out charge, four hundred and seventy-nine; in all, two thousand, three hundred and twenty-two.

As the Congregational body has, in latter years, been divided into two distinct branches, Trinitarian and Unitarian, thus forming in fact two different denominations, having little sympathy with each other, and as this division was the result of a silent and gradual process extended through a long series of years, I have not found it easy to determine on which side of the line some of my subjects legitimately belong. My general rule, however, has been, to consider those as Trinitarians, concerning whom I have been able to find no evidence that they did not accept the commonly received doctrine of the Trinity; and in the one or two cases which may possibly be considered as exceptions from this, I have been influenced by the consideration that they always remained in connection with orthodox churches and were in constant fellowship with orthodox ministers.

It has been suggested that some of the statements which historic fidelity required to be made in regard to that state of things which brought the Pilgrim Fathers to this country, may seem invidious in their bearing upon the Episcopal Church; but it would be a poor compliment to the candour of that respectable denomination to suppose that such an idea could occur to them, and an equally poor compliment to the justice of any other denomination to suppose that they should imagine that there was any good reason for it. The truth is, if each of the older denominations, as it now exists, were to be held responsible for all the unreasonable or intolerant acts that make part of its early history, it is difficult to say which would be able to cast the first stone. It was the spirit of the age, and not the spirit of any denomination, as such, to which these unchristian developments are to be referred; and it were better that all the denominations, instead of reproaching each other with what may have been amiss in the conduct of their fathers, should be thankful to that gracious Providence which has cast their own lot at a period, and in a region, in which the principles of religious liberty are understood and reduced to practice.

CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX.

[On the left hand of the page are the names of those who form the subjects of the work-the

figures immediately preceding denote the period, as nearly as can be ascertained, when each
began his ministry. On the right hand are the names of those who have rendered their testi-
The names in Italics denote that
mony or their opinion in regard to the several characters.

the statements are drawn from works already in existence-those in Romañ denote commu-
nications especially designed for this work.]

1657. Increase Mather, D. D............. Benjamin Colman, D. D.

1688-1718. Nehemiah and Thomas Walter. B. Colman, D. D.

1705-1736. John and William Hart ...... Rev. Nathaniel Chauncy

1714. Stephen Williams, D. D..................... Rev. Robert Breck...

1731-1761. Philemon and Ammi Ruhamah