1758 November 29 (Wednesday). A.M. at the Meeting House. Cold and Rain till 11 o’Clock. Dined etc. at Mr. Stone’s. While the Council review the Minutes and Papers, Capt. Josiah Richardson improves his Influence with Capt. Ezra Taylor, Mr. Stones principal Antagonist — but to small Effect. Yet Capt. Taylor and a Number of them come into the Council at Eve. After much labouring with them the Council is by them Selves for their Debates and votes. N.B. Mr. Sheffield of Mendon dissents very much. Mr. Maccarty and his two Delegates Major Howard and Mr. Brown dissent, so does our Capt. Benjamin Fay, except in the first vote of Capt. Richardson’s Scheme of votes. See the Minutes of the Council. N.B. When I saw how Slender the vote was, that the Church and Pastor were to be justifyed in censuring the young persons who were complained of, I declared my Self amazed and griev’d that the Brethren would shew no more regard to their Pastors, nor would assist them in putting away Evil. All the Council sat up till long after Midnight. I did not go to sleep till nigh 3 in the morning. Four of us are a Committee to prepare a Result.