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I am now about to address you on a Subject, which cannot be pleasant to either of us: and I do it with Reluctance.—

Many of our Congregation thought it important to select for their Minister, a Person whose Habits were adapted to their Situation; and it gave them Pleasure to understand, that they might find one of that Description in Mr. Feltch.

It was said that he had stood high as a Methodist Preacher, but that yielding to Scruples of Conscience, he had joined the Episcopal Church— that the Episcopal minister, and others of Repute at Norwalk, where he lived, gave him a good Character— that his Habits were frugal and industrious— and that his manners were decent and becoming:—

The^se^ Representations being made by Persons of good Reputation, obtained Credit and prevailed. Mr. Feltch came here, and was recieved with the cordial Hospitality which is due to every virtuous Minister of the Gospel. I observed nothing in his Behaviour, then or afterwards, which contradicted the Character that had been given of him.— The Congregation were pleased; and with great unanimity agreed with him to be their Reader.—

Since his Removal to this Place, his Time has been so necessarily and industriously employed in labouring with his hands for a Livelihood, as to leave him little Leisure to make or recieve Visits— but tho’ I rarely met with or saw him, except at church; yet I often heard him well spoken of.—

The Congregation became so well satisfied with him, as that they very generally expressed a Desire that he might be ordained, and be their Minister—Under these circumstances and Impressions, I did concur in, and sign a Recommendation for his being ordained.—

Very soon afterwards I was surprized and mortified at certain Reports unfavorable to him, which began to circulate. The Vestry, with great Propriety proceeded to investigate them— and I attended the meetings which they held for that Purpose, in October and November last. As I had signed his Recommendation, I was the more anxious about the Issue—

Having myself heard and examined the Evidence, I could not forbear thinking, that Mr. Feltch had certainly been very indiscreet, and probably too little attentive to Truth. I also observed certain Parts of his Conduct and Management, during the Investigation, which impaired my Esteem for him—

Considering the Difficulties thro’ which this little but promising Congregation had struggled, and others to which they were still exposed; it appeared to me very desireable, that this delicate Business might be so conducted and concluded, as not to be productive of new and perplexing Embarrassments. To this End, it was in my opinion adviseable, that the Resolutions of the Vestry, while just and impartial on the one hand, should also be as tender and as conciliatory as possible, on the other.—

Prompted by these Considerations, and wishing that my Ideas might be clearly and exactly percieved and understood, I reduced them to writing in the form of Resolutions; and gave the Paper containing them to one of the members, after they had adjourned.—

Those Resolutions ascertain with Precision, what were my Sentiments and Disposition at the Time— they continue the same— and that your Information on those Points may be accurate, I shall subjoin to this Letter, a Copy of that Paper.—2

From that Time, until within a few weeks since, I do not know that any further Proceedings by the Vestry were had on the Subject. On the 25th. Ult: I was told that they had lately met, and had concluded the Business by passing certain Resolutions.— On the 29th. I applied for and recieved a copy of them.— they will doubtless (if not already sent) be transmitted to you, together with the written Evidence on which they are founded.—

It is not within the Purpose of this Letter to make any Remarks on those Resolutions. I will only observe, that they do not meet with my approbation. As from those Resolutions it may be construed and inferred that, in the opinion of the Vestry, the Recommendation of Mr. Feltch for ordination had lost little or nothing of its weight, I think it proper for me to be explicit. I do not concur in such an opinion; and therefore ought not, by remaining silent, to countenance a Presumption, that I do concur in it.

Being persuaded that it is better to correct a Mistake, than to gloss and persist in it, I find myself constrained to retract, and for the present to suspend, my Recommendation of Mr. Feltch for ordination; and I do hereby retract it accordingly.— As the Recommendation was laid before the Committee, be pleased Sir! to communicate this Letter to them; and also to consider yourself at Liberty to make it known, at your Discretion, to any other Persons without Exception— I have the Honor to be, with great Respect and Esteem Sir your obedt. & faithful Servt.