Epenctus Townsend, who hath for some time alternately read to us, and the people of Ridgefield and Ridgebury ; whose exemplary life, sober conversation and devout performance of religious offices, highly recommend him to our esteem ; and as we have advice, that he hath leave from the Society to go for Holy Orders, we humbly beg the Venerable Society in compassion to our unhappy state, would be pleased to appoint him their missionary to us at Salem, in the Province of New York, and to itinerate among such poor people as stand in need of his instruction, with such a salary as in their wisdom they think proper. We have already purchased six acres of good land contiguous to the church, and made it over for a glebe for the use of a minister of the Church of Euglaud, or missionary for the time being, forever, and promise to build a decent, convenient house for his use when required ; and as the poor people of Ridgefield and Ridgebury by the concurrence of the Churchwardens and Vestry in this memorial hope to be indulged in being included under his care, having formerly a conjunction with some of the neighbouring places in the Province of New York experienced the goodness and compassion of the Venerable Society in appointing the Rev. Mr. Lamson to officiate among them, being many in number, having built a church in each of those places. Ridgefield but eight, and Ridgebury but four miles from Salem, but at such a distance from Norwalk that they can expect but very little service from the Rev. Mr. Learning ; whereupon we have unitedly sent our respective bonds to the Rev. Dr. Auchmaty, of New York, in trust, obliging ourselves to pay in each place equal to £10 sterling per annum, on the whole amounting to £30 per annum, to the missionary for the time being, aud we no longer expect the Society's favor than we shall continue to deserve it.'"a