1754 January 2 (Wednesday). Am upon the Business of Mr. Smiths place. Mr. Forbush and Lieutenant Gilbert[1] accompany us, as Mr. Smith shews us his Bounds. But the Snow being on the Ground we can’t See the Soil. At Eve Mr. Benjamin Ruggles,[2] preaching now a Days at New Braintree came to Mr. Forbushs. I preach’d an Eve Lecture at the Meeting House there on Luke 29.10. Mr. Ruggles pray’d. N.B. This was the first Time Mr. Forbush got out since his Fall. May God make his word effectual for our saving Profit! Mr. Ruggles lodg’d with me at Mr. Forbushs.
[1]Benjamin Gilbert of Brookfield.
[2] Benjamin Ruggles (Yale 1721) had been minister of Lakeville, 1725-1753. Because of an insufficient salary, Ruggles asked for and received his dismission. He was called to the town of New Braintree where he served, 1754-1782. Dexter, Biographical Sketches, pp. 255-56, and Sibley, VII, 46-650.