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[223] maintenance afforded unto him, whereby lie may uphold the dignity of the ministerial functions, and comply with the apostolical precepts in the gospel relating to his carriage and behavior: which leads me to consider the offers you make me for my support and comfortable living amongst you. To which I would make this answer, and reply: First, that the one hundred pounds you offer me for my settlement, I do accept; secondly, that the ninety pounds you have voted me for my year's salary, when made one hundred pounds, I do accept; thirdly, the strangers' money, or the weekly contributions, I do for the present accept; but, in case many of those whom you now call strangers become inhabitants, by a grant of the adjacent lands to the town of Medford, or any other way be obliged to rates unto the ministry of said town,--I say, in case it should be so ordered in the methods of Providence, I shall expect a rational proportion or allowance. Things being thus ordered, I do manifest my acceptance of your call to the work of the ministry; earnestly beseeching your ardent and fervent prayers to Almighty God for me, that he would more and more prepare me for, incline me unto, and strengthen, assist, and enable me in, the work where-unto he has called me; that, in whatsoever part of God's vineyard I may be called to labor in the same, I may be faithful and successful, preaching not myself; but Christ Jesus the Lord.

And now I commend you all unto the divine grace, conduct, and blessing, entreating that the God of peace and of love would dwell among you; that his glorious kingdom may be advanced in and by you; that the Father of lights and of mercy would bestow upon you every good and every perfect gift; that in this world you may live a life, a faith, and holiness, and at last stand perfect and complete in the whole will of God, obtaining the reward of your faithful services,--even a crown of glory that shall never fade away, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Yours to serve,


“Sept. 19, 1724: This answer was considered, accepted, and fully complied withal by the church and town.” Twenty pounds were voted to defray the expenses of the ordination, and ten pounds voted as additional salary,--making it one hundred pounds per annum.

The record of his ordination we have in Mr. Turell's own hand, thus:--

Nov. 25, 1724: This day was set apart as a day of fasting and prayer, in order to separate and ordain me to the ministerial office. The reverend elders sent to assist in the solemn action were the following; viz., the Rev. Dr. Cotton Mather, the Rev. Mr. John Hancock, the Rev. Mr. Benjamin Colman, the Rev. Mr. Simon Bradstreet, the Rev. Mr. Richard Brown, the Rev. Mr. John Fox, the Rev. Mr. Nathaniel Appleton, the Rev. Mr. William Cooper,

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