PURCHASE AGREEMENT Northern Funds (the "Trust"), a Massachusetts business trust, and Miriam M. Allison hereby agree as follows: 1. The Trust hereby offers Miriam M. Allison, and Miriam M. Allison hereby purchases, five shares of the Trust's Small Cap...

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                                                                  EXHIBIT (l)(6)

                               PURCHASE AGREEMENT



      Northern Funds (the "Trust"), a Massachusetts business trust, and Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx hereby agree as follows:

      1. The Trust hereby offers Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx hereby
purchases, five shares of the Trust's Small Cap Index Fund (the "Shares") at $10
per Share. The Trust hereby acknowledges receipt from Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx of funds
in full payment for the foregoing Shares.

      2. Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx represents and warrants to the Trust that the
foregoing Shares are being acquired for investment purposes and not with a view
to the distribution thereof.

      IN AGREEMENT WHEREOF, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the
parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of September 3, 1999.


                                    NORTHERN FUNDS


                                    By:/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
                                       -----------------------------------------


                                    XXXXXX X. XXXXXXX


                                    /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
                                    --------------------------------------------