1747 December 22 (Tuesday). Heard there was a Man found dead on Boston Neck about last Wednesday, Suppos’d to have perish’d in the Cold. I rode to Merchant Rice’s — and had further Conversation with him about his Case respecting Lydia Pratt of Grafton. I visited Mr. Jonathan Fay’s wife who lyes sick. Call’d at Mr. Grouts where was Mr. Phinehas Hardy. But I made it my Business, according to my Intention when I went out from Home, to visit Neighbour Eliezer Rice, and talked with him about his going away from Mr. Martyn’s Ministrations here, both when he preaches my Lecture and when we change. I desir’d his Reasons. He gave me these following, and Said that these were they, viz. That he had always understood that a minister should be blameless and of good character, but he heard Mr. Martyn had not, in the former part of his Life been so, and was not of good Report, and Secondly, he reckon’d that Mr. Martyn did not act like a man of good Conscience in taking that Money which was gather’d from those familys who had mov’d out of that Precinct. I endeavour’d to answer both these Reasons. N.B. In our Conversation Mr. Rice would by no means allow that any Man who had been vicious when young though through the Grace of God ever so Penitent, and furnish’d with Gifts Should be admitted into the Ministry; or that any minister who Should fall into Scandal might on any Terms be restor’d to his ministry, but to the Privileges of a Brother only. I dealt plainly with him — and may God Succeed what I Said.
