13.08.2013 Views

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

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

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

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

42 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [1725.<br />

for the m<strong>in</strong>ister. Up to this time he had performed all<br />

his duties unaided, but the weight <strong>of</strong> years, together with<br />

other accumulat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>firmities, rendered assistance <strong>in</strong> his<br />

work imperatively necessary. So feeble had he become<br />

that only with great difficulty was he able to preach more<br />

than once on the Sabbath, When his people began to<br />

realize the true condition <strong>of</strong> affairs, they at once and without<br />

hesitation set about provid<strong>in</strong>g a colleague. However<br />

much they may have been divided upon other matters, they<br />

were united and generous upon this proposition. At a<br />

town meet<strong>in</strong>g held April 4th, 17:io, the annexed votes were<br />

unanimously adopted —<br />

:<br />

" The Town tak<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to Consideration that their Reverand Pastor M"'<br />

Solomon Stoddard be<strong>in</strong>g far advanced <strong>in</strong>to years And that through His<br />

Age And Some Infirmity that He is attended withall the whole -work <strong>of</strong><br />

the M<strong>in</strong>istry be<strong>in</strong>g too Hard for Him.<br />

" l'^'. Voted Unanimously to Gett Some Meett Person to Assist Him<br />

In the Work as above s''.<br />

2'>'. Voted to Chuse a Committee to Manage the affair In Provid<strong>in</strong>g<br />

Such Person as above s'.<br />

" The Committee then Chosen for that Service Was :<br />

John Stoddard. Esq<br />

Cap'. Ebenezer Pumroy<br />

Dea. Eben'' Wright<br />

Dea. John Clark<br />

Dea. Sam" Allyn<br />

Joseph Hawley<br />

Joseph Parsons, Esq."<br />

Prompt Action by FuU powcrs werc givcu to this committee<br />

the Committee. to act iu the prcuiises. and they proceeded<br />

<strong>in</strong> their work without delay. Apparently<br />

some uncerta<strong>in</strong>ty existed as to the proper person to fill the<br />

position. Though many young clergymen throughout the<br />

country were eligible, public op<strong>in</strong>ion had not then crystalized<br />

upon any <strong>in</strong>dividual. A question had undoubtedly<br />

come suddenly upon them, which no one was quite ready<br />

to decide. At all events there is no <strong>in</strong>dication that the person<br />

who was. f<strong>in</strong>ally selected, was at that time the choice <strong>of</strong><br />

the committee. Their first move was to send one <strong>of</strong> their<br />

number <strong>in</strong> search <strong>of</strong> a candidate. Accord<strong>in</strong>gly Dea. John<br />

Clark was speedily dispatched to Hartford, Ct. He was

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!