The invitation to become associate pastor of your Society, which you
have extended to me, is hereby accepted. Preliminaries relative to
the time when I can assume my connection with you must be the
subject of future communications. And that God may bless this
decision to your good, to mine, and to his glory,--is the prayer of

Yours, Fraternally,
E.H. Chapin.

To the Committee.

Br. Chapin was installed January 28, 1846. The sermon was preached by
Father Ballou, from I Peter iv, 10 and 11. Rev. Messrs. Cook, Hichborn,
Streeter, II. Ballou 2d, Skinner, Fay, and Cleverly, took part in the
services. At the annual meeting in May, 1846, a committee was appointed
to express to Rev. Hosea Ballou the feelings of high regard unanimously
cherished towards him by the Society, in consideration of his long and
valuable services as their pastor; and to assure him that their prayers
for his welfare were still with him in his relations as senior pastor of
the Society. To this, the following reply was received by the committee.

Boston, May 25, 1846.

Messrs. Benajah Brigham,
Joseph Lincoln, and Bela Beal,

_Brethren_:--

After having enjoyed so many years of pastoral connection with the
Second Universalist Society in this city, and having served the same
so long a time with constant solicitude for their spiritual
prosperity and with a consciousness of my many imperfections, I find
that words are insufficient to express the satisfaction I feel on
the reception of the unanimous vote of the Society expressive of
their approbation of my services, as pastor, and their prayers for
my happiness in my present position as senior. You will, brethren,
accept my thanks for the acceptable manner in which you have
communicated the vote of the Society to me, and assure the Society
of my fervent prayer for their spiritual prosperity under their
junior pastor.

In the bonds of the Gospel,

HOSEA BALLOU.

At the annual meeting in 1847, the Standing Committee were directed to
invite Father Ballou to sit for his portrait, and that the same, when
finished, be placed in Murray Hall. This work was successfully executed,
and Father Ballou expressed himself highly complimented by the action of
the Society in regard to it.

Early in 1848, the Society were called together to act upon the
following letter from Brother Chapin.

Boston, Fe