The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

114 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. [1765.
this kind; and it was rare that his decision was, unsatisfactory; for, however the parties might differ in
opinion, they were persuaded that their cause could
not be submitted to a more impartial or competent
judge.
His usefulness extended to every object within the
sphere of his influence. In the affairs of Truro Parish, to which Mount Vernon belonged, he took a lively
concern and exercised a salutary control. He was a
vestryman of that parish. On one occasion he gained
a triumph of some moment, which Mr. Massey, the
clergyman, who lived to an advanced age, used to
mention as an instance of his address. The old church
was falling to ruin, and it was resolved that another
should be built. Several meetings were held, and a
warm dispute arose, respecting its location, the old
one being remote from the centre, and inconveniently
situated for many of the parishioners. A meeting for
settling the question was finally held. George Mason, who led the party that adhered to the ancient
site, made an eloquent harangue, in which he appealed
with great effect to the sensibilities of the people, conjuring them not to desert the spot consecrated by
the bones of their ancestors and the most hallowed
associations. Mr. Massey said every one present seem —
ed moved by this discourse, and, for the moment, he
thought there would not be a dissenting voice. Washington then rose, and drew from his pocket a roll of
paper, containing an exact survey of Truro Parish, on
which was marked the site of the old church, the proposed site of the new one, and the place where each
parishioner resided. He spread this map before the
audience, explained it in a few words, and then added,
that it was for them to determine, whether they would
be carried away by an impulse of feeling, or act upon