quent persecution of the non-conformists."   This must have been a mistake, as Mr. Keith was from Scotland, and besides could not have been a minister before he came over, being very young and but a student when he arrived.   The text he selected for his first sermon was from Jeremiah 1. 6, "Behold I cannot speak; for I am a child."   The Lord however indeed encouraged him, "and put his words into his mouth," and he proved a worthy man and a faithful shepherd over his infant and feeble flock.   His advice and influence with the civil authorities of the colony were also considerable.   In the case of the capture of Philip's wife and son, when the question as to what should be done with the son was in agitation, and the opinion of grave divines desired, Mr. Keith's opinion, stated in a letter to the Rev. Mr. Cotton, in favor of mercy, and differing from most others, had great weight, if indeed it was not decisive on the occasion.   The boy's life was spared, and with his mother he was sent out of the country, and probably to the Bermudas.   The letter follows, and is well worthy of a place here.

   "October 30. 1676.   I long to hear what becomes of Philip's wife and his son.   I know there is some difficulty in that Psalm 137. 8. 9. though I think it may be considered, whether there be not some speciality and somewhat extraordinary in it.   That law, Deut. 24. 16. compared with the commended example of Amazias. 2d Chron., 25. 4, doth sway much with me in the case under consideration.   I hope God will direct those whom it doth concern to a good issue.   Let us join our prayers at the throne of grace with all our might, that the Lord would so dispose of all public motions and affairs, that his Jerusalem in this wilderness may be the habitation of justice, and the mountain of holiness, that so it may be also a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down."   He preached the sermon at the dedication of the new meeting house in South Bridgewater in 1717, two years only before his death, which was printed in the "Bridgewater's Monitor," and which contains some pertinent and impressive remarks on the subject of intemperance even at that early period.   "Besides other evils," said he, "which might be mentioned, I would refer particularly to that of intemperance, the excessive and prodigious expense upon strong drink, above all, that of rum; I say, the scandalous and horrible abuse of