Page:History of Gardner, Massachusetts (1860) - Glazier.djvu/146

142 influence of his Holy Spirit, that you may overcome all things which shall oppose you in your Christian course, that you at last may come off conquerors through Jesus Christ, and be made partakers of the inheritance of the saints in life, is the earnest prayer of your friend and brother.

JONATHAN OSGOOD.

Gardner, Sept. 17th, 1791.

At this period ministers were settled for life. The conditions of Mr. Osgood's settlement were £58, one-half of it to be paid in one year, and the remainder in two years from his installation. His salary was to be £75 (or $250) a year, so long as he should continue to preach.

At a subsequent meeting, the town voted to take from his settlement £18 (or $60,) and add to his salary twenty cords of hard wood.

Mr. Osgood was ordained October 19th, 1791. The churches participating on that occasion, were from Andover, Westminster, Hubbardston, Templeton, Winchendon, Ashburnham, Bolton, Littleton and Boxford.

The Rev. Mr. French, of Andover, introduced the solemnities with prayer: Rev. Mr. Foster, of Littleton, delivered the sermon: Rev. Mr. Sparhawk, of Templeton, made the ordaining prayer: Rev. Mr. Rice, of Westminster, gave the charge: Rev. Mr. Brown, of Winchendon, bestowed the right hand of fellowship: Rev. Mr.