When we consider that Edward Putnam was, at Mr. Parris’s ordination more than a year before, and had been for some time previous to that event, Ingersoll’s associate deacon, and that there probably never was any other person spoken or thought of than these two for deacons, it is evident that it was Mr. Parris’s policy to make a great matter of the affair, and produce a general feeling of the weighty importance of church action in the premises.  But this was only the beginning of the long-drawn ceremonial solemnities by which the occasion was magnified.

     “Sab:  day, 7 December, 1690.—­After the evening public
     service was over, several things needful were transacted;
     viz.:—­

     “1.  The pastor acquainted those of the church that were
     ignorant of it, that Brother Edward Putnam was chosen deacon
     the last church meeting.

“2.  He also generally admonished those of the brethren that were absent at that time, of their disorderliness therein, telling them that such, the apostle bids, should be noted or marked (2 Thess. iii. 6-16); that is, with a church mark,—­a mark in a disciplinary way; and therefore begged amendment for the future in that point and to that purpose.

“3.  He propounded whether they so far were satisfied in Brother Ingersoll’s service as to call him to settlement in the deaconship by ordination, or had aught against it.  But no brother made personal exception.  Therefore, it being put to vote, it was carried in the affirmative by a plurality, if not universality.

“4.  The Lord’s Table, not being provided for with aught else but two pewter tankards, the pastor propounded and desired that the next sacrament-day, which is to be the 21st instant, there be a more open and liberal contribution by the communicants, that so the deacons may have wherewith to furnish the said table decently; which was consented to.”

The last clause, “which was consented to,” is in a smaller hand than the rest of the record.  It was written by Mr. Parris, but apparently some time afterwards, and with fainter ink.  There is reason to suppose that nothing was accomplished at that time in the way of getting rid of the “pewter tankards.”  The farmers were too hard pressed by taxes imposed by the province, and by the weight of local assessments, to listen to fanciful appeals.  They probably continued for some time, and perhaps until after receiving Deacon Ingersoll’s legacy, in 1720, to get along as they were.  They did not believe, that, in order to approach the presence, and partake of the memorials, of the Saviour, it was necessary to bring vessels of silver or gold.  In their circumstances, gathered in their humble rustic edifice for worship, they did not feel that, in the sight of the Lord, costly furniture would add to the adornment of his table.

Nearly six months after Putnam’s election, Mr. Parris brought up the matter again at a meeting of the church, on the 31st of May, 1691, and made a speech relating to it, which he entered on the records thus:—­