Nathaniel Ingersoll had been a professor of religion almost as long as Mr. Parris had lived.  He was eminently a Christian man, of acknowledged piety, and beloved and revered by all.  He had been the patron, benefactor, and guardian of the parish and all its interests from its formation.  He had long held the title of deacon, and exercised the functions of that office so far as they could be exercised previous to the organization of a church.  He had been the almoner of the charities of the people, and their adviser and religious friend in all things.  He was approaching the boundaries of advanced years, and already recognized among the fathers of the community.  It would have seemed no more than what all might have expected, to have had him recognized as a deacon of the church, in full standing, at the first.  It was, no doubt, what all did expect.  But no:  he must be put upon probation.  He was chosen deacon “for the present” in November, 1689.  Mr. Parris kept the matter of confirmation hanging in his own hands for a year and a half.  The appointment of the other deacon was kept suspended for a full year.  On the 30th of November, 1690, there is the following entry:—­

“This evening, after the public service was over, the church was, by the pastor, desired to stay, and then by him Brother Edward Putnam was propounded as a meet person for to be chosen as another deacon.  The issue whereof was, that, it being now an excessive cold day, some did propose that another season might be pitched upon for discourse thereof.  Whereupon the pastor mentioned the next fourth day, at two of the clock, at the pastor’s house, for further discourse thereof; to which the church agreed by not dissenting.”

The record of the proceedings on the “next fourth day” is as follows:—­

“3 December, 1690.—­This afternoon, at a church meeting appointed the last sabbath, Brother Edward Putnam was again propounded to the church for choice to office in the place of a deacon to join with, and be assistant to, Brother Ingersoll in the service, and in order to said Putnam’s ordination in the office, upon his well approving himself therein.  Some proposed that two might be nominated to the church, out of which the church to choose one.  But arguments satisfactory were produced against that way.  Some also moved for a choice by papers; but that way also was disapproved by the arguments of the pastor and some others.  In fine, the pastor put it to vote (there appearing not the least exception from any, unless a modest and humble exception of the person himself, once and again), and it was carried in the affirmative by a universal vote, nemine non suffragante.

     “Afterwards, the pastor addressed himself to the elected
     brother, and, in the name of the church, desired his answer,
     who replied to this purpose:—­

     ’Seeing, sir, you say the voice of God’s people is the voice
     of God, desiring your prayers and the prayers of the church
     for divine assistance therein, I do accept of the call.’”