Rambles about Portsmouth. Sketches of persons, localities, and incidents of two centuries: principally from tradition and unpublished documents. By Charles W. Brewster.

THE DROWN FAMILY. 243
Sometime in Mr. Drown's ministry here, Robert Sande.
man came to Portsmouth and was admitted into Mr.
Drown's pulpit. He preached therein several times, but
did not fully develop his religious sentiments, (though the
doctrines he preached were generally in accordance with
those of Mr. Drown and his Church,) until he more fully
announced them on the occasion of his preaching from
Luke 2d: 28 —32.
In opening his discourse, Mr. Sandeman said, some per,
son read this passage in this manner-that he took the
child in his heart, but my bible says he took him in his
arms. Mr. Drown from this circumstance, discovered that
Mr. Sandeman entertained the doctrine which afterward3
distinguished him and his followers as a distinct religious
sect. While Mr. Sandeman was making the concluding
prayer, Mr. Drown selected from Watts' Hymns 13th, book
1st:' If love to God and love to man
Be absent, all our hopes are vain;
Nor tongues, nor gifts, nor fiery zeal
The works of love can e'er fulfil."
When he had concluded his prayer, Mr. Drown rose to
read the hymn, and as he was proceeding, Mr. Sandemari
took his hat. Mir. Drown observing this, stepped to the
pulpit d'oor before Mr. Sandeman reached it, and held it
to, so that he could not pass until he had concluded. Mr.
Sandeman thus compelled to remain, repeatedly exclaim ed,
I hate the very breath of it." After Mr. Drown had concluded, he opened the pulpit door, saying,' Now sir, you
can go if you please."
The i New Lights" were held in poor repute by Gov.
Wentworth, who issued a special notice granting all ministers permission to perform the marriage ceremony " except
one Drown."
Since this Ramble was written, two aged members of
the Drown family have departed this life, and both were
buried on the same day. The young may die, but the old