Trowbridge's time, they supposed
that, 'if not absolutely, yet next to impossible to convict them,' not
materially varying from a _seven-months_ rule heretofore adopted. These
regulations were signed by the moderator, and assented to by the pastor
elect."
Page 181. "During Mr. Dana's ministry [1761-1775] 124 persons (38 males,
86 females) were admitted to the church in full communion; 200 (77
males, 123 females) owned the baptismal covenant. Of the first class, 14
confessed having committed the offence aforementioned, and of the last
class, 66, a proportion not indicative of good customs and morals."
[35] A typographical mistake for _unruly_.
[36] But this was as late as 1785 to 1790, when the custom was very near
its end.
[37] Another, when in his 96th year, in speaking of his knowledge of the
custom, after answering all inquiries, voluntarily mentioned his own
personal experience. "In my younger days," said he, and his voice
trembled, more from emotion then age, "I was on the bed with as many as
five or six young women, but I thank God, that in all my long life I
have never had carnal knowledge of any but my lawfully wedded wives."
[38] A physician who kept school _on the Cape_ many years ago, says
(June, 1869): "It is forty years since I was engaged on the Cape in
teaching school, and a friend of mine then related to me some of his
experience in a long career of courtship which included _bundling_.
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