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per.[1] The second church, of the same denomination, was gathered in May, 1820, and contains 25 members, under the care of Elder Young. Both these churches form “the First Union Baptist Society of Andover,” which is much the largest religious society in town.
In July, 1819, Elder Ebenezer Chase commenced the publication of a periodical paper, called the “Religious Informer,” issued once a month. At that time his subscription list amounted to 110; since which it has increased to nearly 800. Mr. Chase is both editor and printer, having for some time used a press of his own contrivance, and learnt to work at his new employment entirely without assistance. His paper is devoted to the dissemination of the principles of the denomination to which he belongs, and is as well executed as some of the country prints where we may suppose the publishers have been regularly educated in the art.
All sects have a right to assemble at the meeting house, and at seasons of public worship it is generally occupied by one or the other. It is believed that in few places has greater harmony prevailed among the different denominations, than in Andover; and it is to be hoped this christian liberality, so creditable to the people, will always characterize them.
There are in Andover fourteen school districts, in twelve of which are well-finished school-houses. A public school has for several years been kept near the centre of the town; and Mr.
- ↑ Elder Peter Young was ordained in York, Me. Sept. 9, 1808–commenced preaching in Deerfield, N. H. in 1812, where he continued until 1819, when he removed to Andover. Elder Nehemiah Sleeper is a native of Andover, and was ordained with Elder William True, June 17, 1817. Elder T. died on the 11th Oct. 1818–he was a young man of unblemished moral character, and much respected. Elder Jesse Thompson was also ordained to the work of an evangelist June 7, 1821.
