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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,