In the fore noon I attended publick worship in a Congregational Meeting, where they told me I should hear good preaching; but I was very much disappointed, as the Parson had invited a Chaplain of the Army to do his work for him, who performed as much to my dissatisfaction as ever I should desire any man to do. Being tired with such Nonsence as I heard in the forenoon, I thought to find something better by attending upon Service in the Church of England; but the Satisfaction that I received from the delivery of an Excellent Sermon was greatly allayed by the Pedantick behaviour of the Priest, the Irreverent behaviour of the People, & the foolish parrade of Ceremonies. I am determined that unless I can find better entertainment the next Sunday to attend Worship with the Dutch Priest whom I heard last Sunday, chusing rather to worship where I understand nothing that is spoken than to hear such folly as was delivered in the fore noon; and the Devout behaviour of the Dutch is more agreeable to me than all the Pomp, Equipage, & Majestick Expressions of the English Church, accompanied with such behaviour as was theirs.
SOURCE: Edward Bangs, Edited, Journal of Lieutenant Isaac Bangs, April 1 to July 29, 1776, pp. 30-1
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