Four Points - Ancestry of My Children

Below are the transcripts of Benjamin F. Greene's certificates confirming him as a Deacon and then Elder in the Methodist Episcopal Church. You can see the original documents here.

Know all Men by these Presents, that
Matther Simpson
One of the Bishops of the
Methodist Episcopal Chruch in the United States of America,

Under the protection of Almighty God, and with a single eye to his glory, by the imposition of my hands and prayer have this day set apart Benjamin F. Green for the office of a Deacon, in the said Methodist Episcopal Chruch; a man who in the judgement of the New England Annual Conference is well qualified for that work; and he is here by recommended to all whom it may concern, as a proper person to administer the ordinance of Baptism, Marriage, and the Burial of the Dead in the absence of an Elder, and to Feed the flock of Christ, so long as his spirit and practice are such as become the Gospel of Christ, and he continueth to hold fast the form of sound words, according to the established doctrine of the Gospel.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of my office this fifteenth day of April in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty five

Done at Chelsea Massachusetts

M. Simpson

Below is the second certificate, confirming Benjamin F Greene as an Elder in the church.

Know all Men by these Presents, that
Osman C. Baker
One of the Bishops
Of the
Methodist Episcopal Chruch in the United States of America,

Under the protection of Almighty God, and with a single eye to his glory, by the imposition of my hands and prayer (being assisted by the Elders present) have this day set apart Benjamin F. Green for the office of an Elder, in the said Methodist Episcopal Chruch, a man who in the judgement of the New England Annual Conference is well qualified for that work; and he is here by recommended to all whom it may concern, as a proper person to administer the Sacraments and Ordinances and to Feed the Flock of Christ, so long as his spirit and practice are such as become the Gospel of Christ, and he continueth to hold fast the form of sound words, according to the established doctrine of the Gospel.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of my office this twelfth day of April in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven

Done at Lowell, Mass

Osman C. Simpson