house. The proprietors of the town at Kings- ton voted to assist to build a meeting- house like the one in East Kingston, with a pulpit like that in Havvke. Ebenezer Webster, Joseph Bean and Capt. John Calfe must see that the work on the meeting-house be done in a workmanlike manner.

This meeting-house was erected on Searle's Hill, so-called, the highest land in Salisbury except Kearsarge mountain. While there, it was trulv the Visible Church. He was one ot the committee in making the arrange- ments to ordain Rev. Jonathan Searle, in October, 1773. He was also one of the committee, on the part of the church, as well as town, in settling the terms of the dismission of Rev. Mr. Searle, in 1790.

In 1 79 1 Col. Webster, Capt. Benja- min Pettengill and Elder B. Huntoon, were appointed a committee to hire Rev. Thomas Worcester. The same year the town voted to settle Mr. Worcester, on the second Wednes- day of November, 1791. On this day the council assembled preparatory to the ordination ; a dispute originated between the council of ministers and Mr. Worcester upon a doctrinal point. Much time was spent in the discussion. The people without became impatient, and demanded that the ordination should come off. Judge Webster was appointed a committee to wait on the council and inquire into the causes of the delay. He appeared before them, and heard their statement. "Gentle- men," says he, "the ordaination must come on now, and if you can not assist, we must try to get along without you. The point under discussion must be postponed to some other day." The council acquiesced, and the ordination ceremonies proceeded without more delay. Col. Webster was one of the elders of the church for many years prior to his death.

We never heard of but one instance

��when he was subjected to church dis- cipline.

On a certain occasion he wished to see his nephew, Stephen Bohonon, who resided at the South Road village in Salisbury. He went to his house and tound him absent, engaged in instructing the young people of the village in the art of dancing. He re- paired to the hall, where his nephew was engaged, and, after waiting a few minutes transacted his business with him and returned home. Soon the rumor was circulated that Judge Webster had been seen in a dancing hall. A member of his church enter- ed a complaint, requiring satisfaction for the reproach done. Parson Wor- cester suggested to him that a written acknowledgment would be appro- priate. Judge Webster answered he would put nothing on file, but would make his confession orally and publicly, in presence of the congregation. Whereupon, on the succeeding Sabbath, after the forenoon exercises had closed, he rose in his place and addressed the congregation :

"A few days since I had some busi- ness with my nephew, Stephen Bohonon, went up to his house ; found him in the hall of the tavern instructing the youth in dancing. They were in the midst of a dance when I entered the hall. I took a seat and waited until the dance was closed ; took the earliest opportunity to do my errand with Stephen ; found the young people civil and orderly ; saw nothing improper. Now, if in all this, I have offended any of my weaker brethren. I am sorry for it."

But the secret of Judge Webster's power and great influence in this vicinity was to be found in his military services. The Revolutionary war found him captain of the company of militia in Salisbury. Capt. John Webster and Capt. Matthew Pettengill had each served their term of service. Capt. Ebenezer Webster, Lieut. Robert Smith and Ensign Moses Garland, were the officers of the company in 1775. He commanded this company

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