Exhibit (l)(25)

                               PURCHASE AGREEMENT

     Northern Funds (the "Trust"), a Delaware statutory trust, and Eric K.
Schweitzer (the "Purchaser"), hereby agree as follows:

     1. The Trust hereby offers the Purchaser and the Purchaser hereby purchases
ten shares of the Bond Index Fund (the "Bond Index Shares") for $10.00 per
share. The Trust hereby acknowledges receipt from the Purchaser of funds in full
payment for the Bond Index Shares.

     2. The Purchaser represents and warrants to the Trust that the Bond Index
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 February 16, 2007.

                                        NORTHERN FUNDS


                                        By: /s/ Lloyd A. Wennlund
                                            ------------------------------------


                                        ERIC K. SCHWEITZER


                                        By: /s/ Eric K. Schweitzer
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