1740 June 1 (Sunday). A.M. I preach’d on Matt. 22.5, Repeating Sermon 808, 809. Lieutenant Ward[1] and his Wife and Child, of Sturbridge, and Mr. Benjamin Lawrence[2] din’d with us. John Hamleton alive yet. After Dinner came Mr. Park[3] of Westerly and his Brother of Holliston, from Grafton where there was no meeting. Mr. Park preach’d on Matt. 18.3. N.B. Lieutenant Ward requested Baptism for his Child, but on Consideration of Disquietments between Him and the Church of Sturbridge, for some time Subsisting I pray’d him to wave the matter till I had Opportunity to examine into the State of his Case. He produc’d that Church’s vote of Acquittance and Charity with him but it being Dated so long ago as November and he manifesting great uncharitableness and laying heavy Charges upon that Church I still pray’d him to forbear insisting for Special privileges (though he be a member of that Church) till further Consideration, and because likewise it happened’d to be a Sabbath upon which we had many strangers from divers Towns round about who would have no right to be in what had pass’d at Sturbridge, etc. — upon which he withheld. Mr. Park tarried and lodg’d, but his Brother return’d to Holliston.
[1]Benjamin Ward.
[2]Of Westborough.
[3]Rev. Joseph Parke (HC 1724), minister of the First Congregational Church, Westerly, R.I., 1733-1777. SHG, 7:415-421.