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

1750.] DISMISSAL OF REV. JONATHAN EDWARDS. 223
" Springfield, First Church—Rev. Robert Breck, pastor ;
Stebbins, delegate.
Mr. Thomas
"Sunderland—Rev. Joseph Ashley, pastor; Mr. Samuel Montague,
delegate.
" Hatfield — Rev. Timothy Woodbridge, pastor; Oliver Partridge
Esq., delegate.
" Hadley, First Church—Rev. Chester Williams, pastor; Mr. Enos
Nash, delegate.
" Pelham—Rev. Robert Abercrombie, pastor; Mr. Matthew Gray,
delegate."
The council organized by tlie choice of Rev. Jonathan
Hubbard as Moderator, and Rev. Chester Williams as
Scribe. Both sides presented their case, and the council,
having endeavored to harmonize the differences between
the parties without avail, voted that the pastoral relation
shoiildJoe dissolved if the people still persisted in desiring
it, and adjourned for a. rou})l(' of days in OTder to' give tffe
church another opportunity of expressing its opinion.
That body was again convened, and again it voted—by two
hundred against twenty—that__the_jgastor must be dis -
missed . Accordingly on the 22'' of June, the council took
the necessary steps to dissolve the relation between pastor
and people. The result of the vote was as follows —
:
"Affirmative—Pastors— Jonathan Hubbard, Robert Breck, Joseph
Ashley, Timothy Woodbridge, Chester Williams.
"Delegates—Daniel Kellogg, Thomas Stebbins, Samuel Montague,
Oliver Partridge, Enos Nash.
" Negative—Pastors—Peter Reynolds. David Hall. William Hobby,
Robert Abercrombie. Jonathan Billings.
" Delegates — Edward Collins, Jonathan Hall, Samuel Bancroft,
Matthew G-ray."
A Protest against Tliose pastors and delegates voting in the
the Action of the negative entered a protest against the de-
cision of the council. They believed that
the proceedings had been consummated in too great haste,
considering the past conduct and present temper of the
people ; some who voted to dissolve the connection ex-
pressed surprise at the uncominion zeal manifested by the
people in voting for the dismission, which showed "that
they were far from a temper of mind, becoming such a