Upon the death of Elder Maxson, the ministration of Gospel ordinances in this church devolved on Elder Joseph Maxson, of Newport, who served both churches until 1750. Rev. Thomas Hiscox assumed at this time its pastoral charge. He was a man of rare piety and eminent ability. Evangelical in sentiment, eloquent in delivery, forcible and pointed in argumentation, he was very successful as a minister. Endowed with great conversational powers, a pleasing and affable address, he was eminently qualified to adorn the social circle, and no one could frequent his company without being benefited by his piety and improved by his wisdom.
He made a public profession of religion in early life, and was even then distinguished for close application to the study of the Scriptures. Contemning the vain and fickle amusements of youth, he was ever found at the prayer circle, and delighted particularly in solitude and retirement. His maturity amply fulfilled the promise of his spring, and the autumn of his days was accompanied by an abundant harvest. He died in 1773, in the seventy-seventh year of his age. Rev. Thomas Clarke, his colleague, was appointed to the work of the ministry in 1750, and departed this life in 1767, aged eighty-two years. His death was eminently triumphant, and even after he had ceased to speak, his pallid countenance shone with a glory, and his glazing eye glowed with a rapture altogether indescribable.
Rev. Joshua Clarke, son of the former, was eminently distinguished, not only as a Christian minister, but as a citizen. He sustained with fidelity and trust several important town offices in the early part of his days, and as a member of the corporation for the College at Providence; was highly distinguished for classical and literary taste, as well as the faithful discharge of the laborious and varied duties pertaining to that station. His patriotism and public spirit were continually exhibited during his long and honourable service in the legislature of the state; but it was chiefly in his position as a Christian minister, that his gifts and graces were brought into action, and his character displayed in all its beautiful and symmetrical loveliness. For this station he was eminently fitted both by nature and grace: a form lofty and commanding; eyes deep and dark as midnight; voice clear and musical. His preaching was powerful, and chiefly for this reason, it came from the heart. The church, during his ministration, was blessed with several revivals of religion. He travelled many journeys on business connected with the church, but finally rested from his labours in March, 1793, in the seventy-seventh year of his age.
Rev. John Burdick, his successor, was equally distinguished for eminent piety and natural ability. His discourses were marked by a fervid, yet gracefully simple eloquence. He was also eminent for faithfulness in discipline. No member under his auspices was retained in the church whose conduct or reputation could be a blot upon her bright escutcheon; yet no one could accuse him of injustice or partiality. His ministry was signally blessed by a powerful revival, in which more than two hundred persons were added to the church in one year. As a citizen, he was liberal, public-spirited, and benevolent. Incessant in his Gospel labours, he travelled much, visiting destitute churches, many of which he had assisted in organizing. He never received nor required a stated salary, but wrought at the useful and healthful occupation of husbandry. He was highly respected by other Christian denominations, and maintained the most friendly intimacy with their ministers. He died in the seventieth year of his age, in 1802.
Rev. Abraham Coon, his successor, was ordained in 1798, and was very generally admired for solidity of judgment, copiousness of thought, and eloquence of delivery. He was frequently employed among other denominations to their great satisfaction. He died in 1813.
Rev. Matthew Stillman, his colleague, was ordained in 1804, and continued his ministry with great acceptance for nearly half a century. Elder Stillman, was a man of moderate ability, but he possessed, in an eminent degree, those excellencies of character and disposition, that are far more desirable than brilliancy of wit, or depth and variety of talent. Although others might be more admired, none were more extensively and universally beloved. In 1819, Elders William B. Maxson, Daniel Coon, Thomas V. Wells, and Amos R. Wells, are all reported as associated with Elder Stillman in the ministry of this church. In 1832 Christopher Chester is reported as licentiate. He was ordained in 1834, and continued in connexion with Elder Stillman, to administer Gospel ordinances to this church, until 1836, when Elder Coon became, for the second time, a resident minister in the place. Subsequently he assumed the pastoral relation in connexion with the church, which situation he still occupies.
Beside these ministers, others have been ordained by this church and that of Newport, who removed into other parts, and became the founders of new fraternities. Of these we may mention John Davis, of Burlington, Nathan Rogers, of Berlin, and Ebenezer David, afterwards chaplain in the American Army. Several members of this church have risen to places of trust and importance in the state. Their deacon, Daniel Babcock, held for a long time, the office of Assistant Governor in the upper house of the legislature. Others have been elected to fill offices of responsibility in civil, judicial, and local affairs. As a community, they are noted for wealth and intelligence, for improvements in the useful arts, proficiency in scientific pursuits, and steady industrious habits.
This community, notwithstanding the numerous amicable dismissions that have been made from it to form other churches, still remains one of the largest and wealthiest in the connexion.
SECOND SEVENTH-DAY BAPTIST CHURCH, HOPKINTON, RHODE ISLAND.
This church, a branch of the former, was organized in 1835, and Amos R. Wells became its first pastor, in which relation he continued for two years.