A plain and faithful narrative of the original design, rise, progress and present state of the Indian charity-school at Lebanon, in Connecticut

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Title: A plain and faithful narrative of the original design, rise, progress and present state of the Indian charity-school at Lebanon, in Connecticut
Author: Wheelock, Eleazar
Language: English
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A plain and faithful

NARRATIVE

OF THE

and present State

OF THE

_Indian_ Charity-School

At LEBANON, in CONNECTICUT.

[Illustration]

By Eleazar Wheelock, A.M.

PASTOR OF A CHURCH IN LEBANON.

[Illustration]

"The Liberal deviseth liberal Things, and by liberal Things
"shall he stand." ISAI. xxxii. 8.

"The liberal Soul shall be made fat, and he that watereth
"shall also be watered himself." PROV. xi. 25.

[Illustration]

_BOSTON_:

Printed by RICHARD and SAMUEL DRAPER, in _Newbury_-street.

M.DCC.LXIII.

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

_WILLIAM_,

MARQUIS OF LOTHIAN.

_May it please your Lordship_,

That CHARITY and disinterested CARE for the Souls of Men, which make
so amiable a Part of your Lordship's Character, and give a Lustre and
Grace to all those worldly Honours with which God has dignified you,
and entitle you to the kindest Wishes, and sincerest Prayers of all
who love our Lord JESUS CHRIST, and long for the Enlargement of his
Kingdom in the World; do now embolden me to inscribe the following
Narrative to your Lordship, as a Testimonial of my Gratitude, for that
repeated Liberality, whereby you have testified your Approbation of our
feeble Attempts in the important Affair here related, and given your
Sanction to the Plan we have been prosecuting.

And as you have animated and encouraged our small Beginnings, when we
had most need of such Countenance and Assistance; so your Condescention
and Generosity have made me solicitous how to manifest my Gratitude
suitably to a Personage of such Distinction.

But as your Lordship could propose no other End, besides that
which we were pursuing, when you thus opened your Hand for our
Assistance therein, while it was yet small and obscure; so I may
reasonably suppose, nothing I can return will give your Lordship more
Satisfaction, than a plain, and concise Account of the Progress of it,
and our still growing and encreasing Prospects of those good Effects,
which will be the only Reward which your Lordship could have in View.

And though it be presented to your Lordship in a very plain and
unfashionable Dress, agreeable to the Country from whence it comes, yet
I am perswaded your Lordship will not despise it on that Account, since
the Dress, plain and unfashionable as it is, does so much excel the
savage, and sordid Habit, and Appearance of those miserable Creatures,
who have so moved your Lordship's Compassion as to become the Objects
of your Charity and Beneficence. Nor will Modesty itself under such
endearing and inviting Expressions of your Lordship's Condescention
and Goodness, forbid our reposing Confidence in you as our Patron, or
indulging the animating Expectation of future Benefit by your Smiles on
this infant Institution.

May the Blessing of many, who shall, in the present and succeeding
Generations, reap the Benefit of your generous Donations, come upon you.

And that God may graciously lengthen out your valuable and important
Life, to refresh the Bowels of his Saints, and encourage THIS, and
every Attempt to make known the Name of CHRIST, "and manifest the
Savour of his Knowledge in every Place," and late confer upon you a
Crown of Life with distinguished Honours, is the earnest Prayer of,

May it please your Lordship,

Your Lordship's

much obliged, and

most obedient

humble Servant,

_Eleazar Wheelock_.

LEBANON, Dec. 16. 1762.

[Illustration]

NARRATIVE

OF THE

Original DESIGN, RISE, PROGRESS and PRESENT STATE of the _INDIAN_
CHARITY-SCHOOL in _Lebanon_.

Understanding there are Numbers of religious and charitably disposed
Persons, who only wait to know where their Charities may be bestowed
in the best Manner for the Advancement of the Kingdom of the great
Redeemer; and, supposing there may also be in some, evil Surmisings
about, and a Disposition to discredit a Cause which they don't love,
and have no Disposition to promote; I have, to gratify the one, and
prevent the Mischiefs of the other, thought it my Duty to give the
Publick a short, plain, and faithful Narrative of the Original Design,
Rise, Progress, and present State of the Charity-School here, called
_Moor's Indian-Charity School, &c._ And I hope there is need of little
or nothing more than a plain and faithful Relation of Facts, with the
Grounds and Reasons of them, to justify the Undertaking, and all the
Pains and Expence there has been, in the Prosecution thereof. And to
convince all Persons of Ability, that this School is a proper Object
of their Charity; and that whatever they shall contribute for the
Furtherance of it, will be an Offering acceptable to God, and properly
bestowed for the promoting a Design which the Heart of the great
Redeemer is infinitely set upon.

The Considerations first moving me to enter upon the Design of
educating the Children of our Heathen Natives were such as these; viz.

The great Obligations lying upon us, as God's Covenant-People, who have
all we have better than they in a Covenant Way, and consequently are
under Covenant-Bonds to improve it in the best Manner for the Honour
and Glory of our liberal Benefactor. And can such Want of Charity to
those poor Creatures, as our Neglect has shewn; and, our Neglect of
that which God has so plainly made to be the Matter of our Care and
Duty; and that which the Heart of the great Redeemer is so set upon, as
that he never desired any other Compensation for all the Travail of his
Soul, can it, I say, be without great Guilt on our Part?

It has seem'd to me, he must be stupidly indifferent to the Redeemer's
Cause and Interest in the World; and criminally deaf and blind to the
Intimations of the Favour and Displeasure of God in the Dispensations
of his Providence, who could not perceive plain Intimations of God's
Displeasure against us for this Neglect, inscribed in Capitals, on the
very Front of divine Dispensations, from Year to Year, in permitting
the Savages to be such a sore Scourge to our Land, and make such
Depredations on our Frontiers, inhumanly butchering and captivating our
People; not only in a Time of War, but when we had good Reason to think
(if ever we had) that we dwelt safely by them.

And there is good Reason to think, that if one half which has been, for
so many Years past expended in building Forts, manning and supporting
them, had been prudently laid out in supporting faithful Missionaries,
and School-Masters among them, the instructed and civilized Party would
have been a far better Defence than all our expensive Fortresses, and
prevented the laying waste so many Towns and Villages: Witness the
Consequence of sending Mr. _Sergeant_ to _Stockbridge_, which was in
the very Road by which they most usually came upon our People, and by
which there has never been one Attack made upon us since his going
there; and this notwithstanding there has been, by all Accounts, less
Appearance of the saving Effects of the Gospel there than in any other
Place, where so much has been expended for many Years past.

And not only our Covenant Bonds, by which we owe our all to God, and
our divine Redeemer--our Pity to their Bodies in their miserable, needy
State--our Charity to their perishing Souls--and our own Peace, and
Safety by them, should constrain us to it; but also Gratitude, Duty,
and Loyalty to our rightful Sovereign. How great the Benefit which
would hereby accrue to the Crown of _Great-Britain_, and how much the
Interests of His Majesty's Dominions, especially in _America_, would be
promoted hereby, we can hardly conceive.

And the Christianizing the Natives of this Land is expressly mentioned
in the Royal Charter granted to this Colony, as a Motive inducing His
Majesty to grant that Royal Favour to our Fathers. And since we are
risen up in their Stead, and enjoy the inestimable Favour granted to
them, on this Consideration; What can excuse our not performing to our
utmost, that which was engaged by, and reasonably expected from, them?
But that which is of greatest Weight, and should powerfully excite and
perswade us hereto, are the many Commands, strong Motives, precious
Promises, and tremendous Threatnings, which fill so great a Part of the
sacred Pages; and are so perfectly calculated to awaken all our Powers,
to spread the Knowledge of the only true God, and Saviour, and make it
as extensive and common as possible. It is a Work, in which every one
in his Place, and according to his Ability, is under sacred Bonds to
use his utmost Endeavours. But for Brevity sake, I omit a particular
Mention of them, supposing none have read their Bibles attentively, who
do not know, that this is a darling Subject of them; and that enough
is there spoken by the Mouth of God himself, to obviate and silence
all the Objections which Sloth, Covetousness, or Love of the World can
suggest against it; and to assure them it is not a Course to Penury,
and outward Want, but to Fulness, and worldly Felicity; while they are
at the same Time laying up a Treasure to be remitted by CHRIST himself,
a Thousand Fold, when he shall _say to them on his Right-hand, come
ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you--For I
was an hungred, and ye gave me Meat_, &c. If denying Food and Raiment,
when we have them in our Power, to supply the bodily Necessities of
the Poor and Needy, does in the Apostle's Account, evidence, that the
Love of God is wanting in our Hearts; how much more does the Neglect
of the precious Souls of our Fellow-Creatures, who are perishing for
lack of Vision, when we have such Fulness to impart, fall below our
high Profession of Love to CHRIST. Can the Objection that there is
extraordinary Expence and Difficulty in accomplishing it, be esteemed
weighty enough to excuse and justify our Neglect, in a Case of such
Necessity and Importance? And especially if we consider, there is not
so much necessary hereto, as would render the Attempt any Thing like an
intolerable Burden, or a Burden to be felt, if those who are concerned
therein, i. e. the Christian World, were in any Measure united and
agreed in it. And considering further, that the Advantage thereby to
the Crown of _Great-Britain_ (supposing the Success of Endeavours
should be only in Proportion as have been, the Successes of feeble
Endeavours in Times past) would abundantly compensate all the Expence,
besides all those temporal and eternal Rewards of such Charity and
Liberality, which are secured in the many great and precious Promises
of God.

These were some of the Considerations which, I think, had some
Influence to my making an Attempt in this Affair; though I did not then
much think of any Thing more than only to clear myself, and Family, of
partaking in the public Guilt of our Land and Nation in such a Neglect
of them.

And as there were few or none who seemed so much to lay the Necessity
and Importance of the Case to Heart, as to exert themselves in earnest,
and lead the Way therein, I was naturally put upon Consideration and
Enquiry what Methods might have the greatest Probability of Success;
and upon the whole was fully perswaded that this, which I have been
pursuing, had by far the greatest Probability of any that had been
proposed, viz. by the Mission of their own Sons in Conjunction with
the _English_; and that a Number of Girls should also be instructed
in whatever should be necessary to render them fit, to perform the
Female Part, as House-wives, School-mistresses, Tayloresses, &c. and
to go and be with these Youth, when they shall be hundreds of Miles
distant from the _English_ on the Business of their Mission: And
prevent a Necessity of their turning savage in their Manner of Living,
for want of those who may do those Offices for them, and by this means
support the Reputation of their Mission, and also recommend to the
Savages a more rational and decent Manner of Living, than that which
they are in--And thereby, in Time, remedy and remove that great, and
hitherto insuperable Difficulty, so constantly complained of by all
our Missionaries among them, as the great Impediment in the Way to the
Success of their Mission, viz. their continual rambling about; which
they can't avoid so long as they depend so much upon Fishing, Fowling,
and Hunting for their Support. And I am more and more perswaded, that I
have sufficient and unanswerable Reasons to justify this Plan.

As,

1. The deep rooted Prejudices they have so generally imbibed against
the _English_, that they are selfish, and have secret Designs to
incroach upon their Lands, or otherwise wrong them in their Interests.
This Jealousy seems to have been occasioned, nourished, and confirmed
by some of their Neighbours, who have got large Tracts of their Lands
for a very inconsiderable Part of their true Value, and, it is commonly
said, by taking the Advantage of them when they were intoxicated with
Liquor. And also, by unrighteous Dealers, who have taken such Advantage
to buy their Skins and Furrs at less than half Price, &c. And perhaps
these Jealousies may be, not a little, increased by a Consciousness
of their own Perfidy and Inhumanity towards the _English_. And it
seems there is no Way to avoid the bad Influence and Effects of these
Prejudices, at present, unless it be by the Mission of their own Sons.
And it is reasonable to suppose their Jealousies are not less, since
the late Conquest in this Land, by which they are put into our Power,
than they were before.

2. An _Indian_ Missionary may be supported with less than half the
Expence, that will be necessary to support an _Englishman_, who can't
conform to their Manner of Living, and who will have no Dependance upon
them for any Part of it. And an _Indian_ who speaks their Language, it
may reasonably be supposed, will be at least four Times as serviceable
among them, supposing he be otherwise equally qualified as one who can
communicate to or receive nothing from them, but by an Interpreter: He
may improve all Opportunities not only in Public, but, "when he fits in
the House, walks by the Way, when he lies down, and when he rises up:"
And speak with as much Life and Spirit as the Nature and Importance of
the Matter require, which is very much lost when communicated by an
Interpreter.

3. Indian Missionaries may be supposed better to understand the Tempers
and Customs of _Indians_, and more readily to conform to them in a
thousand Things than the _English_ can; and in Things wherein the
Nonconformity of the _English_ may cause Disgust, and be construed as
the Fruit of Pride, and an Evidence and Expression of their Scorn and
Disrespect.

4. The Influence of their own Sons among them will likely be much
greater than of any _Englishman_ whatsoever. They will look upon
such an one as one of them, his Interest the same with theirs; and
will naturally esteem him as an Honour to their Nation, and be more
likely to submit patiently to his Instructions and Reproofs than to
any _English_ Missionary. This is quite evident in the Case of Mr.
_Occom_, whose Influence among the _Indians_, even of his own Tribe, is
much greater than any other Man's; and when he shall settle and live
decently, and in Fashion, among them, will likely do more to invite
them to imitate his Manner of Living, than any _Englishman_.

5. The Acquaintance and Friendship which _Indian_ Boys from different
and distant Tribes and Places, will contract and cultivate, while
together at School, may, and if they are zealously affected will,
be improved much for the Advantage and Furtherance of the Design of
their Mission; while they send to, hear from, or visit one another,
confirming the Things which have been spoken. And this without so
much Ceremony to introduce one another, as will be necessary in the
Case of _English_ Missionaries; and without the Cumber and Expence of
Interpreters.

6. Indian Missionaries will not disdain to own English ones, who shall
be Associates with them, (where the _English_ can be introduced)
as elder Brethren; nor scorn to be advised or reproved, counselled
or conducted by them; especially so long as they shall be so much
dependent upon the _English_ for their Support; which will likely be
till God has made them his People; and then, likely, they will not
stand in such need of _English_ Guides and Counsellors. And they will
mutually help one another, to recommend the Design to the favourable
Reception and good Liking of the Pagans, remove their Prejudices,
conciliate their Friendship, and induce them to repose due Confidence
in the _English_.

7. In this School, Children of different Nations may, and easily will
learn one another's Language, and English Youth may learn of them;
and so save the vast Expence and Trouble of Interpreters; and their
Ministry be much more acceptable and edifying to the _Indians_. But,

8. There is no such thing as sending _English_ Missionaries, or setting
up and maintaining _English_ Schools to any good Purpose, in most
Places among them, as their Temper, State and Condition have been and
still are. It is possible a School may be maintained to some good
Purpose, at _Onohoquagee_, where there have been heretofore several
faithful Missionaries, by the Blessing of God upon whose Labours the
_Indians_ are in some Measure civilized, some of them baptized, a
Number of them in a Judgment of Charity, real Christians; and where
they have a Sachem, who is a Man of Understanding, Virtue, Steadiness,
and entirely friendly to the Design of propagating the Gospel
among them, and zealous to promote it. And where the Hon. _Scotch_
Commissioners, I hear, have sent two Missionaries, and have made some
Attempt to set up a School. But at _Jeningo_, a little beyond, they
will by no means admit an _English_ Missionary to reside among them.
And tho' they were many of them under great Awakenings and Concern,
by God's Blessing on the Labours of a Christian _Indian_ from these
Parts; yet such was the violent Opposition of Numbers among them, that
it was thought by no means safe for an _Englishman_ to go among them,
with Design to tarry with them. And like to this is the Case with the
Parties of _Indians_, for near an hundred Miles together, on the West
Side of _Susquehanah_ River. Another School or two may possibly be set
up with Success among the _Mohawks_, where Mr. _Ogilvie_ and other
Episcopal Missionaries have bestowed much Labour, to good Purpose;
and where they have got into the Way of cultivating their Lands for
a Living, and so have more Ability to support their Children, and
less Occasion to ramble abroad with them. But even in these Places we
may find it more difficult than we imagine before the Trial be made
(though I would by no means discourage the Trial of every feasible
Method for the accomplishing this great Design) but by Acquaintance
with the Schools which the Hon. _London_ Commissioners have with pious
Zeal, set up and maintained among the several Tribes in these Parts,
I am much confirmed in such Sentiments. These Parties live amongst,
and are encompassed by the _English_, have long had good Preaching,
and Numbers of them appear to be truly godly. Yet such is the savage
Temper of many, their want of due Esteem for Learning, and Gratitude to
their Benefactors, and especially their want of Government, that their
School-Masters, tho' skilful and faithful Men, constantly complain
they can't keep the Children in any Measure constant at School. Mr.
_Clelland_ the School-Master at _Mohegan_ has often told me what
unwearied Pains he has taken by visiting, and discoursing with their
Parents, &c. to remedy this Evil, and after all can't accomplish it.
The Children are suffered to neglect their Attendance on Instruction,
and waste much Time, by which means they don't learn so much in
several Years as they might, and others do in one, who are taken out of
the reach of their Parents, and out of the way of _Indian_ Examples,
and are kept to School under good Government and constant Instruction.
I the rather mention this Instance, because of the well-known Fidelity
and Skill of that good Gentleman, and because that Tribe are as much
civilized, and as many of them Christianized, as perhaps any Party of
them in this Government. And by all I can learn, it is no better in
this respect with any other. They are so disaffected towards a good and
necessary Government, that as gentle an Exercise of it as may be, and
answer the Design of keeping up Order and Regularity in any Measure
among them, will likely so disgust them as to render the Case worse
rather than better. Captain _Martin Kellog_ complain'd of this as his
great Discouragement in the School at _Stockbridge_, notwithstanding
he understood as well as any Man the Disposition of _Indians_, and had
the Advantage of knowing their Language and Customs, having been so
long a Captive among them, and was high in their Affection and Esteem;
yet he was obliged to take the Children home to _Weathersfield_ with
him, quite away from their Parents, before he could exercise that
Government which was necessary in order to their profiting at School.
But as to most Places, there is no such thing at present as introducing
either _English_ School-Masters or Missionaries to continue with
them; such are their Prejudices in general, and such the malevolent,
and ungovernable Temper of some, that none but an _Indian_ would dare
venture his Life among them.

And besides all this, they are so extremely poor, and depend so much
upon Hunting for a Livelihood, that they are in no Capacity to support
their Children at School, if their Disposition for it were ever so good.

Mr. _Occom_ informed me by a Letter from the _Oneida_ Country last
Summer, and the same Account I had also from the young Man which I sent
there, that the _Indians_ were almost starved, having nothing to live
upon but what they got by Fishing, Fowling and Hunting, that he had no
other Way to come at them, to preach to them, but by following them
from Place to Place in their Hunting. And though the Condition of all
may not be quite so indigent as of these, nor the Condition of these at
all Times quite so bad as it was then, yet it is well known that they
universally depend upon Roving and Hunting mainly for their Support;
and whoever has heard the constant Complaint of Missionaries, and the
Matter of their Discouragement, or has only read what the Reverend
Messi'rs. _Sergeant_ and _D. Brainerd_ have wrote upon this Head, can't
charge me with writing without sufficient Evidence, and good Authority,
if I had no other but theirs.

And what are a few Instances, where Schools may possibly be maintained
to some good Purpose, compared with those Tribes and Nations of them,
where there are no Circumstances at present, but their Misery and
Necessity, to invite us so much as to make the Trial.

By the Blessing of God on his late Majesty's Arms, there is now, no
doubt, a Door opened for a hundred Missionaries; and (unless we can
find such as can speak to them in their own Language) for as many
Interpreters; and perhaps for ten Times that Number, provided we
could find such as are suitable for the Business, and such as may be
introduced in a Way agreeable to the Savages, and so as to avoid the
bad Effects of their Prejudices against the _English_. But,

9. There are very few or no Interpreters, who are suitable and
well-accomplished for the Business, to be had. Mr. _Occom_ found great
Difficulty last Year in his Mission on this Account. And not only the
Cause, but his own Reputation suffered much by the Unfaithfulness of
the Man he employed.

I suppose the Interpreters now employed by the Hon. Commissioners
are the best that are to be had at present. But how many Nations are
there for whom there is no Interpreter at all, except, it may be,
some ignorant and perhaps vicious Person, who has been their Captive,
and whom it is utterly unsafe to trust in Matters of such eternal
Consequence. And how shall this Difficulty be remedied? It seems it
must be by one of these two Ways, viz. either their Children must come
to us, or ours go to them. But who will venture their Children with
them, unless with some of the civilized Parties, who have given the
strongest Testimonies of their Friendship? If it be said, that all the
Natives are now at Peace with us: It may be, their Chiefs, and the
better-temper'd Part of them are so. But who does not know that their
Leagues and Covenants with us are little worth, and like to be so till
they become Christians? And that the tender Mercies of many of them
are Cruelty? Who is so unacquainted with the History of them, as not
to know, there is Reason to think, there are many among their lawless
Herds, who would gladly embrace an Opportunity to commit a secret
Murder on such _English_ Youth?--Even Mr. _Occom_, though an _Indian_,
did not think it safe for him, being of another Tribe and Language, and
in such Connections with the _English_, to go among the numerous Tribe
of the _Seneca_'s, where he had no Avenger of his Blood for them to
fear.

When, and as soon as the Method proposed by the Rev'd Mess. _Sergeant_
and _Brainerd_, can be put into Execution, viz. to have Lands
appropriated to the Use of _Indian_ Schools, and prudent skilful
Farmers, or Tradesmen, to lead and instruct the Boys, and Mistresses
to instruct the Girls in such Manufactures as are proper for them,
at certain Hours, as a Diversion from their School Exercises, and
the Children taken quite away from their Parents, and the pernicious
Influence of _Indian_ Examples, there may be some good Prospect of
great Advantage by Schools among them.

And must it be esteemed a wild Imagination, if it be supposed that
well-instructed, sober, religious _Indians_, may with special Advantage
be employed as Masters and Mistresses in such Schools; and that
the Design will be much recommended to the _Indians_ thereby; and
that there may be special Advantage by such, serving as occasional
Interpreters for Visitors from different Nations from Time to Time;
and they hereby receive the fullest Conviction of the Sincerity of our
Intentions, and be confirmed and established in friendly Sentiments of
us, and encouraged to send their Children, &c.?

I am fully perswaded from the Acquaintance I have had with them, it
will be found, whenever the Trial shall be made, to be very difficult
if not impossible, unless the Arm of the Lord should be revealed in an
eminent Manner, to cure them of such savage and sordid Practices, as
they have been inured to from their Mother's Womb, and form their Minds
and Manners to proper Rules of Virtue, Decency and Humanity, while they
are daily under the pernicious Influence of their Parents Example, and
their many Vices made familiar thereby.

10. I have found by Experience, there may be a thorough and effectual
Exercise of Government in such a School, and as severe as shall be
necessary, without Opposition from, or Offence taken by, any. And who
does not know, that Evils so obstinate as those we may reasonably
expert to find common in the Children of Savages, will require that
which is severe? Sure I am, they must find such as have better
Natures, or something more effectually done to subdue their vicious
Inclinations, than most I have been concerned with, if it be not so.
And moreover, in such a School, there will be the best Opportunity to
know who has such a Genius and Disposition, as most invite to bestow
extraordinary Expence to fit them for special Usefulness.

11. We have the greatest Security we can have, that when they are
educated and fitted for it, they will be employed in that Business.
There is no likelihood at all that they will, though ever so well
qualified, get into Business, either as School-Masters or Ministers,
among the _English_; at least till the Credit of their Nations be
raised many Degrees above what it now is, and consequently they can't
be employed as will be honorable for them, or in any Business they
will be fit for, but among their own Nation. And it may reasonably be
supposed, their Compassion towards their "Brethren according to the
Flesh" will most naturally incline them to, and determine them upon
such an Employment as they were fitted and designed for. And besides
all this, abundant Experience has taught us, that such a change of
Diet, and manner of Living as Missionaries must generally come into,
will not consist with the Health of many _Englishmen_. And they will
be obliged on that Account to leave the Service, though otherwise
well disposed to it. Nor can this Difficulty be avoided at present
(certainly not without great Expence.) But there is no great Danger or
Difficulty in this Respect as to _Indians_, who will only return to
what they were used to from their Mother's Womb.

And there may also be admitted into this School, promising _English_
Youth of pregnant Parts, and who from the best Principles, and by the
best Motives, are inclined to devote themselves to that Service; and
who will naturally care for their State.

Divine Skill in Things spiritual, pure and fervent Zeal for the
Salvation of Souls, shining Examples of Piety and Godliness, by which
Pagans will form their first Notions of Religion, rather than from any
Thing that shall be said to them, are most necessary Qualifications in
a Missionary; and promise more real Good than is to be expected from
many Times the Number who have never "known the Terrors of the Lord,"
and have no experimental, and therefore no right Understanding of the
Nature of Conversion and the Way wherein it is wrought. Such were never
under the governing Influence of a real Sense of the Truth, Reality,
Greatness and Importance of eternal Things, and therefore will not be
likely to treat them suitable to the Nature and eternal Consequences of
them, surely they will not naturally do it. And how sad are like to be
the Consequences to those who are watching to see whether the Preacher
himself does really believe the Things which he speaks.

In such a School their Studies may be directed with a special View to
the Design of their Mission. Several Parts of Learning, which have no
great Subserviency to it, and which will consume much Time, may be
less pursued, and others most necessary made their chief Study. And
they may not only learn the Pagan Languages, but will naturally get
an Understanding of their Tempers, and many of their Customs, which
must needs be useful to Missionaries. And instead of a delicate Manner
of Living, they may by Degrees, as their Health will bear, enure
themselves to such a Way of Living as will be most convenient for them
to come into when on their Mission.

And if the one half of the _Indian_ Boys thus educated shall prove good
and useful Men, there will be no Reason to regret our Toil and Expence
for the whole. And if God shall deny his Blessing on our Endeavours,
as to the general Design, it may be these particular Youth may reap
eternal Advantage by what we do for them; and if but one in ten does
so, we shall have no Cause to think much of the Expence. And if a
Blessing be denied to all, "we shall notwithstanding be unto God a
sweet Savour of Christ in them that perish."

After the Trial I made of this Nature some Years ago, by the Assistance
of the Honourable LONDON Commissioners, in the Education of Mr. _Samson
Occom_, one of the _Mohegan_ Tribe, who has several Years since been
a useful School-Master and successful Preacher of the Gospel to the
_Indians_ at _Montauk_ on _Long-Island_, where he took the Place of
the Rev. Mr. _Horton_, Missionary; and was, under God, instrumental to
cure them, in a good Measure, of the Wildness they had been led into by
some Exhorters from _New-England_, and in a Judgment of Charity was the
Instrument of saving Good to a Number of them. He was several Years ago
ordained to the sacred Ministry by the Reverend Presbytery of _Suffolk_
County on said Island; and has done well, so far as I have heard,
as a Missionary to the _Oneida_ Nation, for two Years past. May God
mercifully preserve him, amidst loud Applauses, from falling into the
Snare and Condemnation of the Devil!--I say, after seeing the Success
of this Attempt, I was more encouraged to hope that such a Method might
be very successful.

With these Views of the Case, and from such Motives as have been
mentioned, above Eight Years ago I wrote to the Reverend _John
Brainerd_, Missionary in _New-Jersey_, desiring him to send me two
likely Boys for this Purpose, of the _Deleware_ Tribe: He accordingly
sent me _John Pumshire_ in the 14th, and _Jacob Woolley_ in the 11th
Years of their Age; they arrived here _December 18th. 1754_, and
behaved as well as could be reasonably expected; _Pumshire_ made
uncommon Proficiency in Writing. They continued with me till they
had made considerable Progress in the Latin and Greek Tongues; when
_Pumshire_ began to decline, and by the Advice of Physicians, I sent
him back to his Friends, with Orders, if his Health would allow it,
to return with two more of that Nation, whom Mr. _Brainerd_ had at my
Desire provided for me. _Pumshire_ set out on his Journey, _November
14th. 1756_, and got Home, but soon died. And on _April 9th. 1757_,
_Joseph Woolley_ and _Hezekiah Calvin_ came on the Horse which
_Pumshire_ rode.

The Decline and Death of this Youth was an instructive Scene to me, and
convinced me more fully of the Necessity of special Care respecting
their Diet; and that more Exercise was necessary for them, especially
at their first coming to a full Table, and with so keen an Appetite,
than was ordinarily necessary for _English_ Youth. And with the
Exercise of such Care, as one who understands the Case, and is willing
to take the Trouble of it, may use, I am persuaded there is no more
Danger of their Studies being fatal to them, than to our own Children.
There have been several long Fits of Sickness of one and another in
this School, with a nervous Fever, Pleurisies, Dysenterys &c. but
perhaps not more than have been among so large a Number of common
labouring People in so long a Time.

Sometime after those Boys came, the Affair appearing with an agreeable
Aspect, it being then a Time of profound Peace in this Country, I
represented the Affair to Colonel _Elisha Williams_, Esq; late Rector
of _Yale-College_, and to the Rev'd Messi'rs _Samuel Moseley_ of
_Windham_, and _Benjamin Pomeroy_ of _Hebron_, and invited them to join
me; they readily accepted the Invitation; and a Gentleman learned in
the Law supposed there might be such an Incorporation among ourselves
as might fully answer our Purpose. And Mr. _Joshua Moor_, late of
_Mansfield_, deceased, appeared to give a small Tenement in this Place,
for the Foundation, Use and Support of a Charity-School, for the
Education of _Indian_ Youth, &c. But it pleased God to take the good
Colonel from an unthankful World soon after the Covenant was made and
executed, and thus deprived us of the Benefit of his singular Learning,
Piety and Zeal in the Affair. Notwithstanding, a Subscription was soon
made of near _£_.500 lawful Money, towards a Fund for the Support of
it at 6 per Cent. But several Gentlemen of the Law, doubting of the
Validity and Sufficiency of such an Incorporation; several Steps were
taken to obtain the Royal Favour of a Charter, but none effectual.
The War soon commenced, and the Reports from Day to Day of the Ravages
made, and Inhumanities and Butcheries committed by the Savages on all
Quarters, raised in the Breasts of great Numbers, a Temper so warm,
and so contrary to Charity, that I seldom thought it prudent so much
as to mention the Affair. Many advised me to drop it, but it appeared
to others so probable to be the very Method which God would own, that
I thought better to scrabble along with it, as well as I could, till
divine Providence should change the Scene.

The Prospects, notwithstanding our outward Troubles, seemed to be
increasing: Such was the orderly and good Behaviour of the Boys,
through the Blessing of God on Instruction and Discipline, that Enemies
could find but little or nothing that was true wherewith they might
reproach the Design; and those whose Sentiments were friendly, observed
with Pleasure the good Effects of our Endeavours: And the Liberalities,
especially of Gentlemen of Character, encouraged me more and more to
believe it to be of God, and that he designed to succeed and prosper
it, to the Glory of his own great Name; and that I ought in Compliance
with such Intimations of Providence from Time to Time, proportionably
to increase the Number.

I have had two upon my Hands since _December 18th. 1754_, and Four
since _April, 1757_, and Five since _April 1759_, and Seven since
_November, 1760_, and Eleven since _August 1st. 1761_, and after
this Manner they have encreased as I could obtain those who appeared
promising. And for some Time I have had Twenty-five devoted to School
as constantly as their Health will allow, and they have all along
been so, excepting that in an extraordinary Croud of Business, I have
sometimes required their Assistance. But there is no great Advantage,
excepting to themselves, to be expected from their Labour, nor enough
to compensate the Trouble of instructing them in it, and the Repair of
the Mischiefs they will do, while they are ignorant of all the Affairs
of Husbandry, and the Use of Tools. The principal Advantage I have ever
had in this Respect has been by _David Fowler_ and _Joseph Woolley_,
and more by _David_ than all the rest: These Lads will likely make good
Farmers, if they should ever have the Advantage of Experience in it.

Three of this Number are _English_ Youth, one of which is gone for a
Time to _New-Jersey_ College, for the sake of better Advantage for
some Parts of Learning: He has made some Proficiency in the _Mohawk_
Tongue: The other two are fitting for the Business of Missionaries.
One of the _Indian_ Lads is _Jacob Woolley_, who is now in his last
Year at _New-Jersey_ College, and is a good Scholar; he is here
by the Leave and Order of the President, designing to get some
Acquaintance with the _Mohawk_ Tongue. Two others are sent here by
the Rev. Mr. _Brainera_, and are designed for Trades; the one for a
Blacksmith (a Trade much wanted among the _Indians_) and is to go
to his Apprenticeship as soon as a good Place is ready for him; the
other is designed for a Carpenter and Joiner, and is to go to an
Apprenticeship as soon as he has learned to read and write. Another of
the _Indians_ is Son to the Sachem at _Mohegan_, and is Heir-aparent;
he is somewhat infirm as to his bodily Health: For his Support last
Year I have charged nothing more than 10l. lawful Money, granted by the
Hon. _London_ Commissioners. Several of my Scholars are considerably
well accomplished for School Masters, and 7 or 8 will likely be well
fitted for Interpreters in a few Years more. And four of this Number
are Girls, whom I have hired Women in this Neighbourhood to instruct
in all the Arts of good Housewifery, they attending the School one Day
in a Week to be instructed in writing, &c. till they shall be fit for
an Apprenticeship, to be taught to make Men's and Women's Apparel, &c.
in order to accompany these Boys, when they shall have Occasion for
such Assistance in the Business of their Mission.[1] And six of them
are _Mohawks_, obtained pursuant and according to the Direction of the
Honorable General Assembly of the Province of the _Massachusetts-Bay_,
and are learning to speak, write, and read _English_: And the most of
them make good Proficiency therein.

I have, by the good Providence of God, been favoured with religious,
faithful and learned Masters, in general, from the first setting up of
this School, at the Expence of about _£._56 lawful Money per Annum,
i. e. _£._3 per Month, with their Board, and all Accommodations,
and a Horse kept or provided when needed; which I suppose can't be
esteemed less than the Sum which I mention: And if this seems to any
to be large, I have only this to say, that I could not have the Choice
of Masters at less Expence. But the Expence for Tuition will likely
be saved for some Time, by the Generosity of a young Gentleman, who
proposes to keep it _gratis_ a few Months.

The Method of conducting this School has been, and is designed to be
after this Manner, viz. they are obliged to be clean, and decently
dressed, and be ready to attend Prayers, before Sun-rise in the Fall
and Winter, and at 6 o'Clock in the Summer. A Portion of Scripture is
read by several of the Seniors of them: And those who are able answer a
Question in the _Assembly's Catechism_, and have some Questions asked
them upon it, and an Answer expounded to them. After Prayers, and a
short Time for their Diversion, the School begins with Prayer about
9, and ends at 12, and again at 2, and ends at 5 o'Clock with Prayer.
Evening Prayer is attended before the Day-light is gone. Afterwards
they apply to their Studies, &c. They attend the publick Worship, and
have a Pew devoted to their Use, in the House of God. On Lord's-Day
Morning, between and after the Meetings, the Master, or some one whom
they will submit to, is with them, inspects their Behaviour, hears them
read, catechises them, discourses to them, &c. And once or twice a Week
they hear a Discourse calculated to their Capacities upon the most
important and interesting Subjects. And in general they are orderly and
governable: They appear to be as perfectly easy and contented with
their Situation and Employment as any at a Father's House, I scarcely
hear a Word of their going Home, so much as for a Visit, for Years
together, except it be when they first come.

And the Success of Endeavours hitherto, the general Approbation of
great and good Men, and the Testimonies many have given of it, by
their seasonable Liberality towards its Support, have seemed to me
such evident Tokens of a Divine Hand in Favour of it, and so plain
Intimations of the Divine Will concerning it, that I have, as I said
before, thought it Duty, notwithstanding all Discouragements, to pursue
the Design, and endeavour to keep Pace with the Providences of God in
Favour of it as to their Number, and trust in Him, "whose the Earth
is, and the Fulness thereof," for further Supplies. And I have hoped
this would be esteemed sufficient to clear me of the Imputation of
Presumption and Rashness in risquing my own private Interest, as I have
done.

The Honourable LONDON Commissioners hearing of the Design, enquired
into it, and encouraged it by an Allowance of 12l. lawful Money,
by their Vote _November 12. 1756_. And again in the Year 1758 they
allowed me 20l.--and in _November_ 4th, 1760, granted me an annual
Allowance of 20l. for my Assistance--and in _October_ 8th, 1761, they
granted me 12l. towards the Support of _Isaiah Uncas_, Son of the
Sachem of _Mohegan_, and 10l. more for his Support the following
Year. In _October 1756_, I received a Legacy of fifty-nine Dollars
of Mrs. _Ann Bingham_ of _Windham_. In _July 1761_, I received a
generous Donation of Fifty Pounds Sterling from the Right Hon. WILLIAM,
Marquis of _Lothian_. And in _Nov. 1761_, a Donation of 25l. Sterl.
from Mr. _Hardy_ of _London_--and in _May 1762_, a second Donation of
50l. Sterl. from that most Honorable and noble Lord, the Marquis of
_Lothian_; and at the same Time 20l. Sterl. from Mr. _Samuel Savage_,
Merchant in _London_: And a Collection of Ten Guineas from the Rev.
Dr. _A. Giffords_ in _London_: And 10l. Sterl. more from a Lady in
_London_, unknown, which is still in the Hands of a Friend, and to be
remitted with some additional Advantage, and to be accounted for when
received. And also for 7 Years past I have, one Year with another,
received about 11l. lawful Money Annually, Interest of Subscriptions.
And in my Journey to _Portsmouth_ last _June_, I received in private
Donations 66l. 17s. 7d. 1-4th. lawful Money. I also received for the
Use of this School, a Bell of about 80 lb. weight, from a Gentleman in
_London_. In _November 1761_, the Great and General Court or Assembly
of the Province of _Massachusetts-Bay_, voted, That I should be allowed
to take under my Care six Children of the _Six Nations_, for Education,
Clothing and Boarding, and be allowed for that Purpose, for each of
said Children, 12l. per Annum for one Year, which Boys I have obtained,
and they have been for some Time in this School.

The Honourable SCOTCH Commissioners in and near _Boston_, understanding
and approving of the Design of sending for _Indian_ Children of remote
Tribes, to be educated here, were the first Body, or Society, who have
led the Way in making an Attempt for that Purpose. Which because of
the Newness and remarkable Success of it, and because it may encourage
such a Design in time to come, I suppose it may not be disagreeable, if
I am a little particular in my Account of it: While I was in _Boston_
they passed a Vote to this purpose, _May 7, 1761_, "That the Reverend
Mr. _Wheelock_ of _Lebanon_ be desired, to fit out _David Fowler_, an
_Indian_ Youth, to accompany Mr. _Sampson Occom_, going on a Mission
to the _Oneidas_, that said _David_ be supported on said Mission for
a Term not exceeding 4 Months; and that he endeavour on his Return to
bring with him a Number of _Indian_ Boys, not exceeding three, to be
put under Mr. _Wheelock_'s Care and Instruction, and that 20l. be put
into Mr. _Wheelock_'s Hands to carry this Design into Execution; and
that when said Sum shall be expended, he advise the Treasurer of it,
and send his Accounts for Allowance."

Pursuant to this Vote I cloathed and furnished said _David_ with Horse
and Money, for his long Tour into the Wilderness, which he set out on
_June_ 10th, in Company with Mr. _Occom_, by the Way of _New-York_;
in which Journey he rode above a thousand Miles, and by the Advice,
Direction and Assistance of Sir WILLIAM JOHNSON, obtained three
Boys of the _Mohawk_ Nation, who were willing to leave their Friends
and Country and come among Strangers of another Language, and quite
another Manner of Living, and where, perhaps, no one of their Nation
then living had ever been; and among a People of whom their Nation
have been of a long Time inclined to entertain Jealousies. Their Names
were _Joseph_, _Negyes_, and _Center_. They arrived here _August_ 1st,
1761, but had so much Caution in the extraordinary Enterprize, that
they brought each of them an Horse from their own Country. Two of
them were but little better than naked, and could not speak a Word of
_English_. The other being of a Family of Distinction among them, was
considerably cloathed, _Indian_-fashion, and could speak a few Words
of _English_. They let me know, as soon as I could understand them,
that Sir WM. JOHNSON had told them they should return and visit their
Friends in the Fall of the Year. I took speedy Care to _cleanse_ and
cloath them. They many Ways discovered some Jealousies respecting the
Design of their coming; but by Acquaintance and Freedom with other
_Indians_ in the School, and by constant Care for them and Kindness to
them, those Jealousies seemed in a little Time to wear away, and they
appeared to feel and enjoy themselves as though they had been at home
in a Father's House. Daily Care was exercised for them, and particular
Caution that they might in no Instance appear to be, thro' Disrespect,
distinguished from any in the School. Such Distinction, or any thing
which they apprehend to be so, I find will at once occasion Jealousies
and Disaffection. And this seems to be agreeable to a settled Principle
among themselves, (according to which they are wont to treat their
Captives) viz. that those who take the Patronage of Children, not their
own, shall treat them in all respects as their own.

_Center_'s Countenance, as I thought when he came, discovered that
he was not in Health. My Suspicions increased, and the Issue proved
they were not groundless. He continued with me till the Fall, when the
Physician I employed advised me, that his Disorders threatned his Life,
and prevailed to such a Degree that he looked upon him to be incurable,
and that he judged it best to send him back to his Friends, and that
soon, or it would be too late to send him at all; and according to
this Advice I sent him away with _Negyes_, having furnished them with
Money for their Journey into the _Mohawk_ Country, on the 23d Day of
_October_. _Joseph_ tarried longer to accompany young _Kirtland_,
who was learning the _Mohawk_ Language of him, and whom I sent into
that Country to obtain six Boys of those Nations, to partake of the
Benefit of Sir PETER WARREN'S Legacy, according to the Instructions of
the General Assembly of the Province of _Massachusetts-Bay_, before
mentioned.

_Center_ reached home, but died soon after. _Negyes_, I hear, was
captivated by a young Female and married. Mr. _Kirtland_ and _Joseph_
set out for the _Mohawk_ Country _November_ 4th, and returned
_November_ 27th, and brought two _Mohawk_ Lads with them, viz. _Moses_
and _Johannes_, by whom Sir WM. JOHNSON informed me that he expected
to be able to send the Rest when they came in from hunting. I informed
the Hon. Commissioners of the State of the Case, and by a Letter from
the Reverend Dr. CHAUNCY, Chairman of their Committee, in the Name of
the rest, was desired to let them have in their Pay and under their
Direction these two who came last with _Joseph_, which I consented to,
provided they would remit the necessary Charges which I had been at
in procuring and cloathing them, and give me as I afterwards charged
them for their Support and Tuition, upon which Conditions they took
them. I immediately sent to Sir WM. JOHNSON for other six to partake
of Sir PETER WARREN'S Legacy. These three, viz. _Joseph_, _Moses_ and
_Johannes_, continued with me in the Pay of the Commissioners till
_May 27, 1762_, when I offered said Committee my Accompt, the whole
Amount of which, that is, for cloathing and furnishing _David_ with
Horse and Money for his Support in his long Journey of several Months,
the Expence of the Boy's Journey home above 200 Miles. The Expence of
_Kirtland_'s Journey (excepting his Horse) into that Country to bring
down _Moses_ and _Johannes_. The pasturing the Horses of the first
three the time they continued here, in a dry and difficult Season; the
cloathing all five, and repairing their Cloathing the whole Time they
tarried; the Boarding and Schooling them, finding Washing, Lodging,
Firewood, Candles, Books, Paper, &c. I say, the Amount of the Expence
for the Five and in the whole Affair for near twelve Months, Errors
excepted, was but just 58l. 17s. 7d. 1-4th. Sterling. But in this
Accompt I charged nothing for several expensive Journeys in this
Government, taken by myself, and another preparatory and necessary to
the Design of _David_'s Mission, nor for any Labour, Care or Pains of
my own therein from first to last--For their Board, Washing and Lodging
but 5s. per Week; the lowest common Price in these Parts was 6s. L. M.
What Cloathing, &c. they had of me, I charged at the lowest Cash-price,
and what I got for them of our Traders, Shoemakers, Taylors, &c. I
charged just as they charged me, without any Advance in one Instance.
I charged nothing for extraordinary Trouble and Care for _Center_, in
his declining State; nor did the Physician charge for what he did for
him. And there were other Provisions made to prevent Expence of Money
in their Journeyings more than is common, for which there was nothing
charged, by all which the Accompt was somewhat less than it would
otherwise have been----But then on the other Hand it may be considered,

1. That Provisions of all Sorts were then, and still are, at an higher
Price than ever before in these Parts, occasioned by the preceeding
Wars and extreme Drought. When they are reduced to their usual Price,
the Expence of educating _Indian_ Youth will be much less.

2. The Circumstances of this Undertaking were extraordinary, and the
necessary Expences of it were consequently so, and such as there may
never be such Occasion for again. This was the opening a Door which
never had been opened for such a Purpose to these Nations; and it was
thought by many who knew their great Fondness for their Children,
that it could not be soon accomplished, i. e. to make either Parents
or Children willing to comply with an Invitation to come such a vast
Length, and under such Circumstances as have been mentioned. But the
Report of _David_ confirmed by the Boys on their Return, has given such
Conviction of the Sincerity and Kindness of our Intentions towards
them, as has removed all Objections. And nothing more is now necessary
to our obtaining as many well-chosen Boys and Girls as we please, but
to employ some faithful Missionary among them for that Purpose.

I have been the more particular in this Account, because I would remove
the unreasonable Prejudices raised against this Method, by partial and
unfair Accounts, and a Cry of enormous Expences, &c. And to let the
World know there is nothing in it worthy to be objected by one who is
in earnest to accomplish this great and important Design.

What I have done for this School since its Beginning, in many expensive
Journies; (for none of which have I ever charged any Thing at all);
in constant Care for their Health, in Endeavours to cure their savage
Disposition, and form their Minds and Manners to right Rules of
Virtue and Religion, in extraordinary Care and Trouble for several of
them in Sickness, in Expences by Company, not only of _English_ but
_Indians_ at my House, occasioned thereby; and incidental Charges in
many Instances, none are able justly to estimate, or likely so much as
to think of many of them, but one who is intimately acquainted with
the Business: In Consideration for which I have had the Assistance of
several of them a few Times in an extraordinary Croud of Business;
and of late some Advantage by the School to two of my own Children.
Which Reward I suppose impartial Judges will not think to bear a very
considerable Proportion to these Expences which are not charged, and
which in my Judgment is not the one Tenth Part of them.

MR. MOOR'S Grant contains about two Acres of Pasturing, a small House
and Shop; for the Use of which from the first I have received about
_£_. 4 lawful Money, clear of the Charge of Repairing, which is not
equal to the Money I have paid to Physicians which is not charged.

I have professed to have no View to making an Estate by this Affair:
What the Singleness and Uprightness of my Heart has been before GOD, he
knows; and also how greatly I stand in need of his Pardon.

My Accompt with the School has been charged after the following Manner,
viz. For the whole Expence of Cloathing, Boarding and Tutoring the Boys
from _December_ 18th. 1754, to _November_ 26th. 1760. at the Rate of
_£_. 16 lawful Money per Annum, for each; but when their Number was so
increased I found it necessary to come nearer to the true Value of it,
and have since used greater Exactness; but have never charged higher
than at the lowest Money Price for what they have had of me, and for
what I have bought for them of our Traders, Shoemakers, Taylors, &c. I
have charged just what I have given, and no more. I have charged for
their Tuition, as for _English_ Scholars, i. e. for Latin Scholars, and
such as were savage and needed much Care and Instruction, at 2_s._ L.M.
per Week, or _£_. 4 10_s._ per Annum; and for others proportionally.
The whole School, one Year with another, has not quite cleared my
Expence for the Master. Last Year it did a little more; and since the
27th of _May_ last, it has over-done my Expence for the Master 15_s._
8_d._ besides the Tuition of the Girls. I have charged for the Girls
but 4_d._ per Week, i. e. for one Day's Schooling and Dinner; and the
whole Expence for their Education will be but little more than their
Cloathing.

The total Amount of all my Disbursements in this whole Affair, for near
Eight Years, that is, since _December_ 18. 1754, to _November_ 27.
1762, charged in the Manner, and after the Rate before-mentioned, is,
(Errors excepted) _£_. 566 2_s._ 5_d._ Sterling.--And the total Amount
of all the Donations before-mentioned, together with smaller ones,
which I suppose needless to mention particularly, received within the
said Term, is, (Errors excepted) _£_. 509 2_s._ 5_d._ Sterling.

And as this School was set up when there was no Scheme devised, or Plan
laid, which this could be in Opposition to; so it is not continued
in Opposition to any other Measures which are proposed or pursued by
others.

And, blessed be GOD that he has put it into the Hearts of a Number of
Gentlemen of Ability in and near BOSTON, to contribute so liberally
towards the Furtherance of the general Design. And is it not a Pity
that Christians of all Denominations should not unite their utmost
Endeavours for the Accomplishment of it; and especially now while the
Door is so widely opened for it? And what a Pity is it that any Time
should be lost? And how exceeding mean, and infinitely beneath those
noble Sentiments, and that generous Love to the Souls of Men, and to
our KING and Country, which true Religion inspires, will it be to fall
into Parties; and on Account of differing Opinions reflecting the most
probable Methods for accomplishing the End, to obstruct and hinder one
another therein? There is enough for all to do; and the Affair is of
so great Importance, that it calls for the Trial of every Method that
has the least Probability of Success; and different Methods may greatly
subserve and assist one another.

We can none of us boast such Perfection of Understanding and Skill in
the Affair as to set up safely for Infallibility. Many Attempts have
been made by wise and good Men; and the Issue has taught them their
Want of that Knowledge which is got by Experience; and that their pious
Labour and Expence had been in a great Measure lost for want of it.

And I would take this Opportunity to express my Gratitude for those
generous Benefactions whereby this Infant Institution has been
hitherto supported; and I hope through the Blessing of GOD upon our
our Endeavours, those pious Benefactors will have Occasion for the
most easy and comfortable Reflections, as having made an Offering
acceptable to GOD, and bestowed it well for the Advancement of the
Kingdom, and Glory of the great REDEEMER: And that the Blessing of many
of our _American_ Heathens, who shall in the present and succeeding
Generations, reap the Benefit thereof, may come upon them: And that
others understanding that this School stills lives, under GOD, upon
the Charity of good Men, will be moved to open their Hands to minister
further, and necessary Supplies for it.

[Illustration]

HEBRON, December 31. 1762.

To the PRINTERS.

_We having been informed that the Rev'd_ Eleazar Wheelock _of_ Lebanon
_has lately prepared and sent to your Press_, A Narrative of the
INDIAN Charity School under his Care; _and being willing to contribute
to the Furtherance of that truly noble and charitable Undertaking,
which, though new and untried before he entered upon it, appears to us
to have the greatest Probability of Success, and to afford the most
encouraging Prospect of spreading the Gospel far and wide among our_
American _Pagans, of any Method that has yet been attempted: And we
can't but hope that a recommendatory Letter, which was some Time since
sent to a private Friend, signed by a Number of neighbouring Ministers,
may serve to satisfy the World, That the charitable Design which that
Gentleman is pursuing, is, in the Judgment of his Neighbours, who are
well acquainted with him, and with the Affair of his School, neither
selfish, nor enthusiastic; nor the Plan proposed so expensive, as may
be any reasonable Objection against making a thorough Trial thereof:
And we having consulted several of the Subscribers who join with us (as
we believe all wou'd do if they had Opportunity for it) in desiring
that said Letter might be published at the End of said Narrative; that
so far as the Credit and Reputation of the Clergy in this Neighbourhood
will influence thereto, all Prejudices may be removed from the Minds
of Christians of every Denomination, and all be excited to unite their
Endeavours according to their Ability to encourage and promote so noble
and important an Undertaking: Wherefore please to give said Letter (a
Copy whereof you will receive with this) a Place at the Close of said
Narrative, and you will oblige_

_Your's to serve_,

Benjamin Pomroy,

Elijah Lothrop,

Nathaniel Whitaker.

[Illustration]

_COPY of the LETTER._

CHELSEA, in _Norwich, July 10. 1762_.

SIR,

We Ministers of the Gospel, and Pastors of Churches hereafter mentioned
with our Names, having for a Number of Years past heard of, or seen
with Pleasure, the Zeal, Courage and firm Resolution of the Reverend
ELEAZAR WHEELOCK of _Lebanon_, to prosecute to Effect a Design of
spreading the Gospel among the Natives in the Wilds of our _America_,
and especially his Perseverance in it, amidst the many peculiar
Discouragements he had to encounter during the late Years of the
War here, and upon a Plan which appears to us to have the greatest
Probability of Success, _viz._ by the Mission of their own Sons. And
as we are verily perswaded, that the Smiles of divine Providence upon
his School, and the Success of his Endeavours hitherto, justly may
and ought to encourage him and all, to believe it to be of GOD, and
that which he will own and succeed for the Glory of his own great Name
in the Enlargement of the Kingdom of our divine Redeemer, as well as
for the great Benefit of the Crown of _Great-Britain_, and especially
of his Majesty's Dominions in _America_; so we apprehend, that the
present Openings in Providence ought to invite Christians of every
Denomination to unite their Endeavours, and lend a helping Hand in
carrying on the charitable Design; and we are heartily sorry if Party
Spirit and Party Differences shall at all obstruct the Progress of it,
or the old Leaven in this Land ferment upon this Occasion, and give a
watchful Adversary Opportunity so to turn the Course of Endeavours into
another Channel, as to defeat the Design of spreading the Gospel among
the Heathen.

To prevent which, and encourage Unanimity and Zeal in prosecuting the
Design, we look upon it our Duty as Christians, and especially as
Ministers of the Gospel, to give our Testimony, That, as we verily
believe, a disinterested Regard to the Advancement of the Redeemer's
Kingdom, and the Good of his Majesty's Dominions in _America_ were the
governing Motives which at first induced the Reverend Mr. WHEELOCK to
enter upon the great Affair, and to risque his own private Interest as
he has done since in carrying it on; so we esteem his Plan to be good,
his Measures prudently and well-concerted, his Endowments peculiar,
his Zeal fervent, his Endeavours indefatigable for the accomplishing
this Design; and we know no Man like-minded who will naturally care for
their State. May God prolong his Life, and make him extensively useful
in the Kingdom of CHRIST!

We have also some of us at his Desire examined his Accounts, and find
that besides giving in all his own Labour and Trouble in the Affair, he
has charged for the Support, Schooling, &c. of the Youth, at the lowest
Rate it could be done for, as the Price has been and still is among us;
and we apprehend the generous Donations already made, has been, and we
are confident will be laid out in the most prudent Manner, and with the
best Advice for the Furtherance of the important Design. And we pray
God abundantly to reward the Liberality of any upon this Occasion; and
we hope the Generosity, especially of Persons of Distinction and Note,
will be a happy Lead and Inducement to still greater Liberalities, and
that in Consequence thereof the wide extended Wilderness of _America,
will blossom as the Rose, Habitations of Cruelty become Dwelling-Places
of Righteousness, and the Blessing of Thousands ready to perish come
upon all those_ whose Love to Christ, and Charity to them, has been
shown upon this Occasion, which is the hearty Prayer of,

SIR,

_Your sincere Friends_
_and humble Servants_,

Ebenezer Rosseter, _Pastor of the 1st Church in_ Stonington.
Joseph Fish, _Pastor of the 2nd Church in_ Stonington.
Nathaniel Whitaker, _Pastor of the Church at_ Chelsea, _in_ Norwich.
Benjamin Pomroy, _Pastor of the 1st Church in_ Hebron.
Elijah Lothrop, _Pastor of the Church of_ Gilead, _in_ Hebron.
Nathaniel Eells, _Pastor of a Church in_ Stonington.
Mather Byles, _Pastor of the 1st Church in_ New-London.
Jonathan Barber, _Pastor of a Church in_ Groton.
Matt Graves, _Missionary at_ New-London.
Peter Powers, _Pastor of the Church at_ Newent, _in_ Norwich.
Daniel Kirtland, _former Pastor of the Ch. at_ Newent, _in_ Norwich.
Asher Rosseter, _Pastor of the 1st Church in_ Preston.
Jabez Wight, _Pastor of the 4th Church in_ Norwich.
David Jewett, _Pastor of the 2nd Church in_ New-London.
Benjamin Throop, _Pastor of a Church in_ Norwich.
Samuel Mosely, _Pastor of a Church in_ Windham.
Stephen White, _Pastor of a Church in_ Windham.
Richard Salter, _Pastor of a Church in_ Mansfield.
Timothy Allen, _Pastor of the Church in_ Ashford.
Ephraim Little, _Pastor of the 1st Church in_ Colchester.
Hobart Estabrook, _Pastor of a Church in_ East-Haddam.
Joseph Fowler, _Pastor of a Church in_ East-Haddam.
Benjamin Boardman, _Pastor of the 4th Ch. of_ Christ _in_ Middletown.
John Norton, _Pastor of the 6th Ch. of_ Christ _in_ Middletown.
Benjamin Dunning, _Pastor of a Ch. of_ Christ _in_ Marlborough.

N. B. The Names of the Subscribers stand in the same Order in which
they subscribed, and not according to Seniority; and it is hoped any
Inaccuracies observable in the Draught will be excused, at least not
charged upon more than one of the Number, inasmuch as they signed
separately, not having the Advantage of a Convention for that Purpose.

[Illustration]

THE END.

[Illustration]

FOOTNOTE

[1] This Part of my Plan seems to be abundantly justified by that
which the Rev Dr _Colman_ of _Boston_, and the Rev Mr. _Sergeant_ of
_Stockbridge_, have wrote upon this Head. See Mr. _Sergeant_'s Letter
to the Doctor, printed at _Boston 1743_. Page 15. The Doctor writes
thus:--"Another thing suggested by Mr. _Sergeant_, and a most wise and
necessary one in the present Case is--his taking in Girls as well as
Boys, if Providence succeed the Design, and a Fund sufficient to carry
it on can be procured:----I must needs add on this Head, that this
Proposal is a Matter of absolute Necessity, wherein we are not left at
Liberty, either as Men or Christians; for there cannot be a Propagation
of Religion among any People, without an equal Regard to both Sexes;
not only because Females are alike precious Souls, form'd for God and
Religion as much as the Males; but also because the Care for the Souls
of Children in Families, and more especially in those of low Degree,
lies chiefly upon the Mothers for the first 7 or 8 Years: Which is an
Observation or Remark which I had the Honour to make unto my dear and
honoured ancient Friend, _Henry Newman_, Esq; Secretary to the Hon.
and Rev. Society for promoting Christian Knowledge; which when he had
communicated to them they put into Print, and sent it to the Directors
of the 1764 Schools; (if I have not miscounted) that so a greater
Proportion of Girls might be taken into them to receive a religious
Education for the sake of their Posterity, and therein for the more
effectual answering the very End of their Charity Schools."----

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES

-Obvious print and punctuation errors were corrected.

-Archaic spelling has been retained as printed.

*** End of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "A plain and faithful narrative of the original design, rise, progress and present state of the Indian charity-school at Lebanon, in Connecticut" ***

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