(seq. 50)

[fol. 2v]

night to remember. The history of my affairs is short. On the
25th of December, the anniversary of our Savior's birth, I
received a call from the Church & Congregation of this town
to be their his minister. Their offers for my temporal encourage-
ment were 500 dollars gratuity, 400 dollars in money, 16
cords of wood or £32 per ann. & the use of the parsonage
buildings. In a matter of so great importance I judged it
necessary to consult friends. I found many at hand, who
stood ready to give me advice. But so various & contradictory
were their opinions, that I found but little relief from this
quarter. I still found it necessary to have a judgment of my own.
Wherefore, after taking the affair into serious & attentive con-
sideration, & sought that counsel & direction, wh the impor-
tance of the subject demands, I gave an affirmative an-
swer without making any new proprosals. In this step, I have
acted contrary to the opinion of some respectable characters,
while I have gained the approbation of others equally res-
pectable, &, what is of far greater importance to myself,
of my own conscience. If I know my own heart,I have not
been influenced in this business by the desire of a good parish, on any terms
or by a wish to be speedily connected in life. Experience
must determine. It affords me great satisfaction to re-
flect; that thus far every thing has been conducted
without one dissenting voice. If every thing circumstance has conspired
to fix me in a situation disadvantageous to myself, &
for wh I am by no means calculated, I shall always
be happy in the reflection, that I acted according to my
best judgment. It was the opinion of my friends, that, I
might have obtained more salary. But as I love a
cheerful giver, so I would sooner have relinquished my
connexion with them, than have given cause of alter-
cation & disaffection O my friend, you know how to feel
for me in a situation so peculiarly trying, as that in wh
I am now placed. My unfitness for the office, wh I am
about to sustain, is a constant source of painful consideration.

[fol. 2r]

My only comfort is, that I Serve a Master, who will
require the improvement of no other talents, than what
I possess.

You have, perhaps, ere this received a letter missive
from this church to attend my ordination, the 15th
of the next month. I shall confidently expect & rejoice
to see you. Should Mrs A. accompany you, as she doubt-
less will, it would add greatly to my happiness. You
an hardly imagine how great a favor you would
confer on me, if you would tarry & preach for me
the Sabbath after ordination. Such will be my en-
gagements, I fear I shall not find time to prepare
any thing occasional, tho, methinks it would be the
most fruitful subject in the world. I cannot leave
the subject without making you promise to as[ ]
me. I shall almost depend on it. It is in th[ ]
parts very customary to have help on these occ[ ]
So you engage to preach for me. O how thankful I
shall be! ------- But yesterday I left the walls of
Cambridge. Short reign indeed! My comfort is, that I
have not been a nuisance there. Well, who, do you
think, is my sucessor? --- Brother Hawley. He has
been lately employed in a school in Brookline. He
will doubtless do well.

Ordination approaching, fast day coming on,
every thing to do, you will doubtless excuse the
abruptness, the carelessness, with the same candor
you have ever overlooked the faults, of your
Philos.

P.S. Regards as due.