we arrange them, then we physically seal Joaquim and Faris's military sword

dwell more compactly together than any town
of such a size in these parts of the country. This probably has been an
occasion, that both our corruptions and reformations have been, from
time to time, the more swiftly propagated from one to another through
the town. Take the town in general, and so far as I can judge, they are
as rational and intelligent a people as most I have been acquainted
with. Many of them have been noted for religion; and particularly
remarkable for their distinct knowledge in things that relate to heart
religion, and Christian experience, and their great regards thereto.

I am the third minister who has been settled in the town. The Rev. Mr.
Eleazer Mather, who was the first, was ordained in July, 1669. He was
one whose heart was much in his work, and abundant in labors for the
good of precious souls. He had the high esteem and great love for his
people, and was blessed with no small success. The Rev. Mr. Stoddard who
succeeded him, came first to the town the November after his death; but
was not ordained till September 11, 1672, and died February 11, 1728-9.
So that he continued in the work of the ministry here, from his first
coming to town, near 60 years. And as he was eminent and renowned for
his gifts and grace; so he was blessed, from the beginning, with
extraordinary success in his ministry, in the conversion of many souls.
He had five harvests, as he called them. The first was about 57 years
ago; the second about 53; the third about 40; the fourth about 24; the
fifth and last about 18 years ago. Some of these times were much more
remarkable than others, and the ingathering of souls more plentiful.
Those about 53, and 40, and 24 years ago, were much greater than either
the first or the last: but in each of them, I have heard my grandfather
say, the greater part of the young people in the town, seemed to be
mainly concerned for their eternal salvation.

After the last of th

two remarkable instances of persons led
away with strange enthusiastic delusions; one at Suffield, and another
at South Hadley. That which has made the greatest noise in the country
was the conduct of the man at South Hadley, whose delusion was, that he
thought himself divinely instructed to direct a poor man in melancholy
and despairing circumstances, to say certain words in prayer to God, as
recorded in Psalm cxvi. 4, for his own relief. The man is esteemed a
pious man. I have seen this error of his, had a particular acquaintance
with him, and I believe none would question his piety who had such
acquaintance. He gave me a particular account of the manner how he was
deluded, which is too long to be here inserted; but, in short, he
exceedingly rejoiced, and was elevated with the extraordinary work
carried on in this part of the country; and was possessed with an
opinion, that it was the beginning of the glorious times of the church
spoken of in Scripture. He had read it as the opinion of some divines,
that many in these times should be endued with extraordinary gifts of
the Holy Ghost, and had embraced the notion, though he had at first no
apprehensions that any besides ministers would have such gifts. But he
since exceedingly laments the dishonor he has done to God, and the wound
he has given religion in it, and has lain low before God and man for it.

After these things, the instances of conversion were rare here in
comparison of what they had before been, though that remarkable instance
before noticed of the little child, was after this. The Spirit of God,
not long after this time, appeared very sensibly withdrawing from all
parts of the country, though we have heard of the work going on in some
places of Connecticut, and that it continues to be carried on even to
this day. But religion remained here, and I believe in some other
places, the main subject of