224 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



to the Church as possible ; if the society would use their interest that he might 

 have an order from the court that he may not only forthwith bo paid his arrears, 

 but that he should afterwards have his money by quarterly payments: and that, 

 at the same time, he be directed by the Bishop of London, to consult with aud 

 be helpful to Mr. Bartow and Mr. Muirson in taking care of the scattering towns 

 of the parishes ; especially Mr. Bartow's, where it is impossible for any one to 

 manage it. And whereas, he has been obliged for his bread, to use the French 

 prayers in his French congregation, according to the orders of the Protestant 

 churches of France, and had that liberty granted him (as he tells me) upon his 

 receiving of orders, it is his earnest request, that he might have directions relat- 

 ing thereunto, wherein he might be required not to use otherwise than the liturgy 

 of our Church in any congregations where he preacheth, whether English or 

 French. Audit would be well that some French Common Prayer Books and 

 Catechisms were sent over for that purpose. The reason of desiring an order of 

 that nature is, that it would put the matter out of dispute. Mr. Bondet and I 

 have gone as far as we can in that affair, and it would spend too much time to 

 tell you what tempests we waded through in attempting it ; hut if directions came 

 from England about it, none, I believe, would be found to oppose it. The chief 

 cause of its being hindered with so much heat was, that the French congregation 

 in York were apprehensive that it might be a precedent for them ; and for that 

 reason fired the most ignorant of Mr. Bondet's people, and persuaded them to 

 recant from what they had agreed to. But I must do the most sensible of them 

 the justice, that they hold fast their integrity, and are willing to receive the 

 Church. 



If this matter goes forward, I expect that the greatest part of the people of 

 New Roehelle will cease their contributions to Mr. Bondet ; so I must desire the 

 Society to consider him with some allowance in England. And if effectual care 

 could be taken that 30?. is paid him, 151. sterling more, with the small helps 

 he will have from those who will continue steady to the Church, will enable him 

 to maintain himself and family. 



If care is not already taken therein in the instructions which are preparing, it 

 will he of absolute necessity, that the clergy of this county be directed to meet 

 twice at least, annually, and taking to their assistance the best and most sensible 

 of their parishes, to consult of the most effectual ways for settling the church, 

 and to give you an impartial account how the parishes are settled in point of 

 oiency, and which way it may be better done, not only to make it easy for 

 themselves, hut so as the bread of life may be fairly and equally divided amongst 

 their people, that proper measures might be taken, in having it regulated by act 

 of assembly. For if something of this nature is not done, one-half the people of 

 the county won't have much benefit by all the cost that is laid out upon them. 

 In the conclusion of your last letter, you tell me that you had sent some Com- 

 mon Prayers and Catechisms, by Mr. Mackenzy, but do not understand he has 

 brought any ; so beg of you to inquire into that mistake. And in case you send 

 any other books to be disposed, pray let them only be Dr. Beveridge's (new 

 Bishop of St. Asaph,) sermon concerning the common prayers, a little 

 book entitled "A Christian's Way to Heaven," and one of the lawful- 

 ness of the common prayer. No books can be more serviceable than they; 

 and I would take care to have them scattered through Connecticut colo- 



