1745 January 1 (Tuesday). We began the Year with a Little Association at our House. Reverend Ministers [Messrs.?] Cushing, Stone and Smith came up and din’d with me, and Smok’d a Pipe. P.M. There were Two Things I wanted the Thoughts of my Brethren in the Ministry upon. My Circumstances in Westborough at this present Day — as the Town are like to Violate and Destroy the Covenant and Contract which has hitherto been between us. And there are Two Meetings before us, to be within a few Days. A Precinct Meeting to be on the Thursday and a Town Meeting (which is to be partly at my Request) next Monday. I was not willing that there Should be Such Affairs as these transacting among us without acquainting my Friends about Me therewith and Consulting them thereon. This therefore I did. Another Thing was I found there was like to be some Difficulty arising if I ask’d Mr. Jenison[1] to preach for me, or if I Should recommend him to our North side or Countenance his preaching there as in Years past. Mr. Smith in particular had told me that for himself he Should not ask him — and he conceiv’d that Mr. Cushing would refuse to likewise nor merely on account of his living from his Wife (which had but a bad aspect) but on account of other Conduct in divers respects. This was therefore talk’d over at my House and all present discover’d their sentiments and their Resolutions, which were that he ought to be refus’d, untill those Matters complain’d of were clear’d up — and they engag’d to second and strengthen me if I found it needful to begin with him in a faithful Discovery of My Mind to him. But N.B. some unhappy Contrast between Mr. Smith and me at Table on the Score of Mr. Hall, and his Letter concerning the revival of Religion in Sutton inserted in the Christian History. At Evening before Mr. Cushing went away I sent my Desire to Mr. Jenison to come and sup with me, Which gave me Opportunity, as it did also Mr. Cushing to deal freely with him; and we improv’d it as we were able. And as far as was discoverable he took it well and was thankfull.
[1]William Jenison (HC 1724) had been dismissed by the East Parish of Salem in 1736. Thereafter he had taught in Lexington, Worcester, Lunenburg, and Westborough. Jenison was eccentric and intemperate, was not living with his wife, and was opposed “on account of other conduct in divers respects” (see entry for April 23). SHG7:371-374; Allen, Worcester Association, 28.