Diary of Rev. George H. Gary 159 tion ; the largest, I think, I ever had at the Falls. Pressed hard upon them the truths of the gospel ; the importance of attending to the interests of the soul was urged upon them with some feeling and I hope with good effect. Monday, 26. Today, Bro. Beers 7 visits me in com- pany with W. H. Wilson, 8 stating his grievances afflic- tions, &c, because Dr. Babcock has picked up and weighed the iron scattered about the blacksmith shop. The case is as follows : Mr. Beers has bought the improvements, stock and tools connected with the farm and blacksmith shop, at the appraisal of men; and as this iron was neither weighed nor appraised by these appraisers, I sup- posed and still suppose it belonged to the mission, and requested Doct. Babcock to gather it together and weigh it, that we might know the quantity and be ready to sell it, expecting probably it would go to Mr. Abernethy in the lot of unsold merchandise. Mr. Beers had another inter- view toward evening with me, a part of it in presence of G. Hines ; 9 said Mr. Beers was in a state of great excite- ment; after all the explanations I gave him, threatened to sue for the iron. I told him not to sue in the name of the mission, for in view of his threat, I removed this iron out of his care and charge, so if he sued he would sue in his own name; but he questioned my authority to take this iron out of his care and responsibility, especially in this way. He also proposed cutting off from his connec- tion with the mission any more ; I suggested to him if he did, I should not feel at liberty to pay him an equivalent for his expenses home, but submit it to the board. What he may finally do, I know not. It is very possible, the Doct. did not attend to this business in the most prudent manner ; yet I cannot see in the act itself, anything wrong in picking up the scattered iron and steel which lay round about the shop for some rods. When I saw the situation of the iron at first I was not pleased with it; but as I 7 Alanson Beers, blacksmith. 8 W. H. Willson, carpenter. 9 Rev. Gustavus Hines.
