History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

214 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [1749.
ter with the ministers of the association. The question
was long debated and various suggestions were offered by
both sides, but the meeting adjourned without action. The
next day, after further discussion, the report of the committee
was substantially adopted. It was decided that a
council from five of the seven nearest churches should be
invited, and steps were taken to present the case properly,
on behalf of the church. Hon. Ebenezer Pomeroy, Lieut.
Noah Wright and Joseph Hawley were chosen agents for
that purpose, but Mr. Hawley declined to serve. Again
the church refused to observe the Sacrament of the Lord's
Supper.
Precinct Meetings. While the church was laboring with the
problem, the precinct met from time to
time, but transacted no business. On the 18^'' of December,
a vote was passed to provide for the '"entertainment
of the Council," to pay all the expenses and to engage
Major Lyman [Hon Phinehas Lyman] of Suffield, to assist
in presenting the case. Major Seth Pomeroy was author-
ized to wait on Mr. Lyman^ and "obtain his services at a
suitable reward."
Meeting of the On the 26*'' the council met. It was comcouncii.
posed of Rev. Chester Williams of Hadley,
Rev. Timoth}^ Woodbridge of Hatfield,
Rev. Edward Billings of Cold Spring (Belchertown), and
Rev. Jonathan Judd of Southampton. The church in
Sunderland, which had been invited, was not represented.
The names of the delegates, with tlie exception of that of
Dea. Strong of Southampton, have not been preserved.
Mr. Edward-s Argues Mr. Edwards spoke in his own behalf behis
Case. fore the council. The main questions he
presented were, whether it would "be
worth the while to use any endeavors for an accommoda-
tion," wdietlier the parties were "now ripe for a separation,"
" whether it was for any thing blame-worthy and
scandalous in the pastor, which rendered him unfit for the
ministry, and worthy to be dismissed from it," and whether
1 In Dwighfs Life of Edwards, p. 341, it is stated that Mr. Lyman "declined the
proposed service."