The deacons of course took charge of the church contributions. Lechford,
in his "Plaine Dealing," thus describes the manner of giving in the Boston
church in 1641:--
"Baptism being ended, follows the contribution, one of the deacons
saying, 'Brethren of the Congregation, now there is time left for
contribution, whereof as God has prospered you so freely offer.' The
Magistrates and chief gentlemen first, and then the Elders and all the
Congregation of them, and most of them that are not of the church, all
single persons, widows and women in absence of their husbands, came up
one after another one way, and bring their offering to the deacon at
his seat, and put it into a box of wood for the purpose, if it be money
or papers. If it be any other Chattel they set or lay it down before
the deacons; and so pass on another way to their seats again; which
money and goods the Deacons dispose towards the maintenance of the
Minister, and the poor of the Church, and the Churches occasions
without making account ordinarily."
Lechford also said he saw a "faire gilt cup" given at the public
contribution; and other gifts of value to the church and minister were
often made. Libellous verses too were thrown into the contribution boxes,
and warning and gloomy messages from the Quakers; and John Rogers,
in derision of a pompous New London minister, threw in the insulting
contribution of an old periwig.
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