Some Phases of Sexual Morality and Church Discipline in Colonial New EnglandAdams, Charles Francis
History
Some Phases of Sexual Morality and Church Discipline in Colonial New England
Adams, Charles Francis
Sexual ethics
"Memorandum. At the adjournment of the Church meeting Sept. the 29{th}
1735, Mr. Moses Belcher and Mr. Joseph Neal, two of the committee
chosen Sept. the 8{th}, made report to the brethren, that they had
been with Eliz. Morse, and that she owned to them she had been
delivered of two bastard children since she had made confession to the
church of the sin of fornication, and she promised them to come and
make the Church satisfaction for her great offence the latter end of
October.
"[Nov. 10, 1735.] At a church meeting, Nov. 10{th}, 1735, the case of
Elizabeth Morse came under consideration. And she having neglected to
come and make satisfaction for her offence according to her promise,
though she was in Town at that time, the brethren proceeded and
unanimously voted her suspension from the communion of this church. It
was likewise unanimously voted that the Pastor should admonish her in
the name of the Church in a letter for her great offence.
"Upon a motion made by some of the brethren to reconsider the vote of
the church Oct. 24 relating to Joseph Owen, it was voted to reconsider
the same. Voted also that his confession be accepted before the
brethren at the present meeting, which was accordingly done, and he
was restored to their charity.
"December 7, 1735. Lieutenant Joseph Crosbey made confession of the
sin of fornication, and was restored to the charity of the church.
"December 21, 1735. John Beale made confession of the sin of
fornication, and was restored to the charity of the brethren.
"April 18, 1736. Susanna W---- made confession of the sin of
fornication, and was restored to the charity of the brethren.
"May 1, 1737. Sam P---- and wife made public confession of the sin of
fornication. Accepted.
"January 22, 1737/8. Charles S---- and wife made a public confession
of the sin of fornication.
"June 11, 1738. Benj'n Sutton and Naomi his wife, free negroes, made
confession of fornication.
"December 17, 1738. Jeffry, my servant, and Flora, his wife, servant
of Mr. Moses Belcher, negroes, made confession of the sin of
fornication.
"May 20{th}, 1739. Benjamin C---- and wife, of Milton, made confession
of fornication.
"Jan'y 20, 1739/40. Joseph W---- and wife confessed the sin of
fornication.
"October 25, 1741. This Church suspended from their communion Eleazer
Vesey for his disorderly unchristian life and neglecting to hear the
Church, according to Matt. 18, 17."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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