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

1753.] SELECTION AND SETTLEMENT OF A NEW MINISTER. 241
year 1754. and the remainder in the spring of the year 1755, and that
they give liim for a salary besides and exclusive of the above sum of
settlement y sum of £80 like lawful money for his first year's Salary."
with an increase of £5 each year till the amount should reach £100,
which was to l)e his permanent compensation. In addition the sum of
£6.13.4 was voted "to enable him to procure firewood."
He Accepts the Call. TliG meeting was adjourned to the 15*'' of
October, and at that time the written acceptance
of Mr. Hooker to the above prof)ositious was presented.
In that document he declared " That the unanimity
with which he understood y*^ he was chosen and y*" above
proposals made, He could not but look upon as the voice of
Providence calling him to undertake y*" work of y'' Gospel
ministry in this town." He demurred slightly at the sum
allowed for fire- wood, deeming it insufficient, but finally
consented to the arrangement. It was also voted that
money paid to Mr. Hooker should be in " silver of sterling
alloy at six shillings eight pence by the ounce or in Spanish
milled pieces of eight at six shillings by the piece." This
contract with Mr. Hooker was entered in full upoii the
records, and signed by him on the 11"' of December, 1753.
The Ordination. His ordiuatiou took place on the 5*^ of December.
A committee of six persons was
appointed to order the sittings of the people in the meetinghouse,
and the services were to commence at 10 o'clock, A.
M. Ten ministers and delegates comprised the council.
The ordination services were as follows : —
Rev. Stephen Williams of Longmeadow, moderator of the comicil.
made the first prayer at the Imposition of Hands and gave the charge
Rev. Mr. Hopkins of Springfield made the prayer after the Imposition
of Hands ; Rev. Peter Reynolds of Enfield made the prayer before
sermon ; Rev. David Parsons of East Hadley (Amherst) preached the
Sermon, from Acts lO"" Chapter, 88'' verse ; Rev. Robert Breck of
Springfield gave the Right Hand of Fellowship. The other members
of the council were Rev. John Woodbridge of South Hadley, Rev. Jonathan
Ashley of Deerfield, Rev. Joseph Ashley of Sunderland. Rev.
Timothy Woodbridge of Hatfield, and Rev. Jonathan Judd of Southampton.
;