[231] and to all very susceptible temperaments. Among other things, he says:--
Truth is the food of an immortal soul. Feed not any longer on the fabulous husks of falsehood. Never use any of the devil's playthings. The horse-shoe is a vain thing, and has no natural tendency to keep off witches or evil spirits. Be warned against all such trading with the devil.Although this form of evil has passed away, we have not got rid of the thing itself. In modern guises, we have witches who carry their divining hazel; and we have demons, with Beelzebub to preside. June 3, 1744: A violent earthquake occurred on this day (Sunday). “It came,” says Mr. Seccomb, “when the first morning prayer was about half done. The people were much surprised; many screeched, and many ran out of meeting; and Mr. Turell left off prayer until it was over, and the people a little composed; and then he began again, and finished the exercise.” We are not surprised at the deep agitation of the assembly, who probably believed that such extraordinary manifestations of natural laws were special interpositions of a vindictive Providence. We like their finishing the service. Sept. 23, 1744: Mr. Turell preached two sermons from Second Corinthians II. 11, “because Ebenezer Francis allowed one Adams, a roving preacher, to come and preach at his house, against the will of Mr. Turell and a great number of the brethren, who are much offended at him and his preaching, now and heretofore.” We are a little surprised at a result of this event, mentioned in the record that follows the notice; viz., “The sacrament was put off on this account.” Was this event greater than the earthquake? From 1730 to 1750, there were, on an average, from twenty-five to thirty baptisms in each year. From ten to twenty persons annually joined the church. In the year 1747, there was no one admitted; and this forms the one exception in Mr. Turell's ministry. In 1747, a female sexton was chosen to ring the bell and sweep the meeting-house. Salary, twenty-two pounds (old tenor) per annum. Of church-members, 63 are male, 87 female, residing in Medford; occasional, 15: total, 165.
May 18, 1774: Voted that Mr. Turell should lave three hundred
