in provisions, at certain specified rates.  He agreed to accept the call on the foregoing terms, with certain additional conditions thus described by himself:  “First, when money shall be more plenteous, the money part to be paid me shall accordingly be increased.  Second, though corn or like provisions should arise to a higher price than you have set, yet, for my own family use, I shall have what is needful at the price now stated, and so if it fall lower.  Third, the whole sixty pounds to be only from our inhabitants that are dwelling in our bounds, proportionable to what lands they have within the same.  Fourth, no provision to be brought in without first asking whether needed, and myself to make choice of what, unless the person is unable to pay in any sort but one.  Fifth, firewood to be given in yearly, freely.  Sixth, two men to be chosen yearly to see that due payments be made.  Seventh, contributions each sabbath in papers; and only such as are in papers, and dwelling within our bounds, to be accounted a part of the sixty pounds.  Eighth, as God shall please to bless the place so as to be able to rise higher than the sixty pounds, that then a proportionable increase be made.  If God shall please, for our sins, to diminish the substance of said place, I will endeavor accordingly to bear such losses, by proportionable abatements of such as shall reasonably desire it.”

A contribution-box was either handed around by the deacons, before the congregation was dismissed, or attached permanently near the porch or door.  Rate-payers would inclose their money in papers, with their names, and drop them in.  When the box was opened, the sums inclosed would be entered to their credit on the rate-schedule.  There was always a considerable number of stated worshippers in the congregation who lived without the bounds of the village, and often transient visitors or strangers happened to be at meeting.  It was a point that had not been determined, whether moneys collected from the above descriptions of persons should go into the general treasury of the parish, to be used in meeting their contract to pay the minister’s salary, or be kept as a separate surplus.

The terms, as thus described by Mr. Parris, show that he had profited by his experience in trade, and knew how to make a shrewd bargain.  It was quite certain that a farming community in a new country, with fields continually reclaimed from the wilderness and added to culture, would increase in substance:  if so, his annual stipend would increase.  If the place should decline, he was to abate the tax of individuals, if desired by them personally, so far as he should judge their petition to that effect reasonable.  If “strangers’ money,” or contributions from “outsiders,” were not to go to make up his sixty pounds, it was quite probable that it would come into his pocket as an extra allowance, or perquisite.