Re: Google.Earth.Pro.v4.1.7087   

some steps that were taken to procure his
ordination.]

Being much separated from other parts of the province and having
comparatively but little intercourse with them, we have always managed
our ecclesiastical affairs within ourselves. It is the way in which the
country, from its infancy, has gone on, by the practical agreement of
all; and the way in which our peace and good order has hitherto been
maintained.

The town of Northampton is of about 82 years standing, and has now about
200 families; which mostly dwell more compactly together than any town
of such a size in these parts of the country. This probably has been an
occasion, that both our corruptions and reformations have been, from
time to time, the more swiftly propagated from one to another through
the town. Take the town in general, and so far as I can judge, they are
as rational and intelligent a people as most I have been acquainted
with. Many of them have been noted for religion; and particularly
remarkable for their distinct knowledge in things that relate to heart
religion, and Christian experience, and their great regards thereto.

I am the third minister who has been settled in the town. The Rev. Mr.
Eleazer Mather, who was the first, was ordained in July, 1669. He was
one whose heart was much in his work, and abundant in labors for the
good of precious souls. He had the high esteem and great love for his
people, and was blessed with no small success. The Rev. Mr. Stoddard who
succeeded him, came first to the town the November after his death; but
was not ordained till S

date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:19:09 GMT   author:   unknown

Re: Google.Earth.Pro.v4.1.7087   

man who has enough to live on, if he knew how to stay with
pleasure at home, would not leave it to go to sea or to besiege a town. A
commission in the army would not be bought so dearly, but that it is found
insufferable not to budge from the town; and men only seek conversation and
entering games, because they cannot remain with pleasure at home.

But, on further consideration, when, after finding the cause of all our
ills, I have sought to discover the reason of it, I have found that there is
one very real reason, namely, the natural poverty of our feeble and mortal
condition, so miserable that nothing can comfort us when we think of it
closely.

Whatever condition we picture to ourselves, if we muster all the good things
which it is possible to possess, royalty is the finest position in the
world. Yet, when we imagine a king attended with every pleasure he can feel,
if he be without diversion and be left to consider and reflect on what he
is, this feeble happiness will not sustain him; he will necessarily fall
into forebodings of dangers, of revolutions which may happen, and, finally,
of death and inevitable disease; so that, if he be without what is called
diversion, he is unhappy and more unhappy than the least of his subjects who
plays and diverts himself.

Hence it comes that play and the society of w

date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:10:02 GMT   author:   unknown