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

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62 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [1T28.<br />

oue l<strong>in</strong>es and averages about sixteen words to a l<strong>in</strong>e. It<br />

would occupy about five pages <strong>in</strong> type such as these pages<br />

are pr<strong>in</strong>ted upon. This little leaf, written more than two<br />

hundred years ago <strong>in</strong> characters so m<strong>in</strong>ute that they cannot<br />

be deciphered, though the <strong>in</strong>k has not faded, nor the<br />

paper been defaced by much handl<strong>in</strong>g, represents but a<br />

m<strong>in</strong>ute portion <strong>of</strong> the labor and thought <strong>of</strong> a man whose<br />

" Light and <strong>in</strong>fluence went out thro' the whole Country,<br />

and * * gaue a Name and Reputation to the Town." ^<br />

His Preach<strong>in</strong>s Pow- His semious wcre argumentative, full <strong>of</strong><br />

erfui and Con- thouglit, and liis manner pla<strong>in</strong> and con-<br />

^'<br />

v<strong>in</strong>c<strong>in</strong>g. '<br />

' He was well skill'd <strong>in</strong> the<br />

learned Languages ;<br />

well vers'd <strong>in</strong> the religious Controver-<br />

sies that relate either to Po<strong>in</strong>ts <strong>of</strong> Doctr<strong>in</strong>e or Church Government;<br />

and was himself a ready & smart Disputant."^<br />

His disputation with the Mathers gave him a reputation<br />

equal to that <strong>of</strong> any clergyman <strong>of</strong> his time. Throughout<br />

life he was a close student and acquired a fund <strong>of</strong> general<br />

knowledge, as well as a copious "measure <strong>of</strong> all useful<br />

learn<strong>in</strong>g, especially <strong>in</strong> Div<strong>in</strong>ity. " ^ He denounced with<br />

vigor whatever he thought to be s<strong>in</strong>ful or frivolous <strong>in</strong> the<br />

social life <strong>of</strong> that day. Judge Sewell records that, <strong>in</strong> a<br />

sermon delivered at Boston, at Commencement time, <strong>in</strong><br />

1707, he "Spake pla<strong>in</strong>ly <strong>in</strong> Several Articles aga<strong>in</strong>st Superstition.<br />

Spake aga<strong>in</strong>st excess <strong>in</strong> comencem't enterta<strong>in</strong>ments.<br />

Gov"" called at night with M' Stoddard, and told me I<br />

should cause them to conclude."^ This last remark may<br />

be construed to mean that the Governor thought that<br />

Judge Sewell, by the authority <strong>of</strong> his <strong>of</strong>fice, had great power<br />

<strong>of</strong> reform <strong>in</strong> these particulars.<br />

Pastor. "As a pastor he was diligent, laborious,<br />

constant; wise, faithful, compassionate."^<br />

In spiritual matters he ruled the town with a firmness and<br />

authority that was seldom disputed. In fact, so complete<br />

was his control ecclesiastically, that his opponents <strong>in</strong> derision,<br />

named him "Pope."<br />

1 Boston Weekly News Letter, Feb. 30, 1739.<br />

3 Boston Weekly News Letter.<br />

3 Rev. Mr. Williams' Funeral Sermon.<br />

4 <strong>Massachusetts</strong> Historical Collections, series 5, vol. 6, p. 191.<br />

5 Boston News Letter.

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