Anne and Benjamin Dutton's Letters of Dismission, 1732

Letters of Dismission for Anne and Benjamin Dutton from the Baptist Churches at Wellingborough and at Eversholt to the Baptist Church at Great Gransden, 1732. 

Anne Dutton (officially joined on December 3, 1732):

The Church of Christ at Wellingbro. to the Church of Christ at Gransden, sendeth Greetings wishing Grace & Peace 

Dear Brethren,

            God in his wise Providence, having at present fix’d ye bounds of our wellbeloved Sister, Anne Dutton’s Habitation, among you; and she out of Love to ye Interest of our Dear Lord is amongst you, having desired her Dismission from Us to You; We do hereby Dismiss her to yr fellowship. Her Conversation while with us, has been holy in principle & practice: she has been a Useful Servant of ye Church, the time she was amongst us: Receive her in ye Lord as becometh Saints: She hath been a succourer of many, & of my Self also. Upon her reception with you her Membership with us ceaseth: yet still we shall look upon her & you, as standing in ye nearest relation in our Dear Lord Jesus; wishing her & you abundant peace & prosperity in ye Lord.

            Order’d by ye Church in our Solemn Church-meeting, Novr 3. 1732. And sign’d by us in ye name of ye Church, whose names are underwritten

                                                            William Grant.             Pastor.

                                                            Richd Betson.               Elder.

                                                            Tho: Andrews.}           Deacons

                                                            Ed Halford.    }      

Benjamin Dutton (officially joined on June 22, 1732):

The Church of Christ at Evershalt to ye Church of Christ at Gransden. Grace & Peace be multiply’d. 

Dear Brethren,

            Whereas our Brother Benjamin Dutton, being a Member in full Communion with us, has desired his Dismission from us to you. We therefore, (in order to fulfil yr desire of his joyning with you, & serving you in ye Gospel of Christ,) being desirous to promote ye Interest of our Dear Lord, have joyntly agreed to grant his request: And do hereby actually Dismiss our said Brother, commiting him to ye Lord, and to you. Upon yr Reception of him his Membership with us ceaseth.

            The Lord grant an abundant Blessing may attend yr mutual Communion with each other; That our dear Brother may come among you in ye fulness of ye Blessing of ye Gospel of Christ: That he may be made Wise to win many Souls, and Strengthen’d by Jehovah’s might, to stand & feed ye Saints, (whether Babes, Young Men, or Fathers) in ye Name of ye Lord, & in ye Majesty of his God: while abundant success attends his Labours! And yt you receiving him in ye lord, and carrying it towards him as becometh Saints; may experience his Doctrine to drop as ye Dew, & distill as ye small Rain, to yr abundant growth & encrease! And finally, that God in all things may be Gloryify’d; and yt he yt soweth, & you yt reap, may rejoice together in ye Day of Christ: Is ye hearty desire & prayer of your Loving Brethren in ye Lord, 

John Francis                                        Henry Harris

Tho: Gillman                                       Samuel Maxey

Ed: Snaycell [?]                                    William Coles

Rich: Wats                                           William Coles

Text: Great Gransden Baptist Church Minute Book, 1694-1772 (non-paginated), Huntingdonshire Record Office, FR6/1/1.