the appointment of a joint committee joint committee - the compromise agreed to by the committee recognizing the right of the Parish to receive compensation for its use and the refusal of the Town to accept the compromise.

The Parish was weak in numbers, but by the vote of its enemies its contention was maintained that secular as well as ecclesiastical use of its property was in the Parish, and that the title to the Old Tunnel was in those who maintained the faith of the fathers in years of disaster as well as of prosperity.

The First Parish of Lynn is the oldest organization of man, apart from the family relation, of the ancient Town, and as you properly claim, the oldest Puritan Church in America to remain practically upon its original site, and so far as a layman can say, it still professes and practises the truth as taught by the saintly Whiting, Cobbet and Shepard.

THE CHAIRMAN: The maxim, "in essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty -in all things charity,"* indicates the fundamental principles governing the cordial relations existing between the sister churches of our city; on whose behalf we will hear from Rev. Frank W. Padelford, Minister of the Washington Street Baptist Church.

* "In necessariis unitas, in dubiis libertas, in omnibus caritas," is sculptured in the stone over a doorway leading into the close of Salisbury cathedral, and ascribed to Melanchthon, who used the expression in one of his theses.

The Old Tunnel on the new site, corner South Common and Commercial Streets, with new roof, tower, front and pews, was rededicated October 17, 1827, at 10.30 A M. In summer of 1832 it was enlarged to the present dimensions and twenty pews inserted. Sold to the Second Christian (Universalist) Society, February 14, 1837, who have occupied it ever since, having made numerous changes.

ADDRESS ON BEHALF OF SISTER CHURCHES.

Rev. FRANK W. PADELFORD,

Minister of the Washington Street Baptist Church, Lynn.

HAVE come this afternoon to bring to you on this interesting occasion the congratulations of your sister churches in Lynn. I can at best express, in a most inadequate way only, our hearty feelings and good wishes. The presence of so many friends from all these churches expresses, more eloquently than I can hope to do, the congratulations of your brethren. I assure you that in a most sincere and fraternal spirit we rejoice with you to-day.

These two hundred and seventy-five years of your history have witnessed marked changes in their relations, one to another, of these Christian churches. These years cover at least three periods of relationship. There was first the period of bitter animosity and hatred, when each church regarded the other as an enemy, because, as they thought, an enemy to the truth and to Christ. This first period was followed by a second, when the bitterness disappeared, but when each regarded the other with suspicion and coldness. Both these have now given way to a third, when we gladly recognize each other as brethren because we are children of a common Father, living a common life, seeking to do a common work. Hatred and suspicion have been displaced by hearty interest and brotherly love, We recognize now that what concerns one concerns another. We share each others' sorrows and we rejoice in