1766 October 17 (Friday). Mr. Adams left us in the forenoon. Mr. Sumner, his wife, and Miss Bridget came — and dined here. Mr. Sumner preached my Lecture on Joh. 8.36, “If the son shall make you free etc.” We had a Church Meeting after Lecture as appointed on the 5th but Mrs. Andrews not being there, on whose Account we met, we adjourned to the first Thursday in November — and Brother Gale was desired to notifie her. Though we did not proceed to the Business of the Day, I took the Opportunity to Open several Things to the Church, the want of the Knowledge of which, may have made many persons fall into great mistakes about this Controversie. I took this Opportunity to rebuke all such as listened to a Slanderous Suggestion, that the Reason why the ministers were so much against Mr. Cleaveland was, they could not bear to See that he so much out-shined them, and People esteemed him so much higher than them. A great deal of Company here after Lecture of different Sorts. A Number at Tea etc. Mr. Ezekiel Smith and his wife with their Relations. Mr. Cushing and Mr. Willard at Tea and tarried to supper.