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county, and purity in doctrine, has, under God, been
very much owing to the great abilities, and eminent piety of my
venerable and honored grandfather Stoddard. I suppose we have been the
freest of any part of the land from unhappy divisions and quarrels in
our ecclesiastical and religious affairs, till the late lamentable
Springfield contention. [The Springfield Contention relates to the
settlement of a minister there, which occasioned too warm debates
between some, both pastors and people, that were for it, and others that
were against it, on account of their different apprehensions about his
principles, and about some steps that were taken to procure his
ordination.]
Being much separated from other parts of the province and having
comparatively but little intercourse with them, we have always managed
our ecclesiastical affairs within ourselves. It is the way in which the
country, from its infancy, has gone on, by the practical agreement of
all; and the way in which our peace and good order has hitherto been
maintained.
The town of Northampton is of about 82 years standi
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