The history of the town of Dorchester, Massachusetts, By a committee of the Dorchester antiquarian and historical society ...

210 HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
thority. This year they sent to John Gornel, one of
their most wealthy men, and demanded why Ralph
Bradish was an inmate of his house. Mr. Gornel
answered that he would secure the town against any
damage in the case, and therefore he was admitted
an inhabitant. Mr. Gornel being a tanner, had
probably hired Ralph to assist in his business, and
the latter was thus looked after. There was no
encouragement and little safety, in those days, for
that class of individuals now denominated loafers.
This year the town again voted to pay Mr. Mather ~80, and Mr. Stoughton ~50, for their services
as ministers.
The church had two meetings in September about
two of the brethren at Milton, who had taken
offence against Robert Badcock. After consultation
"' it did not appear that there was such offence given
as was apprehended."
The question which was so long agitated in the
church in relation to the rights of parents to demand baptism for their children, was brought before
the church by two important persons, in the following manner.
"The 16 (7) 68, Mr. Mather acquainted the
church with a motion made to him and the church,
by Mrs. Stoughton and her daughter Taylor, namely, that her children might be baptized, she being a
member of this church by her parents' covenant;
and after much agitation, the issue was that Mr.
Mather should speak with Mrs. Taylor, to see if she
would join in full communion with the church, and
so come to the Lord's supper." "The 24 (8) 68,