S^r: I make bould to trouble you with a few lines, for to certifie you how it hath pleased God to deale with us, since you heard from us. How, notwithstanding all opposition that hath been hear, & els wher, it hath pleased God to lay a foundation, the which I hope is agreeable to his word in every thing. The 20. of July, it pleased y^e Lord to move y^e hart of our Gov^r to set it aparte for a solemne day of humilliation for y^e choyce of a pastor & teacher. The former parte of y^e day being spente in praier & teaching, the later parte aboute y^e election, which was after this maner. The persons thought on (who had been ministers in England) were demanded concerning their callings; they acknowledged ther was a towfould calling, the one an inward calling, when y^e Lord moved y^e harte of a man to take y^t calling upon him, and fitted him with guiftes for y^e same; the second was an outward calling, which was from y^e people, when a company of beleevers are joyned togither in covenante, to walke togither in all y^e ways of God, and every member (being men) are to have a free voyce in y^e choyce of their officers, &c. Now, we being perswaded that these 2. men were so quallified, as y^e apostle speaks to Timothy, wher he saith, A bishop must be blamles, sober, apte to teach, &c., I thinke I may say, as y^e eunuch said unto Philip, What should let from being baptised, seeing ther was water? and he beleeved. So these 2. servants of God, clearing all things by their answers, (and being thus fitted,) we saw noe reason but we might freely give our voyces for their election, after this triall. So M^r. Skelton was chosen pastor, and M^r. Higgison to be teacher; and they accepting y^e choyce, M^r. Higgison, with 3. or 4. of y^e gravest members of y^e church, laid their hands on M^r. Skelton, using prayer therwith. This being done, ther was imposission of hands on M^r. Higgison also. And since that time, Thursday (being, as I take it, y^e 6. of August) is appoynted for another day of humilliation, for y^e choyce of elders & deacons, & ordaining of them. And now, good S^r, I hope y^t you & y^e rest of Gods people (who are aquainted with the ways of God) with you, will say that hear was a right foundation layed, and that these 2. blessed servants of y^e Lord came in at y^e dore, and not at y^e window. Thus I have made bould to trouble you with these few lines, desiring you to remember us, &c. And so rest, At your service in what I may, CHARLES GOTT. Salem, July 30. 1629. [174] _Anno Dom_: 1630.