[77] In addition to the two specifically referred to, Backus published the following: _Policy, as well as Honesty, Forbids the Use of Secular Force in Religious Affairs_, Boston, 1779; _Truth is Great, and Will Prevail_, Boston, 1781; _A Door Opened for Equal Christian Liberty, etc._, Boston, 1783. [78] Backus, _op. cit._, p. 13. [79] Quoted from Backus, _History of New England_, vol. ii, p. 223. [80] Walker, _History of the Congregational Churches in the United States_, pp. 206–209. [81] _Cf._ _A Vindication of the Government of the New-England Churches, etc._, Boston, 1772. The first edition of 500 copies was quickly subscribed for, and a second was published the same year. [82] An edition of Wise’s tracts was published as late as 1860, by the Congregational Board of Publication. From that edition the citations are drawn. The following from the “Introductory Notice” is of interest: “ ... some of the most glittering sentences of the immortal Declaration of Independence are almost literal quotations from this essay of John Wise [_i. e._, _Vindication of the Government of New-England Churches_]. And it is a significant fact, that in 1772, only four years before the declaration was made, a large edition of both those tracts was published by subscription in one duodecimo volume. The presumption which this fact alone suggests, that it was used as a political text-book in the great struggle for freedom then opening, is fully confirmed by the list of subscribers’ names printed at the end, with the number of copies annexed.” Page xx _et seq._ [83] _Ibid._, pp. 48–50, 54, 56. [84] Wise, _op. cit._, p. 56. [85] Backus, _History of New England_, vol. ii, pp. 391–401, furnishes the following table of Baptist strength in New England in the year 1795: Churches, 325; ministers, 232; members, 20,902. Methodism had emerged in New England within the last quarter of the century, and Methodist ministers were indefatigable in their labors. By the close of the century as generous-minded a Congregational minister as Bentley could not altogether cover over his chagrin on account of the growth and influence of the “sects”. _Cf._ _Diary of William Bentley_, vol. ii, pp. 127, 409, 419. [86] Backus, _History of New England_, vol. ii, p. 235. _Cf._ Burrage, _History of the Baptist in New England_, pp. 121 _et seq._ [87] Cobb, _The Rise of Religious Liberty in America_, pp. 509–511. [88] Backus, _History of New England_, vol. ii, p. 341. [89] _Ibid._, pp. 351 _et seq._, 379. [90] Backus, _op. cit._, pp. 353 _et seq._ [91] _Ibid._, p. 379. [92] Actual disestablishment did not come in Massachusetts until 1833.