September. Much engaged in setting my affairs, as I intend soon to go out of my present business, and engage in that of quite a different kind.

[Nov., 1769. Mr. Cutler left the Vineyard with his family, and arrived in Dedham, November 13, in order to pursue his theological studies under the direction of his father-in-law, Rev. Thomas Balch.]

Nov. 14th, Tues. This day had my hair cut off, but with much reluctance. Had a dark wig.

Nov. 26th, Lord's Day. Preached (at Mendon) for Mr. Balch. Being the first time I ever entered the sacred desk, was something intimidated. In the forenoon preached from these words (Luke, 16: 31); "And he said unto him, if they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead." And in the afternoon from 1st Cor. 3; 11: "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ."

[Mr. Cutler continued his studies with Mr. Balch nearly two years, preaching in the meantime at different places, as Douglas, Wrentham, Roxbury, and Boxford.]

January 18, 1770. A remarkable Aurora Borealis. It began some time before the daylight disappeared, and extended from near due east to due west; appeared remarkably red near N.E. or N.N.E. The red was almost as bright a crimson as blood. There were constant streamers running up from east to west. It was unusually high up in the northern board, and the light continued nearly all night. This day being the Queen's birth day the cannons were discharged at the batteries in Boston, and were very loud and distinctly heard at Mr. Balch's (Dedham), notwithstanding there was snow on the ground.

March 6, Tues. Heard of four men being killed in Boston by the soldiers.

March 7, Wed. Heard more of the disturbances in Boston. [Boston massacre.]

March 12, Mon. Town meeting (at Douglas). A great number of gentlemen from neighboring towns. Prayed at the opening of the meeting.

March 13, Tues. A number of town people to visit me.

Committee earnestly desired my longer continuance. Gave them but little encouragement. From observations I made at town meeting thought it difficult to continue there.

March 21, Wed. Brother Balch and I rode to Boston. Intended to have gone to Cambridge, to the installment of Mr. Locke, but the storm prevented. Snowed hard.

March 28. Deacon Davis here from Roxbury to engage me to preach six Sabbaths.

April 8, Lord's Day. Preached at Mr. Walter's parish, Roxbury. Colonel Otis, Major Otis, and Colonel Williams present.

May 14, Mon. This day was appointed by the Church of Christ, in Douglas, to make choice of a gospel minister, and the town was likewise warned to meet to see if they would concur with the church in their choice. Previous to the meeting a lecture was attended. The Rev. Messrs. Hail and Webb were applied to and were present. Mr. Hall preached a sermon from these words in 2d Cor. 8: 5: "But first gave their own selves to the Lord." After service Mr. Hall and Mr. Webb were desired to be the Moderators, and the church proceeded to make choice of me for their minister by a unanimous vote. The ministers dined with me at Mr. Whitings. In the afternoon the town unanimously concurred in giving me a call to settle with them (Nem. Contr. Dic.), and voted £1,000 Old Tenor Settlement, £400 salary the first three years and then £450. Sundry persons offered private presents-Dr. Genison £100, Mr. Draper £50, Mr. Wood something handsome, etc. They likewise offered to build me a house gratis, and give me two years' provision, but this was in a private manner. Mr. Webb concluded with prayer.

May 18. (At Dedham.) The 29th Regiment of soldiers marched by about 400-they made a very ordinary appearance. They marched all in one body; are to march from Boston to Providence by land, where they are to take shipping and go to the Jerseys, where they are destined. [To this regiment the soldiers engaged in the Boston massacre belonged.]

May 19. Some of the remainder of the soldiers and their women passed by.

May 30, Wed. General election. The Governor, by mandate of a minister of state, was pleased to order the General Assembly to convene at Cambridge. This was a measure so disagreeable to the people that none, except tools and dependents, attended at Cambridge, but resorted to the usual place. Dr. Chauncy having been appointed to preach a sermon in the old Brick Meeting House, a very large assembly, both of the clergy and gentlemen of distinction, convened. Mr. Mather began with prayer. Dr. Chauncy preached a very

suitable discourse from Psalm 22: 4-"Our fathers trusted in Thee, they trusted, and Thou didst deliver them." The whole was concluded by an anthem admirably well sung by a select number of singers provided for that purpose. At 2 o'clock an elegant entertainment was provided in Faneuil Hall, and the clergy of every denomination were invited to dine. After dinner a number of healths were drank, and an ox, that had been roasted whole on the Common, was brought to Faneuil Hall, drawn on four wheels by horses, on the spit as he was roasted, with his head and horns on. A vast concourse of people to see the ox. Three cheers were given and a number of guns fired. The ox was drawn back to the Common, and there distributed to the poor. Mr. Balch and myself dined in the Hall. We came to Roxbury and lodged at Mr. Increase Sumner's.

July 11. Mr. Fitch and I rode down to Cambridge, in order to take our Degrees. We waited on the President in the forenoon and paid him for them. The expense of a Degree was 20s.L.M. We dined at Mr. Marsh's. In the afternoon was in the Library and Museum with Mr. Mayhew, Librarian. Mr. Fitch went from Cambridge to Boston, and I came home.

July 15, Lord's Day. (At Douglas.) After the exercises were over I read to them an answer to their call, and proposed to leave them for the present, and desiring them in the meantime to apply farther, and in case any gentleman should be so agreeable to them as to unite them, and they should incline to give him a call, I would give them a negative answer. If not, I might possibly see my way clear hereafter to settle with them.

July 18, Wed. This day Commencement at Cambridge.

Father Balch and myself rode down in the chaise. The procession began about 11 o'clock, I walked next the class that Commenced Masters. The Salutatory Oration was delivered very handsomely-then a Dialogue in English; a Dialogue in Greek, Disputations Syllogistic; Dialogue in Chaldaic, three persons in the act, very handsomely performed; Do. on Public Educations, and Do. on Liberty in Imitation of the Romans. Dined in the Hall. In the afternoon Syllogistic Disputes, etc. I was the first person to whom President Locke gave the Degree of Master of Arts-walked at the head of the Masters, and had on a black gown and hat. tremely hot. Came out to Roxbury and lodged there.

Ex

August 12, Lord's Day. Preached at Wrentham, South Parish. Sent a decided answer to Douglas.

Aug. 14, Tuesday. Mr. Whitefield preached at Mr. Bean's Meeting House in Wrentham; Mr Balch, Mr. Dean, my wife, and myself went up to hear him. Large assembly. He began his exercise at 8 o'clock. His prayer half an hour. Sang 3d Psalm, old version. Text, 11th Chap. Luke, 13th verse: "If ye being evil know how to give good gifts to your children; how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him." His text was handsomely opened; his subject turned principally upon the necessity of the assistance of the Divine Spirit in performing all our duties. Had not so much as the heads of his sermon written-very flighty and rambling-his audience not over-much affected. He had many good expressions, and many very odd, and improper for the pulpit. Not at all pleased with him upon the whole, as his discourse was not at all enlightening and instructive, but very broken, and interwoven with impertinent stories. His gestures very extravagant, though natural and easy. His sermon an hour and a half, and all the substance, I imagine, might have been delivered handsomely in ten minutes. After meeting he had a coach at the Meeting House door, stepped in, and rode to Mr. Man's, where he refreshed himself, and set out immediately for Boston. He preached in his black gown. Came home after meeting. Rained considerably, which was much wanted, as it had been extremely dry.

Aug. 25. Returned to Wrentham. This week heard much of an uncommon worm that had been very frequent in many parts of the country. This worm very nearly resembles the worms that eat the roots of beans, but is something larger, being generally about an inch and a half long, and is smooth and striped on the back. Wherever these worms were, there was a very large number of them, and they entirely devoured large pieces of grass, corn, oats, barley, etc., in a few days after they began to eat it. They destroyed much grass in Fowl Meadow. They began at the top of the grass and eat downward, and entirely devoured the whole of the grass wherever they began upon it. I saw whole acres of grass, which I imagine was near as high as my waist, entirely eaten up, and the ground as smooth and looked as dry as common pasture land in a very dry season. I saw several worms, which were in the daytime gone down into the ground at the roots of the grass, for they eat only in the night, early in the morning, and just at sunset. They did great damage in Roxbury, vast numbers of them were in Boston, and in Charlestown they were so plenty that it was said the people could not walk on the pavements without treading on a large number every step they took, and that they came into their houses so that people were obliged to keep constantly sweeping to keep them out. In some of these towns they destroyed large fields of corn, and I was credibly informed that they came into their houses in such numbers, not only at the doors, but windows and elsewhere, that they got into their beds, and the people for many nights could not go to bed. They were in Connecticut and the Southern Colonies. They are supposed to be periodical, and that they come every twentyfive or twenty-seven years. It is said they were frequent about so long ago. They seem to move from one place to another in great bodies. Were first seen, I think, about the 25th of June, and I believe not many were seen after the 25th of July or 1st of August. Whether these worms are periodical or not, they were so distressing in many places that they seemed to be but little inferior to the plagues of Egypt. Aug. 31. Studied. Invited to go to Boxford to preach. September 1, Saturday

Rode to Milton to hear Mr. White