Topsfield Town (part 6 of 7)

This is a plan of the floor of a house 40 feet by 30 and the following is a statement how it is to be executed. First the timber is to be hewed well and then framed well. Boarding the roof, boards jointed, the sides and ends featheredge and put on well. A cornice and bed mould for the covings and weather poards with a cornice, And then shingled and a scuttle on the roof; also corner boards and warter tables and window frames for 24 squares and 20 for the chamber said frames are to be made in the fashion called sunk frames with a full architrave also doors the front door in the dorick order the end one in the tuscan order and the whole to be clapboarded all to be done in a workman like manner. 'The inside first an under floor over the whole laid well also a garret floor jointed and harved and laid well also back stairs from the bottom of the suller up to the scuttle also the front entry +s to be finished with one run of stairs with a twist and ramped rail and square banesters said entry is to be dadod with base and capping also cornice and wide fasha, with flutes and spaces with full architrave round doors and windows also upper floors plained and laid well the front room is to be finished with dadod base and capping and plain cornice fasha with full architrave round all the doors and windows also a chimney piece with plain mouldings also sliding shutters to all the windows also a plained floor all to be done in a workman like manner. The chamber over said room is to be finished the same as the room excepting window shutters. The kitehen is to be finished in a plain and workman like manner with ceiling with plain boards up to the windows or higher if neceffary also sliding shutters and all the closets in the rooms and chambers also one small room to be finished ina plain manner with a chimney piece and dado base and coping with plain coruice and shutters to the windows. The chambers over s¢ rooms to be finished with a fasha and mop boards and plained floors over the whole. The doors for the lower part to be 6 pannels and 6 feet 6 inches hich and 2 feet 8 inches wide, the chamber to be 4 pamnels. The out side doors are T feet high 8 feet 4 inches wide. Please to excuse my negligence and bad writing.

with you ina friendly and Christian manner, provided you desire it & give me timely notice when you would meet, also what you would discourse upon & whom you design to bring w* you if you were offended at any Thing, why did you not observe y® Rule in Jfatthew 18, 15, 16, & come when in y° Spirit of Love & meckness, which I Should have took well at your hands, and endeyerd to have removed y® grounds of your uneafinefs. But obs what unkind Treatment have I had - shou* I deal

But I pray God to forgive you and give you Repentance for all your sins in Heart and Life, for now as well as later. O Think on your ways, and Turn unto ye Lord. Beware of y® snares which y® adversary is laying for your precious Soul, and dont let y® present Blessed leafon of grace slip away. Time is oh, how exceeding precious, improve it, I Iuntreat you, in preparing for a Blessed 'Eternity you are grown something in years, surely tis Time to see to it that your peace is made with God, and as an Evidence of it that you have Chrift found and living in you.

Towne Family Papdrs

M® Town, I Cou! speak of Things which would not be very pleasing to you to hear of: but iar be it from a minister of Chrift to return evill for evill - - no, I have not so learned Chrift. But from his word I learn in Corinth: 4, 12, 13, being reviled to Blefs, being persecuted to sutfer it, being defamed to Eintreat. oh! I hope I shall be Enabled to pray heartily for you, and seek and study your Best good, notwithstanding y® very hard and grievous Treatment Ihave met with: if I may believe what I hear.

May God Bless youand your family, and may I see you become a new man cven a new, created in Chiilt Jesus, my heart would rejoice, even mine.

M: Town, Tho I have suffered so much yet I wifh you Pardon, Peace grace & glory through Christ, as I do for my own soul, and so I subscribe myself, your injured and aggrieved

I have received your Letter of the: 17d Instant 1745 and observe in it that you fubscribe your felfe your injured and agegreived pastor and in the fame paper you afk me why I did not take the Rule in Matthew 18: 15, 16, and Come to you alone in y® fpirit of Love and meeknefs, which you say you fhould have taken well at my hands. Rev. fir is not Matthew 18, 15, 16 as binding upon you as on me and if it is then why have you not attended your Duty and Come to me in Like manner: and then Rey. fir, you go on to tell of Unkind treatment & Rey. fir have Inot been to you alone pray do Confider and fee if you Cannot Remember it. furly I have and have alfo been with Company and have tould you the matter or things that I was nneasey about. did you Labour to Remove ancy thing the first time; only as you brought you Negro man for a full proof of what you faid and you your felf faid you was but a fool to him in prayer whicha gave me more uneasiness for I did not believe that you did Juftis to your felfe and J {till believe it was not true (for your negro foon after began to Exort me and tould me that he had been to heaven and hell and he was asked how he Came to know fech things and he faid m* John Baker tould him, and knowing th at you ware m* Bakers teacher I could not believe what 3 you faid about your Neagro to be true) fo that if your Neagro was a full proof it was no proof to me for JI think he Believed the Bibble to be the only Rule to try fuch things as we ware discosing about by and afterward I Came to you again with two men to Discose you and after fum Discose about former things you faid what have you against me Latly and I tould you that for your faying y'all persons ware born divels which fentanc you justified your felfe for faying as fare as your argument would take place: yet I did not believe that you or your childs ware born diyels, for if you ware you {till are And then Rev fir about five or fix months afterwards you did discose with me alone which discose I fhall Refare to your Confence and not Rewrit here only fay that I did not Intend that even you fhould have heard a word from me again of fuch things: but I might Justly Cry oh oh oh of Rong for it was not above five or fix Days afterwards before you Could Charge it on my felfe and others that we had not a fpark of grace or the fouls of 1en in us if we did not Voat for you to have fuch a certain fum of money which you named Rev. fir, pray Confidder if giving money to a Clergyman will give men grace or fouls or then the Church of 'Room is Right for there for money men may have pardon for fin too. Rev. fir pray Confider a litel further and fee if you cannot Remember that at the Houfe of Nathaniel Porters you Did Refufe discose with fum of us except you had fum of your party there. "And Last March at your Houfe or betwen your Houfe and barn you took me by the hand and faid you would have or fee if you Could make thefe things eafey - that is fuch things as I Laid to your Charge. Rev: fir, here [ {hall appeal to your Consence. fince which time I have held you gilty of Breaking your word and you cannot but know that y® Last Town meeting that I tould you to the fame purpofe: Thus Rev. fir I "have

Endeavered to Clear my felfe from the Violation of Matthew 18, 15, 16, and was it not that you are my _ paftor Justly Remind you of Matthew 13,\ Tfand19.' Then Rev. fir, you tell me that you pray god for to forgive me J would add to say and fay God be mericafule to me a finner and not do as the farriafe did, and as to your penetrating in to my hart I think you have no bifsness there Except you acknowled your felfe in Elance to the Church of Room, and I add if you fhould pray for me I desiar you would not do it as you did for John Dwinel Joseph How and Joseph Herrick and then you tell me that you desir that god would Biefs me and my famally: and I pray God if it may be for his Glory to bleis you and your famally and give you a found mind and a Right underftanding in his word that if you are Continued amongst us you may Com to us in the fullness of the blessing» oi the gospel of peace in Christ Jesus. Thus Rev. fir, I have Endeavourd to {how you the unreasonableness of your Letter and fhall Venture to fubscribe my felfe your most dutifull and faithfull parricanor Benj}* Towne Topsfield february the 24 AD 1745/6

Sir I lately sent you a Letter concerning our meeting and discourfing together at Capt Goulds, wherein I gave you y® Liberty of appointing ye Time.

Now this comes to let you know that I will appoint y® Time of y° meeting provided you will but say that you desire a meeting at said Cap Goulds, in order for a friendly Christian Discourfe there also let me know what you would Discourse upon, and whom you design to bring with you. no more at present but heartily wishing you and all yours y® special saving grace of God in Christ Jesus, [ subseribe stil] your aggrieved minister,

I Receved your Letter of the 25 of February A D 1745/6 where in you fay now this Comes to let you know that I will appoint the Time of the meeting provided you will but Say that you Defire it at Captn Gould in order for a Christian friendly discose there. Rev fir you have known that JI did Desire to have had a frindly Difscose with you and if Iwas wrong in my Judgment I have tould you that I Should be glad to be fett rite and I have waited on you now for two years

Neither did I Ever intend to Limit you to a place only to know whether you would difscose publickly or privatly and to have notice of it time enough to prepare to meet you. and as for the things I would discose of I have told you all Redy the princaple things, and I think that for you to say nothing to me for near a year after you faid you would make these things easey, and then write to me tbat you are Ingred and aggreved in your former Letter and this also and never attend the Rule which you have Informed me of it Looks to me Like that other passage in Matthew which fayeth to me do as they fay but not as they do. I Remain

Rey fir I have Received yours of the 28 of February AD 1745/6 and hope when [ can find out what is in it I {hall fend you an anfwer to it which I hope will be in a few Days now I am able to Ride about again

Sir, I received your Letter but in it no answer to what I wrote you, as I think. upon Reading your Letter presently that place in Job 6, 25, came to my mind, how forcible are right words, but what doth your arguing prove! how ftranely do you wander from y® Point in hand? Yea, you dont so much as mention y® main thing

En Tioton Sc Retes Ueno

I wrote to you about in my letter concerning our meeting at Capt Goulds &c. was not that y® main thing, and was not that proposed or supposed to be y® means of making things easy? Strange then y* you should not say one word in all your Long Letter about it. I leave it now to your own Conscieuce to tell you who neglects y° means of Peace: Surely if you had desired an Y accommodation you would have took me up at y® first offer made you in my first Letter or in y® next & then by this Time we might have had a free & friendly Discourse. you Endeayour to Clear your felf from y® violation of y* Rule in Matthew 18,15. But you dont do it; m? Town, Did you ever come to me alone, in a Christian manner, & take me alone & tell me y® grounds of your uneaf inefs, or did you Ever take one or two of y® Brethren of y® Church & fo Come and take y® Second Step and tell me you were come to deal with me, according to our Saviours Rule? Surely you cant say ie any Justice y' Comeing with one or he perfons y* were offended as well as you, that this was observing y* Excellent Rule of Chrift in Matthew do you think when y® Rule says take one or two more yt this can possibly intend or mean y* this one or two should also be perfons that are alike offended or aggrieved: tis Contrary to Reafon to think So & I verily believe there is not one Divine in y® world but what would Think it a perverting y® Rule to do Thus? So yt m' 'J'own, I believe it will be pan for you no longer to insist upon This, for 1 believe y' no unprejudiced Perfon in y® world of a found underftanding will think y* you have duly attended yt Rule in Matthew. And if you thot y* you had yourself, and had taken y® first and Second step, why did you not Procaed to y® third, Come and ask Leave, y* y® matter might be laid before ye Church, especially when there was such an opportunity for it: for you were not ignorant [ Trust, y* ye Church met Twice, not long since, bet yon brot none of your grievances : and Then at y° Church meeting I pressed it upon Them Gf I Render it Right) to have a Council, and mentioned Such men as I supposed would be agreeable to ferve as m* Rogers of Boxford, Clark of y © village: and put it to vote whether they would have a Council to Consider of matters in Controvrsies, and if was declared in y® Church Gf I underftood Right) yt y* was no Controverfies, and there was not a hand up as I coul See for having a Council and now then why is there all this noife, who is yv® mau by whom y® offence cometh & to whom does y® wo Belong? Your own Conicience, m? Town, will tell you if you will Suffer it to Speak: to allude to Matt. 18, 17, y® Place you cited me too in your Letter.

You come in your Letter to cast Some Reflection on me, Respecting y® Church of Rome, giving money to a Clergyman &c. But how groundlefs is This, did I ask you or y® Town to give me money? dont you know y' I ask it as a Due Debt & insist upon it as an act of pure Justice y' my Salary be made good to me and how you can Subscribe your self my faithfull Parrishioner (as you do in your Letter) and not Endeavour to do me Justice in yt matter, is what I cant reconcile with Truth. you mention about penetrating into y® heart & being in allyance &e M'* Town, I do from y® very Bottom of my Heart, I hope, abhor all y° Corruptions of y* apostolic Church of Rome, and Iam offended for such unchristian insinuations for which you have not y® least Shadow of any Reafon as I know of.

And as for penetrating Into your Heart &¢ whoever pretended to This? is not y® Tree known by y® fruit? have not wife and good men been much Stumbled at your Conduct? have you not by what has been vifible given to perfons of a sound mind 'and a right under ftanding oe cafion of offence? I must necds tell you, M* Town, y* you are a very unsuitable perfon to Throw Dirt and caft Reflections and indeed tis Enogh to make any one wonder y* you could find it in your Heart to Send me Such an unchristian Letter, stuffed with fo many Reflections, when you know my Letter to you, y° Language of it & you can Judge no selgud breatbed So much Love to yon, Love to your foul, to your precious Soul, & courage fox you, & for yours also. you have a Hiint about my Confinuing &. as to y° matter. I hope I shall leave it with

Town, had I not need, & have IT not oceafion to be carefull whence I have so much Reafon to Think y* either you have not underftood me at some time when I have spoke or else have not put y® fair candid conitruction upon my words as you ought to have done, but took Them, or Explained them into Such a Sense or meaning and carry Such an idea as never came into my Heart. M*. Town, whatever I have faid to you or before you, I coud wifh a Thoufand wife & good men had been in, y° Wearing of and as for my preaching, glory to free gives alone, y* I have so much Reafon to hope it has been a favour ot Life unto Some precious Souls: however you have been at any Time displeased with it.

M? Town, | hope, if you show to any one a copy of your Letter to me, you will be so Just as to read this anfwer, and then I think, if you triumph, they will fee, at least y® unprejudiced, y* you do it before you have got acusitory. J Coud Say much more by way of anfwer, but +f we have a friendly Discourse, I may speak by word of mouth.

M: Town if you Shall See caufe to write again as I woud have you write seriously, pertinently to y* Point in hand, and reafon Justly, so I desire yt you would Send me a direct plain answer to this question, whether you desire to meet me at Capt Goulds as proposed to you in my former letters. I hope I do, wY*out any Hesitation, wif h you & your family all y* Blessings of y° New Covenant and can assure you y' J am willing things may be accomodated upon a righteous foundation, and am your aggrieved minister at prefent. John Emerfon.

You ask in your Letter whether if in Matthew &c be not binding on me &c. did I not Come to your Houfe, take you alone Gin a friendly manner discourfe you a great while?) But I woud have you know yt I have great Reafon to be aggrieved for your Talk abroad of late & not coming to me according to y® Rule in Matt: & & how have you Expoused your self, in Endeaying to reproach your minister? in your Letter you say & say Right y* y° Bible is y° Rule &c why y® dont you observe it? your Bible tells youin 1 Tim. 5,1, Rebuke not an Elder but Entreat him as a Father.

Now has your Treatment of me & my Character been like y* of a dutifull Child to his Father? Let Confcience speak. you fay y* I woud See if I could make this easey &e. what coud you Expect more than I am doing, Seeking after a friendly Discoufe wt® you &c. before wife & good men; indeed I never Said any Thing to you, as I know of, y* deserves Such Treatment as [have had: ye Least Degree of true Charity woud Covera Thoufaud fold greater offence than ever I gave you: perhaps at y® most it may be bat only Some Defect in y® memory, or Some word misplaced, or a Slip of y® Tongue, & it may be not y* neither, but you misunderstood me, it might be. oh! M* Town what have you done y* has provoked God to leave you to fall in to fo great a Sin, as y* of Contending with your minister: I refer to your Conftience: you Shall find me ever ready to accomodate matters, Let me

I Recd your letter of y® 28 of feb" last wherein you say you Recd. my letter but in it No answer as you think &c and you say I Do not so much as mention y® main things Rey Sir you ask? me why 1 Did Not Take y® Rule in Mat.

18-15-16 I Did answer you to y® Point which is a main Point to answer Such Texts of Scripture you Now ask me weather you Did Not Come to my house, Take me alone &c Rev Sir your Discorse was about my uneafinefs only, but you Did not Say anything about any agreviance of yours then Nor at any other Time therefore I think y® Text of Scripture was a main point to answer. Seeing y* you Sign your letter y* you was Injured &c for to Show you y* I thot you had violated yt Scripture ; in Telling me you are Ready for meeting &c and you have Selected to Take y° Rule in Matt. afores*: if you had fulfild what you Declard you would when you was at my house: you Never would have heard anything more from me about them things: you ask me whather Ever I came to you alone and you ask Severall questions of yt Nature &e Rev. Sir I have been with you alone and Told you y® matters of my uneafiness : and you gaye me your word once and again that you would make them things easey: and I have Discorsed with you in Company: you ask me why I Did not Take y® Third Step: Rev. Sir you Did Say you would make things Eafey: and I waited on you Expecting you would make them Eafsy as you said you would : you speak about your prefsing it upon y° Church for a Councel : and say you mentioned Such men as you Supposed would be Exceptable to me: m' Rogers & Clarke: Rev. Sir if there be Need of a Council they are Exceptable to me: you Say I Come in my letter to Cast Sum Reflections on you: Respecting y® Church of Rome giveing money to @ Clergy man &c Rev Sir I apprehend you have made No answer at all to y' part of my letter: for in my letter I say you Charg* it on myself and others yt we had Nota spark of Grace or y® Souls of men in us: if we Did not vote for you to have Such a Cartain Sum of money which you Named: and I think my letter is not So much Stufed with Reflections Nor so much Dirt throued as there is in yours: you say is Not the Treo known by the fruit: Rey Sir I think J have seen and heard you Taken Screeming and Crying out for fruit and you said y* they were brought home to Christ : you ask me weather good men have not been Stumbled at my Conduct &e Rev Air I think I might ask you y Same question: you say you hope if I Thov to any body a Copy of my letter to you &e Rev fir I think oe Catt great Reflections Conferning my Triumping and [ think you are a very unfutable to Refiect in fuch a maner then Rev. Sir you Come to fay ob m* Town what have you Done that has prevoked God to Leave you to fall in to fo great a fin & Rev. Sir if it is a fin I feear it was for Voating for you to be a feetied Minifter amongst us and fince you have been fo great againes by the Confequence you need not fo Cr y out Then Rev Sir yeu Come to tell me that I fay in my letter and fay Richt that the bible is the Rule, and then you fay why dont you observe it your bible tells you in 1 Tim. 6, 1, &c. Rev Sir dost you not know that that text is directly Contrary to what you intend or have you been Rapt up in the Contemplation of your Letter and the praise it would bring to you that you have not had time to Look in to your Bible to fee it was Paul's Iixhertation to Timothy how he fhould behave him felfe towards all ages. here Realy fir you have wanderd from the point (then Rey. Sir you say.) you fhall find me very redy to acomidate matters Ge Realy Sir J have waited years on you with ail the becoming mean or temper I Could and you have not done it yet, and by the tenor of your Letter I think you never Intend to de i. then Rev. Sir I have Indeavored to fhow you that I did not wander from the main point and my argumen is good, for in Math. 18, 15, 16 it dont fay that I fhall take Church member but one or two that is whome I pleas. fo that Job 6, 25 may Come in to your mind again when you Read your Letter with thofe texts of fer pene you sent to me you may see that such a minister as you can be mistaken, but I do Earneftly Intreet you to chet with your duty and then I hope we fhall have a {peedy fettlement of all the matters of uneafinefs & Remain your Reconfialable Frind & Parichtioner

For Lieut Benj" Town In Topsfield Mr Town Sir, LIxreceived your Letter of march 28" and woud observe to you that y® main Thing at Prefent in Controverfie between us by Letters, you ftill neglect to refolve me in, that is, whether or no, you will meet me at Cap* Goulds, in order for a friendly Conference There, as proposed to you in my first or Second Letter, which if you will do Then will I Endeavour as God Shall Enable me, I hope, in y® meeknefs of wisdome to give you an anfwer to your Letter by word of mouth But if you decline meeting of me at Capt Goulds, Let me know it, and Then by writing in Convenient Time, I will Endeavour to fend you a futable anfwer to your Letter of march 28'* J remain your aggrieved but yet Reconciliable Paftor John Emerfon words in it, y' is and would observe to you that y° main thing at Prefent in Controversie betwen us by Letters you {till neglect to refolve me in &e Rev fir 1 would observe to you that is not true for you did in your Letter of febr¥ meafure taken that Rule with you and I ftill think that I have attended that Rule as fare as Is needfull with any honest well meening man and you ftill fubscribeing your Letters aggrieved and tell me you are ftill for a meeting and you never have attended the Rule in Matthew aforefaid no not fo much as to one fingle word then how Can you be ftill for a meeting if the bible hath aney force on you or you had aney Confiance. you would be a fhamed of fuch kind of treetment to write time after time of main pints - and you Liue in the Violation of Mat® aforefaid : sonable and Juft: and I now tell you that I Cannot believe you are Juft or honieft to Live in the Neglect of your known duty, for it is faid in Matth 5. 23. 24 you fhould go and be Reconciled &e Except you will allow you felfe to be pointed at in thefe other Scripturs Viz in Isai. 56- 10-11-12 & Isai. 65. 5. 6, & Jer. 5. 30. 31 & Jer. 28.1. 2. & Ezek. 34 Chap and Micha. 8. 5. 6 and in your paper of february the 28, 1745-6 you ask me why is there all this noise who is the man &c Rev Sir I tell you y* you are the man, and that you fay in Sd paper - the Church and Town I believe would fain be at peace and quiate &e Rev fir I believe they would be at peace & quiate ware it not for you but I cannot Spend time to Remark Long Letters for Iam not a fallary man - Neither do I geet my Living by Lying or Cheeting - but to Return to your paper of Apriel 22 Rev fir you say which if you willdo & fir I fhould Reioyce to fee a fpirit of meekness and true wifdome in you and not fo much of the Conterary fpirit and then fir you fay But at you Decline meeting me at Goulds &e fir had you been a man of an honeft mind you would have had a meeting at Gould or fum other place Long before now, and had J known you would have had no more Regard to your word you fhould have had a meeting at fum other place before now, without any of this noise: but to Come toa Close, fir please to take to your felfe Ezck. 8,14, 15 & Ezek 18, 22, 28. I Still Remain in Topsfield and am

Rev. fir In your paper of aprill the 22 1746 you tell me of Endeavring to fend me a futable anfwer to my Letter &e. fir I Expected when you had done at Bradford you would be at lafur fo that you might find out wat is ment in 1 tim 5. 1. but I think you had rather fearch after other mens falts then to correct your own, and I beleive it is moro pleasing to you to find falt with other men if you have no reafon for it then to mend of your own misearriages - for what man of an honeft mind and believing the bible to be a Rule for him to walk by dare cote Math.

Towne Family Papers. Tt

18. 15. 16 for a rule for another man to walk by and at the fame time he him felfe is guilty of the Vilation of Math afore faid as I think you be Except to be a pharisy which I fear you be for itis said in Math 28. 3 for they fay and do not Vers 5 for all their works they do to be feen of men - fir you have figned all your papers Injured, but you never Came to tell me what it was for : - fir in one of your papers you fay fhould I deal with you as you have done by me &c: fir I now tell you that when I did deal with you I did deal honeftly and did not Cheet you by Lying. (fir I defire you to Remember what treetment we have had from you, itriping open your boosom and threetning to fpend your blood &c.) and in one paper you fay I could Speak of things which would not be very pleasing to you &e fir that you have done maney a time for I did not believe they ware true; and in the fame paper you fay no | have not fo Learned Christ: fir if you have Learned anything of Christ Lett me fee a proof of it by your Complioying with his work Especially in Math. 18. 15.16. fir if you Can fitt ftill & be Eafey to take my money from me and reioyce in it with your party as you termed them when you do me no fervice, I think you are rightly described in Hofea 4. 9. there Shall be Like people Like prieft, and 2 of peter 2. 2.3 and maney Shall follow their pernices ways - and throug Contiousness {hall they with fained words make merchandise of you: but if it be fo fir that your party is the bigest boft not thy felfe of to morrow for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth fir I under- {tand that you find falt that mens Seets are empty: fir I do reely beleive you are the cose of it. Reed Lof Sam. 2. 17. for men abhored the offrings of the Lord: fir you know what your Conduct hath been and if it was good why have you dwindled it away: and if bad why dont you make fatiffaction and fo put an end to all the matters of uneafinefs Sir I am directed in Romans 16-17-18 now I befeech you brethren mark them which Cofe devisions and offences Contrary to the doctrine which ye have Learned and avoid them, for they that are fuch ferve not our Lord Jefus Chrift but their own belly, and by good words and fair fpeeches Deceive the hart of the fimple

{ir I think you are the man. fir you tell me in one of your papers of Calting Reflections and puting a rong Conitruction on your words fir in both articles I think you area Wild Gentleman to write as you have done, and I begin to think that you are but a fool to your Negro man as you faid was born. fir I have fhown your Letters as you Defired I would and I think you have no Concance to delay matters as you have done. fir if you fhould be plefd to write to me write so that I may Reed it with out fo much trouble of tranferibing it for I think it penants enough to Reed your works fir Lam not afraid of your great words, and fhould be glad to have a trial before good men, and not newlits or your party as you termed them. Observe it is you that have figned your felfe Injured, and it is I that desire a fair trial, and it is you that Said you would make things Eafey

There was in a City a judge which feared not God, neither regarded man. M* Emerfon fir, in your papers you tell me of love to & for me and for my precias foul, and tell me that Lam grown fumthing in years - and fo you run on as if you had not known that I lived in the woods, and fo you might feare me with your nois or deceve me with Judas treatment but being foretould in Mat. 7. 16, do men gather granes of thorns or figs of thifels fo I think you have proved your felf as a thorn or a thifel to mein Refufing to Complioy with Matt. 18-15-16, for you did tell me that you would make things eafey - that is fuch things as I Charged you with - and the next news I heard from you, you was Injured & agreved, but you never have been fo good as to tell me what it was for but I fuppose it was for my telling you the truth or telling the truth about you, and if that be the Cafe you may Juftly fay it is a bad report and fo fet {till and ceet all the money you Can and Cheet honeft men out of their Right, for I think by your filance you Confent to it that the

Bible hath no force on you, and that you have no Conciance as I bave hinted to you before - and if fo then how do you deliver your fonl as in your mighty heat you bragd you would fo that I may Juftly think you are one of them that was ftruck by a bad fpirit or y® D - las I think you faid fum ware and if fo no wonder that you did think you were but a fool to your Negro man in prayer as you faid you was' fir in one of your papers you hint as if I made to lite with your Character fir Confider how you have tofed other mens names even when they Came for publick prayers, and remember how you have ireeted me. and then take a Revew of your own actions with an unpredigesed eye even to Newbery, and fee how famous you would be if you was there, and fee whether you can now tell who is femingly brought home or new born by aney of thefe fereemings or yellings that you declared tu be fuch a gloris work fir ] Realy think that you have been an enthusiasles flanderous and Delufive parson and have been permited to fall in to repeted deliberate moft publick Comprehenfive and pernicious Violations of the holy Laws of god for if you had been in your right reafon or ware now J think you would make {atisfaction for many of your disorderly actions, and I think now you dare not tell how you did produce such Efects upon parfons bodys to make them fereem and yell in fuch a manner and then for you to laughf or fmile and declare thefe parfons ware Savingly brought home to Chrift, is what I cannot Reconfile with truth in you. fir you tell me in one of your papers that lam a very Unfutable parson to throw dirt and Caft reflections &e fir I think yon are a futable parfon to throw dirt and Caft Reflections, {ince you have been ftruck or turnd a new Light and I think you take that way to prevoke others to Love and good works - and you term your felf a faithful Minifter of Chrift, which I Cannot reconfile with truth in you four you Live in the Violation of Math 18. 15. 16 (fo that) thou that makeft thy boast of the Law throug breaking the Law dithonoureft thy God Rom, 2, 1. 2. 3, therefore thou art Incapable O man - for wherein thou Judgeft another thou Condemneth thy felle: fir you may have wickecdnefs enoughe In your hart to fay that you have not Judged but if you fhould it would be falce in you and you have faid you Could not be miftaken by no means, fo that you are as Enfalable as the Pope- Topsfield July 31, A.D. 1747 pr me Benj* Towne Sir Observe all the New lits abraid me with my Voating for you to be fetled in topsfield and I believe ono half of the people would be glad to have you Removed from the Office we put you in to August the 18 A. D. 1747 I am Benj? Towne 3 one of the freeholders in Topsfield having heard that you find falt with me that I have not fent you a perticelar answer to your paper of february 25, 1745-6, I do asure you that I did write you an anfwer to your letter of that date after this manner Rev. iy, in your paper of february 25, 1745-6 you fay: now this Comes to let you know that I will appoint the time &c. fir you have afsiened your felf agereeved and I think it is your place to appoint the time and if Matth 18. 15. 16 be binding on you, then my houfe is the place and not Cap" Goulds. and you may remember that you did promis me that you would make them things Hafey that 1 faid you was to blame for, and you have neglected that allmoft one year Contrary to your word and promife, and I fuppofe you will neglect the time you fpoke of till you think men will be weared out for I Realy believe you dont regard your word any more than the fals prophets of old did who meafured them felves by them felves &e and you fay alfo, let me know what you would discofe upon and whome you defire to bring with you &. fir I think for an aggreved minister to write after that manner to one of his parisinors and never tell him what he js agreeved for is Contrary to the Rules of the gofpel and feemeth Like your felfe, for if you are acreeved fertainly it is your bisnefs to tell what it is for, for the word faith 20 and tell him, fo that if you have aney Regard to that gospel you pretend to preach you have mistook your felf as much as you did when you faid you was but a fool to your Negro man in prayer Ben}* Towne Topsfield february the 28, 1745-6 Sir you may by Comparing if you have not Lost the other fee this is a Copy of the fame Letter [xcept the three top Lines. Sir I desire you to tell nothing but what is true as I do about you. Topsfield October the 18, 1747 Benj* Towne

'To the Inhabitants of the Town of Topsfield Convened and mett to gether this fecond day of November A D 1747 the humble petition of Benjamin Towne of faid Topsfield humbly fheweth that he hath not attended the publick worf hip of God at Topsfield (by Reafon of M' Emersons being fals to his word and promis) for more then one year and half Laft past wherefore my desire is that you would abate my Rate to the ministry in Topsfield from that time to this, and in fo doing you will oblige yor potitinor. Ben}* Towne

Defire me to give you in writing the reafons of my uneasinefs with you by the fecond Day of December 1747. Rev. fir in Obedience to your Requeit, 1 preced to fay in the first place by your pretending to tell who was gone to hell and who fhould go to hell in both prayer and formon

2ly your faying that all them that Did not Come in before that prayer was Done fhould be Damned, I understood you into the mode of that new work.

made a great nois that they were favingly Brought home to Chrift and your Calling on others to give thanks for them when maney of your parisinors Did not think it was for the glory of God tly my Letters that I have sent to you will show you the other Reafons of my uneasiness as plain and as fully as if I should new draneft them

Sly your faying if aney parson ever flept in the meeting house they had not a fpark of grace nor the fear of God before their eyes. Rev. fir thefe with the Reafons given you in my Letters are the main and principle things of my uneafnefs as well as the uneafeneis of a gre at maney elfe in your parrifh. I fubseribe my felfe your then firstly in a town meeting then I motioned about the flax and hiproct, after that Several times alone - and he chofe Rather to Reflect much

M* Roges of Boxford and M* Clark of the Vilage are named if there shall be Cafe for parsons to Determine David Comings Mathew peabody Israel Clark & Quarter mafter Baker 'being all with me.

Pent Rt Towne Pamily Papers

for anev minister to pretend to tell who is gone to hell or who shal! evo to hell is what no parson can tell and therfor it is fals and ground lefs: Efpeciall in Congrational Churcheses although the Church of Jtoom doth pretend to it for aney minister to pretend when he is at prayer that all fauch parsons as doth not Com in before that prayer be Dend {hall be aE If Limiting God and taking his work out of his hand and erecting a tribunial of their own Contrary to the known Laws of God and must yet in New England be Looked on as fals for we have not fo Learned Christ but from his word we are taught Judg not that ye be not Judged and thus Renders his olirings a Corupt thing and it may be feared he is a Deceiver and if fo then Cufsed b ee decever that hath a mate and offreth to the Lord a Corupt tl ing for aney thinister alow of or Incourage Igront or interior parsous nie he Exorters is Contrary to the known Ruls and order of the Laws of god and may be Looked upom + as of a daingrous Confequence Reed the account of Uszah and of King Uzziah for any minister to pretend that he can tell who is 7 ingly Baomght home to Christ by a fuden qualm is a new ftanderd Erected for god only knows the Mar te and althou: g¢ we are to hope for the Beft yet to declare this or that parson is ae Brought home to Chrift is what we dont know and fo must be Looked upon as hath fals and groundless Judging for a minister to Discose with one of his parrice in may Justly give his parrifioner grounds to abbore him for a minister to promis to mak the agreeviances of any ono of his parrish Hasey and to delay the matter year after year is nothing fhort of plain Lying for a minister to write a letter or Letters to aney one of his parrish and fubscribe himself Ingred & aggreeved and to ask his parrisiner why he had not taken the Rule jn math 18. 15. 16 when fd minister is gilty of the Violation of matth aforesaid is a ftraing Confounding the order of the gospel

8ly for a minister when he is in Dispute with aney one of his parrish to Declare that he is but a fool in prayer to a poor Ignorant Negro that Could not Reed nor did not know how maney gods there was must needs be Looked upon not true in it felfe and done to deceive others or to profeed from a distracted brain

Sly fora minister to pretend that parsons ware Born Divels or if Children of wrath then Children of the Divel is fals and what Cannot be Reconfiled with truth for if once a Divel they Eternally will Remain fo

10ly for a minister to Refuse to Discose with feveral of his parrifh Except he had fum of his party there and So to devid his parifhioners into partys is of Daingrous Confequence lily for a minister to pretend to and tell his parisionars that the Dive] had fturred up ould ministers to oppofe this Blefsed work hath a tendancy to bring the miniftry in to Contempt and is Rash Judging and to fay no wors Looketh Like founding their own trumpet as if they ware good ministers when it is to be feared they are gilty of the violation of ye holy Laws of god and he declars that which is not true for he dont know the hart i2ly for a minister to ftrip open his Boosom and threten to fpend his Blood in or for his will Looketh more Like a piret or a Romanlick pretender than a gospel minister in New England firstly for aney minister to pretend to tell who is gone to hell or who fhall go to hell is what no parson can_ tell and therefore it is fals and groundlefs for aney to pretend ta it, fpecally in Congregational Churches although I confefs the Church of Room doth pretend to it 2ly on the other fid 8ly for any minifter to declar when he is at prayer that all parsons that did not Come in before this prayer was done would be damned Is Limiting God and taking his work out of his hands and Krecting a tribunal of their own Contrary to the known Laws of god & must yet in New England | think be esteemed of as fals for him to fay fo for we have not fo Learned Christ but from his word we are taught Judg not that ye be not Judged - and thus I ibink he Renders his oifring a corrupt thing and it may be feared he is a decevir as it is faid in Malachi 1-14 but Cursd be the Deceiver . . . which offreth to the Lord a Corrupt thing fo I think it may be faid of {uch a minister 2ly for M*' Kmerson when prayers are afked for in publick by aney of his parrish by Reason of their being fick to Declar Z they die they will all go to hell is Very Discourigin to others to ask prayers in Cafe of ficknefs and he declars that which he knows nothing about for God only khows the hart and God hath faid in his word I will be gracious and will fhew mercy on whome I will fhew mercy and I think god hath not Committed the Judging of and fixing of men's Eternal Estate either in heaven or hell to aney man on earth - -and I think it muft be efteemed of as Rafh fals and Eronis Judging and is Juft matter of offenc: although the Church of Room doth pretend to it dly for aney minister to alow of or not forbid but Rather Incourage lenorant or Inferior parsons to be Exorters in a Meeting Houfe is contrary to the known Ruls & order of the Laws of god and may be Looked upon as of a daingerous Confequence ; reed the account of Uzzah & of King Uzzih and is I think Just matter of offence 4ly for any Minister to Incourage any to fereem and yell and is all maner of disorderly noises - and then for him to fay that if thefe parsons {hould hould their tongs the {tones would Cry out, muff I think be accounted tals and done to Diceive others and make them think well of Bad actions Sly for aney minister to fay there was not a book nor s Chapter nor a Verse in the Bible but that treeted on on Christ I think is falce for the whole Book of Either hath nothing in it about God nor Chrift and IT think it must be alowed fals Doetrin 6ly for aney minister to declare that parsons are favingly brought home to Christ by a fudding qualm or by grooning or fereeming is a new Doctring for god only knows the hart and allthough we are to hope for the best yet to Declar this or that parsonis favingly brought home to Christ is what he dont know and I think it must be Looked upon as Rash fals and groundles Judging, and then to Call on others to give thanks for them - -when I Realy believe the Effects was prodused bv a bad art for it said that the Jesewits do produce fuch Effects on their Zelots and our bible telis us that Simon the Soser bewiched the people - and history tells us of the Quakers: and of the pope and of Mehamet all being under such Impulses and all making great pretencies to be spiritual men or holy father Confessers, but Even amongs the popes the want of money is a mortal sin for they it is faid cant geet out of purgetory without money; fo that I think it is Just matter of offence in Congregational] Churches to produce fuch effects and declar fuch things

My for a Minifter to write a Letter or Letters to aney one of his parish and fubscribe him felf Ingved and agreeved and to ask his parisioner why he had not taken the rule in Mat 18-15-16 when faid minister if be be Ingred or agreeved must be gilty of the Violation of Matthew aforesaid having never attend the Rule of the gospels is a {traing Confounding of the order of the gospel and is Just matter of offence

Sly fora minister when he is in Dispute with aney one of his parisioners to Declar that he is but a fool in prayer to a poor Ignorant Negro that could not Reed nor did not know how many gods there was must I think be acounted not true in him or Elfe be not fitt for a minister and done to deceive others or Elfe to profed from a distracted Crafey Brain .

Sly ior any minister to fay that if aney parson Ever flept in the meeting house they had not a fpark of grace nor the fear of god before their Eyes, is Rash fals and Eronious Judging Contrary to the Rule Christ hath left in the gospel - in Matth 26-40-41-483 - and he Cometh unto his disciples and findeth them afieop and said unto Peter: what Could y® not watch with me one hour: Watch and pray that ye Enter not into temptation : - the Spirit In deed is willing but the flefh is weak - and he Came and found them afleep again: for their yes were heavey here Christ doth not Condemn his disciples to be greslefs and feerless but Considers the Infirmities of the human natur and | think allthough fleeping in a meeting house Cannot be Justified to be good yet there is no minister hath a Right of Judging Parsons gracelefs for boderly Infirmitis and it is Just matter of offence fo to Judge Rashly lly for a minister to write Letters Reflecting is Juft matter of offence when he by his own Letters hath proved him felf gilty of the Violation of Matth 15-16-16 2ly for Mr Emerson to say he was but a fool to his neegro in prayer, faid neegro being a poor Ignorant Cretor that Could not Reed nor did not know how maney gods there was must I think be Counted fals in him or Else be not fit for a minister and done to deceve others or to fay no worse to profeed from a Diftracted Crafey Brain 3ly for Mr Emerfon to teach the people that they are born divels: and then to Justife and fay if Children of Rath then Children of the divel, Is fals doctring and what Cannot be Reconsiled with truth for if once a divel they will Eternally Remain fo for Chrift never died for divels nor Beasts and I think it Just matter of offence Aly for mr Emerson to Discose with me alone in private and pretend to forgit or denovy what he faid, may Justly give me grounds to abhore him and Count him a Covenant Braker Sly for mr Emerson to charge it on maney of the Town that they had not a fpark of grace nor the fouls of men in them if they did not Voat for him to have fuch a fum of money which he named, feemeth as if he would make them believe that grace and fouls ware purchafed of him by money - and is much Like that of perfons giving money to geet out of purgetory - and then when he is Charged with faying fuch words in a few minits after he faid it boldly to denioy it - -Is nothing fhort of plain Lying Gly for Mr Emerson to Refufe to Discofe with feveral of his parrifh Except he had fum of his party there and fo to devide his parisioners in to partys is of daingerous Confequence and hath a tendancy to make one abhore him and Rendreth him not fit for a Minister to one party

"ly for mr Emerson to promis that he would make my agreviancies Kasey and to delay the matter year after year I think Looks as if he had no regard to his word or the good of my foul - and yearly to take my money when he doth me no fervice i think is not Just nor honest nor agreeable to his own advice to fum other people.

Sly when prayers are afked for by aney of Mr Emersons parish for him to declare if they should die they would go to hell is Just matter of ofence - and is Contrary to the gospel according to James the 5 Cha 14 & 15 verses Is aney sick among you let him call for the Elders of the Church and Let them pray over him anointing him with oyl in the name of the Lord - 15 and the prayers of faith {hall fave the fick and the Lord fhall Rais him up: and if he hath Committed fins they fball be forgiven him here the apostle dont fay that the Elders fhall fay they are gilty of damnable fins and if they Die they will go to hell neither hath god Committed the Judging of Mens Eternal Eftate to aney minister on Earth, althoug there are Corrup fals teachers that doth pretend to it and I think it is a fhame to aney in New England to pretend that fuch prayers are agreeable to the word of god, and that they are not ofended at it

Sly for Emerson to write as he did in his Letter of Apriel ye 22. 1746 that is and would observe to you that the main thing at present betwen us by Letters you ftill neglect to Refolvye me in - I think thefe words in Mr Emersons Letter must be fuls as I have observed to him in my Letter and Carrey in them the natur of a lie - for in his first and third Letters to me he Spent great part of his time in his writing in Charging me with the Violation of Matth. 18. 15. 16. and in three of my Letters before to him I had Endeayored by Numbrs of Instances to fhow him that I had in fum good measur observed the Rule in Matthew aforesaid with him and Mr Emerson and E never had changed a word together about our mecting at Goulds as I know of fo that to meet at

Answer: her fir as you have Landed your discose against the Salvation of mens fouls - for if once a Divel they will Efernialy Remain {o-~and to perswad Peopie to old Minifters to oppose the work of god - fo in this Ayrtical you Even Level yourfelf against the good of mankind by distroying the greatest branch of trade in thus Contry for if it was not for falt there Could not be aney falt fifh trade, nor any meet fitt to eat in the heit of Sumer Except it ware for dogs: and would aney man in his Right Reason wif bh fo much hurt to his fellow Creaturs as at one blaft to destroy both foul and body: for if it ware not for falt we Could not mainiain no trad at home or abroad and must fall a facrifice to our Enemis: if this be Just you may as well wish that ther never might grow aney more Corn becafe fum gluttens parsons eat a ereat quantity of pooden, and fertianly I have seen you to ufe falt at a table and to drink Rum at a tavern - but to Close all I Cannot think you are fitt for a Minister to wish fo much hurt to your fellow Creeturs to deprive them of what god hath made for their Comfort - but to fay no worce I Realy believe what Mr Emerson faid did procede from a Distracted Crafey brain - tfor if this was once brought to pafs there Could not be money to pay ministers and if men believed they was then they bad as the reasons why I think the Revernd Mt John Emerson to have been in an Erroer his Declaring Saul was as Certainly in hell as David in heaven: and Declaring manafsa was Sertnly in or gone to heaven - and maney other things of the Like Natur and at John Dwiuels funre} when he had made a great noise and made fum parsons to Run about faying here is hell and there ts hell and others Crying out Cursing their prid and hard harts he Set down and finiled or Lafed which was his Comoa practis after wards for fum time and then on a Sabbatly day when there had been fereeming belowing and yelling -as I thought Like the Resemblence of hell he came in and gave thanks that there was a shaking amongst the dry bons & that the voice of the fpouse was heard a far off and at other times he would Lement the with Draw of the Spirit when there was not fuch Like uproar I heard Me Emerson fay that the Divel had {tired up fum ministers to appose this good work and he declared that parsons Could not help Crying out then a wooman in Child birth

M* Emerfon Discosed with me in my Brick yard September 1744 and after a long discose about the new work of ftriking Emerson Said to me he was not the only minifter that had been mistaken about thefe times and that it had been a time of great delusions and that things had not turned out as he Expected and that he believed there was maney good ministers had been mistaken in thefe things and he Said I might fee he was a Coming off from them by his Sermon he preached the Last Sabbath and I tould him if he was fensable he had been in a Rong way he ought publickly to tell the people of it and he faid if he fhould there was a great many of them that was that way would be worce agains him then I was and he faid it would be a dificult thing to be a minister and he faid I must forgive him for minifters ware but men and pats by all ofences and 1 tould him I Could freely Do it if I thought be was fencer in what he faid, and he faid he was and desired me to give him my hand and i tould him i desird to prove him feven days i ment in publick for which i Coted the Case of miriames being a lepard And for M* Emerson to Charg it on us that we had nota {park of grace or the fouls of men in us if we did not Voat for him to have fuch a fum of money which he named, seemeth as if he would make us believe that fouls and grace was purchased of the Clargy by money much Like y* of parsons giving money to geet their Relations out of purgatory and then when he is charged with fuying fo in a few minits boldly to denioy it and say he never faid fo is nothing short of plain Lying and.

Rent Tin

Letter of Apriel 22, 1746 viz and would observe to you that the main thing at present in Controvacy betwen us. by Letters you {till neglect to Refolve me in - -thefe words I think in mt Emersons Letter muft be falee and Carrey with the Violation of matth 18 15-16 and in my three first Letters to him: by a number of Instances I Endevored to fhow him that I had in fum good measure observed the Rule in Matth aforesaid with him and mr Emerson and I never had Changed a word to gether a bout Cap Goulds as I Remember fo that to meet at Goulds Could not bea main thing no nor fo much as worthey of the name of a thing in Comparison with Matth afore {aid

Elisha Towne Testifieth and faith that he heard the Rev m? Emerson at a Town Meeting fay that all you that will not Voat for me to have fuch a fum of Money (which

Joseph Herrick & David Commings testifieth and faith that on a Town meeting Day in Topsfield they heard the Revernd Mt John Emerson fay that they that did not Voat for him to have fuch a fum of money as he named had nota fpark of grace nor the fouls of men in them and we heard Benjamin Towne in discose with Mr Emerson about his faying fuch words in a few minits after he faid it, and Emerson Declared he never faid fo

Nathaniel Porter Jun' testifieth and faith that being in Company with M' Emerson and Benj* Towne, he heard Said Towne Charge mr Emerson with faying that all parsons were Born Divels, and mr Emerson made answer if

Joseph Herrick being in Company with M* Emerson & Nath" Porter Ju' & Benj* Towne at the fame time testifieth to all abovo written Joseph Herrick

Jofeph Perkins of Topsfield Testificth and Saieth that he herd M* John Emerfon in his Prayers Several Sabbath days Say that the Divel Stirred up Sum of the Old Minifters to appofe this Blefsed work.

Samuel Curtis of Topsfield Teftifieth that he heard mt? John Emerfon on a Sabbath Day fay that all parsons ware born Divels: Benj* Towne teftifieth to the fame his Samuel T Curtis mark Benj* Towne

Samuel Curtis and hannah his wife Testifieth and faith that they heard Emerson fay on a fabbath day that there was not in the Bible a bock nor a Chapter nor 2 Verce but what treeted on Chrift: Benj* Towne teftifieth to the fame Samuel Curtis Ju' Testificth that he heard m' Emerson fay the fame his

The Dipiscon of Samuel Curtis & Elisha Towne both of Topsfield Testifieth that they heard the Rev' Mt John Emerson in his prayers cn a Sabbath day Declare there was three parson then to be prayed for and if they died they would all go to hell Khsha Towne

Rev. M? Emerfon feveral times on Sabbath days Declare when parsons feremecd and made # great noise that they ware favingly Brought home to Chrift

Elijah Porter Testifieth and Saith that Joseph How Jobn Dwinel and Joseph Herrick Ju Desired Prayers for their being Sick and according to the Best of his Remembrance when the Rev: M* Emerfon made a prayer for em, he Declared they were all gilty of that Damnable Sin of Drunkennefs and that if they then Dyed they would all

Rey. Sir. Whereas I Delivered you a paper on the fecond day of December 1747, and faid in said paper, ily my Letters that I have fentto you will fhow you the other reasons of my unoasinefs as plain and as fully as if I fhould now draft them and you notwithf{tanding full requesting that L wonld give you fum hints what thefe reasons are, Shall profeed to say in the first plaee my first Letter Informs you and fo do all the reft of my Letters that I thought you had Violated that feripiur in Matth

18. 15. 16 in Signing your felf Ingred and agreved when you never had tould me what it was for, and your writing after fuch manner to me in your Letters Qly your faying you ware but a fool to your Negro in prayer oly your Charging on maney of us that we had not a {park of grace nor the fouls of men in us if we did not Voat for you to have fuch a fum of money which you natned, with your denioying your faying fo and if it was good why have you dwindled it away, and if bad why dont you make fatisfaction &e. {ir thefe words may breafly Comprehend Everything in your Conduct that hath not been agreeable to the word of god in to you you may fee fully the Reafons of my uneasinefs as plain as if I fhould now Draft Everything, and I Con- {ider to multiply artical upon artical will be Like adding fuel to fire and I think here is Enoughf for a Confrance with what you had before Topsfield January the 20:

When M' Thomas Baker was taken in tothe Church M? Emerson Declared that M* Baker was forrey that he had aney hand in fhuting the meeting houfe Dors when M? Whitfield was there M* Baker fays that he never faid fo

Mt Town Whereas M* Richard Town informs me y' you fent by Him for a Copy of fum things read at m' Bixbys, when we met there last March: J take y® most Convenient opportunity to write and fend it But woud obferve to you y' if you desired it before, why did you not make proper applications to me, and took it months ago. But after so long Delay, how strange is it y* you should fend Just at y* instant, when y® Company in arms were so impatient for prayers, y* they might be dismissed: Coud pow have thot of a more unfutable j improper Time ?

And Town, why Such a Noife and Difficulty about y' which you might so very easily obtain. for my part, I wish you had had it long ago, and as I tell you, I take y° first most convenient opportunity to write and send it, since Richard Town has been to my House for it.

I fuppose you Defire not a Copy of y® whole (Tho' all if you pleafe) answer to your articles which would be very large. But only of fome few Lines w'® which I Concluded my Answer to your Articles: and which are as follows viz

But woud heartily lament and utterly Condemn all yt rash Judging and hard Cenfure there has been among us, and wherein Lieut Town or any others of my Hearers, or y' are not my Hearers have been unduely or unjustly Censured I niterly retract it. And tho I must firmly belive y* Convictions from yt Holy Spirit of God may be so powerfull as to Caute pene to Cry out, yet I also beleive too much stress has been laid upon out cries, and wherein there has woe ne much, I desire to retract this also: And yet would avoid y other ixtreme, and not think y, Tears & y®* {how of affection to be only Hypocriticall But y' they may and often are indications of what is real and orale in y® Heart. a True Copy, y* is to say of y® Concluding part &

M* Town, I would not have you think yt when I speak of rash Judging and hard cenfures in y® above Copy, y' I Confine this to these ih have been friends to y® late Times. So far from thinking fo, y* I believe yt rash Judging and hard Cenfures has been abundantly from y® opposing Side: But tis what I oan on Both Sides. Tam yours &e John Emerfon 2 Opsheid June 24.1748. For Lieu' Benjamin Town In 'Vopsfieid y° minister of Topsfield, John Emerfon, and Lieut Towne, This may Certifie y' we do now agree to pass by and bury all former Differences as tho they had never been, and agree for y°® future to live in Love and friendship as become professors of y® Gospel. As witnefs our hands.

By George Francis Dow

pes At the same time and place, will be offered for sale, the other three-fourths of the farm and out-lands - - thus rendering it ap object worthy of attention to any person in waut of a good farm; it being of easy access, situated on the road leading to Ipswich, about two miles house is supplied with a well of good water; the field land and pastures by a brook, on which is a good mill, not more than half a mile distant. Information given, by applying to JOHN G. HOOD, Auctioneer.

For SALE, the FARM occupied by the subscriber, in the western part of Topsfield, about one mile from the railroad depot. Said farm contains about sixty-two acres, suitably divided into Mowing, Tillage, and Wood Land, with a good Peat Meadow, and well watered, and containing about 150 thriving young apple trees. The outbuildings on the farm are a good Dwelling House, 26 by 36 feet; a Barn 86 feet square, and Stable and Wood Shed, all of which have been built within the last seventeen years and are now in thorough repair.

Thomas Cass

Essex Insriturs. <A meeting will take place at Topsfield, on Saturday next, June 21st. The forenoon will be as © , Z devoted to excursions. - In the afternoon, at 3 0 clock, the members will assemble in the Academy for the reading of papers, discussions, &¢., on subjects relating to the natural sciences, and for the transaction of such business as appertains thereto. All interested are respectfully invited to attend. i Salem Gazette, June 17, 1856.

Essex Instirute. The meeting of the Essex Institute at Topsfield, on Saturday, June 21st, was very interesting and profitible. Rev. J. Lewis Russell presided, and in an opening address made honorable mention of Mr. Benjamin Hale Ives of Salem, Mr. Wm. Oakes of Ipswich, and Dr. Andrew Nichols of Danvers, amongst the departed founders of the Society.

Mr. George D. Phippen, of Salem, read in part a comqunication on the introduction of the indigenous plants of this vicinity into cultivation, prefacing the same with some very interesting and appropriate remarks on the pleasure and improvement to be derived from a study of the Natural Sciences. Mr. P. has been for many years successfully experimenting on this subject, and as the result of labors in this department, his garden contains many specimens of our native plants in a healthy growing condition.

A communication from Dr. D. F. Weinland, of Cambridge, on the egg tooth of snakes and lizards, was read by Mr. FE. W. Putnam. This singular tooth is found in the

'ase is to cut the thick leathery shell of the egg. Soon after the young snake leaves the egg, the tooth drops, and no tooth afterwards is found attached to this bone. Some few years since, whilst Dr. W. was engaged in the stndy of the embryology of the European ring-snake, he observed the appearance of little slits in the shell about the period of latching, and at the same time examining one in his hand, he felt a scratch on his finger. Thus the Aooth was discovered. He has since discovered this tooth in those species of American snakes which he has examined.

Since the opening of the Newburyport Railroad to Boston, through Topsfield, things have had an upward tendency. The road is now doing more business than its more sanguine friends had ever predicted for it, and had the cost of the road been kept within proper bounds of economy, it would at this time have been a good dividend paying road. There are now erected and being erected more buildings than at any period since the settlement of the town.

The crops of grain never appeared better. The crops of English Way never surpassed the present; in fact, all kinds of business are very prosperous and flourishing.

Politically, Topstield is en masse on the side of Freedom and Hremont. It is said that there is but one Buchanan man in the whole town, and by the fall election I have no doubt he will be found in the great party of Freedom.

a criticism on some of the dogmas that had been promulgated in the place. At an early hour Union Hall was filled to its utmost capacity by the elite of the town. The Poem was a masterly production, and gave universal satisfaction. And it did appear at times as though the mantle of his Hlustrious Father, (Hon. John Holmes of Maine,) had fallen on the author. The Poem, I learn, will be given to the public from the press room. Topsfield, July 4, 1856. : i, Salem Gazette, July 8, 1856,

Fremont Club In Popsefleld

The officers of the Club are the following : - DPresident, Joel Lake, Esq. ; Vice Presidents, J. WV. tlealy, N b.Goz nant, B. Kimball, Samuel 8. MecKenzie,,.J.G. Hood; Directors, T. K. Leach, Thomas P. Mundy, Samuel Clifford, Jeremiah Balch, Humphrey Balch, Jacob Foster, Samuel Adams; Secretary, G. L. Gleason.

Whereas, 'Che Presidential Mlection, which is to occur sn Novomber next, will afford an opportunity to the people of the country to bring back the National Administration to the principles of purity, justice, and equal rights, which characterized the earlier history of the Republic - and inaugurate a policy which will secure to citizens in our Territories protection of person and property, the right of suffrage and free speech - which will discountennance and suppress ruffian violence, and will enforce just

Resolved, That we recognize in John C. Fremont, the noble, pairictic, enlightened, enterprising man for these times - on whom at the head of our National Government we may rely to secure these resuits.

Resolved, Chat as he has opened for us a path to the land of gold and to the Pacilic, so it is the purpose of the friends of freedom and the lovers of their country, to open for bim in the next Presidential Election a way to the chair of the Executive of the Nation.

Resolved, That while we would be willing always and everywhere to yield to the other candidates for the Presidency all the credit they deserve for the estimable traits of private character, we regard the Platform upon which one of them has embarked his political fortunes as a dangerous piratical craft, riding upon which the present Administration has become the patron and protector of murder, robbery, and disfranchisement of our fellow citizens in Kansas, and brought the nation upon the very verge of intestine war: - and we regard the expressed opinions of the other candidate as breathing a spirit oe intensely and unreasonably sectional, as to prove him incompetent to appreciate the present state of the country, and a man altogether unfit for the present crisis.

Resolved, That in the present struggle of Freedom with slavery, the victory of freedom is a victory for the whole country, and for the human race; and we recognize in John ©. Fremont the qualities, both of mind and heart, which render him worthy to be a leader in such a contest. Salem Gazette, July 22, 1856.

Diep. In Topsfield, Oct. 3d, John Lamson, 69 years 4 months. Capt. Lamson was one of the most valued citizens of 'Vopsfield, - liberal, benevolent, and kind, - ever ready with heart and purse, in the support of every good work, and beloved and respected by all.

At the political mass meeting held in Georgetown, Oct. 16th, The Yopsfield Fremont and Dayton Club marched in the procession.] On their banner was a ving enclosing thirty-one stars, 15 black and 16 white, and the mottoes:

« Kansas shall be one of this bright constellation," «The Union - it must and shall be preserved," "Free Speech, }'ree Men, and the Free Territory, is our motto." Reverse- - fremont and Freedom- - Books and the ible.' « Buchanan and Bondage - Bludgeons and Bowie Knives " _« Fyeedom National - Slavery Sectional" - a Bible beneath the former, and a pistol beneath the latter motto.

Drep. In Virden, [Minois, on Wednesday evening, Nov. 12, Mr. Humeurey GovLp, aged 27. The deceased was a native of Topsfield, Mass., from which place he removed about two years ago. He was a man of very courteous and obliging disposition, and his daily walk was highly exemplary. He bad never made a public profession of religion, yet has he left behind him consoling evidence that his sou! had felt the power of the New Life. Mr. Gould was a devoted member of the Sabbath School and Bible Class, and was the worthy and much esteemed leader of the Virden Baptist Choir.

Diep. In Topsfield, Thomas L. Lane, Esq., aged 40. It is always a loss to the public to have a member of the community removed from it, who is in the prime of manhood, and who has performed all the social and moral duties of hfe with fidelity and promptitude, and in a manner agreeabie to all. 'The loss is the greater when this community is circumscribed within the limits of a small country town. Mr. Lane, though not unknown in the neighboring towns, was probably better known and more duly appreciated at home than abroad, being a somewhat retiring man. Since he has been a resident with us, he has performed all the relative duties of husband, son, brother and a friend, in a manner that has made warm friends of all and will leave impressions upon all which will not soon be effaced. For three years Mr. Lane has labored under a disease which has deprived him of the power of uttering a loud word, the throat and organs of speech being the seat of the disease. Yet for the most part of the time he has been able to attend to bis business, as a shoe dealer. - Topsfeld,. Jan. 5.

The Town Of ,Topseleld

This town, which first drew the breath of life in 1650, having been settled eleven years previous by farmers and others, from Salem and Ipswich, is one of the prettiest in the county of Kssex. Its inhabitants are chiefly farmers, though the business of manufacturing shoes is carried on to a considerable extent - the chief manufacturers in the place being Mr. Charles Herrick, who owns a large threestory building devoted to this purpose. It contains its groceries, too, where the good people within a wide circuit procure the necessaries of life, and pass many pleasant evening hours in discussions of the various themes that rise up in daily review.

Before the introduction of railroads, the town, like most of the others in the county, supported a tavern, which was situated upon a hill over which runs the Newburyport Turnpike - a way that has lone since passed under the control of the county, and ceased to exact toll of those who travelled it. All the recollections which clusa madeira erica ba a ai Baa Seth ae A Bo UN SN as RRS At oR I Ad a a Lak ea gl per La a aie ar SNS gb elas ter about these old taverns will soon be the exclusive property of " the oldest inhabitant," and later generations must let their imagination supply all deficiencies of stagedrivers' yarns, ghosts, and hobgoblins.

Topsfield rejoices in two churches, both ina flourishing state, and four public schools. It has also an Academy for instruction in the various branches of education; *" to furnish the youth of both sexes with the means of securing a thorough, practical education for the business of life ; to fit young men for admission to college; to afford young ladies the means of obtaining a liberal education ; and to incnicate in the minds of the young those great principles of morality and religion which form the basis of all that is lovely in the human character, and desirable in our free institutions.' At any rate, so says the catalogue of the Academy for 1857, The whole number of students is 178 - the average attendance per term being 79. The number of young gentlemen engaged in the classical department is 40; young ladies, 85. Tn the English department, gentlemen 58, ladies 45. The Academy, which is a plain wooden building of a decidedly intellectinal bearing, is situated upon a hill, and is surrounded by a beautiful green lawn, affording ample room for rational sports of whatever nature.

Building, in this country town, progresses slowly but surely - the number of handsome houses, however, having increased more rapidly within the past two or three years. The old Cleaveland estate would perhaps attract the stranger's attention more readily than any other - the house, or a part ef it, being one of the oldest in the place, though much improved over its original look by extensive outlays which have from time to time been made. Afr. Chas. Herrick has erected perhaps the most costly residence in town, a short distance from the railroad station. Mr. Jacob Foster and Mrs. Taylor, - widow of the late Rev. Mr. Taylor of Manchester, - have also erected very pretty and substantial houses, in close proximity, upon the same rond. Mr. John G. Hood, also, has recently erected a new house upon the hill which leads to the Lake nurseries. Mr. Samuel Adams, opposite the post-ollice, have also done their share towards elevating the architectural character of the houses, and there are perhaps others who may have done the same.

Topsfield is within an hour's ride of Boston, and we wonder that some of the wealthy persons of the metropolis do not purchase and improve some of the pleasant lands which abound in the town. The village nestles within a complete surrounding of fertile hills, ever green and luxuriant, over which blows the wholesome western breeze, as pure as if wafted straight from heaven. Ipswich river passes through the town, too, and adds its share to the picturesque beauty of the place, especially after the heavy rains. To one who desires to witness the little town of Topsfield in full regalia of nature, we would commend a walk, some pleasant morning, to the old Toll House upon the Turnpike ; though "great Hill" may

TorsFiELD. 'The fourth of July will be celebrated in Topsfield by the ladies of the Methodist Episcopal Society, who will hold a Social Gathering at Union Hall, at 9 o'cloek on the morning of that day. Distinguished speakers will be present from Boston, Salem, Ly nn, Chelsea, Danvers, and other places. Martial music by several performers. A choir of singers and a quadrille club will be in attendance. The proceeds to be appropriated to financial and benevolent objects. Cars leave Topsfield for Boxford, Georgetown, Haverhill and Newburyport, at 4 o'clock, and for Danvers, Salem, and Boston, at 5.50 P. M.

Newspaper Items Relating To Topseield

The fourth of July was duly commemorated, us we had previously announced, by the Ladies of the Methodist Society. This festival, says the Register, was a very the Vestry, or '"' Union Hall," in the basement story, was very tastefully decorated with evergreens and flowers, and festooned with American ensigns. Here had been erected a series of temporary tables, which were beautifully spread with delectable things, to a free participation of which the moderate price of admission introduced the guests. Felicitous addresses were made by Rev. Father Taylor of Boston, Rev. Messrs. Herrick of Salem and Sutherland of Danvers; by Mr. Ellis, the Preceptor of Topsfield Academy, and Benj. P. Adams, Esq, of T. The exercises were interspersed with music, and the large company present, numbering some five hundred, of all ages and both sexes, enjoyed themselves to their utmost satisfaction, and closed the services, at a late hour in the

The students of the Topsfield Academy - an institution which is now in a most flourishing condition - held a Pic Nic near Hood's Pond, in Boxford, where it is unnecessary to say that the spirited young men of this school, and their friends present, enjoyed a grand good time.

Topsrinip - Frederick Boyden, formerly of Topsfield, died at Goshen, Orange county, N. Y., Friday evening. Mr. Boyden was son of the late Simeon Boyden, of Boston, and for a number of years one of the proprietors of the Astor House, New York, and subsequently proprietor of the Exchange Hotel, Richmond, Va. Mr. Boyden purchased the extensive farm in Topsfield, Mass., known as the "Crowninshield farm," but finding our severe winters and cold east winds did not agree with him, he disposed of his farm some fifteen months since, and removed to New York city ; but perceiving his health still

ToprsFIELD- - A valued correspondent from this good old town says: "I have read with interest your ' County Gleanings,' and have wished you might have a correspondent in every town, to furnish you with interesting incidents which are constantly occurring. Isee by your last paper that the County Commissioners have placed us with Beverly and Wenham, in one Legislative district, which I think is very satisfactory to the people of 'Topsfield. Our former connection with these towns in the Congressional district was very agreeable. When whig principles were thought something of, Beverly, Wenham, and Topstield, were not regarded as insignificant towns, and reminiscences of the past are pleasant.

We are now in the midst of the berry season, and as ours is a berry town we have many distinguished visitors from abroad. Onur farmers are now enjoy ing a fine season to harvest their hay, and the crop is abundant. Some considerable complaint is made on account of the potate rot, which is confined to the chenangoes and early varieties. I apprehend the late planted will not suffer. The apple crop will be a failure. Corn is looking as well as usual at this season of the year, and if the frost holds off there will be more than a usual crop. Smaller grains are harvested and are good.

Two lads, sons of Mr. Eleazer Lake, were picking berries a few days since, when the youngest was attacked by a large " water snake"', and would probably have been severely dealt with, had not his brother come to his rescue. They succeeded i in killing it, when it was found to measure three feet and four inches in length, and had in its stomach twenty-seven young ones, measuring eight inches each. When placed in a row, so as to touch each other, they measured twenty-one feet and four inches - a good family of snakes and smart boys. Mr. Henry Long beats all in the hen line. He eave his old hen (all the fowl he keeps) twelve eggs, and she brought out fourteen chicks, and left two bad eggs; and what is strange there

I have just seen Mrs. Goodrich, the wife of the notorious. Joshua, who is in the Newburyport jail for a criminal assault on his daughter a short time since, and she informs nic se her daughter had run away witha young man. to get ried. She says her daughter and this young mab e the complaint against the girl's father, to put him in a 'aogier 'o hinder his interfering to prevent their marriage. How much truth there is in this story, I am se tosay. Atany rate, the young man who is complainant, and the girl who is the witness, are both among the missing.

ToOPsFIELD. ri es sti . President of the Newburyport Railro rald says, has one of the finest and most extensive gardens ue the country, comprising four acres, handsomely | laid out, walled and hedged, and planted with all the approved varieties of apples, pears, peaches, and cherries, together with the minor fruits and vegetables. The arrangements in and around the hand- Some mansion and other buildings are all in keeping.

"This is one of the most cosey villages of Essex County, which is noted for its many pretty little towns. It is nestled amid verdant hills and has a bright and sunny aspect. Jt is just the place one would select who desired a quiet, healthful place of residence, and many have availed themselves of its advantages in that respect. Among them are Mr. Mos Ses Wildes, long known as a proprietor of the tlm St. Ho uN and now a monied man of State Street, Boston, Te: John Cleaveland, of Brooklyn, N. Y., who is an operator in Wall St., Mr. C. Her- rick, an extensive shoe manufacturer in this place. The two last having elegant mansions. Benjamin Poole, Esq., has a delightful country residence, with field, orchard, ornamental trees and shrubbery surrounding the house. Mr. P. is a native of Maine, practised law very successfully in Lowell, Mass., was a member of the Legislature from that city, and is now President of the Newburyport R. R., he acting also as Superintendent and Attorney - all of which offices he fills to the great satisfaction of all concerned.

Topsfield has a slow but steady growth, and among the new buildings, J. G. Hood, Esq., who is the principal active Justice of the town, has a fine residence, on an elevated and pleasant locality, the best 1 think in this place. Mr, B. P. Adams has the Post-Otfice.

There is a very good Academy in the village and two churches. 'There is a very good moral society and hospitality among the people. Salem Gazette, Nov. 3, 1857.

TopsFinLp- - A correspondent of the Andover Advertiser says that the principal business of this village 1s butchering for Salem and Danvers markets. Almost everybody is a butcher, and almost every wagon is 8 butcher cart. Mr. Thos. P. Munday, one of our largest citizens, supplies the markets with about 8000 sheep and lambs, 2000 calves, and 400 cattle annually, besides pigs,

TopsFIELD The receipts and expenditures of the town of Topsfield for the year ending Feb. 26, 1858, have been printed at the Salem Gazette othice. The expenditures were as follows: - Schools, $796 69; Roads and Bridges, $2,308 10; Snow Paths, $394 97; Expenses in the Peabody Case, $3842 87 ; Overseer's Department, $662 09; Incidentals, $2,114 72. Total, $6,608 35: Balance in who died on Sunday night last, at the age of fifty-one years. Mr. Hood had long been one of the most respected magistrates and most valued citizens of the town, whieh was his birthplace, and for the honor and welfare of which he had never spared his time or labor. He had never followed any other employment as a profession than ibat of a farmer; but he had for mony years given much of his time to the settlement of estates, and other probate and legal business, for which his talents fitted him, and of which his character for exactness and probity naturally brought 2 great deal to him for performance. As a citizen, he was without reproach, and as a friend and neighbor, one of the kindest and best of men. Salem Gazette, June 8, 1858.