Sanguine Expectations appear to ^are said^ to be entertained here, that the application lately made for a gratuitum Stipend to the Minister to be called by this Congregation will succeed— For my own part I wish it may succeed—for if such a Bounty be proper in any Case, I think it would be in this.—

The Expediency however of granting such Bounties, on what I understand to be the present Plan, in not clear to me. Our Congregations in general do not contribute liberally to the support of their Ministers; and I am ^is there not Reason to^ apprehensived that these Bounties will tend ^have a Tendency^ to render their Contributions more and more scanty, & more and more disproportionate both to their means, and to the proper maintenance of their Ministers— I fear there are not many Congregations who will readily ^be disposed^ [to] maintain their Ministers at their own Expense, while they can find any body ^others^ willing to do it for them gratuitously—

I therefore take the Liberty to hint for Consideration, whether it would not be adviseable (instead of giving a fixed Sum in any Case) to declare, that in all cases proper Cases, where the money subscribed, ^shall^ amounted to not less than a certain ^specified^ Sum— say for Example $300 a Year, and be actually paid, that then and in such Cases only, an additional Sum of    per Cent shall be allowed— With great Esteem and Ragard I am Dr Sr your obt. Servt.

QL1 It is a long Time since the Sacrament of the Lords Supper has been administered here—