This tax is levied and collected by the Congregationahsts, together with their own, and by them paid to such ministers of the Church as are appointed over them by the Society. Now, Itidgefield and Ridgebury being in Connecticut, the committee appointed for raising and paying the minister's rate at Ridgebury have been in some doubt whether I am entitled to the rates of the Church people there ; because it is certain they -were formerly under Mr. Learning's care, and had no written appointment or anything from under the Society's hand to convince them that the Society had now included them within this mission. Should the Venerable Society mention Ridgefield and Ridgebury in an abstract as parts cf my mission, together with Salem ; or should they, in a letter to the Church-wardens and Vestry of Ridgefield and Ridgebury, or in some other method, give assurance that Ridgefield and Ridgebury belong to my mission, it must be of advantage to me, as it would remove all doubt whether I was by the laws of that Colony entitled to the Church people's rates in those places. "«

In the year 1 7 7 1, the Rev. Epenetus Townsend again addresses the Society as follows : --

MR. TOWNSEND TO THE SECRETARY. [Extract.]

Salem, "Westchester Co., March 25th, 1771. Rev. Sir : -- This is a large county, full of people without any constant public worship in any method ; and as they have not enjo}-ed the benefit of any regular and constant administration of God's word and sacraments, since the first settlement of the country, vice and immorality abound among them. The Sabbath is, by great numbers, spent in riding, visiting, hunting, fishing and such like diversions ; and by some, it is profaned by practices still worse. There are some Church people, Presbyterians, Baptists and Quakers scattered among them, and great numbers who don't belong to any particular denomination of Christians.