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 Tax-Exempt...

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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 Tax-Exempt Money Market 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              , 1999.
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                                   NORTHERN FUNDS


                                   By:
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                                   XXXXXX X. XXXXXXX



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