December 25, 1745

1745 December 25 (Wednesday).  Thomas Winchester Went to Boston with the Two Piggs on my Mare.  I borrow’d Mr. Williams’s Mare and rode (though not sent for, yet a bright Comfortable Day inviting and hearing that a number of Ministers were to be there) to Grafton Fast.  I arriv’d just at 12 yet forenoon Prayer was not much more than half done.  I sat in Mr. Prentice’s Pew.  Mr. Bliss and Mr. Hall were the Ministers that were come to Assist.  Mr. Bliss preach’d on Heb. 4.16.  At noon at Mr. Prentice’s.  Mr. Hall pray’d p.m. and Mr. Bliss preach’d again.  His Text Mat. 5.16.  Stay’d to Supper.  Mr. James Fay requested that Mr. Bliss might preach at his House tomorrow at 11 o’Clock.  I did not sett myself against it, but permitted it, but did not give much Encouragement that I should be there myself, having divers Things before me that would be like to hinder me.  At coming away had Some Talk with Mr. Prentice respecting his Disgust with me which arose (and as I conceive continues) from my Sermon at a Former Fast there, but he said that was all over with him.  What he waited for was that I would come out — boldly for the Cause of God and let him come freely into my Pulpit and then He Should be free to ask me into his.  I told him it was necessary to regard my people (by this Time Mr. Bliss came to us) and I know well that my people would be greatly disgusted and I did not think it wise or prudent to give way to it.  I ask’d Mr. Bliss to my House.  N.B. Mr. Hall agreed to preach a Lecture to my Young People this Day fortnight.  I call’d at Cornet Shermans and at Abraham Temple’s.  From Temple’s Mr. Abner Newton was my Company to Westborough.  Found my Tabernacle in Peace, and myself comfortable though it was a Cold Evening.  To God be the Glory!  and may [t]here be an abiding Influence of what I have heard!