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

CHAPTER XI.
RAPID GROWTH OF CHURCH AND TOWN.
The Church Votes Mr. Mather officiated about a year after
to Employ a n - tlie formatioii of the cliurcli, without assistother
Teachiue . • i p p -i •
i ij_i
Officer. aiice, wheii on account ot tainng health,
it was found necessary to obtain help. In
December, 1G02, at a meeting hehl at the pastor's house, the
church
"voted that two Teaching ofificers were appointed as ordinances of X^
Jesiis for his church, and that it was the duty of every Ch. to doe what
lyeth in them that they may bee furnished with two Teaching officers,
this voted nemine contradicente. It was then alsoe declared by vote of
all vnanimously, that this Church had neede of another teaching offi-
cer, to bee joyned to their Pastor."
No recommendation was made at this meeting concerning
the person to be employed. The church took the
initiative, and made known its want. As church members
only could be made freemen, and freemen alone could vote
in town affairs, there could have been little doubt relative
to town action.
Rev. Joseph Eliot There was no delay in the matter. This
^^^i®*^- movement, having apparently been decided
upon before presentation either in church
or town meeting, was speedily pushed forward. Church
action was taken Dee. 30, and in three weeks the question
came before the town. At a meeting held in January,
1663 (23. 11. 1662) •'it was voted vnanimously that they be
willinge to settle M"" Eliote amongst theme. Alsoe at the
same tyme as aboue Dated the Land that was Sequistred
1 Mr. Mather''s health began to decline before he had been many years settled
here, and this was the occasion of the call to Mr. Eliot. — Dwight's Travels,
vol. 1, p. 349.
132