His Desire is, to do what Good he can, the Little Time he has to continue in the world.

He is desirous to do good, both to Bodies and Souls, as he may have Opportunity.

We are so plentifully supplied for both in this Countrey, that he thinks more Opportunity may be expected abroad than at home.

And perhaps he may meet with some in your Vicinity.

Tis true, Age is coming upon Him; and as I remember, in the Levitic Law, one after sixty has not a third Part of the Value sett on him, that one had before. But the older he is, I hope, he will be the wiser, and the more serious; and more sollicitous to redeem all the little Time that remains, for the best of Purposes.

He has mett with some Troubles and Rebukes in former Years; But he stands right in the Communion of our Churches, and has been for diverse Years improved in occasional Preaching of the word.

I must confess myself to be touched with a sensible Compassion for him, and am so concerned for his being brought into some comfortable Circumstances, that I must assure you, whatever Kindness you show to him, I shall gratefully acknowledge, as done unto myself. I know you will at all times favour him with your Directions and Assistences.

May the Glorious Lord graciously continue and multiply the Tokens of His Good will unto you; especially in His employing you still to do excellent Services for His Kingdome. I am, Sir, Your True Brother and Servt.

FROM REV. THOMAS REYNOLDS.

A.A.S.

June 9th, 1715.

REV'D D'R., A few days since I rec'd a further Testimony of your kind remembrance and Affection in a parcel of books which I esteem as a vast present. They are upon useful Subjects. Your thots are proper, and delivered in [words] that must make them profitable with Gods Blessing to such as read them with [a] serious Spirit. You have mine and my wives thanks for them, who do's particularly approve of them and hopes to receive Benefit by them. With these I have also been favoured with a Letter from you, which has given me some trouble becaus of the dissappointmts you are under with respect to your B[iblia] Americana. I have spoken about it, but am sorry I am not able as yet to give you the Encouragemt you have wished and do deserve. The design you propose is in all respects great

and worthy of yourself but Circumstances are really such with us and have been so for these twelve Months past and more, as very much dishearten persons from an undertaking that will be attended with so much Charge; besides, Mr. Lawrence the only Bookseller in whom I had Interest sufficient to entrust a Matter of such a Nature died several months ago, and we under whose direction you have left this matter [are] not yet able to get Subscriptions that might answer yours or the Booksellers Expectations. The Dissenters by the Schism Bill of which I gave you an Advice (tho' I don't hear you have received it) and by other intervening Accidents has been under great discouragements, and at present the publick Affairs are in such Distraction that we scarce know where we are, and how matters are like to issue. No longer than Saturday last was a Week, and the day [ ] the first King George's birthday, and the other that ] by some Schollars riffled and pulld ] Oxford. And this day

of the Restoration [ down three, (which were all [ which is appointed by the House of [Commons to enquire] into the late mismanagemts, the Govern[ment ] and Insurrections, so that the City and [People] are obligd to be in Arms. Were you here yourself you would not blame your Friends as guilty of culpable Neglects but would advise them to await some more fitt Opportunity for the publishing your Bible. This is the State of the Case. I shall add no more than that if hereafter [we] through the merciful Providence of God shall be in a better posture and a more favorable opportunity present, I shall be ready to contribute what I can with the Rest of my Brethren to recommend your book that the publick may be obliged with the Benefit of it.

I must now acquaint you that Mr McNish has not been forgott by me, who have upon all Occasions, endeavoured to sollicit the [Board] of the foreign plantations, and have stirred up my Brethren to [aid] the designs of the Missionaries. Endeavours have been usd [and] much Time spent for this purpose, I am sorry to say it [has not] been with that Success as has been wished. I formerly gave you [an] Acct. of this Affair. And I must now with sorrow of heart tell [how] the Society proceeds, and are not without hopes of gaining Bishops to be sent into his Majesties Plantations. We are attempting afresh to represent the Case to the Society. I am directed to write to you and acquaint [you] that we think it would be of service to have some Person or persons [sent] over on purpose with power to represent to the Governm't, the State of yr Affairs with respect to the Missionaries. I desire you will please acquaint Mr McNish, and

that you will take this matter into your [consideration.] If Mr. McNish or any others can send any thing that may afford matter of further Remonstrance to the Society we pray they will do it with all expedition, and with authentique Testimonies. I was in hope by your Letter to have had an Opportunity before this of paying my respects to your Son, but inquiring after him I find he is gon to pay his first Visits to his Uncle your Brother at Witney in Oxfordshire. Upon his Return he will favour me I doubt not with [ him know my readiness to show him all [ Character and to a Son of the [ for the Interest of his [

] let

] to his worthy

] May God preserve you long

has made use of] you for further eminent ] Gifts and

I may the Name

[services]. Go on to honour your Posterity [ Graces to brighten their Father and [ of Mather be in everlasting Remembrance in the Churches of [ 1, I am with much affection, Rev'd Sir, Your respectful Brother and humble Servt.

THO: REYNOLDS.

HONOURED BRETHREN,

1

BOSTON, 20 d. 4 m. [June.] 1715. Before ever we were any of us addressed from you, on the late Occasion, we were many of us fill'd with distress for the dear Church of Newhaven, under your very great Bereavement; we were concerned that you might be supplied with a Pastor who might in some Degree be a suitable Successor to that excellent person of whom you have been bereaved; and we were employ'd even to Agony, in Supplications to our ascended Lord that He would graciously provide such a supply for you.

You may then well wonder at it, that after such an Address as we have received from you, there should roll on so long a Time, ere any of us return any thing of an Answer to it. But for the same Reason that all Answer hath been hitherto delay'd, what now comes, is not from us in Conjunction, nor any other than my own single Report. What I have to report unto you is, that I cannot find we are any other, than very much at a Loss, for any Candidate of the Ministry among ourselves, who may be of a Character promising enough to prove such a burning and shining Light as the conspicuous Candlestick at New-haven may call for. Except perhaps those who may be under some Engagements, already lying on them.

1 The death of Rev. James Pierpont, which occurred in November, 1714.

We have not laid aside our most sollicitous Look-out on your behalf; and if any thing occur worthy of your Notice, before you are otherwise determined, you shall hear of it.

Some of us, have been very much of the opinion, that if your Church can see a Person of Eminency, already station'd in some lesser Charge, he might with the Advice of a Council from the Neighbouring Churches, be translated from his present Station, and the Church whereof he is now the Servant, may do well to hearken unto the Direction so given them, that a general Interest may be accommodated.

If this method be not thought adviseable, we are not without Hopes, that you may find sons of your own Education, who may prove rich Blessings unto you.

A young person really a Candidate, who evidently is filled with the Love of God, and the Faith of the Son of God, and a Zeal to do Good, and an hearty Desire to advance the Kingdome of God, and is of competent Abilities, tho' short of what you have lost: such an one, embraced in the Arms of your tender Affection, and carried by you continually unto the glorious Head of the Church who gives Gifts unto Men; would, no doubt, so improve in all that belongs to a faithful and able Minister of the N. T. that it would not be long before you should be sensible of cause to bless God, that ever you saw one another.

In the mean time, it is impossible for us to express the Sollicitude upon our Mind that you may not fall into Contentions, which will produce Confusions, and every Evil work. Satan your grand Adversary, is doubtless watching and waiting for leave to break in upon you, and raise those Disturbances among you, which will be Bitterness in the latter End; but being once begun, tis unknown when they will come unto an End.

It is hoped, that you will be much in prayer to the God of Peace, that Satan may be kept bruised under your Feet; and that whole Dayes of prayer for that purpose, and for the obtaining of the mercy you want from the Lord of the Harvest, will be repeted among you.

It is also hoped, that every man will be afraid of being drawn into any one rash Act or Word, which may bring him under the Mark of them that cause Divisions: but that you will all unite in a Resolution, that you will take no Steps of Importance in your Affair, without first Consulting certain men of worth in your Vicinity, whom you shall jointly pitch upon, as your Counsellours; for most certainly, with the well-advised is Wisdome.

At this time, I add no more, but my hearty Wishes, that you may be of one mind, and live in Peace and have the God of Love and of Peace to be with you. And that in all your Proceedings, the twelfth to the Romans and the Tenth, may be alwayes remembred with you. I am, Honoured Sirs, Your Brother and Servt.

27 d. 4 m. [June.] 1715.

SIR, A week ago I did myself the Honour of writing to you. At which time I was not apprised, as I now am, that you have a Son of your own Colony and Colledge, of whom it is hoped by some that he may prove a considerable Blessing unto N. Haven, if the glorious Lord incline you to him, and bestow him upon you.

the

The person intended is, one whose Name is, Mr. Noyes; Son of that excellent Man of God, who has been such a long and rich Blessing to Stonington.

If he may in his Day, be like his valuable Father, you will have a precious Gift of Heaven in him; and tho' I am a stranger to him, I have heard what is very Encouraging to hope that he may be so.

I now write, only on my own separate Sentiments, not having Lately discoursed with any of my Brethren on the Subject. But you will give me Leave to shew you mine Opinion; which is, that if you can have a Son of your own Education, it will be very much to your Advantage; and a zeal to overlook such, with a præference to others perhaps not superiour to them, at a greater Distance from you, is either unintelligible, or, too easy to be understood.

What I write, I show to the Doctor, whom I still have the Honour and pleasure to call my Father, and he allowes me to tell you, that he has the same Sentiments.

Now may the great Shepherd look in much mercy on His dear Flock among you, and give you a Pastor after His own Heart, by whom you may be led in the Pathes of Righteousness, I am, Sir, Your sincere Friend, and hearty servt.

TO THOMAS CRAIGHEAD?

SIR, I am now There.

A.A.S.

[July, 1715?]

But remembring my vast obligations to you, for the many good services you did me with so much sincerity and Alacrity in my grand

1 Rev. Joseph Noyes, son of Rev. James Noyes. He was chosen in July.