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

CHAPTER XVIII.
SELECTION AND SETTLEMENT OF A NEW MINISTER.
Advice Sought about The preciiict, on the 29"' of June, 1750,
a New Minister. took measures to supply the pulpit, in-
structing the committee appointed for
that purpose to apply to the neighboring ministers and
solicit their advice respecting some " suitable gentleman to
preach here on probation." Mr. Edwards was invited to
preach the next Sabbath, and the church was desired to
"appoint a day of solemn fasting and prayer to God for
his direction and blessing in seeking a gentleman to settle
here in the work of the Gospel Ministry."
An Illiberal Act.
A controversy arose with Mr. Edwards the
next month, respecting the use of the se-
questered land. Apparently the custom had been to rent
one half of it, and give the minister the use of the rest.
In 1750, the year of his dismissal, Mr. Edwards claimed the
usual privilege. But although the year was already half
completed, the precinct refused to grant him the use of any
of the land.
In Noveiuber the towu passed a somewhat
An Extraordinary
Vote. extraordinary vote, allowing Daniel Shel-
don " £30 old Tenor at y" rate Dolls @ 52s.,
& as much more as he deserves for his extraordinary service
by Ringing y'' Bell for church meetings & extraordi-
nar}" parish meetings and extraordinary Sweepings occa-
sioned by such extraordinary meetings." From October 9,
1749, to November 19, 1750, no less than twenty precinct
meetings had been held, as well as a large number of
church gatherings, for all of which Daniel Sheldon had to
ring the bell.