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

CHAPTER XVII.
PISMISSAL OF REV. JONATHAN EDWARDS.
Final Decision of AGREEABLY to adjournment the council rethe
Council. asSemblecl February 7"', the subject under
discussion being the right of the pastor to
select members of the final council outside the county
lines. Mr. Edwards presented his opinions with fervor
and earnestness, evidently producing a favorable impres-
sion. After considerable debate the council found itself
evenly divided, and no decision was reached. A compromise
was finally agreed upon, by which the pastor was permitted
to select a minority of the members from other
counties. Mr. Edwards had contended for the privilege of
naming one half the council outside of Hampshire County,
while the church insisted that none should be so chosen.
Pulpit Rights of Mr. Edwards then desired that the council
the Pastor. sliould decide whether lie had a right to
preach his opinions from His own pulpit,
but they declined to consider the question, holding that he
had that privilege, and that he ought not to leave that
question to any council. Thereuxjon Mr. Edwards declared
that he judged he had a right to preach on the subject on
the Sabbath, but would take the least offensive method,
and deliver a course of weekly lectures on the topic.
The Precinct Un- At a meeting adjourned to February 12*'', a
willing to allow
him to Preach
his Peculiar Doccommittee
to confer witli Mr. Edwards, and
, •
•
, t i i i> i
eudeavor jto^oissuade him from preaching
trines. qh that subj^ct. was appointed : it then ad-
journed to March. Mr. Edwards declined to accede to this
request, and went forward with his lectures. The first one