which I have since good reason to suppose, were all founded on jealous and uncharitable mistakes, and so were really gross slanders, also many heavy and

council, for about two months; | wards' re-settlement here as for which I declare myself un-pastor to a part of the church, feignedly sorry; and I with which was very exceptionable; shame remember, that I did it but as to all the residue, which in a peremptory, decisive, vehe- was much the greatest part ment,and veryimmodest manner. thereof, (and I am not certain But, Sir, the most criminal that any part was wholly free,) part of my conduct at that time, it was every where larded with that I am conscious of, was my unchristian bitterness, sarcasticexhibiting to that council a set al and unmannerly insinuations, of arguments in writing, the drift contained divers direct, grievwhereof was to prove the rea-ous, and criminal charges and sonableness and necessity of allegations against Mr. Edwards, Mr. Edwards' dismission in case no accommodation was then effected with mutual consent; which tract, by clear implication, contained some severe, uncharitable, and, if I do not misre-reproachful charges upon divers member, groundless and slanderous imputations on Mr. Edwards, and expressed in bitter language; and although the original draft thereof was not done by me, yet I foolishly and sinfully consented to copy it; and, as agent for the church, to read it, and deliver it to the council, which I could never have done, if I had not had a wicked relish for perverse things; which conduct of mine, I confess was very sinful; am persuaded was highly provoking to God, and for which I am asha-ing and detestable in the sight med, confounded, and have nothing to answer.

As to the church's remonstrance, (as it was called,) which their committee preferred to the last of said councils, to all which I was consenting, and in the composing whereof I was very active, as also in bringing the church to their vote upon it: I would in the first place, only observe, that I do not remember any thing in that small part of it which was plainly discursive of the expediency of Mr. Ed

of Mr. Edwards' adherents and some severe censures of them all indiscriminately; all of which, (if not wholly false and groundless,) yet were altogether unnecessary, and therefore highly criminal. Indeed I am fully convinced, that the whole of that composure, excepting the small part thereof above mentioned, was totally unchristian, a scandalous, abusive, injurious libel, against Mr. Edwards and his particular friends, especially the former, and highly provok

of God; for which I am heartily sorry and ashamed; and pray I may remember it with deep abasement, and penitence all my days. Nor do I now think that the church's conduct in refusing to appear and attend before that council to support the charges and allegations in said remonstrances against Mr. Edwards and said brethren, which they demanded, was ever vindicated by all the subtle answers that were given to said demand; nor do I think, that our conduct

heartily wish and pray that the town and church of Northampton would seriously and carefully examine whether they have not abundant cause to judge that they are now lying under great guilt in the sight of God; and whether those of us, who were concerned in that most awful contention with Mr. Edwards, can ever more reasonably ex

be God,) cleanseth from all sin. On the whole, Sir, I am convinced, that I have the greatest reason to say as David," Have "mercy upon me, O God, ac"cording to thy loving kindness, "according to the multitude of "thy tender mercies, blot out "my transgressions, wash me "thoroughly from mine iniquity, "and cleanse me from my sin; "I acknowledge my transgres-pect God's favor and blessing, "sions, and my sin is ever be"fore me hide thy face from "my sins, and blot out all mine " iniquities: create in me a "clean heart, O God, and renew "a right spirit within me; cast "me not away from thy pre"sence, and take not thy holy "Spirit from me restore unto "me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with thy free "Spirit."

till our eyes are opened, and we become thoroughly convinced that we have greatly provoked the Most High, and been injurious to one of the best of men ; and until we shall be thoroughly convinced that we have dreadfully persecuted Christ by persecuting and vexing that just man and servant of Christ; until we shall be humble as in the dust therefor, and till we openly, in full terms, and without baulking the matter, confess the same before the world, and most humbly and earnestly seek forgiveness of God, and do what we can to honor the memory of Mr. Edwards, and clear it of all the aspersions which we unjustly cast upon him, since God has been pleased to put it beyond our power to ask his forgiveness.Such terms, I am persuaded, the great and righteous God will hold us to, and that it will be in vain for us to hope to escape with impunity in any other way. This I am convinced of with regard to myself, and this way I most solemnly propose to

And I humbly apprehend, that it greatly concerns the church of Northampton, most seriously to examine, whether the many hard speeches, spoken by many particular members, against their former pastor, some of which the church really countenanced, and especially those spoken by the church as a body, in that most vile remonstrance, are not so odious and ungodly, as to be utterly uncapable of defence; and whether said church were not guilty of great sin in being so willing and disposed, for so slight a cause, to part with so faithful and godly a minister as Mr. Edwards was. And whether ever God will hold us guilt-take myself, (if God in his merless till we cry to him for Christ's sake, to pardon and save us from that judgment which such ungodly deeds deserve, and publicly humble and take shame to ourselves therefor. And I most VOL. I. NO. 6.

cy shall give me opportunity,) that so by making free confession to God and man of my sin and guilt, and publicly taking shame to myself therefor, I may give glory to the God of Israel,

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and do what in me lies, to clear | king known my sentiments of the memory of that venerable the foregoing matters to all who man from the wrongs and inju- ought to be acquainted thereries I was so active in bringing with, and therefore I think I on his reputation and character; ought to do it, whatever remarks and I thank God that he has I may foresee will be made 'been pleased to spare my life thereon. and opportunity therefor to this time, and am sorry that I have delayed the affair so long.

Probably when it comes out, some of my acquaintance will pronounce me quite over-run Altho' I made the substance with vapours; others will be of almost all the foregoing re-furnished with matter for mirth flections in writing, but not ex-and pleasantry; others will curactly in the same manner, to sorily pass it over, as relating to Mr. Edwards and the brethren matters quite stale; but some I who adhered to him, in Mr. Ed-am persuaded, will rejoice to ward's life, and before he re- see me brought to a sense of moved from Stockbridge, and I my sin and duty; and I myself have reason to believe that he, shall be conscious that I have from his great candour and char-done something of what the naity, heartily forgave me and ture of the case admits, toward prayed for me: yet because undoing what is, and long has that was not generally known, been, to my greatest remose and I look on myself obliged to take trouble that it was ever done. further steps; for while I kept silence, my bones waxed old, &c. For all these, my great sins, therefore, in the first place, I humbly and most earnestly ask forgiveness of God; nextly, of the relatives and near friends of Mr. Edwards. I also ask the forgiveness of all those who were called Mr. Ed wards' adher-withstanding all our unworthients; and of all the members of the ecclesiastical councils above mentioned; and lastly, of all Christian pepole, who have had any knowledge of the matters above said, or any of them.

I have no desire, Sir, that you should make any secret of this letter; but desire you would communicate the same to whom you shall judge proper; and I purpose, (if God shall give me opportunity) to procure it to be published in some one of the public newspapers; for I cannot devise any other way of ma

Sir, I desire that none would entertain a thought from my having spoken respectfully of Mr. Edwards, that I am disaffected to our present pastor; for the very reverse is true; and I have a reverend esteem, real value and hearty affection for him, and bless God, that he has, not

ness, given us one to succeed Mr. Edwards, who, (as I have reason to hope,) is truly faithful.

I conclude this long letter, by heartily desiring your prayers, that my repentance of my sins above mentioned may be unfeigned and genuine, and such as God in infinite mercy, for Christ's sake, will accept; and I beg leave to subscribe myself, Sir, your real, though very unworthy friend, and obedient servant,

JOSEPH HAWLEY.

Thus his labors apparently confined within a narrow circle, have been more than ever extensively useful.

An event soon after happened, which again called him from a retreat that had become dear to him, into a situation more conspicuous, and an employment perhaps more important than any former one of his life.

Mr. Edwards was about this time appointed by the Board of commissioners for Indian affairs, established at Boston, a Missionary to the Indians at Stockbridge in the western part of Massachusetts to succeed the Rev. Mr. Sergeant who had then lately deceased. By the advice of the council convened at Northampton as hath been mentioned, he was induced to accept of this appointment and accord-President of Nassau-Hall, a Col ingly removed to Stockbridge with his family and was installed as a Missionary to the Indians there by an ecclesiastical council convened August 8th, 1751.

The Rev. Mr. Aaron Burr,

lege at Princeton in New-Jersey, died on the 24th of September, 1757. This gentleman was son in law to Mr. Edwards, and at the first meeting of the Trustees of the College after his decease, Mr. Edwards was chosen to suc

At Stockbridge Mr. Edwards found himself in a retired situation adapted to the uninterrup-ceed him in the Presidency of ted pursuit of his favorite studies. He continued there about six years preaching to the universal acceptance both of the Indians and the English people residing there; but without any very remarkable success. In this period he made rapid advances in the acquisition of knowledge, he pursued his studies on a more comprehensive scale and with more success than at any former period of his life. He here composed his greatest and most profound work, An Inquiry into the modern notion of that freedom of will which is supposed essential to Moral Agency; a work which for clearness and precision of thought, for force and for accuracy of reasoning on most intricate subject stands almost unrivalled. He also here composed his treatise on Original Sin, and the outlines of his Posthumous Work entitled, The History of the Work of Redemption.

the College. This invitation was altogether unexpected to him, and it was with very great reluctance, that he was induced to quit his peaceful abode, and his favorite studies, and at an advanced age with a numerous family, remove to a distant place and resume studies and employments which he for many years had laid aside. At this time, too, he was much engaged in preparing for publication, his Posthumous Work, the History of the Work of Redemption, which must be interrupted and perhaps abandoned if he should accept of the office to which he was invited.-He, in this, as in most of the important transactions of his life, suffered himself a to be directed by the advice of judicious and disinterested friends: a council of whom met at Stockbridge on the 4th of January, 1758, at the request of himself and his people, and after mature deliberation, expressed their opinion that it was his duty