Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. III

When at Stuben I promised some books, and have now drawn an order and sent it to Deacon Milotsed, who will receive and dispose of the books according to my directions -- viz. one bible 2 of Janeway's Tokens, 10 of Dodridge, 20 catachisms, one of y^ Society's Addresses, and one fast Sermon. Drew also an order for the same No of books for the people in Remsen, and sucli of them as I have not disposed of myself I liave left to the disposition of a M' Hoit, ye only professing p" in town and an excellent character.

24:th. -- Rode to the Royal Grant, 6 miles -- found tliat in this part of the Town of Norway -- tlie people are all baptists, and that they liad not appointed a lecture. I accordingly passed on 10 miles to another part of the town called Potter's l^ush. Here 1 found a chli. of 30 persons, and was received witli gladness

MOHAWK AND BLACK RIVER COUNTRIES. 1125

^Uh. -- Too much fatigued to preach.

26ifA. -- Sunday. -- Preached to about 200 persons -- very attentive. Administered the Lord's Supper. After meeting endeavored to settle a difficulty in the chh., but could not effect it. Rode 1^ miles to visit a dying person, and to baptize a child. This town is almost ruined by methodists and baptists, and the difficulty in the congregational chh. has had a very bad influence. The chh. is proceeding upon ye advice of M^" Alexander, which I think was very wrong. 2 of the best members of this chh. are become baptists in sentiment -- and they came forward and stated their difficulty between their consciences and their covenant -- and no one in y^ chh. supposes that they are not conscientious in ye matter -- and yet M'" Alexander advised the chh. not to dismiss y", but to proceed to excommunion, and brought the chh. to a vote tliat there was no possible way by which any member could be seperated from the covenant only by excommunication.