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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 79004 ***
+Transcriber’s Note: There are two Chapter VIIs.
+
+
+
+
+                                   LIVES
+                                  OF THE
+                       CHIEF FATHERS OF NEW ENGLAND.
+
+    The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let
+    him not leave us, nor forsake us.
+
+                                                       1 Kings 8:57.
+
+                                 VOL. III.
+
+
+
+
+                                 THE LIFE
+                                    OF
+                                JOHN ELIOT:
+
+                              WITH AN ACCOUNT
+                      OF THE EARLY MISSIONARY EFFORTS
+                                   AMONG
+                        THE INDIANS OF NEW ENGLAND.
+
+                            BY NEHEMIAH ADAMS,
+                  PASTOR OF ESSEX STREET CHURCH, BOSTON.
+
+        _Written for the Massachusetts Sabbath School Society, and
+                approved by the Committee of Publication._
+
+                                  BOSTON:
+                   MASSACHUSETTS SABBATH SCHOOL SOCIETY,
+                       Depository, No. 13 Cornhill.
+                                   1847.
+
+         Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1847,
+                          BY CHRISTOPHER C. DEAN,
+       In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of Massachusetts.
+
+
+
+
+ADVERTISEMENT BY THE PUBLISHING COMMITTEE.
+
+
+The substance of this book is a Lecture delivered in 1842, before
+the Young Men’s Missionary Association of Boston. On application of
+the Publishing Committee, the author has consented to enlarge it for
+publication, as one of the Series of the Lives of the New England Fathers.
+
+
+
+
+SEAL OF THE MASSACHUSETTS (OR SALEM) COLONY.
+
+
+[Illustration: SIGILLVM:GVB:ET:SOCIET:DE:MATTACHVSETS:BAY:IN:NOVA:ANGLIA]
+
+TRANSLATION.
+
+Seal of the Governor and Colony of Massachusetts Bay in New England.
+
+
+
+
+LIFE OF JOHN ELIOT.
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.
+
+    Missionary object of the Pilgrims. Seal of Massachusetts
+    Colony. Reasons with the Pilgrims for leaving Holland. Extract
+    from the Royal Charter of the Plymouth Colony. Charter of
+    the Salem Company. Thoughts on this Continent as a field for
+    Missionary efforts. Account of the landing at Plymouth, and the
+    first meeting with the Indians. First Missionary efforts among
+    them. Manners and habits of the New England Indians. Numbers in
+    the various tribes. Reflections on the Missionary character and
+    efforts of the Pilgrims. The May-flower.
+
+
+A prominent object with the Pilgrim fathers in coming hither, was, to
+preach the Gospel to the Indians of this Continent.
+
+Many popular orators and writers represent them, as it were, following
+and worshiping a goddess of liberty. But it was not for the mere liberty
+of believing and doing what they pleased that they braved the ocean and
+the perils of this wilderness. Two great motives influenced them. For the
+liberty of worshiping God according to their own consciences, they “went
+out not knowing,” as the event proved, “whither they went.” But this was
+not all; they had a missionary object in coming here.
+
+It is an interesting fact that the original seal of the Colony of
+Massachusetts Bay, who arrived and settled at Salem in 1628, had on it a
+North American Indian, with these words proceeding from his mouth, “Come
+over and help us.” This device on the seal of their colony published to
+the world the fact that they regarded themselves as foreign missionaries
+to North America. This was also the case with their brethren of the
+Plymouth Colony, who arrived eight years before.
+
+The Pilgrims had fled to Holland, from the persecutions of the English
+Church. In the account of their residence in Holland we find some records
+which establish beyond a doubt the fact of their missionary intentions in
+coming to these shores. Governor Bradford, in his History of Plymouth,
+speaking of the Pilgrims while yet in Holland, says, “This year, (1617,)
+Mr. Robinson and his Church begin to think of a remove to America, for
+several weighty reasons, as (1.) The difficulties in Holland discouraged
+many from coming to them out of England, and obliged many to return. (2.)
+By reason of these difficulties with the licentiousness of the youth,
+and temptations of the place, many of their children left their parents,
+some of them becoming soldiers, others taking to foreign voyages, and
+some to dissoluteness and the danger of their souls, to the great grief
+of their parents, and fear lest their posterity through these temptations
+and examples should degenerate, and religion die among them. (3.) From an
+inward zeal and great hope of laying some foundation or making way for
+propagating the kingdom of Christ to the remote ends of the earth, though
+they should be but as stepping stones to others.”
+
+They obtained letters patent from the crown authorizing them to settle
+in North Virginia. The following is an extract from the Royal Charter,
+and is of the same purport with the third reason assigned by Governor
+Bradford for their removal to America. The Royal Charter says,—“We have
+thought it fit, according to our kingly duty—to second and follow God’s
+holy will, by which means we may with boldness go on to the settling of
+so hopeful a work which tendeth to the reducing and conversion of such
+savages as remain wandering in desolation and distress, to civil society
+and Christian religion.”
+
+It is well known that the Colonists who received this Charter, and sailed
+for North Virginia, were driven into the waters of Cape Cod, and thus
+unintentionally landed and settled at Plymouth.
+
+The Charter of “the Colony of Massachusetts Bay,” who settled a few years
+after at Salem, says, “To win and incite the natives of that country to
+the knowledge and obedience of the only true God and Saviour of mankind
+and the Christian faith, is, in our royal intention and the adventurer’s
+free profession, the principal end of the plantation.”
+
+The Committee of the “Massachusetts” Company, in their letter dated
+at Gravesend, and addressed to Mr. Endicott, the leader, and afterward
+the Governor, of the Massachusetts or Salem Colony, say, “For that the
+propagating the Gospel is the thing we profess above all in settling this
+plantation, we have been careful to make plentiful provision of good
+ministers.”[1]
+
+It is interesting to think of this Continent as having been the object
+of missionary zeal and efforts with the pilgrim fathers. The place which
+this continent occupies on the globe is peculiar and interesting. The
+numerous nations of the old world are crowded together in one hemisphere,
+and this continent is the prominent object of the other. It did not seem
+presumption to the pilgrims to believe that God laid its deep foundations
+by itself, in the midst of the oceans rolling between it and the rest of
+the globe, for some purpose as singular as its position. In the writings
+of ancient poets there are remarkable allusions to this continent, when
+as yet it was undiscovered. Seneca, a Latin writer, who lived at the
+beginning of the Christian era, has in his “Medea” this declaration:
+“The time will come in remote years when the ocean will unloose the
+present boundaries of nature, and a great country will appear. Another
+Typhis will discover new worlds, and Thule will no longer be the limit
+of the earth.”[2] Homer and Horace had sung of Islands west of Africa,
+the Atlantides, which were “the Elysian fields.” Hanno, the Carthaginian
+general and great navigator, had sailed from the pillars of Hercules,
+(the straits of Gibraltar,) westward, thirty days. Some suppose that he
+must have seen America, or some of the neighboring islands.[3] Columbus
+verified the dreams and surmises of the world; the Cabots pursued his
+sublime discoveries, and they, with their Bristol crews, long accustomed
+to Icelandic fisheries, found this continent. New adventurers carried
+home some of the native Indians; and, at length, a new Continent,
+inhabited by wild men, became the subject of intense interest to the
+civilized world. Our pious forefathers, while yet in the old world,
+fancied that they heard the Macedonian cry from the Indians here, and
+it quickened their flight, as they say, “to follow Christ into a waste
+howling wilderness.”
+
+Having been driven into the waters of Cape Cod, instead of North
+Virginia, and making a safe harbor on Saturday, the Pilgrims fell
+on their knees and blessed the God of heaven. The Sabbath came; the
+Mayflower riding at anchor, and the exploring party in the shallop, kept
+the first Sabbath of the Lord which, perhaps, had ever been recognized in
+this region, since God rested from his works.
+
+“Monday,” says Prince, in his New England Chronology, “the people go
+ashore to refresh themselves;—the whales play round about them, and the
+greatest store of fowl they ever saw. But the earth here a company of
+sand hills, and the water so shallow near the shore, they were forced
+to wade a bow-shot or two to get to land, which being freezing weather,
+affecteth them with grievous coughs and colds, which after proves the
+death of many. When they had marched a mile southward, they see five
+or six savages whom they follow ten miles till night, but could not
+overtake them, and lodge in the woods. The next day they come to a place
+of graves, then to some heaps of sand, when they dig into them, and
+find several baskets full of Indian corn, and take some, for which they
+purpose to give the natives full satisfaction as soon as they could meet
+with any of them.” Two days after, they returned to borrow more corn; the
+ground had frozen a foot deep, but they made up their corn, says Governor
+Morton, to ten bushels; the next day some of the party, having spent the
+night there, dug again into some little hillocks, but they found that
+instead of being cornhills they were graves. By the overruling providence
+of God, the corn which they had thus borrowed with such good intent to
+repay, furnished them with seed for the ensuing spring. Here we have the
+first scene of their approach to the wild objects of their pious and
+benevolent endeavors.
+
+During the month of February, after their arrival, the colony were
+afterwards informed that the Indians assembled all their Powwaws, or the
+conjurers of the country, to curse them with their horrid ceremonies and
+incantations. They held their assembly for this purpose in a dark and
+dismal swamp.
+
+On the morning of March 16th, however, they say a savage boldly came
+alone along the houses straight to the rendezvous, and surprised them
+with calling out, “Welcome, Englishmen! Welcome, Englishmen!” It seems
+that he had learned some broken English from the fishermen of Nova
+Scotia. He said that his name was Samoset, that he was sagamore or lord
+of a country “a day’s sail thence with a great wind,” or five days land
+travel. He told them that four years ago all the inhabitants of the place
+where they then were, (now Plymouth,) died of an extraordinary plague;
+that there was neither man, woman, nor child remaining. At night they
+lodged and watched him. A few days after he returned with an Indian
+named Squanto, whom a man by the name of Hunt had carried to Spain with
+nineteen others, and who by some means went to England, and lived in
+Cornhill, London, with Mr. John Slanie, merchant. He could speak a little
+English, and thus he was extremely useful to the colonists in assisting
+them to trade and make treaties with the surrounding Indians. They
+endeavored to conciliate the natives, but wisely mingled intimations that
+they were prepared to resist them if attacked.
+
+The treacherous tribe of Narragansett Indians, with five thousand
+fighting men, who at first made a treaty with the settlers, showed signs
+on one occasion of hostility. Canonicus, their chief Sachem, sent a
+bundle of arrows, tied with a snake’s skin, which Squanto told them meant
+a challenge. Governor Bradford and his Council sent them word that if
+they had rather have war than peace, they might begin when they would;
+they had done the Indians no wrong, nor did they fear them; nor would
+the Indians find them unprepared. Then, with some wit, the Governor sent
+them, by another messenger, the snake’s skin filled with powder and
+bullets; but they refused to receive it, and sent it back.
+
+Thus, after various alarms, and treaties, the pilgrims had fortified
+themselves in the country, and individuals among them had begun the pious
+work of instructing some of the young Indians in the Christian religion.
+
+In 1621, one year after the arrival at Plymouth, Elder Robert Cushman
+sent word to his friends in England that many of the Indians, especially
+the younger of them, were teachable; that if the Colony had means they
+would bring up hundreds of them to labor, and learning, and that young
+men in England who desired to further the Gospel among these poor
+heathen, would do well to come over and spend their estates, time, and
+labor, in so doing.
+
+During the few first years after the settlement at Plymouth, several of
+the natives gave evidence of conversion, and instances of happy death
+occurred among them. But the hardships and trials incident to a removal
+into this wilderness delayed the systematic and general efforts of the
+settlers to convert the Indians. Individuals, however, were laboring
+among them with success. In 1636, the Plymouth Colony enacted laws to
+provide for the preaching of the Gospel among the Indians, and ten years
+after, the Massachusetts Colony passed a similar act.
+
+In 1675, it was ascertained that the whole number of Indians in New
+England, beginning as far east as the St. Croix River, was about fifty
+thousand. Of these, about twelve thousand were in the neighborhood of the
+Massachusetts and the Plymouth Colonies.
+
+At the settlement of this country there were five principal nations,
+or sachemships, of Indians, in this part of New England, viz, 1. The
+Pequots; 2. The Narragansetts; 3. The Pawkunnawkuts; 4. The Pawtucketts;
+5. The Massachusetts. Each of these nations included several tribes,
+governed by sagamores.
+
+The Pequots formerly had 4000 warriors; in 1674, 300.
+
+The Narragansetts formerly had 5000 warriors; in 1674, 1000.
+
+The Pawkunnawkuts formerly had 3000 warriors; in 1674, nearly extinct.
+
+The Pawtuckets formerly had 3000 warriors; in 1674, 250.
+
+The Massachusetts formerly had 3000 warriors; in 1674, 300.
+
+The _Pequots_ inhabited the most southerly parts of New England, their
+country for the most part fell under the Connecticut jurisdiction. Their
+principal sachem lived at or near New London, called, in their language
+Pequot.
+
+The _Narragansetts_ occupied Rhode Island, and other islands in
+Narragansett bay.
+
+The _Pawkunnawkuts_ inhabited the region of the Plymouth Colony,
+and their sachem held sway over the Sagamores of Nantucket, Martha’s
+Vineyard, and neighboring places. A few years before the arrival of the
+Pilgrims, a great number of this nation of Indians as before stated, were
+swept away by a plague, and thus the way was opened for the entrance of
+the Pilgrims.
+
+The _Pawtuckets_ lived to the north, and northeast of the Massachusetts
+Indians. They were almost wholly destroyed by the plague just mentioned.
+
+The _Massachusetts_ Indians dwelt principally about the parts of
+Massachusetts bay which were first settled by the English, and bordering,
+some of them, on the region of the Pawkunnawkuts. They were very numerous
+and powerful. Their chief sachem held rule over many petty chiefs. This
+people was also visited by the plague in 1612-13, which destroyed the
+most of them, and prepared the way for the English settlers.
+
+This fact has often brought to mind these words of David: “We have heard
+with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us what work thou didst in
+their day, in the times of old. How thou didst drive out the heathen with
+thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people and cast
+them out. For they got not the land in possession by their own sword,
+neither did their own arm save them; but thy right hand, and thine arm,
+and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favor unto them.”
+
+An early New England writer[4] says, that he had not been able to learn
+accurately the nature of the disease or plague which depopulated the
+Indian tribes in the remarkable manner already described; but that he had
+“discoursed” with some old Indians, who told him that the patients were
+“all over exceedingly yellow,” and this they described by showing him a
+yellow garment which the bodies of the victims resembled in color, both
+before and after death. There is a tradition that a Frenchman, who not
+long before this plague, had fallen into their hands by shipwreck, told
+them, as some of the surviving shipmates reported, just before he died
+by their hands, that “God was angry with them for their wickedness, and
+would not only destroy them all, but would also people their country with
+men who would not live after their brutish manners.” Those infidels then
+blasphemously replied, that God could not kill them; which blasphemous
+mistake was confuted by an horrible and unusual plague, whereby they were
+consumed in such vast multitudes, that our first planters found the land
+almost covered with their unburied carcases, and they that were left
+alive were smitten into awful and humbler regards of the English by the
+terrors which the Frenchman’s prophecy had imprinted on them.
+
+When the Pilgrims in Holland thought of coming to this country, some of
+them hesitated for several reasons, and among others through their fear
+of the savages, who they heard were “cruel, barbarous, and treacherous,
+being most furious in their rage, and merciless where they overcome, not
+being content only to kill and take away life, but delight to torment men
+in most bloody manner that may be, flaying men alive with the shells of
+fishes, cutting off the points and members of others by piecemeals, and
+broiling them on the coals, and causing men to eat the collops of their
+flesh in their sight whilst they live; with other cruelties horrible
+to be related.”[5] Some were therefore in favor of settling in Guiana,
+in South America. But they feared the jealousy of the Spaniards, and
+finally concluded to settle within the jurisdiction of the company of
+Virginia, where the English, in 1607, had made a settlement. In this way,
+they supposed that they could also have better access to the savages,
+“to reduce them to civil society, and the Christian religion.” But God
+brought them by a way they knew not, having first in part cut off the
+heathen nations to bring them in.
+
+The May-flower sailed from Holland, September 6, 1620, for the Hudson
+River. But they were driven into the waters of Cape Cod, and it was a
+current belief that the shipmaster was bribed by the Dutch to change her
+course, because the Dutch wished to settle in the region for which the
+Pilgrims embarked. But some of the best authorities deny this, and say
+that the change of their course was accidental.
+
+There is so much connection between climate and characters that we may
+reasonably suppose it to have been the intention of Providence to plant
+the Pilgrims in this cold region, and on this hard soil, that they might
+be and do that which is proved to have been their high destiny to be and
+to accomplish. Whereas, had they settled in a warmer and more enervating
+latitude, we cannot believe that such a New England as we now behold
+would have arisen; it would have been easier for the settlers to have
+borne the imposition of slavery from the mother country, whereas here
+in Massachusetts the sturdy vigor and independence which were borne and
+nourished on this rocky and sandy soil, grew impatient of slavery, and
+soon threw it off, and hence in part the present difference between
+the North and the South, in some of the essential elements of natural
+prosperity. God brought the Pilgrims into these bays and harbors, and to
+this northern soil, because here the qualities necessary to their future
+usefulness and greatness as a nation could be most successfully developed
+and strengthened. Instead of reducing the savages to slavery as they
+might have done had the institution of slavery been fastened upon them
+in southern regions, they “reduced the savages to civil society, and the
+Christian religion.” Let us return for a moment to the landing of the
+Pilgrims.
+
+When the May-flower had cast anchor, the Pilgrims fitted up the little
+shallop which they had brought in their vessel, and coasted the Cape for
+about a month to determine on the best place for landing and settlement.
+Having at length fixed on a place, the shallop, with the exploring
+party came to anchor on Saturday, the 9th of December, corresponding to
+December 20, New Style. The Sabbath dawned upon them, but the exploring
+party remained on board, notwithstanding the inmates of the May-flower
+were still at anchor, waiting to know the result of the exploration. How
+beautiful and striking was the coincidence of their arriving at Plymouth
+on the eve of the Sabbath. What a Sabbath it must have been to them. Not
+only was their comfortless and perilous voyage in a crowded vessel, and
+their anxious search for a landing place now over, but their persecutions
+in the old world, their oppressive treatment from the Established Church
+for not conforming to rites and practices which they could not observe,
+had now come to an end. Now they had found a new world where they
+might believe and worship as they pleased. Now they would no longer be
+taxed for the support of worship in which they had no share. Now their
+ministers would no longer be ill-used or nick-named, for not conforming
+to unscriptural practices; now they would not be obliged to keep Lent,
+and Ash-Wednesday, Candlemas, Christmas, and All-Saints’-day, in a manner
+repugnant to their consciences. As they looked on this great wilderness,
+free from all corruptions of man in the worship of God, and pure in that
+respect as the virgin snows that covered the evergreens, and sheeted
+the old sand wastes, and shone on the distant hills, they could breathe
+freely, as they said in the words which indicate the essential spirit of
+their faith, God is a spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him
+in spirit and in truth. The world has never seen such a sight, before
+or since, as that shallop and the May-flower in Plymouth Bay, with the
+progenitors of this great and glorious New England; fleeing from the old
+world, arriving at this new world and keeping Sabbath at anchor in these
+waters. What has ever happened to be likened to it since the time when
+Noah and his family sailed away from the old world, which had corrupted
+itself before God, and transplanted the religion of the true God for a
+new beginning? It would have been interesting to have heard the prayers,
+and songs of praise, and words of Scripture, with which they kept the
+Sabbath in their floating Bethels. We notice here that Puritan regard for
+the Sabbath which has ever characterized New England, and on which her
+safety so much depends. How natural it would have been for the voyagers
+to have leaped ashore at the first moment of their arrival in the
+harbor which they had concluded to make their home. How many passengers
+now in similar circumstances, would deny themselves the pleasure of
+exchanging the wearisome confinement on ship-board, for the excitement
+and satisfaction of exploring their new home? But the Pilgrims would not
+begin the work of their settlement, of removing any of their effects from
+the vessel, on the Lord’s day, and since the time when God rested from
+his work on the Sabbath, there has not been a more sublime act of rest
+and of worship, than was observed by that Pilgrim band.
+
+All this was in accordance with their character and intentions as a
+missionary band, and for its relation to this view of their character we
+have dwelt at large upon this incident in their history.
+
+It cannot be impressed too deeply upon our minds that our forefathers
+did not come here merely to “enjoy their liberty,” not merely to flee
+from persecution, not to increase their worldly estate; they came here,
+among other good reasons, as they expressly declare, to extend the
+kingdom of Christ, and the Royal Charter professed that the royal object
+in granting it was that they might reduce such savages as they found
+wandering in desolation and distress to civil society and the Christian
+religion. Does any one cherish a feeling of reverence and love for
+these pilgrims in view of their sacrifices and efforts to found these
+institutions which we possess, who yet feels no interest in the work
+of propagating the gospel to the ends of the earth? Let him consider
+that a company of Christian missionaries going from this land and
+settling in India, or Africa, or Oceanica, may be the founders of just
+such institutions as we enjoy, among the people to whom they are sent.
+Let every missionary consider that in distant years he may be justly
+regarded as a pilgrim-father to some portion of the earth for whom he
+may have done as much as the New England Pilgrims have done for New
+England. The object of Christian missions is to re-produce and multiply
+our Christian institutions in heathen and pagan lands. The opportunity
+of laying foundations in heathen wilds, similar to those which the
+Pilgrims laid here, has not come to an end. Many a missionary bark may
+yet be, essentially, a May-flower to distant parts of the earth. Some
+islands which were filled with savages as barbarous as our Indians, have
+had their independence recognized by Christian nations, and have taken
+their place among the nations of the earth; and that band of American
+missionaries who left these shores for the Sandwich Islands in 1820,
+and who went round Cape Horn singing the old hymn in the tune of Melton
+Mowbray,
+
+    “Head of the church triumphant,
+      We cheerfully adore thee,” &c.,
+
+and who planted the Gospel on those islands, will no doubt in after
+times have their names enshrined by a grateful posterity in those distant
+seas. The little schooner which the Rev. John Williams, the martyr of
+Rarotonga, built with his own hand, to visit the islands of the Harvey
+group, was a real “May-flower.” Prophetic visions of the effects of the
+Gospel we see fulfilled on these shores and around the globe. Here,
+emphatically, “instead of the thorn has come up the fir-tree, and instead
+of the brier the myrtle-tree.” In what way can we cherish the memory of
+our Pilgrim fathers better than to keep alive in us and our children that
+zeal to spread the Christian religion and Christian institutions, which
+was one of the strong impulses that bore them across the flood? As the
+missionary spirit was the native air in which the pilgrim faith was born
+and nurtured, we may believe that the same spirit will most effectually
+cherish those institutions and laws which are the fruit of their wisdom.
+That spirit is a sincere desire to see the glory of God promoted in the
+world, a willingness to make efforts and sacrifices “that his way may be
+known on earth, his saving health among all nations.”
+
+“The May-flower”! That name must have been proposed by some gentle
+wife, or by some sweet child, to the man who built that favored vessel!
+She was, in her seasonableness, more than a _May-flower_; she was the
+Crocus among the eternal snows and the dreary winter of this western
+savage world. In the selection of her for the great mission which
+she accomplished, angels might have said to her, as they came to be
+ministering spirits to those in her who were to be, in more than one
+sense, “heirs of salvation,” as Gabriel said to Mary, “Hail, thou that
+art highly favored—the Lord is with thee!” The name of this vessel is one
+of those instances, of which we see so many in the word, the providence
+of God, in which “the beauty of the Lord our God” appears in connection
+with his acts of renown. To the cold eye of reason that name was only
+a mercantile accident; the eye of faith is willing to be accounted
+visionary while it sees in it that same hand which, after the deluge,
+selected the rainbow instead of a periodical tempest, or a Dead Sea, as
+the memorial of a covenant with the earth.
+
+The painting of the Landing of the Pilgrims, by Weir, justly represents
+some of the pilgrim company as of cultivated and even polished appearance
+and manners; they were not the offscouring of the earth. They were
+men and women of whom, in their day, the world was not worthy. For
+scholarship, intelligence, and moral worth, the Pilgrims and their
+associates in the old countries would have been ornaments to the land
+which chased them away. The reader will find this illustrated in a
+satisfactory manner in the Life of the Rev. John Cotton, by the Rev.
+A. W. M’Clure, in the first two volumes in this series of the Lives of
+eminent N. E. Puritans.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+    Description of the Indians. Their manners, habits, mode of
+    life, &c. Efforts to convert them, previous to Eliot’s labors.
+
+
+Some account of the manners and habits of the Indians, as our forefathers
+and their successors found them, will be necessary that we may appreciate
+the labors and self-denial which were required of those who instructed
+these sons of the forest in religion and civilization. A correct
+knowledge of their original condition dispels the romantic associations
+which many have with the name of a North American Indian. The lowest
+degradation had been reached by these savages. The laws of a people are
+a true picture of the people, and some of the laws which the Indians
+enacted when they began to be civilized, reveal the misery and filthiness
+from which they began at last to be recovered. This will be illustrated
+as we proceed.
+
+We will speak first of the personal appearance of the Indian.
+
+Their skin was of a tawny color, a yellowish, dark complexion. Their
+form and limbs were well proportioned, and it was seldom that a crooked
+person was found among them. Their hair was long, black, and coarse,
+without curling; their eyes black, without lustre. In their general
+appearance they were so much like the Moors of Africa, that many have
+supposed them to have come originally from that part of the world.
+
+They had many wives, but one of them was chief in her husband’s regard.
+They put away their wives, and the wife also left her husband when
+offended with him.
+
+Their revengeful disposition is proverbial. The relatives of an injured
+or murdered Indian regarded his wrong as done to them, and they sought
+satisfaction in the death of the offender, or in the payment of wampum,
+(or shells,) which passed with them for money.
+
+They were an idle race, especially the men. Tillage was chiefly performed
+by the women, though to but little extent. The women also carried
+burdens, as in removing from place to place. They also prepared the food.
+
+Their wigwams were made with slim poles fixed in the ground, bent, and
+fastened at the top with the bark of trees. The best of them were made
+tight and warm with the whole barks of trees, pressed when green by a
+heavy weight of timber. A common sort of bulrushes woven together, made
+mats for the covering of the poorer houses. The houses varied in size,
+from twenty to forty feet square, and some were from sixty to a hundred
+feet long, and thirty feet broad. In the smaller houses a fire was
+kindled in the centre, but in the larger, several fires were made for the
+convenience of the inmates. A hole in the top of the house served the
+place of a chimney, and on the top of the house a mat was suspended, to
+serve the purpose of a ventilator to the smoke, being set to the windward
+side. Their bedsteads were made of rude boards split from the tree, and
+raised about a foot from the ground, covered with skins, or with mats of
+woven grass, or bulrushes.
+
+Their principal food was a kind of pottage in which it would be
+difficult to say what article prevailed. Indian corn, kidney beans, all
+kinds of flesh and fish, cut in small pieces with the bones, many kinds
+of roots, artichokes, ground-nuts, squashes, oak acorns, walnuts, and
+chestnuts, were boiled together. The nuts being dried, and powdered, were
+used as flour to thicken the mess. They made a cake of parched corn,
+which they called nokake. This they took with them in their travels, and
+is said to have been so hearty a kind of food, that they subsisted on it
+many days in their wanderings from place to place.
+
+Their household utensils corresponded in simplicity to their food, and
+mode of cooking. The pots were made of clay, in the shape of an egg
+without the top. They were glad to receive pots of metal, as the earth
+of which they made their brittle vessels was scarce and dear. They used
+a kind of wood which was not liable to split, for dishes, spoons, and
+ladles. Their water pails were made of birch bark, folded square, with a
+handle or bail. Some of them held two or three gallons, and they could
+make one of them in the space of an hour. They wrought pictures of birds,
+beasts, fishes and flowers of divers colors in their baskets, which were
+made of corn husks, silk grass, and wild hemp.
+
+They formerly used no drink but water, though they soon learned from the
+settlers the manufacture and use of cider. When they became acquainted
+with intoxicating drinks, they showed a violent love for them, by which
+their savage passions and propensities were fearfully excited.
+
+Their clothing was, at first, of skins, and some had mantles of birds’
+feathers, twilled together. Even the most barbarous of them were decent
+in covering their persons, and were never seen naked in public.
+
+One of their principal remedies in sickness was, to put the patient, and
+sometimes several patients together, in a rude stone house, which they
+would heat by building fires round it, and having thus put the sick into
+a violent perspiration, they would plunge them into a neighboring brook.
+
+They divided time into sleeps, and moons, and winters. It is a curious
+fact that they called the Constellation, Charles’ Wain, by the same name
+with the English, the Bear. Like the early eastern nations, they seem to
+have pondered the face of the heavens, and to have made figures of the
+stars.
+
+Their money consisted of shells, or strings of shells, the black
+being double in value to the white. The _mints_ of their money seem to
+have been at Block Island, and Long Island, upon whose sandy flats and
+shores, these welk shells were chiefly found. It was called wompompeague,
+or, wompeague, and by contraction, wompum, or, wampum. They redeemed
+captives, paid tribute, made satisfaction for wrongs, and murders, and
+purchased peace of their more powerful neighbors, with strings of this
+wampum.
+
+Their weapons were bows and arrows, clubs, tomahawks, made of wood like a
+pole axe, with a sharp stone in the head. They used targets or shields of
+bark.
+
+They formerly smeared their skin with bears’ grease, but when the English
+swine afforded them lard, they used it as a substitute, and thus having
+anointed themselves, they painted their faces with vermilion, or red,
+and powdered their heads. Sometimes they painted one half of the face
+black, and the other white, and so, with various colors, deformed their
+visages, the women, especially, doing this, and the warriors thereby
+making themselves hideous in battle. Widows, mourning for their husbands,
+painted their faces wholly black. The men preparing for war put their
+hair in a roll, and surmounted it with turkey’s or eagle’s feathers, with
+other fantastic and showy decorations.
+
+They took great pleasure in dancing, the men only dancing, and they
+singly, (except in the war dance,) with uncouth and antic gestures and
+movements of the whole body, the spectators singing or whooping. The
+dancer took off his ornaments one by one as he danced, and gave them away
+to those who looked on, and when he had given away all that he had upon
+him, and was weary, another would succeed him, and thus succeeding each
+other they would spend the nights of a whole week together, sleeping by
+day. At such dancings accompanied with revelings, chiefly held after
+harvest, they were addicted to many evil practices.
+
+They were a hospitable race. Strangers were furnished with the best food
+and lodging, and were served before themselves.
+
+Their government was for the most part monarchical, the chief sachem or
+sagamore making his will the law, though there were chief men associated
+with him as counselors. In some of the tribes the influence of the head
+men was greater than in others, making the government a mixture of
+monarchy and aristocracy.
+
+They had no idols made with hands, but being ignorant of the true God,
+they adored natural objects; the sun, the moon, the earth, fire, and
+other things. They supposed that every thing in nature has a god in it,
+or belonging to it, but fire they believed to be itself a god. They
+believed that there was one god in the southwest, who was the chief deity.
+
+The Indians had priests or powows, or, powaws, who were conjurers, who,
+with horrid rites and incantations, told their fortunes, advised them
+in their affairs, yelled over them in their sick and dying moments, and
+performed religious worship with terrific noises and actions,
+
+    “Like stabled wolves or tigers at their prey,
+    Doing abhorred rites to Hecate.”
+
+The Indians believed in the immortality of the soul, that the good are
+admitted to a splendid entertainment, and the wicked wander in agony
+forever, and that there is no resurrection of the body for good or bad.
+
+As to the origin of the Indians, Roger Williams has well expressed the
+truth on the subject, in his Key into the language of the Indians of New
+England.[6]
+
+“From Adam and Noah that they spring, it is granted on all hands. But for
+their later descent, and whence they came into these parts, it seems hard
+to find, as to find the well-head of some fresh stream which running many
+miles out of the country to the salt ocean, hath met with many mixing
+streams by the way.”
+
+Mr. Williams gives many particulars of their manners and customs; some of
+which are here added.
+
+Their nokake, or nokehick, parched meal, was carried by each man on a
+journey, or in war, in a basket, fastened to his back, or in a hollow
+belt. With a spoonful of this meal, and a spoonful of water from the
+brook, Mr. Williams says he has many a time made a good supper. This
+parched meal, boiled with water, he says, is the wholesomest diet they
+have. _Nawsaump_ was a kind of meal pottage unparched, and from this the
+English derived their _samp_, or Indian corn, broken and boiled, and
+eaten, hot or cold, with milk or butter; “which are mercies beyond the
+natives’ plain water, and which is a dish exceeding wholesome for the
+English bodies.”
+
+Tobacco was in general use among them, and was the only plant which the
+men cultivated, the women attending to the rest. The following remark, by
+Mr. Williams, is in good illustration of former views and feelings with
+regard to the use of spirituous liquors. “I never see any take tobacco
+so excessively as I have seen men in Europe; and yet excess were more
+tolerable in them, because they want the refreshing of beer and wine,
+which God had vouchsafed Europe.”[7]
+
+They made up a fire, when they were lying down to sleep, summer and
+winter. “Their fire,” says Williams, “is instead of our bed clothes. And
+so themselves, and any that have occasion to lodge with them, must be
+content to turn often to the fire, if the night be cold; and they who
+first wake must repair the fire.”
+
+Bad dreams they considered as threatenings from God; and when they
+happened to them, they would engage in prayer at all times of the night.
+An Indian once dreamed that the sun, whom they worship as a god, darted
+a beam into his breast. This he took for an admonition of his death. He
+called his friends and neighbors together, and prepared some refreshment
+for them; but himself remained awake, and fasting, for ten days and
+nights in great humiliation and distress.
+
+“The women nurse all the children themselves; yet a rich or high woman
+maintains a nurse to tend the child.”
+
+“They have amongst them natural fools, either so born, or accidentally
+deprived of reason.”
+
+“The toothache is the only pain which will force their stout hearts to
+cry. I have never heard any cries among them like those of men in the
+toothache. In this pain they use a certain root dried, not much unlike
+our ginger.”
+
+“They are most skillful in cutting off the heads of their enemies in
+fight. I know the man, yet living, who pretended to fall from his own
+camp to the enemy, proffered his service in the front with them against
+his own army. He drew them out to battle, keeping in front; but, on a
+sudden, shot their chief leader and captain, and, in a trice, fetched off
+his head, and returned immediately to his own again. His act was false
+and treacherous; yet herein appear policy, stoutness, and activity.”
+
+“Their desire of and delight in news, is great as the Athenians. A
+stranger that can relate news in their own language they will style him
+manittoo, a god.”
+
+In hearing news they sit in a circle, two, three, or four deep. “I have
+seen near a thousand in a round where English could not well near half so
+many have sitten.”
+
+They frequently inquired “Why came the Englishmen hither?” The
+explanation most commonly believed among themselves at first was, that
+the English wanted fire-wood, and so removed to these parts, as the
+Indians remove when they have used up the wood around them.
+
+They kept the time of the day and the night with great accuracy, by
+observing the sun, moon, and stars. Living abroad in the fields and
+sleeping much out of doors, even the young children were expert in
+telling the time. The Indians were punctual in their promises as to
+time. Mr. Williams says they once charged him with lying for not being
+punctual, though necessarily delayed.
+
+English travelers were struck with the paths which the bare and tough
+feet of the Indians had made in stony places. One writer says that he
+has known many of them to run between eighty and a hundred miles in a
+summer’s day, and return within two days. He says they were so thoroughly
+acquainted with the interior of the country by means of hunting, that
+they have guided travelers forty miles without any path. They coveted
+horses above other beasts, preferring the ease of riding even to the
+comfort of milk and butter from the cow. On meeting with one another in
+travel, they were very happy and joyful; and striking fire, with stones
+or sticks, took tobacco, and set down to talk. It was quite rare to
+meet an old man or a lame man with a staff, their constitutions being
+generally robust.
+
+The English settlers were greatly struck with the purity of the air
+and of the water in New England.[8] But as New England is about twelve
+degrees south of England, the greater cold of this region is explained,
+Mr. Williams thinks, by the fact that main lands and continents are
+colder than islands. “England’s winds are sea winds, which are commonly
+more thick and vapory, and warmer winds. The northwest wind, which
+occasioneth New England cold, comes over the cold, frozen land, and
+over many millions of loads of snow. And yet the pure wholesomeness of
+the land is wonderful, and the warmth of the sun such in the sharpest
+weather, that I have often seen the natives’ children run about stark
+naked in the coldest days, and the Indian men and women lie by a fire in
+the woods in the coldest nights; and I have often been out myself such
+nights without fire, mercifully and wonderfully preserved.”
+
+It is observed by many writers that the Indians had a considerable
+mixture of sadness in their disposition. Though nature here was profuse
+in wild animals for food, and fish, and fowl, and fruits, the savages
+were subject to much suffering from causes which they had no knowledge
+to understand nor skill to prevent. Their superstitions joined with
+their savage vices made them afraid. It would seem also, in noticing
+the proofs of this disposition to melancholy, that the coming event of
+their disappearance as a race had cast its shadow upon their spirits. Mr.
+Williams says that they dislike cloths inclining to white, “but preferred
+to have a sad color, without any whitish hairs, suiting with their own
+natural temper, which inclines to sadness.”[9]
+
+In the spirit with which our forefathers came hither, seeking the
+conversion of the red race, good men from time to time pursued different
+measures for their spiritual good. But while other men deserve great
+praise for their zeal and industry in this benevolent work, it was
+reserved to JOHN ELIOT to gain for himself the name of the Apostle to the
+Indians. The way in which he obtained it will now appear, and also some
+account of his life and character, with further notices respecting the
+Indians.
+
+Though individuals had incidentally labored among the Indians for their
+spiritual good before the Apostle Eliot began his efforts to give them
+the Gospel, and some useful impressions had been made on some of their
+minds, the first systematic efforts for their conversion were made by
+him. Roger Williams’ narrative was printed in London, in 1643. Eliot
+began to preach in the Indian tongue in 1646. Mr. Williams says,
+
+“Many solemn discourses I have had with all sorts of nations of them,
+from one end of the country to the other, so far as opportunity, and the
+little language I have, could reach.
+
+“I know there is no small preparation in the hearts of multitudes of
+them. I know their many solemn confessions to myself, and one to another,
+of their last wandering conditions.
+
+“I know not with how little knowledge and grace of Christ the Lord may
+save; and therefore neither will despair, nor report much.
+
+“Two days before the death of Wequash, the Pequot captain, as I passed
+up to Quunnihticut (Connecticut) river, it pleased my worthy friend,
+Mr. Fenwick, whom I visited at his house in Saybrook fort, at the mouth
+of that river, to tell me that my old friend Wequash lay very sick. I
+desired to see him, and himself was pleased to be my guide two miles
+where Wequash lay.
+
+“Amongst other discourses concerning his sickness and death, in which he
+freely bequeathed his son to Mr. Fenwick, I closed with him concerning
+his soul. He told me that some two or three years before, he had lodged
+at my house, where I acquainted him with the condition of all mankind,
+and his own in particular; how God created man and all things; how man
+fell from God, and his present enmity against God and the wrath of God
+against him till repentance. Said he, your words were never out of my
+heart to this present; and, said he, ‘Me much pray to Jesus Christ.’ I
+told him so did many English, French, and Dutch, who had never turned
+to God nor loved him. He replied in broken English: ‘Me so big naughty
+heart: me heart all one stone!’ Savoring expressions using to breathe
+from compunct and broken hearts, and a sense of inward hardness and
+unbrokenness. I had many discourses with him in this life; but this was
+the sum of our last parting, until our general meeting.”[10]
+
+We now come to the history of the man by whom the work of converting and
+civilizing the Indians was carried out with the most signal success.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+    John Eliot. Birth and Education. Associated with Rev. Thomas
+    Hooker. Arrives at Boston. Settles in Roxbury. Anecdote.
+    Discovery of Spot Pond. Marriage. Christian and Ministerial
+    character. His zeal for common School Education. Notices of his
+    personal character. His Congregational Sentiments. Remarks upon
+    them. Mr. Eliot’s children. His prayers. His preaching. Infant
+    Baptism.
+
+
+John Eliot was born in Nasing, Essex, England, in the year 1604. All that
+is known of his parents is, that they were eminently pious, to which Mr.
+Eliot bore testimony, when he wrote in after life these words: “I do see
+that it was a great favor of God unto me to season my first years with
+the fear of God, the word, and prayer.”
+
+He was educated in England at the University of Cambridge, and was
+distinguished for his love of the languages, in which he attained
+uncommon skill, especially in Hebrew and Greek. There is a connection
+between this fact and his labors in New England in acquiring the Indian
+tongue and translating the Bible and other books into it.
+
+The Rev. Thomas Hooker, afterwards the first Pastor of the Church
+in Cambridge, New England, who afterwards removed with his Church to
+Hartford, Connecticut, had been silenced for his conscientious scruples
+at certain rites and observances in the Church of England, after
+exercising the ministry four years. At the suggestion and request of
+distinguished individuals, he established a school in the town of Little
+Braddow, near Chelmsford, in the county of Essex, England. Mr. Eliot
+was an usher in this school. In this school several individuals were
+trained up who became eminently useful. Mr. Eliot wrote an account of
+this school; and says of it, and of his connection with the family of Mr.
+Hooker, “To this place was I called through the infinite riches of God’s
+mercy in Christ Jesus to my poor soul; for here the Lord said unto my
+dead soul, Live; and, through the grace of Christ, I do live, and I shall
+live forever. When I came to this blessed family, I then saw, and never
+before, the power of godliness in its lively vigor and efficacy.”
+
+By the influence of Mr. Hooker, Mr. Eliot was led to devote himself to
+the Christian ministry. Seeing the corruptions of the Church of England,
+and the oppressive spirit of those in authority towards all who would
+not conform to the ceremonies and practices of the Established Church,
+he resolved that he would go to America, that he might preach the gospel
+without restraint.
+
+He came to Boston in November, 1631, in the ship “Lyon,” with Governor
+Winthrop’s lady and children, and sixty others. There was then no
+minister at the Church in Boston, Rev. Mr. Wilson, their pastor, having
+gone to England to settle his affairs. Mr. Eliot joined the Church at
+Boston, and preached to them a part of a year, till the return of Mr.
+Wilson, when the Church wished to make him colleague and teacher with
+Mr. Wilson. But he had engaged with several individuals, in England,
+that if they should remove to America, he would be their minister. They
+came the year after his arrival, and settled at Roxbury; and having
+formed a Church there, secured the services of Mr. Eliot. He was then
+twenty-eight years old, and he continued as Pastor of the Church in
+Roxbury nearly sixty years. His meeting-house was on the hill where the
+present meeting-house of the First Church in Roxbury (unitarian) now
+stands. Cotton Mather has preserved an anecdote connected with this hill,
+illustrating the art which Mr. Eliot had at spiritualizing. Going up
+the hill to his meeting-house, in his old age, with much feebleness and
+weariness he said to the one who led him, “This is very like the way to
+heaven, ’tis up hill; the Lord by his grace fetch us up.” Spying a bush
+near him he instantly added, “And truly there are thorns and briars in
+the way too!” which instance, Mather says, “I would not have singled out
+from the many thousands of his occasional reflections, but only that I
+might suggest unto the good people of Roxbury something for them to think
+upon when they are going up to the house of the Lord.”[11]
+
+In February of the year after his arrival, Mr. Eliot is mentioned as
+one of the company who, with the governor, made an excursion into the
+vicinity of Boston, and discovered a pond to which they gave its present
+name of “Spot Pond.”[12] This pond has of late been a prominent candidate
+for the privilege of supplying this city with water.
+
+In 1632, Mr. Eliot was married to the pious young lady to whom he was
+betrothed in England, and who came to America by appointment the year
+after Mr. Eliot’s arrival. We shall have occasion to speak of her in the
+sequel of this history.
+
+In the exercise of the Christian ministry, Mr. Eliot was remarkable
+for a deep sense of the great responsibleness of his work. It made him
+humble; he seemed to have a peculiar fear of the temptations incident to
+his profession, and to be deeply impressed with the weight of its duties.
+His brethren in the ministry were struck with this characteristic of his
+ministerial deportment.
+
+He bestowed much labor and diligence upon his preparations for the
+pulpit. It is said that when he listened to a discourse which seemed
+to have had care and attention bestowed upon it, he was accustomed
+to express his approbation and thanks to the preacher. But while his
+discourses showed him to be a student, he placed a higher value on
+spiritual gifts in preaching than upon the greatest accomplishments of
+art or labor. He frequently exhorted young preachers to make Christ
+prominent in their discourses and in all their ministrations.
+
+He had an elevated sense of the meaning and privilege of
+church-membership. With affection, but also with plain and faithful
+words, he never ceased to rebuke the inconsistencies of professors of
+religion. Mather says of him, “He would sound the trumpet of God against
+all vice with a most penetrating liveliness, and make his pulpit another
+Mount Sinai, for the flashes of lightning therein displayed against the
+breaches of the law given from that burning mountain. There was usually a
+special fervor in the rebukes which he bestowed on carnality. When he was
+to brand the earthly mindedness of Church members and the allowance and
+indulgence which they often give themselves in sensual delights, he was a
+right Boanerges. He spoke as many thunderbolts as words!”
+
+He paid particular attention to the young people of his charge, gave them
+instruction in public and private with the help of catechisms composed by
+him especially for their use. It was his familiar habit, when he visited
+a family, to call the young around him and lay his hands on their heads
+with words of kindness and prayer.
+
+He showed his love of learning in his zeal for the establishment of
+common schools. The grammar School at Roxbury owed much to his care. At
+the meeting of a Synod in Boston, he made the schools of the country a
+special subject of prayer, beseeching God that he would cause them to be
+established everywhere, that schools might flourish, that every member
+of the Synod might go home to procure and encourage a good school in his
+town; and that before they should die, they might be so happy as to see a
+good school established in every part of the country.
+
+“God so blessed his endeavors that Roxbury could not live quietly
+without a free school in the town, and the issue of it has been one thing
+that has almost made me put the title of Schola Illustris upon that
+little nursery; that is, that Roxbury has afforded more scholars first
+for the College and then for the public than any town of its bigness,
+or, if I mistake not, of twice its bigness in all New England. From the
+spring of the school at Roxbury, there have run a large number of the
+streams which have made glad the whole city of God. I persuade myself
+that the good people of Roxbury will forever scorn to begrudge the cost,
+or to permit the death of a school which God has made such an honor to
+them; and thus the rather because their deceased Eliot has left them a
+fair part of his own estate for the maintaining of the school in Roxbury;
+and I hope, or at least I wish that the ministers of New England may be
+as ungainsayably importunate with their people as Mr. Eliot was with his
+for schools which may seasonably tinge the young souls of the rising
+generation. A want of education for them is the blackest and saddest of
+all the bad omens that are upon us.”[13]
+
+One result of his interest in schools was that many individuals were
+raised up under his eye who became ministers of the gospel, and some of
+them were eminently useful.
+
+He was so engrossed in the affairs of his ministry that he hardly paid
+sufficient attention to his worldly affairs, never being anxious about
+his support, depending wholly on the temporary and voluntary offerings
+of his people, which varied with the times. Dr. Dwight, in his Travels
+in New England and New York,[14] relates an anecdote to illustrate his
+generous and somewhat improvident disposition and habits. “The parish
+treasurer having paid him his salary, put it into a handkerchief, and
+tied it into as many hard knots as he could make to prevent him from
+giving it away before he reached his own house. On his way he called on a
+poor family, and told them that he had brought them some relief. He then
+began to untie the knots, but finding it a work of great difficulty, he
+gave it to the mistress of the house, saying, ‘Here, my dear, take it, I
+believe the Lord designs it all for you.’”
+
+Like many other ministers, he owed much to the care which his wife took
+of him and his worldly affairs. She of course did not commend him for
+such reckless acts of charity as the one just named. One day some cattle
+stood before their door. His wife, to try him, asked him to whom they
+belonged, and though they were his own, he did not know them.
+
+His influence upon his brethren in the ministry seems to have been
+eminently spiritual. He once said in a company of them, “The Lord Jesus
+takes much notice of what is said and done among his ministers when they
+are together. Let us pray before we depart.” His advice to some who
+complained of the conduct of Church members towards them, was, “Bear,
+forbear, forgive.” On one occasion he came into a meeting of ministers
+who had met as referees on some difficulties between two parties. A large
+bundle of papers lay on the table, containing the correspondence and
+other documents relating to the quarrel. He put them all into the fire,
+and said, “You need not be astonished at what I have done, for I did it
+on my knees before I came here.”
+
+He loved to attend upon the ministry of his brethren when they lectured
+during the week. It used to excite surprise, that, with his many labors
+and studies, he could find so much time to do this. His appearance in
+the house of God as a hearer was noticeable, being always wakeful and
+watchful, turning the pages of a Bible to find the texts referred to by
+the preacher, and on returning to his home, he would preach the sermon
+over again to those who walked with him.
+
+He is mentioned as remarkable for the value which he seemed to set on the
+Sabbath, and for the high spiritual enjoyment which its return brought
+with it. Of every Sabbath it might almost be said with regard to his
+enjoyment of the sacred hours, “That Sabbath was a high-day.”
+
+He was eminently a man of prayer, setting apart whole days for special
+supplication and communion with God, to which he frequently added
+fasting. When he had any special difficulty in his private, or in public
+affairs, he devoted himself to special, secret prayer for some time
+together, on the principle related of another, “That when we would have
+any great things to be accomplished, the best policy is to work by an
+engine which the world sees nothing of.” When he heard any special news
+he would sometimes say, “Brethren, let us turn all this into prayer.”
+When he paid a visit to a family with which he was familiar, he would
+sometimes say, “Come, let us not have a visit without a prayer; let us
+pray down the blessing of heaven on your family before we go.”
+
+A pious woman, afflicted with a wicked husband, complained to him that
+she was greatly troubled by the bad company which her husband brought
+with him into the house, and asked him what she should do. He said to
+her, “Take the holy Bible into your hands when they come, and you will
+soon drive them away.” The experiment is said to have been successful.
+
+One day walking in his garden with a friend, he began to pluck up the
+weeds. His friend pleasantly said to him, “Sir, you tell us we must be
+heavenly-minded,” as though he would draw from Mr. Eliot some remarks on
+the consistency of heavenly-mindedness with attention to things about us.
+Mr. Eliot replied, “It is true; and this is no impediment unto that; for
+were I sure to go to heaven tomorrow, I would do what I do to-day.”
+
+He went into a merchant’s counting room, where he saw his mercantile
+books on the table, and some books of devotion on the shelf. Upon which
+he said, “Sir, here is earth on the table, and Heaven on the shelf. Pray
+don’t sit so much at the table as altogether to forget the shelf.”
+
+Preaching once on holiness in all manner of conversation, he said, “In
+the morning if we ask, Where am I to be to-day? our souls must answer, In
+heaven. In the evening if we ask, Where have I been to-day, our souls may
+answer, In heaven. If thou art a believer thou art no stranger to Heaven
+while thou livest; and when thou diest, Heaven will be no strange place
+to thee: no, thou hast been there a thousand times before.”
+
+He would say to students, “I pray look to it that you be morning birds.”
+
+A few years before his death, he pressed his people to obtain another
+pastor, and said, “’Tis possible you may think the burden of maintaining
+two ministers may be two heavy for you; but I deliver you from that
+fear; I do here give back my salary to the Lord Jesus Christ, and now,
+brethren, you may fix that upon any man that God shall make a pastor
+for you.” But his Church kindly and generously told him that they
+should count his very presence worth a salary, when he should be so
+superannuated as to do no further service for them.
+
+He was an abstemious man, and yet far from being morose or censorious,
+but when invited to a large dinner, it is said that while he eat but very
+little he would indulge in pleasant and grateful remarks with respect to
+the plenty with which God had furnished his people in this wilderness.
+Having been invited at a stranger’s house to take some drink, which he
+was told was wine and water, he replied, “Wine! ’tis a noble, generous
+liquor, and we should be humbly thankful for it; but, as I remember,
+water was made before it,” and water was his drink, to a degree which was
+far from being common even in those days.
+
+He was greatly displeased with the increasing attention in his day
+among the men to the wearing of the hair, the length of it growing to
+effeminacy, and false hair frequently being added, when there was no
+necessity for it to cover the head. He finally despaired of changing or
+checking the custom, and said, “The lust is become insuperable.”
+
+It is said of him that no man ever had fewer enemies than he, but still
+there were those who privately disliked him, and he charged his wife in
+her visits among the people to do good in a special manner to any whom
+she found disposed to speak against him, or to entertain unkind feelings
+towards him. Having once displeased a hearer by something in a sermon,
+the man abused him publicly by words and by printing something to his
+injury. The man soon after was wounded. Mrs. Eliot had considerable skill
+in medicine and the treatment of wounds, and Mr. Eliot sent her to cure
+the man, which she did, and upon his recovery the man called to thank
+her, but she took no reward, and Mr. Eliot kept him to dine, and took no
+notice of his evil conduct, whereupon the man was deeply affected and
+subdued.
+
+He had much tact and wit in suiting his benedictions to the conditions
+and circumstances of different people.
+
+In the days of affliction he showed exemplary resignation to the will
+of God. He followed to the grave two or three of his sons, who were
+ministers of the Gospel. But his patience and submission under these
+trials are spoken of with great commendation.
+
+His love for the Hebrew tongue is seen in the following enthusiastic
+words: “O that the Lord would put it into the heart of some of his
+religious and learned servants to take such pains about the Hebrew
+language as to fit it for universal use! Considering that above all
+languages spoken by the lip of man, it is most capable to be enlarged,
+and fitted to express all things, and motions, and notions that our human
+intellect is capable of in this mortal life, considering also that it is
+the invention of God himself; and what one is fitter to be the universal
+language, than that which it pleased our Lord Jesus to make use of when
+he spake from heaven unto Paul!”
+
+In the government of his family, it is said that there might have been
+seen a perpetual mixture of a Spartan and a Christian discipline, and
+that whatever decay there might have been in family religion generally,
+the people ‘knew how that he would command his children and his household
+after him, that they should keep the way of the Lord.’
+
+He was remarkable for the efforts he employed to instruct the children,
+making catechisms for them having reference to any prevailing errors.
+The effect of this is certified in a remark of Cotton Mather, that it is
+a well-principled people that he has left behind him. “As when certain
+Jesuits were sent among the Waldenses to corrupt their children, they
+returned with much disappointment and confusion, because the children of
+seven years old were well-principled enough to encounter the most learned
+of them all; so, if any seducers were let loose to wolve it among the
+good people of Roxbury, I am confident they would find as little prey
+in that well instructed place as in any part of the country. No civil
+penalties would signify so much to save any people from the snares of
+busy heretics, as the unwearied catechising of our Eliot has done to
+preserve his people from the gangrene of ill opinion.”[15]
+
+It is said of Mr. Eliot that he was not only an evangelical minister, but
+a Protestant and a Puritan. “He was a modest, humble, but very reasonable
+non-conformist unto the ceremonies which have been such unhappy apples of
+strife in the Church of England; otherwise the dismal thickets of America
+had never seen such a person in them.”
+
+Mr. Eliot was strongly attached to the Congregational form of Church
+order. He spoke of it as the special gift of Christ to his people who
+followed him into the wilderness with an earnest zeal for communion with
+Him in a pure worship. He regarded Congregationalism as a happy medium
+to “rigid Presbyterianism” on the one hand, and “leveling Brownism” on
+the other, the liberties of the people not being disregarded, nor the
+authority of the elders rendered insignificant, but a due balance kept
+between them both. He regarded the Platform of Church Discipline “as
+being the nearest of what he had yet seen to the directions of heaven.”
+
+By this it is not to be understood that Mr. Eliot as a true
+Congregationalist, supposed that any form of Church government was
+imposed by Christ or the Apostles upon the Christian Church, as being
+in any way essential to the existence of a true Church of Christ. With
+regard to the appointment of any special form of Church Government, it
+would seem that there is a wise silence in the New Testament. The genius
+of Christianity forbids an adherence to any form of ecclesiastical
+order as essential to the existence of a Church of Christ. This truth
+was declared by Christ at Jacob’s well to the Samaritan woman. The Jews
+insisted on Jerusalem as the place where men ought to worship. The
+Samaritans as strenuously maintained that acceptable worship could be
+performed only in their mountain.
+
+Christ said, The hour cometh when ye shall neither in this mountain nor
+yet at Jerusalem worship the Father; that is, no place in preference to
+another shall be essential to acceptable worship. God is a Spirit, and
+they that worship him need not restrict themselves to any hallowed place,
+but may worship him any where acceptably, if they worship Him in spirit
+and in truth.
+
+But if so great a change was allowed as the abolition of sacred places,
+which once were essential to acceptable worship, and notwithstanding all
+that had been done to make men feel that Jerusalem and the Temple were
+the places to which the true worshipers must of necessity resort, it
+follows that no forms, any more than places, are essential to the true
+worship of God. We may infer what form of Church government prevailed
+under the Apostles, though different readers of the New Testament will
+draw different inferences. This shows that no form is prescribed as
+being essential, otherwise we should not have been left in the dark in
+so important a subject. The body of Moses and the place of his sepulchre
+were hidden, because as we generally suppose the Israelites would have
+paid an idolatrous reverence before such a shrine as the tomb of their
+illustrious leader, and in the Jewish Church the solemn farce of a Holy
+Sepulchre would have been enacted, in anticipation and in countenance of
+the subsequent follies which have been connected with the Sepulchre of
+Christ. We may say of any supposed form of Church government as being in
+any way essential, as is said of the body of Moses, and for a similar
+reason, “The Lord buried it,” and “no man knoweth of its sepulchre to
+this day.”
+
+Our preference for the Congregational form of Church government is
+not properly founded on any prescriptions in the New Testament, but on
+our convictions that this form is most accordant with the genius of
+Christianity and of republican institutions. But so surely as we insist
+on Congregationalism as having any “divine right,” or authority, and we
+seek to propagate Congregationalism with such convictions, we are as
+surely High Churchmen and Puseyites as can any where be found. To insist
+on the absence of all forms and on the perfect simplicity of worship,
+with a sectarian spirit, shows as great an attachment to _a form of
+worship_ as though we urged the adoption of all the ceremonies of the
+Cathedral. We may be as bigoted in favor of simplicity as of any thing
+else, and a Quaker and a Congregationalist may be as much a formalist
+and a Churchman as any other. At the same time we may believe that the
+Congregational form of government is nearer to the Spirit of the New
+Testament than any other, and this is what Mr. Eliot probably meant when
+he said that Congregationalism was nearest in his view to the directions
+of heaven.
+
+The influence which was exerted upon the mind of Thomas Jefferson, and
+which he exerted in the framing of the Constitution, by observing, as he
+did, an illustration of democracy in a Congregational Baptist Church in
+Virginia, is well known.[16]
+
+We ought to carry out the true Puritan doctrine of liberty of
+conscience by not despising any who choose to worship under a different
+form and order from our own. It is an interesting illustration of the
+noble spirit in our Puritan institutions that all sects have liberty
+here to worship God with any forms or in any manner they please; and he
+who tries to hinder them any further than by convincing them, or feels
+sourly towards them in the enjoyment of their liberty of conscience
+and religious preferences, has not yet learned all that he may of the
+nature and spirit of religious liberty. But if we profess to be in the
+true succession from the Puritans and Pilgrims as to doctrine and Church
+order, let us not mix any of those things with our worship from which
+the Pilgrims fled to this wilderness, that they might be rid of them.
+We can live peaceably and freely in the midst of such corruptions and
+not be persecuted. They could not. Let us not abuse our liberty, by
+turning again to those beggarly elements of human appointments in Church
+government and worship which corrupt the religion of Christ. Let us
+not begin to do so by cultivating the spirit of bigoted attachment to
+our simple order and forms, for thereby we as truly violate the spirit
+of Christianity as though we insisted on a multitude of ceremonies and
+a hierarchy, as essential to a Church. He who says “No Church without
+simplicity in worship,” and he who says, “No Church without a Bishop,”
+are two extremes which meet. At the same time, we shall be the degenerate
+sons of men who made such sacrifices for purity in worship as did the
+Pilgrims, unless we adhere to our simple and beautiful mode of Church
+government and worship as preferable to any other.
+
+The practice of examining persons who seek admission to the Church, was
+much insisted on by Mr. Eliot. The relation of their experience he says,
+“is an ordinance of wonderful benefit. The devil knows what he does when
+he thrusts so hard to get this custom out of our churches. For my part I
+would say in this case, Get thee behind me Satan; thou givest an horrible
+offence to the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us keep up this ordinance with all
+gentleness; and where we see the least spark of grace held forth, let us
+prize it more than all the wit in the world.”
+
+Mr. Eliot had six children, a daughter and five sons. The daughter
+became exemplary for her piety and matronly deportment. His first son,
+John, was “a lively, zealous, acute preacher, not only to the English at
+New Cambridge,[17] but also to the Indians thereabout.” He died early,
+and upon his death-bed uttered many remarkable things. The third child,
+Joseph, was pastor of the Church in Guilford, Conn. The fourth child,
+Samuel, was a candidate for the ministry, but died young. The fifth
+was Aaron, who also died very young. The last was Benjamin, who became
+his father’s assistant in the ministry at Roxbury, but died before his
+father. Of these six children, Mr. Eliot said, “THEY ARE ALL EITHER WITH
+CHRIST, OR IN CHRIST.”
+
+Mather speaks of the singular and surprising successes of Mr. Eliot’s
+prayers; ‘for they were such that in our distresses we still repaired
+to him under that encouragement.’ “He is a prophet, and he shall pray
+for thee, and thou shall live.” He mentions the following fact. They
+who are displeased at David’s imprecations against his enemies, may see
+in it that a good man may pray for the destruction of the incorrigibly
+wicked, when great and good ends will be accomplished by it, leaving
+it submissively to the appointments of the all-wise God. A good man
+never ventures to pray in this manner, except when he is under a strong
+influence, drawing him very near to God with holy freedom and boldness.
+At such times his feelings are eminently pure; and it is in such times
+that good men feel impelled to pray for the removal of those who oppose
+God, and hinder others in their salvation. No doubt if there were more of
+ardent piety, there would be more of righteous indignation against the
+obstinate opposers of religion, and we should find ourselves better able
+to understand the feelings and language of David, when praying against
+the enemies of his throne and of the God who ruled by him. That language
+will come into more familiar use by the people of God, in their nearest
+approaches to him, as they go forth with their King and Saviour in his
+conflicts with his enemies.
+
+The fact to which the allusion has been made was this:
+
+There was a pious gentleman of Charlestown by the name of Foster, who,
+with his son, was taken prisoner by the Turks. The news being spread
+in this vicinity, the good people offered up many prayers for his
+deliverance. But it was reported that the prince, within whose authority
+he was a prisoner, had resolved that during his reign, no captive should
+be set free. The friends and acquaintances of this man then concluded
+that his captivity was hopeless. Soon after, Mr. Eliot on some public
+and solemn occasion, used these direct and forcible petitions. “Heavenly
+Father! work forth deliverance of thy poor servant, Foster; and if the
+prince which detains him, will not, as they say, dismiss him so long as
+himself lives, Lord, we pray thee to kill that cruel prince; kill him,
+and glorify thyself upon him.” Soon after the prisoners returned and
+brought news that in consequence of the untimely death of the prince they
+had been set at liberty.
+
+There was one thing which seems to have pressed very heavily on the mind
+and heart of Mr. Eliot in his ministerial office. It was the care of a
+Church. “He looked upon it,” says one, “as a thing no less dangerous
+than important, and attended with so many difficulties, temptations, and
+humiliations, as that nothing but a call from the Son of God could have
+encouraged him unto the susception of it. He saw that it was no easy
+thing to feed the souls of such a people, to bear their manners with
+all patience, not being by any of their infirmities discouraged from
+teaching of them, and from watching and praying over them, to value them
+highly as the flock of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood,
+notwithstanding all their miscarriages, and in all to examine the rule
+of Scripture for the warrant of whatever shall be done, and to remember
+the day of judgment wherein an account must be given of whatever shall be
+done, having in the meantime no expectation of the riches and grandeurs
+which accompany a worldly domination.” This seemed to be characteristic
+of the spirit with which Mr. Eliot discharged his duties as the pastor of
+a Church.
+
+An observation of Rev. Samuel Ward has been quoted as applicable to him:
+“In observing I have observed and found that divers great clerks have had
+but little fruit of their ministry, but hardly any truly zealous men of
+God, though of lesser gifts, but have had much comfort of their labors in
+their own and bordering parishes, being in this likened by Gregory to the
+iron on the smith’s anvil, sparkling round about.”
+
+Mather says, “The Lord Jesus Christ was the load-stone which gave a
+touch to all the sermons of our Eliot; a glorious, precious, lovely
+Christ, was the point of heaven to which they still verged unto.” It is
+said, that though he printed many books or pamphlets, his heart seemed
+to be in none of them so much, as in his ‘Harmony of the Gospels, in the
+holy History of Jesus Christ.’ It was a standing piece of advice with him
+to young ministers, “Pray let there be much of Christ in your ministry.”
+On hearing a sermon in which the Saviour had been made prominent, he
+would say, O, blessed be God, that we hear Christ so much and so well
+preached in poor New England.
+
+On coming out of the meeting-house where he had been listening to a
+sermon, he said to the preacher, “Brother, there was oil required for the
+service of the sanctuary; but it must be beaten oil; I praise God that
+I saw your oil so well beaten to-day; the Lord help us always by good
+study to beat our oil that there may be _no knots in our sermons left
+undissolved_, and that there may a clear light be thereby given in the
+house of God.” Still it is observed that he looked for something more
+than mere study in a sermon; he required those things in it which would
+make the hearer feel that the Spirit of God was in the sermon and with
+the preacher, and he was once heard to complain, “It is a sad thing when
+a sermon shall have that one thing, The Spirit of God, wanting in it.”
+
+He had eminently spiritual views of the duty and privilege of infant
+baptism. On giving the Rev. Cotton Mather the Right Hand of Fellowship
+at his ordination, he said to him, “Brother, art thou a lover of the
+Lord Jesus Christ? Then I pray, feed his lambs.” He was careful to have
+the lambs pass under the “Lord’s tything rod.” One Mr. Norcott, a truly
+pious man, published a book against the baptism of infants, which being
+circulated in Boston and the vicinity, Mr. Eliot answered it in a brief
+publication, beginning with these words: “The book speaks with the voice
+of a lamb, and I think the author is a godly though erring brother; but
+he acts the cause of a roaring lion, who by all crafty ways, seeketh to
+devour the poor lambs of the flock of Christ.” He then speaks “in the
+behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves.”
+
+On one occasion, speaking of the Saviour’s directions to Peter, John
+21:15, he observed, That _the care of the lambs is one third part of the
+charge over the house of God_.
+
+The title of one of Mr. Eliot’s publications, “The Divine Management
+of Gospel Churches, by the Ordinance of Councils, constituted in order
+according to the Scriptures, which may be a means of uniting those two
+holy and eminent parties, the Presbyterians and the Congregational,”
+shows that a plan of union between these two sister denominations is not
+wholly of modern origin.
+
+But reserving many things respecting Mr. Eliot’s character and opinions
+for another place in this book, let us now look at him in that remarkable
+work to which God appointed him among the Indians of this vicinity.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+    Nonantum. Mather’s description of the natives. The Lost Tribes
+    of Israel. Specimen of Indian words. Eliot’s first religious
+    exercise at Nonantum. Indian Questions. Second visit to
+    the Indians. Indian Questions. Eliot’s reflections on his
+    interviews. Anecdotes.
+
+
+The old turnpike road to Worcester, in Brighton, leaves Nonantum hill
+on the left, and a private road conducts to the summit of the hill which
+is crowned by two mansions.[18] The scenery from that hill has a rare
+combination of still life and of the busy world. The Charles River, seen
+from a distant part of the hill, meanders to the sea; the quiet, classic
+scenes of Cambridge are before the eye; soft undulations of hill and
+dale, winding roads and aboriginal woods, and the quiet waters of the
+estuary, impress the mind with sensations of repose which are pleasantly
+broken by the distant noise of travel upon the bridges, the sudden
+whistle of the locomotive, and an impressive view of the neighboring
+city. That hill, extending as far as Watertown, and Newton, was once the
+favorite residence of the Indians, in this vicinity,[19] and thither
+Eliot, the pastor of the neighboring Church in Roxbury, directed his way,
+to give the Indians the word and ordinances of the Gospel in their own
+language.
+
+Cotton Mather says, “The natives of the country now possessed by the
+New Englanders, had been forlorn and wretched heathen ever since their
+first herding here; and though we know not how these Indians first became
+inhabitants of this mighty continent, yet we may guess that probably the
+devil decoyed these miserable savages hither, in hopes that the gospel
+of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ would never come here to destroy
+or disturb his absolute empire over them. But our Eliot was in such
+ill-terms with the devil, as to alarm him by sounding the silver trumpets
+of heaven in his territories, and make some noble and zealous attempt
+towards ousting him of his ancient possessions here. There were, I think,
+twenty several nations, if I may call them so, of Indians, upon that spot
+of ground which fell under the influence of our Three United Colonies;
+and our Eliot was willing to rescue as many of them as he could from that
+old usurping landlord of America, who is, by the wrath of God, the prince
+of this world.”[20]
+
+Some of the interest and zeal which many of the first planters and their
+successors felt with regard to the Indians, was owing to their belief
+that they were the Ten Tribes of Israel. Cotton Mather enumerates “some
+small reasons,” as he calls them, which led the English to suspect that
+they might be Israelites. He adds, “They have, too, a great unkindness
+for our swine;”—but he does not seem to place much reliance on that
+coincidence with the Jewish antipathy to swine, for he adds, “but I
+suppose that is because our swine devour their clams, which are a great
+dainty with them.”
+
+This supposition that the North American Indians are the Ten Tribes of
+Israel, has seemed even more probable to many modern writers than it did
+to the first settlers of the country. Mr. Catlin, in his interesting and
+valuable work on the North American Indians, mentions many curious facts
+in the history, manners and customs of the present race of red men, in
+favor of this supposition. But there are so many theories on the subject
+of the Lost Tribes of Israel, and it is so easy for an ingenious mind to
+discover or invent resemblances, that neither this theory nor any other
+on the same subject has ever obtained general belief.
+
+It was to a people of rude speech and fierce countenance that Mr. Eliot
+endeavored to give a knowledge of the Gospel and the institutions of
+civilized life. His first labor of course was to acquire their language.
+It was the language of the Massachusetts Indians to which he applied
+himself. He found an old Indian who could speak English, took him into
+his family, and by finding out one word, and expression, and sentence
+after another, he soon was able to converse in that tongue, and finally
+understood it so well that he reduced it to rules, and made an Indian
+grammar. One glance at this language will show that it must have been
+no easy task for a stranger to learn it well enough to converse in it.
+Some of the words are of enormous length, one of them sometimes filling a
+whole line. The word for “our loves,” is _noowoomantammoorkanunornash_.
+“Our question” is _Kummogkodonnattootummooetiteaongannunnarash_. “One
+would think,” says Mather, “that these words had been growing ever since
+Babel unto the dimensions to which they are now extended.” Another remark
+of his on this subject, though it may seem to us to be somewhat in a
+trifling mood, was undoubtedly written with sober feelings, considering
+the prevalent superstitions of those times—superstitions with regard to
+which we greatly err if we suppose them to have been, in those times,
+peculiar to America.[21] “I know not,” this writer adds, “what thoughts
+it will produce in my reader, when I inform him that once finding that
+the demons in a possessed young woman understood the Latin and Greek
+and Hebrew languages, my curiosity led me to make trial of this Indian
+language, and the demons did seem as if they did not understand it.”
+
+The reason of the great length of these Indian words is understood to
+be, that instead of having separate words for pronouns and adjectives,
+the noun or verb expresses them by adding syllables to itself. Mather,
+who was ready at anagrams and puns, says that the name _Eliot_ read
+backwards, is _t o i l E_, and he thinks that the name corresponds well
+with the toil of reducing such a language to a grammar. At the close of
+his Grammar Eliot wrote these words: “Prayers and pains through faith in
+Christ Jesus, will do any thing.”
+
+We have from Eliot’s own pen a narrative, called “A true relation of our
+beginnings with the Indians.” It was published in London, in 1647, under
+this title, “The Day breaking, if not the Sun-rising, of the Gospel, with
+the Indians in New England.”
+
+In October, 1646, Eliot, with a few others, having sought the blessing
+of God, went to Nonantum, for the purpose, as he says, of making known to
+the Indians the things of their peace. As they approached the wigwams,
+five or six of the Chiefs met them with English salutations and bid
+them welcome. The principal wigwam had been previously prepared for the
+meeting, and many of the Indians were assembled. Eliot and his companions
+then began with prayer in the English language, not being sufficiently
+acquainted with the Indian tongue to make suitable religious impressions
+at first with it upon the minds of the Indians, and besides they wished
+to let the Indians see that they felt the duty in hand to be serious and
+sacred, and they had a desire, moreover, as missionaries to offer up a
+united supplication to God, “with the same request and heart sorrowes,”
+in that place where God was never wont to be called upon.
+
+It was an affecting sight, as we may suppose, to Eliot and his friends,
+when they ceased from prayer and looked upon the company of Indians
+sitting in silence, with a mixture of curiosity and seriousness and
+wildness in their faces. To such an audience Eliot preached in the Indian
+tongue from Ezekiel 37:9. “Prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind,
+Thus saith the Lord, Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon
+these slain that they may live.”
+
+It is a curious fact that the name of the man[22] in whose wigwam they
+were assembled was Waban, and Waban is the Indian name for the wind, so
+that it seemed to Waban that the message was sent to him, and it proved
+a means in his conversion. The text from which Mr. Eliot preached on
+this occasion, was not one which his hearers could at first understand,
+and therefore some have expressed surprise at the selection of it. But
+in reply to this, it may be asked, what passage of the Word of God
+would have been immediately intelligible to those ignorant hearers?
+Besides, the text seems to have been chosen by Mr. Eliot for a purpose
+which is certainly proper on special occasions, viz., as a warrant and
+encouragement to his own soul and that of his helpers, in preaching in
+that valley of dry bones. Yet, after suitable religious impressions had
+been made, and the hearers had felt their lost and wretched state, and
+their need of divine power, in reflecting upon the text it must have
+seemed to the hearers peculiarly appropriate to the occasion and to their
+condition.
+
+An hour and a quarter was occupied in the discourse. Mr. Eliot gave the
+Indians first a brief exposition of the ten commandments, showing the
+wrath and curse of God against those who break the least one of them. The
+subject was then applied, and the law having been brought to do its work
+in their hearts, and their sins being pointed out to them, as Mr. Eliot
+says, with much sweet affection, Jesus Christ was preached to them as the
+only Saviour. He told them who Christ was, and what he did, and whither
+he had gone, and how he will come again to judge the wicked and burn
+the world. The creation and fall of man, the greatness of God, heaven
+and hell, the pleasures of religion and the miseries of sin were then
+explained in language and with illustrations suited to their capacity.
+
+The sermon being finished, Mr. Eliot proposed some questions to them,
+and first inquired whether they understood what had been said, and
+whether all or only some of them understood it? A multitude of voices
+exclaimed that they all understood every thing which had been spoken.
+Leave was then granted them to put questions, and it is interesting
+to notice the first questions which these children of the wilderness
+proposed. The first questions were,
+
+“What is the cause of thunder?”
+
+“What makes the sea ebb and flow?”
+
+“What makes the wind blow?”
+
+But there were some questions proposed by them which Mr. Eliot says some
+special wisdom of God directed them to ask, as, for example,
+
+_How may we come to know Jesus Christ?_
+
+Mr. Eliot told them that if they could read the Bible they would see
+clearly who Jesus Christ is, but inasmuch as they could not then read, he
+desired them to remember what he had told them out of the Bible, and to
+think much and often upon it, when they lay down on their mats in their
+wigwams and when they rose up, and to go alone in the fields, and woods,
+and muse on it, and so God would teach them.
+
+He told them that if they would have help from God in this thing, they
+must begin to pray, and though they could not make long prayers as the
+English did, yet if they did but sigh and groan, saying, “Lord, make me
+to know Jesus Christ for I know him not,” and if with all their hearts
+they persisted in such prayers, they might hope that God would help them.
+But they were especially to remember that they must confess their sins
+and ignorance to God and mourn over them and acknowledge how just it
+would be in God to withhold from them any knowledge of Christ, on account
+of their sins.
+
+This instruction was communicated to them by Mr. Eliot through the Indian
+interpreter whom he had brought with him, but he says he was struck with
+the fact that a few words from the Preacher had much greater effect than
+many from the interpreter.
+
+One of them asked, whether Englishmen were ever at any time so ignorant
+of God and Jesus Christ as they themselves?
+
+Another put this question: Whether if the father be naught and the
+child good, will God be offended with that child? because in the second
+commandment it is said that he visits the sins of the fathers upon the
+children.
+
+They were told in reply to this that every child who is good will not be
+punished for the sins of his father, but if the child be bad, God would
+then visit his father’s sins upon him, and they were bid to notice that
+part of the second commandment which contains a promise to the thousands
+of them that love God and keep his commandments.
+
+One of them asked, How is all the world now become so full of people, if
+they were all once drowned in the flood? This led to the story of the ark
+and the preservation of Noah.
+
+Mr. Eliot then proposed some questions to them, for example, Whether they
+did not desire to see God, and were not tempted to think there is no God
+because they could not see him?
+
+Some of them answered, They did desire to see Him if it could be, but
+they had heard from Mr. Eliot that he could not be seen, and they did
+believe that though their eyes could not see him, he was to be seen with
+their soul within.
+
+Mr. Eliot endeavored to confirm them in this impression, and asked them
+if they saw a great wigwam or a great house, would they think that
+racoons or foxes built it? or would they think that it made itself? or
+that no wise builder made it, because they could not see him who made it?
+
+Knowing that the doctrine of one God was a great stumbling block to
+them, Mr. Eliot asked them if they did not think it strange that there
+should be but one God, and yet this God be in Massachusetts, and in
+Connecticut, in Old England, in this wigwam, and the next, and every
+where at the same time?
+
+One of the most sober of them replied that it was indeed strange, as
+every thing else they had heard preached was strange, and they were
+wonderful things which they never heard of before, but yet they thought
+“it might be true, and that God was so big every where.” Mr. Eliot
+illustrated the truth by the light of the sun, which, though it was but
+a creature of God, shed its light into that wigwam, and the next, in
+Massachusetts and Old England, at once.
+
+He inquired of them if they did not find something troubling them within
+after the commission of murder, theft, adultery, lying; and what would
+comfort them, and remove that trouble of conscience when they should die
+and appear before God?
+
+They replied that they were thus troubled, but they could not tell what
+they should say about it, or what would remove this trouble of mind,
+whereupon Mr. Eliot enlarged upon the evil of sin and the condition of
+the soul which is cast out of the favor of God.
+
+Having spent three hours in this interview, Mr. Eliot asked them if
+they were not weary, and they said, no. But thinking it best to leave
+them with an appetite, Mr. Eliot concluded the meeting with prayer, but
+before he departed the principal Indian expressed a desire for more land
+to build a Town upon, and Mr. Eliot promised to speak for them to the
+General Court, “that they might possess all the compass of that hill upon
+which their wigwams then stood.”
+
+In the second visit which Mr. Eliot made to the Indians at Nonantum, he
+began to catechise the younger children. He framed three questions only,
+that their memories might not be overloaded. The questions and answers
+were these:
+
+1. Who made you and all the world. Ans. God.
+
+2. Who do you think should save you and redeem you from sin and hell?
+Ans. Jesus Christ.
+
+3. How many commandments hath God given you to keep. Ans. Ten.
+
+By the time that the questions reached the smaller children, they had
+learned the answers perfectly, from hearing the others repeat them, and
+the parents had become familiar with them, and they were requested to use
+this _Shorter_ Catechism of three questions, in teaching their children,
+against the next visit.
+
+The substance of Mr. Eliot’s address to the Indians on this occasion was
+this: “We are come to bring you good news from the great God Almighty,
+Maker of Heaven and earth, and to tell you how evil and wicked men may
+come to be good, so that while they live they may be happy, and when they
+die may go to God and live in heaven.”
+
+He then endeavored to give them just impressions concerning God, his
+power, greatness, and goodness, his will, what he required of all men,
+even of the Indians, in the ten commandments, the dreadful punishment of
+all who break one of these commandments, the anger of God at sin, and
+yet his compassion for sinners in sending Christ to die for wicked men.
+He taught them that if they would repent and believe, God would love the
+poor miserable Indians, but that the wrath of God would burn against all
+who neglected so great salvation as was now offered to them by those
+whose only desire was their salvation.
+
+The power of these words was manifestly felt by one of the Indians, who
+at the thought of his sins and of the danger to which they exposed him,
+wept aloud, yet without affectation, but striving to conceal his emotions.
+
+Perhaps in no way can we communicate religious instruction in a more
+simple and effectual way to the young who may read this book, than to
+record here the questions and answers which Mr. Eliot has preserved in
+his several interviews with the Indians. Other writers who lived at that
+time have also recorded questions and answers which they heard. But it
+will not be necessary to state the times, or places, or the hand by which
+they were recorded.
+
+An old man rose up after Mr. Eliot had finished his sermon, and asked
+whether it was not too late for such an old man as he, who was near
+death, to repent or seek after God.
+
+This question affected Mr. Eliot and his companions with compassion. They
+told him what is said in the Bible about those who were hired at the
+eleventh hour, and drew a parallel to his case by describing a son who
+had for very many years been disobedient, and afterwards penitent, and
+the feelings of his father towards him.
+
+Question. How came the English to differ so much from the Indians in
+the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ, seeing they all had at first one
+father?
+
+Question. How may we come to serve God?
+
+Question. How comes it to pass that the sea water is salt and the land
+water fresh?
+
+Answer. This is one of the wonderful works of God. As strawberries are
+sweet and cranberries sour, by the appointment of God, so was it in
+this case. To this was added some account of natural causes and effects
+in connection with this subject, “which they less understood, yet did
+understand somewhat, as appeared by their usual signs of approving what
+they understand.”
+
+Question. If the water is higher than the earth, how comes it to pass
+that it doth not overflow all the earth?
+
+The missionary took an apple and illustrated the shape of the earth, the
+motion on its axis, and round the sun; then showed them how God made
+a great hollow ditch for the waters, which was so deep as to hold the
+waters by the attraction of gravitation, so that notwithstanding their
+convexity, they could not overflow the earth.
+
+During a recess in this interview, the Indians were busily employed in
+discussing these several subjects among themselves, their minds being
+evidently excited by them, through the effect of new ideas upon subjects
+which were new or had always been incomprehensible to them. Being
+afterwards asked if they wished to propose any further questions, one
+asked,
+
+If a man has committed some great sins, (stolen goods, &c.,) and the
+Sachem does not punish him, and he is not punished, but he restores the
+goods, what then? is not all well now? meaning to ask whether restoration
+made sufficient amends to the law of God.
+
+He was told that though men be not offended at such sins, yet God is
+angry. The holiness of God was here illustrated. Such a sinner should
+seek forgiveness as much as any other sinner through the blood of Christ.
+
+Upon hearing this answer, the Indian who proposed the question drew back
+and hung down his head, with an appearance of great sorrow and confusion,
+and finally broke out saying, “Me little know Jesus Christ, or me should
+seek him better.” Mr. Eliot comforted him by telling him that as it is
+early dawn at first when there is but little light, but the sun rises
+to perfect day, so it would be with him and his people with regard to a
+knowledge of the favor of God if they would seek Him.
+
+One of the Indians who had received religious impressions in his
+acquaintance with the colonists, said he would propose this question. A
+little while since he said he was praying in his wigwam to God and Jesus
+Christ, that God would give him a good heart; that in his prayer another
+Indian interrupted him and told him that he prayed in vain, because that
+Jesus Christ could not understand what Indians speak in prayer; he had
+been used to hear Englishmen pray, and so could well enough understand
+them, but Indian language in prayer he was not acquainted with. His
+question therefore was, “Whether God and Jesus Christ did understand
+Indian prayers?”
+
+At the close of one interview, Mr. Eliot prayed for above fifteen minutes
+in the Indian tongue, that they might feel that Christ understood such
+prayers. The Indians stood about him in grotesque figures, some of them
+lifting up their eyes and their hands to accompany the prayer, and one of
+them holding a rag to his eyes and weeping violently, and after prayer
+retiring to a corner of the wigwam to weep in secret; which one of Mr.
+Eliot’s companions observed and spoke with him, and found him to be
+deeply affected with a sense of his guilt.
+
+Mr. Eliot makes several useful observations in view of his first two
+visits to the Indians.
+
+1. None of them slept in sermon or derided God’s messenger.
+
+2. That there is need of learning in ministers who preach to Indians
+more than to gracious Christians, in order to answer their philosophical
+questions.
+
+3. That there is no need of miraculous or extraordinary gifts in seeking
+the conversion of the most depraved of the human family.
+
+4. If Englishmen despise the preaching of faith and repentance and
+humiliation for sin, the poor heathens will be glad of it, and it shall
+do good to them.
+
+He adds to this, The Lord grant that the foundation of our English woe
+be not laid in the ruin and contempt of those fundamental doctrines
+of faith, repentance, humiliation for sin, but rather relishing the
+novelties and dreams of such men as are surfeited with the ordinary food
+of the Gospel of Christ. Indians shall weep to have faith and repentance
+preached, when Englishmen shall mourn, too late, that are weary of such
+truths.
+
+5. That the deepest estrangement of man from God is no hindrance to his
+grace, nor to the Spirit of grace. What nation or people ever so deeply
+degenerated since Adam’s fall, as these Indians, and yet the Spirit of
+God is working upon them.
+
+“It is very likely if ever the Lord convert any of these natives, they
+will mourn for sin exceedingly, and consequently love Christ dearly; for
+if by a little measure of light such heart-breakings have appeared, what
+may we think will be when more is let in?”
+
+“They are some of them very wicked, some very ingenious. These
+latter are very apt and quick of understanding, and naturally sad and
+melancholy, (a good servant to repentance) and therefore there is the
+greater hope of heart-breakings if ever God brings them effectually home,
+for which we should affectionately pray.”
+
+Mr. Eliot says, “It is wonderful to see what a little leaven and that
+small mustard-seed of the Gospel will do, and how truth will work when
+the spirit of Christ hath the setting of it on, even upon hearts and
+spirits most incapable.” The night after the Indians had heard the Gospel
+preached for the third time, an English youth lodged in Waban’s tent. He
+said that Waban instructed his companions with regard to the things which
+they had heard that day, and prayed with them, and that he awoke several
+times that night and began to pray and speak to one and another of the
+Indians of the things which they had heard. Mr. E. says, This man, being
+a man of gravity and chief prudence, a counsel among them, although no
+Sachem, is like to be a means of great good to the rest of his company,
+unless cowardice or witchery put an end, as usually they have done, to
+such hopeful beginnings.
+
+Two young Indians being at an Elder’s house one Sabbath evening, having
+been previously affected under Mr. Eliot’s preaching, one of them began
+to confess to the elder how wicked he had been, and declared that God
+could never look upon him with love. The elder opened to him in a
+familiar manner the truth of God’s love to the guilty, his willingness to
+pardon the vilest through the redemption made by Christ, and illustrated
+his instructions by the discourse of Christ to the Samaritan woman at
+Jacob’s well, and how Christ forgave her though she was living in sin at
+the moment when he began to speak to her. Whereupon the young man began
+to weep bitterly, and the other youth, his companion, disclosing his own
+guilt, burst out into loud weeping in which they both continued for half
+an hour.
+
+An old man told Mr. Eliot at one of the meetings that he was fully
+purposed to keep the Sabbath, but still he was in fear whether he should
+go to heaven or hell. This was a case in which reliance on good works
+gave as usual no peace to the conscience. It led Mr. Eliot to speak fully
+of the way of justification by Christ without works, “as the remedy
+against all fears of hell.”
+
+Mr. Eliot was interested in the fact that some of the Indians who seemed
+to receive the Gospel most readily, and feel its power, were able to use
+“gracious expressions,” as he calls them, which he was confident they had
+not heard from him, nor from his assistants. He gives a specimen of them
+with the corresponding Indian words:
+
+    Amanaomen Jehovah tabassen metagh. Checheson Jehovah kekowhogkow.
+    Take away, Lord,  my stony  heart.   Wash,    Lord,    my soul.
+
+“What are these,” he says, “but the sprinklings of the spirit and blood
+of Christ Jesus on their hearts? and ’tis no small matter that such dry,
+barren, and long accursed ground should yield such kind of increase in so
+small a time. I would not readily commend a fair day before night, nor
+promise much of such kind of beginnings, in all persons, nor yet in all
+of these, for we know how the profession of many is but a mere paint, and
+their best graces nothing but mere flashes and pangs which are suddenly
+kindled, and as soon to go out, and are extinct again; yet God doth not
+usually send his plough and seeds-men to a place but there is at least
+some little piece of good ground, although three to one be naught; and
+methinks the Lord Jesus would never have made so fit a key for their
+locks unless he had intended to open some of their doors, and so to make
+way for his coming in.”
+
+At the fourth meeting with the Indians, the children having been
+catechised, and the vision of the dry bones, which seems to have
+impressed Mr. Eliot from the first in speaking to the Indians, being
+explained, they offered all their children to the English to be educated
+by them.
+
+At this time one of them being asked, What is sin? he answered, A naughty
+heart. He did not seem to feel that sin consists only in outward acts.
+
+One of them complained that some of the Indians reviled him and the more
+serious Indians, calling them rogues, and otherwise insulting them for
+cutting off their long locks and arranging their hair in a modest manner,
+for, Mr. Eliot says, “since the word hath begun to work upon their hearts
+they have discerned the vanity and pride which they placed in their hair,
+and have therefore, of their own accord (none speaking to them that we
+know of) cut it modestly.” They said that some Indians who had heard the
+news of the great attention to religion among them, would come from a
+distance and stay with them three or four days, and one Sabbath, and then
+they would go from them, (implying that they did not like the Sabbath),
+but as for themselves, they said they were fully purposed to keep the
+Sabbath.
+
+Some of the Indians who heard the Gospel, despised and rejected it. So it
+has always been and is now, wherever the Gospel is preached. Some have
+their hearts opened to attend to the things of their peace, and others
+are hardened. Mr. Eliot’s assistant, learning that some Indians had
+discouraged and threatened others with regard to their attendance on the
+preaching, spoke to them on one occasion about the temptations of Satan.
+After sermon they proposed these questions:
+
+1. Some Indians say we must pray to the devil for all good, and some to
+God; may we pray to the devil or no?
+
+2. What does _humiliation_ mean, which we hear used so often by the
+English?
+
+3. Why do the English call us Indians, for before they came here we had
+another name?
+
+4. What is a spirit?
+
+5. May we believe in dreams?
+
+6. How did the English come to know God so much, and we so little?
+
+At the close of this interview they said that their great desire was to
+have a town and to learn to spin.
+
+They believed in the existence of an evil spirit, whom they called
+CHEPIAN, and who they thought corresponded to the devil in Scripture.
+They gave the following account of their way in which conjurers or Powows
+were made: Whenever an Indian had a strange dream in which Chepian
+appeared to him as a serpent, he would make it known to the rest, and for
+two days the Indians would dance and rejoice for what the serpent had
+told him, and he then became a Powow, or one whom the devil favored with
+his communications. The reader will notice the identity of the form in
+which they made the devil to appear to them, with the form in which he
+appeared to our first parents.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+    Nonantum granted to the Indians by the General Court. First
+    Indian Laws. Eliot’s and Shepard’s account of the progress of
+    the Gospel among the Indians. Concord Indians. Their laws.
+    Nonantum. Questions and anecdotes. Cape Cod Indians. The Synod
+    at Cambridge, 1648, examine the Christian Indians. “Who made
+    Sack?” Anecdotes and Questions. Order of the General Court,
+    1647. Regard for the Sabbath. Power of conscience. Questions.
+    Burial of a child. Settlement of Natick. Questions.
+
+
+The Indians were desirous of obtaining a grant of land for a permanent
+settlement, that they might enter upon civilized life. They had bartered
+their principal places to the English. The General Court purchased of
+some of the planters, who had bought it of the Indians, the place where
+their meeting was held, and gave it to them. The Indians inquiring what
+the name of the place should be they were told it should be Noonatomen
+(afterwards Nonantum) which signifies _rejoicing_, “because they did
+rejoice at the word of God, and God did rejoice over them as penitent
+sinners.”
+
+The following is a specimen of their first laws:
+
+1. If any man be idle a week, or at most a fortnight, he shall pay five
+shillings.
+
+3. If any man shall beat his wife, his hands shall be tied behind him,
+and he shall be carried to the place of justice to be severely punished.
+
+4. Every young man, if not another’s servant, and if unmarried, shall
+be compelled to set up a wigwam, and plant for himself, and not live
+shifting up and down to other wigwams.
+
+5. If any woman shall not have her hair tied up, but hang loose or be cut
+as men’s hair, she shall pay five shillings.
+
+7. All those men that wear long locks, shall pay five shillings.
+
+Most of the facts above narrated are contained in a piece written by Mr.
+Eliot, entitled The Day Breaking if not the Sun Rising of the Gospel with
+the Indians in New England. It was printed in London, “by Richard Cotes,
+for Fulk Clifton, and are to be sold at his shop under Saint Margaret’s
+Church, on New-fish Street Hill, 1647.”
+
+The same printer in 1648, issued another piece, written by Mr. Thomas
+Shepard, minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, at Cambridge, in New
+England, called, “The Clear sun-shine of the Gospel breaking forth
+upon the Indians of New England; or, An Historical Narrative of God’s
+Wonderful Workings upon sundry of the Indians, both Chief Governors and
+common people, in bringing them to a willing and desired submission to
+the Ordinances of the Gospel; and framing their hearts to an earnest
+inquiry after the knowledge of God the father and of Jesus Christ the
+Saviour of the world.” This piece was dedicated by Stephen Marshall,
+Jeremy Whitaker, Edmund Calamy and nine others, in England, “to the Right
+Honorable the Lords and Commons assembled in High Court of Parliament,
+That in you the Representatives of this nation, England might be stirred
+up to be Rejoycers in and advancers of these promising beginnings.” They
+looked upon the success of the Gospel among the Indians as a fulfillment
+in part of the promise of God the Father to the Son, “Ask of me, and I
+will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts
+of the earth for thy possession.” Psalm 2. They remind the Parliament
+that “God makes man’s will of sin serviceable to the advancement of the
+riches of his own grace. The most horrid act that was ever done by the
+sonnes of men, the murther of Christ, God made serviceable to the highest
+purposes of Grace and mercy that ever came upon his breast. Hee suffered
+Paul to be cast into prison to convert the Jaylor, to be shipwrackt at
+Milita to preach to the barbarous. So he suffered their (the Pilgrims’)
+way to be stopp’d up here, (in England) and their persons to be banished
+hence, that hee might open a passage for them in the wilderness, and make
+them instruments to draw soules to him, who had been so long estranged
+from Him. The end of the adversary was to suppresse, but God’s to
+propagate, the Gospel, as one saith of Paul, his _blindnesse gave light
+to whole world_. ‘Cœcitas Pauli totius orbis illuminatio.’ Acts 9:9. It
+was a long time before God let them (the Pilgrims) see any further end
+of their coming over than to preserve their consciences, cherish their
+Graces, provide for their sustenance. But hee let them know it was for
+some farther arrand that he brought them here, giving them some Bunches
+of Grapes, some clusters of Figs in earnest of the prosperous successe
+of their endeavours upon these poor out casts. If the first fruits bee
+specimens, what will the whole harvest bee? When the East and West shal
+sing together the song of the Lamb.”
+
+Mr. Shepard says that the news of what had been done for the Indians
+at Nonantum, by the preaching of the Gospel, had reached the Concord
+Indians, and their Sachem was so much affected by it, that he made
+application to have the Gospel and its ordinances made known to them.
+“They craved the assistance of one of the chiefe Indians of Noonanetum
+(Nonantum,) a very active Indian, to bring in others to the knowledge of
+God.”
+
+Mr. Eliot had already expressed his views[23] on the subject of a native
+ministry in these words,—“Nor doe I expect any great good will bee
+wrought by the English, (leaving secrets to God,—although the English
+surely begin and lay the first stones of Christ’s Kingdom and Temple
+amongst them) because God is wont ordinarily to convert Nations and
+peoples by some of their owne country men who are nearest to them, and
+can best speake, and most of all pity their brethren and countrimen.”
+
+A native ministry among the Indians began, in an informal way, much
+earlier than we have seen it begin among other heathen nations. The North
+American Indians, though sunk in superstition and wickedness, retained
+much more of intellectual strength, were more shrewd, and sooner became
+fit to teach their countrymen than has been the case elsewhere in the
+history of modern missions. No doubt the climate had much to do with the
+vigor of mind which the Indians have exhibited. They were far removed
+from the effeminateness of Eastern nations, and though indolent in their
+dispositions and habits, their minds when roused by the truth of the
+Gospel, rose to greater intellectual efforts than have been commonly seen
+in tribes exposed to the enervating influences of warmer latitudes.
+
+Some quotations from the introduction by Calamy and others, to Mr.
+Shepard’s piece above referred to, will show the spirit of those good
+men, as well as confirm the fact that the Gospel had done wonders in a
+short time among the Indians. It was published in 1648, two years after
+Mr. Eliot had begun his labors with them.
+
+They tell the readers of the effects which the Gospel had wrought among
+the Indians. “They set up prayers in their families morning and evening,
+and are in earnest in them. And with more affection they crave God’s
+blessing upon a little parched corn, and Indian stalks than many of us do
+upon our greatest plenty, and abundance. God is making good that promise,
+Zeph. 2:11. I will famish all the gods of the earth, (which he doth by
+withdrawing the worshipers, and throwing contempt upon the worship,) and
+men shall worship me alone, every one from his place, even all the isles
+of the heathens.”
+
+They call upon the people of England to read and ponder this remarkable
+narrative of the work of grace among the North American Savages. “Let
+these poor Indians stand up incentives to us, as the Apostle set up
+the Gentiles a provocation to the Jews; who knows but God gave life to
+New England to quicken Old, and hath warmed them that they might heat
+us; raised them from the dead, that they might recover us from that
+consumption, and those sad decays which are come upon us.”
+
+“This small Treatise is an Essay to that end, an Indian Sermon; though
+you will not hear us, possibly when some rise from the dead you will hear
+them. The main Doctrine it preacheth unto all is to value the Gospel,
+prize the ministry, loath not your manna, surfeit not of your plenty,
+be thankful for mercies, fruitful under means: Awake from your slumber,
+repair your decays, redeem your time, improve the seasons of your peace,
+answer to cals, open to knocks, attend to whispers, obey commands; you
+have a name you live, take heed you be not dead, you are Christians in
+shew, be so in deed: least as you have lost the power of religion, God
+take away from you the form also.”
+
+“And you that are ministers learn by this not to despond, though you see
+not present fruit of your labors; though you fish all night and catch
+nothing. God hath a fulness of time to perform all his purposes. And the
+deepest degeneracies and the widest estrangements from God shall be no
+bar or obstacle to the power and freeness of his own grace when that time
+is come.”
+
+“And you that are merchants, take incouragement from hence to scatter
+beams of light, to spread and propagate the Gospel into those dark
+corners of the earth; whither you traffick you take much from them; if
+you can carry this to them, you will make them an abundant recompense.
+And you that are Christians indeed, rejoice to see the Curtains of
+the Tabernacle inlarged, the bounds of the Sanctuary extended, Christ
+advanced, the Gospel propagated, and souls saved. And if ever the love
+of God did centre in your hearts, if ever the sense of his goodness hath
+begot bowels of compassion in you, draw them forth towards them whom God
+hath singled out to be the objects of his grace and mercy; lay out your
+prayers, lend your assistance to carry on this day of the Lord begun
+among them. The Parents also and many others being convinced of the evil
+of an idle life, desire to be employed in honest labor, but they want
+instruments and tools to set them on work, and cast garments to throw
+upon those bodies that their loins may bless you whose souls Christ hath
+cloathed. Some worthy persons have given much; and if God shall move
+the heart of others to offer willingly towards the building of Christ a
+Spiritual temple, it will certainly remain upon their account when the
+smallest rewards from God shall be better than the greatest layings out
+for God.”
+
+It will be perceived that this is an appeal in behalf of foreign
+missions. We will consider some of the facts which Mr. Shepard relates,
+and to which this appeal is an introduction.
+
+“The awakening of the Indians in our Towne,” says Mr. Shepard, “raised a
+great noyse among all the rest round about us, especially about Concord
+side, where the Sachim and one or two more of his men hearing of these
+things, and of the preaching of the Word, and how it wrought among them
+here, came therefore hither to Noonanetum, (Nonantum,) to the Indian
+Lecture, and what the Lord spake to his heart wee know not, only it
+seems he was so farre affected as that he desired to become more like to
+the English, and to cast off those Indian wild and sinfull courses they
+formerly lived in; but when divers of his men perceived their Sachim’s
+mind, they secretely opposed him herein, which opposition being known,
+he therefore called together his chief men about him, and made a speech
+to this effect unto them, viz.: That they had no reason at all to oppose
+those courses the English were now taking for their good, for saith hee,
+all the time you have lived after the Indian fashion, under the power and
+protection of higher Indian Sachims, what did they care for you? They
+onely sought their owne ends out of you, and therefore would exact upon
+you and take away your skins, and your kettles, and your wampam from you
+at their own pleasure, and this was all that they regarded: but you may
+evidently see that the English mind no such things, care for none of your
+goods, but onely seek your good and welfare, and instead of taking away
+all, are ready to give to you.”
+
+The effect of this speech seems to have been happy. The Indians sought
+the assistance of a discreet and active Indian at Nonantum, “in making
+certain lawes for their more religious and civill government, and
+behaviour.” It will interest the reader to observe the fruit of this
+half civilized legislator’s advice and labors. Mr. Shepard gives us the
+“Conclusions and Orders made and agreed upon by divers Sachims and other
+principall men amongst the Indians at Concord, in the end of the eleventh
+moneth, An. 1646.”[24] The following are a good specimen of the whole:
+
+1. Every one that shall abuse themselves with rum or strong liquors,
+shall pay for every time so abusing themselves twenty shillings.
+
+2. There shall be no more Powwowing amongst the Indians. And if any shall
+hereafter Powwow, both he that shall Powwow, and he that shall cause him
+to Powwow shall pay twenty shillings apiece.
+
+3. They do desire that they may be stirred up to seek after God.
+
+4. They desire they may understand the wiles of Satan, and grow out of
+love with his suggestions and temptations.
+
+5. That they may fall upon some better course to improve their time than
+formerly.
+
+6. That they may be brought to the sight of the sin of lying, and
+whosoever shall be found guilty herein, shall pay for the first offence
+five shillings, the second ten shillings, the third twenty shillings.
+
+7. Whosoever shall steale any thing from another, shall restore fourfold.
+
+8. They desire that no Indian hereafter shall have any more but one wife.
+
+9. They desire to prevent the falling out of Indians, one with another,
+and that they may live quietly one by another.
+
+10. That they may follow after humility, and not be proud.
+
+11. That when Indians doe wrong, they may be liable to censure by fine or
+the like, as the English are.
+
+12. That they pay their debts to the English.
+
+13. That they doe observe the Lord’s day, and whosoever shall prophane
+it, shall pay twenty shillings.
+
+14. This order refers to the disgusting practice of eating vermin
+gathered from their persons; “and whosoever shall offend in this case
+shall pay for every louse a penny.”
+
+15. They will weare their haire comely as the English do, penalty five
+shillings.
+
+16. They intend to reforme themselves in their former greasing
+themselves, penalty five shillings.
+
+17. They do all resolve to set up prayer in their wigwams, and to seek
+God both before and after meate.
+
+20. Whosoever shall play at their former games shall pay ten shillings.
+
+22. Wilful murder shall be punished by death.
+
+23. They shall not disguise themselves in their mournings, as formerly;
+nor shall they keep a great noyse by howling.
+
+25. No Indian shall take an Englishman’s canooe without leave, penalty
+five shillings.
+
+26. No Indian shall come into any Englishman’s house, except he first
+knock; and this they expect from the English.
+
+27. Whosoever beats his wife, shall pay twenty shillings.
+
+28. If any Indian shall fall out with and beate another Indian, he shall
+pay twenty shillings.
+
+29. They desire they may be a towne, and either to dwell on this side the
+Beare swamp, or at the East side of Mr. Flint’s Pond.
+
+These orders were put into form by Captain Simon Willard, of Concord,
+whom the Indians chose to be their Recorder. They were very solicitous
+that what they agreed upon might be faithfully preserved without
+alteration. The narrative of these conclusions and orders is signed by
+Thomas Flint, and Simon Willard.[25]
+
+Mr. Shepard says that on the 3d March, 1647, he and the Rev. Messrs.
+Wilson of Boston, Allen, of Dedham, and President Dunster, and many
+Christian friends, attended the Indian Lecture at Nonantum. “On which
+day,” he says, “perceiving divers of the Indian women well affected,
+and considering that their soules might stand in need of answer to
+their scruples as well as the mens, and yet because we knew how unfit
+it was for women so much as to ask questions publicly immediately by
+themselves, wee did therefore desire them to propound any questions they
+would be resolved about by first acquainting either their Husbands or the
+Interpreter privately therewith; whereupon we heard two questions orderly
+propounded; which because they are the first ever propounded by Indian
+women in such an ordinance that ever wee heard of, and because they may
+bee otherwise useful, I shall therefore set them down.”
+
+The first question was proposed by the wife of one Wampooas, a serious
+Indian, and was to this effect:
+
+“Do I pray when my husband prays, if I speak nothing as he doth, yet if
+I like what he says, and my heart goes with it?”
+
+The second was by the wife of one Totherswampe, viz., “Whether a husband
+should do well to pray with his wife, and yet continue in his passions
+and be angry with his wife?”
+
+Mr. Shepard says, he had “heard few Christians when they begin to look
+towards God, make more searching questions than these Indians.”
+
+An old Indian had an unruly, disobedient son. He asked, “What should one
+do with him, in case of obstinacy and disobedience, and that will not
+hear God’s word, though his father command him, nor will not forsake his
+drunkenness, though his father forbid him.”
+
+Rev. Mr. Wilson was much moved at this question, “and spake so terribly
+yet so graciously as might have affected a heart not quite shut up, which
+this young desperado hearing, (who well understood the English tongue,)
+instead of humbling himself before the Lord’s Word, which touched his
+conscience and condition so neare, hee was filled with the Spirit of
+Satan, and as soone as ever Mr. Wilson’s speech was ended, he brake out
+into a loud contemptuous expression. ‘So!’ saith he; which we passed by
+without speaking againe, leaving the Word with him, which wee knew would
+one day take its effect one way or other upon him.”
+
+In 1647, Messrs. Eliot, Wilson and Shepard, were sent for to Yarmouth, to
+arbitrate in some difficulties, by means of which “not only that bruised
+Church, but the whole Towne” was restored to peace. “But Mr. Eliot, as
+hee takes all other advantages of time, so hee took this, of speaking
+with, and preaching to the poore Indians in these remote places about
+Cape Cod.”
+
+The Indian dialect varied in forty or sixty miles, and on this account,
+and because the Indians at Cape Cod “were not accustomed to sacred
+language, about the holy things of God, wherein Mr. Eliot excels any
+other of the English, who in the Indian language about common matters
+excell him,” it was difficult to make them understand, yet by the help of
+one or two interpreters, they succeeded.
+
+There was a Sachem among them of a very furious spirit, whom the English
+for that reason called Jehu. He promised to attend the preaching on the
+day appointed, and to bring his men with him, but that very morning he
+sent his men to sea for fish, and although he came late to hear the
+Sermon, his men were absent. Yet he feigned that he did not understand
+what was said, though the others said that he did understand, and Mr.
+Eliot by privately questioning him found out that he did. He heard,
+however, “with a dogged look, and a discontented countenance.” How
+curious the uniform resemblance of the human heart in different classes
+of hearers in every age and place, under the preaching of the Gospel. Who
+in preaching has not seen a face answering to this Jehu’s face, and the
+heart of man to that of this man?
+
+It was found on this visit to the Indians of Cape Cod, that there
+was some tradition among them of the Gospel having been preached in
+those parts before. An aged Indian told the ministers that the very
+things which Mr. Eliot had taught them as the Commandments of God, and
+concerning God, and the making of the world by one God, they had heard
+from some old men now dead. A French ship was wrecked upon that coast
+many years before, and among the passengers and crew was the Frenchman
+who, the Indian tradition said,[26] while the Indians were putting him to
+death, told them that God was angry with them for their sins. Mr. Shepard
+speaks of “the French preacher cast upon those coasts many years since.”
+This man may have been a French Catholic Priest, on his way to the French
+possessions in Canada.[27]
+
+The presence of this preacher among them will account for a dream which
+one of the Indians related to Mr. Shepard and his companions, as having
+occurred to him some time ago. The tradition of what the preacher had
+said, and the account of his appearance was strongly impressed upon
+his imagination,[28] as we may suppose, without resorting to any other
+explanation of the dream which nevertheless is curious and interesting.
+
+He said that two years before the arrival of the English, there was a
+great mortality in that region, and one night when he was much disturbed
+and broken of his rest, he dreamed that he saw many men arrive upon the
+coast, dressed in such clothes as the English wear. Among them there was
+a man wholly in black, with a thing in his hand which he now saw was an
+Englishman’s book; that the man in black stood on a place higher than the
+rest, with the English around him, before a great number of the Indians.
+This man told the Indians that God was _moosquantum_, or angry with them,
+and would kill them for their sins. He said, that he himself then stood
+up, and asked the man in black what God would do with him and his Squaw
+and Papooses. The man would not answer him the first nor the second time,
+but the third time he proposed the question, the man smiled upon him, and
+told him that he and his papooses would be safe, and that God would give
+them victuals and other good things.
+
+Strange as it may seem, this dreamer who seemed thus to have had his
+dream fulfilled, would not come to the sermon till it was nearly
+finished, and then finding that the man in black was yet speaking, “away
+he flung,” and was seen no more by the ministers till the next day.
+Whether Satan, or fear, or guilt, or the world prevailed, Mr. Shepard
+says he could not say.
+
+The next year this writer says, he was much surprised in attending
+an Indian Lecture at Nonantum, to see so many Indian men, women, and
+children, in English apparel, so that they were scarcely known from the
+English people. Partly by gifts, and partly by their own labors, some of
+them had obtained means by which they were even handsomely dressed.
+
+June 9, 1648, was the first day of the Synod’s meeting at Cambridge.
+The forenoon was spent in hearing a sermon preparatory to the work of
+the Synod, and the afternoon was occupied in hearing an Indian Lecture.
+“There was a great gathering of Indians from all parts to hear Mr. Eliot,
+which we conceived not unseasonable at such a time; partly that the
+reports of God’s worke begun among them might be seen and believed of the
+chief who were then sent, and met from all the churches of Christ in this
+country, who could hardly believe the reports they had heard concerning
+these new stirs among the Indians, and partly hereby to raise up a
+greater spirit of prayer, for the carrying on the work begun upon the
+Indians among all the churches and servants of the Lord Jesus. The sermon
+was spent in showing them their miserable condition without Christ, out
+of Ephes. 2:1, that they were dead in trespasses and sinnes, and in
+pointing unto them the Lord Jesus who onely could quicken them.”
+
+After sermon, opportunity was given for the Indians to ask questions.
+Some of them were these:
+
+What countryman was Christ, and where was he born?
+
+How far off is that place from us here?
+
+Where is Christ now?
+
+How may we lay hold on Christ, and where, he being now absent from us?
+
+Mr. Shepard continues, “But that which I note is this, that their
+gracious attention to the Word, the affections and mournings of some
+of them under it, their sober propounding of divers and spirituall
+questions, their aptnesse to beleeve and understand what was replyed
+to them; the readiness of divers poore naked children to answer openly
+the chief questions in the Catechism, which were formerly taught them,
+and such like appearances of a great change upon them did marvellously
+affect all the wise and godly ministers, magistrates and people, and did
+raise their hearts up to great thankfulnesse to God; very many deeply and
+abundantly mourning for joy to see such a blessed day, and the Lord Jesus
+so much known and spoken of among such as never heard of him before: So
+that if any in England doubt of the truth of what was formerly writ; or
+if any malignant eye shall question and vilifie this work, they will now
+speak too late, for what was here done at _Cambridge_, was not set under
+a Bushell, but in the open Sunne; and what _Thomas_ would not beleeve by
+the reports of others, he might be forced to beleeve by seeing with his
+own eyes, and feeling Christ Jesus thus risen among them with his own
+hands.”[29]
+
+An old Indian came to Mr. Eliot’s house, as Mr. Eliot told Mr. Shepard,
+and Mr. Eliot told him that because he brought his wife and children to
+meeting so constantly, he would give him some clothes, for it was cold
+weather, and the old man was quite destitute. He did not understand this
+term which Mr. Eliot used for clothes, and enquired of Mr. Eliot’s Indian
+domestic, and when he understood that it was clothing which was promised,
+he broke out with much feeling, saying, “God is merciful:”—“a blessed,
+because a plainhearted, affectionate speech,” says Mr. Shepard, “and
+worthy of Englishmen’s thoughts when they put on their clothes; to think
+that a poor blind Indian that scarce ever heard of God before, that hee
+should see not only God in his clothes, but mercy also in a promise of a
+cast off worne sute of clothes, which were then given him, and which he
+now daily wears.”
+
+Mr. S. says that “Mr. Edward Jackson one of our Towne, constantly
+attended Mr. Eliot’s Lectures, and took down the questions and answers,
+and having sent me his notes, I shall send you a taste of some of them,”
+viz.:
+
+1. Why are some so bad that they hate those men that would teach them
+good things?
+
+2. Was the devil or man made first?
+
+3. If a father prays to God to teach his sons to know him, and he doth
+teach them himself, and they will not learn to know God, what should such
+fathers do? This question was put by an old man that had rude children.
+
+4. A Squaw asked this question: Whether she might not go and pray in some
+private place in the woods, when her husband was not at home, because she
+was ashamed to pray in the wigwam before company?
+
+5. How may one know wicked men, who are good, and who are bad?
+
+6. To what nation did Jesus Christ come first unto, and when?
+
+The following question illustrates the old saying, that a child or fool
+may ask a question which a philosopher cannot answer. It relates to the
+solemn and fearful subject of the dissolution of the body and soul. Who
+has not, at least in his earlier years, puzzled himself with questions
+about the passage of a departing spirit from the chamber of death? The
+question referred to was this:
+
+7. If a man should be inclosed in iron a foot thick, and thrown into the
+fire, what would become of the soul? Could the soul come out thence or
+not?
+
+8. Why did not God give all men good hearts, that they might be good?
+
+9. If one should be among strange Indians that know not God, and they
+should make him to fight against some whom he ought not to fight against,
+and he should refuse, and for his refusal they should kill him, what
+would become of his soul in such a case? This question was asked by a
+“stout fellow,” whose mind was interested in religion, and was connected
+with the notion of the Indians that all their valiant men have a reward
+after death. He seemed to think that his refusal to fight in the case
+supposed, might prejudice his chance of reward hereafter.
+
+10. How long is it before men believe who have the word of God made known
+unto them?
+
+11. How may we know when our faith is good, and our prayers good prayers?
+
+12. Why did not God kill the devil, that made all men so bad, God having
+all power?
+
+13. If we be made weak by sin in our hearts, how can we come before God
+to sanctify the Sabbath?
+
+An amusing incident took place at one of the public meetings. A drunken
+Indian cried out, “Mr. Eliot, who made sack? Who made sack?” This, it
+will be perceived, was a cavil about the “origin of evil.” It is said
+that “he was soon snib’d by the other Indians, who cried out that it was
+a papoose question. Mr. Eliot seriously answered him; which hath cooled
+his boldness ever since.”
+
+The man who took down these questions says that “he had some occasion to
+speak to Waban, (one of the chief men at Nonantum,) about the time of
+sun-rising, and staying about half an hour, as he came back by one of the
+wigwams, the man of that wigwam was at prayer, at which he was so much
+affected that he stopped under a tree to listen; and these passages of
+Scripture came to his mind while listening to the voice of devotion from
+the wigwam: ‘All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn unto the
+Lord.’ ‘O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.’”
+
+He says that he had seen an Indian call his children in from the field
+where they were gathering corn, when he asked a blessing upon the food
+before them, “with much affection, having but a homely dinner to eat.”
+Mr. Shepard adds, “I wish the like hearts and wayes were seen in many
+English who professe themselves Christians, and that herein and many the
+like excellencies they were become Indians, excepting that name, as he
+did, in another case, except these bonds.”
+
+The following is the substance of an order passed by the General Court at
+Boston, May 26, 1647, concerning the Indians.
+
+“Upon information that the Indians dwelling among us, and submitted
+to our government, being by the ministry of the Word brought to some
+civility, are desirous to have a course of ordinary judicature set up
+among them:
+
+“It is ordered, therefore, by authority of this Court, that some one
+or more of the magistrates, as they shall agree among themselves,
+shall, once every quarter, keep a Court at such place where the Indians
+ordinarily assemble to hear the Word of God, and may then hear and
+determine all causes civill and criminall, not being capitall, concerning
+the Indians only; and that the Indian sachims shall have libertie to
+take order in the nature of summons or atachments, to bring any of their
+own people to the said Courts, and to keep a Court of themselves every
+moneth, if they see occasion, to determine small causes of a civill
+nature, and such smaller criminall causes, as the said magistrates shall
+refer to them: and the said sachims shall appoint officers to serve
+warrants, and to execute the orders and judgements of either of said
+Courts, which officers shall from time to time bee allowed by the said
+magistrates in the quarter Courts, or by the Governour: And that all
+fines to bee imposed upon any of the Indians, in any of the said Courts,
+shall goe and bee bestowed towards the building of some meeting-houses,
+for education of their poorer children in learning, or other publick use,
+by the advice of said magistrates, and of Master Eliot, or of such other
+elder, as shall ordinarily instruct them in the true Religion. And it is
+the desire of this court that the said magistrates, and Master Eliot,
+or such other elders as shall attend the keeping of the said Courts,
+will carefully indeavour to make the Indians understand our most usefull
+Lawes, and the principles of reason, justice, and equity, whereupon
+they are grounded; and it is desired that some care may be taken of the
+Indians on the Lord’s dayes.”
+
+Mr. Shepard speaks of his brother Eliot as a man “whom, in other
+respects, but especially for his unweariednesse in this work of God,
+going up and down among them, and doing them good, I think we can never
+love nor honor enough.” Mr. Eliot says, “That which I first aymed at was
+to declare and deliver unto them the law of God, to civilize them; which
+course the Lord took by Moses, to give the law to that rude company,
+because of transgression, Galatians 3:19, to convince, bridle, restrain,
+and civilize them, and also to humble them. But when I first attempted
+it they gave no heed unto it, but were weary, and rather despised what
+I said. A while after God stirred up in some of them a desire to come
+into the English fashions, and live after their manner, but knew not how
+to attain unto it; yea, despaired that it should ever come to passe in
+their dayes; but thought that, in 40 yeears more, some Indians would be
+all one English, and in an hundred yeears all Indians hereabout would so
+bee: which when I heard, (for some of them told me they thought so, and
+that some wise Indians said so,) my heart moved within me, abhorring that
+wee should sit still and let that work alone, and hoping that this notion
+in them was of the Lord, and that this mind in them was a preparation
+to embrace the law and Word of God; and therefore I told them that they
+and wee were all one save in two things, which make the only difference
+betwixt them and us: First, wee know, serve, and pray unto God, and they
+doe not. Secondly, we labor and work in building, planting, clothing
+ourselves, &c., and they doe not; and would they but doe as wee doe in
+these things they would bee all one with Englishmen. They said they did
+not know God, and therefore could not tell how to pray to him nor serve
+him. I told them if they would learn to know God, I would teach them;
+unto which they being very willing, I then taught them, (as I sundry
+times had indeavored afore,) but never found them so forward, attentive,
+and desirous till this time; and then I told them I would come to their
+wigwams and teach them, their wives and children, which they seemed very
+glad of; and, from that day forward, I have not failed to doe that poore
+little which you know I doe.”
+
+Mr. Eliot says that he found the usual opposition to religion among
+Indians which he found among white men. The Indians of “Dorchester Mill,”
+for example, would not, at first, regard his instructions; “but the
+better sort of them perceiving how acceptable this was to the English,
+both to magistrates, and all the good people, it pleased God to step in
+and bow their hearts, to desire to be taught to know God.” “The _Linn_
+Indians,” Mr. Eliot said, “are all naught save one.” This was owing to
+the opposition of their sachem.
+
+A sober Indian going up into the country with two of his sons, prayed
+as he used to do at home, and talked to the Indians about God and Jesus
+Christ; whereupon they mocked, and called one of his sons Jehovah, and
+the other Jesus Christ.
+
+The Nonantum Indians early began to observe the Lord’s day. They fined
+every violator of the Sabbath ten shillings. One Sabbath morning the
+sachem’s wife went to fetch water, when, meeting with other Indian
+women, she fell into worldly conversation with them, but they reproved
+her. She insisted that it was not improper, but the other women informed
+the native Indian preacher who was to address them that day, and he
+discoursed to them upon the sanctification of the Sabbath, and in his
+discourse related what he had heard about the sachem’s wife. After sermon
+they had much conversation on the subject, in which the sachem’s wife
+insisted that, inasmuch as her conversation was in private, and early
+on the Sabbath morning, there was no harm in it; and then she retorted
+upon the preacher by telling him that he had sinned much more than she
+in giving occasion to so much talk about this subject on the Sabbath.
+The whole matter was, by common consent, referred to Mr. Eliot for his
+arbitration.
+
+Towards evening, on another Sabbath, two strangers came to Waban’s tent
+(Nonantum); and when they came in, they told him that, about a mile
+off, they had chased a racoon into a hollow tree, and that if he would
+send his servants to fell the tree, they might catch him, which Waban,
+in his desire to entertain the strangers with fresh game, accordingly
+did. Whereupon the Indians were much displeased, and this case was, by
+request, made the subject of discourse on the next lecture day.
+
+Another case was this. “Upon a Lord’s day their public meeting holding
+long, and somewhat late when they came at home, in one wigwam the fire
+was almost out, and therefore the man of the house, as he sat by the
+fireside, took his hatchet and split a little dry piece of wood, which
+they reserve on purpose for such use, and so kindled his fire, which,
+being taken notice of, it was thought to bee such a worke as might not
+lawfully bee done upon the Sabbath day, and therefore the case was
+propounded the lecture following for their better information.”
+
+A great improvement was soon visible among them in their treatment of
+their wives. A man who had offended in this respect was brought before
+the assembly at a time when the governor and many of the colonists
+happened to be present. The man being publicly accused of beating his
+wife, made no defence, but confessed his sin, and being kindly admonished
+and instructed, he turned his face to the wall and wept; “and such
+was the modest, penitent, and melting behaviour of the man that it
+much affected all to see it in a barbarian, and all did forgive him;
+onely this remained, that they executed their law notwithstanding his
+repentance, and required his fine, to which he willingly submitted, and
+paid it.”
+
+The power of conscience among them is illustrated by Mr. Eliot in the two
+following anecdotes.
+
+The son of a sachem, 14 or 15 years old, had been intoxicated; and being
+reproved by his father and mother for disobedient and rebellious conduct,
+he despised their admonition. Before Mr. E. heard of it, he had observed
+that on being catechised, the fifth commandment being required of him, he
+reluctantly said, “Honor thy father,” but left out “mother.”
+
+George, the Indian, who asked, in a public meeting, “Who made sack?”
+killed a cow, and sold it at the college for a moose. President Dunster
+was unwilling that he should be directly charged with it, but wished Mr.
+Eliot to inquire of him as to the crime. But being brought before the
+assembly, he freely confessed his sin.
+
+The Indians were never weary of asking questions in the public meetings.
+An old Powaw once demanded, Why, seeing the English had been in the land
+twenty-seven years, they had never taught the Indians to know God till
+now? He added, many of us have grown old in sin, whereas had you begun
+with us earlier, we might have been good.
+
+The answer was that the English did repent that they were not more
+earnest at the first to seek their salvation, but the Indians were never
+willing to hear till now, and as God has now inclined their hearts to
+hear, the English were striving to redeem the time.
+
+Another question was of deep interest. One of them said, That before he
+knew God, he thought he was well, but since, he had found his heart to be
+full of sin, and more sinful than it ever was before; and that this had
+been a great trouble to him; that at that day his heart was but little
+better than it was at first, and _he was afraid it would be as bad as it
+was before, and therefore he sometimes wished that he might die before
+he should be so bad again_! Now, said he, my question is, Is this wish
+a sin? Mr. E. says this question was evidently the result of his own
+experience and seemed to be sincere.
+
+Another question was this:
+
+Whither do our little children go when they die, seeing they have not
+sinned?
+
+This led to an exposition of the depravity of man’s nature, and of the
+part which it is hoped dying infants have in the redemption made by
+Christ, and the covenant relation of the children of believers, which
+last doctrine Mr. Eliot says, “was exceedingly grateful unto them.”
+
+The whole assembly at one time united and sent a question to Mr. Eliot by
+his man, as their united question, viz:
+
+“Whether any of them should go to heaven, seeing they found their hearts
+full of sin, and especially full of the sin of lust?” At the next lecture
+held at “Dorchester mill,” occasion was taken to preach to them from
+Matt. 11:28, 29. “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden,”
+&c., when the justifying grace of Christ to all who are weary and sick
+of sin was fully and earnestly set forth. But at this time they repeated
+their fearful apprehension that “none of them would go to heaven.”
+
+A question which uniformly troubled all who began to think of embracing
+religion was this:
+
+“If we leave off Powawing and pray to God, what shall we do when we are
+sick?” For though they had some knowledge of the medicinal qualities in
+certain roots and herbs, they of course had no knowledge of the human
+system, and hence no skill in applying their remedies, but relied on
+the antics and unearthly gestures and incantations of their Powaws to
+make the medicines take effect. Mr. Eliot expressed the desire that
+the Lord would stir up the hearts of some people in England to give
+some maintenance towards a school or academy, wherein there should be
+“Anatomies, and other instructions that way.” Mr. E. had himself showed
+them an anatomy, the only one he says the English had ever had in the
+country. By a course of instruction in medicine Mr. E. believed that he
+could most effectually, and perhaps, in the only way, “root out their
+Powaws.”
+
+The Indians proposed this question to Mr. Eliot:
+
+“What shall we say to some Indians who say to us, What do you get by
+praying to God, and believing in Jesus Christ? You go naked still,
+and are as poor as we. Our corn is as good as yours; and we take more
+pleasure than you; if we saw that you got any thing by praying to God, we
+would do so.”
+
+Mr. E. answered to them on this point as follows: “First, God gives two
+sorts of good things; 1. little things, which he showed by his little
+finger, (‘for they use and delight in demonstrations;’) 2. great things,
+(holding up his thumb). The little mercies he said are riches, clothes,
+food, sack, houses, cattle, and pleasures, all which serve the body for
+a little while, and in this life only. The great mercies are wisdom, the
+knowledge of God, Christ, eternal life, repentance and faith; these are
+for the soul, and eternity. Though God did not give them so many little
+things, through the knowledge of the Gospel, he gave them the greater
+things which are better. This he proved by an illustration: when _Foxun_,
+the Mohegan Counselor, who is counted the wisest Indian in the country,
+was in the Bay, I did on purpose bring him unto you; and when he was
+here, you saw he was a fool in comparison of you, for you could speak of
+God, and Christ, and heaven, &c.; but he sat and had not one word to say
+unless you talked of such poor things as hunting, wars, &c.”
+
+He also told them that they had some more clothes than the wicked
+Indians; and the reason why they had so few, was because they had so
+little wisdom; but if they were wise to obey God’s commands, for example,
+“Six days shalt thou labor,” they would have clothes, houses, cattle, and
+riches, as the English have.
+
+Many questions and cases of dispute arose out of their old practice of
+gaming, to which they were greatly addicted. The irreligious Indians
+demanded the old stakes of some who had been convinced of the sin of
+gaming, and had declined to pay their forfeits. The winners however,
+insisted on being payed. Mr. Eliot had no little trouble in settling the
+matters of casuistry and conscience which thus occurred. But he took this
+method in many cases. He prevailed on the creditor to accept one half of
+his demand, having first showed him the sinfulness of gaming. He then
+told the debtor in private that God requires us to fulfill our promises
+though to our hurt, and then asked him if he would pay half. In this
+way such cases were many of them settled, for the creditors refused Mr.
+Eliot’s proposition, that whoever challenged a debt incurred by gaming
+should go before the Governor with his demand.
+
+The demand upon Mr. Eliot for agricultural and other implements soon
+increased beyond his ability to supply them. The women were desirous of
+learning to spin; wheels were procured for them. The men began to supply
+the English market all the year round, in the winter with brooms, staves,
+eel-pots, baskets, and turkies; in the spring with cranberries, fish, and
+strawberries; in the summer, with whortleberries, grapes and fish; and in
+the autumn, with cranberries, fish and venison. Some of them worked with
+the English in haying time, and harvest; but it was hard work for them
+with their old habits of indolence. “Old boughs,” says Mr. Eliot, “must
+be bent a little at once; if we can set the young twigges in a better
+bent, it will bee God’s mercy.”
+
+Mr. Eliot fell in with a Narragansett Sachem, and having spoken to him
+on the subject of religion, asked him if he did not believe such things?
+The Sachem seemed averse to answer, and Mr. E. asked him why he had not
+profited more by the instructions of a Mr. Williams, their teacher? He
+answered that the Indians did not care to learn of him, because he is no
+good man, but goes out and works upon the Sabbath day. “I name it,” says
+Thomas Shepard, “not to show what glimmerings nature may have concerning
+the observation of the Sabbath, but to show what the ill example of the
+English may do, and _to show what a stumbling-block to all religion the
+loose observation of the Sabbath is_.”
+
+In a few years Mr. Eliot says a visible improvement had taken place in
+many of the domestic habits of the Indians, indicating an advancement
+in the principles and sentiments of civilization. Not only were they as
+a general thing respectably clothed, but the common wigwams at Nonantum
+equalled those of Sachems in other tribes, and instead of herding
+together in one room they made divisions and apartments in their houses
+from feelings of propriety and modesty.
+
+Questions relating to the plurality of their wives perplexed them, and
+gave occasion for the same judicious decisions on this delicate and
+trying subject which are now made by our wise and discreet missionaries
+in lands where the same practice exists. While some good men are in favor
+of driving the ploughshare at once among the roots of this and every
+other evil in the institutions and customs of corrupt society, it is
+found impracticable to do so, by those who see the complicated nature
+of these practices, without occasioning still greater evils. Remedial
+measures are in operation among the converts from heathenism and paganism
+by which caste and polygamy and other social evils will in time, but not
+in a day or year, be done away. The process of cure was more rapid among
+the Indians, than it is among the Oriental tribes, for reasons connected
+with the character of the people, the ascendency which religion soon had
+among them, and the absence of opposing influences in the government of
+the tribes.
+
+The text from which Mr. Eliot preached his first sermon at Nonantum,
+(“Prophesy to the wind,” &c.) and which made Waban, whose name
+translated, is, the wind, had produced a decided effect on him, and he
+became useful in diffusing the knowledge of the Gospel to other tribes,
+at Concord, at places on the Merrimack, and elsewhere. He remained
+steadfast in the faith, and never ceased to think that the Word of God
+was directed specially to himself in that first sermon of Mr. Eliot,
+though Mr. E. says that he had no design in the coincidence between the
+text and the Indian’s name.
+
+Mr. Eliot once preached to the Indians from these words, Ephes. 5:11,
+“Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness,” &c. One of
+the questions proposed after sermon was this:
+
+What do Englishmen think of Mr. Eliot, because he comes among wicked
+Indians to teach them?
+
+Another question was as follows:
+
+Suppose two men sin. The one knows he sinneth, and the other doth not
+know sin, will God punish both alike?
+
+Another asked, Suppose there should be one wise Indian that teacheth
+good things to other Indians, whether should not he be as a father or
+brother unto such Indians he so teacheth in the ways of God?
+
+One of the Indians at Nonantum had a child sick of consumption. When it
+was dead some of the Indians came to one of the English and asked him the
+proper manner of burial. Whereupon the father procured some pieces of
+board and nails, and made a decent coffin; and about forty of the tribe
+went with the body to the grave. There having laid the body in the earth,
+in a solemn and suitable manner, without any howlings, or heathenish
+rites, or savage gesticulations, they made up the mound, and then of
+their own accord, for it was not the English custom, they assembled for
+prayer near the grave, and requested one of their number, a serious
+Indian by the name of Totherswamp, to pray with them, which he did, “with
+such zeal and variety of gracious expressions, and abundance of tears,
+both of himself and most of the company, that the woods rang again with
+their sighs and prayers.”
+
+Thomas Shepard says, “I know that some will think that all this work
+among them is done and acted thus by the Indians to please the English,
+and for applause from them; and it is not unlikely but ’tis so in many,
+who doe but blaze for a time; but certainly ’tis not so in all, but that
+the power of the Word hath taken place in some, and that inwardly and
+effectually, but how far savingly time will declare. Some may say that
+if it be so, yet they are but few that are thus wrought upon. Be it so;
+yet so it hath ever been, many called, few chosen, and yet withal, I
+believe the calling in of a few Indians to Christ, is the gathering home
+of many hundreds more, considering what a vast distance there hath been
+between them and God so long, even dayes without number; considering
+also, how precious the first fruits of America will be to Jesus Christ,
+and what seeds they may be of harvests in after times; and yet if there
+was no great matter seen in those of grown years, their children,
+notwithstanding, are of great hopes, both from English and Indians
+themselves, who are therefore trained up to schoole, where many are very
+apt to learne, and who are also able readily to answer to the questions
+propounded, containing the principles and grounds of all Christian
+religion in their own tongue. I confesse it passeth my skill to tell
+how the Gospel should be generally received by these American natives,
+considering the variety of languages in small distances of places; onely
+hee that made their cares and tongues can raise up some or other to
+teach them how to heare, and what to spake; and if the Gospel must ride
+circuit, Christ can and will conquer by weake and dispicable meanes,
+though the conquest perhaps may be somewhat long.”[30]
+
+Mr. Eliot wrote an interesting letter to a friend in England, dated
+Roxbury, this 12th of Nov. 1648, and sent it _by the way of Virginia, and
+through Spain_.
+
+He says that the Indians used to abhor the remembrance of their
+dead friends, but that now they had begun to receive profit from the
+recollection of their dying counsels, and hope from their confidence in
+the safety of the pious dead. The woman who asked the question, whether,
+when her husband prayed, if she prayed in her heart, but did not speak,
+yet her heart liked what he said, it was prayer; called her two grown
+up daughters to her when she was dying and said to them: “I shall now
+die, and when I am dead, your grand-parents and uncles will send for
+you to come live among them and promise you great matters, and tell you
+what pleasant living it is among them. But do not believe them, and I
+charge you never hearken unto them, nor live among them; for they pray
+not to God, keep not the Sabbath, commit all manner of sins, and are not
+punished for it. But I charge you live here, for here they pray unto God,
+the Word of God is taught, sins are suppressed and punished by laws, and
+therefore I charge you live here all your days.” Soon after it came to
+pass as she had said, and the case was propounded to Mr. Eliot, and the
+father-in-law opposed the removal of the children, on the ground of their
+mother’s charge.
+
+The settlement of Natick took place in the following way. Many Indians
+in the country were desirous of hearing the Gospel, but they would not
+remove into the neighborhood of the English, “because they had no tools
+or skill, or heart to fence their grounds,” and so their corn was spoiled
+by the English cattle, and the English refused to pay for it, because the
+Indians would not build fences. “Therefore,” Mr. E. says, “a place must
+be found (both for this and sundry other reasons) somewhat remote from
+the English;—but I feare it will bee too chargeable, though I see that
+God delighteth in small beginnings that his name may be magnified.”
+
+There was a great fishing place at the falls of the Merrimack where
+the Indians assembled every spring, and Mr. E. visited them. They put a
+question to him after one of his sermons, which all who are interested in
+the conversion of the heathen often find occurring to them with painful
+interest. “If it be thus as you teach, then all the world of Indians are
+gone to hell, to be tormented forever, until now a few may go to heaven
+and be saved; is it so?”
+
+In the letter which went so far in getting to England, Mr. Eliot records
+some further questions from his Nonantum Indians, viz:
+
+How many good people were in Sodom when it was burnt?
+
+Doth the devil dwell in us as we dwell in a house?
+
+When God saith, Honor thy father, doth he mean three fathers, our father,
+our Sachem, and our God?
+
+When the soul goes to heaven, what doth it say when it comes there. And
+what doth a wicked soul say when it cometh into hell?
+
+If one sleep on the Sabbath at meeting, and another awaketh him, and he
+be angry at it, and say it’s because he is angry with him that he so
+doth, is not this a sin?
+
+If any talk of another man’s faults and tell others of it when he is not
+present to answer, is not that a sin?
+
+Why did Christ die in our stead?
+
+Seeing Eve was first in sin, whether she did die first?
+
+Why must we love our enemies, and how shall we do it?
+
+When every day my heart thinks I must die and go to hell for my sins,
+what shall I do in this case?
+
+May a good man sin sometimes? Or may he be a good man and yet sin
+sometimes?
+
+If a man think a prayer, doth God know it, and will he bless him?
+
+Who killed Christ?
+
+If a man be almost a good man and dieth, whither goeth his soul?
+
+How long was Adam good before he sinned?
+
+Seeing we see not God with our eyes, if a man dream that he seeth God,
+doth his soul then see him?
+
+Did Adam see God before he sinned? Shall we see God in heaven?
+
+If a wicked man pray, whether doth he make a good prayer? Or when doth a
+wicked man pray a good prayer?
+
+Whether God did make hell before Adam sinned?
+
+If two families dwell in one house, and one prayeth and the other not,
+what shall they that pray do to them that do not?
+
+Did Abimelech know Sarah was Abraham’s wife?
+
+Did not Abraham sin in saying she was my sister?
+
+Seeing God promised Abraham so many children, like the stars for
+multitude, why did he give him so few? And was it true?
+
+If God made hell in one of the six days, why did God make hell before
+Adam sinned?
+
+How shall I bring mine heart to love prayer?
+
+If one man repent and pray once in a day, another man often in a day,
+whether doth one of them go to heaven, the other not? Or what difference
+is there?
+
+I find I want wisdom, what shall I do to be wise?
+
+Why did Abraham buy a place to bury in?
+
+Why doth God make good men sick?
+
+How shall the Resurrection be, and when?
+
+Do not Englishmen spoil their souls to say a thing cost them more than it
+did? and is not all one as to steal?
+
+You say our body is made of clay; what is the sun and moon made of?
+
+If one be loved of all Indians, good and bad, another is hated of all,
+saving a few that be good, doth God love both these?
+
+I see why I must fear hell and do so every day. But why must I fear God?
+
+How is the tongue like fire, and like poison?
+
+What if false witnesses accuse me of murther, or some foul sin?
+
+What punishment is due to liars?
+
+If I reprove a man for sin, and he answer, “Why do you speak thus angrily
+to me? Mr. Eliot teacheth us to love one another?”—is this well?
+
+Why is God so angry with murtherers?
+
+If a wife put away her husband because he will pray to God and she will
+not, what is to be done in this case?
+
+If there be young women pray to God, may such as pray to God marry one
+that will not pray to God, or what is to be done in this case?
+
+Whether doth God make bad men dream good dreams?
+
+What is salvation?
+
+What is the Kingdom of Heaven?
+
+If my wife do some work in the house on the night before the Sabbath, and
+some work on the Sabbath night, whether this is a sin?
+
+If I do a sin, and do not know it is a sin, what will God say to that?
+
+Is faith set in my heart or in my mind?
+
+Why have not beasts a soul as man hath, seeing they have love, anger,
+&c., as man hath?
+
+How is the Spirit of God in us, and where is it?
+
+Why doth God punish in hell for ever? man doth not so, but after a time
+lets them out of prison again. And if they repent in hell, why will not
+God let them out again?
+
+How shall I know when God accepts my prayers?
+
+How doth Christ make peace between man and God? and what is the meaning
+of that point?
+
+Why did the Jews give the watchmen money to tell a lie?
+
+If I hear God’s word when I am young, and do not believe, but when I am
+old I believe, what will God say?
+
+In wicked dreams doth the soul sin?
+
+Doth the soul in heaven know things done here on earth?
+
+Doth the soul in heaven remember what it did here on earth before he died?
+
+If my heart be full of evil thoughts, and I repent and pray, and a few
+hours after it is full again, and I repent and pray again; and if after
+this it be full of evil thoughts again, what will God say?
+
+Why did the earth shake at Christ’s resurrection?
+
+What if a minister wear long hair, as some other men do, what will God
+say?
+
+If a man will make his daughter marry a man whom she doth not love, what
+will God say?
+
+Why doth Christ compare the kingdom of heaven to a net?
+
+Why doth God so hate them that teach others to commit sin?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+    Letters respecting the Indians, from individuals in New
+    England, to their friends in Old England. Speculations about
+    the lost tribes of Israel. Remarks. Questions. Samuel Gorton,
+    the Familist. Two Indians controvert his opinions. Interesting
+    conversation. Labors of the Mayhews on Martha’s Vineyard.
+    Covenant of the Indians of Martha’s Vineyard. Questions.
+    Merrimack Indians. Accounts by the Mayhews of their labors.
+    Questions.
+
+
+Some of Mr. Eliot’s letters respecting the Indians were published in
+London, with an appendix by Rev. “J. D.” As we are interested and
+entertained occasionally by a supposed discovery of the lost tribes of
+Israel, it may not be useless to give here some of the speculations and
+reasonings of this good man, on this subject as relating to the North
+American Indians. He begins his appendix with the following words:
+
+“The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that love them,
+saith the Psalmist; Ps. 111:3. The word which we, render _sought out_,
+hath a mighty emphasis in it: ’Tis a word used sometimes to denote the
+elaborate care of digging and searching into mines. And sometimes it’s
+made use of to expresse the accurate labors of those who comment upon
+writings. Indeed, there is a golden mine in every work of God; and the
+foregoing letters to a gracious eye, are as a discovery of a far more
+precious mine in America, than those gold and silver mines of India: For
+they bring tidings of the unsearchable riches of Christ, revealed unto
+poore soules in those parts.... I could not pass over so rich a mine
+without digging....
+
+“The general consent of many judicious and godly divines doth induce
+considering minds to believe that the conversion of the Jews is at hand.
+It’s the expectation of some of the wisest Jews now living, that about
+the year 1650, Either we shall be Mosaick or else that themselves Jews
+shall be Christians.... There may be at least a remnant of the generation
+of Jacob in America, (peradventure some of the Ten tribes dispersions.)
+And that those sometimes poor now precious Indians may be as the first
+fruits of the glorious harvest of Israel’s redemption. The observation is
+not to be slighted, (though the observer, Mr. Shepard, said it was more
+cheerful than deep) that the first Text out of which Mr. Eliot preached,
+was about the dry bones.... Why may we not at least conjecture, that
+God by a special finger pointed out that text to be first opened, which
+immediately concerned the persons to whom it was preached?”
+
+He then states the reasons why the Indian tribes may be of Jewish
+descent, viz:
+
+“1. They have at least a traditional knowledge of God, as the Maker of
+heaven and earth.
+
+2. Whatever they attribute unto others, this they peculiarly attribute
+unto God, viz: that all things, both good and evil, are managed by his
+Providence.
+
+3. Before they had received any instruction from the English, upon
+observation of a bad year, or other ill success, they did meet and
+weep as unto God, and on the other side, upon a good year, or good
+success in any business, as of War, they used to meet and make a kind of
+acknowledgement of thanks to God in it.
+
+4. They are careful to preserve the memory of their families, mentioning
+Uncles, Grandparents, &c. A thing which had a great tang of, and affinity
+to, the Jews’ care of preserving the memorial of their Tribes.
+
+5. Those of them who have been wrought upon, tell of some face of
+Religion, wisdom and manners which long agoe their ancestors had, but
+that it was lost.
+
+6. The better and more sober of them delight much to expresse themselves
+in parables, a thing peculiar to the Jews.
+
+These and the like considerations prevail with me to entertain (at least)
+a conjecture that these Indians of America may be Jews, especially of the
+Ten Tribes. And therefore to hope that the work of Christ among them may
+be as preparatory to his own appearing.”
+
+Some of these reasons appertain with equal force to other tribes of the
+earth who have been supposed by different writers to be remnants of the
+house of Israel. While we should respect the interest and zeal of those
+who study the providence of God, with a view to finding out his designs,
+and to be prepared for the fulfillment of his promises, we should not
+easily yield our confidence to any hypothesis which rests merely on
+conjecture, or depends for support in reasons which apply equally well
+to theories inconsistent with it. This is not the place to remark at
+large on the interesting subject of the Jews and their conversion, but
+the impression seems happily to be extending that the sooner we cease to
+regard them as destined to a national conversion, and look at them as
+sinners of the human family, like Mohammedans and Papists, and refrain
+from efforts and a treatment which foster their spirit of separation and
+their assumption of superior dignity and special claims to respect and
+favor, the sooner we shall employ ourselves in efforts to address them in
+a way which will be far more likely to humble their pride, and prepare
+them to submit to the Gospel, than the somewhat adulatory and flattering
+method of approaching them and speaking of them will ever be.
+
+The improvement which the writer above named makes of Mr. Eliot’s letters
+in the following exhortations is far more obviously correct than his
+speculations about the origin and destiny of the Indians. He says the
+work of grace among them should lead the people of England,
+
+“First, To study and search into the works of the Lord, to see how he
+counter plots the enemy in his designs; In making the late Bishops
+persecuting of the godly tend to the promoting of the Gospel.
+
+Secondly, To take heed of despising the day of small things.
+
+Thirdly, To be ashamed of and bewail our want of affection to and
+estimation of that glorious Gospel, and those great things of Christ,
+which these poor Heathens upon the little Glymmerings and tasts so
+exceedingly value and improve.
+
+Fourthly, Doth not the observation of the preceding reports clearly
+confirm the doctrine of the Sabbath, and the practice of prayer. O
+tremble, ye Sabbath slighters and duty despisers, Christ hath witnesses
+against you in America.... The converted Heathen in New England goe
+beyond you, O ye Apostolic Christians in England.
+
+Arise ye heads of our Tribes in Old England, and extend your help to
+further Christ’s labourers in New England.
+
+Rouse up yourselves, my Brethren! ye preachers of the Gospel, this work
+concerns you. Contrive and plot, preach for and presse the advancement
+hereof.
+
+Come forth ye masters of money, part with your gold to promote the
+Gospel. If you give any thing yearly, remember Christ will be your
+Pensioner. If you give any thing into banke, Christ will keep account
+thereof and reward it.”
+
+The reader, it is to be hoped, will not be weary of the Indian questions,
+which Mr. Eliot sent to his friends in England as often as he wrote to
+them. These questions are not only curious, but they suggest valuable
+thoughts and lead to profitable reflections.
+
+If a man know God’s Word, said one of them at the Indian lecture, but
+believe it not, and he teach others, is that good teaching? and if others
+believe that which he teacheth, is that believing or faith? Upon this
+question Mr. Eliot asked them how they could tell when a man knoweth
+God’s Word, that he doth not believe it? They answered, When he doth not
+do in his practice answerable to that which he knoweth.
+
+If I teach on the Sabbath that which you have taught us, and forget some,
+is that a sin? and some I mistake and teach wrong, is that a sin?
+
+Do all evil thoughts come from the devil, and all good ones from God?
+
+What is watchfulness?
+
+What should I pray for at night, and what at morning, and what on the
+Sabbath day?
+
+What is true Repentance? or how shall I know when this is true?
+
+How must I wait on God?
+
+Shall we see Christ at the day of judgment?
+
+When I pray for a soft heart, why is it still hard?
+
+You said, God promised to go with Moses; how doth he go with us?
+
+When such die as never heard of Christ, whither do they go?
+
+When the wicked die, do they first go to heaven to the judgment-seat of
+Christ to be judged, and then go away to hell?
+
+Why doth God say, I am the God of the Hebrews?
+
+When Christ arose, whence came his soul? When it was replied, From
+heaven; they said, How then was Christ punished in our stead? or when did
+he suffer in our stead, afore death, or after?
+
+When I pray every day, why is my heart so hard still, even as a stone?
+
+If one purposeth to pray, and yet dieth before that time, whither goeth
+his soul?
+
+Why must we be like salt?
+
+Doth God know who shall repent, and who not?—why then did God use so much
+meanes with Pharaoh?
+
+What meaneth that ‘blessed are they that mourn’?
+
+When I see a good example, and know that it is right, why do I not do the
+same?
+
+What anger is good, and what is bad?
+
+Do they dwell in separate houses in heaven, or all together, and what do
+they?
+
+If a child die before he sin, whither goeth his soul? ‘By this
+question,’ says Mr. E., ‘it did please the Lord to convince them of
+original sin, blessed be his name.’
+
+If one that prays to God sins like him that prays not, is not he worse?
+‘And while,’ says Mr. Eliot, ‘they discoursed of this point, and about
+hating wicked persons, one of them shut it up with this: They must love
+the man and do him good, but hate his sin.’
+
+Why do Englishmen so eagerly kill all snakes?
+
+May a man have good words and deeds, and a bad heart, and another have
+bad words and deeds, and yet a good heart?
+
+What is it to eate Christ’s flesh, and drink his blood; what meaneth it?
+
+What meaneth a new heaven and a new earth?
+
+If but one parent believe, what state are our children in?
+
+How doth much sinne make grace abound?
+
+What meaneth that, We cannot serve two masters?
+
+Can they in Heaven see us here on earth?
+
+Do they see and know each other? Shall I know you in heaven?
+
+If all the world be burnt up, where shall hell be?
+
+Do they know each other in Hell?
+
+What meaneth, that Christ meriteth eternal life for us?
+
+What meaneth that, The woman brought to Christ a box of oyle, and washt
+his feet with tears, &c.?
+
+What meaneth that of the two debtors, one oweth much, another but little?
+
+What meaneth God when he sayes, yee shall be my jewels?
+
+If so old a man as I repent, may I be saved?
+
+When we come to believe, how many of our children doth God take with us,
+whether all, only young ones, or at what age?
+
+What meaneth that, Let the trees of the wood rejoice?
+
+What meaneth that, The Master doth not thank his servant for waiting on
+him?
+
+When Englishmen choose magistrates and ministers, how do they know who be
+good men that they dare trust?
+
+Seeing the body sinneth, why should the soul be punished, and what
+punishment shall the body have?
+
+If a wicked man prayeth and teacheth, doth God accept, or what saith God?
+
+If a man be wise and his Sachem weak, must he yet obey him?
+
+We are commanded to honour the Sachem, but is the Sachem commanded to
+love us?
+
+When all the world is burnt up, what shall be in the room of it? (By an
+old woman.)
+
+Mr. Eliot says, in a letter containing these questions,
+
+    “You may perceive many of the questions arise out of such texts
+    as I handle, and do endeavour to communicate as much Scripture
+    as I can. The word of the Lord converteth, sanctifieth, and
+    maketh wise the simple; sometimes they aske weaker questions
+    than these, which I mention not; you have the best, and when
+    I am about writing, I am careful in keeping a remembrance of
+    them; it may be the same question may be again and again asked
+    at several places and by several persons. The Lord teach them
+    to know Christ, whom to know is eternal life. I shall entreat
+    your supplications at the throne of grace, under the tender
+    wing whereof I now leave you, being forced by the time, and
+    rest,
+
+    Your respectful and loving brother and fellow-laborer in the
+    Indian work,
+
+                                                        JOHN ELIOT.”
+
+Samuel Gorton, charged with being a Familist and Antinomian, was
+banished from Plymouth, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. The Familists
+were an Anabaptist sect, founded in Holland, in 1555, by Henry Nicholas,
+a Westphalian. They held that the essence of religion consists in the
+feelings of divine love, (and hence they were called the Family of love,
+and familists), that all other religious tenets, whether relating to
+matters of faith or modes of worship, are of no consequence, and that
+it is indifferent what opinions Christians entertain concerning God,
+provided their hearts are filled with the emotions of piety and love.
+They were confuted by Dr. Henry More, and by George Fox, the Quaker. A
+proclamation was issued against them by Queen Elizabeth in 1580.
+
+This Gorton in 1650 was in Rhode Island. Two of the Nonantum Indians
+made a visit to Providence and Warwick, and spent a Sabbath and heard
+Gorton and his followers explain their views, and afterwards had some
+conversation with them.
+
+Upon their return, on a lecture day, before the people had fully
+assembled, these two Indians addressed a question to Mr. Eliot; and
+the conversation which ensued is recorded by him as illustrating the
+proficiency in Christian knowledge to which some of the Indians had
+attained, and their ability to withstand false teachers.
+
+The question was this: What is the reason that seeing those English
+people, where they had been, have the same Bible that Mr. Eliot has, yet
+do not speak the same things? Being asked the reason of his question,
+they said, They had been at Providence and Warwick, and they perceived by
+conversation with them that they differed from Mr. E.; they heard their
+public exercises, but did not understand what they meant, though they
+understood the English language well. Being asked what they said, they
+replied, they said thus:
+
+They (that is Mr. Eliot and his friends) teach you that there is a heaven
+and a hell, but there is no such matter.
+
+Mr. E. asked them what reason they gave for this assertion.
+
+Because there is no other heaven but what is in the hearts of good men,
+and no other hell but what is in the hearts of bad men.
+
+_Mr. E._ What did you say to that?
+
+_Indians._ We told them we did not believe them, because heaven is a
+place where good men go when this life is ended, and hell is a place
+where bad men go when they die, and cannot be in the hearts of man.
+
+_Mr. E._ approving this answer. What else did they say?
+
+_Indians._ They spake of Baptism, and said, they teach you that infants
+must be baptized, but that is a very foolish thing.
+
+_Mr. E._ What reason did they give?
+
+_Indians._ Because infants neither know God nor baptism, nor what they
+do, and therefore it is a foolish thing to do it.
+
+_Mr. E._ What did you say to that?
+
+_Indians._ I could not say much; but I thought it was better to baptize
+them while they be young, and then they are bound and engaged; but if you
+let them alone till they be grown up, it may be they will fly off, and
+neither care for God nor Baptism.
+
+Mr. E. commended this reply. What further did they say?
+
+_Indians._ They spake of ministers, and said, they teach you that you
+must have ministers, but that is a needless thing.
+
+_Mr. E._ Why?
+
+_Indians._ They gave these reasons: First, ministers know nothing but
+what they learn out of God’s book, and we have God’s book as well as
+they, and can tell what God saith. Again, ministers cannot change men’s
+hearts, God must do that, therefore there is no need of ministers.
+
+_Mr. E._ What did you reply?
+
+_Indians._ I told them that we must do as God commands us, and if he
+commands us to have ministers we must have them. And further, I told them
+I thought it was true that ministers cannot change men’s hearts; but when
+we do as God bids us, and hear ministers preach, then God will change our
+hearts.
+
+_Mr. E._ What else did they speak of?
+
+_Indians._ They said, they teach you that you must have magistrates, but
+that is needless.
+
+_Mr. E._ What reason did they give?
+
+_Indians._ They said, Because magistrates cannot give life, therefore
+they may not take away life; besides, when a man sinneth, he doth not sin
+against magistrates; and therefore why should they punish them? but they
+sin against God, and therefore we must leave them to God to punish them.
+
+_Mr. E._ What answer did you make?
+
+_Indians._ I said to that as to the former, we must do as God commands
+us. If God commands us to have magistrates, and commands them to punish
+sinners, then we must obey.
+
+In answer to the question, Why all who have the Bible do not speak the
+same things. Mr. E. preached on that occasion from 2 Thes. 2:10, 11.
+“Because they believed not the truth that they might be saved; for this
+cause God shall send them strong delusions that they might believe a
+lie,” &c.
+
+The Rev. Thomas Mayhew, and his son the Rev. Experience Mayhew,
+prosecuted the work of evangelizing the Indians of Martha’s Vineyard with
+signal success. As the relations which they give respecting the Indians,
+and the progress of the Gospel among them, correspond so nearly with the
+foregoing narratives, it is not thought necessary to speak of them at
+large. Some idea of the principles which were inculcated by the Mayhews,
+and of the influence which they exerted upon the natives, may be derived
+from the following covenant which Mr. Thomas Mayhew wrote for them, and
+in which they all with free consent willingly and thankfully joined.
+
+    COVENANT OF THE INDIANS OF MARTHA’S VINEYARD.
+
+    “Wee, the distressed Indians of the Vineyard, (or NOPE, the
+    Indian name of the Island,) that beyond all memory have been
+    without the true God, without a Teacher, and without a Law, the
+    very servants of sin and satan, and without peace, for God did
+    justly vex us for our sins; having lately, through his mercy,
+    heard of the name of the True God, the name of his Son Christ
+    Jesus, with the holy Ghost, the Comforter, three Persons, but
+    one most Glorious God, whose name is JEHOVAH; wee do praise
+    His Glorious Greatness, and, in sorrow of our hearts, and
+    shame of our faces, we do acknowledge and renounce our great
+    and many sins, that we and our Fathers have lived in, do run
+    unto him for mercy and pardon for Christ Jesus’ sake; and we
+    do this day, through the blessing of God upon us, and trusting
+    to his gracious help, give up ourselves in this Covenant, Wee,
+    our wives and children, to serve JEHOVAH: And we do this day
+    chuse Jehovah to be our God in Christ Jesus, our Teacher, our
+    Lawgiver in his Word, our King, our Judge, our Ruler by his
+    magistrates and ministers; to fear God Himself, and to trust in
+    Him alone for salvation, both of Soul and Body, in this present
+    Life, and the Everlasting Life to come, through his mercy in
+    Christ Jesus our Saviour and Redeemer, and by the might of his
+    Holy Spirt, to whom, with the Father and Son, be all Glory
+    everlasting, Amen.”
+
+Mr. Mayhew says, “I observed that the Indians, when they chose their
+Rulers, made choyce of such as were best approved for their godliness,
+and most likely to suppress sin, and encourage holiness. There was an
+Indian that was well approved for his Reformation, that was suspected
+to have told a plain Lye for his Gain; the business was brought to the
+public Meeting, and there it was notably sifted with zeal and good
+affection; but at length the Indian defending himself with great disdain
+and hatred of such evil, proved himself clear, and praised God for it.”
+
+He also relates the following anecdote:
+
+“My Father and I were lately talking with an Indian who had not long
+before almost lost his life by a wound his Enemies gave him in a secret
+hidden way, the mark whereof he had upon him, and will carry it to his
+grave. This man understanding of a secret Plot that was to take away his
+Enemies life, told my Father and I, That he did freely forgive him for
+the sake of God, and did tell this Plot to us that the man’s life might
+be preserved. This is a singular thing, and who among the Heathen will do
+so?”
+
+Again: “_Myoxeo_ also lately met with an Indian which came from the
+_Mayn_, (the mainland,) who was of some note among them. I heard that he
+told them of the great things of God, the sinfulness and folly of the
+Indians, the pardon of sin by Christ, and of a good life; and so they
+were both affected, that they continued this discourse two half nights
+and a day, until their strength was spent. He told him in particular how
+a Beleever did live above the world, that he did keep worldly things
+alwaies at his feet, (as he shewed him by a sign,) That when they were
+diminished or increased, it was neither the cause of his sorrow or joy,
+that he should stoop to regard them, but he stood upright with his heart
+Heavenward, and his whole desire was after God, and his joy in Him.”
+
+He says, “Within two or three weeks (1652) there came an Indian to me in
+business, and by the way he told me that some Indians had lately kept a
+day of Repentance to humble themselves before God in prayer, and that the
+word of God which one of them spake unto for their Instruction, was Psal.
+66: 7. ‘He ruleth by his Power forever, his eyes behold the nations, let
+not the rebellious exalt themselves.’ I asked him what their end was in
+keeping such a day? He told me these six things. ‘1. They desired that
+God would slay the rebellion of their hearts. 2. That they might love God
+and one another. 3. That they might withstand the evil words of wicked
+men, and not be drawn back from God. 4. That they might be obedient to
+the good words and commands of their Rulers. 5. That they might have
+their sins done away by the Redemption of Jesus Christ. And Lastly, That
+they might walk in Christ’s way.’”
+
+In 1651, thirty Indian children were at school which began in November,
+1651. “They are apt to learn,” says Mr. M., “and more and more are now
+sending in unto them.”
+
+“I was once,” says Mr. M., “down towards the further end of the Island,
+and lodged at an Indian’s house, who was accounted a great man among
+the Islanders, being the friend of the Sachem on the _Mayn_. At this
+man’s house where I sate awhile, his son being about thirty years old,
+earnestly desired me, in his Language, to relate unto him some of the
+ancient stories of God. I then spent a great part of the night (in such
+discourse as I thought fittest for them) as I usually do when I lodg in
+their houses; what he then heard did much affect him. And shortly after
+he came and desired to joyn with the praying Indians to serve Jehovah.”
+He was persecuted for this; but he told Mr. M. “That if they should stand
+with a sharp weapon against his breast, and tell him that they would kill
+him presently if he did not turn to them; but if he would, they would
+love him; yet he had rather lose his life than keep it on such terms.”
+
+A Powaw once told Mr. M. that after he had forsaken his powawing, and
+had begun to serve God, and to renounce his Imps, which he did in a
+public manner, the Imps still remained with him tormenting him, so that
+he could never be at rest, sleeping or waking. At a Lecture, sometime
+after, he asked Mr. M. this question: If a Powaw had his Imps gone from
+him, what he should have instead of them to preserve him? He was told if
+he believed in Christ “he should have the Spirit of Christ dwelling in
+him, which is a good and strong Spirit, and will so keep him safe, that
+all the Devils in Hell, and Powaws on earth, should not be able to do him
+any hurt; and that if he did set himself against his Imps by the strength
+of God, they should all flee away like muskeetooes.” He replied, That
+soon after he had believed he was not troubled with any pain as formerly
+in his bed, nor dreadful visions of the night, but lay down with ease,
+slept quietly, waked in peace, and walked in safety; “for which he is
+very glad and praises God.”
+
+Mr. Mayhew also relates a fact, like the one already given respecting the
+feelings and conduct of the Christian Indians at the death and burial
+of their children. The case already mentioned, it will be remembered,
+occurred at Nonantum; this, at Martha’s Vineyard. Mr. Mayhew says,
+
+“I have observed the wise disposing hand of God in another providence
+of his. There have not, as I know, any man, woman, or child, died, of
+the meeting-Indians, since the meeting began, until now of late the Lord
+took away Hiacoomes, his child, which was about five days old. He was
+best able to make a good use of it, and to carry himself well in it,
+and so was his wife also; and truly they gave an excellent example in
+this also as they have in other things; here were no black faces for it
+as the manner of the Indians is, nor goods buried with it, nor hellish
+howlings over the dead, but a patient resigning of it to him that gave
+it. There were some English at the burial, and many Indians to whom I
+spake something of the Resurrection; and as we were going away, one of
+the Indians told me he was much refreshed in being freed from their old
+customes, as also to hear of the Resurrection of good men and their
+children to be with God.”
+
+One of the ‘meeting-Indians’ said that ‘if all the world, the riches,
+plenty, and pleasures of it were presented without God, or God without
+all these, I would take God.’
+
+Another said, ‘If the greatest Sagamore in the land should take him in
+his arms, and proffer him his love, his riches and gifts, to turn him
+from his ways, he would not go with him from the way of God.’
+
+One of them was heard, of his own accord, in complaining against head
+knowledge and lip prayers, without heart holiness, loathing the condition
+of such a man, saying, I ‘desire my heart may taste of the word of God,
+repent of my sins, and lean upon the Redemption of the Lord Jesus Christ.’
+
+The following is a letter from a good man in this country to a friend in
+England, written about the year 1650.
+
+    ‘The best News I can write you from _New-England_ is, the Lord
+    is indeed converting the _Indians_, and for the refreshing of
+    your heart, and the hearts of all the godly with you; I have
+    sent you the Relation of one _Indian_ of two yeares profession,
+    that I took from his owne mouth by an Interpreter, because he
+    cannot speak or understand one word of _English_.
+
+    THE FIRST QUESTION WAS;
+
+    _Q._ How did you come first to any sight of sinne?
+
+    _A._ His answer was, Before the Lord did ever bring any
+    _English_ to us, my Conscience was exceedingly troubled for
+    sin, but after Mr. _Mayhew_ came to preach, and had been here
+    some time, one chiefe _Sagamore_ did imbrace the Gospel, and
+    I hearing of him, I went to him, and prayed him to speake
+    something to me concerning God, and the more I did see of God,
+    the more I did see my sinne, and I went away rejoycing, that I
+    knew any thing of God, and also that I saw my sinne.
+
+    _Q._ I pray what hurt doe you see in sinne?
+
+    _A._ Sin, sayth he, is a continuall sicknesse in my heart.
+
+    _Q._ What further evill doe you see in sinne?
+
+    _A._ I see it to be a breach of all Gods Commandements.
+
+    _Q._ Doe you see any punishment due to man for sinne?
+
+    _A._ Yea, sayth he, I see a righteous punishment from God due
+    to man for sinne, which shall be by the Devills in a place like
+    unto fire (not that I speake of materiall fire, saith he) where
+    man shall be for ever dying and never dye.
+
+    _Q._ Have you any hope to escape this punishment?
+
+    _A._ While I went on in the way of _Indianisme_ I had no hope,
+    but did verily believe I should goe to that place, but now I
+    have a little hope, and hope I shall have more.
+
+    _Q._ By what meanes doe you look for any hope?
+
+    _A._ Sayth he, by the satisfaction of Christ.
+
+    I prayed the Interpreter, to tell him from mee that I would
+    have him thinke much of the satisfaction of Christ, (and so he
+    told him) I prayed him to returne mee his Answer.
+
+    _A._ I thanke him kindly for his good Counsell, it doth my
+    heart good, sayd he, to heare any man speake of Christ.
+
+    _Q._ What would you thinke if the Lord should save you from
+    misery?
+
+    _A._ If the Lord, said he, would save me from all the sinne
+    that is in my heart, and from that misery, I should exceedingly
+    love God, and, saith he, I should love a man that should doe
+    mee any good, much more the Lord, if he should doe this for mee.
+
+    _Q._ Doe you thinke that God will doe you any good for any good
+    that is in you?
+
+    _A._ Though I beleeve that God loves man that leaves his sinne,
+    yet I beleeve it is for Christ’s sake.
+
+    _Q._ Doe you see that at any time God doth answer your prayers?
+
+    _A._ Yea, sayth he, I take every thing as an Answer of prayer.
+
+    _Q._ But what speciall answer, have you taken notice of?
+
+    _A._ Once my wife being three dayes and three nights in
+    labour, I was resolved never to leave praying till she had
+    deliverance, and at last God did it, and gave her a sonne, and
+    I called his name _Returning_, because all the while I went on
+    in _Indianisme_ I was going from God, but now the Lord hath
+    brought mee to him backe againe.
+
+    By this time Captaine _Gooking_ came to us, and he asked him
+    this Question:
+
+    _Q._ What he would thinke if he should finde more affliction
+    and trouble in God’s wayes, than he did in the way of
+    Indianisme.
+
+    _A._ His answer was, when the Lord did first turne me to
+    himselfe and his wayes, he stripped mee as bare as my skinne,
+    and if the Lord should strip me as bare as my skinne againe,
+    and so big _Saggamore_ should come to mee, and say, I will
+    give you so big Wampom, so big _Beaver_, and leave this way,
+    and turne to us againe: I would say, take your riches to your
+    selfe, I would never forsake God and his wayes againe.
+
+    This is a Relation taken by my selfe,
+
+                                                    WILLIAM FRENCH.’
+
+There was a great fishing place at one of the falls of the Merrimack,
+where the Indians assembled in great numbers in the spring of the year,
+and Mr. Eliot went to meet them. He hired a Nashaway or Lancaster Indian
+to beat down a path for him from Roxbury through the woods, and to notch
+the trees that he might find his way through. His Church were concerned
+for his safety, on account of difficulties between two tribes through
+which his path lay. A Sachem with twenty men did escort for him, and the
+journey occupied three days. “It pleased God,” he says, “to exercise
+us with such tedious rain and bad weather, that we were extreme wet,
+insomuch that I was not dry night nor day from the third day of the week
+to the sixth, but so traveled, and at night pull off my boots, wring my
+stockings, and on with them again. My horse was tired, so that I was
+forced to let him go without a rider and take one of the men’s horses,
+which I took along with me. Yet God stept in and helped. I considered
+that word of God, ‘Endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.’”
+
+It is not surprising that the questions proposed by the Indians should
+have excited so much interest among their English teachers, and the
+friends in England to whom they were communicated. Should similar
+questions be reported to us from a tribe of people among whom our
+missionaries had effected an entrance, we should feel that there was
+great promise of success among that people. It seems that many in England
+doubted the practicability of converting the North American savages.
+They were greatly surprised at the communications from Mr. Eliot; they
+saw that nothing was too hard for the Almighty, that Christ could save
+unto the uttermost, all who come unto God by him, that the Gospel was
+suited to the nature of man in every condition, that the story of the
+cross moved the heart of the savage as well as the civilized, and that
+Mr. Eliot’s reflection after his first efforts in preaching at Nonantum
+was true, “That there is no need of miraculous or extraordinary gifts in
+seeking the salvation of the most depraved of the human family.”
+
+The Sudbury, Concord, Lancaster, Medford, and Dedham Indians had all in a
+few years received the Gospel from Nonantum. In visiting that interesting
+spot we cannot but say, “From you sounded out the word of the Lord.”
+
+A pious Indian from Martha’s Vineyard visited the Indians of Merrimack
+weare. After he had been there, the Merrimack Indians stated this case to
+Mr. Eliot, for an explanation. ‘If a strange Indian comes among us whom
+we never saw before, yet if he pray unto God we do exceedingly love him.
+But if my own brother, dwelling a great way off, come unto us, he not
+praying to God, though we love him, yet nothing so as we love that other
+stranger who doth pray unto God.’
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+    Natick. The Indians build a bridge. Scenery of Charles River.
+    The Arsenal at Watertown. Indian names. Mrs. Sigourney’s Lines.
+    Gov. Endicott’s Letter. Proceedings preparatory to forming
+    an Indian Church. Confessions of several Indians. Indian
+    Catechism. Number in the Indian Church at Natick. Eliot’s
+    Indian Grammar. His Indian Bible. Remarks upon it. A copy sent
+    to Charles II. Richard Baxter’s remark. Further observations on
+    the Indian Bible. 14 places of praying Indians, in 1660. Mr.
+    Bancroft’s testimony. Indian Youths at Harvard College.
+
+
+We come now to another stage in the history of the Indian mission.
+
+It has already been said that in 1650 Mr. Eliot obtained a grant of land
+for the Indians, for the purpose of building houses and organizing a town
+government. The place selected was called NATICK, which means _a place
+of hills_. There the Indians began to build houses, each house having
+a piece of land attached to it for agriculture. One large building was
+erected to be the property of the town, the lower part to be used for a
+school-room and place of worship, the upper room to be a place of deposit
+for skins and articles of public property, with a bed for Mr. Eliot.
+
+In one of his letters to friends in England, Mr. Eliot says,
+
+“There is a great river which divideth between their planting grounds
+and dwelling place, through which they easily wade in summer, yet in
+the spring it is deep and unfit for daily passing over, especially of
+women and children.” He proposed to the Indians that they should make a
+foot bridge over it, which was accordingly built, and was ninety feet
+long and nine feet high. When it was finished, Mr. Eliot called the
+Indians together, prayed, and gave thanks to God, and taught them out of
+a portion of Scripture. He then told them that as it had been hard and
+tedious labor in the water, if any of them desired wages for their work
+he would give it to them, yet considering the work was for their own use,
+if they should do all that labor in love, he should take it well and
+remember it.
+
+They replied that they were far from desiring any wages for doing their
+own work, and on the contrary were thankful for their employment,—at
+which Mr. Eliot praised them for their readiness and ingenuity at such
+work. This bridge is said to have lasted longer than one which the
+English built about the same time at Dedham.
+
+It would be interesting if we could identify some of the favorite
+places of the Indians in this vicinity. It is pleasant to think that they
+were often grouped together at that most charming point where the Charles
+River bends round the arsenal at Watertown. No one who has stood on the
+bridge at that place on a summer morning when the mists were rising
+from the stream, or in the after part of the day, when the sun was in
+the right position over the curving parts of the stream to make their
+outlines brilliant as gold in the green meadow, can have failed to think
+that had such scenery occurred to him in Italy or Scotland, he would have
+found it celebrated in the works of the poet and painter. We have only
+to take journeys about home to find in the part of the country where we
+live, views and scenes both natural and historical of thrilling interest.
+It is easy to imagine the light canoe borne rapidly along the winding
+vales of the Charles River; we meet with Indian names in almost every
+village which is watered by that interesting stream, as well as in other
+places. Wrentham has its Nuckup hill; Norwich its Quenaboag and Shetucket
+river; Auburn its Boggachoog brook; Lancaster its Weshakum ponds; and
+Natick its Pegan plain.
+
+The following lines by Mrs. Sigourney may appropriately be introduced
+here.
+
+    INDIAN NAMES.
+
+    “How can the red man be forgotten, while so many of our states
+    and territories, bays, lakes and rivers, are indelibly stamped
+    by names of their giving?”
+
+        Ye say, that all have passed away,
+          That noble race and brave,
+        That their light canoes have vanished
+          From off the crested wave;
+        That ’mid the forests where they roamed,
+          There rings no hunter’s shout;
+        But their name is on their waters,
+          Ye may not wash it out.
+
+        ’Tis where Ontario’s billow,
+          Like Ocean’s surge is curled,
+        Where strong Niagara’s thunders wake
+          The echo of the world,
+        Where red Missouri bringeth
+          Rich tributes from the west,
+        And Rappahannock sweetly sleeps,
+          On green Virginia’s breast.
+
+        Ye say their cone-like cabins,
+          That clustered o’er the vale,
+        Have fled away like withered leaves,
+          Before the autumn gale;
+        But their memory liveth on your hills,
+          Their baptism on your shore,
+        Your everlasting rivers speak
+          Their dialect of yore.
+
+        Old Massachusetts wears it
+          Within her lordly crown,
+        And broad Ohio bean it
+          Amid her young renown;
+        Connecticut hath wreathed it,
+          Where her quiet foliage waves,
+        And bold Kentucky breathes it hoarse,
+          Through all her ancient caves.
+
+        Wachuset hides its lingering voice,
+          Within his rocky heart,
+        And Alleghany graves its tone
+          Throughout his lofty chart;
+        Monadnock on his forehead hoar,
+          Doth seal the sacred trust;
+        Your mountains build their monuments,
+          Though ye destroy their dust.
+
+The Society for Propagating the Gospel among the Indians of North
+America, an account of which will be found in the appendix to this
+volume, published a letter addressed to them by Governor Endicott, of
+Massachusetts. It is interesting as a testimony to the advancement which
+the Indians had made in religion and civilization, and as a specimen
+of the personal interest which good rulers in former times took in the
+promotion of the kingdom of Christ in the earth. The letter is here
+printed as it is written, with the Introduction by the Society:
+
+    “The next Letter you meet withall came from the present
+    Governour of the _Massachusets_, directed to the President of
+    our Corporation, and another of the Members thereof, which
+    wee thought good to publish, that every Christian Reader may
+    partake in the same consolation, wherewith he and we are
+    comforted; and joyne with us in prayer to the Lord of the
+    Harvest, that he would provide more Labourers to enter upon
+    this soul-saving worke, and enlarge the hearts of all his
+    people in this Nation towards the same.”
+
+        “_Much honoured and beloved in the Lord Jesus_:
+
+        I Esteeme it not the least of God’s mercies that hath
+        stirred up the hearts of any of the people of God to be
+        instrumentall in the inlarging of the Kingdome of his deare
+        Sonne here amongst the Heathen _Indians_, which was one
+        end of our comming hither, and it is not frustrated. It
+        was prophesied of old, and now begins to be accomplished,
+        _Psal._ 2:8. Neither can I but acknowledge the unspeakable
+        goodnesse of God that gives us favour in the sight of our
+        Countreymen to helps on with so large a hand of bounty, so
+        glorious a work, provoked thereunto by your worthy selves,
+        the chiefs Actors of so good a designe, let me (with leave)
+        say confidently, you will never have cause to repent it;
+        For the work is Gods and he doth owne it, the labour there
+        hath been yours, and your Master will reward it. I think
+        Religion and Conscience binde me to seek unto God for you,
+        and to praise him with you, for what is already begun. The
+        Foundation is laid, and such a one that I verily beleeve
+        the gates of Hell shall never prevaile against. I doubt
+        not but the building will goe on apace, which I hope will
+        make glad the hearts of Thousands. Truly Gentlemen, had
+        you been eare and eye-witnesses of what I heard and saw on
+        a Lecture-day amongst them about three weeks since, you
+        could not but be affected therewith as I was. To speak
+        truly I could hardly refrain tears from very joy to see
+        their diligent attention to the word first taught by one
+        of the _Indians_, who before his Exercise prayed for the
+        manner devoutly and reverently (the matter I not so well
+        understanding) but it was with such reverence, zeale,
+        good affection, and distinct utterance, that I could not
+        but admire it; his Prayer was about a quarter of an houre
+        or more, as we judged it; then he took his Text, and
+        Mr. _Eliot_ their Teacher told us that were _English_,
+        the place (there were some Ministers and diverse other
+        godly men there that attended me thither) his Text was
+        in, _Matth._ 13:44, 45, 46. [The kingdom of heaven is
+        like unto treasure, &c. And to a merchant man, &c.] He
+        continued in his Exercise full halfe an houre or more, as
+        I judged it, his gravity and utterance was indeed very
+        commendable; which being done Mr. _Eliot_ taught in the
+        _Indian_ tongue about three quarters of an hour as neer
+        as I could guesse; the _Indians_ which were in number men
+        and women neer about one hundred, seemed the most of them
+        so to attend him, (the men especially) as if they would
+        loose nothing of what was taught them, which reflected much
+        upon some of our _English_ hearers. After all there was a
+        _Psalme_ sung in the _Indian_ tongue, and _Indian_ meeter,
+        but to an _English_ tune, read by one of themselves, that
+        the rest might follow, and he read it very distinctly
+        without missing a word as we could judge, and the rest
+        sang chearfully, and prettie tuneablie. I rid on purpose
+        thither being distant from my dwelling about thirty eight,
+        or forty miles, and truly I account it one of the best
+        Journeyes I made these many years. Some few dayes after I
+        desired Mr. _Eliot_ briefly to write me the substance of
+        the _Indians_ Exercise, which when he went thither again,
+        namely to _Naticke_, where the _Indians_ dwell, and where
+        the _Indian_ taught, he read what he remembered of it first
+        to their School-Master who is an _Indian_, and teacheth
+        them and their Children to write, and I saw him write also
+        in _English_, who doth it true and very legible, and asked
+        him if it were right, and he said yea, also he read it unto
+        others, and to the man himselfe, who also owned it. To tell
+        you of their industry and ingenuitie in building of an
+        house after the _English_ manner, the hewing and squaring
+        of their tymber, the sawing of the boards themselves, and
+        making of a Chimney in it, making of their ground-sells
+        and wall-plates, and mortising, and letting in the studds
+        into them artificially, there being but one _English_ man
+        a Carpenter to shew them, being but two dayes with them,
+        is remarkeable. They have also built a Fort there with
+        halfe trees cleft about eight or ten inches over, about
+        ten or twelve foot high, besides what is intrencht in the
+        ground, which is above a quarter of an acre of ground, as
+        I judge. They have also built a foot bridge over _Charles_
+        Rivers, with Groundsells and Spurres to uphold it against
+        the strength of the Flood and Ice in Winter; it stood
+        firme last Winter, and I think it will stand many Winters.
+        They have made Drummes of their owne with heads and brases
+        very neatly and artificially, all which shews they are
+        industrious and ingenuous. And they intend to build a
+        Water-Mill the next Summer, as I was told when I was with
+        them. Some of them have learnt to mow grasse very well.
+        I shall no further trouble you with any more Relation at
+        this time concerning them. But a word or two further with
+        your patience concerning other _Indians_. The work of
+        God amongst the _Indians_ at _Martins Vineyard_, is very
+        hopefull and prosperous also. I mist of Mr. _Mayhew_ their
+        Teacher, who was lately at _Boston_, and therefore cannot
+        give you a particular account thereof at this present time;
+        yet I cannot but acquaint you what other motions there
+        are touching other _Indians_. There came to us upon the
+        20th of this instant Moneth, at the Generall Court one
+        _Pummakummim_ Sachem of _Qunnubbagge_, dwelling amongst or
+        neer to the _Narragansets_, who offered himselfe and his
+        Men to worship God, and desired that some _English_ may
+        be sent from the _Massachusets_ Government to plant his
+        River, that thereby he may be partaker of Government, and
+        may be instructed by the _English_ to know God. We shall
+        I hope take some care and course about it, and I hope we
+        shall have more help to carry on that work also; For there
+        are some Schollers amongst us who addict themselves to the
+        study of the _Indian_ Tongue. The Lord in mercy recompence
+        it into your Bosomes, all that labour of love vouchsafed
+        to the poor _Indians_, which are the hearty prayers, and
+        earnest desire of, much honoured,
+
+        _Boston the 27th of the Eight. 1651._ Your loving Friend in
+        all service of Christ.
+
+                                                     JOHN ENDECOTT.”
+
+The prudence and caution of Mr. Eliot in his proceedings with regard to
+the formation of a Church among the Indians are not a little remarkable.
+He says,
+
+    “In way of preparation of them thereunto, I did this Summer
+    call forth sundry of them in the dayes of our public Assemblies
+    in Gods Worship; sometimes on the Sabbath when I could be with
+    them, and sometimes on Lecture daies, to make confession before
+    the Lord of their former sins, and of their present knowledg
+    of Christ, and experience of his Grace; which they solemnly
+    doing, I wrote down their Confessions: which having done, and
+    being in my own heart hopeful that there was among them fit
+    matter for a Church, I did request all the Elders about us to
+    hear them reade, that so they might give me advice what to
+    do in this great and solemn business; which being done on a
+    day appointed for the purpose, it pleased God to give their
+    Confessions such acceptance in their hearts, as that they saw
+    nothing to hinder their proceeding, to try how the Lord would
+    appear therein. Whereupon, after a day of Fasting and Prayer
+    among ourselves, to seek the Lord, in that behalf, there was
+    another day of Fasting and Prayer appointed, and publick notice
+    thereof, and of the names of Indians were to confess, and enter
+    into Covenant that day, was given to all the Churches about
+    us, to seek the Lord yet further herein, and to make solemn
+    Confessions of Christ his Truth and Grace, and further to try
+    whether the Lord would vouchsafe such grace unto them, as to
+    give them acceptance among the Saints, into the fellowship of
+    Church-Estate, and enjoyment of those Ordinances which the Lord
+    hath betrusted his Churches withal. That day was the thirteenth
+    of the eighth month.
+
+    When the Assembly was met, the first part of the day was
+    spent in Prayers unto God, and exercise in the Word of God;
+    in which my self first and after that two of the Indians
+    did Exercise; and so the time was spent till after ten or
+    near eleven of the clock. Then addressing our selves unto
+    the further work of the day, I first requested the reverend
+    Elders (many being present) that they would ask them Questions
+    touching the fundamental Points of Religion, that thereby
+    they might have some tryal of their knowledg, and better that
+    way, than if themselves should of themselves declare what
+    they beleeve, or than if I should ask them Questions in these
+    matters: After a little conference hereabout, it was concluded,
+    That they should first make confession of their experience
+    in the Lords Work upon their hearts, because in so doing, it
+    is like something will be discerned of their knowledg in the
+    Doctrines of Religion: and if after those Confessions there
+    should yet be cause to inquire further touching any Point
+    of Religion it might be fitly done at last. Whereupon we so
+    proceeded, and called them forth in order to make confession.
+    It was moved in the Assembly by Reverend Mr. _Wilson_, that
+    their former Confessions also, as well as these which they made
+    at present, might be read unto the Assembly, because it was
+    evident that they were daunted much, to speak before so great
+    and grave an Assembly as that was, but time did not permit it
+    so to be then: yet now in my writing of their Confessions I
+    will take that course, that so it may appear what encouragement
+    there was to proceed so far as we did; and that such as may
+    reade these their Confessions, may the better discern of the
+    reality of the Grace of Christ in them.”
+
+He afterwards says,
+
+    “In the year 52 I perceiving the grace of God in sundry of
+    them, and some poor measure of fitnesse (as I was perswaded)
+    for the enjoyment of Church-fellowship, and Ordinances of Jesus
+    Christ, I moved in that matter, according as I have in the
+    Narration thereof, briefly declared. In the year 53 I moved not
+    that way, for these Reasons.
+
+    I having sent their Confessions to be published in _England_,
+    I did much desire to hear what acceptance the Lord gave unto
+    them, in the hearts of his people there, who daily labour at
+    the Throne of grace, and by other expressions of their loves,
+    for an holy birth of this work of the Lord, to the praise of
+    Christ, and the inlargement of his Kingdome. As also my desire
+    was, that by such Books as might be sent hither, the knowledge
+    of their Confessions might be spread here, unto the better and
+    fuller satisfaction of many, then the transacting thereof in
+    the presence of some could doe. These Books came by the latter
+    Ships (as I remember) that were bound for _New England_, and
+    were but newly out when they set saile, and therefore I had not
+    that answer that year, which my soule desired, though something
+    I had which gave encouragement, and was a tast of what I have
+    more fully heard from severall this year, praised be the Lord.
+
+    Besides there fell a great damping and discouragement upon
+    us by a jealousie too deeply apprehended, though utterly
+    groundlesse, _viz._ That even these praying _Indians_ were
+    in a conspiracy with others, and with the _Dutch_, to doe
+    mischief to the _English_. In which matter, though the ruling
+    part of the People looked otherwise upon them, yet it was no
+    season for me to stir or move in this matter, when the waters
+    were so troubled. This businesse needeth a calmer season,
+    and I shall account it a favour of God when ever he shall
+    please to cause his face to shine upon us in it. Yet this I
+    did the last year, after the Books had been come a season,
+    there being a great meeting at _Boston_, from other Colonies
+    as well as our owne, and the Commissioners being there, I
+    thought it necessary to take that opportunity to prepare and
+    open the way in a readinesse against this present year, by
+    making this Proposition unto them; namely, _That they having
+    now seen their confessions, if upon further triall of them in
+    point of knowledge, they be found to have a competent measure
+    of understanding in the fundamentall points of Religion; and
+    also, if there be due testimony of their conversation, that
+    they walke in a Christian manner according to their light, so
+    that Religion is to be seen in their lives; whether then it be
+    according to God, and acceptable to his people, that they be
+    called up unto Church estate?_ Unto which I had I blesse the
+    Lord, a generall approbation.
+
+    Accordingly this year 54 I moved the Elders, that they would
+    give me advice and assistance in this great businesse, and that
+    they would at a fit season examine the _Indians_ in point of
+    their knowledge, because we found by the former triall, that a
+    day will be too little (if the Lord please to call them on to
+    Church-fellowship) to examine them in points of Knowledge, and
+    hear their Confessions, and guide them into the holy Covenant
+    of the Lord. Seeing all these things are to be transacted in a
+    strange language, and by Interpreters, and with such a people
+    as they be in these their first beginnings. But if they would
+    spend a day on purpose to examine them in their knowledge
+    there would be so much the more liberty to doe it fully and
+    throughly, (as such a work ought to be) as also when they may
+    be called to gather into Church-Communion, it may suffice that
+    some one of them should make a Doctrinall Confession before
+    the Lord and his people, as the rule of faith which they build
+    upon, the rest attesting their consent unto the same: And
+    themselves (the Elders I mean, if the Lord so far assist the
+    _Indians_, as to give them satisfaction) might testifie that
+    upon Examination they have found a competency of knowledge in
+    them to inable them unto such a work and state. And thus the
+    work might be much shortned, and more comfortably expedited in
+    one day. I found no unreadinesse in the Elders to further this
+    work.
+
+    They concluded to attend the work, and for severall Reasons
+    advised that the place should be at _Roxbury_, and not at
+    _Natick_, and that the _Indians_ should be called thither, the
+    time they left to me to appoint, in such a season as wherein
+    the Elders may be at best liberty from other publick occasions.
+    The time appointed was the 13 of the 4 moneth; meanwhile I
+    dispatched Letters unto such as had knowledge in the Tongue,
+    requesting that they would come and help in interpretation,
+    or attest unto the truth of my Interpretations. I sent also
+    for my Brother _Mayhu_, who accordingly came, and brought an
+    Interpreter with him. Others whom I had desired, came not. I
+    informed the _Indians_ of this appointment, and of the end it
+    was appointed for, which they therefore called, and still doe,
+    when they have occasion to speak of it _Natootomuhteáe kesuk, A
+    day of asking Questions, or, A day of Examination_. I advised
+    them to prepare for it, and to pray earnestly about it, that
+    they might be accepted among Gods people, if it were the will
+    of God.
+
+    It pleased God so to guide, that there was a publick Fast
+    of all the Churches, betwixt this our appointment, and the
+    accomplishment thereof: which day they kept, as the Churches
+    did, and this businesse of theirs was a Principall matter in
+    their Prayers.”
+
+It will be useful, as well as interesting, to give some of the
+“Confessions of Indians” which were made and considered in preparation
+for their entering into the Church state.
+
+
+CONFESSION OF TOTHERSWAMP.
+
+    “Before I prayed unto God, the English, when I came unto
+    their houses, often said unto me, Pray to God; but I having
+    many friends who loved me, and I loved them, and they cared
+    not for praying to God, and therefore I did not: But I thought
+    in my heart, that if my friends should die, and I live, I then
+    would pray to God; soon after, God so wrought, that they did
+    almost all die, few of them left; and then my heart feared,
+    and I thought, that now I will pray unto God, and yet I was
+    ashamed to pray; and if I eat and did not pray, I was ashamed
+    of that also; so that I had a double shame upon me: Then you
+    came unto us, and taught us, and said unto us, _Pray unto God_;
+    and after that, my heart grew strong, and I was no more ashamed
+    to pray, but I did take up praying to God; yet at first I did
+    not think of God and eternal Life, but only that the English
+    should love me and I loved them: But after I came to learn
+    what sin was, by the Commandments of God, and then I saw all
+    my sins, lust, gaming, &c. (he named more.) You taught, That
+    Christ knoweth all our hearts, and seeth what is in them, if
+    humility, or anger, or evil thoughts, Christ seeth all that
+    is in the heart; then my heart feared greatly, because God
+    was angry for all my sins; yea, now my heart is full of evil
+    thoughts, and my heart runs away from God, therefore my heart
+    feareth and mourneth. Every day I see sin in my heart; one man
+    brought sin into the World, and I am full of that sin, and I
+    break Gods Word every day. I see I deserve not pardon, for the
+    first mans sinning; I can do no good, for I am like the Devil,
+    nothing but evil thoughts, and words, and works. I have lost
+    all likeness to God, and goodness, and therefore every day I
+    sin against God, and I deserve death and damnation: The first
+    man brought sin first, and I do every day add to that sin, more
+    sins; but Christ hath done for us all righteousness, and died
+    for us because of our sins, and Christ teacheth us, That if we
+    cast away our sins, and trust in Christ, then God will pardon
+    all our sins; this I beleeve Christ hath done, I can do no
+    righteousness, but Christ hath done it for me; this I beleeve,
+    and therefore I do hope for pardon. When I first heard the
+    Commandments, I then took up praying to God and cast off sin.
+    Again, When I heard, and understood Redemption by Christ, then
+    I beleeved Jesus Christ to take away my sins: every Commandment
+    taught me sin, and my duty to God. When you ask me why do I
+    love God? I answer, Because he giveth me all outward blessings,
+    as food, clothing, children, all gifts of strength, speech,
+    hearing; especially that he giveth us a Minister to teach us,
+    and giveth us Government; and my heart feareth lest Government
+    should reprove me; but the greatest mercy of all is Christ, to
+    give us pardon and life.”
+
+
+“TOTHERSWAMP
+
+_The Confession which he made on the Fast day before the great Assembly
+was as followeth:_
+
+    I Confess in the presence of the Lord, before I prayed, many
+    were my sins, not one good word did I speak, not one good
+    thought did I think, not one good action did I doe: I did act
+    all sins, and full was my heart of evil thoughts; when the
+    English did tell me of God, I cared not for it, I thought it
+    enough if they loved me: I had many friends that loved me,
+    and I thought if they died I would pray to God: and afterward
+    it so came to pass; then was my heart ashamed, to pray I was
+    ashamed, and if I prayed not, I was ashamed; a double shame was
+    upon me: when God by you taught us, very much ashamed was my
+    heart; then you taught us that Christ knoweth all our hearts:
+    therefore truly he saw my thoughts, and I had thought, if my
+    kindred should die I would pray to God; therefore they dying,
+    I must now pray to God; and therefore my heart feared, for I
+    thought Christ knew my thoughts: then I heard you teach, _The
+    first man God made was named_ Adam, _& God made a Covenant
+    with him, Do and live, thou and thy Children; if thou do not
+    thou must die, thou and thy Children_: And we are Children of
+    _Adam_ poor sinners, therefore we all have sinned, for we have
+    broke Gods Covenant, therefore evil is my heart, therefore
+    God is very angry with me, we sin against him every day; but
+    this great mercy God hath given us, he hath given us his only
+    Son, and promiseth, That whosoever beleeveth in Christ shall
+    be saved: for Christ hath dyed for us in our stead, for our
+    sins, and he hath done for us all the words of God, for I can
+    do no good act, only Christ can, and only Christ hath done all
+    for us; Christ hath deserved pardon for us, and risen again,
+    he hath ascended to God, and doth ever pray for us; therefore
+    all Beleevers Souls shall goe to Heaven to Christ. But when I
+    heard that word of Christ, Christ said _Repent and Beleeve_,
+    and Christ seeth _who Repenteth_, then I said, dark and weak
+    is my Soul, and I am one in darkness, I am a very sinful man,
+    and now I pray to Christ for life. Hearing you teach that Word
+    that the Scribes and Pharisees said _Why do thy Disciples break
+    the Tradition of the Fathers_? Christ answered, _Why do you
+    make void the Commandments of God?_ Then my heart feared that
+    I do so, when I teach the Indians, because I cannot teach them
+    right, and thereby make the word of God vain. Again, Christ
+    said _If the blind lead the blind they will both fall into the
+    ditch_; Therefore I feared that I am one blind, and when I
+    teach other Indians I shal caus them to fall into the ditch.
+    This is the love of God to me, that he giveth me all mercy in
+    this world, and for them al I am thankfull; but I confess I
+    deserve Hell; I cannot deliver my self, but I give my Soul and
+    my Flesh to Christ, and I trust my soul with him for he is my
+    Redeemer, and I desire to call upon him while I live.
+
+    This was his Confession which ended, Mr. _Allin_ further
+    demanded of him this Question, How he found his heart, now in
+    the matter of Repentance?
+
+    His answer was; I am ashamed of all my sins, my heart is broken
+    for them and melteth in me, I am angry with my self for my
+    sins, and I pray to Christ to take away my sins, and I desire
+    that they may be pardoned.
+
+    But it was desired that further Question might be forborn, lest
+    time would be wanting to here them all speak.”
+
+The following is the Confession of Waban, (or the wind,) the man in
+whose wigwam Mr. Eliot preached to the Indians in the beginning of his
+ministry among them, and who, from Mr. Eliot’s text, “Prophesy unto the
+wind,” &c., supposed that the message of God was specially directed to
+himself.
+
+
+CONFESSION OF WABAN.
+
+    “Before I heard of God, and before the English came into this
+    Country, many evil things my heart did work, many thoughts I
+    had in my heart; I wished for riches, I wished to be a witch,
+    I wished to be a Sachem; and many such other evils were in my
+    heart: Then when the English came, still my heart did the same
+    things; when the English taught me of God (I coming to their
+    Houses) I would go out of their doors, and many years I knew
+    nothing; when the English taught me I was angry with them:
+    But a little while agoe after the great sikness, I considered
+    what the English do; and I had some desire to do as they
+    do; and after that I began to work as they work; and then I
+    wondered how the English come to be so strong to labor; then
+    I thought I shall quickly die, and I feared lest I should die
+    before I prayed to God; then I thought, if I prayed to God in
+    our Language, whether could God understand my prayers in our
+    Language; therefore I did ask Mr. _Jackson_, and Mr. _Mahu_,
+    If God understood prayers in our Language? They answered me
+    God doth understand all Languages in the World. But I do not
+    know how to confess, and little do I know of Christ; I fear I
+    shall not beleeve a great while, and very slowly; I do not know
+    what grace is in my heart, there is but little good in me; but
+    this I know, That Christ hath kept all Gods Commandements for
+    us, and that Christ doth know all our hearts; and now I desire
+    to repent of all my sins: I neither have done, nor can do the
+    Commandements of the Lord, but I am ashamed of all I do, and
+    I do repent of all my sins, even of all that I do know of: I
+    desire that I may be converted from all my sins, and that I
+    might beleeve in Christ, and I desire him; I dislike my sins,
+    yet I do not truly pray to God in my heart: no matter for good
+    words, all is the true heart; and this day I do not so much
+    desire good words, as throughly to open my heart: I confess I
+    can do nothing, but deserve damnation; only Christ can help me
+    and do for me. But I have nothing to say for my self that is
+    good; I judg that I am a sinner, and cannot repent, but Christ
+    hath deserved pardon for us.”
+
+    This Confession being not so satisfactory as was desired, Mr.
+    _Wilson_ testified, that he spake these latter expressions with
+    tears, which I observed not, because I attended to writing; but
+    I gave this testimony of him, That his conversation was without
+    offence to the English, so far as I knew, and among the Indians
+    it was exemplar: his gift is not so much in expressing himself
+    this way, but in other respects useful and eminent; it being
+    demanded in what respects, I answered to this purpose, That his
+    gift lay in Ruling, Judging of Cases, wherein he is patient,
+    constant, and prudent, insomuch that he is much respected
+    among them, for they have chosen him a Ruler of Fifty, and he
+    Ruleth well according to his measure. It was further said, they
+    thought he had been a great drawer on to Religion; I replyed,
+    so he was in his way, and did prevail with many; and so it
+    rested.
+
+
+“CONFESSION OF WILLIAM, OF SUDBURY.
+
+    I confess that before I prayed, I committed all manner of
+    sins, and served many gods: when the English came first, I
+    going to their houses, they spake to me of your God, but when I
+    heard of God, my heart hated it; but when they said the Devil
+    was my god, I was angry, because I was proud: when I came to
+    their houses I hated to hear of God, I loved lust in my own
+    house and not God, I loved to pray to many gods. Five years
+    ago, I going to English houses, and they speaking of God, I did
+    a little like of it, yet when I went again to my own house,
+    I did all manner of sins, and in my heart I did act all sins
+    though I would not be seen by man. Then going to your house, I
+    more desired to hear of God; and my heart said, I will pray to
+    God so long as I live: then I went to the Minister Mr. _Browns_
+    house, and told him I would pray as long as I lived: but he
+    said I did not say it from my heart, and I beleeve it. When
+    _Waban_ spake to me that I should pray to God, I did so. But I
+    had greatly sinned against God, and had not beleeved the Word
+    but was proud: but then I was angry with my self, and loathed
+    my self, and thought God will not forgive me my sins. For when
+    I had been abroad in the woods I would be very angry, and would
+    lye unto men, and I could not find the way how to be a good
+    man: then I beleeved your teaching, That when good men die, the
+    Angels carry their souls to God; but evil men dying, they go to
+    Hell, and perish for ever. I thought this a true saying, and
+    I promised to God, to pray to God as long as I live. I had a
+    little grief in my heart five years ago for my sins: but many
+    were my prides; sometime I was angry with my self, and pityed
+    my self; but I thought God would not pardon such a proud heart
+    as mine is: I beleeve that Christ would have me to forsake my
+    anger; I beleeve that Christ hath redeemed us, and I am glad to
+    hear those words of God; and I desire that I might do al the
+    good waies of God, and that I might truly pray unto God: I do
+    now want Graces, and these Christ only teacheth us, and only
+    Christ hath wrought our redemption, and he procureth our pardon
+    for all our sins; and I beleeve that when beleevers dy, Gods
+    Angels carry them to Heaven; but I want faith to beleeve the
+    Word of God, and to open my Eyes, and to help me to cast away
+    all sins; and Christ hath deserved for me eternall life: I have
+    deserved nothing my self: Christ hath deserved, all, and giveth
+    me faith to beleeve it.”
+
+
+“CONFESSION OF MONEQUASSUN, THE SCHOOLMASTER.
+
+    I Confess my sorrow for all my sins against God, and
+    before men: When I first heard instruction, I beleeved not,
+    but laughed at it, and scorned praying to God; afterward,
+    when we were taught at _Cohannet_ (that is the place where
+    he lived) I still hated praying, and I did think of running
+    away, because I cared not for praying to God; but afterwards,
+    because I loved to dwell at that place, I would not leave the
+    place, and therfore I thought I will pray to God, because I
+    would still stay at that place, therefore I prayed not for the
+    love of God, but for love of the place I lived in; after that I
+    desired a little to learn the Catechisme on the Lecture daies,
+    and I did learn the ten Commandements, and after that, all
+    the points in the Catechisme; yet afterwards I cast them all
+    away again, then was my heart filled with folly, and my sins
+    great sins, afterwards by hearing, I began to fear, because of
+    my many sins, lest the wise men should come to know them, and
+    punish me for them; and then again I thought of running away
+    because of my many sins: But after that I thought I would pray
+    rightly to God, and cast away my sins; then I saw my hypocricy,
+    because I did ask some questions, but did not do that which
+    I knew: afterward I considered of my question, and thought I
+    would pray to God, and would consider of some other Question,
+    and I asked this Question, _How should I get Wisdom?_ and the
+    Answer to it did a little turn my heart from sin, to seek after
+    God; and I then considered that the Word of God was good; then
+    I prayed to God because of the Word of God. The next Lecture
+    day you taught that word of God, _If any man lack Wisdom, let
+    him ask it of God, who giveth freely to them that ask him, and
+    upbraideth no man_, _James_, 1:5. Then again a little my heart
+    was turned after God, the Word also said, _Repent, mourn, and
+    beleeve in Jesus Christ_: this also helped me on. Then you
+    taught, _That he that beleeveth not Christ, and repenteth not
+    of sin, they are foolish and wicked; and because they beleeve
+    not, they shall perish_: then I thought my self a fool, because
+    I beleeved not Christ, but sinned every day, and after I heard
+    the Word greatly broke the Word. But afterward I heard this
+    promise of God, _Who ever repenteth and beleeveth in Christ,
+    God will forgive him all his sins, he shall not perish_; then I
+    thought, that as yet, I do not repent, and beleeve in Christ:
+    then I prayed to God, because of this his Promise; and then
+    I prayed to God, for God and for Christ his sake: after that
+    again I did a little break the Word of Christ. And then I
+    heard some other words of God, which shewed me my sins, and
+    my breakings of Gods word; and sometimes I thought God and
+    Christ would forgive me, because of the promise to them that
+    beleeve in Christ, and repent of sin, I thought I did that
+    which God spake in the Promise. Then being called to confess,
+    to prepare to make a Church at _Natick_, I loved _Cohannet_;
+    but after hearing this instruction, _That we should not only be
+    Hearers, but Doers of the Word_, then my heart did fear. And
+    afterward hearing that in _Matthew_, Christ saw two brethren
+    mending their Nets, he said, _Follow me and I will make you
+    Fishers of men_, presently they followed Christ; and when I
+    heard this, I feared, because I was not willing to follow
+    Christ to _Natick_; they followed Christ at his Word, but I
+    did not, for now Christ saith to us, _follow Me_: then I was
+    much troubled, and considered of this Word of God. Afterward I
+    heard another word, the blind men cried after Christ and said,
+    _Have mercy on us thou Son of David_, but after they came to
+    Christ he called them, and asked them, _What shall I do for
+    you?_ they said, _Lord open our eyes_; then Christ had pity on
+    them, and opened their eyes, and they followed Christ; when I
+    heard this, my heart was troubled, then I prayed to God and
+    Christ, to open mine eyes, and if Christ open my eyes, then
+    I shall rejoyce to follow Christ: then I considered of both
+    these Scriptures, and I a little saw that I must follow Christ.
+    And now my heart desireth to make confession of what I know
+    of God, and of my self, and of Christ: I beleeve that there
+    is only one God, and that he made and ruleth all the World,
+    and that he the Lord, giveth us al good things: I know that
+    God giveth every day all good mercies, life, and health, and
+    all; I have not one good thing, but God it is that giveth it
+    me, I beleeve that God at first made man like God, holy, wise,
+    righteous; but the first man sinned, for God promised him, _If
+    thou do my Commandements, thou shalt live, and thy Children;
+    but if thou sin, thou shalt die, thou and thy children_; this
+    Covenant God made with the first man. But the first man did
+    not do the Commandements of God he did break Gods Word, he
+    beleeved Satan; and now I am full of sin, because the first
+    man brought sin; dayly I am full of sin in my heart: I do not
+    dayly rejoyce in Repentance, because Satan worketh dayly in my
+    heart, and opposeth Repentance, and all good Works; day and
+    night my heart is full of sin. I beleeve that Jesus Christ was
+    born of the _Virgin Mary_; God promised her she should bear
+    a Son, and his Name should be _JESUS_, because he shall
+    deliver his people from their sins: And when Christ came to
+    preach, he said, _Repent, because the Kingdom of Heaven is at
+    hand_; again Christ taught, _Except ye repent and become as a
+    little child, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven_;
+    therefore humble your selves like one of these little children,
+    and great shall be your Kingdom in Heaven. Again Christ said,
+    _Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden with sin,
+    and I will give you rest: take up my Cross and Yoak, learn of
+    me for I am meek, and ye shall find rest to your souls, for my
+    yoak is easie and burden light_: these are the Words of Christ
+    and I know Christ he is good, but my works are evil: Christ his
+    words are good, but I am not humble; but if we be humble and
+    beleeving in Christ, he pardons all our sins. I now desire to
+    beleeve in Jesus Christ, because of the word of Christ, that
+    I may be converted and become as a little Child. I confess my
+    sins before God, and before Jesus Christ this day; now I desire
+    all my sins may be pardoned; I now desire repentance in my
+    heart, and ever to beleeve in Christ; now I lift up my heart to
+    Christ, and trust him with it, because I beleeve Christ died
+    for us, for all our sins, and deserved for us eternal life in
+    Heaven, and deserved pardon for all our sins. And now I give
+    my soul to Christ because he hath redeemed: I do greatly love,
+    and like repentance in my heart, and I love to beleeve in Jesus
+    Christ, and my heart is broken by repentance: al these things
+    I do like wel of, that they may be in my heart, but because
+    Christ hath all these to give, I ask them of him that he may
+    give me repentance, and faith in Christ, and therefore I pray
+    and beseech Christ dayly for repentance and faith; and other
+    good waies I beg of Christ dayly to give me: and I pray to
+    Christ for al these gifts and graces to put them in my heart:
+    and now I greatly thank Christ for all these good gifts which
+    he hath given me. I know not any thing, nor can do any thing
+    that is a good work: even my heart is dark dayly in what I
+    should do, and my soul dyeth because of my sins, and therefore
+    I give my soul to Christ, because my soul is dead in sin, and
+    dayly doth commit sin; in my heart I sin, and all the members
+    of my body are sinful. I beleeve Jesus Christ is ascended to
+    Heaven through the clouds, and he will come again from Heaven:
+    Many saw Christ go up to Heaven, and the Angels said, even
+    so he will come again to judg all the world; and therefore
+    I beleeve Gods promise, That all men shall rise again when
+    Christ cometh again, then all shall rise, and all their souls
+    comes again because Christ is trusted with them, and keeps
+    their souls, therefore I desire my sins may be pardoned; and I
+    beleeve in Christ; and ever so long as I live, I will pray to
+    God, and do all the good waies he commandeth.”
+
+
+“CONFESSIONS OF ROBIN SPEENE.
+
+    I was ashamed because you taught to pray to God, and I did not
+    take it up; I see God is angry with me for all my sins, and
+    he hath afflicted me by the death of three of my children,
+    and I fear God is still angry, because great are my sins, and
+    I fear lest my children be not gone to Heaven, because I am
+    a great sinner, yet one of my children prayed to God before
+    it died, and therefore my heart rejoyceth in that. I remember
+    my Pawwawing [for he was a _Pawwaw_] my lust, my gaming, and
+    all my sins; I know them by the Commandements of God, and God
+    heareth and seeth them all; I cannot deliver my self from sin,
+    therefore I do need Christ, because of all my sins, I desire
+    pardon, and I beleeve that God calls all to come to Christ, and
+    that he delivereth us from sin.”
+
+“_His Second Confession._
+
+    I have found out one word more: great are my sins, and I do
+    not know how to repent, nor do I know the evil of my sins; only
+    this one word, now I confess I want Christ, this day 1 want
+    him; I do not truly beleeve nor repent: I see my sin, and I
+    need Christ, but I desire now to be redeemed: and I now ask you
+    this Question _What is Redemption?_ I answered him, by shewing
+    him our estate by Nature, and desert, the price which Christ
+    paid for us, and how it is to be applied to every particular
+    person; which done, he proceeded in his confession thus: I yet
+    cannot tell whether God hath pardoned my sins, I forget the
+    word of God; but this I desire, that my sins may be pardoned,
+    but my heart is foolish, and a great part of the Word stayeth
+    not in my heart strongly. I desire to cast all my sins out of
+    my heart: but I remember my sins, that I may get them pardoned,
+    I think God doth not yet hear my prayers in this, because I
+    cannot keep the Word of God, only I desire to hear the Word,
+    and that God would hear me.”
+
+“_His Third Confession._
+
+    One word more I cal to mind, Great is my sin! this saith my
+    heart, I have found this sin, when I first heard you teach,
+    that all the world from the rising to the sitting Sun should
+    pray to God, I then wondered at it, and thought, I being a
+    great sinner, how shal I pray to God; and when I saw many come
+    to the Meeting, I wondred at it: But now I do not wonder at
+    that work of God, and therefore I think that I do now greatly
+    sin: and now I desire again to wonder at Gods Works, and I
+    desire to rejoyce in Gods good waies. Now I am much ashamed,
+    and fear because I have deserved eternal wrath by my sins:
+    my heart is evil, my heart doth contrary to God: and this I
+    desire, that I may be redeemed, for I cannot help my self,
+    but only Jesus Christ hath done al this for me, and I deserve
+    no good, but I beleeve Christ hath deserved all for us: and
+    I give my self unto Christ, that he may save me, because he
+    knoweth eternal life, and can give it; I cannot give it to my
+    self, therefore I need Jesus Christ, my heart is full of evil
+    thoughts; and Christ only can keep my soul from them, because
+    he hath paid for my deliverance from them.”
+
+
+“CONFESSION OF ANTONY.
+
+    Another who made his Confession is named _Antony_, upon whom
+    the Lord was pleased the last Winter to lay an heavy stroke;
+    for he and another Indian being at work sawing of Board, and
+    finishing the Peece, they laid it so short, and the Rowl not so
+    stedfast, insomuch that this man being in the Pit directing to
+    lay the Piece, and the other above ordering thereof, it slipped
+    down into the Pit upon this mans head, brake his neather Chap
+    in two, and cracked his Skull, insomuch that he was taken up
+    half dead, and almost strangled with blood; and being the last
+    day of the week at night I had no word until the Sabbath day,
+    then I presently sent a Chyrurgion, who took a discreet order
+    with him; and God so blessed his indeavors, as that he is now
+    well again, blessed be the Lord: and whereas I did fear that
+    such a blow in their Labor might discourage them from Labor,
+    I have found it by Gods blessing otherwise; yea this man hath
+    performed a great part of the sawing of our Meeting-House, and
+    is now sawing upon the School-house, and his recovery is an
+    establishment of them to go on; yea, and God blessed this blow,
+    to help on the Work of Grace in his soul; as you shall see in
+    his Confession, which followeth.
+
+    Before I prayed to God I alwaies committed sin, but I do
+    not know all my sins, I know but a little of the sins I have
+    committed, therefore I thought I could not pray to God, because
+    I knew not al my sins before I prayed to God, and since I heard
+    of praying to God: formerly when the English did bid me pray
+    unto God I hated it, and would go out of their houses, when
+    they spake of such things to me. I had no delight to hear any
+    thing of Gods Word, but in every thing I sinned; in my speeches
+    I sinned, and every day I broke the Commands of God. After
+    I heard of praying to God, that _Waban_ and my two brothers
+    prayed to God, yet then I desired it not, but did think of
+    running away; yet I feared if I did run away some wicked men
+    would kill me, but I did not fear God. After when you said unto
+    me, pray, my heart thought, I will pray; yet again I thought,
+    I cannot pray with my heart, and no matter for praying with
+    words only: but when I did pray, I saw more of my sins; yet I
+    did but only see them, I could not be aware of them, but still
+    I did commit them: and after I prayed to God, I was still full
+    of lust, and then a little I feared. Sometimes I was sick, and
+    then I thought God was angry, and then I saw that I did commit
+    all sins: then one of my brothers died, and then my heart was
+    broken, and after him another friend, and again my heart was
+    broken: and yet after all this I broke my praying to God, and
+    put away God, and then I thought I shall never pray to God: but
+    after this I was afraid of the Lord, because I alwaies broke
+    my praying to God and then my heart said, God doth not hear my
+    prayer. When I was sick, and recovered again, I thought then
+    that God was merciful unto me. Hearing that word of God, _If
+    you hear the Word of God, and be forgetful hearers, you sin
+    against God_; then I thought God will not pardon such a sinner
+    as I, who dayly did so, and broke my praying to God. When I
+    heard the Commandements, I desired to learn them, and other
+    points of Catechism, but my desires were but small, and I soon
+    lost it, because I did not desire to beleeve: then sometimes
+    I feared Gods anger because of al my sins; I heard the Word
+    and understood only this word, _All you that hear this day, it
+    may be you shall quickly die_, and then I quickly saw that God
+    was very angry with me. Then God brake my head, and by that I
+    saw Gods anger; and then I thought that the true God in Heaven
+    is angry with me for my sin, even for al my sins, which every
+    day I live, I do. When I was almost dead, some body bid me now
+    beleeve, because it may be I shal quickly die, and I thought I
+    did beleeve, but I did not know right beleeving in Christ: then
+    I prayed unto God to restore my health. Then I beleeved that
+    word, _That we must shortly appear before Jesus Christ_; then
+    I did greatly fear lest if I beleeved not, I should perish for
+    ever. When I was neer death, I prayed unto God, _Oh Lord give
+    me life, and I will pray to God so long as I live_, and I said,
+    _I will give my self, soul, and body to Christ_: after this,
+    God gave me health, and then I thought, truly, God in Heaven is
+    merciful; then I much grieved, that I knew so little of Gods
+    Word. And now sometimes I am angry, and then I fear because I
+    know God seeth it; and I fear, because I promised God when I
+    was almost dead, that if he giveth me life, I will pray so long
+    as I live; I fear lest I should break this promise to God. Now
+    I desire the pardon of all my sins, and I beg faith in Christ,
+    and I desire to live unto God, so long as I live; I cannot
+    myself get pardon, but I dayly commit sin, and break Gods Word,
+    but I look to Christ for pardon.”
+
+
+“CONFESSION OF EPHRAIM.
+
+    All the daies I have lived, I have been in a poor foolish
+    condition, I cannot tell all my sins, all my great sins, I do
+    not see them. When I first heard of praying to God, I could
+    not sleep quietly, I was so troubled, ever I thought I would
+    forsake the place because of praying to God, my life hath been
+    like as if I had been a mad man. Last yeer I thought I would
+    leave all my sins, yet I see I do not leave off sinning to this
+    day; I now think I shall never be able to forsake my sins. I
+    think sometimes the Word of God is false, yet I see there is
+    no giving over that I might follow sin, I must pray to God; I
+    do not truly in my heart repent, and I think that God wil not
+    forgive me my sins: every day my heart sinneth, and how will
+    Christ forgive such an one? I pray but outwardly with my mouth,
+    not with my heart; I cannot of my self obtain pardon of my
+    sins: I cannot tell all the sins that I have done if I should
+    tell you an whol day together: I do every morning desire that
+    my sins may be pardoned by Jesus Christ; this my heart saith,
+    but yet I fear I cannot forsake my sins, because I cannot see
+    all my sins: I hear, That if we repent and beleeve in Christ,
+    all our sins shall be pardoned, therefore I desire to leave off
+    my sins.
+
+    This poor Publican was the last which made his Confession before
+    I read them unto the Elders, and the last of them I shall now
+    publish. I will shut up these Confessions with the Confession
+    (if I may so call it) or rather with the Expression, and
+    manifestation of faith, by two little Infants, of two yeers
+    old, and upward, under three yeers of age when they died and
+    departed out of this world.
+
+    _The Story is this_,
+
+    This Spring, in the beginning of the yeer, 1652, the Lord was
+    pleased to afflict sundry of our praying Indians with that
+    grievous disease of the Bloody-Flux, whereof some with great
+    torments in their bowels died; among which were two little
+    Children of the age above-said, and at that time both in one
+    house, being together taken with that disease. The first of
+    these Children in the extremities of its torments, lay crying
+    to God in these words, _God and Jesus Christ, God and Jesus
+    Christ help me_; and when they gave it any thing to eat, it
+    would greedily take it (as it is usual at the approach of
+    death) but first it would cry to God, _Oh God and Jesus Christ,
+    bless it_, and then it would take it: and in this manner it lay
+    calling upon God and Jesus Christ untill it died: The mother of
+    this Child also died of that disease, at that time. The Father
+    of the Child told me this story, with great wonderment at the
+    grace of God, in teaching his Child so to call upon God. The
+    name of the Father is _Nishohkou_, whose Confession you have
+    before.
+
+    Three or four daies after, another Child in the same house,
+    sick of the same disease, was (by a divine hand doubtless)
+    sensible of the approach of death, (an unusual thing at that
+    age) and called to its Father, and said, _Father, I am going
+    to God_, several times repeating it, _I am going to God_. The
+    mother (as other mothers use to do) had made for the Child a
+    little Basket, a little Spoon, and a little Tray: these things
+    the Child was wont to be greatly delighted withal (as all
+    Children will) therefore in the extremity of the torments,
+    they set those things before it, a little to divert the mind,
+    and cheer the spirit: but now, the child takes the Basket, and
+    puts it away, and said, _I will leave my Basket behind me, for
+    I am going to God, I will leave my Spoon and Tray behind me_
+    (putting them away) _for I am going to God_: and with these
+    kind of expressions, the same night finished its course, and
+    died.
+
+    The Father of this child is named _Robin Speen_, whose
+    Confessions you have before, and in one of them he maketh
+    mention of this child that died in Faith. When he related this
+    story to me, he said, He could not tell whether the sorrow for
+    the death of his child, or the joy for its faith were greater,
+    when it died.
+
+    These Examples are a testimony, That they teach their children
+    the knowledg and fear of God, whom they now call upon; and also
+    that the Spirit of God co-worketh with their instructions, who
+    teacheth by man, more than man is able to do.”
+
+    Mr. Eliot says, ‘I have now finished all that I purpose to
+    publish at this time; the Lord give them Acceptance in the
+    hearts of his Saints, to engage them the more to pray for them;
+    and Oh! that their judgings of themselves, and breathings after
+    Christ, might move others (that have more means than they
+    have, but as yet regard it not) to do the like, and much more
+    abundantly.’
+
+A meeting of the Elders of the Churches was requested by Mr. Eliot, as
+before stated, to give advice in view of these Confessions, and upon
+further personal examination of some of the Indians, as to the next step
+to be taken in organizing the Indian Church. But Mr. E. says,
+
+    “There fell out a very great discouragement a little before
+    the time, which might have been a scandall unto them, and I
+    doubt not but Satan intended it so; but the Lord improved it to
+    stir up faith and Prayer, and so turned it another way: Thus it
+    was. Three of the unsound sort of such as are among them that
+    pray unto God, who are hemmed in by Relations, and other means,
+    to doe that which their hearts love not, and whose Vices Satan
+    improveth to scandalize and reproach the better sort withall;
+    while many, and some good people are too ready to say they
+    are all alike. I say three of them had gotten severall quarts
+    of strong water, (which sundry out of a greedy desire of a
+    little gaine, are too ready to sell unto them, to the offence
+    and grief of the better sort of _Indians_, and of the godly
+    English too)[31] and with these Liquors, did not onely make
+    themselves drunk, but got a Child of eleven years of age, the
+    Son of _Toteswamp_, whom his Father had sent for a little Corne
+    and Fish to that place near _Watertowne_ where they were. Unto
+    this Child they first gave too spoonfuls of Strong-water, which
+    was more then his head could bear; and another of them put a
+    Bottle, or such like Vessel to his mouth, and caused him to
+    drink till he was very drunk; and then one of them domineered,
+    and said, _Now we will see whether your Father will punish us
+    for drunkennesse_ (for he is a Ruler among them) _seeing you
+    are drunk with us for company_; and in this case lay the Child
+    abroad all night. They also fought, and had been severall times
+    Punished formerly for Drunkennesse.
+
+    When _Toteswamp_ heard of this, it was a great shame and
+    breaking of heart unto him, and he knew not what to doe. The
+    rest of the Rulers with him considered of the matter, they
+    found a complication of many sins together.
+
+    1 The sin of Drunkennesse, and that after many former
+    Punishments for the same.
+
+    2 A willful making of the Child drunk, and exposing him to
+    danger also.
+
+    3 A degree of reproaching the Rulers.
+
+    4 Fighting.
+
+    Word was brought to me of it, a little before I took Horse to
+    goe to _Natick_ to keep the Sabbath with them, being about ten
+    dayes before the appointed Meeting. The Tidings sunk my spirit
+    extreamly, I did judge it to be the greatest frowne of God that
+    ever I met withall in the work, I could read nothing in it but
+    displeasure, I began to doubt about our intended work: I knew
+    not what to doe, the blacknesse of the sins, and the Persons
+    reflected on, made my very heart faile me: For one of the
+    offendors (though least in the offence) was he that hath been
+    my Interpreter, whom I have used in Translating a good part of
+    the Holy Scriptures; and in that respect I saw much of Satans
+    venome, and in God I saw displeasure. For this and some other
+    acts of Apostacy at this time, I had thoughts of casting him
+    off from that work, yet now the Lord hath found a way to humble
+    him. But his Apostacy at this time was a great Triall, and I
+    did lay him by for that day of our Examination, I used another
+    in his room. Thus Satan aimed at me in this their miscarrying;
+    and _Toteswamp_ is a Principall man in the work, as you shall
+    have occasion to see anon God-willing.
+
+    By some occasion our Ruling Elder and I being together, I
+    opened the case unto him, and the Lord guided him to speak some
+    gracious words of encouragement unto me, by which the Lord did
+    relieve my spirit; and so I committed the matter and issue unto
+    the Lord, to doe what pleased him, and in so doing my soul was
+    quiet in the Lord. I went on my journey being the 6 day of the
+    week; when I came at _Natick_, the Rulers had then a Court
+    about it. Soon after I came there, the Rulers came to me with
+    a Question about this matter, they related the whole businesse
+    unto me, with much trouble and grief.
+
+    Then _Toteswamp_ spake to this purpose, _I am greatly
+    grieved about these things, and now God tryeth me whether I
+    love Christ or my Child best. They say, They will try me; but
+    I say, God will try me. Christ saith, He that loveth father,
+    or mother, or wife, or Child, better than me, is not worthy of
+    me. Christ saith, I must correct my Child, if I should refuse
+    to doe that, I should not love Christ. God bid Abraham kill
+    his Son, Abraham loved God, and therefore he would have done
+    it, had not God with-held him. God saith to me, onely punish
+    your Child, and how can I love God, if I should refuse to doe
+    that?_ These things he spake in more words, and much affection,
+    and not with dry eyes: Nor could I refraine from teares to
+    hear him. When it was said, The Child was not so guilty of
+    the sin, as those that made him drunk; he said, _That he was
+    guilty of sin, in that he feared not sin, and in that he did
+    not believe his counsells that he had often given him, to take
+    heed of evill company; but he had believed Satan and sinners
+    more then him, therefore he needed to be punished._ After other
+    such like discourse, the Rulers left me, and went unto their
+    businesse, which they were about before I came, which they did
+    bring unto this conclusion, and judgement, They judged the
+    three men to sit in the stocks a good space of time, and thence
+    to be brought to the whipping-Post, & have each of them twenty
+    lashes. The boy to be put in the stocks a little while, and the
+    next day his father was to whip him in the School, before the
+    Children there; all which Judgement was executed. When they
+    came to be whipt, the Constable fetcht them one after another
+    to the Tree (which they make use of instead of a Post) where
+    they all received their Punishments: which done, the Rulers
+    spake thus, one of them said, _The Punishments for sin are
+    the Commandements of God, and the worke of God, and his end
+    was, to doe them good, and bring them to repentance._ And upon
+    that ground he did in more words exhort them to repentance,
+    and amendment of life. When he had done, another spake unto
+    them to this purpose, _You are taught in Catechisme, that the
+    wages of sin are all miseries and calamities in this life, and
+    also death and eternall damnation in hell. Now you feele some
+    smart as the fruit of your sin, and this is to bring you to
+    repentance, that so you may escape the rest._ And in more words
+    he exhorted them to repentance. When he had done, another spake
+    to this purpose, _Heare all yee people_ (turning himselfe to
+    the People who stood round about, I think not lesse then two
+    hundred, small and great) _this is the Commandement of the
+    Lord, that thus it should be done unto sinners; and therefore
+    let all take warning by this, that you commit not such sins,
+    least you incur these Punishments_. And with more words he
+    exhorted the People. Others of the Rulers spake also, but some
+    things spoken I understood not, and some things slipt from me:
+    But these which I have related remained with me.
+
+    When I returned to _Roxbury_, I related these things to our
+    Elder, to whom I had before related the sin, and my grief: who
+    was much affected to hear it, and magnified God. He said also,
+    That their sin was but a Transient act, which had no Rule, and
+    would vanish. But these Judgements were an ordinance of God,
+    and would remaine, and doe more good every way, then their sin
+    could doe hurt, telling me what cause I had to be thankfull for
+    such an issue: Which I therefore relate, because the Lord did
+    speak to my heart, in this exigent, by his words.”
+
+This difficulty being thus settled, the time came for the meeting of the
+Elders. Mr. Eliot observes,
+
+    “When the assembly was met for Examination of the _Indians_,
+    and ordered, I declared the end and Reason of this Meeting,
+    and therefore declared, That any one, in due order, might have
+    liberty to propound any Questions for their satisfaction.
+    Likewise, I requested the Assembly, That if any one doubted
+    of the Interpretations that should be given of their answers,
+    that they would Propound their doubt, and they should have
+    the words scanned and tryed by the Interpreters, that so all
+    things may be done most clearly. For my desire was to be
+    true to Christ, to their soules, and to the Churches: And
+    the trying out of any of their Answers by the Interpreters,
+    would tend to the satisfaction of such as doubt, as it fell
+    out in one Answer which they gave; the Question was, _How
+    they knew the Scriptures to be the word of God?_ The finall
+    Answer was, Because they did find that it did change their
+    hearts, and wrought in them wisedome and humility. This Answer
+    being Interpreted to the Assembly, my Brother _Mahu_ doubted,
+    especially of the word [_Hohpoóonk_] signifying _Humility_, it
+    was scanned by the Interpreters, and proved to be right, and
+    he rested satisfied therein. I was purposed my selfe to have
+    written the Elders Questions, and the _Indians_ Answers, but
+    I was so imployed in propounding to the _Indians_ the Elders
+    Questions, and in returning the _Indians_ Answers, as that
+    it was not possible for me to write unlesse I had caused the
+    Assembly to stay upon it, which had not been fitting; therefore
+    seeing Mr. _Walton_ writing, I did request him to write the
+    Questions and Answers, and help me with a Copy of them, which
+    I thank him, he did, a Copy whereof I herewith send to be
+    inserted in this place, on which, this only I will animadvert,
+    That the Elders in wisdome thought it not fit to ask them in
+    Catechisticall method strictly, in which way Children might
+    Answer. But that they might try whether they understood
+    what they said, they traversed up and downe in Questions of
+    Religion, as here you see.
+
+                            POSTSCRIPT.
+
+    Let the Reader take notice, That these questions were not
+    propounded all to one man, but to sundry, which is the reason
+    that sometime the same Questions are propounded againe and
+    againe. Also the number Examined were about eight, namely,
+    so many as might be first called forth to enter into
+    Church-Covenant, if the Lord give opportunity.”
+
+We have a Catechism, entitled “The Examination of the Indians at Roxbury,
+the 13th day of the 4th month, 1654.” The following are some of the
+questions and answers.
+
+    _Q._ Have not some Indians many Gods?
+
+    _A._ They have many Gods.
+
+    _Q._ How doe you know these Gods are no Gods.
+
+    _A._ Before the English came we knew not but that they were
+    Gods, but since they came we know they are no Gods.
+
+    _Q._ How doe you know the word of God is Gods word?
+
+    _A._ I believe the word that you teach us, was spoken of God.
+
+    _Q._ Why doe you believe it?
+
+    _A._ Therefore I believe it to be the word of God, because when
+    we learn it, it teacheth our hearts to be wise and humble.
+
+    _Q._ Whether are not your sins, and the temptations of
+    _Hobbomak_ more strong since, then before you prayed to God?
+
+    _A._ Before I prayed to God, I knew not what Satans temptations
+    were.
+
+    _Q._ Doe you know now?
+
+    _A._ Now I have heard what Satans temptations are.
+
+    _Q._ What is a temptation of the Devill in your heart, doe you
+    understand what it is?
+
+    _A._ Within my heart there are Hypocrisies, which doe not
+    appear without.
+
+    _Q._ Whether doe not you find this a principall temptation
+    from the wickednesse of your heart, to drive you away from
+    Christ, and not to believe the gracious Promises in Jesus
+    Christ? Or whether when you find wickednesse in your heart, you
+    are not tempted that you cannot believe?
+
+    _A._ My heart doth strongly desire to goe on in sin, but this
+    is a strong temptation, but Faith is the work of Jesus Christ.
+
+    _Q._ What doe you believe about the immortality of the soule,
+    and resurrection of the body? doth the soule dye when the body
+    dyeth?
+
+    _A._ I believe, when the body of a good man dyeth, the Angels
+    carry his soule to heaven, when a wicked man dyeth, the Devills
+    carry his soule to hell.
+
+    _Q._ How long shall they be in that state?
+
+    _A._ Untill Christ cometh to Judgement.
+
+    _Q._ When Christ cometh to judge the world, what then shall
+    become of them?
+
+    _A._ The dead bodies of all men shall rise againe.
+
+    _Q._ Whether shall they ever dye any more?
+
+    _A._ Good men shall never dye any more.
+
+    _Q._ Whether doe you believe that these very bodies of ours
+    shall rise againe?
+
+    _A._ This body which rots in the earth, this very body, God
+    maketh it new.
+
+    _Q._ Who is Jesus Christ?
+
+    _A._ Jesus Christ is the Son of God, yet borne man, and so
+    both God and man.
+
+    _Q._ Why was Christ Jesus a man?
+
+    _A._ That he might dye for us.
+
+    _Q._ Why is Christ Jesus God?
+
+    _A._ That his death might be of great value.
+
+    _Q._ Why doe you say, Christ Jesus was a man that he might dye,
+    doe onely men dye?
+
+    _A._ He dyed for our sins.
+
+    _Q._ What reason or justice is there, that Christ should dye
+    for our sins?
+
+    _A._ God made all the world, and man sinned, therefore it was
+    necessary Christ should dye to carry men up to Heaven. God hath
+    given unto us his Son Jesus Christ, because of our sins.
+
+The Question being put to another for further Answer, his Answer was,
+_That God so loved the world, that he gave his onely begotten Son, that
+whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life_.
+
+    _Q._ When you heare that _Adam_ by his sin deserved eternall
+    death, and when you hear of the grace of God sending Jesus to
+    save you, which of these break your heart most?
+
+    _A._ Pardon of sin goeth deepest.
+
+With regard to the formation of the church, one writer says;
+
+    “This great and solemne work of calling up these poor Indians
+    unto that Gospel light and beauty of visible Church-estate,
+    having now passed through a second Tryall: In the former
+    whereof, they expressed what experience they had found of
+    Gods grace in their hearts, turning them from dead works, to
+    seek after the living God, and salvation in our Saviour Jesus
+    Christ. In this second they have in some measure declared how
+    far the Lord hath let in the light of the good knowledge of God
+    into their soules, and what tast they have of the Principles
+    of Religion, and doctrine of salvation. Now the Question
+    remaineth, _What shall we further doe? And when shall they
+    enjoy the Ordinances of Jesus Christ in Church-estate?_
+
+    “The work is very solemne, and the Question needeth a solemne
+    Answer. It is a great matter to betrust those with the holy
+    priviledges of Gods house, upon which the name of Christ is so
+    much called, who have so little knowledge and experience in
+    the wayes of Christ, so newly come out of that great depth of
+    darknesse, and wild course of life; in such danger of polluting
+    and defiling the name of Christ among their barbarous Friends
+    and Countrey-men; and under so many doubts and jealousies of
+    many people; and having not yet stood in the wayes of Christ
+    so long, as to give sufficient proof and experience of their
+    stedfastnesse in their new begun profession. Being also the
+    first Church gathered among them, it is like to be a pattern
+    and president of after proceedings, even unto following
+    Generations. Hence it is very needfull that this proceeding
+    of ours at first, be with all care and wearinesse guided, for
+    the most effectuall advancement of the holinesse and honour of
+    Jesus Christ among them.
+
+    “Upon such like grounds as these, though I and some others
+    know more of the sincerity of some of them, than others doe,
+    and are better satisfied with them: Yet because I may be in
+    a temptation on that hand, I am well content to make slow
+    hast in this matter, remembring that word of God, _Lay hands
+    suddenly on no man_. Gods works among men doe usually goe
+    on slowly, and he that goeth slowly, doth usually goe most
+    surely, especially when he goeth by counsell. _Sat cito si
+    sat bene_,[32] the greater proof we have of them, the better
+    approbation they may obtain at last. Besides, we having had
+    one publick meeting about them already this summer, it will be
+    difficult to compasse another, for we have many other great
+    occasions, which may hinder the same, and it is an hard matter
+    to get Interpreters together to attend such a work, they living
+    so remote. The dayes also will soon grow short, and the nights
+    cold, which will be an hindrance in the attendance unto the
+    accomplishment of that work, which will most fitly be done at
+    _Natick_.
+
+    “But above all other Reasons this is greatest, that they
+    living in sundry Towns and places remote from each other, and
+    labourers few to take care of them, it is necessary that some
+    of themselves should be trained up, and peculiarly instructed,
+    unto whom the care of ruling and ordering of them in the
+    affaires of Gods house may be committed, in the absence of such
+    as look after their instruction. So that this is now the thing
+    we desire to attend, for the comfort of our little _Sister that
+    hath no breasts_, that such may be trained up, and prepared,
+    unto whom the charge of the rest may be committed in the Lord.
+    And upon this ground we make the slower hast to accomplish
+    this work among them. Mean while I hope the Commissioners
+    will afford some encouragement for the furtherance of the
+    instruction of some of the most godly and able among them, who
+    may be in a speciall manner helpfull unto the rest, in due
+    order and season.
+
+    “And thus have I briefly set down our present state in respect
+    of our Ecclesiasticall proceedings. I beg the prayers of the
+    good people of the Lord, to be particularly present at the
+    Throne of Grace, in these matters, according as you have hereby
+    a particular Information how our condition is. And for me also,
+    who am the most unfit in humane reason for such a work as
+    this, but my soule desireth to depend and live upon the Lord
+    Jesus, and fetch all help, grace, mercy, assistance, and supply
+    from him. And herein I doe improve his faithfull Covenant and
+    Promises, and in particular, the Lord doth cause my soule to
+    live upon that word of his, _Psal._ 37:3, 4, 5, 6, 7, wherein
+    I have food, rayment, and all necessaries for my selfe and
+    children (whom I have dedicated unto the Lord, to serve him in
+    this work of his, if he will please to accept of them) and this
+    supply I live upon in these rich words of gracious Promise,
+    _verse_ 3. _Trust in the Lord, and doe good, dwell in the Land,
+    and verily thou shalt be fed._
+
+    “Herein also I find supply of grace to believe the conversion
+    of these poor Indians, & that not only in this present season,
+    in what I doe already see, but in the future also, further then
+    by mine eye or reason I can see. Which supply of grace, I live
+    upon in those words of his gracious Promise, which I apply
+    and improve in this particular respect, _verse_ 4. _Delight
+    thyselfe also in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desires
+    of thy heart_.
+
+    “Herein also I find supply of grace to believe, that they shall
+    be in Gods season, which is the fittest, brought into Church
+    Estate; faith fetching this particular blessing out of the
+    rich Fountaine of those gracious words of Promise, _Commit thy
+    way unto the Lord, trust also in him, and he shall bring it to
+    passe_.
+
+    “Herein also my soule is strengthened and quieted, to stay
+    upon the Lord, and to be supported against all suspitious
+    jealousies, hard speeches, and unkindnesses of men, touching
+    the sincerity and reality of this work, and about my carriage
+    of matters, and supply herein. Which grace my soule receiveth
+    by a particular improvement of that rich treasury of the
+    Promise in these words, _verse_ 6. _And he shall bring forth
+    thy righteousnesse as the light, and thy judgement as the noon
+    day._ And herein likewise I find supply of grace, to wait
+    patiently for the Lords time, when year after year, and time
+    after time, I meet with disappointments. Which grace I receive
+    from the commanding force of that gracious Promise, _verse_ 7.
+    _Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him, fret not thy
+    selfe_, either for one cause, or another. Thus I live, and thus
+    I labor, here I have supply, and here is my hope, I beg the
+    help of prayers, that I may still so live and labour in the
+    Lords work, and that I may so live and dye.”
+
+In 1670, the number of men and women in full communion at Natick, was
+between forty and fifty, and more than three hundred and fifty had
+renounced their savage practices and open sins, and gave heed to the
+instructions of the Gospel.
+
+Their meetings were notified by the drum. In their assemblies they were
+attentive and reverent. A native teacher commenced worship with prayer,
+and the English Christians assisted in the business of instruction.
+There, as at other times, and in other places among civilized people God
+poured out his Spirit upon the young. Several cases of hopeful piety in
+young children are mentioned. The most interesting of them have already
+been given.
+
+Mr. Eliot having made a grammar of the Indian tongue, and a catechism,
+was proceeding with his Indian Bible. In 1649, he said it was his earnest
+wish to translate some parts of the Scriptures for the Indians. He
+probably labored at this work, at intervals, for twelve years, and he was
+at least forty-five years of age when he began it.
+
+It should be remembered that this work, unlike the same employment of our
+foreign missionaries at their first arrival at new stations, was wholly
+in addition to his labors as Pastor of another people,—the congregation
+at Roxbury. It was of no direct use to him in his ministerial work, any
+farther than investigation and study is always profitable to the mind.
+It was a labor superadded to the cares and toil of his pastoral and
+ministerial office.
+
+A man who has a taste for languages is generally repaid for the labor
+of acquiring them, by the stores of learning which they contain. Cato
+learned Greek at the age of eighty, and the literary world mention
+it to his praise. But here is a man learning a language which has no
+literature. No tragic or heroic muse had left her inspired strains in
+it. No beautiful old ballads or legendary songs repaid his labor,—no
+Canterbury Tales, or Children in the Wood, or Chevy Chase, or Fairy
+Queen, hymns of devotion, nor martial songs; the language could only
+whoop and powaw; the great word, gathering subjunctives and adjuncts into
+itself, like a crowded wigwam, was savagely ignorant of the graces, or
+the concise, vigorous expressions of some barbarous tongues, and Eliot’s
+researches into it were like digging, as the Plymouth settlers did, into
+the mounds for corn, and finding nothing but skulls. But nothing could
+repress the ardor of his benevolent mind. He was determined that the
+Indians should have the word of God in their own tongue, and the work
+drew near to its accomplishment.
+
+But how could it ever be printed? His slender salary could not pay for
+it; the planters could not subscribe an adequate sum. In a letter to
+England in 1651, he says, with much sorrow, “I have no hope to see the
+Bible printed in my days.”
+
+The Society for Propagating the Gospel came to his help.[33] In
+September, 1661, the New Testament in the Indian tongue was published at
+Cambridge. Three years after this, the Old Testament was added, and the
+whole Bible, with a Catechism and the Psalms of David in metre, was thus
+given to the Aborigines of this desert, in their own tongue, in forty
+years after the settlement of the country.
+
+This was the first Bible printed on this Continent. It was printed at
+Cambridge, by Samuel Green and Marmaduke Johnson. A copy handsomely
+bound, was sent to King Charles II., and the Rev. Richard Baxter says of
+it, “Such a work and fruit of a plantation was never before presented
+unto a king.” Two hundred copies, in plain and strong leather, were
+immediately put in circulation for the use of the Indians. An angel would
+almost have exchanged his heavenly joy for the happiness of Eliot, when
+he visited Natick, and saw the Bible in the hands of the natives. Like
+old Jacob, strengthening himself upon his dying bed, he might then have
+said, “I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord;” or, like Simeon, “Now,
+Lord, lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen
+thy salvation.”
+
+Douglass, in his History of America,[34] says, “Mr. Eliot with immense
+labor translated and printed our Bible into Indian. It was done with a
+good pious design, but it must be reckoned among the _otiosorum hominum
+negotia_, (works of men of leisure). It was done in the Natick (Nipmuck)
+language. Of the Naticks, at present, there are not twenty families
+subsisting, and scarce any of these can read. _Cui bono?_” (To what
+profit?)
+
+Those who know how far Mr. Eliot was from being a man of leisure, will
+smile at the suggestion that the translation of the Bible into the Indian
+tongue was the work of an idle amateur. The disappearance of the race for
+whom this translation was designed, so unexpected, and indeed so contrary
+to the fond hopes of our forefathers, is very far from showing the
+futility of Mr. Eliot’s pious labor. Many of the Indians were made wise
+unto eternal life by the translated Bible. The good which it accomplished
+was more than an equivalent for the labor which it cost.
+
+Cotton Mather says, “Behold, ye Americans, the greatest honour that ever
+you were partakers of. This Bible was printed here at our Cambridge,
+and it is the only Bible that ever was printed in all America, from the
+very foundation of the world. The whole translation he writ with but one
+pen; which pen, had it not been lost, would have certainly deserved a
+richer case than was bestowed upon that pen with which Holland writ his
+translation of Plutarch.”[35]
+
+The New Testament was published first, and then the whole Bible, Primers,
+Grammars, Psalters, Catechisms, The Practice of Piety, Baxter’s Call,
+Shepard’s sincere Convert and Sound Believer, soon appeared in the Indian
+tongue, from the pen of Mr. Eliot.
+
+By this time there were fourteen places of praying Indians under the
+care of Mr. Eliot, and about eleven hundred souls who were apparently
+converted. Natick, Stoughton, Grafton, Tewksbury, Hopkinton, Oxford,
+Dudley, Woodstock (three villages), Uxbridge and Marlboro’, all had
+communities of praying Indians.
+
+Mr. Bancroft, in his History of the United States,[36] says, “No pains
+were spared to teach them to read and write, and in a short time a larger
+proportion of the Massachusetts Indians could do so, than recently of
+the inhabitants of Russia.” The Indians of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard,
+and Nantucket, amounting to about twenty-nine hundred, also were, by the
+labors of the Mayhews and others, partly evangelized. Mr. Eliot says, in
+1673, that there were six churches gathered among the Indians, one at
+Natick, one at Grafton, one at Marshpee, two at Martha’s Vineyard, and
+one at Nantucket. All these had religious teachers devoted exclusively to
+them, except the church at Natick, of which Mr. Eliot says, “In modesty
+they stand off, because they say that so long as I live, there is no
+need.” They could not be prevailed upon to have another teacher even with
+the advantages of his entire devotion to them, while Mr. Eliot was alive.
+
+Cotton Mather says,[37] “The number of preachers to the Indians
+increases apace. At Martha’s Vineyard, the old Mr. Mayhew and several
+of his sons, or grand-sons, have done very worthily for the souls of
+the Indians; there were fifteen years ago by computation about fifteen
+hundred souls of their ministry, upon that one island. In Connecticut,
+the holy and acute Mr. Fitch has made noble essays towards the conversion
+of the Indians; but I think the sinner he has to deal withal, being
+an obstinate infidel, gives unhappy rumor as to the successes of his
+ministry. And godly Mr. Pierson has, if I mistake not, deserved well
+in that colony upon the same account. In Massachusetts we see at this
+day the pious Mr. Gookin, the gracious Mr. Peter Thacher, the well
+accomplished and industrious Mr. Grindal Rawson, all of them hard at
+work, to turn these poor creatures from darkness to light, and from Satan
+unto God. In Plymouth we have the most active Mr. Samuel Treat laying out
+himself to save this generation, and there is one Mr. Tupper, who uses
+his laudable endeavours for the instruction of them.
+
+“’Tis my relation to him[38] that causes me to defer unto the last place
+the mention of Mr. John Cotton, who hath addressed the Indians in their
+own language with some dexterity. He hired an Indian after the rate of
+twelve pence per day, for fifty days, to teach him the Indian tongue; but
+his knavish tutor having received his whole pay too soon, ran away before
+twenty days were out; however, in this time he had profited so far that
+he could quickly preach unto the natives.”
+
+Two Indians from Martha’s Vineyard were entered at Harvard College.
+Their names were Joel and Caleb. Joel was lost on his voyage from Boston
+to Nantucket just before taking his degree. Caleb was graduated, but soon
+died of consumption at Charlestown. His name now stands on the College
+Catalogue in this form: “1665, Caleb Cheesehahteaumuck, Indus.” He
+composed a Latin and Greek Elegy on the death of an eminent minister, and
+subscribed them, “Cheesehahteaumuck, Senior Sophista.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+    Disturbance of Missionary efforts. Philip’s war. Removal of
+    the Indians to Deer Isle. Return. Conclusion of the History
+    of Missionary efforts among the Indians of this neighborhood.
+    Reflections.
+
+
+Civilization and the influence of the Gospel, however, had their limits.
+The Narraganset Indians, situated between the Connecticut and Plymouth
+Colonies, refused the Gospel, and the benevolent intentions of the
+English. King Philip, the famous warrior of Mount Hope, (now Bristol)
+whose name was terrible to our forefathers, scorned the doctrines of the
+cross. Mr. Eliot once had an interview with him, explained the way of
+salvation, and exhorted him to repent. The Indian chieftain rose, took
+hold of Mr. Eliot’s button, and told him, that he cared no more for his
+Gospel than he did for that button.
+
+The Indians under Philip were growing jealous of English encroachments
+upon their hunting fields. Petty depredations were made by the Indians
+upon the English settlements, then followed a summons to court, which, in
+process of time, became exceedingly annoying to proud, untamed savages.
+They had bartered their lands for English implements and toys; the tools
+and the toys were gone, and the savage could not be satisfied to abide
+by a paper, call it treaty, bond, or contract, on which he had scratched
+his mark. He sighed for his old domains; the waves of civilization were
+coming round him like a flood; his people were artfully crowded by the
+English into narrow inlets between the settlements, that they might be
+watched on all sides.
+
+King Philip was summoned to Court in 1674, for some offence committed by
+his tribe. The informer was murdered by the angry savages. The murderers
+were hanged by the English. The massacre of eight or nine of the English
+at Swansey was the consequence. Philip wept when he heard that the blood
+of a white man had been shed. The Colonists began to arm, and a universal
+panic prevailed. The superstition of those days added much to the general
+terror. Signs in the heavens were reported to have been seen, a scalp on
+the disc of the moon in an eclipse; an Indian bow was imprinted on the
+sky. Troops of horses were heard rushing through the air. The horrors of
+an Indian war made their faces pale and their hearts faint. The scenes at
+Bloody Brook, the burning of Lancaster, Medfield, Brookfield, Weymouth,
+Groton, Marlborough, the ambushments rising on the congregation as they
+returned from public worship, the massacre of wives and children at
+home, and the scalping of husbands and brothers in the field, roused the
+colonies of Plymouth, Massachusetts, and Connecticut to an exterminating
+war.
+
+It is easy to see that the communities of praying Indians could not
+escape the influence of the general excitement against the Indians. Some
+of them were accused, justly or unjustly, of favoring the designs of the
+enemy. The Colonists were all the time afraid that the instinctive love
+of war and carnage in the Indian bosom would break through the restraints
+of religion, and that all which had been done for the Indians would be
+only a qualification of them as more successful traitors and expert
+butchers.
+
+On the other hand, King Philip was jealous of the praying Indians. He
+used every means of persuasion and fear to enlist them on his side. Their
+situation was trying in the extreme. In the excited state of mind which
+an Indian war created among the English, a war on the part of the savages
+of stratagem, and treachery, it was natural that the Christian Indians
+should be trusted and feared. Some of them enlisted with the English and
+did good service, and some deserted to Philip.
+
+In 1675, a number of the Christian Indians were brought to Boston on
+a charge of being concerned in a murder at Lancaster. Mr. Eliot and
+his friends interposed to save them, and succeeded in showing that the
+accusation was false and malicious. In so doing, they incurred the
+popular resentment, and were suspected and accused of bad motives and
+treasonable conduct.
+
+The feelings of the people were now so unreasonable that the worst
+consequences to the praying Indians were apprehended. In this state of
+things the General Court, as a means of protection to themselves and to
+the Indians, passed an order that the Natick Indians should be removed to
+Deer Island, in Boston harbor, between four and five miles from shore.
+They came to the place called the Pines, near Cambridge, on Charles
+River, and were thence conveyed by water to Deer Island. Mr. Eliot met
+them at the Pines, and endeavored to soothe and cheer them. He was then
+seventy years old. One might question whether he or the Indians suffered
+most in their removal.
+
+A party of Indians had fired a barn at Chelmsford. The English imputed
+it to the praying Indians at Tewksbury. A party of the English went to
+their wigwams, called them out and shot one lad, and wounded several
+women and children. The murderers were tried, but the jury were overawed
+by the public sentiment and cleared them. The Tewksbury Indians fled into
+the wilderness; messengers were sent to them inviting them to return, but
+they gave this answer: We are not sorry for what we leave behind, but
+we are sorry that the English have driven us from praying to God, and
+from our leader. We did begin to understand a little of praying to God.
+When the winter season came, their sufferings forced them back to their
+wigwams, and the English endeavored in various ways to atone for the
+injuries they had suffered.
+
+The Stoughton Indians, for some suspicion, were also removed to Deer
+Island, and the whole number there amounted to five hundred. Mr. Eliot
+and his friends visited them, and found them patient and meek, exhibiting
+the true influence of the Gospel in a satisfactory degree. But they were
+exposed to want and suffering of various kinds. The ill-treatment of
+other communities of Indians followed in rapid succession, and it was in
+vain that they sought in moments of contention, to repair the injuries
+which they had inflicted. One party of Indians, for example, had been
+taken by a Narraganset Sachem, and had escaped, and were wandering in
+the woods, when an English scouting party met them, taking from them,
+among other things, a pewter cup which Mr. Eliot had given them for their
+communion service, and which they had kept and carried with them with the
+reverence of a Jew for his sacred vessels of gold and silver. This party
+were also carried to Deer Island.
+
+Philip, the terror of the English Colonies on this continent, was
+finally destroyed. The war subsiding, the Deer Island Indians, with the
+permission of the General Court, and by the funds of the society in
+England for propagating the Gospel, were removed to Cambridge, and were
+permitted to choose their places of settlement. Some of them went to
+the various falls of Charles River, some to Brush Hill in Milton, some
+settled at Nonantum, and many of them went to Natick.
+
+But the efforts to Christianize the Indians were never resumed with
+the interest and zeal which were formerly felt. On the part of the
+English, there was conscience of wrong, and on the part of the Indians a
+remembrance of injustice, and thus a breach was made between them which
+was never healed. Some of the Indians had been made slaves. King Philip’s
+wife and son had been sold in the West Indies.[39] Mr. Eliot followed
+with his prayers and efforts those of his Christian Indians who had been
+sold into bondage. He wrote to the celebrated and honorable Robert Boyle
+to use his efforts in redeeming some who had been left at Tangier.
+
+By various means the praying towns had been reduced in 1684, to four.
+The tribes have dwindled and finally disappeared, till a few years since
+one poor hut in Natick, inhabited by a family of Indian and Negro blood,
+and the gravestone of Daniel Takawambait in the stone wall, were the most
+prominent of the memorials which they have left behind them. Fragments of
+their language are imperishably associated with many places and scenes
+throughout the land. The rural retreat, the new town, the gallant ship,
+are emulous of their names; while the tavern sign, the bank note, the
+omnibus, and the tobacconist, grace themselves with their faces and
+implements. The New England poet, historian, and orator, draw thrilling
+incidents from Mount Hope and Bloody Brook, and the Christian and the
+philanthropist will enshrine the names of Nonantum and Natick. Westward
+and still westward, the New England tribes have receded. Civilization has
+had more repulsion and injury for the savage than Christianity has been
+able to overcome. There is a law of progress in the affairs of nations
+expressed in the prophetic language of the patriarch Noah; “God shall
+enlarge Japhet, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem.” The savage
+retreats before the civilized man, and while we mourn over the ruin of
+individual tribes, we cannot but stand in awe of that resistless measure
+of God’s providence by which he is forcing the Caucasian race to fill the
+earth, and suffering uncivilized nations to melt away like the snow in
+spring.
+
+But that same vigorous faith which brought the Pilgrims here as
+missionaries to the Indians, has followed the red man in his wanderings
+over this vast continent. The names of David Brainard, Samuel Kirkland,
+and Gideon Blackburn, are identified with the history of Indian missions.
+The American Board has pursued the work of evangelizing them with much
+success. The history of the Cherokees, the mountaineers of America, is
+of itself a tale of romantic and thrilling interest. The sketches of the
+present North American Indians by Mr. Catlin, in his valuable work, show
+that a large field for missionary effort on this continent is yet spread
+before the American churches.
+
+When the workmen were digging for the foundation of some new houses at
+the corner of Tremont and Boylston streets, in Boston, several years ago,
+they found the skeleton of an Indian. He had been buried on his side,
+reclining on his arm, and was found in that posture. Christian faith
+and hope, mingled with a little fancy, would fain lead us to hail this
+incident as a sign that the Indian race are not yet recumbent in hopeless
+degradation; that though seemingly buried in the great wilderness, they
+are buried in the posture of rising. Many interesting recollections, and
+our natural feelings towards an oppressed people, make us wish that this
+was more than fancy, and, as the Indian on the seal of the Massachusetts
+colony had a passage of Scripture proceeding from his mouth, Come over
+and help us, would we gladly put another passage into the mouth of that
+resurrection Indian above mentioned, making him say, with prophetic
+ecstasy, as he looks towards Nonantum and surveys the scenes of his
+ancient, and apparently lost race, “Thy dead men shall live, together
+with my dead body shall they arise; awake and sing, ye that dwell in
+dust, for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out
+her dead.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+    Mr. Eliot’s avowal of republicanism, and his retraction of it.
+    His connection with the controversy about Mrs. Hutchinson.
+    Richard Baxter’s Testimony about Mr. Eliot. Roman Catholics
+    instructing the Indians. Mrs. Eliot. Close of Mr. Eliot’s life.
+    Conclusion.
+
+
+Two events in the life of Mr. Eliot must necessarily be noticed in
+giving a complete account of him. One is the publication and subsequent
+retraction of a book called the Christian Commonwealth, and the other is
+his connection with the controversy raised by that notorious woman, Mrs.
+Anne Hutchinson.
+
+Mr. Eliot wrote a book about the year 1650, called the Christian
+Commonwealth. It was carried to England in manuscript and printed. In
+1660, the Governor and Council of Massachusetts condemned this book
+as being “full of seditious principles and notions in relation to all
+established governments in the Christian world, especially against the
+government established in their native country.”
+
+Mr. Eliot wrote an acknowledgment of error as the author of the book,
+and presented his recantation to the General Court. He speaks in it of
+Cromwell and his friends as “the late innovators” in the government of
+Great Britain, and of the monarchy as restored under Charles II., “as not
+only a lawful but eminent form of government.” The book was suppressed,
+and Mr. Eliot’s recantation was published through the colony.
+
+This incident has been considered as reflecting on Mr. Eliot’s
+character for discretion, or for decision. The book does not survive in
+this country to speak for itself. The facts in the case seem to be that
+during the success of Cromwell, Mr. Eliot composed his book in accordance
+with what seemed to be the tendency in England towards a settled
+republican form of government. But upon the restoration of Charles II.,
+the provincial government of Massachusetts felt in duty bound to show
+their allegiance to the crown by protesting against the sentiments
+of a book which favored republicanism. How often it is the case that
+success is regarded as settling the question of right. Had Cromwell’s
+plan succeeded, the Massachusetts government would not have felt obliged
+to condemn Mr. Eliot’s book. We may perhaps reflect upon him for not
+maintaining and defending the principles of his book; but to have done
+so would have been treason, seeing that monarchy had again become the
+established form of government in the mother country. Mr. Eliot, perhaps,
+felt that it was right for him to find reasons for that permanent change
+in the government of Great Britain which in the providence of God seemed
+to be at hand. When the event proved otherwise than he expected, loyally
+being then so much a part of religion, and “the powers” in the government
+of the mother country being, according to the received opinions of
+Christians, and like all other powers “that be,” “ordained of God,” it
+was a question with Mr. Eliot between decision and boldness, amounting to
+a treasonable spirit, and submission to constituted authority. The ill
+success of Cromwell no doubt made Eliot think that he had misinterpreted
+the purposes of God. Men are apt to feel and reason in this manner.
+If a colony, or province, or a number of men make insurrection, and
+succeed in overthrowing the government, men call it a revolution, and
+the independence of the new state or nation is acknowledged. If they do
+not succeed, the attempt is called a plot, conspiracy, insurrection,
+and the actors who in the event of success would have been “the fathers
+of their country,” “the founders of a nation,” are gibbeted by their
+generation, and regarded as traitors by the next, and by the world.
+While a revolution is pending, a man may say many things as an observer
+and theorizer, which, when events contradict them, he will do his best
+to retract, or cover up. It cannot be wondered at, that, amid the
+enthusiasm which attended the Restoration, and the implicit submission
+of the Colonial government to the restored king, and influenced by the
+loyal spirit of his times, Mr. Eliot should have deemed it a Christian
+duty to confess and retract that which the providence of God seemed
+to indicate was an error. He was not prepared to lift up a standard
+against the government of Great Britain; the appeal which Cromwell and
+his friends had made to the God of nations and of battles, had not been
+answered in his favor, and Mr. Eliot was meek enough to yield submission
+to that which, in the circumstances, seemed to be a Christian obligation.
+What should he have done? Had he still believed that Cromwell was the
+anointed of the Lord, and that Charles was the usurper, he should have
+suffered any punishment rather than falsify his sentiments. It may be
+charitably supposed, however, that the events of the Restoration changed
+his opinion, and made him satisfied to be still a royalist. We have no
+evidence in any part of his life, that Mr. Eliot was a time-server, or
+coward; on the contrary, he was remarkable for decision of character and
+independence.
+
+In confirmation of what has now been said respecting Mr. Eliot’s
+decision and firmness, we may allude to the part he took in opposing the
+sentiments and influence of that notorious disturber of the churches in
+his day, Mrs. Anne Hutchinson. She was of the sect of Antinomians, who
+abused the doctrines of free grace, maintaining that the law is of no use
+or obligation under the dispensation of the Gospel, while the doctrines
+they taught superseded the necessity of good works. Mrs. Hutchinson
+pretended to immediate impressions from heaven as the rule of conduct,
+saying that she knew God “spake to her, just as Abraham knew that it was
+the command of Heaven to sacrifice Isaac.” The Governor, Vane, who was an
+enthusiast, countenanced this woman, and Rev. Mr. Cotton, who took Mr.
+Eliot’s place in the church at Boston, when Mr. Eliot removed to Roxbury,
+was also infected by her influence so far as to oppose his colleague,
+the Rev. Mr. Wilson, and the other ministers, who were generally opposed
+to her. Had Mr. Eliot remained the teacher of the church in Boston, it
+would have prevented that church from being divided as it was with regard
+to Mrs. Hutchinson, through the influence of his successor, Mr. Cotton.
+Mr. Eliot, with several other ministers, visited her, conversed with
+her upon religious subjects to ascertain her sentiments and spirit, and
+remonstrated with her for her bold denunciation of all the Plantation
+except Messrs. Cotton and Wheelright. Mr. Eliot appeared as a witness
+against her on her trial before the magistrates, and with Hugh Peters
+and Mr. Weld, testified that she said to them that “Mr. Cotton preached
+a covenant of grace, and the other ministers a covenant of works.” Mr.
+Eliot added, “I do remember this also, that she said we were not able
+and faithful ministers of the new covenant, because we were not like the
+apostles before the ascension.” Mr. Eliot took occasion on this trial to
+bear testimony against yielding to _impressions_ as a rule of faith and
+duty. A passage from Mr. Hooker’s sermons was quoted in justification
+of Mrs. Hutchinson’s statements. But Mr. Eliot who had been brought up
+at the feet of Mr. Hooker, and knew his opinions well, insisted that
+the construction given to the passage was contrary to Mr. Hooker’s mind
+and judgment. His old friend, Gov. Winthrop, gently dissented from Mr.
+Eliot’s strong testimony against impressions. Mr. Eliot said, “I say
+there is an expectation of things promised; but to have a particular
+revelation of things, as they shall fall out, there is no such thing in
+the Scripture.” Gov. Winthrop replied, “We must not limit the word of
+God.”[40] Mrs. Hutchinson was condemned and banished. Her end softened
+the feelings of those who condemned her, and made them reflect upon
+the inexpediency of proceeding so strenuously as they did against her.
+Such feelings always arise in the minds of good men who have withstood
+prevailing errors, not to make them regret the testimony they bore for
+the truth, but to mourn over hasty and excessive zeal, when patience, and
+perhaps a measure of neglect, might sooner have ended a controversy, or
+have prevented it altogether. But it is easier for those who are removed,
+by time or place, from the excitements of a controversy, to moralize
+upon the best way of conducting it, than it would have been for them
+to exercise the judicious temper which they recommend and praise, had
+they themselves partaken in the strife. Mr. Eliot showed himself in this
+controversy to be no fanatical enthusiast, and gave evidence that he was
+a man of decision and courage.
+
+The following characteristic letter was written by the famous Rev.
+Richard Baxter to Dr. Increase Mather then in London. It was occasioned
+by the receipt of Cotton Mather’s Life of Eliot.
+
+    “DEAR BROTHER:
+
+    I thought I had been near dying at 12 o’clock, in bed; but your
+    book revived me. I lay reading it until between one and two. I
+    knew much of Mr. Eliot’s opinions, by many letters which I had
+    from him. There was no man on earth whom I honoured above him.
+    It is his evangelical work that is the apostolical succession
+    that I plead for. I am now dying, I hope, as he did. It pleased
+    me to read from him my case, [_my understanding faileth, my
+    memory faileth, my tongue faileth_,] (and my hand and pen,)
+    _but my charity faileth not_. That word much comforted me. I
+    am as zealous a lover of the New England Churches as any man,
+    according to Mr. Noyes’, Mr. Norton’s, Mr. Mitchel’s, and the
+    Synod’s model.
+
+    I loved your father upon the letters I received from him.
+    I love you better for your learning, labors, and peaceable
+    moderation. I love your son better than either of you, for the
+    excellent temper that appeareth in his writings.[41] O that
+    godliness and wisdom (may) thus increase in all families! He
+    hath honoured himself half as much as Mr. Eliot. I say but
+    half as much; for deeds excel words. God preserve you and New
+    England! Pray for
+
+                   Your fainting, languishing Friend,
+
+                                                        RI. BAXTER.”
+
+    _August 3, 1691._
+
+In contrast with the instructions which Mr. Eliot and other Protestant
+missionaries to the Indians gave the children of the wilderness, Cotton
+Mather alludes to the instructions given to the Indians in some parts of
+the country by the Popish missionaries. He says,
+
+    “By an odd accident there are lately fallen into my hands
+    the manuscripts of a Jesuit, whom the French employed as a
+    missionary among the western Indians, in which papers there
+    are both a catechism, containing the principles which those
+    heathens are to be instructed in, and cases of conscience
+    referring to their conversations. The catechism, which is in
+    the Iroquois language—with a translation annexed, has one
+    chapter about heaven, and another about hell, wherein are such
+    thick skulled passages as these.”
+
+    _Q._ How is the soil made in heaven?
+
+    _A._ ’Tis a very fair soil, they want neither for meats nor
+    clothes; ’tis but wishing, and we have them.
+
+    _Q._ Are they employed in heaven?
+
+    _A._ No, they do nothing; the fields yield corn, beans,
+    pumpkins, and the like without any tillage.
+
+    _Q._ What sort of trees are there?
+
+    _A._ Always green, full, flourishing.
+
+    _Q._ Have they in heaven the same sun, the same wind, the same
+    thunder that we have here?
+
+    _A._ No, the sun ever shines; it is always fair weather.
+
+    _Q._ But how are their fruits?
+
+    _A._ In this one quality they exceed ours, that they are never
+    wasted; you have no sooner plucked one, but you see another
+    presently hanging in its room.
+
+    Concerning hell, it thus discourses.
+
+    _Q._ What sort of a soil is that of hell?
+
+    _A._ A very wretched soil; ’tis a fiery pit in the centre of
+    the earth.
+
+    _Q._ Have they any light in hell?
+
+    _A._ No. ’Tis always dark; there is always smoke there; their
+    eyes are always in pain with it; they can see nothing but the
+    devils.
+
+    _Q._ What shaped things are the devils?
+
+    _A._ Very ill shaped things; they go about with vizards on, and
+    they terrify men.
+
+    _Q._ What do they eat in hell?
+
+    _A._ They are always hungry, but the damned feed on hot ashes
+    and serpents there.
+
+    _Q._ What water do they drink?
+
+    _A._ Horrid water, nothing but melted lead.
+
+    _Q._ Don’t they die in hell?
+
+    _A._ No; yet they eat one another every day; but anon, God
+    restores and renews the man that was eaten, as a cropt plant in
+    a little time repullulates.
+
+    One case of conscience is thus resolved by the Jesuit:
+
+    _Q._ Whether an Indian stealing a hatchet from a Dutchman be
+    bound to make restitution?
+
+    _A._ If the Dutchman be one that has used any trade with other
+    Indians, the thief is not bound unto any restitution; for it is
+    certain he gains more by such a trade than the value of many
+    hatchets in a year.
+
+    In the History of the Early Jesuit Missions to the Indians
+    of this country,[42] as well as in all other Jesuit missions,
+    there is a degree of zeal and devotedness which is truly
+    wonderful. This is not the place to discuss the motives of
+    these men, nor the principle in human nature which leads to
+    their self-sacrifice in the missionary work. The fruits of
+    their work, however, show that they do not promulgate the
+    Gospel of Christ in its simplicity, did we not know this by
+    more direct evidence.
+
+The wife of Mr. Eliot died three years before him, at the age of 84.
+She had come to him across the ocean, a betrothed bride, when he had
+found a home for her in this new world. During her residence here, “she
+had attained unto a considerable skill in physick and chirurgery which
+enabled her to dispense many safe, good, and useful medicines unto the
+poor that had occasion for them; and some hundreds of sick and weak and
+maimed people owed praises to God for the benefit which therein they
+freely received of her.”[43]
+
+She managed all the private affairs of her husband for him that he
+might devote his whole time and strength to his arduous public labors.
+She brought up his six children of whom he beautifully said, “they are
+all in Christ, or with Christ,” and then she smoothed his passage to the
+tomb by going before him, and making him more willing to depart. “That
+one wife,” says Mather, “which was given to him truly from the Lord, he
+loved, prized, cherished, with a kindness that notably represented the
+compassion which he thereby taught his church to expect from the Lord
+Jesus Christ; and after he had lived with her for more than half an
+hundred years he followed her to the grave with lamentations beyond those
+which the Jews, from the figure of a letter in the text,[44] affirm, that
+Abraham deplored his Sarah with; her departure made a deeper impression
+on him than what any common affliction could. His whole conversation with
+her had that sweetness and that gravity and modesty beautifying of it,
+that every one called them Zachery and Elizabeth.”[45]
+
+The old gray haired apostle stood over her coffin, and said to the
+concourse of people who had come to the funeral, “Here lies my dear,
+faithful, pious, prudent, prayerful wife. I shall go to her, but she
+shall not return to me.”
+
+Lord Bacon[46] speaking of “marriage and single life,” tells us what
+wives are to young men, and that “for middle age” they are “companions,”
+and “old men’s nurses.” Men generally do not wait till old age before
+they experience the exquisite tenderness and assiduity of woman in
+their sickness. We all subscribe to the last couplet of the following
+quotation, but not to the first:
+
+    “O woman! in thine hours of ease
+    Deceitful, coy, and hard to please.
+    ...
+    When pain and sickness wring the brow,
+    A ministering angel thou.”
+
+There is a beautiful passage in one of Steele’s papers in the Spectator.
+It purports to be a letter to his wife. He says,
+
+“It is impossible for me to look back on many evils and pains which I
+have suffered since we came together, without a pleasure which is not
+to be expressed from the proofs I have had, in those circumstances, of
+your unmeasured goodness. How often has your tenderness removed pain
+from my sick head! how often anguish from my afflicted heart! With how
+skillful patience have I known you comply with the vain projects which
+pain has suggested, to have an aching limb removed, by journeying from
+one side of a room to another! how often, the next instant, traveled the
+same ground again, _without telling your patient it was to no purpose to
+change his situation_. If there are such beings as guardian angels, thus
+are they employed. I will no more believe one of them more good in its
+inclinations, than I can conceive it more charming in its form than my
+wife.”
+
+As Mr. Eliot became disabled by age for the ministerial work, he seemed
+to have the earnest solicitude about a successor which Moses had when,
+towards the close of his life, he “cried to the Lord” that he would “set
+a man over the congregation.” Mr. Eliot more than once assembled the
+people of the town to fast and pray with reference to a successor. The
+Rev. Nehemiah Walter was by the unanimous vote of the people associated
+with him in the pastoral office, after which it was with difficulty that
+he could be persuaded to conduct any public religious service, saying,
+“It would be a wrong to the souls of the people for him to do any thing
+among them when they were supplied so much to their advantage.” The last
+time that he preached is said to have been on the occasion of a public
+fast, when he expounded the lxxxiii. Psalm, being, (as the caption has
+it,) a complaint to God of the enemies’ conspiracies, and a prayer
+against them that oppress the church. He concluded his exposition with
+an apology, begging his hearers to pardon the poorness and meanness and
+brokenness of his meditations, adding, “my dear brother here will by and
+by mend all.”
+
+He once expressed the fear that his old friends and neighbors, Messrs.
+Cotton, of Boston, and Mather, of Dorchester, who had gone to heaven
+before him, would suspect him to have gone the wrong way, because he
+staid so long behind them.
+
+Towards the close of his life his mind dwelt much on the coming of the
+Son of Man, and whatever theme he began to converse upon, he soon fell
+into a strain of remarks upon this subject. On one occasion some one
+brought him intelligence of certain sad events whereby the Churches of
+New England were much afflicted. His reply was, “Behold some of the
+clouds in which we must look for the coming of the Son of Man.”
+
+Mr. Walter coming in to see him on his dying bed, Mr. Eliot said,
+“Brother, thou art welcome to my very soul. Pray retire to thy study for
+me, and give me leave to be gone,” meaning that he should pray for his
+speedy release.
+
+Being asked how he did, he said, “Alas, I have lost every thing; my
+understanding leaves me, my memory fails me, my utterance fails me; but
+I thank God my charity holds out still; I find that rather grows than
+fails.”
+
+Speaking of the work in which he had been engaged among the Indians, he
+said, “There is a cloud, a dark cloud, upon the work of the gospel, among
+the poor Indians. The Lord revive and prosper that work, and grant that
+it may live when I am dead. It is a work which I have been doing much and
+long about. But what was the word I spoke last? I recall that word, _my
+doings_! Alas! they have been poor and small, and lean doings; and I’ll
+be the man that shall throw the first stone at them all.”
+
+The Rev. Increase Mather had gone to England on business connected with
+the ecclesiastical affairs of New England. Mr. Eliot wrote the following
+letter to him, and it is the last writing of his of which we have any
+account.
+
+    “Reverend and beloved Mr. Increase Mather.
+
+    I cannot write. Read Neh. 2:10. When Sanballat the Horonite,
+    and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite heard of it, it grieved
+    them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare
+    of the children of Israel.
+
+    Let thy blessed soul feed full and fat upon this and other
+    Scriptures. All other things I leave to other men, and rest,
+
+                          Your loving Brother,
+
+                                                        JOHN ELIOT.”
+
+One of Mr. Eliot’s last expressions was this, Welcome joy! His last
+breath was spent in calling upon those who stood around his dying bed to
+“Pray, Pray, Pray.” He died in the beginning of the year 1690, in the
+eighty-sixth year of his age.
+
+Before his death, Mr. Eliot had the pleasure of seeing several faithful
+men raised up to labor among the Indians; among whom were Daniel Gookin,
+James Noyce, Rowland Cotton, Peter Thacher, Grindal Rawson, Goddefred
+Dettins, and M. Bondet. Mather says, “about the year 1700, through the
+blessing of God in this one Massachusetts province, the Indians have
+mostly embraced the Christian religion. There are I suppose, more than
+thirty congregations of Indians, and many more than three thousand
+Indians, in this one province, calling on God in Christ, and hearing of
+his glorious Word.”
+
+In writing these pages, I have before me a copy of Eliot’s Indian Bible,
+to which are annexed his Psalms and Hymns, in the Indian tongue, and a
+short Catechism. Here is the monument of John Eliot; and what monument of
+earthly greatness is to be compared with it! The kings of the earth sleep
+in the great cathedral; the beautiful, ivy grown, ruined abbey crowns
+the sepulchre of the novelist and poet; the marble statue immortalizes
+the name and deeds of the conqueror by land or sea. They are but the
+grass that withereth, and the flower which fadeth, “but the word of the
+Lord endureth forever.” “Endureth”? There is not one Indian on this
+continent, or on the face of the earth, that can read this book. It can
+never guide another soul to God. As you look upon its title page, written
+in an unknown tongue, you see these words, Up-Biblum God, the Book of
+God. How significant, we may say, the appearance of those words when we
+consider the condition of the book bereaved of the race who once read it.
+“Up-Biblum God.” Like the man-child of the woman clothed with the sun who
+fled into the wilderness, and whose child was caught up unto God, and
+to his throne, this book, having done its office here, is, in a certain
+sense, caught up to God; and there it “endureth forever,” in the hearts
+and souls of redeemed savages.
+
+This book will never, of course, be reprinted, and copies of it are
+becoming rare. But if we wished to send something to a desponding
+missionary, or an example of condescension and love for souls to a
+minister who despises and neglects his poor, humble people, no better
+gift could be selected than a copy of Eliot’s Bible. What gentle rebuke,
+what exhortation and encouragement, its long barbarous words would
+speak oftentimes in the minister’s or missionary’s study. We might
+appropriately inscribe on its cover the third reflection of Mr. Eliot
+on returning from one of his visits to Nonantum, and send it to every
+missionary station round the globe: “There is no need of miraculous or
+extraordinary gifts in seeking the salvation of the most depraved of the
+human family.”
+
+The mention of this Bible may lead us to think of that half million of
+wild Indians and that million and a half of partly civilized Indians
+who now occupy the wilderness of the west. It bids us attempt their
+conversion; it shows us that no difficulties are too mighty for the
+Gospel to overcome, no discouragements too great for true Christian faith
+and courage. The objects of our forefathers’ zeal and hope in coming to
+these shores, are now beyond the Rocky Mountains. A wilderness still
+invites our increasing missionary efforts, as a wilderness once invited
+the labors of the Pilgrims. Wronged and driven away by the while man,
+still they cry:
+
+[Illustration: COME OVER AND HELP VS]
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX.
+
+
+A.—See page 201.
+
+(Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. 1732.)
+
+“The following fabulous Traditions and Customs of the Indians of Martha’s
+Vineyard, were communicated to BENJAMIN BASSET, Esq. of Chilmark, by
+THOMAS COOPER, a half blooded Indian, of Gay head, aged about sixty
+years; and which, he says, he obtained of his grandmother, who, to use
+his own expression, was a stout girl, when the English came to the island.
+
+The first Indian who came to the Vineyard, was brought thither with his
+dog on a cake of ice. When he came to Gay Head, he found a very large
+man, whose name was Moshup. He had a wife and five children, four sons
+and one daughter; and lived in the Den. He used to catch whales, and then
+pluck up trees, and make a fire, and roast them. The coals of the trees,
+and the bones of the whales, are now to be seen. After he was tired of
+staying here, he told his children to go and play ball on a beach that
+joined Noman’s Land to Gay Head. He then made a mark with his toe across
+the beach at each end, and so deep, that the water followed, and cut away
+the beach; so that his children were in fear of drowning. They took their
+sister up, and held her out of the water. He told them to act as if they
+were going to kill whales; and they were all turned into killers, (a
+fish so called.) The sister was dressed in large stripes. He gave them a
+strict charge always to be kind to her. His wife mourned the loss of her
+children so exceedingly, that he threw her away. She fell upon Seconet,
+near the rocks, where she lived some time, exacting contribution of all
+who passed by water. After a while she was changed into a stone. The
+entire shape remained for many years. But after the English came, some of
+them broke off the arms, head, &c. but the most of the body remains to
+this day. Moshup went away nobody knows whither. He had no conversation
+with the Indians, but was kind to them, by sending whales, &c. ashore to
+them to eat. But after they grew thick around him he left them.
+
+Whenever the Indians worshipped, they always sang and danced, and then
+begged of the sun and moon, as they thought most likely to hear them, to
+send them the desired favour; most generally rain or fair weather, or
+freedom from their enemies or sickness.
+
+Before the English came among the Indians, there were two disorders
+of which they most generally died, viz. the consumption and the yellow
+fever. The latter they could always _lay_ in the following manner. After
+it had raged and swept off a number, those who were well met to lay it.
+The rich, that is, such as had a canoe, skins, axes, &c. brought them.
+They took their seat in a circle; and all the poor sat around, without.
+The richest then proposed to begin to lay the sickness; and having in
+his hand something in shape resembling his canoe, skin, or whatever his
+riches were, he threw it up in the air; and whoever of the poor without
+could take it, the property it was intended to resemble became forever
+transferred to him or her. After the rich had thus given away all their
+moveable property to the poor, they looked out the handsomest and most
+sprightly young man in the assembly, and put him into an entire new
+wigwam, built of every thing new for that purpose. They then formed into
+two files at a small distance from each other. One standing in the space
+at each end, put fire to the bottom of the wigwam on all parts, and
+fell to singing and dancing. Presently the youth would leap out of the
+flames, and fall down to appearance dead. Him they committed to the care
+of five virgins, prepared for that purpose, to restore to life again.
+The term required for this would be uncertain, from six to forty-eight
+hours; during which time the dance must be kept up. When he was restored,
+he would tell, that he had been carried in a large thing high up in the
+air, where he came to a great company of white people, with whom he had
+interceded hard to have the distemper layed; and generally after much
+persuasion, would obtain a promise, or answer of peace which never failed
+of laying the distemper.”
+
+    “_Inscription copied from a grave stone at Gay Head._
+
+       1     2     3
+    YEUUH’WOHHOK’SIPSIN’
+
+        4           5
+    SIL’PAUL’NOHTOBEYONTOK’
+
+                 6         7
+    AGED’ 49: YEARS’NUPPOOP’TAH’
+
+    AUGUST’24TH1787.
+
+    EXPLANATIONS.
+
+    1. Here.
+    2. The body.
+    3. Lies.
+    4. Silas Paul.
+    5. An ordained preacher.
+    6. Died.
+    7. Then, or in.”
+
+
+B.—See page 41.
+
+In connection with the remarks in the foregoing pages on the climate and
+soil of New England, the following extract from a piece by Rev. John
+Higginson of Salem, 1629, will be read with interest. It is taken from
+the Collections of the Mass. Hist. Society, 1792.
+
+
+NEW-ENGLANDS PLANTATION.
+
+Or, a short and true DESCRIPTION of the Commodities and Discommodities
+of that countrey. Written in the year 1629, by Mr. HIGGESON, a Reverend
+Divine, now there resident. Whereunto is added a Letter, sent by Mr.
+GRAVES, an Enginere, out of New-England. Reprinted from the third
+edition, London, 1530.
+
+Letting passe our voyage by sea,[47] we will now begin our discourse
+on the shore of New-England. And because the life and wel-fare of every
+creature heere below, and the commodiousnesse of the countrey whereat
+such creatures live, doth by the most wise ordering of God’s providence,
+depend next unto himselfe, upon the temperature and disposition of the
+foure elements, earth, water, aire, and fire (for as of the mixture of
+all these, all sublunary things are composed; so by the more or lesse
+enjoyment of the wholesome temper and convenient use of these, consisteth
+the onely well-being both of man and beast in a more or lesse comfortable
+measure in all countreys under the heavens) therefore I will indeavour
+to shew you what New-England is by the consideration of each of these
+apart, and truly indeavour by God’s helpe to report nothing but the
+naked truth, and that both to tell you of the discommodities as well as
+of the commodities, though as the idle proverbe is, _travellers may lye
+by authoritie_, and so may take too much sinfull libertie that way. Yet
+I may say of my selfe as once Nehemiah did in another case: _Shall such
+a man as I lye?_ No verily: It becommeth not a preacher of truth to be
+a writer of falshod in any degree: And therefore I have beene carefull
+to report nothing of New-England but what I have partly seene with mine
+own eyes, and partly heard and enquired from the mouths of verie honest
+and religious persons, who, by living in the countrey a good space of
+time, have had experience and knowledge of the state thereof, and whose
+testimonies I doe beleeve as my selfe.
+
+First therefore of the earth of New-England and all the appertenances
+thereof: It is a land of divers and sundry sorts all about Masathulets
+Bay, and at Charles river is as fat blacke earth as can be seene any
+where: and in other places you have a clay soyle, in other gravell, in
+other sandy, as it is all about our plantation at Salem, for so our towne
+is now named. Psal. 76:2.
+
+The forme of the earth here in the superfices of it is neither too
+flat in the plainnesse, nor too high in hils, but partakes of both in a
+mediocritie, and fit for pasture, or for plow or meddow ground, as men
+please to employ it: though all the countrey bee as it were a thicke
+wood for the generall, yet in divers places there is much ground cleared
+by the Indians, and especially about the plantation: And I am told that
+about three miles from us a man may stand on a little hilly place and see
+divers thousands of acres of ground as good as need to be, and not a tree
+in the same. It is thought here is good clay to make bricke and tyles and
+earthen-pot as need to be. At this instant we are setting a brick-kill
+on worke to make brickes and tiles for the building of our houses. For
+stone, here is plentie of slates at the Isle of Slate in Masathulets
+bay, and lime-stone, free-stone, and smooth-stone, and iron-stone, and
+marble-stone also in such store, that we have great rocks of it, and a
+harbour hard by. Our plantation is from thence called Marble-harbour.
+
+Of minerals there hath yet beene but little triall made, yet we are not
+without great hope of being furnished in that soyle.
+
+The fertilitie of the soyle is to be admired at, as appeareth in the
+aboundance of grasse that groweth everie where, both verie thicke, verie
+long, and verie high in divers places: But it groweth verie wildly with
+a great stalke and a broad and ranker blade, because it never had been
+eaten with cattle, nor mowed with a sythe, and seldome trampled on by
+foot. It is scarce to bee beleeved how our kine and goates, horses and
+hogges, doe thrive and prosper here and like well of this countrey.
+
+In our plantation we have already a quart of milke for a penny: but the
+aboundant encrease of corne proves this countrey to bee a wonderment.
+Thirtie, fortie, fiftie, sixtie are ordinarie here: Yea Joseph’s encrease
+in Ægypt is outstript here with us. Our planters hope to have more then
+a hundred fould this yere: And all this while I am within compasse; what
+will you say of two hundred fould and upwards? It is almost incredible
+what great gaine some of our English planters have had by our Indiane
+corne. Credible persons have assured me, and the partie himselfe avouched
+the truth of it to me, that of the setting of 13 gallons of corne hee
+hath had encrease of it 52 hogsheads, every hogshead holding seven
+bushels of London measure, and every bushell was by him sold and trusted
+to the Indians for so much beaver as was worth 13 shillings; and so of
+this 13 gallons of corne, which was worth 6 shillings 8 pence, he made
+about 327 pounds of it the yeere following, as by reckoning will appeare:
+where you may see how God blessed husbandry in this land. There is not
+such greate and plentifull eares of corne I suppose any where else to
+bee found but in this countrey: Because also of varietie of colours, as
+red, blew, and yellow, &c. and of one corne there springeth four or five
+hundred. I have sent you many eares of divers colours that you might see
+the truth of it.
+
+Little children here by setting of corne may earne much more then their
+owne maintenance.
+
+They have tryed our English corne at New Plimmouth plantation, so that
+all our several graines will grow here verie well, and have a fitting
+soyle for their nature.
+
+Our Governor hath store of greene pease growing in his garden, as good as
+ever I eat in England.
+
+This country aboundeth naturally with store of roots of great varitie
+and good to eat. Our turnips, parsnips, and carrots are here both bigger
+and sweeter then is ordinary to be found in England. Here are store
+of pumpions, cowcombers, and other things of that nature which I know
+not. Also divers excellent pot-herbs grow abundantly among the grasse,
+as strawberrie leaves in all places of the countrey, and plentie of
+strawberries in their time, and pennyroyall, wintersaverie, sorrell,
+brookelime, liverwort, carvell, and watercresses, also leekes and onions
+are ordinarie, and divers physicall herbs. Here are also aboundance of
+other sweet herbs delightful to the smell, whose names we know not, &c.
+and plentie of single damaske roses verie sweete; and two kinds of herbes
+that bare two kinds of flowers very sweet, which they say, are as good to
+make cordage or cloath as any hempe or flaxe we have.
+
+Excellent vines are here up and downe in the woods. Our Governour hath
+already planted a vineyard with great hope of encrease.
+
+Also, mulberries, plums, raspberries, corrance, chesnuts, filberds,
+walnuts, smalnuts, hurtleberies, and hawes of whitethorne neere as good
+as our cherries in England, they grow in plentie here.
+
+For wood there is no better in the world I thinke, here being foure sorts
+of oke differing both in the leafe, timber, and colour, all excellent
+good. There is also good ash, elme, willow, birch, beech, saxafras,
+juniper, cipres, cedar, spruce, pines, and firre that will yeeld
+abundance of turpentine, pitch, tarre, masts, and other materials for
+building both of ships and houses. Also here are store of sumacke trees,
+they are good for dying and tanning of leather, likewise such trees yeeld
+a precious gem called wine benjamin, that they say is excellent for
+perfumes. Also here be divers roots and berries wherewith the Indians dye
+excellent holding colours that no raine nor washing can alter. Also, wee
+have materials to make sope-ashes and salt-peter in aboundance.
+
+For beasts there are some beares, and they say some _lyons_ also;
+for they have been seen at Cape Anne. Also here are several sorts of
+deere, some whereof bring three or four young ones at once, which is
+not ordinarie in England. Also wolves, foxes, beavers, otters, martins,
+great wild cats, and a great beast called a molke as bigge as an oxe. I
+have seen the skins of all these beasts since I came to this plantation
+excepting lyons. Also here are great store of squerrels, some greater,
+and some smaller and lesser: there are some of the lesser sort, they tell
+me, that by a certaine skill will fly from tree to tree, though they
+stand farre distant.
+
+
+_Of the waters of_ New-England, _with the things belonging to the same_.
+
+New-England hath water enough, both salt and fresh, the greatest sea in
+the world, the Atlanticke sea, runs all along the coast thereof. There
+are abundance of Ilands along the shore, some full of wood and masts to
+feed swine; and others cleere of wood, and fruitful to bear corne. Also
+wee have store of excellent harbours for ships, as at Cape Anne, and at
+Masathulets Bay, and at Salem, and at many other places: and they are the
+better because for strangers there is a verie difficult and dangerous
+passage into them, but unto such as are well acquainted with them, they
+are easie and safe enough. The aboundance of sea-fish are almost beyond
+beleeving, and sure I should scarce have beleeved it, except I had seene
+it with mine owne eyes. I saw great store of whales, and crampusse,
+and such aboundance of mackerils that it would astonish one to behold,
+likewise cod-fish in aboundance on the coast, and in their season are
+plentifully taken. There is a fish called a basse, a most sweet and
+wholesome fish as ever I did eate, it is altogether as good as our fresh
+sammon, and the season of their comming was begun when wee came first
+to New-England in June, and so continued about three months space. Of
+this fish our fishers take many hundreds together, which I have seen
+lying on the shore to my admiration; yea their nets ordinarily take more
+than they are able to hale to land, and for want of boats and men they
+are constrained to let a many goe after they have taken them, and yet
+sometimes they fill two boates at a time with them. And besides basse wee
+take plentie of scate and thornbacks, and abundance of lobsters and the
+least boy in the plantation may both catch and eat what he will of them.
+For my owne part I was soone cloyed with them, they were so great, and
+fat, and lussious. I have seene some myselfe that have weighed 16 pound,
+but others have had divers times so great lobsters as have weighed 25
+pound, as they assure mee. Also heere is abundance of herring, turbut,
+sturgion, cuskes, hadocks, mullets, eeles, crabbes, muskles, and oysters.
+Besides there is probability that the countrey is of an excellent temper
+for the making of salt: For since our comming our fishermen have brought
+home very good salt which they found candied by the standing of the sea
+water and the heat of the sunne, upon a rocke by the sea shore: and in
+divers salt marishes that some have gone through, they have found some
+salt in some places crushing under their feete and cleaving to their
+shooes.
+
+And as for fresh water, the countrey is full of dainty springs, and some
+great rivers, and some lesser brookes; and at Masathulets Bay they digged
+wels and found water at three foot deepe in most places: And neere Salem
+thay have as fine cleare water as we can desire, and we may digge wels
+and find water where we list.
+
+Thus wee see both land and sea abound with store of blessings for the
+comfortable sustenance of man’s life in New-England.
+
+
+_Of the aire of_ New-England _with the temper and creatures in it_.
+
+The temper of the aire of New-England is one speciall thing that
+commends this place. Experience doth manifest that there is hardly a
+more healthfull place to be found in the world that agreeth better with
+our English bodyes. Many that have been weake and sickly in old England,
+by comming hither have beene thoroughly healed and growne healthfull
+strong. For here is an extraordinarie cleere and dry aire that is of a
+most healing nature to all such as are of a cold, melancholy, flegmatick,
+rheumatick temper of body. None can more truly speake hereof by their
+owne experience then my selfe. My friends that knew me can well tell how
+verie sickly I have bin and continually in physick, being much troubled
+with a tormenting paine through an extraordinarie weaknesse of my
+stomacke, and aboundance of melancholicke humors; but since I came hither
+on this voyage, I thanke God, I have had perfect health, and freed from
+paine and vomiting, having a stomacke to digest the hardest and coursest
+fare, who before could not eat finest meat; and whereas my stomache could
+onely digest and did require such drinke as was both strong and stale,
+now I can and doe often times drink New-England water verie well; and
+I that have not gone without a cap for many yeeres together, neither
+durst leave off the same, have now cast away my cap, and doe weare none
+at all in the day time: And whereas beforetime I cloathed my selfe with
+double cloaths and thicke waistcoates to keep me warme, even in the
+summer time, I doe now goe as thin clad as any, onely wearing a light
+stuffe cassocke upon my shirt, and stuffe breeches of one thickness
+without linings. Besides I have one of my children that was formerly
+most lamentably handled with sore breaking out of both his hands and
+feet of the king’s-evill, but since he came hither hee is very well ever
+he was, and there is hope of perfect recoverie shortly even by the very
+wholesomnesse of the aire, altering, digesting and drying up the cold and
+crude humours of the body: And therefore I thinke it is a wise course for
+al cold complections to come to take physick in New-England: for a sup of
+New-England’s aire is better then a whole draught of Old England’s ale.
+
+In the summer time, in the midst of July and August, it is a good deale
+hotter then in Old England: And in winter, January and February are much
+colder, as they say: But the spring and autumne are of a middle temper.
+
+Fowles of the aire are plentifull here, and of all sorts as we have in
+England, as farre as I can learn, and a great many of strange fowles
+which we know not. Whilst I was writing these things, one of our men
+brought home an eagle which hee had killed in the wood: They say they
+are good meate. Also here are many kinds of excellent hawkes, both sea
+hawkes and land hawkes: And my self walking in the woods with another
+in company, sprung a patridge so bigge that through the heaviness of
+his body could fly but a little way: They that have killed them, say
+they are as bigge as our hens. Here are likewise aboundance of turkies
+often killed in the woods, farre greater then our English turkies, and
+exceeding fat, sweet, and fleshy, for here they have aboundance of
+feeding all the yeere long, as strawberries, in summer al places are
+full of them, and all manner of berries and fruits. In the winter time
+I have scene flockes of pidgeons, and have eaten of them: They doe fly
+from tree to tree as other birds doe, which our pidgeons will not doe in
+England: They are of all colours as ours are, but their wings and tayles
+are far longer, and therefore it is likely they fly swifter to escape the
+terrible hawkes in this country. In winter time this country doth abound
+with wild geese, wild ducks, and other sea fowle, that a great part of
+winter the planters have eaten nothing but roast-meate of divers fowles
+which they have killed.
+
+Thus you have heard of the earth, water and aire of New-England, now it
+may bee you expect something to bee said of the fire proportionable to
+the rest of the elements. Indeede I thinke New-England may boast of this
+element more then of all the rest: For though it bee here somewhat cold
+in the winter, yet here we have plenty of fire to warme us, and that a
+great deal cheaper then they sel billets and faggots in London: Nay, all
+Europe is not able to afford to make so great fires as New-England. A
+poore servant here that is to possesse but 50 acres of land, may afford
+to give more wood for timber and fire as good as the world yeelds, then
+many noble men in England can afford to do. Here is good living for those
+that love good fires. And although New-England have no tallow to make
+candles of, yet by the aboundance of the fish thereof, it can afford oil
+for lampes. Yea our pine-trees that are the most plentifull of all wood,
+doth allow us plenty of candles which are very usefull in a house: And
+they are such candles as the Indians commonly use, having no other, and
+they are nothing else but the wood of the pine tree cloven in two little
+slices, something thin, which are so full of the moysture of turpentine
+and pitch, that they burne as cleere as a torch. I have sent you some of
+them that you may see the experience of them.
+
+Thus of New-England’s commodities: now I will tell you of some
+discommodities that are here to be found.
+
+First, in the summer season for these three months, June, July, and
+August, we are troubled much with little flyes called musketoes, being
+the same they are troubled with in Lincolneshire and the Fens; and they
+are nothing but gnats, which except they bee smoked out of their houses
+are troublesome in the night season.
+
+Secondly, in the winter season for two months space, the earth is
+commonly covered with snow, which is accompanied with sharp biting
+frosts, something more sharpe then is in Old England, and therefore are
+forced to make great fires.
+
+Thirdly, the countrey being very full of woods, and wildernesses, doth
+also much abound with snakes and serpents of strange colours, and huge
+greatnesse: yea there are some serpents called rattle-snakes that have
+rattles in their tailes, that will not fly from a man as others will, but
+will flye upon him, and sting him so mortally, that hee will dye within a
+quarter of an houre after, except the partie stinged have about him some
+of the root of an herbe called snake-weed to bite on, and then hee shall
+receive no harme: but yet seldom falles it out that any hurt is done by
+these. About three years since, an Indian was stung to death by one of
+them, but wee heard of none since that time.
+
+Fourthly and lastly, here wants as it were good company of honest
+christians to bring with them horses, kine, and sheepe, to make use
+of this fruitfull land: great pitty it is to see so much good ground
+for corne and for grasse as any is under the heavens, to ly altogether
+unoccupied, when so many honest men and their families in Old England
+through the populousnesse thereof, do make evry hard shift to live one by
+the other.
+
+Now, thus you know what New-England is, as also with the commodities and
+discommodities thereof: Now I will shew you a little of the inhabitants
+thereof, and their government.
+
+For their governors they have kings, which they call Saggamores, some
+greater, and some lesser, according to the number of their subjects.
+
+The greatest Saggamores about us can not make above three hundred
+men,[48] and other lesse Saggamores have not above fifteen subjects, and
+others neere about us but two.
+
+Their subjects above twelve years since[49] were swept away by a great
+and grievous plague that was amongst them, so that there are verie few
+left to inhabite the country.
+
+The Indians are not able to make use of the one fourth part of the
+land, neither have they any settled places, as townes to dwell in, nor
+any ground as they challenge for their own possession, but change their
+habitation from place to place.
+
+For their statures, they are a tall and strong limmed people, their
+colours are tawney, they goe naked, save onely they are in part covered
+with beasts skins on one of their shoulders, and weare something before;
+their haire is generally blacke, and cut before like our gentlewomen, and
+one locke longer than the rest, much like to our gentelmen, which fashion
+I thinke came from hence into England.
+
+For their weapons, they have bowes and arrowes, some of them headed with
+bone, and some with brasse: I have sent you some of them for an example.
+
+The men for the most part live idely, they do nothing but hunt and fish:
+Their wives set their corne and doe all their other worke. They have
+little houshold stuffe, as a kettle, and some other vessels like trayes,
+spoones, dishes, and baskets.
+
+Their houses are verie little and homely, being made with small poles
+pricked into the ground, and so bended and fastened at the tops, and on
+the sides they are matted with boughs and covered on the roof with sedge
+and old mats, and for their beds that they take their rest on, they have
+a mat.
+
+They doe generally professe to like well of our coming and planting here;
+partly because their is abundance of ground that they cannot possesse
+nor make use of, and partly because our being here will bee a meanes
+both of relief to them when they want, and also a defence from their
+enemies, wherewith (I say) before this plantation began, they were often
+indangered.
+
+For their religion they do worship two Gods, a good God and an evil God:
+The good God they call Tantum, and their evil God whom they fear will doe
+them hurt, they call Squantum.
+
+For their dealing with us, we neither fear them nor trust them, for
+fourtie of our musketeeres will drive five hundred of them out of the
+field. We use them kindly; they will come into our houses sometimes by
+half a dozen or half a score at a time when we are at victuals, but will
+ask or take nothing but what we give them.
+
+We purpose to learn their language as soon as we can, which will be a
+means to do them good.
+
+
+_Of the present condition of the Plantation, and what it is._
+
+When we came first to Nehum-kek,[50] we found about half a score houses,
+and a faire house newly built for the Governor, we found also aboundance
+of corne planted by them, very good and well liking. And we brought
+with us about two hundred passengers and planters more, which by common
+consent of the old planters were all combined together into one body
+politicke, under the same Governour.
+
+There are in all of us both old and new planters about three hundred,
+whereof two hundred of them are settled at Nehum-kek, now called Salem:
+And the rest have planted themselves at Masathulets Bay, beginning to
+build a towne there which wee do call Cherton, or Charles Town.
+
+We that are settled at Salem make what haste we can to build houses, so
+that within a short time we shall have a faire towne.
+
+We have great ordnance, wherewith we doubt not but we shall fortifie
+ourselves in a short time to keepe out a potent adversary. But that which
+is our greatest comfort, and meanes of defence above all other, is, that
+we have here the true religion and holy ordinances of Almighty God taught
+amongst us: Thankes be to God, wee have here plenty of preaching, and
+diligent catechizing, with strict and carefull exercise, and good and
+commendable orders to bring our people into a christian conversation with
+whom we have to doe withall. And thus wee doubt not but God will be with
+us, and _if God be with us, who can be against us?_
+
+[Here ends Master Higgeson’s relation of New-England.]
+
+
+_A letter sent from New England, by Master GRAVES, Engynere, now there
+resident._
+
+Thus much I can affirme in generall, that I never came in a more goodly
+country in all my life, all things considered: If it hath not at any time
+been manured and husbanded, yet it is very beautifull in open lands,
+mixed with goodly woods, and again open plaines, in some places five
+hundred acres, some places more, some lesse, not much troublesome for
+to cleer for the plough to goe in, no place barren, but on the tops of
+the hils; the grasse and weeds grow up to a man’s face, in the lowlands
+and by fresh rivers, aboundance of grasse and large meddowes without any
+tree or shrubbe to hinder the sith. I never saw, except in Hungaria,
+unto which I alwayes paralell this countrie, in all our most respects,
+for every thing that is heare eyther sowne or planted prospereth far
+better then in Old-England: The increase of corne is here farre beyond
+expectation, as I have seene here by experience in barly, the which
+because it is so much above your conception I will not mention. And
+cattle doe prosper very well, and those that are bredd here farr greater
+than those with you in England. Vines doe grow here plentifully laden
+with the biggest grapes that ever I saw, some I have seen foure inches
+about, so that I am bold to say of this countrie, as it is commonly said
+in Germany of Hungaria, that for cattel, corne, and wine it excelleth. We
+have many more hopefull commodities here in this country, the which time
+will teach to make good use of: In the mean time wee abound with such
+things which next under God doe make us subsist: as fish, foule, deere,
+and sundrie sorts of fruits, as musk-millions, water-millions, Indian
+pompions, Indian pease, beanes, and many other odde fruits that I cannot
+name; all which are made good and pleasant through this maine blessing
+of God, the healthfulnesse of the countrie which far exceedeth all parts
+that ever I have beene in: It is observed that few or none doe here fal
+sicke, unless of the scurvy, that they bring from aboard the ship with
+them, whereof I have cured some of my companie onely by labour.
+
+
+C.—See page 204.
+
+See Morell’s poem on New England, Mass. Hist. Coll., 1792.
+
+
+D.—See page 222.
+
+The following letter to King Charles II. accompanied the presentation of
+the New Testament in the Indian tongue. The letter was written and sent
+by the Commissioners of the United Colonies of Massachusetts, Plymouth,
+Connecticut and New Haven.
+
+    “To the High and Mighty Prince, Charles the second, by the
+    grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland,
+    Defender of the faith, &c.
+
+    “The Commissioners of the United Colonies in New England, wish
+    increase of all happiness.
+
+    “Most dread Sovereign,
+
+    “If our weak apprehensions have not misled us, this work will
+    be no unacceptable present to your Majesty, as having a greater
+    interest therein, than we believe is generally understood,
+    which upon this occasion we conceive it our duty to declare.
+
+    “The people of these four colonies (confederate for mutual
+    defence, in the times of the late distractions of our dear
+    native country) your Majesty’s natural born subjects, by the
+    favour and grace of your royal father and grandfather of
+    famous memory, put themselves upon this great and hazardous
+    undertaking, of planting themselves at their own charge in
+    these remote ends of the earth; that without offence or
+    provocation to our dear brethren and countrymen, we might enjoy
+    that liberty to worship God, which our own conscience informed
+    us was not only our right but duty; as also that we, if it so
+    pleased God, might be instrumental to spread the light of the
+    gospel, the knowledge of the son of God, our saviour, to the
+    poor, barbarous heathen; which by his late Majesty, in some of
+    our patents, is declared to be the principal aim.
+
+    “These honest and pious intentions have through the grace of
+    God and our kings, been seconded with proportionable success.
+    For, omitting the immunities indulged by your Highness’s royal
+    predecessors, we have been greatly encouraged by your Majesty’s
+    gracious expressions of favour and approbation, signified unto
+    the address made by the principal of our colonies; to which
+    the rest do most cordially subscribe; though wanting the like
+    seasonable opportunity, they have been till now deprived of the
+    means to congratulate your Majesty’s happy restitution, after
+    your long sufferings; which we implore may yet be graciously
+    accepted, that we may be equal partakers of your royal favour
+    and moderation; which hath been so illustrious, that to
+    admiration, the animosities of different persuasions of men
+    have been so soon composed, and so much cause of hope, that,
+    unless the sins of the nation prevent, a blessed calm will
+    succeed the late horrid confusions of church and state. And
+    shall not we, dread sovereign, your subjects of these colonies,
+    of the same faith and belief in all points of doctrine with
+    our countrymen and other reformed churches, though perhaps not
+    alike persuaded in some matters of order, which in outward
+    respects hath been unhappy for us,—promise and assure ourselves
+    of all just favour and indulgence from a prince so graciously
+    and happily endowed?
+
+    “The other part of our errand hither hath been attended with
+    endeavours and blessing; many of the wild Indians being taught,
+    and understanding, the doctrine of the christian religion,
+    and with much affection attending such preachers as are sent
+    to teach them. Many of their children are instructed to write
+    and read; and some of them have proceeded further to attain
+    the knowledge of the Latin and the Greek tongues, and are
+    brought up with our English youth in university learning.
+    There are divers of them that can and do read some parts of
+    the scripture, and some catechisms which formerly have been
+    translated into their own language: which hath occasioned the
+    undertaking of a great work, viz. the printing the whole bible:
+    which, being translated by a painful labourer among them, who
+    was desirous to see the work accomplished in his days, hath
+    already proceeded to the finishing of the new testament; which
+    we here humbly present to your Majesty, as the first fruit and
+    accomplishment of the pious design of your royal ancestors. The
+    old testament is now under the press, wanting and craving your
+    royal favour and assistance for the perfecting thereof.
+
+    “We may not conceal, though this work hath been begun and
+    prosecuted by such instruments as God has raised up here; yet
+    the chief charge and cost, which hath supported and carried it
+    thus far, hath been from the charity and piety of divers of
+    our well affected countrymen in England; who, being sensible
+    of our inability in that respect, and studious to promote so
+    good a work, contributed large sums of money, which were to
+    be improved according to the direction and order of the then
+    prevailing powers; which hath been faithfully and religiously
+    attended, both there and here, according to the pious
+    intentions of the benefactors. And we most humbly beseech your
+    Majesty, that a matter of so much devotion and piety, tending
+    so much to the honour of God, may suffer no disappointment
+    through any legal defect, without the fault of the donors,
+    or poor Indians, who only receive the benefit; but that your
+    Majesty be graciously pleased to establish and confirm the
+    same; being contrived and done, as we conceive, in that first
+    year of your Majesty’s reign, of this book was begun and now
+    finished the first year of your establishment: which doth not
+    only presage the happy success of your Highness’s government,
+    but will be a perpetual monument, that by your Majesty’s
+    favour, the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ was made known to
+    the Indians; an honour whereof, we are assured, your Majesty
+    will not a little esteem.
+
+    “Sir, the shine of your royal favour upon these undertakings
+    will make these tender plants to flourish, notwithstanding any
+    malevolent aspect from those that bear evil will to this Sion;
+    and render your Majesty more illustrious and glorious to after
+    generations.
+
+    “The God of heaven long preserve and bless your Majesty with
+    many happy days, to his glory, the good and comfort of his
+    church and people. Amen.”
+
+
+E.—See page 182.
+
+The Society for Propagating the Gospel among the Indians has been
+mentioned several times in this work.
+
+About the year 1648, during the Protectorate of Cromwell, when the
+Presbyterians and Independents had influence in England, a Society was
+formed through the influence, it is believed, of Gov. Winslow, and called
+the Society for Propagating the Gospel among the Indians and others in
+North America.
+
+It is somewhere stated respecting Cromwell that he had conceived a
+very extensive scheme for the universal propagation of the Gospel,
+borrowing the zeal and ingenuity of the Jesuits, and intending to meet
+and counteract their efforts everywhere. This scheme perished with him
+in his early death. Even the Society for Propagating the Gospel among
+the Indians, &c., did not long survive the restoration of royalty in
+1660. But during its existence under the Commonwealth it rendered aid
+to Mayhew, Eliot, and others, the funds being applied here through the
+Commissioners of the four Colonies.
+
+The Society being dissolved at the Restoration of monarchy under Charles
+II., an urgent application was soon made for another Society having the
+same name and objects. The honorable and distinguished Robert Boyle was
+President of the new Society. He had great wealth, and used it with
+profuse liberality. The celebrated Bishop Burnet was his almoner in many
+private as well as public charities. He distributed a thousand pounds
+a year for several years before his death among the French refugees in
+England. He also gave yearly, for a long time, the sum of three hundred
+pounds for the propagation of the Gospel in North America. Mr. Eliot’s
+letters to his noble benefactor, which may be found in the Collections of
+the Mass. Hist. Society, will be read with interest.
+
+The Indian School, at Cambridge, was supported by the funds of this
+Society, and a building erected for it by the same. In 1665 there were
+eight Indian youths in that school. Eliot’s Indian Bible was printed at
+the expense of this Society, and cost £500, or not far from two thousand
+dollars.
+
+For a few years, the General Court of Massachusetts granted five hundred
+dollars towards the object of this Society. At the suggestion of the
+Society the Governor issued a request for contributions in its behalf to
+the towns of the Commonwealth. About $1560 were collected.
+
+This Society continues to this time. In 1800, its funds amounted to
+$20.000. At present they are not far from twice that sum. It is in the
+hands of members of the Unitarian denomination.[51]
+
+
+F.
+
+Letters of Mr. Eliot to Hon. Robert Boyle may be found in Mass. Hist.
+Coll. 1792. Also two interesting letters from the same in Francis’ Life
+of Eliot, pp. 250 and 267.
+
+
+G.
+
+See, for an account of the Missionary Labors of the Mayhews, Wilson’s
+Memoirs of Eliot, pp. 273-9.
+
+
+H.
+
+See Wilson’s Memoirs of E., p. 290.
+
+
+I.
+
+Mr. Eliot’s Observations on forming the Indian Alphabet, do. do., p. 284.
+
+
+K.
+
+For an account of Rev. William Leverich, and some other laborers among
+the Indians, see Wilson’s Memoirs, pp. 257-60, p. 278-99.
+
+
+L.—See page 133.
+
+The following petitions of Mr. Eliot have been copied for this work from
+the Mass. State Papers. The first is a temperance document which has not
+lost any pertinency or force by age.
+
+    _Petition of John Eliot to the —— General Court concerning the
+    Indians_,
+
+    SHEWETH,
+
+    That whereas the Indians have frequent recourse to English
+    townes and especially to Boston where they too often see evil
+    examples of excessive drinking with English who are too often
+    disgraced with that beastly sin of drunkenness. And themselves
+    many of them greatly delighting in strong liquors, not
+    considering the strength and evil of them, and also too well
+    knowing the liberty of the law which prohibiteth above half a
+    pint of wine to a man that therefore they may without offence
+    to the law have their half pint, and when they have had it in
+    one place they goe to another and have the like till they be
+    drunken. And sometime find too much entertainment that way by
+    such who keepe no ordinary only desire theire trade though it
+    be with the hurt and perdition of their soules. Therefore my
+    humble request unto this honored Court is this, that there may
+    be but one ordinary in all Boston who may have liberty to sell
+    wine or any strong drink unto the Indians. And that whoever
+    shall further them in their vicious drinking for theire own
+    base ends who keep no ordinary may not be suffered in such a
+    sinne without due punishment. And that at what ordinary soever
+    in any other towne as well as Boston any Indian shall be found
+    drunk, having had any considerable quantity of drink there,
+    they should come under severe censure. These things I am bold
+    to present unto you for the preventing of those scandalous
+    evils which greatly blemish and interrupt their entertainment
+    of the Gospel through the policy of Satan who counter worketh
+    Christ with not a little uncomfortable success. And thus with
+    my hearty desire of the gracious and blessed presence of God
+    among you in all your weighty affairs, I humbly take leave and
+    rest your servant to command in our Savour Christ,
+
+                                                         JOHN ELIOT.
+
+    this 23d of the 8th 1648.
+
+
+M.—See page 134.
+
+The next petition is exceedingly interesting.
+
+    _To the Honorable the Governor and Council sitting at Boston
+    the 13th of the 6th, 1675. The humble petition of John Eliot_,
+
+    SHEWETH,
+
+    That the terrour of selling away such Indians in the Ilands
+    for perpetual Slaves who shall yield up themselves to your
+    mercy is likely to be an effectual prolongation of the warre
+    and such an exasperation of them as may produce we know not
+    what evil consequences upon all the land. Christ hath said,
+    “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” This
+    [treatment] of them is worse than death. To put to death men
+    that have deserved to die is an ordinance of God and a blessing
+    is promised to it. It may be done in faith. The design of
+    Christ in these last days is not to extirpate nations but to
+    gospelize them. He will spread the Gospel sound the world
+    about, rev. 11. 15. The kingdoms of the world have become the
+    kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ. His sovereign hand
+    and grace hath brought the Gospel into these dark places of
+    the earth. When we came we declared to the world, and it is
+    recorded, yea we are instructed by our letters patent from the
+    King’s majesty that the endeavour of the Indians conversion not
+    their extirpation was one great end of our enterprize in coming
+    to these ends of the earth. The Lord hath so succeeded his work
+    as that (by his grace) they have the Holy Scriptures and sundry
+    of themselves able to teach their countrymen the good knowledge
+    of God. The light of the Gospel is risen among those who sat in
+    darkness and in the region of the shadow of death. And however
+    some of them have refused to receive the Gospel, and are now
+    incensed in their spirits unto a warre against the English, yet
+    by that good promise, Ps. 1:1-6, I doubt not but the meaning of
+    Christ is to open the door for the free passage of the Gospel
+    among them, and that the Lord will publish that word, v. 6. Yet
+    have I set my king on my holy hill of Syon, though some rage at
+    it. My humble request is if you would follow Christ his design
+    in this matter to promote the free passage of religion among
+    them and not destroy them. To send them away from the light
+    of the Gospel which Christ hath graciously given them unto a
+    place, a state, a way of spiritual darkness to the eternal
+    ruin of their souls is as I apprehend to act contrary to the
+    mind of Christ. God’s command is that we should inlarge the
+    kingdom of Jesus Christ. Esay, 54:2. Enlarge the place of thy
+    tent. It seemeth to me that to sell them away for slaves is
+    to hinder the inlargement of his kingdom. How can a Christian
+    [soule yield to act]—(these words are indistinct) in casting
+    away their soules for which Christ hath with an eminent hand
+    provided an offer of the Gospel. To sell soules for money
+    seemeth to me a dangerous merchandize. If they deserve to
+    dy, it is far better to be put to death under godly [rulers]
+    who will take care if meanes may be used that they may die
+    penitently. To fall away from all meanes of grace when Christ
+    hath provided meanes of grace for them, is for us to be active
+    in the destroying their soules when we are highly obliged to
+    seek their conversion and salvation and have opportunity in our
+    hands so to doe. Deut. 23:15, 16.[52] A fugitive servant from
+    his Pagan master might not be delivered to his master, but be
+    kept in Israel for the good of his soul. How much less lawful
+    is it to sell away souls from under the light of the Gospel
+    into a condition where their souls will be utterly lost, so
+    far as appertains unto man. All men (of reading) condemned the
+    Spaniard for cruelty upon this point for destroying men and
+    depopulating the land. The country is large enough, here is
+    land enough for them and us to, Prov. 14:28. In the multitude
+    of people is the King’s honor. It will be much to the glory
+    of Christ to have many brought in to worship his great name.
+    I beseech the honored Council to pardon my boldnesse, and let
+    the case of conscience be discussed orderly before the thing
+    be acted. Cover my weaknesse and weigh the reason and religion
+    that laboreth in this great case of conscience.
+
+
+N.—See page 135.
+
+The following petition of Mr. Eliot illustrates the kind interest which
+he took in the common and private affairs of the Indians. I have copied
+it from Mass. State Papers, (Indian Papers) 30. p. 15. 1639-1705.
+
+    PETITION THAT TWO INDIANS MAY HAVE THEIR DUE.
+
+    _The humble petition of John Eliot to this Honorable Court._
+
+    First in the behalfe of Totherswompe unto whom one of Uncas his
+    men doth owe 18 fathom of wampompeague for 6 beare skins and
+    he cannot obtain justice with ease and therefore doth humbly
+    intreat this honored Court to procure justice for him in this
+    particular. Phoxon well knoweth his demand is just and true, as
+    Thomas and Stanton can testify.
+
+    The other is in behalf of Anonganisch, who lost 17 fathom
+    which Uncas and his men tooke unjustly from him 3 years since
+    when they fell upon the Indians by Mr. Winthrop’s plantation,
+    and he saith that when his case was at this Court formerly
+    heard The Governour promised him that he should have justice,
+    and that doth embolden him to sue again in the case. The
+    bringing them to doe justice doth so far cause them to honour
+    and acknowledge God and therefore I humbly entreat your favour
+    in furtherance of the same, and so commending all your weighty
+    occasions to the blessing of the Lord.
+
+                 Your worships servant in Jesus Christ,
+
+                                                     JOHN ELIOT.[53]
+
+
+O.—See page 48.
+
+    THE CHURCH IN ROXBURY.
+
+    (See Am. Quarterly Register, Vol. 8th.)
+
+    THOMAS WELDE, the first Minister of Roxbury, was a minister in
+    Essex, England. Refusing to conform to the requirements of the
+    Established Church, he sought the quiet enjoyment of the rights
+    of conscience in this country. He arrived in Boston, June 5,
+    1632, and entered upon the pastoral office in Roxbury, at which
+    time the Church was embodied. In 1641, he was sent as an agent,
+    with REV. HUGH PETERS, to England for the Province and never
+    returned.
+
+    JOHN ELIOT became teacher of the Church in Roxbury, Nov. 5,
+    1632. The next year he became colleague with Mr. Welde.
+
+    SAMUEL DANFORTH was colleague with Mr. Eliot after Mr. Welde
+    went to England. He continued in office 24 years.
+
+    NEHEMIAH WALTER, born in Ireland, came to Boston at the age of
+    16. Graduated at Harvard College, and was the third colleague
+    of Mr. Eliot. He had so good knowledge of the French Language
+    that he preached to a society of French Protestants while
+    their Pastor was absent. Whitefield called him “the good old
+    Puritan.” A well known publication of his is called, “The
+    Wonderfulness of Christ.”
+
+    THOMAS WALTER, his son, became colleague with his father, but
+    died 7 years after.
+
+    OLIVER PEABODY, son of the Missionary at Natick of the same
+    name, succeeded Mr. Walter, but continued only 18 months, and
+    died when on the eve of being married, aged 27.
+
+    AMOS ADAMS, was Pastor at Roxbury 22 years and died of the
+    epidemic which prevailed in the camp at Roxbury and Cambridge.
+    The title of one of his published Sermons was, The only Hope
+    and Refuge of Sinners.
+
+    ELIPHALET PORTER succeeded him and continued in office 51 years.
+
+    GEORGE PUTNAM, the present Pastor, was ordained colleague with
+    him, July 7, 1830.
+
+A Church was organized in Roxbury, Sept. 18, 1834, composed of Members of
+Evangelical sentiments, and of the Orthodox Congregational denomination.
+It took the name of “ELIOT CHURCH.”
+
+Rev. John S. C. Abbott was ordained Pastor, Nov. 25, 1835.
+
+Rev. Augustus C. Thompson was ordained Pastor, July 27, 1842.
+
+
+P.—See page 51.
+
+    ROXBURY “ELIOT SCHOOL FUND.”
+
+    “Eliot School Fund had its origin in the donation of Rev. John
+    Eliot, of Roxbury, well known as the Apostle to the Indians,
+    who, in the year 1689, conveyed an estate of about seventy-five
+    acres of land to certain persons and their heirs, as Trustees
+    for ‘the maintenance, support and encouragement of a school and
+    school master at that part of Roxbury, commonly called Jamaica
+    or the Pond Plain, for the teaching and instructing of the
+    children of that end of the town (together with such Indians
+    and negroes as shall or may come to the said school) and to no
+    other use, intent, or purpose whatever. This is the language of
+    the deed.’ (The fund was afterwards increased by donations.)
+
+    “The Eliot school fund consists (1840) of 89,699.94. The School
+    also possesses some real estate, which yields an annual income
+    of 8381.”
+
+    Report of the Committee on the School Fund, Roxbury. Auditor’s
+    Reports, 1831-1846.
+
+The following are the principal of Mr. Eliot’s publications. It is
+remarkable that no entire Sermon of his has been preserved.
+
+Answer to Norcott’s book against Infant Baptism.
+
+The Harmony of the Gospels in the Holy History of Jesus Christ.
+
+The Christian Commonwealth.
+
+The Divine management of Gospel Churches by the Ordinance of Councils,
+constituted in order according to the Scriptures, which may be a means
+of uniting those two holy and eminent parties, the Presbyterians and the
+Congregational.
+
+Indian Bible, Catechism, and Psalms of David in metre.
+
+Baxter’s “Call to the unconverted,” translated into the Indian Tongue.
+
+The Practice of Piety, translated into the Indian Tongue. This book was
+written by Lewis Bayly, for some time Chaplain to James the First. In
+1792, it had reached the _seventy-first_ edition. The author was promoted
+to the see of Bangor, 1616. See Lib. Am. Biog. V. 245. Francis’ Life of
+Eliot. BIOG. BRITAN. Art. BAYLY.
+
+Thomas Shepard’s Sincere Convert, translated into the Indian tongue.
+
+Thomas Shepard’s Sound Believer, translated into the Indian tongue.
+
+Indian Primer.
+
+This little book has been of great help to linguists by the division of
+syllables in it for children, thereby giving learners of a larger growth
+some insight into the formation of Indian words.
+
+
+
+
+NOTE.
+
+
+The following appropriate conclusion to this volume came to hand just as
+the last pages were going to press.
+
+    THE CHOCTAWS TO THEIR WHITE BRETHREN OF IRELAND.—A meeting for
+    the relief of the starving poor of Ireland was held at the
+    Choctaw agency, on the 23d ult. Maj. William Armstrong was
+    called to the chair, and J. B. Luce was appointed secretary. A
+    circular of the “Memphis committee” was read by Maj. Armstrong,
+    after which the meeting contributed $170. All subscribed,
+    agents, missionaries, traders and Indians, a considerable
+    portion of which fund was made up by the latter. The “poor
+    Indian” sending his mite to the poor Irish!
+
+                                [_Arkansas Intelligencer, April 3_.]
+
+[Illustration: THE END OF VOL III.]
+
+
+
+
+FOOTNOTES
+
+
+[1] See Laws of Mass. I., page 77, Sect. 8, 9.
+
+“_Whereas one end in planting these parts was to propagate the true
+religion unto the Indians_, and that divers of them are become subject
+unto the English, and have engaged themselves to be ready and willing to
+understand the law of God: It is therefore ordered that such necessary
+and wholesome laws which are in force, and may be made from time to time,
+to reduce them to civility of life, shall be once a year, if the times be
+safe, made known to them by such fit persons as the general court shall
+appoint.”
+
+[2]
+
+                    “Venient annis
+    Secula seris, quibus Oceanus
+    Vincula rerum, laxet, et ingens
+    Pateat tellus, Typhis que novos
+    Deteget orbes; nec sit terris
+    Ultima Thule.”
+
+            _Medea, Act. 3, v. 375._
+
+[3] “America known to the Ancients.” Boston, 1773.
+
+[4] Mather.
+
+[5] Governor Bradford’s History of Plymouth.
+
+[6] Mass. Hist. Soc., Coll. 1794., p. 206.
+
+[7] Key, p. 213.
+
+[8] See Appendix, B.
+
+[9] See Appendix, C.
+
+[10] Roger Williams’ Key, p. 26.
+
+[11] Mag. B. III. Life of Eliot. Art. 1.
+
+[12] Sparks’ Lib. Am. Biog. V. 9. Francis’ Life of Eliot.
+
+[13] Mag. Book III., 499.
+
+[14] Vol. III., p. 15.
+
+[15] Book III. Art. IV.
+
+[16] Jefferson’s “Notes on Virginia.”
+
+[17] Newton. Dr. Homer, in his History of Newton says, “This son of
+the apostle Eliot was the first minister of Newton. His abilities
+and occupation in the ministry are said to be pre-eminent. Under the
+direction of his father, he obtained considerable proficiency in
+the Indian language, and was an assistant to him in the missionary
+employment, until he settled at Newton. Even after his ordination there,
+he imitated the manner of his father, devoting himself to the instruction
+of the Indians, as well as his own flock. Accordingly he preached
+statedly once in a fortnight to them at Pequimet, (Stoughton,) and
+sometimes at Natick.”
+
+[18] Now owned and occupied by Warren Dutton and Horace Gray, Esqrs.
+
+[19] “The first place he began to preach at was Nonantum, near Watertown,
+upon the south side of Charles River, about four or five miles from his
+own house; where lived at that time, Wabon, one of their principal men,
+and some Indians with him.” Gookin, Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll, for 1792. Vol
+I.
+
+“The place where Eliot first began to preach to the Indians, was at
+Nonantum, a hill at the northeast corner of Newton, nearly where Messrs.
+Haven’s and Wiggin’s houses now stand.” Moore’s Life of Eliot.
+
+[20] Mag. Book III., Part IV. See Appendix, C.
+
+[21] He who thinks that a belief in witchcraft, &c., was a peculiarity of
+New England, should look into Strype’s Ecclesiastical Memorials.
+
+[22] He was not a Sachem, as frequently stated. See Mass. Hist., Col.
+IV., 19.
+
+[23] The Day Breaking &c., p. 15.
+
+[24] Shepard’s Clear Sunshine, p. 39. Hist. Coll. Vol. IV. 3d series.
+Shattuck’s Hist. Concord.
+
+[25] Shepard’s Clear Sunshine, &c., p. 41.
+
+[26] See page 19.
+
+[27] See Bancroft’s History of the United States, Vol. I.
+
+[28] See Sir Walter Scott’s “Demonology and Witchcraft,” Letter II.
+
+[29] “Cleare Sunshine of the Gospel,” p. 46.
+
+[30] Shepard’s “Cleare Sunshine.”
+
+[31] See the Memorial of Mr. Eliot to the General Court, on this subject,
+Appendix L.
+
+[32] Fast enough, if well enough.
+
+[33] See Appendix, E.
+
+[34] I. 172. Note. 1715.
+
+[35] Mag. II, 511. _Philemon Holland._ See Rees’ Encyc., Aiken’s Biog.
+Mem. of Medicine. He was the _translator general_ of his age, a man
+of incredible industry. In Fuller’s Worthies of England we learn that
+Holland, having written several translations with one pen, made the
+following stanza:
+
+    “With one solo pen I writ this book,
+      Made of a gray goose quill;
+    A pen it was when I it took,
+      And a pen I leave it still.”
+
+A familiar story is told of Gibbon, in writing the “Decline and Fall,”
+and that he presented the pen to the Duchess of Devonshire, who honored
+it with a silver case. These stories are probably fabulous. The
+contrivances which these men must have used to make one pen, or even one
+quill, do so much work, would deserve the appellation above quoted from
+Douglass, “otiosorum hominum negotia,” or, the notions of men who had
+plenty of leisure.
+
+[36] II. 94.
+
+[37] Magnalia I, 516.—See Appendix, G.
+
+[38] Cotton Mather’s mother was the daughter of Mr. Cotton.
+
+[39] See Appendix, M.
+
+[40] Mass. Hist. Coll. 1802.
+
+[41] This testimony from Richard Baxter, in favor of the Mathers, is
+valuable to those who have seen them decried by some modern writers.
+
+[42] See Early Jesuit Missions, &c., by Wm Ingraham Kip.
+
+[43] C. Mather.
+
+[44] Mather’s allusion is probably this: In Gen. 23:2, where it is said
+that Abraham came to weep for Sarah, a letter, smaller than the rest, in
+the Hebrew word _to weep for her_ is believed by the Jewish critics to
+intimate that his grief was somewhat composed; (—“_luctum Abrahæ fuisse
+moderatum_.”—Poole’s Synopsis.)—ED.
+
+[45] Magnalia I. 495.
+
+[46] Essays, VIII.
+
+[47] For the Journal of Mr. Higginson’s Voyage, see Hutchinson’s
+Collection of Papers, page 32.
+
+[48] That is fighting men.
+
+[49] 1617.
+
+[50] Or Naumkeag. Salem.
+
+[51] See Smith & Choules’ Hist. Miss. 1832, Vol. II.
+
+[52] “Thou shall not deliver unto his master the servant which is
+escaped,” &c.
+
+[53] Those who are interested in the subjects referred to in other
+petitions of Mr. Eliot may find those petitions as follows:
+
+Petition that the Indians may have more land, Mass. State Papers, 30,
+page 31.
+
+Petition in relation to exchange of land with the Indians, do. do. page
+81.
+
+Statement of John Eliot respecting lands, do. do. pp. 99, 100.
+
+Complains of wrong done to the Nipmucks by the Narragansetts, do. do.
+page 138.
+
+Gookin’s and Eliot’s petition for lands for the Christian Indians, do.
+do. p. 286.
+
+There are also some original MSS. of Mr. Eliot’s in the Hutchinson papers
+in the Library of the Mass. Historical Society, but they are somewhat
+illegible and of no special pertinency to the present work.
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 79004 ***
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+<body>
+<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 79004 ***</div>
+
+<main>
+
+<div class="transnote">
+<p class="center"><b>Transcriber’s Note:</b> There are two Chapter VIIs.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">[1]</span></p>
+
+<div class="max30">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" style="max-width: 33.4375em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/line.jpg" alt="">
+</figure>
+
+</div>
+
+<p class="titlepage"><span class="larger">LIVES</span><br>
+OF THE<br>
+<span class="larger">CHIEF FATHERS OF NEW ENGLAND.</span></p>
+
+<p class="mt2">The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers:
+let him not leave us, nor forsake us.</p>
+
+<p class="right">1 Kings 8:57.</p>
+
+<p class="titlepage">VOL. III.</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" style="max-width: 33.4375em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/line.jpg" alt="">
+</figure>
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">[2]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[3]</span></p>
+
+<p class="titlepage larger">THE LIFE<br>
+<span class="smaller">OF</span><br>
+<span class="larger">JOHN ELIOT:</span><br>
+<span class="smaller">WITH AN ACCOUNT</span><br>
+OF THE EARLY MISSIONARY EFFORTS<br>
+<span class="smaller">AMONG</span><br>
+THE INDIANS OF NEW ENGLAND.</p>
+
+<p class="titlepage"><span class="smcap">By NEHEMIAH ADAMS</span>,<br>
+<span class="smaller">PASTOR OF ESSEX STREET CHURCH, BOSTON.</span></p>
+
+<p class="titlepage"><i>Written for the Massachusetts Sabbath School Society, and<br>
+approved by the Committee of Publication.</i></p>
+
+<p class="titlepage">BOSTON:<br>
+MASSACHUSETTS SABBATH SCHOOL SOCIETY,<br>
+<span class="smaller">Depository, No. 13 Cornhill.</span><br>
+1847.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[4]</span></p>
+
+<p class="titlepage">Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1847,<br>
+<span class="smcap">By CHRISTOPHER C. DEAN</span>,<br>
+In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of Massachusetts.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[5]</span></p>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="ADVERTISEMENT">ADVERTISEMENT<br>
+<span class="smaller">BY THE PUBLISHING COMMITTEE.</span></h2>
+
+</div>
+
+<p>The substance of this book is a Lecture delivered in
+1842, before the Young Men’s Missionary Association
+of Boston. On application of the Publishing Committee,
+the author has consented to enlarge it for
+publication, as one of the Series of the Lives of the
+New England Fathers.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[6]</span></p>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="SEAL">SEAL OF THE<br>
+MASSACHUSETTS (OR SALEM) COLONY.</h2>
+
+</div>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp65" id="seal1" style="max-width: 31.25em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/seal1.jpg" alt="SIGILLVM:GVB:ET:SOCIET:DE:MATTACHVSETS:BAY:IN:NOVA:ANGLIA">
+<p class="center">TRANSLATION.</p>
+<p>Seal of the Governor and Colony of Massachusetts
+Bay in New England.</p>
+</figure>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[7]</span></p>
+
+<h1>LIFE OF JOHN ELIOT.</h1>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="INTRODUCTORY_CHAPTER">INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.</h2>
+
+<p>Missionary object of the Pilgrims. Seal of Massachusetts Colony.
+Reasons with the Pilgrims for leaving Holland. Extract from the
+Royal Charter of the Plymouth Colony. Charter of the Salem
+Company. Thoughts on this Continent as a field for Missionary
+efforts. Account of the landing at Plymouth, and the first meeting
+with the Indians. First Missionary efforts among them. Manners
+and habits of the New England Indians. Numbers in the
+various tribes. Reflections on the Missionary character and efforts
+of the Pilgrims. The May-flower.</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<p>A prominent object with the Pilgrim fathers in
+coming hither, was, to preach the Gospel to the
+Indians of this Continent.</p>
+
+<p>Many popular orators and writers represent
+them, as it were, following and worshiping a
+goddess of liberty. But it was not for the mere
+liberty of believing and doing what they pleased
+that they braved the ocean and the perils of this
+wilderness. Two great motives influenced
+them. For the liberty of worshiping God according
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[8]</span>to their own consciences, they “went
+out not knowing,” as the event proved, “whither
+they went.” But this was not all; they had a
+missionary object in coming here.</p>
+
+<p>It is an interesting fact that the original seal
+of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, who arrived
+and settled at Salem in 1628, had on it a North
+American Indian, with these words proceeding
+from his mouth, “Come over and help us.”
+This device on the seal of their colony published
+to the world the fact that they regarded
+themselves as foreign missionaries to North
+America. This was also the case with their
+brethren of the Plymouth Colony, who arrived
+eight years before.</p>
+
+<p>The Pilgrims had fled to Holland, from the
+persecutions of the English Church. In the
+account of their residence in Holland we find
+some records which establish beyond a doubt
+the fact of their missionary intentions in coming
+to these shores. Governor Bradford, in his History
+of Plymouth, speaking of the Pilgrims
+while yet in Holland, says, “This year, (1617,)
+Mr. Robinson and his Church begin to think of
+a remove to America, for several weighty reasons,
+as (1.) The difficulties in Holland discouraged
+many from coming to them out of
+England, and obliged many to return. (2.)
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[9]</span>By reason of these difficulties with the licentiousness
+of the youth, and temptations of the
+place, many of their children left their parents,
+some of them becoming soldiers, others taking
+to foreign voyages, and some to dissoluteness
+and the danger of their souls, to the great grief
+of their parents, and fear lest their posterity
+through these temptations and examples should
+degenerate, and religion die among them. (3.)
+From an inward zeal and great hope of laying
+some foundation or making way for propagating
+the kingdom of Christ to the remote ends of the
+earth, though they should be but as stepping
+stones to others.”</p>
+
+<p>They obtained letters patent from the crown
+authorizing them to settle in North Virginia.
+The following is an extract from the Royal
+Charter, and is of the same purport with the
+third reason assigned by Governor Bradford for
+their removal to America. The Royal Charter
+says,—“We have thought it fit, according to
+our kingly duty—to second and follow God’s
+holy will, by which means we may with boldness
+go on to the settling of so hopeful a work
+which tendeth to the reducing and conversion of
+such savages as remain wandering in desolation
+and distress, to civil society and Christian religion.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[10]</span></p>
+
+<p>It is well known that the Colonists who
+received this Charter, and sailed for North Virginia,
+were driven into the waters of Cape
+Cod, and thus unintentionally landed and settled
+at Plymouth.</p>
+
+<p>The Charter of “the Colony of Massachusetts
+Bay,” who settled a few years after at
+Salem, says, “To win and incite the natives of
+that country to the knowledge and obedience of
+the only true God and Saviour of mankind and
+the Christian faith, is, in our royal intention and
+the adventurer’s free profession, the principal
+end of the plantation.”</p>
+
+<p>The Committee of the “Massachusetts”
+Company, in their letter dated at Gravesend,
+and addressed to Mr. Endicott, the leader, and
+afterward the Governor, of the Massachusetts or
+Salem Colony, say, “For that the propagating
+the Gospel is the thing we profess above all in
+settling this plantation, we have been careful to
+make plentiful provision of good ministers.”&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_1" href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a>&#x2060;</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[11]</span></p>
+
+<p>It is interesting to think of this Continent as
+having been the object of missionary zeal and
+efforts with the pilgrim fathers. The place
+which this continent occupies on the globe is
+peculiar and interesting. The numerous nations
+of the old world are crowded together in one
+hemisphere, and this continent is the prominent
+object of the other. It did not seem presumption
+to the pilgrims to believe that God laid its
+deep foundations by itself, in the midst of the
+oceans rolling between it and the rest of the
+globe, for some purpose as singular as its position.
+In the writings of ancient poets there are
+remarkable allusions to this continent, when as
+yet it was undiscovered. Seneca, a Latin writer,
+who lived at the beginning of the Christian era,
+has in his “Medea” this declaration: “The
+time will come in remote years when the ocean
+will unloose the present boundaries of nature,
+and a great country will appear. Another Typhis
+will discover new worlds, and Thule will
+no longer be the limit of the earth.”&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_2" href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> Homer
+and Horace had sung of Islands west of Africa,
+the Atlantides, which were “the Elysian fields.”
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[12]</span>Hanno, the Carthaginian general and great
+navigator, had sailed from the pillars of Hercules,
+(the straits of Gibraltar,) westward, thirty
+days. Some suppose that he must have seen
+America, or some of the neighboring islands.&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_3" href="#Footnote_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a>
+Columbus verified the dreams and surmises of
+the world; the Cabots pursued his sublime discoveries,
+and they, with their Bristol crews,
+long accustomed to Icelandic fisheries, found
+this continent. New adventurers carried home
+some of the native Indians; and, at length, a
+new Continent, inhabited by wild men, became
+the subject of intense interest to the civilized
+world. Our pious forefathers, while yet in the
+old world, fancied that they heard the Macedonian
+cry from the Indians here, and it quickened
+their flight, as they say, “to follow Christ
+into a waste howling wilderness.”</p>
+
+<p>Having been driven into the waters of Cape
+Cod, instead of North Virginia, and making a
+safe harbor on Saturday, the Pilgrims fell on
+their knees and blessed the God of heaven. The
+Sabbath came; the Mayflower riding at anchor,
+and the exploring party in the shallop, kept the
+first Sabbath of the Lord which, perhaps, had
+ever been recognized in this region, since God
+rested from his works.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[13]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Monday,” says Prince, in his New England
+Chronology, “the people go ashore to refresh
+themselves;—the whales play round about
+them, and the greatest store of fowl they ever
+saw. But the earth here a company of sand
+hills, and the water so shallow near the shore,
+they were forced to wade a bow-shot or two to
+get to land, which being freezing weather,
+affecteth them with grievous coughs and colds,
+which after proves the death of many. When
+they had marched a mile southward, they see
+five or six savages whom they follow ten miles
+till night, but could not overtake them, and
+lodge in the woods. The next day they come
+to a place of graves, then to some heaps of sand,
+when they dig into them, and find several baskets
+full of Indian corn, and take some, for
+which they purpose to give the natives full satisfaction
+as soon as they could meet with any of
+them.” Two days after, they returned to borrow
+more corn; the ground had frozen a foot
+deep, but they made up their corn, says Governor
+Morton, to ten bushels; the next day some
+of the party, having spent the night there, dug
+again into some little hillocks, but they found
+that instead of being cornhills they were graves.
+By the overruling providence of God, the corn
+which they had thus borrowed with such good
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[14]</span>intent to repay, furnished them with seed for the
+ensuing spring. Here we have the first scene
+of their approach to the wild objects of their
+pious and benevolent endeavors.</p>
+
+<p>During the month of February, after their
+arrival, the colony were afterwards informed
+that the Indians assembled all their Powwaws, or
+the conjurers of the country, to curse them with
+their horrid ceremonies and incantations. They
+held their assembly for this purpose in a dark
+and dismal swamp.</p>
+
+<p>On the morning of March 16th, however,
+they say a savage boldly came alone along the
+houses straight to the rendezvous, and surprised
+them with calling out, “Welcome, Englishmen!
+Welcome, Englishmen!” It seems that he had
+learned some broken English from the fishermen
+of Nova Scotia. He said that his name was
+Samoset, that he was sagamore or lord of a
+country “a day’s sail thence with a great
+wind,” or five days land travel. He told them
+that four years ago all the inhabitants of the
+place where they then were, (now Plymouth,)
+died of an extraordinary plague; that there was
+neither man, woman, nor child remaining. At
+night they lodged and watched him. A few
+days after he returned with an Indian named
+Squanto, whom a man by the name of Hunt had
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[15]</span>carried to Spain with nineteen others, and who
+by some means went to England, and lived in
+Cornhill, London, with Mr. John Slanie, merchant.
+He could speak a little English, and
+thus he was extremely useful to the colonists in
+assisting them to trade and make treaties with
+the surrounding Indians. They endeavored to
+conciliate the natives, but wisely mingled intimations
+that they were prepared to resist them
+if attacked.</p>
+
+<p>The treacherous tribe of Narragansett Indians,
+with five thousand fighting men, who at first
+made a treaty with the settlers, showed signs on
+one occasion of hostility. Canonicus, their chief
+Sachem, sent a bundle of arrows, tied with a
+snake’s skin, which Squanto told them meant a
+challenge. Governor Bradford and his Council
+sent them word that if they had rather have war
+than peace, they might begin when they would;
+they had done the Indians no wrong, nor did
+they fear them; nor would the Indians find
+them unprepared. Then, with some wit, the
+Governor sent them, by another messenger, the
+snake’s skin filled with powder and bullets; but
+they refused to receive it, and sent it back.</p>
+
+<p>Thus, after various alarms, and treaties, the
+pilgrims had fortified themselves in the country,
+and individuals among them had begun the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[16]</span>pious work of instructing some of the young
+Indians in the Christian religion.</p>
+
+<p>In 1621, one year after the arrival at Plymouth,
+Elder Robert Cushman sent word to his
+friends in England that many of the Indians,
+especially the younger of them, were teachable;
+that if the Colony had means they would bring
+up hundreds of them to labor, and learning, and
+that young men in England who desired to further
+the Gospel among these poor heathen,
+would do well to come over and spend their
+estates, time, and labor, in so doing.</p>
+
+<p>During the few first years after the settlement
+at Plymouth, several of the natives gave evidence
+of conversion, and instances of happy
+death occurred among them. But the hardships
+and trials incident to a removal into this wilderness
+delayed the systematic and general efforts
+of the settlers to convert the Indians. Individuals,
+however, were laboring among them
+with success. In 1636, the Plymouth Colony
+enacted laws to provide for the preaching of the
+Gospel among the Indians, and ten years after,
+the Massachusetts Colony passed a similar act.</p>
+
+<p>In 1675, it was ascertained that the whole
+number of Indians in New England, beginning
+as far east as the St. Croix River, was about
+fifty thousand. Of these, about twelve thousand
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[17]</span>were in the neighborhood of the Massachusetts
+and the Plymouth Colonies.</p>
+
+<p>At the settlement of this country there were
+five principal nations, or sachemships, of Indians,
+in this part of New England, viz, 1. The Pequots;
+2. The Narragansetts; 3. The Pawkunnawkuts;
+4. The Pawtucketts; 5. The Massachusetts.
+Each of these nations included several
+tribes, governed by sagamores.</p>
+
+<p>The Pequots formerly had 4000 warriors; in
+1674, 300.</p>
+
+<p>The Narragansetts formerly had 5000 warriors;
+in 1674, 1000.</p>
+
+<p>The Pawkunnawkuts formerly had 3000 warriors;
+in 1674, nearly extinct.</p>
+
+<p>The Pawtuckets formerly had 3000 warriors;
+in 1674, 250.</p>
+
+<p>The Massachusetts formerly had 3000 warriors;
+in 1674, 300.</p>
+
+<p>The <i>Pequots</i> inhabited the most southerly
+parts of New England, their country for the
+most part fell under the Connecticut jurisdiction.
+Their principal sachem lived at or near
+New London, called, in their language Pequot.</p>
+
+<p>The <i>Narragansetts</i> occupied Rhode Island,
+and other islands in Narragansett bay.</p>
+
+<p>The <i>Pawkunnawkuts</i> inhabited the region of
+the Plymouth Colony, and their sachem held
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[18]</span>sway over the Sagamores of Nantucket, Martha’s
+Vineyard, and neighboring places. A few years
+before the arrival of the Pilgrims, a great number
+of this nation of Indians as before stated,
+were swept away by a plague, and thus the
+way was opened for the entrance of the Pilgrims.</p>
+
+<p>The <i>Pawtuckets</i> lived to the north, and
+northeast of the Massachusetts Indians. They
+were almost wholly destroyed by the plague
+just mentioned.</p>
+
+<p>The <i>Massachusetts</i> Indians dwelt principally
+about the parts of Massachusetts bay which
+were first settled by the English, and bordering,
+some of them, on the region of the Pawkunnawkuts.
+They were very numerous and powerful.
+Their chief sachem held rule over many petty
+chiefs. This people was also visited by the
+plague in 1612-13, which destroyed the most
+of them, and prepared the way for the English
+settlers.</p>
+
+<p>This fact has often brought to mind these
+words of David: “We have heard with our
+ears, O God, our fathers have told us what
+work thou didst in their day, in the times of
+old. How thou didst drive out the heathen
+with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou
+didst afflict the people and cast them out. For
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[19]</span>they got not the land in possession by their own
+sword, neither did their own arm save them;
+but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the
+light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a
+favor unto them.”</p>
+
+<p>An early New England writer&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_4" href="#Footnote_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> says, that he
+had not been able to learn accurately the nature
+of the disease or plague which depopulated the
+Indian tribes in the remarkable manner already
+described; but that he had “discoursed” with
+some old Indians, who told him that the patients
+were “all over exceedingly yellow,” and this
+they described by showing him a yellow garment
+which the bodies of the victims resembled
+in color, both before and after death. There is
+a tradition that a Frenchman, who not long
+before this plague, had fallen into their hands
+by shipwreck, told them, as some of the surviving
+shipmates reported, just before he died by
+their hands, that “God was angry with them
+for their wickedness, and would not only destroy
+them all, but would also people their country
+with men who would not live after their brutish
+manners.” Those infidels then blasphemously
+replied, that God could not kill them; which
+blasphemous mistake was confuted by an horrible
+and unusual plague, whereby they were
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[20]</span>consumed in such vast multitudes, that our first
+planters found the land almost covered with their
+unburied carcases, and they that were left alive
+were smitten into awful and humbler regards of
+the English by the terrors which the Frenchman’s
+prophecy had imprinted on them.</p>
+
+<p>When the Pilgrims in Holland thought of
+coming to this country, some of them hesitated
+for several reasons, and among others through
+their fear of the savages, who they heard were
+“cruel, barbarous, and treacherous, being most
+furious in their rage, and merciless where they
+overcome, not being content only to kill and
+take away life, but delight to torment men in
+most bloody manner that may be, flaying men
+alive with the shells of fishes, cutting off the
+points and members of others by piecemeals,
+and broiling them on the coals, and causing
+men to eat the collops of their flesh in their
+sight whilst they live; with other cruelties horrible
+to be related.”&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_5" href="#Footnote_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> Some were therefore in
+favor of settling in Guiana, in South America.
+But they feared the jealousy of the Spaniards,
+and finally concluded to settle within the jurisdiction
+of the company of Virginia, where the
+English, in 1607, had made a settlement. In
+this way, they supposed that they could also
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[21]</span>have better access to the savages, “to reduce
+them to civil society, and the Christian religion.”
+But God brought them by a way they knew not,
+having first in part cut off the heathen nations
+to bring them in.</p>
+
+<p>The May-flower sailed from Holland, September
+6, 1620, for the Hudson River. But
+they were driven into the waters of Cape Cod,
+and it was a current belief that the shipmaster
+was bribed by the Dutch to change her course,
+because the Dutch wished to settle in the region
+for which the Pilgrims embarked. But some of
+the best authorities deny this, and say that the
+change of their course was accidental.</p>
+
+<p>There is so much connection between climate
+and characters that we may reasonably suppose
+it to have been the intention of Providence to
+plant the Pilgrims in this cold region, and on
+this hard soil, that they might be and do that
+which is proved to have been their high destiny
+to be and to accomplish. Whereas, had they
+settled in a warmer and more enervating latitude,
+we cannot believe that such a New England
+as we now behold would have arisen; it
+would have been easier for the settlers to have
+borne the imposition of slavery from the mother
+country, whereas here in Massachusetts the sturdy
+vigor and independence which were borne and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[22]</span>nourished on this rocky and sandy soil, grew
+impatient of slavery, and soon threw it off, and
+hence in part the present difference between the
+North and the South, in some of the essential
+elements of natural prosperity. God brought
+the Pilgrims into these bays and harbors, and to
+this northern soil, because here the qualities
+necessary to their future usefulness and greatness
+as a nation could be most successfully
+developed and strengthened. Instead of reducing
+the savages to slavery as they might have done
+had the institution of slavery been fastened upon
+them in southern regions, they “reduced the
+savages to civil society, and the Christian religion.”
+Let us return for a moment to the
+landing of the Pilgrims.</p>
+
+<p>When the May-flower had cast anchor, the
+Pilgrims fitted up the little shallop which they
+had brought in their vessel, and coasted the
+Cape for about a month to determine on the best
+place for landing and settlement. Having at
+length fixed on a place, the shallop, with the
+exploring party came to anchor on Saturday, the
+9th of December, corresponding to December
+20, New Style. The Sabbath dawned upon
+them, but the exploring party remained on
+board, notwithstanding the inmates of the May-flower
+were still at anchor, waiting to know the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[23]</span>result of the exploration. How beautiful and
+striking was the coincidence of their arriving at
+Plymouth on the eve of the Sabbath. What a
+Sabbath it must have been to them. Not only
+was their comfortless and perilous voyage in a
+crowded vessel, and their anxious search for a
+landing place now over, but their persecutions
+in the old world, their oppressive treatment from
+the Established Church for not conforming to
+rites and practices which they could not observe,
+had now come to an end. Now they had found
+a new world where they might believe and worship
+as they pleased. Now they would no
+longer be taxed for the support of worship in
+which they had no share. Now their ministers
+would no longer be ill-used or nick-named, for
+not conforming to unscriptural practices; now
+they would not be obliged to keep Lent, and
+Ash-Wednesday, Candlemas, Christmas, and
+All-Saints’-day, in a manner repugnant to their
+consciences. As they looked on this great wilderness,
+free from all corruptions of man in the
+worship of God, and pure in that respect as the
+virgin snows that covered the evergreens, and
+sheeted the old sand wastes, and shone on
+the distant hills, they could breathe freely, as
+they said in the words which indicate the essential
+spirit of their faith, God is a spirit, and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[24]</span>they that worship him, must worship him in
+spirit and in truth. The world has never seen
+such a sight, before or since, as that shallop and
+the May-flower in Plymouth Bay, with the progenitors
+of this great and glorious New England;
+fleeing from the old world, arriving at
+this new world and keeping Sabbath at anchor
+in these waters. What has ever happened to
+be likened to it since the time when Noah and
+his family sailed away from the old world,
+which had corrupted itself before God, and
+transplanted the religion of the true God for a
+new beginning? It would have been interesting
+to have heard the prayers, and songs of praise,
+and words of Scripture, with which they kept
+the Sabbath in their floating Bethels. We notice
+here that Puritan regard for the Sabbath
+which has ever characterized New England, and
+on which her safety so much depends. How
+natural it would have been for the voyagers to
+have leaped ashore at the first moment of their
+arrival in the harbor which they had concluded
+to make their home. How many passengers
+now in similar circumstances, would deny themselves
+the pleasure of exchanging the wearisome
+confinement on ship-board, for the excitement
+and satisfaction of exploring their new home?
+But the Pilgrims would not begin the work of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[25]</span>their settlement, of removing any of their effects
+from the vessel, on the Lord’s day, and since
+the time when God rested from his work on the
+Sabbath, there has not been a more sublime act
+of rest and of worship, than was observed by
+that Pilgrim band.</p>
+
+<p>All this was in accordance with their character
+and intentions as a missionary band, and for
+its relation to this view of their character we
+have dwelt at large upon this incident in their
+history.</p>
+
+<p>It cannot be impressed too deeply upon our
+minds that our forefathers did not come here
+merely to “enjoy their liberty,” not merely to
+flee from persecution, not to increase their
+worldly estate; they came here, among other
+good reasons, as they expressly declare, to extend
+the kingdom of Christ, and the Royal
+Charter professed that the royal object in granting
+it was that they might reduce such savages
+as they found wandering in desolation and distress
+to civil society and the Christian religion.
+Does any one cherish a feeling of reverence and
+love for these pilgrims in view of their sacrifices
+and efforts to found these institutions which we
+possess, who yet feels no interest in the work of
+propagating the gospel to the ends of the earth?
+Let him consider that a company of Christian
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[26]</span>missionaries going from this land and settling in
+India, or Africa, or Oceanica, may be the
+founders of just such institutions as we enjoy,
+among the people to whom they are sent. Let
+every missionary consider that in distant years
+he may be justly regarded as a pilgrim-father to
+some portion of the earth for whom he may
+have done as much as the New England Pilgrims
+have done for New England. The object
+of Christian missions is to re-produce and multiply
+our Christian institutions in heathen and
+pagan lands. The opportunity of laying foundations
+in heathen wilds, similar to those which the
+Pilgrims laid here, has not come to an end.
+Many a missionary bark may yet be, essentially,
+a May-flower to distant parts of the earth.
+Some islands which were filled with savages as
+barbarous as our Indians, have had their independence
+recognized by Christian nations, and
+have taken their place among the nations of the
+earth; and that band of American missionaries
+who left these shores for the Sandwich Islands in
+1820, and who went round Cape Horn singing
+the old hymn in the tune of Melton Mowbray,</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+  <div class="poetry">
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse indent0">“Head of the church triumphant,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent2">We cheerfully adore thee,” &amp;c.,</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class="noindent">and who planted the Gospel on those islands,
+will no doubt in after times have their names
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[27]</span>enshrined by a grateful posterity in those distant
+seas. The little schooner which the Rev.
+John Williams, the martyr of Rarotonga, built
+with his own hand, to visit the islands of the
+Harvey group, was a real “May-flower.”
+Prophetic visions of the effects of the Gospel
+we see fulfilled on these shores and around the
+globe. Here, emphatically, “instead of the
+thorn has come up the fir-tree, and instead of
+the brier the myrtle-tree.” In what way can
+we cherish the memory of our Pilgrim fathers
+better than to keep alive in us and our children
+that zeal to spread the Christian religion and
+Christian institutions, which was one of the
+strong impulses that bore them across the flood?
+As the missionary spirit was the native air in
+which the pilgrim faith was born and nurtured,
+we may believe that the same spirit will most
+effectually cherish those institutions and laws
+which are the fruit of their wisdom. That spirit
+is a sincere desire to see the glory of God
+promoted in the world, a willingness to make
+efforts and sacrifices “that his way may be
+known on earth, his saving health among all nations.”</p>
+
+<p>“The May-flower”! That name must have
+been proposed by some gentle wife, or by some
+sweet child, to the man who built that favored
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[28]</span>vessel! She was, in her seasonableness, more
+than a <i>May-flower</i>; she was the Crocus among
+the eternal snows and the dreary winter of this
+western savage world. In the selection of her for
+the great mission which she accomplished, angels
+might have said to her, as they came to be ministering
+spirits to those in her who were to be,
+in more than one sense, “heirs of salvation,”
+as Gabriel said to Mary, “Hail, thou that art
+highly favored—the Lord is with thee!” The
+name of this vessel is one of those instances, of
+which we see so many in the word, the providence
+of God, in which “the beauty of the
+Lord our God” appears in connection with his
+acts of renown. To the cold eye of reason that
+name was only a mercantile accident; the eye of
+faith is willing to be accounted visionary while it
+sees in it that same hand which, after the deluge,
+selected the rainbow instead of a periodical tempest,
+or a Dead Sea, as the memorial of a covenant
+with the earth.</p>
+
+<p>The painting of the Landing of the Pilgrims,
+by Weir, justly represents some of the pilgrim
+company as of cultivated and even polished appearance
+and manners; they were not the
+offscouring of the earth. They were men and
+women of whom, in their day, the world was
+not worthy. For scholarship, intelligence, and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[29]</span>moral worth, the Pilgrims and their associates
+in the old countries would have been ornaments
+to the land which chased them away. The
+reader will find this illustrated in a satisfactory
+manner in the Life of the Rev. John Cotton, by
+the Rev. A. W. M’Clure, in the first two volumes
+in this series of the Lives of eminent N.
+E. Puritans.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[30]</span></p>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+<p>Description of the Indians. Their manners, habits, mode of life, &amp;c.
+Efforts to convert them, previous to Eliot’s labors.</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<p>Some account of the manners and habits of
+the Indians, as our forefathers and their successors
+found them, will be necessary that we may
+appreciate the labors and self-denial which were
+required of those who instructed these sons of
+the forest in religion and civilization. A correct
+knowledge of their original condition dispels
+the romantic associations which many have with
+the name of a North American Indian. The
+lowest degradation had been reached by these
+savages. The laws of a people are a true picture
+of the people, and some of the laws which
+the Indians enacted when they began to be civilized,
+reveal the misery and filthiness from which
+they began at last to be recovered. This will
+be illustrated as we proceed.</p>
+
+<p>We will speak first of the personal appearance
+of the Indian.</p>
+
+<p>Their skin was of a tawny color, a yellowish,
+dark complexion. Their form and limbs were
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[31]</span>well proportioned, and it was seldom that a
+crooked person was found among them. Their
+hair was long, black, and coarse, without curling;
+their eyes black, without lustre. In their
+general appearance they were so much like
+the Moors of Africa, that many have supposed
+them to have come originally from that part of
+the world.</p>
+
+<p>They had many wives, but one of them was
+chief in her husband’s regard. They put away
+their wives, and the wife also left her husband
+when offended with him.</p>
+
+<p>Their revengeful disposition is proverbial.
+The relatives of an injured or murdered Indian
+regarded his wrong as done to them, and they
+sought satisfaction in the death of the offender, or
+in the payment of wampum, (or shells,) which
+passed with them for money.</p>
+
+<p>They were an idle race, especially the men.
+Tillage was chiefly performed by the women,
+though to but little extent. The women also
+carried burdens, as in removing from place to
+place. They also prepared the food.</p>
+
+<p>Their wigwams were made with slim poles
+fixed in the ground, bent, and fastened at the
+top with the bark of trees. The best of them
+were made tight and warm with the whole
+barks of trees, pressed when green by a heavy
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[32]</span>weight of timber. A common sort of bulrushes
+woven together, made mats for the covering of
+the poorer houses. The houses varied in size,
+from twenty to forty feet square, and some were
+from sixty to a hundred feet long, and thirty feet
+broad. In the smaller houses a fire was kindled
+in the centre, but in the larger, several fires
+were made for the convenience of the inmates.
+A hole in the top of the house served the place
+of a chimney, and on the top of the house a mat
+was suspended, to serve the purpose of a ventilator
+to the smoke, being set to the windward
+side. Their bedsteads were made of rude boards
+split from the tree, and raised about a foot from
+the ground, covered with skins, or with mats of
+woven grass, or bulrushes.</p>
+
+<p>Their principal food was a kind of pottage in
+which it would be difficult to say what article
+prevailed. Indian corn, kidney beans, all kinds
+of flesh and fish, cut in small pieces with the
+bones, many kinds of roots, artichokes, ground-nuts,
+squashes, oak acorns, walnuts, and chestnuts,
+were boiled together. The nuts being
+dried, and powdered, were used as flour to
+thicken the mess. They made a cake of parched
+corn, which they called nokake. This they
+took with them in their travels, and is said
+to have been so hearty a kind of food, that they
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[33]</span>subsisted on it many days in their wanderings
+from place to place.</p>
+
+<p>Their household utensils corresponded in
+simplicity to their food, and mode of cooking.
+The pots were made of clay, in the shape of an
+egg without the top. They were glad to receive
+pots of metal, as the earth of which they made
+their brittle vessels was scarce and dear. They
+used a kind of wood which was not liable to
+split, for dishes, spoons, and ladles. Their
+water pails were made of birch bark, folded
+square, with a handle or bail. Some of them
+held two or three gallons, and they could make
+one of them in the space of an hour. They
+wrought pictures of birds, beasts, fishes and
+flowers of divers colors in their baskets, which
+were made of corn husks, silk grass, and wild
+hemp.</p>
+
+<p>They formerly used no drink but water,
+though they soon learned from the settlers the
+manufacture and use of cider. When they became
+acquainted with intoxicating drinks, they
+showed a violent love for them, by which their
+savage passions and propensities were fearfully
+excited.</p>
+
+<p>Their clothing was, at first, of skins, and some
+had mantles of birds’ feathers, twilled together.
+Even the most barbarous of them were decent
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[34]</span>in covering their persons, and were never seen
+naked in public.</p>
+
+<p>One of their principal remedies in sickness
+was, to put the patient, and sometimes several
+patients together, in a rude stone house, which
+they would heat by building fires round it, and
+having thus put the sick into a violent perspiration,
+they would plunge them into a neighboring
+brook.</p>
+
+<p>They divided time into sleeps, and moons,
+and winters. It is a curious fact that they called
+the Constellation, Charles’ Wain, by the same
+name with the English, the Bear. Like the
+early eastern nations, they seem to have pondered
+the face of the heavens, and to have made
+figures of the stars.</p>
+
+<p>Their money consisted of shells, or strings of
+shells, the black being double in value to the
+white. The <i>mints</i> of their money seem to
+have been at Block Island, and Long Island,
+upon whose sandy flats and shores, these welk
+shells were chiefly found. It was called wompompeague,
+or, wompeague, and by contraction,
+wompum, or, wampum. They redeemed
+captives, paid tribute, made satisfaction for
+wrongs, and murders, and purchased peace of
+their more powerful neighbors, with strings of
+this wampum.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[35]</span></p>
+
+<p>Their weapons were bows and arrows, clubs,
+tomahawks, made of wood like a pole axe, with
+a sharp stone in the head. They used targets
+or shields of bark.</p>
+
+<p>They formerly smeared their skin with bears’
+grease, but when the English swine afforded
+them lard, they used it as a substitute, and thus
+having anointed themselves, they painted their
+faces with vermilion, or red, and powdered
+their heads. Sometimes they painted one half
+of the face black, and the other white, and so,
+with various colors, deformed their visages, the
+women, especially, doing this, and the warriors
+thereby making themselves hideous in battle.
+Widows, mourning for their husbands, painted
+their faces wholly black. The men preparing for
+war put their hair in a roll, and surmounted it
+with turkey’s or eagle’s feathers, with other fantastic
+and showy decorations.</p>
+
+<p>They took great pleasure in dancing, the
+men only dancing, and they singly, (except in
+the war dance,) with uncouth and antic gestures
+and movements of the whole body, the spectators
+singing or whooping. The dancer took off
+his ornaments one by one as he danced, and
+gave them away to those who looked on, and
+when he had given away all that he had upon
+him, and was weary, another would succeed
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[36]</span>him, and thus succeeding each other they would
+spend the nights of a whole week together,
+sleeping by day. At such dancings accompanied
+with revelings, chiefly held after harvest,
+they were addicted to many evil practices.</p>
+
+<p>They were a hospitable race. Strangers
+were furnished with the best food and lodging,
+and were served before themselves.</p>
+
+<p>Their government was for the most part
+monarchical, the chief sachem or sagamore making
+his will the law, though there were chief men
+associated with him as counselors. In some of
+the tribes the influence of the head men was
+greater than in others, making the government
+a mixture of monarchy and aristocracy.</p>
+
+<p>They had no idols made with hands, but
+being ignorant of the true God, they adored
+natural objects; the sun, the moon, the earth,
+fire, and other things. They supposed that
+every thing in nature has a god in it, or belonging
+to it, but fire they believed to be itself a
+god. They believed that there was one god in
+the southwest, who was the chief deity.</p>
+
+<p>The Indians had priests or powows, or,
+powaws, who were conjurers, who, with horrid
+rites and incantations, told their fortunes, advised
+them in their affairs, yelled over them in their
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[37]</span>sick and dying moments, and performed religious
+worship with terrific noises and actions,</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+  <div class="poetry">
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse indent0">“Like stabled wolves or tigers at their prey,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Doing abhorred rites to Hecate.”</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>The Indians believed in the immortality of
+the soul, that the good are admitted to a splendid
+entertainment, and the wicked wander in
+agony forever, and that there is no resurrection
+of the body for good or bad.</p>
+
+<p>As to the origin of the Indians, Roger Williams
+has well expressed the truth on the subject,
+in his Key into the language of the Indians
+of New England.&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_6" href="#Footnote_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a>&#x2060;</p>
+
+<p>“From Adam and Noah that they spring, it
+is granted on all hands. But for their later
+descent, and whence they came into these parts,
+it seems hard to find, as to find the well-head
+of some fresh stream which running many miles
+out of the country to the salt ocean, hath met
+with many mixing streams by the way.”</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Williams gives many particulars of their
+manners and customs; some of which are here
+added.</p>
+
+<p>Their nokake, or nokehick, parched meal, was
+carried by each man on a journey, or in war, in
+a basket, fastened to his back, or in a hollow
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[38]</span>belt. With a spoonful of this meal, and a
+spoonful of water from the brook, Mr. Williams
+says he has many a time made a good supper.
+This parched meal, boiled with water, he says,
+is the wholesomest diet they have. <i>Nawsaump</i>
+was a kind of meal pottage unparched, and
+from this the English derived their <i>samp</i>, or
+Indian corn, broken and boiled, and eaten, hot
+or cold, with milk or butter; “which are mercies
+beyond the natives’ plain water, and which
+is a dish exceeding wholesome for the English
+bodies.”</p>
+
+<p>Tobacco was in general use among them, and
+was the only plant which the men cultivated,
+the women attending to the rest. The following
+remark, by Mr. Williams, is in good illustration
+of former views and feelings with regard
+to the use of spirituous liquors. “I never see
+any take tobacco so excessively as I have seen
+men in Europe; and yet excess were more
+tolerable in them, because they want the refreshing
+of beer and wine, which God had
+vouchsafed Europe.”&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_7" href="#Footnote_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a>&#x2060;</p>
+
+<p>They made up a fire, when they were lying
+down to sleep, summer and winter. “Their
+fire,” says Williams, “is instead of our bed
+clothes. And so themselves, and any that
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[39]</span>have occasion to lodge with them, must be content
+to turn often to the fire, if the night be
+cold; and they who first wake must repair the
+fire.”</p>
+
+<p>Bad dreams they considered as threatenings
+from God; and when they happened to them,
+they would engage in prayer at all times of the
+night. An Indian once dreamed that the sun,
+whom they worship as a god, darted a beam into
+his breast. This he took for an admonition of
+his death. He called his friends and neighbors
+together, and prepared some refreshment for
+them; but himself remained awake, and fasting,
+for ten days and nights in great humiliation and
+distress.</p>
+
+<p>“The women nurse all the children themselves;
+yet a rich or high woman maintains a
+nurse to tend the child.”</p>
+
+<p>“They have amongst them natural fools, either
+so born, or accidentally deprived of reason.”</p>
+
+<p>“The toothache is the only pain which will
+force their stout hearts to cry. I have never
+heard any cries among them like those of men
+in the toothache. In this pain they use a certain
+root dried, not much unlike our ginger.”</p>
+
+<p>“They are most skillful in cutting off the
+heads of their enemies in fight. I know the
+man, yet living, who pretended to fall from his
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[40]</span>own camp to the enemy, proffered his service in
+the front with them against his own army. He
+drew them out to battle, keeping in front; but,
+on a sudden, shot their chief leader and captain,
+and, in a trice, fetched off his head, and returned
+immediately to his own again. His act was
+false and treacherous; yet herein appear policy,
+stoutness, and activity.”</p>
+
+<p>“Their desire of and delight in news, is great
+as the Athenians. A stranger that can relate
+news in their own language they will style him
+manittoo, a god.”</p>
+
+<p>In hearing news they sit in a circle, two,
+three, or four deep. “I have seen near a thousand
+in a round where English could not well
+near half so many have sitten.”</p>
+
+<p>They frequently inquired “Why came the
+Englishmen hither?” The explanation most
+commonly believed among themselves at first
+was, that the English wanted fire-wood, and so
+removed to these parts, as the Indians remove
+when they have used up the wood around them.</p>
+
+<p>They kept the time of the day and the night
+with great accuracy, by observing the sun, moon,
+and stars. Living abroad in the fields and
+sleeping much out of doors, even the young
+children were expert in telling the time. The
+Indians were punctual in their promises as to
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[41]</span>time. Mr. Williams says they once charged
+him with lying for not being punctual, though
+necessarily delayed.</p>
+
+<p>English travelers were struck with the paths
+which the bare and tough feet of the Indians had
+made in stony places. One writer says that he
+has known many of them to run between eighty
+and a hundred miles in a summer’s day, and
+return within two days. He says they were so
+thoroughly acquainted with the interior of the
+country by means of hunting, that they have
+guided travelers forty miles without any path.
+They coveted horses above other beasts, preferring
+the ease of riding even to the comfort of
+milk and butter from the cow. On meeting
+with one another in travel, they were very
+happy and joyful; and striking fire, with stones
+or sticks, took tobacco, and set down to talk.
+It was quite rare to meet an old man or a lame
+man with a staff, their constitutions being generally
+robust.</p>
+
+<p>The English settlers were greatly struck with
+the purity of the air and of the water in New
+England.&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_8" href="#Footnote_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> But as New England is about
+twelve degrees south of England, the greater
+cold of this region is explained, Mr. Williams
+thinks, by the fact that main lands and continents
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[42]</span>are colder than islands. “England’s
+winds are sea winds, which are commonly more
+thick and vapory, and warmer winds. The
+northwest wind, which occasioneth New England
+cold, comes over the cold, frozen land, and
+over many millions of loads of snow. And yet
+the pure wholesomeness of the land is wonderful,
+and the warmth of the sun such in the
+sharpest weather, that I have often seen the natives’
+children run about stark naked in the
+coldest days, and the Indian men and women
+lie by a fire in the woods in the coldest nights;
+and I have often been out myself such nights
+without fire, mercifully and wonderfully preserved.”</p>
+
+<p>It is observed by many writers that the Indians
+had a considerable mixture of sadness in
+their disposition. Though nature here was
+profuse in wild animals for food, and fish, and
+fowl, and fruits, the savages were subject to
+much suffering from causes which they had no
+knowledge to understand nor skill to prevent.
+Their superstitions joined with their savage
+vices made them afraid. It would seem also, in
+noticing the proofs of this disposition to melancholy,
+that the coming event of their disappearance
+as a race had cast its shadow upon their
+spirits. Mr. Williams says that they dislike
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[43]</span>cloths inclining to white, “but preferred to
+have a sad color, without any whitish hairs,
+suiting with their own natural temper, which
+inclines to sadness.”&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_9" href="#Footnote_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a>&#x2060;</p>
+
+<p>In the spirit with which our forefathers came
+hither, seeking the conversion of the red race,
+good men from time to time pursued different
+measures for their spiritual good. But while
+other men deserve great praise for their zeal and
+industry in this benevolent work, it was reserved
+to <span class="smcap">John Eliot</span> to gain for himself the name of
+the Apostle to the Indians. The way in which
+he obtained it will now appear, and also some
+account of his life and character, with further
+notices respecting the Indians.</p>
+
+<p>Though individuals had incidentally labored
+among the Indians for their spiritual good before
+the Apostle Eliot began his efforts to give them
+the Gospel, and some useful impressions had
+been made on some of their minds, the first systematic
+efforts for their conversion were made
+by him. Roger Williams’ narrative was printed
+in London, in 1643. Eliot began to preach in
+the Indian tongue in 1646. Mr. Williams says,</p>
+
+<p>“Many solemn discourses I have had with
+all sorts of nations of them, from one end of
+the country to the other, so far as opportunity,
+and the little language I have, could reach.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[44]</span></p>
+
+<p>“I know there is no small preparation in the
+hearts of multitudes of them. I know their
+many solemn confessions to myself, and one to
+another, of their last wandering conditions.</p>
+
+<p>“I know not with how little knowledge and
+grace of Christ the Lord may save; and therefore
+neither will despair, nor report much.</p>
+
+<p>“Two days before the death of Wequash, the
+Pequot captain, as I passed up to Quunnihticut
+(Connecticut) river, it pleased my worthy friend,
+Mr. Fenwick, whom I visited at his house in
+Saybrook fort, at the mouth of that river, to tell
+me that my old friend Wequash lay very sick.
+I desired to see him, and himself was pleased to
+be my guide two miles where Wequash lay.</p>
+
+<p>“Amongst other discourses concerning his
+sickness and death, in which he freely bequeathed
+his son to Mr. Fenwick, I closed with him concerning
+his soul. He told me that some two or
+three years before, he had lodged at my house,
+where I acquainted him with the condition of
+all mankind, and his own in particular; how
+God created man and all things; how man fell
+from God, and his present enmity against God
+and the wrath of God against him till repentance.
+Said he, your words were never out of
+my heart to this present; and, said he, ‘Me
+much pray to Jesus Christ.’ I told him so did
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[45]</span>many English, French, and Dutch, who had
+never turned to God nor loved him. He replied
+in broken English: ‘Me so big naughty heart:
+me heart all one stone!’ Savoring expressions
+using to breathe from compunct and broken
+hearts, and a sense of inward hardness and unbrokenness.
+I had many discourses with him
+in this life; but this was the sum of our last
+parting, until our general meeting.”&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_10" href="#Footnote_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a>&#x2060;</p>
+
+<p>We now come to the history of the man by
+whom the work of converting and civilizing the
+Indians was carried out with the most signal
+success.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[46]</span></p>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+<p>John Eliot. Birth and Education. Associated with Rev. Thomas
+Hooker. Arrives at Boston. Settles in Roxbury. Anecdote.
+Discovery of Spot Pond. Marriage. Christian and Ministerial
+character. His zeal for common School Education. Notices of
+his personal character. His Congregational Sentiments. Remarks
+upon them. Mr. Eliot’s children. His prayers. His preaching.
+Infant Baptism.</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<p>John Eliot was born in Nasing, Essex, England,
+in the year 1604. All that is known of
+his parents is, that they were eminently pious,
+to which Mr. Eliot bore testimony, when he
+wrote in after life these words: “I do see that
+it was a great favor of God unto me to season
+my first years with the fear of God, the word,
+and prayer.”</p>
+
+<p>He was educated in England at the University
+of Cambridge, and was distinguished for his
+love of the languages, in which he attained uncommon
+skill, especially in Hebrew and Greek.
+There is a connection between this fact and his
+labors in New England in acquiring the Indian
+tongue and translating the Bible and other books
+into it.</p>
+
+<p>The Rev. Thomas Hooker, afterwards the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[47]</span>first Pastor of the Church in Cambridge, New
+England, who afterwards removed with his
+Church to Hartford, Connecticut, had been silenced
+for his conscientious scruples at certain
+rites and observances in the Church of England,
+after exercising the ministry four years. At the
+suggestion and request of distinguished individuals,
+he established a school in the town of
+Little Braddow, near Chelmsford, in the county
+of Essex, England. Mr. Eliot was an usher in
+this school. In this school several individuals
+were trained up who became eminently useful.
+Mr. Eliot wrote an account of this school; and
+says of it, and of his connection with the family
+of Mr. Hooker, “To this place was I called
+through the infinite riches of God’s mercy in
+Christ Jesus to my poor soul; for here the Lord
+said unto my dead soul, Live; and, through the
+grace of Christ, I do live, and I shall live forever.
+When I came to this blessed family, I
+then saw, and never before, the power of godliness
+in its lively vigor and efficacy.”</p>
+
+<p>By the influence of Mr. Hooker, Mr. Eliot
+was led to devote himself to the Christian ministry.
+Seeing the corruptions of the Church of
+England, and the oppressive spirit of those in
+authority towards all who would not conform to
+the ceremonies and practices of the Established
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[48]</span>Church, he resolved that he would go to America,
+that he might preach the gospel without
+restraint.</p>
+
+<p>He came to Boston in November, 1631, in
+the ship “Lyon,” with Governor Winthrop’s
+lady and children, and sixty others. There was
+then no minister at the Church in Boston, Rev.
+Mr. Wilson, their pastor, having gone to England
+to settle his affairs. Mr. Eliot joined the
+Church at Boston, and preached to them a part
+of a year, till the return of Mr. Wilson, when
+the Church wished to make him colleague and
+teacher with Mr. Wilson. But he had engaged
+with several individuals, in England, that if they
+should remove to America, he would be their
+minister. They came the year after his arrival,
+and settled at Roxbury; and having formed a
+Church there, secured the services of Mr. Eliot.
+He was then twenty-eight years old, and he
+continued as Pastor of the Church in Roxbury
+nearly sixty years. His meeting-house
+was on the hill where the present meeting-house
+of the First Church in Roxbury (unitarian)
+now stands. Cotton Mather has preserved an
+anecdote connected with this hill, illustrating the
+art which Mr. Eliot had at spiritualizing. Going
+up the hill to his meeting-house, in his old
+age, with much feebleness and weariness he
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[49]</span>said to the one who led him, “This is very like
+the way to heaven, ’tis up hill; the Lord by his
+grace fetch us up.” Spying a bush near him
+he instantly added, “And truly there are thorns
+and briars in the way too!” which instance,
+Mather says, “I would not have singled out
+from the many thousands of his occasional reflections,
+but only that I might suggest unto the
+good people of Roxbury something for them to
+think upon when they are going up to the house
+of the Lord.”&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_11" href="#Footnote_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a>&#x2060;</p>
+
+<p>In February of the year after his arrival, Mr.
+Eliot is mentioned as one of the company who,
+with the governor, made an excursion into the
+vicinity of Boston, and discovered a pond to
+which they gave its present name of “Spot
+Pond.”&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_12" href="#Footnote_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> This pond has of late been a prominent
+candidate for the privilege of supplying this
+city with water.</p>
+
+<p>In 1632, Mr. Eliot was married to the pious
+young lady to whom he was betrothed in England,
+and who came to America by appointment
+the year after Mr. Eliot’s arrival. We shall
+have occasion to speak of her in the sequel of
+this history.</p>
+
+<p>In the exercise of the Christian ministry, Mr.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[50]</span>Eliot was remarkable for a deep sense of the great
+responsibleness of his work. It made him humble;
+he seemed to have a peculiar fear of the
+temptations incident to his profession, and to be
+deeply impressed with the weight of its duties.
+His brethren in the ministry were struck with
+this characteristic of his ministerial deportment.</p>
+
+<p>He bestowed much labor and diligence upon
+his preparations for the pulpit. It is said that
+when he listened to a discourse which seemed
+to have had care and attention bestowed upon it,
+he was accustomed to express his approbation
+and thanks to the preacher. But while his discourses
+showed him to be a student, he placed a
+higher value on spiritual gifts in preaching than
+upon the greatest accomplishments of art or labor.
+He frequently exhorted young preachers to make
+Christ prominent in their discourses and in all
+their ministrations.</p>
+
+<p>He had an elevated sense of the meaning and
+privilege of church-membership. With affection,
+but also with plain and faithful words, he never
+ceased to rebuke the inconsistencies of professors
+of religion. Mather says of him, “He
+would sound the trumpet of God against all vice
+with a most penetrating liveliness, and make his
+pulpit another Mount Sinai, for the flashes of
+lightning therein displayed against the breaches
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[51]</span>of the law given from that burning mountain.
+There was usually a special fervor in the rebukes
+which he bestowed on carnality. When he was
+to brand the earthly mindedness of Church members
+and the allowance and indulgence which
+they often give themselves in sensual delights,
+he was a right Boanerges. He spoke as many
+thunderbolts as words!”</p>
+
+<p>He paid particular attention to the young people
+of his charge, gave them instruction in public
+and private with the help of catechisms composed
+by him especially for their use. It was
+his familiar habit, when he visited a family, to
+call the young around him and lay his hands on
+their heads with words of kindness and prayer.</p>
+
+<p>He showed his love of learning in his zeal for
+the establishment of common schools. The
+grammar School at Roxbury owed much to his
+care. At the meeting of a Synod in Boston, he
+made the schools of the country a special subject
+of prayer, beseeching God that he would cause
+them to be established everywhere, that schools
+might flourish, that every member of the Synod
+might go home to procure and encourage a good
+school in his town; and that before they should
+die, they might be so happy as to see a good
+school established in every part of the country.</p>
+
+<p>“God so blessed his endeavors that Roxbury
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[52]</span>could not live quietly without a free school in
+the town, and the issue of it has been one thing
+that has almost made me put the title of Schola
+Illustris upon that little nursery; that is, that
+Roxbury has afforded more scholars first for the
+College and then for the public than any town
+of its bigness, or, if I mistake not, of twice its
+bigness in all New England. From the spring
+of the school at Roxbury, there have run a large
+number of the streams which have made glad
+the whole city of God. I persuade myself that
+the good people of Roxbury will forever scorn to
+begrudge the cost, or to permit the death of a
+school which God has made such an honor to
+them; and thus the rather because their deceased
+Eliot has left them a fair part of his own estate
+for the maintaining of the school in Roxbury;
+and I hope, or at least I wish that the
+ministers of New England may be as ungainsayably
+importunate with their people as Mr. Eliot
+was with his for schools which may seasonably
+tinge the young souls of the rising generation.
+A want of education for them is the blackest and
+saddest of all the bad omens that are upon us.”&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_13" href="#Footnote_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a>&#x2060;</p>
+
+<p>One result of his interest in schools was that
+many individuals were raised up under his eye
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[53]</span>who became ministers of the gospel, and some
+of them were eminently useful.</p>
+
+<p>He was so engrossed in the affairs of his ministry
+that he hardly paid sufficient attention to
+his worldly affairs, never being anxious about
+his support, depending wholly on the temporary
+and voluntary offerings of his people, which varied
+with the times. Dr. Dwight, in his Travels
+in New England and New York,&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_14" href="#Footnote_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> relates
+an anecdote to illustrate his generous and
+somewhat improvident disposition and habits.
+“The parish treasurer having paid him his salary,
+put it into a handkerchief, and tied it into
+as many hard knots as he could make to prevent
+him from giving it away before he reached
+his own house. On his way he called on a poor
+family, and told them that he had brought them
+some relief. He then began to untie the knots,
+but finding it a work of great difficulty, he gave
+it to the mistress of the house, saying, ‘Here,
+my dear, take it, I believe the Lord designs it
+all for you.’”</p>
+
+<p>Like many other ministers, he owed much to
+the care which his wife took of him and his
+worldly affairs. She of course did not commend
+him for such reckless acts of charity as the one
+just named. One day some cattle stood before
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[54]</span>their door. His wife, to try him, asked him to
+whom they belonged, and though they were his
+own, he did not know them.</p>
+
+<p>His influence upon his brethren in the ministry
+seems to have been eminently spiritual. He
+once said in a company of them, “The Lord
+Jesus takes much notice of what is said and done
+among his ministers when they are together.
+Let us pray before we depart.” His advice to
+some who complained of the conduct of Church
+members towards them, was, “Bear, forbear,
+forgive.” On one occasion he came into a
+meeting of ministers who had met as referees on
+some difficulties between two parties. A large
+bundle of papers lay on the table, containing the
+correspondence and other documents relating to
+the quarrel. He put them all into the fire, and
+said, “You need not be astonished at what I
+have done, for I did it on my knees before I
+came here.”</p>
+
+<p>He loved to attend upon the ministry of his
+brethren when they lectured during the week.
+It used to excite surprise, that, with his many
+labors and studies, he could find so much time
+to do this. His appearance in the house of God
+as a hearer was noticeable, being always wakeful
+and watchful, turning the pages of a Bible
+to find the texts referred to by the preacher, and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[55]</span>on returning to his home, he would preach the
+sermon over again to those who walked with
+him.</p>
+
+<p>He is mentioned as remarkable for the value
+which he seemed to set on the Sabbath, and for
+the high spiritual enjoyment which its return
+brought with it. Of every Sabbath it might
+almost be said with regard to his enjoyment of the
+sacred hours, “That Sabbath was a high-day.”</p>
+
+<p>He was eminently a man of prayer, setting
+apart whole days for special supplication and
+communion with God, to which he frequently
+added fasting. When he had any special difficulty
+in his private, or in public affairs, he devoted
+himself to special, secret prayer for some
+time together, on the principle related of another,
+“That when we would have any great things to
+be accomplished, the best policy is to work by
+an engine which the world sees nothing of.”
+When he heard any special news he would
+sometimes say, “Brethren, let us turn all this
+into prayer.” When he paid a visit to a family
+with which he was familiar, he would sometimes
+say, “Come, let us not have a visit without a
+prayer; let us pray down the blessing of heaven
+on your family before we go.”</p>
+
+<p>A pious woman, afflicted with a wicked husband,
+complained to him that she was greatly
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[56]</span>troubled by the bad company which her husband
+brought with him into the house, and asked him
+what she should do. He said to her, “Take the
+holy Bible into your hands when they come, and
+you will soon drive them away.” The experiment
+is said to have been successful.</p>
+
+<p>One day walking in his garden with a friend,
+he began to pluck up the weeds. His friend
+pleasantly said to him, “Sir, you tell us we
+must be heavenly-minded,” as though he would
+draw from Mr. Eliot some remarks on the consistency
+of heavenly-mindedness with attention
+to things about us. Mr. Eliot replied, “It is
+true; and this is no impediment unto that; for
+were I sure to go to heaven tomorrow, I would
+do what I do to-day.”</p>
+
+<p>He went into a merchant’s counting room,
+where he saw his mercantile books on the table,
+and some books of devotion on the shelf. Upon
+which he said, “Sir, here is earth on the table,
+and Heaven on the shelf. Pray don’t sit so
+much at the table as altogether to forget the
+shelf.”</p>
+
+<p>Preaching once on holiness in all manner of
+conversation, he said, “In the morning if we
+ask, Where am I to be to-day? our souls must
+answer, In heaven. In the evening if we ask,
+Where have I been to-day, our souls may answer,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[57]</span>In heaven. If thou art a believer thou art no
+stranger to Heaven while thou livest; and when
+thou diest, Heaven will be no strange place to
+thee: no, thou hast been there a thousand times
+before.”</p>
+
+<p>He would say to students, “I pray look to it
+that you be morning birds.”</p>
+
+<p>A few years before his death, he pressed his
+people to obtain another pastor, and said, “’Tis
+possible you may think the burden of maintaining
+two ministers may be two heavy for you;
+but I deliver you from that fear; I do here give
+back my salary to the Lord Jesus Christ, and
+now, brethren, you may fix that upon any man
+that God shall make a pastor for you.” But his
+Church kindly and generously told him that they
+should count his very presence worth a salary,
+when he should be so superannuated as to do no
+further service for them.</p>
+
+<p>He was an abstemious man, and yet far from
+being morose or censorious, but when invited to
+a large dinner, it is said that while he eat but
+very little he would indulge in pleasant and
+grateful remarks with respect to the plenty with
+which God had furnished his people in this
+wilderness. Having been invited at a stranger’s
+house to take some drink, which he was told
+was wine and water, he replied, “Wine! ’tis a
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[58]</span>noble, generous liquor, and we should be humbly
+thankful for it; but, as I remember, water was
+made before it,” and water was his drink, to a
+degree which was far from being common even
+in those days.</p>
+
+<p>He was greatly displeased with the increasing
+attention in his day among the men to the wearing
+of the hair, the length of it growing to effeminacy,
+and false hair frequently being added,
+when there was no necessity for it to cover the
+head. He finally despaired of changing or
+checking the custom, and said, “The lust is become
+insuperable.”</p>
+
+<p>It is said of him that no man ever had fewer
+enemies than he, but still there were those who
+privately disliked him, and he charged his wife
+in her visits among the people to do good in a
+special manner to any whom she found disposed
+to speak against him, or to entertain unkind
+feelings towards him. Having once displeased
+a hearer by something in a sermon, the man
+abused him publicly by words and by printing
+something to his injury. The man soon after
+was wounded. Mrs. Eliot had considerable
+skill in medicine and the treatment of wounds,
+and Mr. Eliot sent her to cure the man, which
+she did, and upon his recovery the man called
+to thank her, but she took no reward, and Mr.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[59]</span>Eliot kept him to dine, and took no notice of his
+evil conduct, whereupon the man was deeply
+affected and subdued.</p>
+
+<p>He had much tact and wit in suiting his benedictions
+to the conditions and circumstances of
+different people.</p>
+
+<p>In the days of affliction he showed exemplary
+resignation to the will of God. He followed to
+the grave two or three of his sons, who were
+ministers of the Gospel. But his patience and
+submission under these trials are spoken of with
+great commendation.</p>
+
+<p>His love for the Hebrew tongue is seen in the
+following enthusiastic words: “O that the Lord
+would put it into the heart of some of his religious
+and learned servants to take such pains
+about the Hebrew language as to fit it for universal
+use! Considering that above all languages
+spoken by the lip of man, it is most
+capable to be enlarged, and fitted to express all
+things, and motions, and notions that our human
+intellect is capable of in this mortal life, considering
+also that it is the invention of God himself;
+and what one is fitter to be the universal language,
+than that which it pleased our Lord Jesus
+to make use of when he spake from heaven unto
+Paul!”</p>
+
+<p>In the government of his family, it is said
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[60]</span>that there might have been seen a perpetual
+mixture of a Spartan and a Christian discipline,
+and that whatever decay there might have been
+in family religion generally, the people ‘knew
+how that he would command his children and
+his household after him, that they should keep
+the way of the Lord.’</p>
+
+<p>He was remarkable for the efforts he employed
+to instruct the children, making catechisms
+for them having reference to any prevailing errors.
+The effect of this is certified in a remark
+of Cotton Mather, that it is a well-principled
+people that he has left behind him. “As when
+certain Jesuits were sent among the Waldenses
+to corrupt their children, they returned with
+much disappointment and confusion, because the
+children of seven years old were well-principled
+enough to encounter the most learned of them
+all; so, if any seducers were let loose to wolve
+it among the good people of Roxbury, I am confident
+they would find as little prey in that well
+instructed place as in any part of the country.
+No civil penalties would signify so much to save
+any people from the snares of busy heretics, as
+the unwearied catechising of our Eliot has done
+to preserve his people from the gangrene of ill
+opinion.”&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_15" href="#Footnote_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a>&#x2060;</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[61]</span></p>
+
+<p>It is said of Mr. Eliot that he was not only an
+evangelical minister, but a Protestant and a Puritan.
+“He was a modest, humble, but very
+reasonable non-conformist unto the ceremonies
+which have been such unhappy apples of strife
+in the Church of England; otherwise the dismal
+thickets of America had never seen such a person
+in them.”</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Eliot was strongly attached to the Congregational
+form of Church order. He spoke of
+it as the special gift of Christ to his people who
+followed him into the wilderness with an earnest
+zeal for communion with Him in a pure worship.
+He regarded Congregationalism as a happy medium
+to “rigid Presbyterianism” on the one
+hand, and “leveling Brownism” on the other,
+the liberties of the people not being disregarded,
+nor the authority of the elders rendered insignificant,
+but a due balance kept between them
+both. He regarded the Platform of Church Discipline
+“as being the nearest of what he had yet
+seen to the directions of heaven.”</p>
+
+<p>By this it is not to be understood that Mr.
+Eliot as a true Congregationalist, supposed that
+any form of Church government was imposed
+by Christ or the Apostles upon the Christian
+Church, as being in any way essential to the
+existence of a true Church of Christ. With regard
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[62]</span>to the appointment of any special form of
+Church Government, it would seem that there is
+a wise silence in the New Testament. The
+genius of Christianity forbids an adherence to
+any form of ecclesiastical order as essential to
+the existence of a Church of Christ. This truth
+was declared by Christ at Jacob’s well to the
+Samaritan woman. The Jews insisted on Jerusalem
+as the place where men ought to worship.
+The Samaritans as strenuously maintained
+that acceptable worship could be performed only
+in their mountain.</p>
+
+<p>Christ said, The hour cometh when ye shall
+neither in this mountain nor yet at Jerusalem
+worship the Father; that is, no place in preference
+to another shall be essential to acceptable
+worship. God is a Spirit, and they that worship
+him need not restrict themselves to any hallowed
+place, but may worship him any where acceptably,
+if they worship Him in spirit and in truth.</p>
+
+<p>But if so great a change was allowed as the
+abolition of sacred places, which once were essential
+to acceptable worship, and notwithstanding
+all that had been done to make men feel that
+Jerusalem and the Temple were the places to
+which the true worshipers must of necessity resort,
+it follows that no forms, any more than
+places, are essential to the true worship of God.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[63]</span>We may infer what form of Church government
+prevailed under the Apostles, though different
+readers of the New Testament will draw different
+inferences. This shows that no form is
+prescribed as being essential, otherwise we should
+not have been left in the dark in so important a
+subject. The body of Moses and the place of
+his sepulchre were hidden, because as we generally
+suppose the Israelites would have paid an
+idolatrous reverence before such a shrine as the
+tomb of their illustrious leader, and in the Jewish
+Church the solemn farce of a Holy Sepulchre
+would have been enacted, in anticipation and in
+countenance of the subsequent follies which have
+been connected with the Sepulchre of Christ.
+We may say of any supposed form of Church
+government as being in any way essential, as is
+said of the body of Moses, and for a similar
+reason, “The Lord buried it,” and “no man
+knoweth of its sepulchre to this day.”</p>
+
+<p>Our preference for the Congregational form
+of Church government is not properly founded
+on any prescriptions in the New Testament, but
+on our convictions that this form is most accordant
+with the genius of Christianity and of republican
+institutions. But so surely as we insist
+on Congregationalism as having any “divine
+right,” or authority, and we seek to propagate
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[64]</span>Congregationalism with such convictions, we are
+as surely High Churchmen and Puseyites as
+can any where be found. To insist on the absence
+of all forms and on the perfect simplicity
+of worship, with a sectarian spirit, shows as great
+an attachment to <i>a form of worship</i> as though
+we urged the adoption of all the ceremonies of
+the Cathedral. We may be as bigoted in favor
+of simplicity as of any thing else, and a Quaker
+and a Congregationalist may be as much a formalist
+and a Churchman as any other. At the
+same time we may believe that the Congregational
+form of government is nearer to the Spirit
+of the New Testament than any other, and this
+is what Mr. Eliot probably meant when he said
+that Congregationalism was nearest in his view
+to the directions of heaven.</p>
+
+<p>The influence which was exerted upon the
+mind of Thomas Jefferson, and which he exerted
+in the framing of the Constitution, by observing,
+as he did, an illustration of democracy in a Congregational
+Baptist Church in Virginia, is well
+known.&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_16" href="#Footnote_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a>&#x2060;</p>
+
+<p>We ought to carry out the true Puritan doctrine
+of liberty of conscience by not despising
+any who choose to worship under a different
+form and order from our own. It is an interesting
+illustration of the noble spirit in our Puritan
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[65]</span>institutions that all sects have liberty here to
+worship God with any forms or in any manner
+they please; and he who tries to hinder
+them any further than by convincing them, or
+feels sourly towards them in the enjoyment of
+their liberty of conscience and religious preferences,
+has not yet learned all that he may of the
+nature and spirit of religious liberty. But if we
+profess to be in the true succession from the Puritans
+and Pilgrims as to doctrine and Church
+order, let us not mix any of those things with
+our worship from which the Pilgrims fled to
+this wilderness, that they might be rid of them.
+We can live peaceably and freely in the midst
+of such corruptions and not be persecuted.
+They could not. Let us not abuse our liberty,
+by turning again to those beggarly elements of
+human appointments in Church government and
+worship which corrupt the religion of Christ.
+Let us not begin to do so by cultivating the
+spirit of bigoted attachment to our simple order
+and forms, for thereby we as truly violate the
+spirit of Christianity as though we insisted on a
+multitude of ceremonies and a hierarchy, as essential
+to a Church. He who says “No Church
+without simplicity in worship,” and he who
+says, “No Church without a Bishop,” are two
+extremes which meet. At the same time, we
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[66]</span>shall be the degenerate sons of men who made
+such sacrifices for purity in worship as did the
+Pilgrims, unless we adhere to our simple and
+beautiful mode of Church government and worship
+as preferable to any other.</p>
+
+<p>The practice of examining persons who seek
+admission to the Church, was much insisted on
+by Mr. Eliot. The relation of their experience
+he says, “is an ordinance of wonderful benefit.
+The devil knows what he does when he thrusts
+so hard to get this custom out of our churches.
+For my part I would say in this case, Get thee
+behind me Satan; thou givest an horrible offence
+to the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us keep up this
+ordinance with all gentleness; and where we
+see the least spark of grace held forth, let us
+prize it more than all the wit in the world.”</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Eliot had six children, a daughter and
+five sons. The daughter became exemplary for
+her piety and matronly deportment. His first
+son, John, was “a lively, zealous, acute preacher,
+not only to the English at New Cambridge,&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_17" href="#Footnote_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a>
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[67]</span>but also to the Indians thereabout.” He died
+early, and upon his death-bed uttered many
+remarkable things. The third child, Joseph,
+was pastor of the Church in Guilford, Conn.
+The fourth child, Samuel, was a candidate for
+the ministry, but died young. The fifth was
+Aaron, who also died very young. The last
+was Benjamin, who became his father’s assistant
+in the ministry at Roxbury, but died before his
+father. Of these six children, Mr. Eliot said,
+“<span class="smcap">They are all either with Christ, or in
+Christ.</span>”</p>
+
+<p>Mather speaks of the singular and surprising
+successes of Mr. Eliot’s prayers; ‘for they were
+such that in our distresses we still repaired to
+him under that encouragement.’ “He is a prophet,
+and he shall pray for thee, and thou shall
+live.” He mentions the following fact. They
+who are displeased at David’s imprecations
+against his enemies, may see in it that a good man
+may pray for the destruction of the incorrigibly
+wicked, when great and good ends will be accomplished
+by it, leaving it submissively to the
+appointments of the all-wise God. A good man
+never ventures to pray in this manner, except
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[68]</span>when he is under a strong influence, drawing
+him very near to God with holy freedom and
+boldness. At such times his feelings are eminently
+pure; and it is in such times that good
+men feel impelled to pray for the removal of
+those who oppose God, and hinder others in
+their salvation. No doubt if there were more of
+ardent piety, there would be more of righteous
+indignation against the obstinate opposers of
+religion, and we should find ourselves better
+able to understand the feelings and language of
+David, when praying against the enemies of his
+throne and of the God who ruled by him.
+That language will come into more familiar use
+by the people of God, in their nearest approaches
+to him, as they go forth with their King and
+Saviour in his conflicts with his enemies.</p>
+
+<p>The fact to which the allusion has been made
+was this:</p>
+
+<p>There was a pious gentleman of Charlestown
+by the name of Foster, who, with his son, was
+taken prisoner by the Turks. The news being
+spread in this vicinity, the good people offered
+up many prayers for his deliverance. But it
+was reported that the prince, within whose authority
+he was a prisoner, had resolved that
+during his reign, no captive should be set free.
+The friends and acquaintances of this man then
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[69]</span>concluded that his captivity was hopeless. Soon
+after, Mr. Eliot on some public and solemn
+occasion, used these direct and forcible petitions.
+“Heavenly Father! work forth deliverance of
+thy poor servant, Foster; and if the prince
+which detains him, will not, as they say, dismiss
+him so long as himself lives, Lord, we pray thee
+to kill that cruel prince; kill him, and glorify
+thyself upon him.” Soon after the prisoners
+returned and brought news that in consequence
+of the untimely death of the prince they had
+been set at liberty.</p>
+
+<p>There was one thing which seems to have
+pressed very heavily on the mind and heart of
+Mr. Eliot in his ministerial office. It was the
+care of a Church. “He looked upon it,” says
+one, “as a thing no less dangerous than important,
+and attended with so many difficulties,
+temptations, and humiliations, as that nothing
+but a call from the Son of God could have encouraged
+him unto the susception of it. He
+saw that it was no easy thing to feed the souls
+of such a people, to bear their manners with all
+patience, not being by any of their infirmities
+discouraged from teaching of them, and from
+watching and praying over them, to value them
+highly as the flock of God, which he hath purchased
+with his own blood, notwithstanding all
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[70]</span>their miscarriages, and in all to examine the
+rule of Scripture for the warrant of whatever
+shall be done, and to remember the day of
+judgment wherein an account must be given of
+whatever shall be done, having in the meantime
+no expectation of the riches and grandeurs
+which accompany a worldly domination.” This
+seemed to be characteristic of the spirit with
+which Mr. Eliot discharged his duties as the
+pastor of a Church.</p>
+
+<p>An observation of Rev. Samuel Ward has
+been quoted as applicable to him: “In observing
+I have observed and found that divers great
+clerks have had but little fruit of their ministry,
+but hardly any truly zealous men of God, though
+of lesser gifts, but have had much comfort of
+their labors in their own and bordering parishes,
+being in this likened by Gregory to the iron on
+the smith’s anvil, sparkling round about.”</p>
+
+<p>Mather says, “The Lord Jesus Christ was
+the load-stone which gave a touch to all the
+sermons of our Eliot; a glorious, precious, lovely
+Christ, was the point of heaven to which they
+still verged unto.” It is said, that though he
+printed many books or pamphlets, his heart
+seemed to be in none of them so much, as in
+his ‘Harmony of the Gospels, in the holy History
+of Jesus Christ.’ It was a standing piece of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[71]</span>advice with him to young ministers, “Pray let
+there be much of Christ in your ministry.” On
+hearing a sermon in which the Saviour had been
+made prominent, he would say, O, blessed be
+God, that we hear Christ so much and so well
+preached in poor New England.</p>
+
+<p>On coming out of the meeting-house where he
+had been listening to a sermon, he said to the
+preacher, “Brother, there was oil required for
+the service of the sanctuary; but it must be
+beaten oil; I praise God that I saw your oil so
+well beaten to-day; the Lord help us always by
+good study to beat our oil that there may be <i>no
+knots in our sermons left undissolved</i>, and that
+there may a clear light be thereby given in the
+house of God.” Still it is observed that he looked
+for something more than mere study in a sermon;
+he required those things in it which
+would make the hearer feel that the Spirit of God
+was in the sermon and with the preacher, and he
+was once heard to complain, “It is a sad thing
+when a sermon shall have that one thing, The
+Spirit of God, wanting in it.”</p>
+
+<p>He had eminently spiritual views of the duty
+and privilege of infant baptism. On giving the
+Rev. Cotton Mather the Right Hand of Fellowship
+at his ordination, he said to him, “Brother,
+art thou a lover of the Lord Jesus Christ?
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[72]</span>Then I pray, feed his lambs.” He was careful
+to have the lambs pass under the “Lord’s
+tything rod.” One Mr. Norcott, a truly pious
+man, published a book against the baptism of
+infants, which being circulated in Boston and
+the vicinity, Mr. Eliot answered it in a brief publication,
+beginning with these words: “The
+book speaks with the voice of a lamb, and I
+think the author is a godly though erring brother;
+but he acts the cause of a roaring lion,
+who by all crafty ways, seeketh to devour the
+poor lambs of the flock of Christ.” He then
+speaks “in the behalf of those who cannot
+speak for themselves.”</p>
+
+<p>On one occasion, speaking of the Saviour’s
+directions to Peter, John 21:15, he observed,
+That <i>the care of the lambs is one third part of
+the charge over the house of God</i>.</p>
+
+<p>The title of one of Mr. Eliot’s publications,
+“The Divine Management of Gospel Churches,
+by the Ordinance of Councils, constituted in
+order according to the Scriptures, which may
+be a means of uniting those two holy and eminent
+parties, the Presbyterians and the Congregational,”
+shows that a plan of union between
+these two sister denominations is not wholly of
+modern origin.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[73]</span></p>
+
+<p>But reserving many things respecting Mr.
+Eliot’s character and opinions for another place
+in this book, let us now look at him in that remarkable
+work to which God appointed him
+among the Indians of this vicinity.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[74]</span></p>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+<p>Nonantum. Mather’s description of the natives. The Lost Tribes
+of Israel. Specimen of Indian words. Eliot’s first religious exercise
+at Nonantum. Indian Questions. Second visit to the Indians.
+Indian Questions. Eliot’s reflections on his interviews. Anecdotes.</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<p>The old turnpike road to Worcester, in Brighton,
+leaves Nonantum hill on the left, and a
+private road conducts to the summit of the
+hill which is crowned by two mansions.&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_18" href="#Footnote_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> The
+scenery from that hill has a rare combination of
+still life and of the busy world. The Charles River,
+seen from a distant part of the hill, meanders
+to the sea; the quiet, classic scenes of Cambridge
+are before the eye; soft undulations of hill and
+dale, winding roads and aboriginal woods, and
+the quiet waters of the estuary, impress the
+mind with sensations of repose which are pleasantly
+broken by the distant noise of travel upon
+the bridges, the sudden whistle of the locomotive,
+and an impressive view of the neighboring
+city. That hill, extending as far as Watertown,
+and Newton, was once the favorite residence of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[75]</span>the Indians, in this vicinity,&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_19" href="#Footnote_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> and thither Eliot,
+the pastor of the neighboring Church in Roxbury,
+directed his way, to give the Indians the
+word and ordinances of the Gospel in their own
+language.</p>
+
+<p>Cotton Mather says, “The natives of the
+country now possessed by the New Englanders,
+had been forlorn and wretched heathen ever
+since their first herding here; and though we
+know not how these Indians first became inhabitants
+of this mighty continent, yet we may
+guess that probably the devil decoyed these
+miserable savages hither, in hopes that the gospel
+of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ would
+never come here to destroy or disturb his absolute
+empire over them. But our Eliot was in
+such ill-terms with the devil, as to alarm him by
+sounding the silver trumpets of heaven in his
+territories, and make some noble and zealous
+attempt towards ousting him of his ancient possessions
+here. There were, I think, twenty
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[76]</span>several nations, if I may call them so, of Indians,
+upon that spot of ground which fell under the
+influence of our Three United Colonies; and
+our Eliot was willing to rescue as many of
+them as he could from that old usurping landlord
+of America, who is, by the wrath of God,
+the prince of this world.”&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_20" href="#Footnote_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a>&#x2060;</p>
+
+<p>Some of the interest and zeal which many of
+the first planters and their successors felt with
+regard to the Indians, was owing to their belief
+that they were the Ten Tribes of Israel. Cotton
+Mather enumerates “some small reasons,” as he
+calls them, which led the English to suspect
+that they might be Israelites. He adds, “They
+have, too, a great unkindness for our swine;”—but
+he does not seem to place much reliance on
+that coincidence with the Jewish antipathy to
+swine, for he adds, “but I suppose that is because
+our swine devour their clams, which are
+a great dainty with them.”</p>
+
+<p>This supposition that the North American Indians
+are the Ten Tribes of Israel, has seemed
+even more probable to many modern writers
+than it did to the first settlers of the country.
+Mr. Catlin, in his interesting and valuable work
+on the North American Indians, mentions many
+curious facts in the history, manners and customs
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[77]</span>of the present race of red men, in favor of
+this supposition. But there are so many theories
+on the subject of the Lost Tribes of Israel,
+and it is so easy for an ingenious mind to discover
+or invent resemblances, that neither this
+theory nor any other on the same subject has
+ever obtained general belief.</p>
+
+<p>It was to a people of rude speech and fierce
+countenance that Mr. Eliot endeavored to give a
+knowledge of the Gospel and the institutions of
+civilized life. His first labor of course was to
+acquire their language. It was the language of
+the Massachusetts Indians to which he applied
+himself. He found an old Indian who could
+speak English, took him into his family, and by
+finding out one word, and expression, and sentence
+after another, he soon was able to converse
+in that tongue, and finally understood it so well
+that he reduced it to rules, and made an Indian
+grammar. One glance at this language will
+show that it must have been no easy task for a
+stranger to learn it well enough to converse in
+it. Some of the words are of enormous length,
+one of them sometimes filling a whole line.
+The word for “our loves,” is <i>noowoomantammoorkanunornash</i>.
+“Our question” is <i>Kummogkodonnattootummooetiteaongannunnarash</i>.
+“One would think,” says Mather, “that these
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[78]</span>words had been growing ever since Babel unto
+the dimensions to which they are now extended.”
+Another remark of his on this subject, though it
+may seem to us to be somewhat in a trifling
+mood, was undoubtedly written with sober feelings,
+considering the prevalent superstitions of
+those times—superstitions with regard to which
+we greatly err if we suppose them to have been, in
+those times, peculiar to America.&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_21" href="#Footnote_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> “I know not,”
+this writer adds, “what thoughts it will produce
+in my reader, when I inform him that once finding
+that the demons in a possessed young woman
+understood the Latin and Greek and Hebrew
+languages, my curiosity led me to make trial of
+this Indian language, and the demons did seem
+as if they did not understand it.”</p>
+
+<p>The reason of the great length of these Indian
+words is understood to be, that instead of having
+separate words for pronouns and adjectives, the
+noun or verb expresses them by adding syllables
+to itself. Mather, who was ready at anagrams
+and puns, says that the name <i>Eliot</i> read backwards,
+is <i>t o i l E</i>, and he thinks that the name
+corresponds well with the toil of reducing such
+a language to a grammar. At the close of his
+Grammar Eliot wrote these words: “Prayers
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[79]</span>and pains through faith in Christ Jesus, will do
+any thing.”</p>
+
+<p>We have from Eliot’s own pen a narrative,
+called “A true relation of our beginnings with
+the Indians.” It was published in London, in
+1647, under this title, “The Day breaking, if not
+the Sun-rising, of the Gospel, with the Indians
+in New England.”</p>
+
+<p>In October, 1646, Eliot, with a few others,
+having sought the blessing of God, went to Nonantum,
+for the purpose, as he says, of making
+known to the Indians the things of their peace.
+As they approached the wigwams, five or six of
+the Chiefs met them with English salutations
+and bid them welcome. The principal wigwam
+had been previously prepared for the meeting,
+and many of the Indians were assembled. Eliot
+and his companions then began with prayer in
+the English language, not being sufficiently acquainted
+with the Indian tongue to make suitable
+religious impressions at first with it upon the
+minds of the Indians, and besides they wished
+to let the Indians see that they felt the duty in
+hand to be serious and sacred, and they had a
+desire, moreover, as missionaries to offer up a
+united supplication to God, “with the same request
+and heart sorrowes,” in that place where
+God was never wont to be called upon.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[80]</span></p>
+
+<p>It was an affecting sight, as we may suppose,
+to Eliot and his friends, when they ceased from
+prayer and looked upon the company of Indians
+sitting in silence, with a mixture of curiosity
+and seriousness and wildness in their faces. To
+such an audience Eliot preached in the Indian
+tongue from Ezekiel 37:9. “Prophesy, son
+of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the
+Lord, Come from the four winds, O breath, and
+breathe upon these slain that they may live.”</p>
+
+<p>It is a curious fact that the name of the man&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_22" href="#Footnote_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a>
+in whose wigwam they were assembled was
+Waban, and Waban is the Indian name for the
+wind, so that it seemed to Waban that the message
+was sent to him, and it proved a means in
+his conversion. The text from which Mr. Eliot
+preached on this occasion, was not one which
+his hearers could at first understand, and therefore
+some have expressed surprise at the selection
+of it. But in reply to this, it may be asked,
+what passage of the Word of God would have
+been immediately intelligible to those ignorant
+hearers? Besides, the text seems to have been
+chosen by Mr. Eliot for a purpose which is certainly
+proper on special occasions, viz., as a
+warrant and encouragement to his own soul and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[81]</span>that of his helpers, in preaching in that valley
+of dry bones. Yet, after suitable religious impressions
+had been made, and the hearers had
+felt their lost and wretched state, and their need
+of divine power, in reflecting upon the text it
+must have seemed to the hearers peculiarly appropriate
+to the occasion and to their condition.</p>
+
+<p>An hour and a quarter was occupied in the
+discourse. Mr. Eliot gave the Indians first a
+brief exposition of the ten commandments, showing
+the wrath and curse of God against those
+who break the least one of them. The subject
+was then applied, and the law having been
+brought to do its work in their hearts, and their
+sins being pointed out to them, as Mr. Eliot
+says, with much sweet affection, Jesus Christ
+was preached to them as the only Saviour. He
+told them who Christ was, and what he did, and
+whither he had gone, and how he will come
+again to judge the wicked and burn the world.
+The creation and fall of man, the greatness of
+God, heaven and hell, the pleasures of religion
+and the miseries of sin were then explained in
+language and with illustrations suited to their
+capacity.</p>
+
+<p>The sermon being finished, Mr. Eliot proposed
+some questions to them, and first inquired
+whether they understood what had been said,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[82]</span>and whether all or only some of them understood
+it? A multitude of voices exclaimed that they
+all understood every thing which had been spoken.
+Leave was then granted them to put
+questions, and it is interesting to notice the first
+questions which these children of the wilderness
+proposed. The first questions were,</p>
+
+<p>“What is the cause of thunder?”</p>
+
+<p>“What makes the sea ebb and flow?”</p>
+
+<p>“What makes the wind blow?”</p>
+
+<p>But there were some questions proposed by
+them which Mr. Eliot says some special wisdom
+of God directed them to ask, as, for example,</p>
+
+<p><i>How may we come to know Jesus Christ?</i></p>
+
+<p>Mr. Eliot told them that if they could read
+the Bible they would see clearly who Jesus
+Christ is, but inasmuch as they could not then
+read, he desired them to remember what he had
+told them out of the Bible, and to think much
+and often upon it, when they lay down on their
+mats in their wigwams and when they rose up,
+and to go alone in the fields, and woods, and
+muse on it, and so God would teach them.</p>
+
+<p>He told them that if they would have help
+from God in this thing, they must begin to pray,
+and though they could not make long prayers as
+the English did, yet if they did but sigh and
+groan, saying, “Lord, make me to know Jesus
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[83]</span>Christ for I know him not,” and if with all their
+hearts they persisted in such prayers, they might
+hope that God would help them. But they were
+especially to remember that they must confess
+their sins and ignorance to God and mourn over
+them and acknowledge how just it would be in
+God to withhold from them any knowledge of
+Christ, on account of their sins.</p>
+
+<p>This instruction was communicated to them
+by Mr. Eliot through the Indian interpreter
+whom he had brought with him, but he says he
+was struck with the fact that a few words from
+the Preacher had much greater effect than many
+from the interpreter.</p>
+
+<p>One of them asked, whether Englishmen were
+ever at any time so ignorant of God and Jesus
+Christ as they themselves?</p>
+
+<p>Another put this question: Whether if the
+father be naught and the child good, will God be
+offended with that child? because in the second
+commandment it is said that he visits the sins
+of the fathers upon the children.</p>
+
+<p>They were told in reply to this that every
+child who is good will not be punished for the
+sins of his father, but if the child be bad, God
+would then visit his father’s sins upon him, and
+they were bid to notice that part of the second
+commandment which contains a promise to the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[84]</span>thousands of them that love God and keep his
+commandments.</p>
+
+<p>One of them asked, How is all the world now
+become so full of people, if they were all once
+drowned in the flood? This led to the story of
+the ark and the preservation of Noah.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Eliot then proposed some questions to
+them, for example, Whether they did not desire
+to see God, and were not tempted to think there
+is no God because they could not see him?</p>
+
+<p>Some of them answered, They did desire to
+see Him if it could be, but they had heard from
+Mr. Eliot that he could not be seen, and they
+did believe that though their eyes could not see
+him, he was to be seen with their soul within.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Eliot endeavored to confirm them in this
+impression, and asked them if they saw a great
+wigwam or a great house, would they think that
+racoons or foxes built it? or would they think
+that it made itself? or that no wise builder made
+it, because they could not see him who made it?</p>
+
+<p>Knowing that the doctrine of one God was a
+great stumbling block to them, Mr. Eliot asked
+them if they did not think it strange that there
+should be but one God, and yet this God be in
+Massachusetts, and in Connecticut, in Old England,
+in this wigwam, and the next, and every
+where at the same time?</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[85]</span></p>
+
+<p>One of the most sober of them replied that it
+was indeed strange, as every thing else they had
+heard preached was strange, and they were
+wonderful things which they never heard of before,
+but yet they thought “it might be true, and
+that God was so big every where.” Mr. Eliot
+illustrated the truth by the light of the sun,
+which, though it was but a creature of God, shed
+its light into that wigwam, and the next, in Massachusetts
+and Old England, at once.</p>
+
+<p>He inquired of them if they did not find something
+troubling them within after the commission
+of murder, theft, adultery, lying; and what would
+comfort them, and remove that trouble of conscience
+when they should die and appear before
+God?</p>
+
+<p>They replied that they were thus troubled,
+but they could not tell what they should say
+about it, or what would remove this trouble of
+mind, whereupon Mr. Eliot enlarged upon the
+evil of sin and the condition of the soul which is
+cast out of the favor of God.</p>
+
+<p>Having spent three hours in this interview,
+Mr. Eliot asked them if they were not weary,
+and they said, no. But thinking it best to leave
+them with an appetite, Mr. Eliot concluded
+the meeting with prayer, but before he departed
+the principal Indian expressed a desire for more
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[86]</span>land to build a Town upon, and Mr. Eliot promised
+to speak for them to the General Court,
+“that they might possess all the compass of that
+hill upon which their wigwams then stood.”</p>
+
+<p>In the second visit which Mr. Eliot made to
+the Indians at Nonantum, he began to catechise
+the younger children. He framed three questions
+only, that their memories might not be
+overloaded. The questions and answers were
+these:</p>
+
+<p>1. Who made you and all the world. Ans.
+God.</p>
+
+<p>2. Who do you think should save you and
+redeem you from sin and hell? Ans. Jesus
+Christ.</p>
+
+<p>3. How many commandments hath God given
+you to keep. Ans. Ten.</p>
+
+<p>By the time that the questions reached the
+smaller children, they had learned the answers
+perfectly, from hearing the others repeat them,
+and the parents had become familiar with them,
+and they were requested to use this <i>Shorter</i>
+Catechism of three questions, in teaching their
+children, against the next visit.</p>
+
+<p>The substance of Mr. Eliot’s address to the
+Indians on this occasion was this: “We are
+come to bring you good news from the great
+God Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth, and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[87]</span>to tell you how evil and wicked men may come
+to be good, so that while they live they may be
+happy, and when they die may go to God and
+live in heaven.”</p>
+
+<p>He then endeavored to give them just impressions
+concerning God, his power, greatness, and
+goodness, his will, what he required of all men,
+even of the Indians, in the ten commandments,
+the dreadful punishment of all who break one of
+these commandments, the anger of God at sin,
+and yet his compassion for sinners in sending
+Christ to die for wicked men. He taught them
+that if they would repent and believe, God would
+love the poor miserable Indians, but that the
+wrath of God would burn against all who neglected
+so great salvation as was now offered to
+them by those whose only desire was their salvation.</p>
+
+<p>The power of these words was manifestly felt
+by one of the Indians, who at the thought of his
+sins and of the danger to which they exposed
+him, wept aloud, yet without affectation, but
+striving to conceal his emotions.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps in no way can we communicate religious
+instruction in a more simple and effectual
+way to the young who may read this book, than
+to record here the questions and answers which
+Mr. Eliot has preserved in his several interviews
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[88]</span>with the Indians. Other writers who
+lived at that time have also recorded questions
+and answers which they heard. But it will not
+be necessary to state the times, or places, or the
+hand by which they were recorded.</p>
+
+<p>An old man rose up after Mr. Eliot had finished
+his sermon, and asked whether it was not
+too late for such an old man as he, who was
+near death, to repent or seek after God.</p>
+
+<p>This question affected Mr. Eliot and his companions
+with compassion. They told him what
+is said in the Bible about those who were hired
+at the eleventh hour, and drew a parallel to
+his case by describing a son who had for very
+many years been disobedient, and afterwards
+penitent, and the feelings of his father towards
+him.</p>
+
+<p>Question. How came the English to differ
+so much from the Indians in the knowledge of
+God and Jesus Christ, seeing they all had at
+first one father?</p>
+
+<p>Question. How may we come to serve God?</p>
+
+<p>Question. How comes it to pass that the sea
+water is salt and the land water fresh?</p>
+
+<p>Answer. This is one of the wonderful works
+of God. As strawberries are sweet and cranberries
+sour, by the appointment of God, so was
+it in this case. To this was added some account
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[89]</span>of natural causes and effects in connection
+with this subject, “which they less understood,
+yet did understand somewhat, as appeared by
+their usual signs of approving what they understand.”</p>
+
+<p>Question. If the water is higher than the
+earth, how comes it to pass that it doth not overflow
+all the earth?</p>
+
+<p>The missionary took an apple and illustrated
+the shape of the earth, the motion on its axis,
+and round the sun; then showed them how God
+made a great hollow ditch for the waters, which
+was so deep as to hold the waters by the attraction
+of gravitation, so that notwithstanding their
+convexity, they could not overflow the earth.</p>
+
+<p>During a recess in this interview, the Indians
+were busily employed in discussing these several
+subjects among themselves, their minds being
+evidently excited by them, through the effect of
+new ideas upon subjects which were new or had
+always been incomprehensible to them. Being
+afterwards asked if they wished to propose any
+further questions, one asked,</p>
+
+<p>If a man has committed some great sins, (stolen
+goods, &amp;c.,) and the Sachem does not punish
+him, and he is not punished, but he restores the
+goods, what then? is not all well now? meaning
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[90]</span>to ask whether restoration made sufficient amends
+to the law of God.</p>
+
+<p>He was told that though men be not offended
+at such sins, yet God is angry. The holiness of
+God was here illustrated. Such a sinner should
+seek forgiveness as much as any other sinner
+through the blood of Christ.</p>
+
+<p>Upon hearing this answer, the Indian who
+proposed the question drew back and hung down
+his head, with an appearance of great sorrow
+and confusion, and finally broke out saying,
+“Me little know Jesus Christ, or me should seek
+him better.” Mr. Eliot comforted him by telling
+him that as it is early dawn at first when
+there is but little light, but the sun rises to perfect
+day, so it would be with him and his people
+with regard to a knowledge of the favor of God
+if they would seek Him.</p>
+
+<p>One of the Indians who had received religious
+impressions in his acquaintance with the colonists,
+said he would propose this question. A
+little while since he said he was praying in his
+wigwam to God and Jesus Christ, that God
+would give him a good heart; that in his prayer
+another Indian interrupted him and told him
+that he prayed in vain, because that Jesus Christ
+could not understand what Indians speak in
+prayer; he had been used to hear Englishmen
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[91]</span>pray, and so could well enough understand them,
+but Indian language in prayer he was not acquainted
+with. His question therefore was,
+“Whether God and Jesus Christ did understand
+Indian prayers?”</p>
+
+<p>At the close of one interview, Mr. Eliot prayed
+for above fifteen minutes in the Indian tongue,
+that they might feel that Christ understood such
+prayers. The Indians stood about him in grotesque
+figures, some of them lifting up their eyes
+and their hands to accompany the prayer, and
+one of them holding a rag to his eyes and weeping
+violently, and after prayer retiring to a corner
+of the wigwam to weep in secret; which
+one of Mr. Eliot’s companions observed and
+spoke with him, and found him to be deeply
+affected with a sense of his guilt.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Eliot makes several useful observations
+in view of his first two visits to the Indians.</p>
+
+<p>1. None of them slept in sermon or derided
+God’s messenger.</p>
+
+<p>2. That there is need of learning in ministers
+who preach to Indians more than to gracious
+Christians, in order to answer their philosophical
+questions.</p>
+
+<p>3. That there is no need of miraculous or
+extraordinary gifts in seeking the conversion of
+the most depraved of the human family.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[92]</span></p>
+
+<p>4. If Englishmen despise the preaching of
+faith and repentance and humiliation for sin, the
+poor heathens will be glad of it, and it shall do
+good to them.</p>
+
+<p>He adds to this, The Lord grant that the
+foundation of our English woe be not laid in the
+ruin and contempt of those fundamental doctrines
+of faith, repentance, humiliation for sin,
+but rather relishing the novelties and dreams of
+such men as are surfeited with the ordinary
+food of the Gospel of Christ. Indians shall
+weep to have faith and repentance preached,
+when Englishmen shall mourn, too late, that are
+weary of such truths.</p>
+
+<p>5. That the deepest estrangement of man
+from God is no hindrance to his grace, nor to
+the Spirit of grace. What nation or people
+ever so deeply degenerated since Adam’s fall,
+as these Indians, and yet the Spirit of God is
+working upon them.</p>
+
+<p>“It is very likely if ever the Lord convert any
+of these natives, they will mourn for sin exceedingly,
+and consequently love Christ dearly; for
+if by a little measure of light such heart-breakings
+have appeared, what may we think will be
+when more is let in?”</p>
+
+<p>“They are some of them very wicked, some
+very ingenious. These latter are very apt and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[93]</span>quick of understanding, and naturally sad and
+melancholy, (a good servant to repentance) and
+therefore there is the greater hope of heart-breakings
+if ever God brings them effectually
+home, for which we should affectionately pray.”</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Eliot says, “It is wonderful to see what
+a little leaven and that small mustard-seed of
+the Gospel will do, and how truth will work
+when the spirit of Christ hath the setting of it
+on, even upon hearts and spirits most incapable.”
+The night after the Indians had heard the Gospel
+preached for the third time, an English
+youth lodged in Waban’s tent. He said that
+Waban instructed his companions with regard
+to the things which they had heard that day,
+and prayed with them, and that he awoke several
+times that night and began to pray and
+speak to one and another of the Indians of the
+things which they had heard. Mr. E. says,
+This man, being a man of gravity and chief
+prudence, a counsel among them, although no
+Sachem, is like to be a means of great good to the
+rest of his company, unless cowardice or witchery
+put an end, as usually they have done, to
+such hopeful beginnings.</p>
+
+<p>Two young Indians being at an Elder’s house
+one Sabbath evening, having been previously
+affected under Mr. Eliot’s preaching, one of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[94]</span>them began to confess to the elder how wicked
+he had been, and declared that God could never
+look upon him with love. The elder opened to
+him in a familiar manner the truth of God’s
+love to the guilty, his willingness to pardon the
+vilest through the redemption made by Christ, and
+illustrated his instructions by the discourse of
+Christ to the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well,
+and how Christ forgave her though she was living
+in sin at the moment when he began to
+speak to her. Whereupon the young man began
+to weep bitterly, and the other youth, his
+companion, disclosing his own guilt, burst out
+into loud weeping in which they both continued
+for half an hour.</p>
+
+<p>An old man told Mr. Eliot at one of the meetings
+that he was fully purposed to keep the
+Sabbath, but still he was in fear whether he
+should go to heaven or hell. This was a case
+in which reliance on good works gave as usual
+no peace to the conscience. It led Mr. Eliot to
+speak fully of the way of justification by Christ
+without works, “as the remedy against all fears
+of hell.”</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Eliot was interested in the fact that some
+of the Indians who seemed to receive the Gospel
+most readily, and feel its power, were able
+to use “gracious expressions,” as he calls them,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[95]</span>which he was confident they had not heard
+from him, nor from his assistants. He gives a
+specimen of them with the corresponding Indian
+words:</p>
+
+<table>
+  <tr>
+    <td>Amanaomen</td>
+    <td>Jehovah</td>
+    <td>tabassen</td>
+    <td>metagh.</td>
+    <td>Checheson</td>
+    <td>Jehovah</td>
+    <td>kekowhogkow.</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>Take away,</td>
+    <td>Lord,</td>
+    <td>my stony</td>
+    <td>heart.</td>
+    <td>Wash,</td>
+    <td>Lord,</td>
+    <td>my soul.</td>
+  </tr>
+</table>
+
+<p>“What are these,” he says, “but the sprinklings
+of the spirit and blood of Christ Jesus on their
+hearts? and ’tis no small matter that such dry,
+barren, and long accursed ground should yield
+such kind of increase in so small a time. I
+would not readily commend a fair day before
+night, nor promise much of such kind of beginnings,
+in all persons, nor yet in all of these, for
+we know how the profession of many is but a
+mere paint, and their best graces nothing but
+mere flashes and pangs which are suddenly kindled,
+and as soon to go out, and are extinct
+again; yet God doth not usually send his
+plough and seeds-men to a place but there is at
+least some little piece of good ground, although
+three to one be naught; and methinks the Lord
+Jesus would never have made so fit a key
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[96]</span>for their locks unless he had intended to open
+some of their doors, and so to make way for his
+coming in.”</p>
+
+<p>At the fourth meeting with the Indians, the
+children having been catechised, and the vision
+of the dry bones, which seems to have impressed
+Mr. Eliot from the first in speaking to the
+Indians, being explained, they offered all their
+children to the English to be educated by
+them.</p>
+
+<p>At this time one of them being asked, What
+is sin? he answered, A naughty heart. He did
+not seem to feel that sin consists only in outward
+acts.</p>
+
+<p>One of them complained that some of the
+Indians reviled him and the more serious Indians,
+calling them rogues, and otherwise insulting
+them for cutting off their long locks and arranging
+their hair in a modest manner, for, Mr.
+Eliot says, “since the word hath begun to work
+upon their hearts they have discerned the vanity
+and pride which they placed in their hair, and
+have therefore, of their own accord (none speaking
+to them that we know of) cut it modestly.”
+They said that some Indians who had heard the
+news of the great attention to religion among
+them, would come from a distance and stay
+with them three or four days, and one Sabbath,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[97]</span>and then they would go from them, (implying
+that they did not like the Sabbath), but as for
+themselves, they said they were fully purposed
+to keep the Sabbath.</p>
+
+<p>Some of the Indians who heard the Gospel,
+despised and rejected it. So it has always been
+and is now, wherever the Gospel is preached.
+Some have their hearts opened to attend to the
+things of their peace, and others are hardened.
+Mr. Eliot’s assistant, learning that some Indians
+had discouraged and threatened others with regard
+to their attendance on the preaching, spoke
+to them on one occasion about the temptations of
+Satan. After sermon they proposed these questions:</p>
+
+<p>1. Some Indians say we must pray to the
+devil for all good, and some to God; may we
+pray to the devil or no?</p>
+
+<p>2. What does <i>humiliation</i> mean, which we
+hear used so often by the English?</p>
+
+<p>3. Why do the English call us Indians, for
+before they came here we had another name?</p>
+
+<p>4. What is a spirit?</p>
+
+<p>5. May we believe in dreams?</p>
+
+<p>6. How did the English come to know God
+so much, and we so little?</p>
+
+<p>At the close of this interview they said that
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[98]</span>their great desire was to have a town and to
+learn to spin.</p>
+
+<p>They believed in the existence of an evil
+spirit, whom they called <span class="smcap">Chepian</span>, and who they
+thought corresponded to the devil in Scripture.
+They gave the following account of their way
+in which conjurers or Powows were made:
+Whenever an Indian had a strange dream in
+which Chepian appeared to him as a serpent,
+he would make it known to the rest, and for two
+days the Indians would dance and rejoice for
+what the serpent had told him, and he then became
+a Powow, or one whom the devil favored
+with his communications. The reader will notice
+the identity of the form in which they made
+the devil to appear to them, with the form in
+which he appeared to our first parents.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[99]</span></p>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+<p>Nonantum granted to the Indians by the General Court. First Indian
+Laws. Eliot’s and Shepard’s account of the progress of the Gospel
+among the Indians. Concord Indians. Their laws. Nonantum.
+Questions and anecdotes. Cape Cod Indians. The Synod at
+Cambridge, 1648, examine the Christian Indians. “Who made
+Sack?” Anecdotes and Questions. Order of the General Court,
+1647. Regard for the Sabbath. Power of conscience. Questions.
+Burial of a child. Settlement of Natick. Questions.</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<p>The Indians were desirous of obtaining a
+grant of land for a permanent settlement, that
+they might enter upon civilized life. They had
+bartered their principal places to the English.
+The General Court purchased of some of the
+planters, who had bought it of the Indians, the
+place where their meeting was held, and gave it
+to them. The Indians inquiring what the name
+of the place should be they were told it should
+be Noonatomen (afterwards Nonantum) which
+signifies <i>rejoicing</i>, “because they did rejoice at
+the word of God, and God did rejoice over them
+as penitent sinners.”</p>
+
+<p>The following is a specimen of their first
+laws:</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[100]</span></p>
+
+<p>1. If any man be idle a week, or at most a
+fortnight, he shall pay five shillings.</p>
+
+<p>3. If any man shall beat his wife, his hands
+shall be tied behind him, and he shall be carried
+to the place of justice to be severely punished.</p>
+
+<p>4. Every young man, if not another’s servant,
+and if unmarried, shall be compelled to set up a
+wigwam, and plant for himself, and not live
+shifting up and down to other wigwams.</p>
+
+<p>5. If any woman shall not have her hair
+tied up, but hang loose or be cut as men’s hair,
+she shall pay five shillings.</p>
+
+<p>7. All those men that wear long locks, shall
+pay five shillings.</p>
+
+<p>Most of the facts above narrated are contained
+in a piece written by Mr. Eliot, entitled The
+Day Breaking if not the Sun Rising of the Gospel
+with the Indians in New England. It was
+printed in London, “by Richard Cotes, for
+Fulk Clifton, and are to be sold at his shop
+under Saint Margaret’s Church, on New-fish
+Street Hill, 1647.”</p>
+
+<p>The same printer in 1648, issued another
+piece, written by Mr. Thomas Shepard, minister
+of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, at Cambridge,
+in New England, called, “The Clear sun-shine
+of the Gospel breaking forth upon the Indians
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[101]</span>of New England; or, An Historical Narrative
+of God’s Wonderful Workings upon sundry of
+the Indians, both Chief Governors and common
+people, in bringing them to a willing and desired
+submission to the Ordinances of the Gospel;
+and framing their hearts to an earnest
+inquiry after the knowledge of God the father
+and of Jesus Christ the Saviour of the world.”
+This piece was dedicated by Stephen Marshall,
+Jeremy Whitaker, Edmund Calamy and nine
+others, in England, “to the Right Honorable
+the Lords and Commons assembled in High
+Court of Parliament, That in you the Representatives
+of this nation, England might be stirred
+up to be Rejoycers in and advancers of these
+promising beginnings.” They looked upon the
+success of the Gospel among the Indians as a
+fulfillment in part of the promise of God the
+Father to the Son, “Ask of me, and I will give
+thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the
+uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.”
+Psalm 2. They remind the Parliament that
+“God makes man’s will of sin serviceable to the
+advancement of the riches of his own grace.
+The most horrid act that was ever done by the
+sonnes of men, the murther of Christ, God made
+serviceable to the highest purposes of Grace and
+mercy that ever came upon his breast. Hee
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[102]</span>suffered Paul to be cast into prison to convert
+the Jaylor, to be shipwrackt at Milita to preach
+to the barbarous. So he suffered their (the
+Pilgrims’) way to be stopp’d up here, (in England)
+and their persons to be banished hence,
+that hee might open a passage for them in the
+wilderness, and make them instruments to draw
+soules to him, who had been so long estranged
+from Him. The end of the adversary was to
+suppresse, but God’s to propagate, the Gospel,
+as one saith of Paul, his <i>blindnesse gave light to
+whole world</i>. ‘Cœcitas Pauli totius orbis illuminatio.’
+Acts 9:9. It was a long time before
+God let them (the Pilgrims) see any further end
+of their coming over than to preserve their consciences,
+cherish their Graces, provide for their
+sustenance. But hee let them know it was for
+some farther arrand that he brought them here,
+giving them some Bunches of Grapes, some clusters
+of Figs in earnest of the prosperous successe
+of their endeavours upon these poor out casts.
+If the first fruits bee specimens, what will the
+whole harvest bee? When the East and West
+shal sing together the song of the Lamb.”</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Shepard says that the news of what had
+been done for the Indians at Nonantum, by the
+preaching of the Gospel, had reached the Concord Indians,
+and their Sachem was so much
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[103]</span>affected by it, that he made application to have
+the Gospel and its ordinances made known to
+them. “They craved the assistance of one of
+the chiefe Indians of Noonanetum (Nonantum,)
+a very active Indian, to bring in others to the
+knowledge of God.”</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Eliot had already expressed his views&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_23" href="#Footnote_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a>
+on the subject of a native ministry in these
+words,—“Nor doe I expect any great good will
+bee wrought by the English, (leaving secrets to
+God,—although the English surely begin and
+lay the first stones of Christ’s Kingdom and
+Temple amongst them) because God is wont ordinarily
+to convert Nations and peoples by some
+of their owne country men who are nearest to
+them, and can best speake, and most of all pity
+their brethren and countrimen.”</p>
+
+<p>A native ministry among the Indians began,
+in an informal way, much earlier than we have
+seen it begin among other heathen nations.
+The North American Indians, though sunk in
+superstition and wickedness, retained much
+more of intellectual strength, were more shrewd,
+and sooner became fit to teach their countrymen
+than has been the case elsewhere in the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[104]</span>history of modern missions. No doubt the climate
+had much to do with the vigor of mind
+which the Indians have exhibited. They were
+far removed from the effeminateness of Eastern
+nations, and though indolent in their dispositions
+and habits, their minds when roused by the
+truth of the Gospel, rose to greater intellectual
+efforts than have been commonly seen in tribes
+exposed to the enervating influences of warmer
+latitudes.</p>
+
+<p>Some quotations from the introduction by
+Calamy and others, to Mr. Shepard’s piece above
+referred to, will show the spirit of those good
+men, as well as confirm the fact that the Gospel
+had done wonders in a short time among the
+Indians. It was published in 1648, two years
+after Mr. Eliot had begun his labors with them.</p>
+
+<p>They tell the readers of the effects which the
+Gospel had wrought among the Indians. “They
+set up prayers in their families morning and
+evening, and are in earnest in them. And with
+more affection they crave God’s blessing upon a
+little parched corn, and Indian stalks than many
+of us do upon our greatest plenty, and abundance.
+God is making good that promise,
+Zeph. 2:11. I will famish all the gods of the
+earth, (which he doth by withdrawing the worshipers,
+and throwing contempt upon the worship,)
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[105]</span>and men shall worship me alone, every
+one from his place, even all the isles of the
+heathens.”</p>
+
+<p>They call upon the people of England to read
+and ponder this remarkable narrative of the
+work of grace among the North American
+Savages. “Let these poor Indians stand up
+incentives to us, as the Apostle set up the Gentiles
+a provocation to the Jews; who knows but
+God gave life to New England to quicken Old,
+and hath warmed them that they might heat us;
+raised them from the dead, that they might
+recover us from that consumption, and those sad
+decays which are come upon us.”</p>
+
+<p>“This small Treatise is an Essay to that end,
+an Indian Sermon; though you will not hear us,
+possibly when some rise from the dead you will
+hear them. The main Doctrine it preacheth
+unto all is to value the Gospel, prize the ministry,
+loath not your manna, surfeit not of your
+plenty, be thankful for mercies, fruitful under
+means: Awake from your slumber, repair your
+decays, redeem your time, improve the seasons
+of your peace, answer to cals, open to knocks,
+attend to whispers, obey commands; you have
+a name you live, take heed you be not dead,
+you are Christians in shew, be so in deed: least
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[106]</span>as you have lost the power of religion, God take
+away from you the form also.”</p>
+
+<p>“And you that are ministers learn by this not
+to despond, though you see not present fruit of
+your labors; though you fish all night and catch
+nothing. God hath a fulness of time to perform
+all his purposes. And the deepest degeneracies
+and the widest estrangements from God shall be
+no bar or obstacle to the power and freeness of
+his own grace when that time is come.”</p>
+
+<p>“And you that are merchants, take incouragement
+from hence to scatter beams of light, to
+spread and propagate the Gospel into those dark
+corners of the earth; whither you traffick you
+take much from them; if you can carry this to
+them, you will make them an abundant recompense.
+And you that are Christians indeed,
+rejoice to see the Curtains of the Tabernacle
+inlarged, the bounds of the Sanctuary extended,
+Christ advanced, the Gospel propagated, and
+souls saved. And if ever the love of God did
+centre in your hearts, if ever the sense of his
+goodness hath begot bowels of compassion in
+you, draw them forth towards them whom God
+hath singled out to be the objects of his grace
+and mercy; lay out your prayers, lend your
+assistance to carry on this day of the Lord begun
+among them. The Parents also and many
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[107]</span>others being convinced of the evil of an idle life,
+desire to be employed in honest labor, but they
+want instruments and tools to set them on work,
+and cast garments to throw upon those bodies
+that their loins may bless you whose souls
+Christ hath cloathed. Some worthy persons
+have given much; and if God shall move the
+heart of others to offer willingly towards the
+building of Christ a Spiritual temple, it will
+certainly remain upon their account when the
+smallest rewards from God shall be better than
+the greatest layings out for God.”</p>
+
+<p>It will be perceived that this is an appeal in
+behalf of foreign missions. We will consider
+some of the facts which Mr. Shepard relates,
+and to which this appeal is an introduction.</p>
+
+<p>“The awakening of the Indians in our Towne,”
+says Mr. Shepard, “raised a great noyse among
+all the rest round about us, especially about
+Concord side, where the Sachim and one or two
+more of his men hearing of these things, and of
+the preaching of the Word, and how it wrought
+among them here, came therefore hither to
+Noonanetum, (Nonantum,) to the Indian Lecture,
+and what the Lord spake to his heart wee know
+not, only it seems he was so farre affected as
+that he desired to become more like to the English,
+and to cast off those Indian wild and sinfull
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[108]</span>courses they formerly lived in; but when divers
+of his men perceived their Sachim’s mind, they
+secretely opposed him herein, which opposition
+being known, he therefore called together his
+chief men about him, and made a speech to this
+effect unto them, viz.: That they had no reason
+at all to oppose those courses the English were
+now taking for their good, for saith hee, all the
+time you have lived after the Indian fashion,
+under the power and protection of higher Indian
+Sachims, what did they care for you? They
+onely sought their owne ends out of you, and
+therefore would exact upon you and take away
+your skins, and your kettles, and your wampam
+from you at their own pleasure, and this was all
+that they regarded: but you may evidently see
+that the English mind no such things, care for
+none of your goods, but onely seek your good
+and welfare, and instead of taking away all,
+are ready to give to you.”</p>
+
+<p>The effect of this speech seems to have been
+happy. The Indians sought the assistance of a
+discreet and active Indian at Nonantum, “in
+making certain lawes for their more religious
+and civill government, and behaviour.” It will
+interest the reader to observe the fruit of this
+half civilized legislator’s advice and labors. Mr.
+Shepard gives us the “Conclusions and Orders
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[109]</span>made and agreed upon by divers Sachims and
+other principall men amongst the Indians at
+Concord, in the end of the eleventh moneth,
+An. 1646.”&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_24" href="#Footnote_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a> The following are a good specimen
+of the whole:</p>
+
+<p>1. Every one that shall abuse themselves
+with rum or strong liquors, shall pay for every
+time so abusing themselves twenty shillings.</p>
+
+<p>2. There shall be no more Powwowing
+amongst the Indians. And if any shall hereafter
+Powwow, both he that shall Powwow, and
+he that shall cause him to Powwow shall pay
+twenty shillings apiece.</p>
+
+<p>3. They do desire that they may be stirred
+up to seek after God.</p>
+
+<p>4. They desire they may understand the
+wiles of Satan, and grow out of love with his
+suggestions and temptations.</p>
+
+<p>5. That they may fall upon some better
+course to improve their time than formerly.</p>
+
+<p>6. That they may be brought to the sight of
+the sin of lying, and whosoever shall be found
+guilty herein, shall pay for the first offence five
+shillings, the second ten shillings, the third
+twenty shillings.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[110]</span></p>
+
+<p>7. Whosoever shall steale any thing from
+another, shall restore fourfold.</p>
+
+<p>8. They desire that no Indian hereafter shall
+have any more but one wife.</p>
+
+<p>9. They desire to prevent the falling out of
+Indians, one with another, and that they may
+live quietly one by another.</p>
+
+<p>10. That they may follow after humility,
+and not be proud.</p>
+
+<p>11. That when Indians doe wrong, they
+may be liable to censure by fine or the like, as
+the English are.</p>
+
+<p>12. That they pay their debts to the English.</p>
+
+<p>13. That they doe observe the Lord’s day,
+and whosoever shall prophane it, shall pay
+twenty shillings.</p>
+
+<p>14. This order refers to the disgusting practice
+of eating vermin gathered from their persons;
+“and whosoever shall offend in this case
+shall pay for every louse a penny.”</p>
+
+<p>15. They will weare their haire comely as
+the English do, penalty five shillings.</p>
+
+<p>16. They intend to reforme themselves in
+their former greasing themselves, penalty five
+shillings.</p>
+
+<p>17. They do all resolve to set up prayer in
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[111]</span>their wigwams, and to seek God both before and
+after meate.</p>
+
+<p>20. Whosoever shall play at their former
+games shall pay ten shillings.</p>
+
+<p>22. Wilful murder shall be punished by
+death.</p>
+
+<p>23. They shall not disguise themselves in
+their mournings, as formerly; nor shall they
+keep a great noyse by howling.</p>
+
+<p>25. No Indian shall take an Englishman’s
+canooe without leave, penalty five shillings.</p>
+
+<p>26. No Indian shall come into any Englishman’s
+house, except he first knock; and this
+they expect from the English.</p>
+
+<p>27. Whosoever beats his wife, shall pay
+twenty shillings.</p>
+
+<p>28. If any Indian shall fall out with and
+beate another Indian, he shall pay twenty shillings.</p>
+
+<p>29. They desire they may be a towne, and
+either to dwell on this side the Beare swamp, or
+at the East side of Mr. Flint’s Pond.</p>
+
+<p>These orders were put into form by Captain
+Simon Willard, of Concord, whom the Indians
+chose to be their Recorder. They were very
+solicitous that what they agreed upon might be
+faithfully preserved without alteration. The
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[112]</span>narrative of these conclusions and orders is
+signed by Thomas Flint, and Simon Willard.&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_25" href="#Footnote_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a>&#x2060;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Shepard says that on the 3d March,
+1647, he and the Rev. Messrs. Wilson of Boston,
+Allen, of Dedham, and President Dunster,
+and many Christian friends, attended the Indian
+Lecture at Nonantum. “On which day,” he
+says, “perceiving divers of the Indian women
+well affected, and considering that their soules
+might stand in need of answer to their scruples
+as well as the mens, and yet because we knew
+how unfit it was for women so much as to ask
+questions publicly immediately by themselves,
+wee did therefore desire them to propound any
+questions they would be resolved about by
+first acquainting either their Husbands or the
+Interpreter privately therewith; whereupon we
+heard two questions orderly propounded; which
+because they are the first ever propounded by
+Indian women in such an ordinance that ever
+wee heard of, and because they may bee otherwise
+useful, I shall therefore set them down.”</p>
+
+<p>The first question was proposed by the wife
+of one Wampooas, a serious Indian, and was to
+this effect:</p>
+
+<p>“Do I pray when my husband prays, if I
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[113]</span>speak nothing as he doth, yet if I like what he
+says, and my heart goes with it?”</p>
+
+<p>The second was by the wife of one Totherswampe,
+viz., “Whether a husband should do
+well to pray with his wife, and yet continue in
+his passions and be angry with his wife?”</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Shepard says, he had “heard few
+Christians when they begin to look towards
+God, make more searching questions than these
+Indians.”</p>
+
+<p>An old Indian had an unruly, disobedient
+son. He asked, “What should one do with
+him, in case of obstinacy and disobedience, and
+that will not hear God’s word, though his father
+command him, nor will not forsake his drunkenness,
+though his father forbid him.”</p>
+
+<p>Rev. Mr. Wilson was much moved at this
+question, “and spake so terribly yet so graciously
+as might have affected a heart not quite
+shut up, which this young desperado hearing,
+(who well understood the English tongue,) instead
+of humbling himself before the Lord’s
+Word, which touched his conscience and condition
+so neare, hee was filled with the Spirit of
+Satan, and as soone as ever Mr. Wilson’s
+speech was ended, he brake out into a loud contemptuous
+expression. ‘So!’ saith he; which
+we passed by without speaking againe, leaving
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[114]</span>the Word with him, which wee knew would
+one day take its effect one way or other upon
+him.”</p>
+
+<p>In 1647, Messrs. Eliot, Wilson and Shepard,
+were sent for to Yarmouth, to arbitrate in some
+difficulties, by means of which “not only that
+bruised Church, but the whole Towne” was
+restored to peace. “But Mr. Eliot, as hee takes
+all other advantages of time, so hee took this, of
+speaking with, and preaching to the poore Indians
+in these remote places about Cape Cod.”</p>
+
+<p>The Indian dialect varied in forty or sixty
+miles, and on this account, and because the Indians
+at Cape Cod “were not accustomed to
+sacred language, about the holy things of God,
+wherein Mr. Eliot excels any other of the English,
+who in the Indian language about common
+matters excell him,” it was difficult to make
+them understand, yet by the help of one or two
+interpreters, they succeeded.</p>
+
+<p>There was a Sachem among them of a very
+furious spirit, whom the English for that reason
+called Jehu. He promised to attend the preaching
+on the day appointed, and to bring his men
+with him, but that very morning he sent his men
+to sea for fish, and although he came late to
+hear the Sermon, his men were absent. Yet he
+feigned that he did not understand what was
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[115]</span>said, though the others said that he did understand,
+and Mr. Eliot by privately questioning
+him found out that he did. He heard, however,
+“with a dogged look, and a discontented countenance.”
+How curious the uniform resemblance
+of the human heart in different classes of hearers
+in every age and place, under the preaching
+of the Gospel. Who in preaching has not seen
+a face answering to this Jehu’s face, and the
+heart of man to that of this man?</p>
+
+<p>It was found on this visit to the Indians of
+Cape Cod, that there was some tradition among
+them of the Gospel having been preached in
+those parts before. An aged Indian told the
+ministers that the very things which Mr. Eliot
+had taught them as the Commandments of God,
+and concerning God, and the making of the
+world by one God, they had heard from some
+old men now dead. A French ship was wrecked
+upon that coast many years before, and among
+the passengers and crew was the Frenchman
+who, the Indian tradition said,&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_26" href="#Footnote_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a> while the
+Indians were putting him to death, told them
+that God was angry with them for their sins.
+Mr. Shepard speaks of “the French preacher
+cast upon those coasts many years since.” This
+man may have been a French Catholic Priest,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[116]</span>on his way to the French possessions in
+Canada.&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_27" href="#Footnote_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a>&#x2060;</p>
+
+<p>The presence of this preacher among them
+will account for a dream which one of the Indians
+related to Mr. Shepard and his companions,
+as having occurred to him some time
+ago. The tradition of what the preacher had
+said, and the account of his appearance was
+strongly impressed upon his imagination,&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_28" href="#Footnote_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a> as we
+may suppose, without resorting to any other
+explanation of the dream which nevertheless is
+curious and interesting.</p>
+
+<p>He said that two years before the arrival of
+the English, there was a great mortality in that
+region, and one night when he was much disturbed
+and broken of his rest, he dreamed that
+he saw many men arrive upon the coast, dressed
+in such clothes as the English wear. Among
+them there was a man wholly in black, with a
+thing in his hand which he now saw was an
+Englishman’s book; that the man in black stood
+on a place higher than the rest, with the English
+around him, before a great number of the Indians.
+This man told the Indians that God was
+<i>moosquantum</i>, or angry with them, and would
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[117]</span>kill them for their sins. He said, that he himself
+then stood up, and asked the man in black
+what God would do with him and his Squaw
+and Papooses. The man would not answer him
+the first nor the second time, but the third time
+he proposed the question, the man smiled upon
+him, and told him that he and his papooses
+would be safe, and that God would give them
+victuals and other good things.</p>
+
+<p>Strange as it may seem, this dreamer who
+seemed thus to have had his dream fulfilled,
+would not come to the sermon till it was nearly
+finished, and then finding that the man in
+black was yet speaking, “away he flung,” and
+was seen no more by the ministers till the next
+day. Whether Satan, or fear, or guilt, or the
+world prevailed, Mr. Shepard says he could not
+say.</p>
+
+<p>The next year this writer says, he was much
+surprised in attending an Indian Lecture at
+Nonantum, to see so many Indian men, women,
+and children, in English apparel, so that they
+were scarcely known from the English people.
+Partly by gifts, and partly by their own labors,
+some of them had obtained means by which
+they were even handsomely dressed.</p>
+
+<p>June 9, 1648, was the first day of the Synod’s
+meeting at Cambridge. The forenoon was spent
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[118]</span>in hearing a sermon preparatory to the work of
+the Synod, and the afternoon was occupied in
+hearing an Indian Lecture. “There was a great
+gathering of Indians from all parts to hear Mr.
+Eliot, which we conceived not unseasonable at
+such a time; partly that the reports of God’s
+worke begun among them might be seen and
+believed of the chief who were then sent, and
+met from all the churches of Christ in this country,
+who could hardly believe the reports they
+had heard concerning these new stirs among the
+Indians, and partly hereby to raise up a greater
+spirit of prayer, for the carrying on the work
+begun upon the Indians among all the churches
+and servants of the Lord Jesus. The sermon
+was spent in showing them their miserable condition
+without Christ, out of Ephes. 2:1, that
+they were dead in trespasses and sinnes, and in
+pointing unto them the Lord Jesus who onely
+could quicken them.”</p>
+
+<p>After sermon, opportunity was given for the
+Indians to ask questions. Some of them were
+these:</p>
+
+<p>What countryman was Christ, and where was
+he born?</p>
+
+<p>How far off is that place from us here?</p>
+
+<p>Where is Christ now?</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[119]</span></p>
+
+<p>How may we lay hold on Christ, and where,
+he being now absent from us?</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Shepard continues, “But that which I note
+is this, that their gracious attention to the Word,
+the affections and mournings of some of them
+under it, their sober propounding of divers and
+spirituall questions, their aptnesse to beleeve
+and understand what was replyed to them; the
+readiness of divers poore naked children to answer
+openly the chief questions in the Catechism,
+which were formerly taught them, and
+such like appearances of a great change upon
+them did marvellously affect all the wise and
+godly ministers, magistrates and people, and did
+raise their hearts up to great thankfulnesse to
+God; very many deeply and abundantly mourning
+for joy to see such a blessed day, and the
+Lord Jesus so much known and spoken of
+among such as never heard of him before: So
+that if any in England doubt of the truth of
+what was formerly writ; or if any malignant
+eye shall question and vilifie this work, they
+will now speak too late, for what was here done
+at <i>Cambridge</i>, was not set under a Bushell, but
+in the open Sunne; and what <i>Thomas</i> would
+not beleeve by the reports of others, he might be
+forced to beleeve by seeing with his own eyes,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[120]</span>and feeling Christ Jesus thus risen among them
+with his own hands.”&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_29" href="#Footnote_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a>&#x2060;</p>
+
+<p>An old Indian came to Mr. Eliot’s house, as
+Mr. Eliot told Mr. Shepard, and Mr. Eliot told
+him that because he brought his wife and children
+to meeting so constantly, he would give
+him some clothes, for it was cold weather, and
+the old man was quite destitute. He did not
+understand this term which Mr. Eliot used for
+clothes, and enquired of Mr. Eliot’s Indian domestic,
+and when he understood that it was
+clothing which was promised, he broke out with
+much feeling, saying, “God is merciful:”—“a
+blessed, because a plainhearted, affectionate
+speech,” says Mr. Shepard, “and worthy of Englishmen’s
+thoughts when they put on their
+clothes; to think that a poor blind Indian that
+scarce ever heard of God before, that hee should
+see not only God in his clothes, but mercy also
+in a promise of a cast off worne sute of clothes,
+which were then given him, and which he now
+daily wears.”</p>
+
+<p>Mr. S. says that “Mr. Edward Jackson one of
+our Towne, constantly attended Mr. Eliot’s
+Lectures, and took down the questions and answers,
+and having sent me his notes, I shall
+send you a taste of some of them,” viz.:</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[121]</span></p>
+
+<p>1. Why are some so bad that they hate those
+men that would teach them good things?</p>
+
+<p>2. Was the devil or man made first?</p>
+
+<p>3. If a father prays to God to teach his sons
+to know him, and he doth teach them himself,
+and they will not learn to know God, what
+should such fathers do? This question was put
+by an old man that had rude children.</p>
+
+<p>4. A Squaw asked this question: Whether
+she might not go and pray in some private
+place in the woods, when her husband was not
+at home, because she was ashamed to pray in
+the wigwam before company?</p>
+
+<p>5. How may one know wicked men, who are
+good, and who are bad?</p>
+
+<p>6. To what nation did Jesus Christ come
+first unto, and when?</p>
+
+<p>The following question illustrates the old saying,
+that a child or fool may ask a question
+which a philosopher cannot answer. It relates
+to the solemn and fearful subject of the dissolution
+of the body and soul. Who has not, at least
+in his earlier years, puzzled himself with questions
+about the passage of a departing spirit
+from the chamber of death? The question referred
+to was this:</p>
+
+<p>7. If a man should be inclosed in iron a foot
+thick, and thrown into the fire, what would become
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[122]</span>of the soul? Could the soul come out
+thence or not?</p>
+
+<p>8. Why did not God give all men good
+hearts, that they might be good?</p>
+
+<p>9. If one should be among strange Indians
+that know not God, and they should make him
+to fight against some whom he ought not to
+fight against, and he should refuse, and for his
+refusal they should kill him, what would become
+of his soul in such a case? This question was
+asked by a “stout fellow,” whose mind was
+interested in religion, and was connected with
+the notion of the Indians that all their valiant
+men have a reward after death. He seemed to
+think that his refusal to fight in the case supposed,
+might prejudice his chance of reward
+hereafter.</p>
+
+<p>10. How long is it before men believe who
+have the word of God made known unto them?</p>
+
+<p>11. How may we know when our faith is
+good, and our prayers good prayers?</p>
+
+<p>12. Why did not God kill the devil, that made
+all men so bad, God having all power?</p>
+
+<p>13. If we be made weak by sin in our hearts,
+how can we come before God to sanctify the
+Sabbath?</p>
+
+<p>An amusing incident took place at one of the
+public meetings. A drunken Indian cried out,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[123]</span>“Mr. Eliot, who made sack? Who made
+sack?” This, it will be perceived, was a cavil
+about the “origin of evil.” It is said that “he
+was soon snib’d by the other Indians, who cried
+out that it was a papoose question. Mr. Eliot
+seriously answered him; which hath cooled
+his boldness ever since.”</p>
+
+<p>The man who took down these questions says
+that “he had some occasion to speak to Waban,
+(one of the chief men at Nonantum,) about the
+time of sun-rising, and staying about half an
+hour, as he came back by one of the wigwams,
+the man of that wigwam was at prayer, at which
+he was so much affected that he stopped under
+a tree to listen; and these passages of Scripture
+came to his mind while listening to the voice of
+devotion from the wigwam: ‘All the ends of
+the earth shall remember and turn unto the
+Lord.’ ‘O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee
+shall all flesh come.’”</p>
+
+<p>He says that he had seen an Indian call his
+children in from the field where they were
+gathering corn, when he asked a blessing upon
+the food before them, “with much affection,
+having but a homely dinner to eat.” Mr.
+Shepard adds, “I wish the like hearts and
+wayes were seen in many English who professe
+themselves Christians, and that herein and many
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[124]</span>the like excellencies they were become Indians,
+excepting that name, as he did, in another case,
+except these bonds.”</p>
+
+<p>The following is the substance of an order
+passed by the General Court at Boston, May
+26, 1647, concerning the Indians.</p>
+
+<p>“Upon information that the Indians dwelling
+among us, and submitted to our government,
+being by the ministry of the Word brought to
+some civility, are desirous to have a course of
+ordinary judicature set up among them:</p>
+
+<p>“It is ordered, therefore, by authority of this
+Court, that some one or more of the magistrates,
+as they shall agree among themselves, shall,
+once every quarter, keep a Court at such place
+where the Indians ordinarily assemble to hear
+the Word of God, and may then hear and determine
+all causes civill and criminall, not being
+capitall, concerning the Indians only; and that
+the Indian sachims shall have libertie to take
+order in the nature of summons or atachments, to
+bring any of their own people to the said Courts,
+and to keep a Court of themselves every moneth,
+if they see occasion, to determine small causes
+of a civill nature, and such smaller criminall
+causes, as the said magistrates shall refer to
+them: and the said sachims shall appoint officers
+to serve warrants, and to execute the orders
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[125]</span>and judgements of either of said Courts, which
+officers shall from time to time bee allowed by
+the said magistrates in the quarter Courts, or by
+the Governour: And that all fines to bee imposed
+upon any of the Indians, in any of the said
+Courts, shall goe and bee bestowed towards the
+building of some meeting-houses, for education
+of their poorer children in learning, or other publick
+use, by the advice of said magistrates, and
+of Master Eliot, or of such other elder, as shall
+ordinarily instruct them in the true Religion.
+And it is the desire of this court that the said
+magistrates, and Master Eliot, or such other
+elders as shall attend the keeping of the said
+Courts, will carefully indeavour to make the Indians
+understand our most usefull Lawes, and
+the principles of reason, justice, and equity,
+whereupon they are grounded; and it is desired
+that some care may be taken of the Indians on
+the Lord’s dayes.”</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Shepard speaks of his brother Eliot as a
+man “whom, in other respects, but especially
+for his unweariednesse in this work of God,
+going up and down among them, and doing
+them good, I think we can never love nor
+honor enough.” Mr. Eliot says, “That which
+I first aymed at was to declare and deliver
+unto them the law of God, to civilize them;
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[126]</span>which course the Lord took by Moses, to
+give the law to that rude company, because
+of transgression, Galatians 3:19, to convince,
+bridle, restrain, and civilize them, and also
+to humble them. But when I first attempted
+it they gave no heed unto it, but were weary,
+and rather despised what I said. A while
+after God stirred up in some of them a desire
+to come into the English fashions, and live
+after their manner, but knew not how to attain
+unto it; yea, despaired that it should ever
+come to passe in their dayes; but thought that,
+in 40 yeears more, some Indians would be all one
+English, and in an hundred yeears all Indians
+hereabout would so bee: which when I heard,
+(for some of them told me they thought so, and
+that some wise Indians said so,) my heart moved
+within me, abhorring that wee should sit still
+and let that work alone, and hoping that this
+notion in them was of the Lord, and that this
+mind in them was a preparation to embrace the
+law and Word of God; and therefore I told
+them that they and wee were all one save in two
+things, which make the only difference betwixt
+them and us: First, wee know, serve, and pray
+unto God, and they doe not. Secondly, we labor
+and work in building, planting, clothing ourselves,
+&amp;c., and they doe not; and would they
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[127]</span>but doe as wee doe in these things they would
+bee all one with Englishmen. They said they
+did not know God, and therefore could not tell
+how to pray to him nor serve him. I told them
+if they would learn to know God, I would teach
+them; unto which they being very willing, I
+then taught them, (as I sundry times had indeavored
+afore,) but never found them so forward,
+attentive, and desirous till this time; and then I
+told them I would come to their wigwams and
+teach them, their wives and children, which
+they seemed very glad of; and, from that day
+forward, I have not failed to doe that poore little
+which you know I doe.”</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Eliot says that he found the usual opposition
+to religion among Indians which he found
+among white men. The Indians of “Dorchester
+Mill,” for example, would not, at first, regard
+his instructions; “but the better sort of them perceiving
+how acceptable this was to the English,
+both to magistrates, and all the good people, it
+pleased God to step in and bow their hearts, to
+desire to be taught to know God.” “The <i>Linn</i>
+Indians,” Mr. Eliot said, “are all naught save
+one.” This was owing to the opposition of
+their sachem.</p>
+
+<p>A sober Indian going up into the country
+with two of his sons, prayed as he used to do at
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[128]</span>home, and talked to the Indians about God and
+Jesus Christ; whereupon they mocked, and
+called one of his sons Jehovah, and the other
+Jesus Christ.</p>
+
+<p>The Nonantum Indians early began to observe
+the Lord’s day. They fined every violator
+of the Sabbath ten shillings. One Sabbath
+morning the sachem’s wife went to fetch water,
+when, meeting with other Indian women, she
+fell into worldly conversation with them, but
+they reproved her. She insisted that it was not
+improper, but the other women informed the
+native Indian preacher who was to address them
+that day, and he discoursed to them upon the
+sanctification of the Sabbath, and in his discourse
+related what he had heard about the
+sachem’s wife. After sermon they had much
+conversation on the subject, in which the sachem’s
+wife insisted that, inasmuch as her conversation
+was in private, and early on the
+Sabbath morning, there was no harm in it; and
+then she retorted upon the preacher by telling
+him that he had sinned much more than she in
+giving occasion to so much talk about this subject
+on the Sabbath. The whole matter was, by
+common consent, referred to Mr. Eliot for his
+arbitration.</p>
+
+<p>Towards evening, on another Sabbath, two
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[129]</span>strangers came to Waban’s tent (Nonantum);
+and when they came in, they told him that,
+about a mile off, they had chased a racoon into
+a hollow tree, and that if he would send his servants
+to fell the tree, they might catch him,
+which Waban, in his desire to entertain the
+strangers with fresh game, accordingly did.
+Whereupon the Indians were much displeased,
+and this case was, by request, made the subject
+of discourse on the next lecture day.</p>
+
+<p>Another case was this. “Upon a Lord’s day
+their public meeting holding long, and somewhat
+late when they came at home, in one wigwam
+the fire was almost out, and therefore the
+man of the house, as he sat by the fireside, took
+his hatchet and split a little dry piece of wood,
+which they reserve on purpose for such use, and
+so kindled his fire, which, being taken notice of,
+it was thought to bee such a worke as might not
+lawfully bee done upon the Sabbath day, and
+therefore the case was propounded the lecture
+following for their better information.”</p>
+
+<p>A great improvement was soon visible among
+them in their treatment of their wives. A man
+who had offended in this respect was brought
+before the assembly at a time when the governor
+and many of the colonists happened to be present.
+The man being publicly accused of beating his
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[130]</span>wife, made no defence, but confessed his sin,
+and being kindly admonished and instructed, he
+turned his face to the wall and wept; “and such
+was the modest, penitent, and melting behaviour
+of the man that it much affected all to see it in
+a barbarian, and all did forgive him; onely this
+remained, that they executed their law notwithstanding
+his repentance, and required his fine,
+to which he willingly submitted, and paid it.”</p>
+
+<p>The power of conscience among them is illustrated
+by Mr. Eliot in the two following anecdotes.</p>
+
+<p>The son of a sachem, 14 or 15 years old, had
+been intoxicated; and being reproved by his
+father and mother for disobedient and rebellious
+conduct, he despised their admonition. Before
+Mr. E. heard of it, he had observed that on
+being catechised, the fifth commandment being
+required of him, he reluctantly said, “Honor thy
+father,” but left out “mother.”</p>
+
+<p>George, the Indian, who asked, in a public
+meeting, “Who made sack?” killed a cow, and
+sold it at the college for a moose. President
+Dunster was unwilling that he should be directly
+charged with it, but wished Mr. Eliot to inquire
+of him as to the crime. But being brought before
+the assembly, he freely confessed his sin.</p>
+
+<p>The Indians were never weary of asking
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[131]</span>questions in the public meetings. An old Powaw
+once demanded, Why, seeing the English
+had been in the land twenty-seven years, they
+had never taught the Indians to know God till
+now? He added, many of us have grown old
+in sin, whereas had you begun with us earlier,
+we might have been good.</p>
+
+<p>The answer was that the English did repent
+that they were not more earnest at the first to
+seek their salvation, but the Indians were never
+willing to hear till now, and as God has now
+inclined their hearts to hear, the English were
+striving to redeem the time.</p>
+
+<p>Another question was of deep interest. One
+of them said, That before he knew God, he
+thought he was well, but since, he had found
+his heart to be full of sin, and more sinful than
+it ever was before; and that this had been a
+great trouble to him; that at that day his heart
+was but little better than it was at first, and <i>he
+was afraid it would be as bad as it was before,
+and therefore he sometimes wished that he might
+die before he should be so bad again</i>! Now,
+said he, my question is, Is this wish a sin?
+Mr. E. says this question was evidently the
+result of his own experience and seemed to be
+sincere.</p>
+
+<p>Another question was this:</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[132]</span></p>
+
+<p>Whither do our little children go when they
+die, seeing they have not sinned?</p>
+
+<p>This led to an exposition of the depravity of
+man’s nature, and of the part which it is hoped
+dying infants have in the redemption made by
+Christ, and the covenant relation of the children
+of believers, which last doctrine Mr. Eliot says,
+“was exceedingly grateful unto them.”</p>
+
+<p>The whole assembly at one time united and
+sent a question to Mr. Eliot by his man, as their
+united question, viz:</p>
+
+<p>“Whether any of them should go to heaven,
+seeing they found their hearts full of sin, and
+especially full of the sin of lust?” At the next
+lecture held at “Dorchester mill,” occasion was
+taken to preach to them from Matt. 11:28, 29.
+“Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy
+laden,” &amp;c., when the justifying grace of Christ
+to all who are weary and sick of sin was fully
+and earnestly set forth. But at this time they
+repeated their fearful apprehension that “none
+of them would go to heaven.”</p>
+
+<p>A question which uniformly troubled all who
+began to think of embracing religion was this:</p>
+
+<p>“If we leave off Powawing and pray to God,
+what shall we do when we are sick?” For
+though they had some knowledge of the medicinal
+qualities in certain roots and herbs, they of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[133]</span>course had no knowledge of the human system,
+and hence no skill in applying their remedies,
+but relied on the antics and unearthly gestures
+and incantations of their Powaws to make the
+medicines take effect. Mr. Eliot expressed the
+desire that the Lord would stir up the hearts of
+some people in England to give some maintenance
+towards a school or academy, wherein
+there should be “Anatomies, and other instructions
+that way.” Mr. E. had himself showed
+them an anatomy, the only one he says the
+English had ever had in the country. By a
+course of instruction in medicine Mr. E. believed
+that he could most effectually, and perhaps, in
+the only way, “root out their Powaws.”</p>
+
+<p>The Indians proposed this question to Mr.
+Eliot:</p>
+
+<p>“What shall we say to some Indians who
+say to us, What do you get by praying to God,
+and believing in Jesus Christ? You go naked
+still, and are as poor as we. Our corn is as
+good as yours; and we take more pleasure than
+you; if we saw that you got any thing by praying
+to God, we would do so.”</p>
+
+<p>Mr. E. answered to them on this point as
+follows: “First, God gives two sorts of good
+things; 1. little things, which he showed by
+his little finger, (‘for they use and delight in
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[134]</span>demonstrations;’) 2. great things, (holding up
+his thumb). The little mercies he said are
+riches, clothes, food, sack, houses, cattle, and
+pleasures, all which serve the body for a little
+while, and in this life only. The great mercies
+are wisdom, the knowledge of God, Christ,
+eternal life, repentance and faith; these are for
+the soul, and eternity. Though God did not
+give them so many little things, through the
+knowledge of the Gospel, he gave them the
+greater things which are better. This he
+proved by an illustration: when <i>Foxun</i>, the
+Mohegan Counselor, who is counted the wisest
+Indian in the country, was in the Bay, I did on
+purpose bring him unto you; and when he was
+here, you saw he was a fool in comparison of
+you, for you could speak of God, and Christ,
+and heaven, &amp;c.; but he sat and had not one
+word to say unless you talked of such poor
+things as hunting, wars, &amp;c.”</p>
+
+<p>He also told them that they had some more
+clothes than the wicked Indians; and the reason
+why they had so few, was because they had so
+little wisdom; but if they were wise to obey
+God’s commands, for example, “Six days shalt
+thou labor,” they would have clothes, houses,
+cattle, and riches, as the English have.</p>
+
+<p>Many questions and cases of dispute arose
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[135]</span>out of their old practice of gaming, to which
+they were greatly addicted. The irreligious
+Indians demanded the old stakes of some who
+had been convinced of the sin of gaming, and
+had declined to pay their forfeits. The winners
+however, insisted on being payed. Mr. Eliot
+had no little trouble in settling the matters of
+casuistry and conscience which thus occurred.
+But he took this method in many cases. He
+prevailed on the creditor to accept one half
+of his demand, having first showed him the
+sinfulness of gaming. He then told the debtor
+in private that God requires us to fulfill our
+promises though to our hurt, and then asked
+him if he would pay half. In this way such
+cases were many of them settled, for the creditors
+refused Mr. Eliot’s proposition, that whoever
+challenged a debt incurred by gaming should
+go before the Governor with his demand.</p>
+
+<p>The demand upon Mr. Eliot for agricultural
+and other implements soon increased beyond
+his ability to supply them. The women were
+desirous of learning to spin; wheels were procured
+for them. The men began to supply the
+English market all the year round, in the winter
+with brooms, staves, eel-pots, baskets, and
+turkies; in the spring with cranberries, fish, and
+strawberries; in the summer, with whortleberries,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[136]</span>grapes and fish; and in the autumn, with
+cranberries, fish and venison. Some of them
+worked with the English in haying time, and
+harvest; but it was hard work for them with
+their old habits of indolence. “Old boughs,”
+says Mr. Eliot, “must be bent a little at once;
+if we can set the young twigges in a better bent,
+it will bee God’s mercy.”</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Eliot fell in with a Narragansett Sachem,
+and having spoken to him on the subject of
+religion, asked him if he did not believe such
+things? The Sachem seemed averse to answer,
+and Mr. E. asked him why he had not profited
+more by the instructions of a Mr. Williams,
+their teacher? He answered that the Indians did
+not care to learn of him, because he is no good
+man, but goes out and works upon the Sabbath
+day. “I name it,” says Thomas Shepard, “not
+to show what glimmerings nature may have
+concerning the observation of the Sabbath, but
+to show what the ill example of the English
+may do, and <i>to show what a stumbling-block to
+all religion the loose observation of the Sabbath
+is</i>.”</p>
+
+<p>In a few years Mr. Eliot says a visible improvement
+had taken place in many of the
+domestic habits of the Indians, indicating an
+advancement in the principles and sentiments
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[137]</span>of civilization. Not only were they as a general
+thing respectably clothed, but the common
+wigwams at Nonantum equalled those of Sachems
+in other tribes, and instead of herding
+together in one room they made divisions and
+apartments in their houses from feelings of
+propriety and modesty.</p>
+
+<p>Questions relating to the plurality of their
+wives perplexed them, and gave occasion for the
+same judicious decisions on this delicate and
+trying subject which are now made by our wise
+and discreet missionaries in lands where the
+same practice exists. While some good men
+are in favor of driving the ploughshare at once
+among the roots of this and every other evil
+in the institutions and customs of corrupt society,
+it is found impracticable to do so, by those
+who see the complicated nature of these practices,
+without occasioning still greater evils.
+Remedial measures are in operation among the
+converts from heathenism and paganism by
+which caste and polygamy and other social
+evils will in time, but not in a day or year, be
+done away. The process of cure was more
+rapid among the Indians, than it is among the
+Oriental tribes, for reasons connected with the
+character of the people, the ascendency which
+religion soon had among them, and the absence
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[138]</span>of opposing influences in the government of the
+tribes.</p>
+
+<p>The text from which Mr. Eliot preached his
+first sermon at Nonantum, (“Prophesy to the
+wind,” &amp;c.) and which made Waban, whose
+name translated, is, the wind, had produced a
+decided effect on him, and he became useful in
+diffusing the knowledge of the Gospel to other
+tribes, at Concord, at places on the Merrimack,
+and elsewhere. He remained steadfast in the
+faith, and never ceased to think that the Word
+of God was directed specially to himself in that
+first sermon of Mr. Eliot, though Mr. E. says
+that he had no design in the coincidence between
+the text and the Indian’s name.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Eliot once preached to the Indians from
+these words, Ephes. 5:11, “Have no fellowship
+with the unfruitful works of darkness,” &amp;c.
+One of the questions proposed after sermon was
+this:</p>
+
+<p>What do Englishmen think of Mr. Eliot,
+because he comes among wicked Indians to
+teach them?</p>
+
+<p>Another question was as follows:</p>
+
+<p>Suppose two men sin. The one knows he
+sinneth, and the other doth not know sin, will
+God punish both alike?</p>
+
+<p>Another asked, Suppose there should be one
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[139]</span>wise Indian that teacheth good things to other
+Indians, whether should not he be as a father or
+brother unto such Indians he so teacheth in the
+ways of God?</p>
+
+<p>One of the Indians at Nonantum had a child
+sick of consumption. When it was dead some
+of the Indians came to one of the English and
+asked him the proper manner of burial. Whereupon
+the father procured some pieces of board
+and nails, and made a decent coffin; and about
+forty of the tribe went with the body to the
+grave. There having laid the body in the
+earth, in a solemn and suitable manner, without
+any howlings, or heathenish rites, or savage
+gesticulations, they made up the mound, and
+then of their own accord, for it was not the English
+custom, they assembled for prayer near the
+grave, and requested one of their number, a
+serious Indian by the name of Totherswamp, to
+pray with them, which he did, “with such zeal
+and variety of gracious expressions, and abundance
+of tears, both of himself and most of the
+company, that the woods rang again with their
+sighs and prayers.”</p>
+
+<p>Thomas Shepard says, “I know that some will
+think that all this work among them is done
+and acted thus by the Indians to please the
+English, and for applause from them; and it is
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[140]</span>not unlikely but ’tis so in many, who doe but
+blaze for a time; but certainly ’tis not so in all,
+but that the power of the Word hath taken place
+in some, and that inwardly and effectually, but
+how far savingly time will declare. Some may
+say that if it be so, yet they are but few that
+are thus wrought upon. Be it so; yet so it
+hath ever been, many called, few chosen, and
+yet withal, I believe the calling in of a few
+Indians to Christ, is the gathering home of
+many hundreds more, considering what a vast
+distance there hath been between them and
+God so long, even dayes without number; considering
+also, how precious the first fruits of
+America will be to Jesus Christ, and what seeds
+they may be of harvests in after times; and yet
+if there was no great matter seen in those of
+grown years, their children, notwithstanding,
+are of great hopes, both from English and
+Indians themselves, who are therefore trained
+up to schoole, where many are very apt to
+learne, and who are also able readily to answer
+to the questions propounded, containing the
+principles and grounds of all Christian religion
+in their own tongue. I confesse it passeth my
+skill to tell how the Gospel should be generally
+received by these American natives, considering
+the variety of languages in small distances of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[141]</span>places; onely hee that made their cares and
+tongues can raise up some or other to teach
+them how to heare, and what to spake; and if
+the Gospel must ride circuit, Christ can and will
+conquer by weake and dispicable meanes,
+though the conquest perhaps may be somewhat
+long.”&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_30" href="#Footnote_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a>&#x2060;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Eliot wrote an interesting letter to a
+friend in England, dated Roxbury, this 12th of
+Nov. 1648, and sent it <i>by the way of Virginia,
+and through Spain</i>.</p>
+
+<p>He says that the Indians used to abhor the
+remembrance of their dead friends, but that now
+they had begun to receive profit from the recollection
+of their dying counsels, and hope from
+their confidence in the safety of the pious dead.
+The woman who asked the question, whether,
+when her husband prayed, if she prayed in her
+heart, but did not speak, yet her heart liked
+what he said, it was prayer; called her two
+grown up daughters to her when she was dying
+and said to them: “I shall now die, and when I
+am dead, your grand-parents and uncles will
+send for you to come live among them and
+promise you great matters, and tell you what
+pleasant living it is among them. But do not
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[142]</span>believe them, and I charge you never hearken
+unto them, nor live among them; for they pray
+not to God, keep not the Sabbath, commit all
+manner of sins, and are not punished for it.
+But I charge you live here, for here they pray
+unto God, the Word of God is taught, sins are
+suppressed and punished by laws, and therefore
+I charge you live here all your days.” Soon
+after it came to pass as she had said, and the
+case was propounded to Mr. Eliot, and the
+father-in-law opposed the removal of the children,
+on the ground of their mother’s charge.</p>
+
+<p>The settlement of Natick took place in the
+following way. Many Indians in the country
+were desirous of hearing the Gospel, but they
+would not remove into the neighborhood of the
+English, “because they had no tools or skill, or
+heart to fence their grounds,” and so their corn
+was spoiled by the English cattle, and the English
+refused to pay for it, because the Indians
+would not build fences. “Therefore,” Mr. E.
+says, “a place must be found (both for this and
+sundry other reasons) somewhat remote from
+the English;—but I feare it will bee too chargeable,
+though I see that God delighteth in small
+beginnings that his name may be magnified.”</p>
+
+<p>There was a great fishing place at the falls of
+the Merrimack where the Indians assembled
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[143]</span>every spring, and Mr. E. visited them. They
+put a question to him after one of his sermons,
+which all who are interested in the conversion
+of the heathen often find occurring to them
+with painful interest. “If it be thus as you
+teach, then all the world of Indians are gone to
+hell, to be tormented forever, until now a few
+may go to heaven and be saved; is it so?”</p>
+
+<p>In the letter which went so far in getting to
+England, Mr. Eliot records some further questions
+from his Nonantum Indians, viz:</p>
+
+<p>How many good people were in Sodom when
+it was burnt?</p>
+
+<p>Doth the devil dwell in us as we dwell in a
+house?</p>
+
+<p>When God saith, Honor thy father, doth he
+mean three fathers, our father, our Sachem, and
+our God?</p>
+
+<p>When the soul goes to heaven, what doth it
+say when it comes there. And what doth a
+wicked soul say when it cometh into hell?</p>
+
+<p>If one sleep on the Sabbath at meeting, and
+another awaketh him, and he be angry at it,
+and say it’s because he is angry with him that
+he so doth, is not this a sin?</p>
+
+<p>If any talk of another man’s faults and tell
+others of it when he is not present to answer, is
+not that a sin?</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[144]</span></p>
+
+<p>Why did Christ die in our stead?</p>
+
+<p>Seeing Eve was first in sin, whether she did
+die first?</p>
+
+<p>Why must we love our enemies, and how
+shall we do it?</p>
+
+<p>When every day my heart thinks I must die
+and go to hell for my sins, what shall I do in
+this case?</p>
+
+<p>May a good man sin sometimes? Or may
+he be a good man and yet sin sometimes?</p>
+
+<p>If a man think a prayer, doth God know it,
+and will he bless him?</p>
+
+<p>Who killed Christ?</p>
+
+<p>If a man be almost a good man and dieth,
+whither goeth his soul?</p>
+
+<p>How long was Adam good before he sinned?</p>
+
+<p>Seeing we see not God with our eyes, if a
+man dream that he seeth God, doth his soul
+then see him?</p>
+
+<p>Did Adam see God before he sinned? Shall
+we see God in heaven?</p>
+
+<p>If a wicked man pray, whether doth he make
+a good prayer? Or when doth a wicked man
+pray a good prayer?</p>
+
+<p>Whether God did make hell before Adam
+sinned?</p>
+
+<p>If two families dwell in one house, and one
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[145]</span>prayeth and the other not, what shall they that
+pray do to them that do not?</p>
+
+<p>Did Abimelech know Sarah was Abraham’s
+wife?</p>
+
+<p>Did not Abraham sin in saying she was my
+sister?</p>
+
+<p>Seeing God promised Abraham so many
+children, like the stars for multitude, why did
+he give him so few? And was it true?</p>
+
+<p>If God made hell in one of the six days, why
+did God make hell before Adam sinned?</p>
+
+<p>How shall I bring mine heart to love prayer?</p>
+
+<p>If one man repent and pray once in a day,
+another man often in a day, whether doth one
+of them go to heaven, the other not? Or what
+difference is there?</p>
+
+<p>I find I want wisdom, what shall I do to be
+wise?</p>
+
+<p>Why did Abraham buy a place to bury in?</p>
+
+<p>Why doth God make good men sick?</p>
+
+<p>How shall the Resurrection be, and when?</p>
+
+<p>Do not Englishmen spoil their souls to say a
+thing cost them more than it did? and is not all
+one as to steal?</p>
+
+<p>You say our body is made of clay; what is
+the sun and moon made of?</p>
+
+<p>If one be loved of all Indians, good and bad,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[146]</span>another is hated of all, saving a few that be
+good, doth God love both these?</p>
+
+<p>I see why I must fear hell and do so every
+day. But why must I fear God?</p>
+
+<p>How is the tongue like fire, and like poison?</p>
+
+<p>What if false witnesses accuse me of murther,
+or some foul sin?</p>
+
+<p>What punishment is due to liars?</p>
+
+<p>If I reprove a man for sin, and he answer,
+“Why do you speak thus angrily to me? Mr.
+Eliot teacheth us to love one another?”—is this
+well?</p>
+
+<p>Why is God so angry with murtherers?</p>
+
+<p>If a wife put away her husband because he
+will pray to God and she will not, what is to be
+done in this case?</p>
+
+<p>If there be young women pray to God, may
+such as pray to God marry one that will not
+pray to God, or what is to be done in this case?</p>
+
+<p>Whether doth God make bad men dream
+good dreams?</p>
+
+<p>What is salvation?</p>
+
+<p>What is the Kingdom of Heaven?</p>
+
+<p>If my wife do some work in the house on the
+night before the Sabbath, and some work on the
+Sabbath night, whether this is a sin?</p>
+
+<p>If I do a sin, and do not know it is a sin, what
+will God say to that?</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[147]</span></p>
+
+<p>Is faith set in my heart or in my mind?</p>
+
+<p>Why have not beasts a soul as man hath,
+seeing they have love, anger, &amp;c., as man hath?</p>
+
+<p>How is the Spirit of God in us, and where
+is it?</p>
+
+<p>Why doth God punish in hell for ever? man
+doth not so, but after a time lets them out of
+prison again. And if they repent in hell, why
+will not God let them out again?</p>
+
+<p>How shall I know when God accepts my
+prayers?</p>
+
+<p>How doth Christ make peace between man
+and God? and what is the meaning of that
+point?</p>
+
+<p>Why did the Jews give the watchmen money
+to tell a lie?</p>
+
+<p>If I hear God’s word when I am young, and
+do not believe, but when I am old I believe,
+what will God say?</p>
+
+<p>In wicked dreams doth the soul sin?</p>
+
+<p>Doth the soul in heaven know things done
+here on earth?</p>
+
+<p>Doth the soul in heaven remember what it
+did here on earth before he died?</p>
+
+<p>If my heart be full of evil thoughts, and I repent
+and pray, and a few hours after it is full
+again, and I repent and pray again; and if after
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[148]</span>this it be full of evil thoughts again, what will
+God say?</p>
+
+<p>Why did the earth shake at Christ’s resurrection?</p>
+
+<p>What if a minister wear long hair, as some
+other men do, what will God say?</p>
+
+<p>If a man will make his daughter marry a
+man whom she doth not love, what will God
+say?</p>
+
+<p>Why doth Christ compare the kingdom of
+heaven to a net?</p>
+
+<p>Why doth God so hate them that teach others
+to commit sin?</p>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[149]</span></p>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+
+<p>Letters respecting the Indians, from individuals in New England, to
+their friends in Old England. Speculations about the lost tribes of
+Israel. Remarks. Questions. Samuel Gorton, the Familist. Two
+Indians controvert his opinions. Interesting conversation. Labors
+of the Mayhews on Martha’s Vineyard. Covenant of the Indians
+of Martha’s Vineyard. Questions. Merrimack Indians. Accounts
+by the Mayhews of their labors. Questions.</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<p>Some of Mr. Eliot’s letters respecting the Indians
+were published in London, with an appendix
+by Rev. “J. D.” As we are interested and
+entertained occasionally by a supposed discovery
+of the lost tribes of Israel, it may not be useless
+to give here some of the speculations and reasonings
+of this good man, on this subject as
+relating to the North American Indians. He
+begins his appendix with the following words:</p>
+
+<p>“The works of the Lord are great, sought
+out of all them that love them, saith the Psalmist;
+Ps. 111:3. The word which we, render
+<i>sought out</i>, hath a mighty emphasis in it:
+’Tis a word used sometimes to denote the elaborate
+care of digging and searching into mines.
+And sometimes it’s made use of to expresse the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[150]</span>accurate labors of those who comment upon
+writings. Indeed, there is a golden mine in
+every work of God; and the foregoing letters to
+a gracious eye, are as a discovery of a far more
+precious mine in America, than those gold and
+silver mines of India: For they bring tidings of
+the unsearchable riches of Christ, revealed unto
+poore soules in those parts.... I could not
+pass over so rich a mine without digging....</p>
+
+<p>“The general consent of many
+judicious and godly divines doth induce considering
+minds to believe that the conversion of
+the Jews is at hand. It’s the expectation of
+some of the wisest Jews now living, that about
+the year 1650, Either we shall be Mosaick or
+else that themselves Jews shall be Christians....
+There may be at least a remnant of
+the generation of Jacob in America, (peradventure
+some of the Ten tribes dispersions.) And
+that those sometimes poor now precious Indians
+may be as the first fruits of the glorious harvest
+of Israel’s redemption. The observation is not
+to be slighted, (though the observer, Mr. Shepard,
+said it was more cheerful than deep) that
+the first Text out of which Mr. Eliot preached,
+was about the dry bones.... Why may we
+not at least conjecture, that God by a special
+finger pointed out that text to be first opened,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[151]</span>which immediately concerned the persons to
+whom it was preached?”</p>
+
+<p>He then states the reasons why the Indian
+tribes may be of Jewish descent, viz:</p>
+
+<p>“1. They have at least a traditional knowledge
+of God, as the Maker of heaven and
+earth.</p>
+
+<p>2. Whatever they attribute unto others, this
+they peculiarly attribute unto God, viz: that
+all things, both good and evil, are managed by
+his Providence.</p>
+
+<p>3. Before they had received any instruction
+from the English, upon observation of a bad
+year, or other ill success, they did meet and
+weep as unto God, and on the other side, upon
+a good year, or good success in any business,
+as of War, they used to meet and make a kind
+of acknowledgement of thanks to God in it.</p>
+
+<p>4. They are careful to preserve the memory
+of their families, mentioning Uncles, Grandparents,
+&amp;c. A thing which had a great tang
+of, and affinity to, the Jews’ care of preserving
+the memorial of their Tribes.</p>
+
+<p>5. Those of them who have been wrought
+upon, tell of some face of Religion, wisdom and
+manners which long agoe their ancestors had,
+but that it was lost.</p>
+
+<p>6. The better and more sober of them delight
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[152]</span>much to expresse themselves in parables,
+a thing peculiar to the Jews.</p>
+
+<p>These and the like considerations prevail
+with me to entertain (at least) a conjecture that
+these Indians of America may be Jews, especially
+of the Ten Tribes. And therefore to hope
+that the work of Christ among them may be as
+preparatory to his own appearing.”</p>
+
+<p>Some of these reasons appertain with equal
+force to other tribes of the earth who have been
+supposed by different writers to be remnants of
+the house of Israel. While we should respect
+the interest and zeal of those who study the
+providence of God, with a view to finding out
+his designs, and to be prepared for the fulfillment
+of his promises, we should not easily yield our
+confidence to any hypothesis which rests merely
+on conjecture, or depends for support in reasons
+which apply equally well to theories inconsistent
+with it. This is not the place to remark at
+large on the interesting subject of the Jews and
+their conversion, but the impression seems happily
+to be extending that the sooner we cease to
+regard them as destined to a national conversion,
+and look at them as sinners of the human
+family, like Mohammedans and Papists, and refrain
+from efforts and a treatment which foster
+their spirit of separation and their assumption
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[153]</span>of superior dignity and special claims to respect
+and favor, the sooner we shall employ ourselves
+in efforts to address them in a way which will
+be far more likely to humble their pride, and
+prepare them to submit to the Gospel, than the
+somewhat adulatory and flattering method of
+approaching them and speaking of them will
+ever be.</p>
+
+<p>The improvement which the writer above
+named makes of Mr. Eliot’s letters in the following
+exhortations is far more obviously correct
+than his speculations about the origin and destiny
+of the Indians. He says the work of grace
+among them should lead the people of England,</p>
+
+<p>“First, To study and search into the works of
+the Lord, to see how he counter plots the enemy
+in his designs; In making the late Bishops
+persecuting of the godly tend to the promoting
+of the Gospel.</p>
+
+<p>Secondly, To take heed of despising the day
+of small things.</p>
+
+<p>Thirdly, To be ashamed of and bewail our
+want of affection to and estimation of that glorious
+Gospel, and those great things of Christ,
+which these poor Heathens upon the little Glymmerings
+and tasts so exceedingly value and
+improve.</p>
+
+<p>Fourthly, Doth not the observation of the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[154]</span>preceding reports clearly confirm the doctrine of
+the Sabbath, and the practice of prayer. O
+tremble, ye Sabbath slighters and duty despisers,
+Christ hath witnesses against you in America....
+The converted Heathen in New
+England goe beyond you, O ye Apostolic
+Christians in England.</p>
+
+<p>Arise ye heads of our Tribes in Old England,
+and extend your help to further Christ’s labourers
+in New England.</p>
+
+<p>Rouse up yourselves, my Brethren! ye
+preachers of the Gospel, this work concerns you.
+Contrive and plot, preach for and presse the advancement
+hereof.</p>
+
+<p>Come forth ye masters of money, part with
+your gold to promote the Gospel. If you give
+any thing yearly, remember Christ will be your
+Pensioner. If you give any thing into banke,
+Christ will keep account thereof and reward it.”</p>
+
+<p>The reader, it is to be hoped, will not be
+weary of the Indian questions, which Mr. Eliot
+sent to his friends in England as often as he
+wrote to them. These questions are not only
+curious, but they suggest valuable thoughts and
+lead to profitable reflections.</p>
+
+<p>If a man know God’s Word, said one of
+them at the Indian lecture, but believe it not,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[155]</span>and he teach others, is that good teaching? and
+if others believe that which he teacheth, is that
+believing or faith? Upon this question Mr.
+Eliot asked them how they could tell when a
+man knoweth God’s Word, that he doth not believe
+it? They answered, When he doth not
+do in his practice answerable to that which he
+knoweth.</p>
+
+<p>If I teach on the Sabbath that which you have
+taught us, and forget some, is that a sin? and
+some I mistake and teach wrong, is that a sin?</p>
+
+<p>Do all evil thoughts come from the devil, and
+all good ones from God?</p>
+
+<p>What is watchfulness?</p>
+
+<p>What should I pray for at night, and what
+at morning, and what on the Sabbath day?</p>
+
+<p>What is true Repentance? or how shall I
+know when this is true?</p>
+
+<p>How must I wait on God?</p>
+
+<p>Shall we see Christ at the day of judgment?</p>
+
+<p>When I pray for a soft heart, why is it still
+hard?</p>
+
+<p>You said, God promised to go with Moses;
+how doth he go with us?</p>
+
+<p>When such die as never heard of Christ,
+whither do they go?</p>
+
+<p>When the wicked die, do they first go to
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[156]</span>heaven to the judgment-seat of Christ to be
+judged, and then go away to hell?</p>
+
+<p>Why doth God say, I am the God of the
+Hebrews?</p>
+
+<p>When Christ arose, whence came his soul?
+When it was replied, From heaven; they said,
+How then was Christ punished in our stead?
+or when did he suffer in our stead, afore death,
+or after?</p>
+
+<p>When I pray every day, why is my heart so
+hard still, even as a stone?</p>
+
+<p>If one purposeth to pray, and yet dieth before
+that time, whither goeth his soul?</p>
+
+<p>Why must we be like salt?</p>
+
+<p>Doth God know who shall repent, and who
+not?—why then did God use so much meanes
+with Pharaoh?</p>
+
+<p>What meaneth that ‘blessed are they that
+mourn’?</p>
+
+<p>When I see a good example, and know that
+it is right, why do I not do the same?</p>
+
+<p>What anger is good, and what is bad?</p>
+
+<p>Do they dwell in separate houses in heaven,
+or all together, and what do they?</p>
+
+<p>If a child die before he sin, whither goeth his
+soul? ‘By this question,’ says Mr. E., ‘it did
+please the Lord to convince them of original sin,
+blessed be his name.’</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[157]</span></p>
+
+<p>If one that prays to God sins like him that
+prays not, is not he worse? ‘And while,’ says
+Mr. Eliot, ‘they discoursed of this point, and
+about hating wicked persons, one of them shut
+it up with this: They must love the man and
+do him good, but hate his sin.’</p>
+
+<p>Why do Englishmen so eagerly kill all
+snakes?</p>
+
+<p>May a man have good words and deeds, and
+a bad heart, and another have bad words and
+deeds, and yet a good heart?</p>
+
+<p>What is it to eate Christ’s flesh, and drink his
+blood; what meaneth it?</p>
+
+<p>What meaneth a new heaven and a new
+earth?</p>
+
+<p>If but one parent believe, what state are our
+children in?</p>
+
+<p>How doth much sinne make grace abound?</p>
+
+<p>What meaneth that, We cannot serve two
+masters?</p>
+
+<p>Can they in Heaven see us here on earth?</p>
+
+<p>Do they see and know each other? Shall I
+know you in heaven?</p>
+
+<p>If all the world be burnt up, where shall hell be?</p>
+
+<p>Do they know each other in Hell?</p>
+
+<p>What meaneth, that Christ meriteth eternal
+life for us?</p>
+
+<p>What meaneth that, The woman brought to
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[158]</span>Christ a box of oyle, and washt his feet with
+tears, &amp;c.?</p>
+
+<p>What meaneth that of the two debtors, one
+oweth much, another but little?</p>
+
+<p>What meaneth God when he sayes, yee shall
+be my jewels?</p>
+
+<p>If so old a man as I repent, may I be saved?</p>
+
+<p>When we come to believe, how many of our
+children doth God take with us, whether all,
+only young ones, or at what age?</p>
+
+<p>What meaneth that, Let the trees of the wood
+rejoice?</p>
+
+<p>What meaneth that, The Master doth not
+thank his servant for waiting on him?</p>
+
+<p>When Englishmen choose magistrates and
+ministers, how do they know who be good men
+that they dare trust?</p>
+
+<p>Seeing the body sinneth, why should the soul
+be punished, and what punishment shall the
+body have?</p>
+
+<p>If a wicked man prayeth and teacheth, doth
+God accept, or what saith God?</p>
+
+<p>If a man be wise and his Sachem weak, must
+he yet obey him?</p>
+
+<p>We are commanded to honour the Sachem,
+but is the Sachem commanded to love us?</p>
+
+<p>When all the world is burnt up, what shall
+be in the room of it? (By an old woman.)</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[159]</span></p>
+
+<p>Mr. Eliot says, in a letter containing these
+questions,</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p>“You may perceive many of the
+questions arise out of such texts as I handle, and
+do endeavour to communicate as much Scripture
+as I can. The word of the Lord converteth,
+sanctifieth, and maketh wise the simple;
+sometimes they aske weaker questions than
+these, which I mention not; you have the best,
+and when I am about writing, I am careful in
+keeping a remembrance of them; it may be the
+same question may be again and again asked at
+several places and by several persons. The
+Lord teach them to know Christ, whom to know
+is eternal life. I shall entreat your supplications
+at the throne of grace, under the tender
+wing whereof I now leave you, being forced by
+the time, and rest,</p>
+
+<p>Your respectful and loving
+brother and fellow-laborer
+in the Indian work,</p>
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">John Eliot</span>.”</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>Samuel Gorton, charged with being a Familist
+and Antinomian, was banished from
+Plymouth, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.
+The Familists were an Anabaptist sect, founded
+in Holland, in 1555, by Henry Nicholas, a
+Westphalian. They held that the essence of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[160]</span>religion consists in the feelings of divine love,
+(and hence they were called the Family of love,
+and familists), that all other religious tenets,
+whether relating to matters of faith or modes of
+worship, are of no consequence, and that it
+is indifferent what opinions Christians entertain
+concerning God, provided their hearts are
+filled with the emotions of piety and love.
+They were confuted by Dr. Henry More, and
+by George Fox, the Quaker. A proclamation
+was issued against them by Queen Elizabeth in
+1580.</p>
+
+<p>This Gorton in 1650 was in Rhode Island.
+Two of the Nonantum Indians made a visit to
+Providence and Warwick, and spent a Sabbath
+and heard Gorton and his followers explain their
+views, and afterwards had some conversation
+with them.</p>
+
+<p>Upon their return, on a lecture day, before the
+people had fully assembled, these two Indians
+addressed a question to Mr. Eliot; and the conversation
+which ensued is recorded by him as
+illustrating the proficiency in Christian knowledge
+to which some of the Indians had attained,
+and their ability to withstand false teachers.</p>
+
+<p>The question was this: What is the reason
+that seeing those English people, where they had
+been, have the same Bible that Mr. Eliot has,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[161]</span>yet do not speak the same things? Being asked
+the reason of his question, they said, They had
+been at Providence and Warwick, and they
+perceived by conversation with them that they
+differed from Mr. E.; they heard their public
+exercises, but did not understand what they
+meant, though they understood the English
+language well. Being asked what they said,
+they replied, they said thus:</p>
+
+<p>They (that is Mr. Eliot and his friends) teach
+you that there is a heaven and a hell, but there
+is no such matter.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. E. asked them what reason they gave for
+this assertion.</p>
+
+<p>Because there is no other heaven but what is
+in the hearts of good men, and no other hell but
+what is in the hearts of bad men.</p>
+
+<p><i>Mr. E.</i> What did you say to that?</p>
+
+<p><i>Indians.</i> We told them we did not believe
+them, because heaven is a place where good
+men go when this life is ended, and hell is a
+place where bad men go when they die, and
+cannot be in the hearts of man.</p>
+
+<p><i>Mr. E.</i> approving this answer. What else
+did they say?</p>
+
+<p><i>Indians.</i> They spake of Baptism, and said,
+they teach you that infants must be baptized,
+but that is a very foolish thing.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[162]</span></p>
+
+<p><i>Mr. E.</i> What reason did they give?</p>
+
+<p><i>Indians.</i> Because infants neither know God
+nor baptism, nor what they do, and therefore it
+is a foolish thing to do it.</p>
+
+<p><i>Mr. E.</i> What did you say to that?</p>
+
+<p><i>Indians.</i> I could not say much; but I thought
+it was better to baptize them while they be
+young, and then they are bound and engaged;
+but if you let them alone till they be grown up,
+it may be they will fly off, and neither care for
+God nor Baptism.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. E. commended this reply. What further
+did they say?</p>
+
+<p><i>Indians.</i> They spake of ministers, and said,
+they teach you that you must have ministers,
+but that is a needless thing.</p>
+
+<p><i>Mr. E.</i> Why?</p>
+
+<p><i>Indians.</i> They gave these reasons: First,
+ministers know nothing but what they learn out
+of God’s book, and we have God’s book as well
+as they, and can tell what God saith. Again,
+ministers cannot change men’s hearts, God must
+do that, therefore there is no need of ministers.</p>
+
+<p><i>Mr. E.</i> What did you reply?</p>
+
+<p><i>Indians.</i> I told them that we must do as
+God commands us, and if he commands us to
+have ministers we must have them. And further,
+I told them I thought it was true that ministers
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[163]</span>cannot change men’s hearts; but when we do as
+God bids us, and hear ministers preach, then
+God will change our hearts.</p>
+
+<p><i>Mr. E.</i> What else did they speak of?</p>
+
+<p><i>Indians.</i> They said, they teach you that
+you must have magistrates, but that is needless.</p>
+
+<p><i>Mr. E.</i> What reason did they give?</p>
+
+<p><i>Indians.</i> They said, Because magistrates
+cannot give life, therefore they may not take
+away life; besides, when a man sinneth, he doth
+not sin against magistrates; and therefore why
+should they punish them? but they sin against
+God, and therefore we must leave them to God
+to punish them.</p>
+
+<p><i>Mr. E.</i> What answer did you make?</p>
+
+<p><i>Indians.</i> I said to that as to the former, we
+must do as God commands us. If God commands
+us to have magistrates, and commands
+them to punish sinners, then we must obey.</p>
+
+<p>In answer to the question, Why all who have
+the Bible do not speak the same things. Mr.
+E. preached on that occasion from 2 Thes. 2:10,
+11. “Because they believed not the truth
+that they might be saved; for this cause God
+shall send them strong delusions that they might
+believe a lie,” &amp;c.</p>
+
+<p>The Rev. Thomas Mayhew, and his son the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[164]</span>Rev. Experience Mayhew, prosecuted the work
+of evangelizing the Indians of Martha’s Vineyard
+with signal success. As the relations
+which they give respecting the Indians, and the
+progress of the Gospel among them, correspond
+so nearly with the foregoing narratives, it is not
+thought necessary to speak of them at large.
+Some idea of the principles which were inculcated
+by the Mayhews, and of the influence
+which they exerted upon the natives, may be
+derived from the following covenant which Mr.
+Thomas Mayhew wrote for them, and in which
+they all with free consent willingly and thankfully
+joined.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p class="center">COVENANT OF THE INDIANS OF MARTHA’S VINEYARD.</p>
+
+<p>“Wee, the distressed Indians of the Vineyard,
+(or <span class="smcap">Nope</span>, the Indian name of the Island,) that
+beyond all memory have been without the true
+God, without a Teacher, and without a Law,
+the very servants of sin and satan, and without
+peace, for God did justly vex us for our sins;
+having lately, through his mercy, heard of the
+name of the True God, the name of his Son
+Christ Jesus, with the holy Ghost, the Comforter,
+three Persons, but one most Glorious God,
+whose name is <span class="smcap">Jehovah</span>; wee do praise His
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[165]</span>Glorious Greatness, and, in sorrow of our hearts,
+and shame of our faces, we do acknowledge
+and renounce our great and many sins, that
+we and our Fathers have lived in, do run unto
+him for mercy and pardon for Christ Jesus’
+sake; and we do this day, through the blessing
+of God upon us, and trusting to his gracious
+help, give up ourselves in this Covenant, Wee,
+our wives and children, to serve <span class="smcap">Jehovah</span>: And
+we do this day chuse Jehovah to be our God in
+Christ Jesus, our Teacher, our Lawgiver in his
+Word, our King, our Judge, our Ruler by his
+magistrates and ministers; to fear God Himself,
+and to trust in Him alone for salvation, both of
+Soul and Body, in this present Life, and the
+Everlasting Life to come, through his mercy in
+Christ Jesus our Saviour and Redeemer, and
+by the might of his Holy Spirt, to whom, with
+the Father and Son, be all Glory everlasting,
+Amen.”</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>Mr. Mayhew says, “I observed that the Indians,
+when they chose their Rulers, made
+choyce of such as were best approved for their
+godliness, and most likely to suppress sin, and
+encourage holiness. There was an Indian that
+was well approved for his Reformation, that was
+suspected to have told a plain Lye for his Gain;
+the business was brought to the public Meeting,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[166]</span>and there it was notably sifted with zeal and
+good affection; but at length the Indian defending
+himself with great disdain and hatred of
+such evil, proved himself clear, and praised God
+for it.”</p>
+
+<p>He also relates the following anecdote:</p>
+
+<p>“My Father and I were lately talking with an
+Indian who had not long before almost lost his
+life by a wound his Enemies gave him in a
+secret hidden way, the mark whereof he had
+upon him, and will carry it to his grave. This
+man understanding of a secret Plot that was to
+take away his Enemies life, told my Father and
+I, That he did freely forgive him for the sake of
+God, and did tell this Plot to us that the man’s
+life might be preserved. This is a singular
+thing, and who among the Heathen will do
+so?”</p>
+
+<p>Again: “<i>Myoxeo</i> also lately met with an
+Indian which came from the <i>Mayn</i>, (the mainland,)
+who was of some note among them. I
+heard that he told them of the great things of
+God, the sinfulness and folly of the Indians, the
+pardon of sin by Christ, and of a good life; and
+so they were both affected, that they continued
+this discourse two half nights and a day, until
+their strength was spent. He told him in particular
+how a Beleever did live above the world,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[167]</span>that he did keep worldly things alwaies at his
+feet, (as he shewed him by a sign,) That when
+they were diminished or increased, it was neither
+the cause of his sorrow or joy, that he should
+stoop to regard them, but he stood upright with
+his heart Heavenward, and his whole desire was
+after God, and his joy in Him.”</p>
+
+<p>He says, “Within two or three weeks (1652)
+there came an Indian to me in business, and by
+the way he told me that some Indians had lately
+kept a day of Repentance to humble themselves
+before God in prayer, and that the word of God
+which one of them spake unto for their Instruction,
+was Psal. 66: 7. ‘He ruleth by his
+Power forever, his eyes behold the nations, let
+not the rebellious exalt themselves.’ I asked
+him what their end was in keeping such a day?
+He told me these six things. ‘1. They desired
+that God would slay the rebellion of their hearts.
+2. That they might love God and one another.
+3. That they might withstand the evil words of
+wicked men, and not be drawn back from God.
+4. That they might be obedient to the good
+words and commands of their Rulers. 5. That
+they might have their sins done away by the
+Redemption of Jesus Christ. And Lastly, That
+they might walk in Christ’s way.’”</p>
+
+<p>In 1651, thirty Indian children were at school
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[168]</span>which began in November, 1651. “They are
+apt to learn,” says Mr. M., “and more and more
+are now sending in unto them.”</p>
+
+<p>“I was once,” says Mr. M., “down towards
+the further end of the Island, and lodged at an
+Indian’s house, who was accounted a great man
+among the Islanders, being the friend of the Sachem
+on the <i>Mayn</i>. At this man’s house where I
+sate awhile, his son being about thirty years old,
+earnestly desired me, in his Language, to relate
+unto him some of the ancient stories of God. I
+then spent a great part of the night (in such discourse
+as I thought fittest for them) as I usually
+do when I lodg in their houses; what he then
+heard did much affect him. And shortly after
+he came and desired to joyn with the praying
+Indians to serve Jehovah.” He was persecuted
+for this; but he told Mr. M. “That if they
+should stand with a sharp weapon against his
+breast, and tell him that they would kill him
+presently if he did not turn to them; but if he
+would, they would love him; yet he had rather
+lose his life than keep it on such terms.”</p>
+
+<p>A Powaw once told Mr. M. that after he had
+forsaken his powawing, and had begun to serve
+God, and to renounce his Imps, which he did in
+a public manner, the Imps still remained with
+him tormenting him, so that he could never be
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[169]</span>at rest, sleeping or waking. At a Lecture,
+sometime after, he asked Mr. M. this question:
+If a Powaw had his Imps gone from him, what
+he should have instead of them to preserve him?
+He was told if he believed in Christ “he should
+have the Spirit of Christ dwelling in him, which
+is a good and strong Spirit, and will so keep
+him safe, that all the Devils in Hell, and Powaws
+on earth, should not be able to do him any
+hurt; and that if he did set himself against his
+Imps by the strength of God, they should all
+flee away like muskeetooes.” He replied, That
+soon after he had believed he was not troubled
+with any pain as formerly in his bed, nor dreadful
+visions of the night, but lay down with ease,
+slept quietly, waked in peace, and walked in
+safety; “for which he is very glad and praises
+God.”</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Mayhew also relates a fact, like the one
+already given respecting the feelings and conduct
+of the Christian Indians at the death and
+burial of their children. The case already mentioned,
+it will be remembered, occurred at Nonantum;
+this, at Martha’s Vineyard. Mr.
+Mayhew says,</p>
+
+<p>“I have observed the wise disposing hand of
+God in another providence of his. There have
+not, as I know, any man, woman, or child, died,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[170]</span>of the meeting-Indians, since the meeting began,
+until now of late the Lord took away Hiacoomes,
+his child, which was about five days
+old. He was best able to make a good use of
+it, and to carry himself well in it, and so was his
+wife also; and truly they gave an excellent example
+in this also as they have in other things;
+here were no black faces for it as the manner of
+the Indians is, nor goods buried with it, nor
+hellish howlings over the dead, but a patient
+resigning of it to him that gave it. There were
+some English at the burial, and many Indians
+to whom I spake something of the Resurrection;
+and as we were going away, one of the Indians
+told me he was much refreshed in being freed
+from their old customes, as also to hear of the
+Resurrection of good men and their children to
+be with God.”</p>
+
+<p>One of the ‘meeting-Indians’ said that ‘if all
+the world, the riches, plenty, and pleasures of it
+were presented without God, or God without all
+these, I would take God.’</p>
+
+<p>Another said, ‘If the greatest Sagamore in
+the land should take him in his arms, and
+proffer him his love, his riches and gifts, to turn
+him from his ways, he would not go with him
+from the way of God.’</p>
+
+<p>One of them was heard, of his own accord,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[171]</span>in complaining against head knowledge and lip
+prayers, without heart holiness, loathing the
+condition of such a man, saying, I ‘desire my
+heart may taste of the word of God, repent of
+my sins, and lean upon the Redemption of the
+Lord Jesus Christ.’</p>
+
+<p>The following is a letter from a good man in
+this country to a friend in England, written
+about the year 1650.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p>‘The best News I can write you from <i>New-England</i>
+is, the Lord is indeed converting the <i>Indians</i>,
+and for the refreshing of your heart, and the
+hearts of all the godly with you; I have sent
+you the Relation of one <i>Indian</i> of two yeares
+profession, that I took from his owne mouth by
+an Interpreter, because he cannot speak or understand
+one word of <i>English</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="center">THE FIRST QUESTION WAS;</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> How did you come first to any sight of
+sinne?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> His answer was, Before the Lord did
+ever bring any <i>English</i> to us, my Conscience
+was exceedingly troubled for sin, but after Mr.
+<i>Mayhew</i> came to preach, and had been here
+some time, one chiefe <i>Sagamore</i> did imbrace
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[172]</span>the Gospel, and I hearing of him, I went to him,
+and prayed him to speake something to me concerning
+God, and the more I did see of God, the
+more I did see my sinne, and I went away
+rejoycing, that I knew any thing of God, and
+also that I saw my sinne.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> I pray what hurt doe you see in sinne?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> Sin, sayth he, is a continuall sicknesse in
+my heart.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> What further evill doe you see in sinne?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> I see it to be a breach of all Gods Commandements.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> Doe you see any punishment due to man
+for sinne?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> Yea, sayth he, I see a righteous punishment
+from God due to man for sinne, which
+shall be by the Devills in a place like unto fire
+(not that I speake of materiall fire, saith he)
+where man shall be for ever dying and never
+dye.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> Have you any hope to escape this punishment?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> While I went on in the way of <i>Indianisme</i>
+I had no hope, but did verily believe I should
+goe to that place, but now I have a little hope,
+and hope I shall have more.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> By what meanes doe you look for any
+hope?</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[173]</span></p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> Sayth he, by the satisfaction of Christ.</p>
+
+<p>I prayed the Interpreter, to tell him from mee
+that I would have him thinke much of the satisfaction
+of Christ, (and so he told him) I prayed
+him to returne mee his Answer.</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> I thanke him kindly for his good Counsell,
+it doth my heart good, sayd he, to heare
+any man speake of Christ.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> What would you thinke if the Lord should
+save you from misery?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> If the Lord, said he, would save me from
+all the sinne that is in my heart, and from that
+misery, I should exceedingly love God, and, saith
+he, I should love a man that should doe mee any
+good, much more the Lord, if he should doe this
+for mee.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> Doe you thinke that God will doe you
+any good for any good that is in you?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> Though I beleeve that God loves man that
+leaves his sinne, yet I beleeve it is for Christ’s
+sake.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> Doe you see that at any time God doth
+answer your prayers?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> Yea, sayth he, I take every thing as an
+Answer of prayer.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> But what speciall answer, have you taken
+notice of?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> Once my wife being three dayes and three
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[174]</span>nights in labour, I was resolved never to leave
+praying till she had deliverance, and at last God
+did it, and gave her a sonne, and I called his
+name <i>Returning</i>, because all the while I went
+on in <i>Indianisme</i> I was going from God, but
+now the Lord hath brought mee to him backe
+againe.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging">By this time Captaine <i>Gooking</i> came to us,
+and he asked him this Question:</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> What he would thinke if he should finde
+more affliction and trouble in God’s wayes, than
+he did in the way of Indianisme.</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> His answer was, when the Lord did first
+turne me to himselfe and his wayes, he stripped
+mee as bare as my skinne, and if the Lord
+should strip me as bare as my skinne againe,
+and so big <i>Saggamore</i> should come to mee, and
+say, I will give you so big Wampom, so big
+<i>Beaver</i>, and leave this way, and turne to us
+againe: I would say, take your riches to your
+selfe, I would never forsake God and his wayes
+againe.</p>
+
+<p>This is a Relation taken by my selfe,</p>
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">William French</span>.’</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>There was a great fishing place at one of the
+falls of the Merrimack, where the Indians assembled
+in great numbers in the spring of the year,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[175]</span>and Mr. Eliot went to meet them. He hired a
+Nashaway or Lancaster Indian to beat down a
+path for him from Roxbury through the woods,
+and to notch the trees that he might find his
+way through. His Church were concerned for
+his safety, on account of difficulties between two
+tribes through which his path lay. A Sachem
+with twenty men did escort for him, and the
+journey occupied three days. “It pleased God,”
+he says, “to exercise us with such tedious rain
+and bad weather, that we were extreme wet, insomuch
+that I was not dry night nor day from
+the third day of the week to the sixth, but so
+traveled, and at night pull off my boots, wring
+my stockings, and on with them again. My
+horse was tired, so that I was forced to let him
+go without a rider and take one of the men’s
+horses, which I took along with me. Yet God
+stept in and helped. I considered that word of
+God, ‘Endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus
+Christ.’”</p>
+
+<p>It is not surprising that the questions proposed
+by the Indians should have excited so much
+interest among their English teachers, and the
+friends in England to whom they were communicated.
+Should similar questions be reported
+to us from a tribe of people among whom our
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[176]</span>missionaries had effected an entrance, we should
+feel that there was great promise of success
+among that people. It seems that many in
+England doubted the practicability of converting
+the North American savages. They were
+greatly surprised at the communications from
+Mr. Eliot; they saw that nothing was too hard
+for the Almighty, that Christ could save unto
+the uttermost, all who come unto God by him,
+that the Gospel was suited to the nature of man
+in every condition, that the story of the cross
+moved the heart of the savage as well as the
+civilized, and that Mr. Eliot’s reflection after
+his first efforts in preaching at Nonantum was
+true, “That there is no need of miraculous or
+extraordinary gifts in seeking the salvation of
+the most depraved of the human family.”</p>
+
+<p>The Sudbury, Concord, Lancaster, Medford,
+and Dedham Indians had all in a few years received
+the Gospel from Nonantum. In visiting
+that interesting spot we cannot but say, “From
+you sounded out the word of the Lord.”</p>
+
+<p>A pious Indian from Martha’s Vineyard visited
+the Indians of Merrimack weare. After he had
+been there, the Merrimack Indians stated this
+case to Mr. Eliot, for an explanation. ‘If a
+strange Indian comes among us whom we never
+saw before, yet if he pray unto God we do
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[177]</span>exceedingly love him. But if my own brother,
+dwelling a great way off, come unto us, he not
+praying to God, though we love him, yet nothing
+so as we love that other stranger who doth
+pray unto God.’</p>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[178]</span></p>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+
+<p>Natick. The Indians build a bridge. Scenery of Charles River. The
+Arsenal at Watertown. Indian names. Mrs. Sigourney’s Lines.
+Gov. Endicott’s Letter. Proceedings preparatory to forming an
+Indian Church. Confessions of several Indians. Indian Catechism.
+Number in the Indian Church at Natick. Eliot’s Indian Grammar.
+His Indian Bible. Remarks upon it. A copy sent to Charles II.
+Richard Baxter’s remark. Further observations on the Indian
+Bible. 14 places of praying Indians, in 1660. Mr. Bancroft’s
+testimony. Indian Youths at Harvard College.</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<p>We come now to another stage in the history of
+the Indian mission.</p>
+
+<p>It has already been said that in 1650 Mr. Eliot
+obtained a grant of land for the Indians, for the
+purpose of building houses and organizing a
+town government. The place selected was called
+<span class="smcap">Natick</span>, which means <i>a place of hills</i>. There
+the Indians began to build houses, each house
+having a piece of land attached to it for agriculture.
+One large building was erected to be the
+property of the town, the lower part to be used
+for a school-room and place of worship, the upper
+room to be a place of deposit for skins and
+articles of public property, with a bed for Mr.
+Eliot.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[179]</span></p>
+
+<p>In one of his letters to friends in England,
+Mr. Eliot says,</p>
+
+<p>“There is a great river which divideth
+between their planting grounds and dwelling
+place, through which they easily wade in summer,
+yet in the spring it is deep and unfit for
+daily passing over, especially of women and
+children.” He proposed to the Indians that they
+should make a foot bridge over it, which was
+accordingly built, and was ninety feet long and
+nine feet high. When it was finished, Mr. Eliot
+called the Indians together, prayed, and gave
+thanks to God, and taught them out of a portion
+of Scripture. He then told them that as it had
+been hard and tedious labor in the water, if any
+of them desired wages for their work he would
+give it to them, yet considering the work
+was for their own use, if they should do all that
+labor in love, he should take it well and remember
+it.</p>
+
+<p>They replied that they were far from desiring
+any wages for doing their own work, and on the
+contrary were thankful for their employment,—at
+which Mr. Eliot praised them for their readiness
+and ingenuity at such work. This bridge
+is said to have lasted longer than one which the
+English built about the same time at Dedham.</p>
+
+<p>It would be interesting if we could identify
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[180]</span>some of the favorite places of the Indians in
+this vicinity. It is pleasant to think that they
+were often grouped together at that most charming
+point where the Charles River bends round
+the arsenal at Watertown. No one who has
+stood on the bridge at that place on a summer
+morning when the mists were rising from the
+stream, or in the after part of the day, when the
+sun was in the right position over the curving
+parts of the stream to make their outlines brilliant
+as gold in the green meadow, can have
+failed to think that had such scenery occurred
+to him in Italy or Scotland, he would have
+found it celebrated in the works of the poet and
+painter. We have only to take journeys about
+home to find in the part of the country where
+we live, views and scenes both natural and historical
+of thrilling interest. It is easy to imagine
+the light canoe borne rapidly along the
+winding vales of the Charles River; we meet
+with Indian names in almost every village
+which is watered by that interesting stream, as
+well as in other places. Wrentham has its Nuckup
+hill; Norwich its Quenaboag and Shetucket
+river; Auburn its Boggachoog brook; Lancaster
+its Weshakum ponds; and Natick its Pegan
+plain.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[181]</span></p>
+
+<p>The following lines by Mrs. Sigourney may
+appropriately be introduced here.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p class="center">INDIAN NAMES.</p>
+
+<p>“How can the red man be forgotten, while so
+many of our states and territories, bays, lakes and
+rivers, are indelibly stamped by names of their
+giving?”</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+  <div class="poetry">
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse indent0">Ye say, that all have passed away,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent2">That noble race and brave,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">That their light canoes have vanished</div>
+      <div class="verse indent2">From off the crested wave;</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">That ’mid the forests where they roamed,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent2">There rings no hunter’s shout;</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">But their name is on their waters,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent2">Ye may not wash it out.</div>
+    </div>
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse indent0">’Tis where Ontario’s billow,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent2">Like Ocean’s surge is curled,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Where strong Niagara’s thunders wake</div>
+      <div class="verse indent2">The echo of the world,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Where red Missouri bringeth</div>
+      <div class="verse indent2">Rich tributes from the west,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">And Rappahannock sweetly sleeps,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent2">On green Virginia’s breast.</div>
+    </div>
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse indent0">Ye say their cone-like cabins,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent2">That clustered o’er the vale,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Have fled away like withered leaves,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent2">Before the autumn gale;</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">But their memory liveth on your hills,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent2">Their baptism on your shore,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Your everlasting rivers speak</div>
+      <div class="verse indent2">Their dialect of yore.</div>
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[182]</span>    </div>
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse indent0">Old Massachusetts wears it</div>
+      <div class="verse indent2">Within her lordly crown,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">And broad Ohio bean it</div>
+      <div class="verse indent2">Amid her young renown;</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Connecticut hath wreathed it,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent2">Where her quiet foliage waves,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">And bold Kentucky breathes it hoarse,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent2">Through all her ancient caves.</div>
+    </div>
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse indent0">Wachuset hides its lingering voice,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent2">Within his rocky heart,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">And Alleghany graves its tone</div>
+      <div class="verse indent2">Throughout his lofty chart;</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Monadnock on his forehead hoar,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent2">Doth seal the sacred trust;</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Your mountains build their monuments,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent2">Though ye destroy their dust.</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>The Society for Propagating the Gospel
+among the Indians of North America, an account
+of which will be found in the appendix to this
+volume, published a letter addressed to them by
+Governor Endicott, of Massachusetts. It is interesting
+as a testimony to the advancement which
+the Indians had made in religion and civilization,
+and as a specimen of the personal interest
+which good rulers in former times took in the
+promotion of the kingdom of Christ in the earth.
+The letter is here printed as it is written, with
+the Introduction by the Society:</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p>“The next Letter you meet withall came from
+the present Governour of the <i>Massachusets</i>,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[183]</span>directed to the President of our Corporation,
+and another of the Members thereof, which
+wee thought good to publish, that every
+Christian Reader may partake in the same
+consolation, wherewith he and we are comforted;
+and joyne with us in prayer to the
+Lord of the Harvest, that he would provide
+more Labourers to enter upon this soul-saving
+worke, and enlarge the hearts of all his people
+in this Nation towards the same.”</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p class="center">“<i>Much honoured and beloved in the Lord Jesus</i>:</p>
+
+<p>I Esteeme it not the least of God’s mercies
+that hath stirred up the hearts of any of the people
+of God to be instrumentall in the inlarging
+of the Kingdome of his deare Sonne here
+amongst the Heathen <i>Indians</i>, which was one
+end of our comming hither, and it is not frustrated.
+It was prophesied of old, and now begins
+to be accomplished, <i>Psal.</i> 2:8. Neither
+can I but acknowledge the unspeakable goodnesse
+of God that gives us favour in the sight
+of our Countreymen to helps on with so large a
+hand of bounty, so glorious a work, provoked
+thereunto by your worthy selves, the chiefs
+Actors of so good a designe, let me (with leave)
+say confidently, you will never have cause to
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[184]</span>repent it; For the work is Gods and he doth
+owne it, the labour there hath been yours, and
+your Master will reward it. I think Religion
+and Conscience binde me to seek unto God for
+you, and to praise him with you, for what is already
+begun. The Foundation is laid, and such
+a one that I verily beleeve the gates of Hell shall
+never prevaile against. I doubt not but the
+building will goe on apace, which I hope will
+make glad the hearts of Thousands. Truly
+Gentlemen, had you been eare and eye-witnesses
+of what I heard and saw on a Lecture-day
+amongst them about three weeks since, you
+could not but be affected therewith as I was.
+To speak truly I could hardly refrain tears from
+very joy to see their diligent attention to the
+word first taught by one of the <i>Indians</i>, who
+before his Exercise prayed for the manner
+devoutly and reverently (the matter I not so
+well understanding) but it was with such reverence,
+zeale, good affection, and distinct utterance,
+that I could not but admire it; his Prayer
+was about a quarter of an houre or more, as we
+judged it; then he took his Text, and Mr. <i>Eliot</i>
+their Teacher told us that were <i>English</i>, the
+place (there were some Ministers and diverse
+other godly men there that attended me thither)
+his Text was in, <i>Matth.</i> 13:44, 45, 46. [The
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[185]</span>kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure, &amp;c.
+And to a merchant man, &amp;c.] He continued in
+his Exercise full halfe an houre or more, as I
+judged it, his gravity and utterance was indeed
+very commendable; which being done Mr. <i>Eliot</i>
+taught in the <i>Indian</i> tongue about three quarters
+of an hour as neer as I could guesse; the <i>Indians</i>
+which were in number men and women
+neer about one hundred, seemed the most of
+them so to attend him, (the men especially) as
+if they would loose nothing of what was taught
+them, which reflected much upon some of our
+<i>English</i> hearers. After all there was a <i>Psalme</i>
+sung in the <i>Indian</i> tongue, and <i>Indian</i> meeter,
+but to an <i>English</i> tune, read by one of themselves,
+that the rest might follow, and he read it
+very distinctly without missing a word as we
+could judge, and the rest sang chearfully, and
+prettie tuneablie. I rid on purpose thither being
+distant from my dwelling about thirty eight, or
+forty miles, and truly I account it one of the best
+Journeyes I made these many years. Some few
+dayes after I desired Mr. <i>Eliot</i> briefly to write
+me the substance of the <i>Indians</i> Exercise, which
+when he went thither again, namely to <i>Naticke</i>,
+where the <i>Indians</i> dwell, and where the <i>Indian</i>
+taught, he read what he remembered of it first
+to their School-Master who is an <i>Indian</i>, and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[186]</span>teacheth them and their Children to write, and
+I saw him write also in <i>English</i>, who doth it
+true and very legible, and asked him if it were
+right, and he said yea, also he read it unto
+others, and to the man himselfe, who also
+owned it. To tell you of their industry and ingenuitie
+in building of an house after the <i>English</i>
+manner, the hewing and squaring of their
+tymber, the sawing of the boards themselves,
+and making of a Chimney in it, making of their
+ground-sells and wall-plates, and mortising, and
+letting in the studds into them artificially, there
+being but one <i>English</i> man a Carpenter to shew
+them, being but two dayes with them, is remarkeable.
+They have also built a Fort there with
+halfe trees cleft about eight or ten inches over,
+about ten or twelve foot high, besides what is
+intrencht in the ground, which is above a quarter
+of an acre of ground, as I judge. They have
+also built a foot bridge over <i>Charles</i> Rivers, with
+Groundsells and Spurres to uphold it against the
+strength of the Flood and Ice in Winter; it stood
+firme last Winter, and I think it will stand many
+Winters. They have made Drummes of their
+owne with heads and brases very neatly and
+artificially, all which shews they are industrious
+and ingenuous. And they intend to build a
+Water-Mill the next Summer, as I was told
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[187]</span>when I was with them. Some of them have
+learnt to mow grasse very well. I shall no
+further trouble you with any more Relation at
+this time concerning them. But a word or two
+further with your patience concerning other <i>Indians</i>.
+The work of God amongst the <i>Indians</i>
+at <i>Martins Vineyard</i>, is very hopefull and prosperous
+also. I mist of Mr. <i>Mayhew</i> their
+Teacher, who was lately at <i>Boston</i>, and therefore
+cannot give you a particular account thereof
+at this present time; yet I cannot but acquaint
+you what other motions there are touching other
+<i>Indians</i>. There came to us upon the 20th of
+this instant Moneth, at the Generall Court one
+<i>Pummakummim</i> Sachem of <i>Qunnubbagge</i>,
+dwelling amongst or neer to the <i>Narragansets</i>,
+who offered himselfe and his Men to worship
+God, and desired that some <i>English</i> may be
+sent from the <i>Massachusets</i> Government to plant
+his River, that thereby he may be partaker of
+Government, and may be instructed by the <i>English</i>
+to know God. We shall I hope take some
+care and course about it, and I hope we shall
+have more help to carry on that work also;
+For there are some Schollers amongst us who
+addict themselves to the study of the <i>Indian</i>
+Tongue. The Lord in mercy recompence it
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[188]</span>into your Bosomes, all that labour of love vouchsafed
+to the poor <i>Indians</i>, which are the hearty
+prayers, and earnest desire of, much honoured,</p>
+
+<p><i>Boston the 27th of
+the Eight. 1651.</i>
+Your loving Friend in all
+service of Christ.</p>
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">John Endecott.</span>”</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>The prudence and caution of Mr. Eliot in his
+proceedings with regard to the formation of a
+Church among the Indians are not a little remarkable.
+He says,</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p>“In way of preparation of them thereunto, I
+did this Summer call forth sundry of them in
+the dayes of our public Assemblies in Gods
+Worship; sometimes on the Sabbath when I
+could be with them, and sometimes on Lecture
+daies, to make confession before the Lord of
+their former sins, and of their present knowledg
+of Christ, and experience of his Grace; which
+they solemnly doing, I wrote down their Confessions:
+which having done, and being in my
+own heart hopeful that there was among them fit
+matter for a Church, I did request all the Elders
+about us to hear them reade, that so they might
+give me advice what to do in this great and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[189]</span>solemn business; which being done on a day
+appointed for the purpose, it pleased God to give
+their Confessions such acceptance in their hearts,
+as that they saw nothing to hinder their proceeding,
+to try how the Lord would appear
+therein. Whereupon, after a day of Fasting
+and Prayer among ourselves, to seek the Lord,
+in that behalf, there was another day of Fasting
+and Prayer appointed, and publick notice thereof,
+and of the names of Indians were to confess, and
+enter into Covenant that day, was given to all
+the Churches about us, to seek the Lord yet
+further herein, and to make solemn Confessions
+of Christ his Truth and Grace, and further to try
+whether the Lord would vouchsafe such grace
+unto them, as to give them acceptance among
+the Saints, into the fellowship of Church-Estate,
+and enjoyment of those Ordinances which the
+Lord hath betrusted his Churches withal. That
+day was the thirteenth of the eighth month.</p>
+
+<p>When the Assembly was met, the first part of
+the day was spent in Prayers unto God, and
+exercise in the Word of God; in which my self
+first and after that two of the Indians did Exercise;
+and so the time was spent till after ten or
+near eleven of the clock. Then addressing our
+selves unto the further work of the day, I first
+requested the reverend Elders (many being present)
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[190]</span>that they would ask them Questions touching
+the fundamental Points of Religion, that
+thereby they might have some tryal of their
+knowledg, and better that way, than if themselves
+should of themselves declare what they
+beleeve, or than if I should ask them Questions
+in these matters: After a little conference hereabout,
+it was concluded, That they should first
+make confession of their experience in the Lords
+Work upon their hearts, because in so doing, it
+is like something will be discerned of their
+knowledg in the Doctrines of Religion: and if
+after those Confessions there should yet be cause
+to inquire further touching any Point of Religion
+it might be fitly done at last. Whereupon we
+so proceeded, and called them forth in order to
+make confession. It was moved in the Assembly
+by Reverend Mr. <i>Wilson</i>, that their former
+Confessions also, as well as these which they
+made at present, might be read unto the Assembly,
+because it was evident that they were
+daunted much, to speak before so great and
+grave an Assembly as that was, but time did not
+permit it so to be then: yet now in my writing
+of their Confessions I will take that course, that
+so it may appear what encouragement there was
+to proceed so far as we did; and that such as
+may reade these their Confessions, may the better
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[191]</span>discern of the reality of the Grace of Christ
+in them.”</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>He afterwards says,</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p>“In the year 52 I perceiving the grace of God
+in sundry of them, and some poor measure of
+fitnesse (as I was perswaded) for the enjoyment
+of Church-fellowship, and Ordinances of Jesus
+Christ, I moved in that matter, according as I
+have in the Narration thereof, briefly declared.
+In the year 53 I moved not that way, for these
+Reasons.</p>
+
+<p>I having sent their Confessions to be published
+in <i>England</i>, I did much desire to hear what acceptance
+the Lord gave unto them, in the hearts
+of his people there, who daily labour at the
+Throne of grace, and by other expressions of
+their loves, for an holy birth of this work of the
+Lord, to the praise of Christ, and the inlargement
+of his Kingdome. As also my desire was,
+that by such Books as might be sent hither, the
+knowledge of their Confessions might be spread
+here, unto the better and fuller satisfaction of
+many, then the transacting thereof in the presence
+of some could doe. These Books came by
+the latter Ships (as I remember) that were bound
+for <i>New England</i>, and were but newly out
+when they set saile, and therefore I had not that
+answer that year, which my soule desired,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[192]</span>though something I had which gave encouragement,
+and was a tast of what I have more fully
+heard from severall this year, praised be the
+Lord.</p>
+
+<p>Besides there fell a great damping and discouragement
+upon us by a jealousie too deeply
+apprehended, though utterly groundlesse, <i>viz.</i>
+That even these praying <i>Indians</i> were in a conspiracy
+with others, and with the <i>Dutch</i>, to doe
+mischief to the <i>English</i>. In which matter,
+though the ruling part of the People looked otherwise
+upon them, yet it was no season for me
+to stir or move in this matter, when the waters
+were so troubled. This businesse needeth a
+calmer season, and I shall account it a favour of
+God when ever he shall please to cause his face
+to shine upon us in it. Yet this I did the last
+year, after the Books had been come a season,
+there being a great meeting at <i>Boston</i>, from other
+Colonies as well as our owne, and the Commissioners
+being there, I thought it necessary to
+take that opportunity to prepare and open the
+way in a readinesse against this present year, by
+making this Proposition unto them; namely,
+<i>That they having now seen their confessions, if
+upon further triall of them in point of knowledge,
+they be found to have a competent measure
+of understanding in the fundamentall points of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[193]</span>Religion; and also, if there be due testimony
+of their conversation, that they walke in a
+Christian manner according to their light, so
+that Religion is to be seen in their lives;
+whether then it be according to God, and acceptable
+to his people, that they be called up unto
+Church estate?</i> Unto which I had I blesse the
+Lord, a generall approbation.</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly this year 54 I moved the Elders,
+that they would give me advice and assistance
+in this great businesse, and that they would at a
+fit season examine the <i>Indians</i> in point of their
+knowledge, because we found by the former
+triall, that a day will be too little (if the Lord
+please to call them on to Church-fellowship) to
+examine them in points of Knowledge, and hear
+their Confessions, and guide them into the holy
+Covenant of the Lord. Seeing all these things
+are to be transacted in a strange language, and
+by Interpreters, and with such a people as they
+be in these their first beginnings. But if they
+would spend a day on purpose to examine them
+in their knowledge there would be so much the
+more liberty to doe it fully and throughly, (as
+such a work ought to be) as also when they may
+be called to gather into Church-Communion, it
+may suffice that some one of them should make
+a Doctrinall Confession before the Lord and his
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[194]</span>people, as the rule of faith which they build
+upon, the rest attesting their consent unto the
+same: And themselves (the Elders I mean, if
+the Lord so far assist the <i>Indians</i>, as to give
+them satisfaction) might testifie that upon Examination
+they have found a competency of
+knowledge in them to inable them unto such a
+work and state. And thus the work might be
+much shortned, and more comfortably expedited
+in one day. I found no unreadinesse in the
+Elders to further this work.</p>
+
+<p>They concluded to attend the work, and for
+severall Reasons advised that the place should
+be at <i>Roxbury</i>, and not at <i>Natick</i>, and that the
+<i>Indians</i> should be called thither, the time they
+left to me to appoint, in such a season as
+wherein the Elders may be at best liberty from
+other publick occasions. The time appointed
+was the 13 of the 4 moneth; meanwhile I dispatched
+Letters unto such as had knowledge in
+the Tongue, requesting that they would come
+and help in interpretation, or attest unto the
+truth of my Interpretations. I sent also for my
+Brother <i>Mayhu</i>, who accordingly came, and
+brought an Interpreter with him. Others whom
+I had desired, came not. I informed the <i>Indians</i>
+of this appointment, and of the end it was appointed
+for, which they therefore called, and still
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[195]</span>doe, when they have occasion to speak of it
+<i>Natootomuhteáe kesuk, A day of asking Questions,
+or, A day of Examination</i>. I advised
+them to prepare for it, and to pray earnestly
+about it, that they might be accepted among
+Gods people, if it were the will of God.</p>
+
+<p>It pleased God so to guide, that there was a
+publick Fast of all the Churches, betwixt this our
+appointment, and the accomplishment thereof:
+which day they kept, as the Churches did, and
+this businesse of theirs was a Principall matter
+in their Prayers.”</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>It will be useful, as well as interesting, to
+give some of the “Confessions of Indians”
+which were made and considered in preparation
+for their entering into the Church state.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p class="center">CONFESSION OF TOTHERSWAMP.</p>
+
+<p>“Before I prayed unto God, the English, when
+I came unto their houses, often said unto me,
+Pray to God; but I having many friends who
+loved me, and I loved them, and they cared not
+for praying to God, and therefore I did not: But
+I thought in my heart, that if my friends should
+die, and I live, I then would pray to God; soon
+after, God so wrought, that they did almost all
+die, few of them left; and then my heart feared,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[196]</span>and I thought, that now I will pray unto God,
+and yet I was ashamed to pray; and if I eat and
+did not pray, I was ashamed of that also; so
+that I had a double shame upon me: Then you
+came unto us, and taught us, and said unto us,
+<i>Pray unto God</i>; and after that, my heart grew
+strong, and I was no more ashamed to pray, but
+I did take up praying to God; yet at first I did
+not think of God and eternal Life, but only that
+the English should love me and I loved them:
+But after I came to learn what sin was, by the
+Commandments of God, and then I saw all my
+sins, lust, gaming, &amp;c. (he named more.) You
+taught, That Christ knoweth all our hearts, and
+seeth what is in them, if humility, or anger, or
+evil thoughts, Christ seeth all that is in the
+heart; then my heart feared greatly, because
+God was angry for all my sins; yea, now my
+heart is full of evil thoughts, and my heart runs
+away from God, therefore my heart feareth and
+mourneth. Every day I see sin in my heart;
+one man brought sin into the World, and I am
+full of that sin, and I break Gods Word every
+day. I see I deserve not pardon, for the first
+mans sinning; I can do no good, for I am like
+the Devil, nothing but evil thoughts, and words,
+and works. I have lost all likeness to God, and
+goodness, and therefore every day I sin against
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[197]</span>God, and I deserve death and damnation: The
+first man brought sin first, and I do every day
+add to that sin, more sins; but Christ hath done
+for us all righteousness, and died for us because
+of our sins, and Christ teacheth us, That if we
+cast away our sins, and trust in Christ, then
+God will pardon all our sins; this I beleeve
+Christ hath done, I can do no righteousness, but
+Christ hath done it for me; this I beleeve, and
+therefore I do hope for pardon. When I first
+heard the Commandments, I then took up praying
+to God and cast off sin. Again, When I
+heard, and understood Redemption by Christ,
+then I beleeved Jesus Christ to take away my
+sins: every Commandment taught me sin, and
+my duty to God. When you ask me why do I
+love God? I answer, Because he giveth me all
+outward blessings, as food, clothing, children, all
+gifts of strength, speech, hearing; especially
+that he giveth us a Minister to teach us, and
+giveth us Government; and my heart feareth
+lest Government should reprove me; but the
+greatest mercy of all is Christ, to give us pardon
+and life.”</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[198]</span></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p class="center">“TOTHERSWAMP</p>
+
+<p><i>The Confession which he made on the Fast day
+before the great Assembly was as followeth:</i></p>
+
+<p>I Confess in the presence of the Lord, before
+I prayed, many were my sins, not one good
+word did I speak, not one good thought did I
+think, not one good action did I doe: I did act
+all sins, and full was my heart of evil thoughts;
+when the English did tell me of God, I cared
+not for it, I thought it enough if they loved me:
+I had many friends that loved me, and I thought
+if they died I would pray to God: and afterward
+it so came to pass; then was my heart ashamed,
+to pray I was ashamed, and if I prayed not, I
+was ashamed; a double shame was upon me:
+when God by you taught us, very much ashamed
+was my heart; then you taught us that Christ
+knoweth all our hearts: therefore truly he saw
+my thoughts, and I had thought, if my kindred
+should die I would pray to God; therefore they
+dying, I must now pray to God; and therefore
+my heart feared, for I thought Christ knew my
+thoughts: then I heard you teach, <i>The first
+man God made was named</i> Adam, <i>&amp; God made
+a Covenant with him, Do and live, thou and thy
+Children; if thou do not thou must die, thou
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[199]</span>and thy Children</i>: And we are Children of
+<i>Adam</i> poor sinners, therefore we all have sinned,
+for we have broke Gods Covenant, therefore evil
+is my heart, therefore God is very angry with
+me, we sin against him every day; but this
+great mercy God hath given us, he hath given
+us his only Son, and promiseth, That whosoever
+beleeveth in Christ shall be saved: for Christ
+hath dyed for us in our stead, for our sins, and
+he hath done for us all the words of God, for I
+can do no good act, only Christ can, and only
+Christ hath done all for us; Christ hath deserved
+pardon for us, and risen again, he hath
+ascended to God, and doth ever pray for us;
+therefore all Beleevers Souls shall goe to Heaven
+to Christ. But when I heard that word of
+Christ, Christ said <i>Repent and Beleeve</i>, and
+Christ seeth <i>who Repenteth</i>, then I said, dark
+and weak is my Soul, and I am one in darkness,
+I am a very sinful man, and now I pray to
+Christ for life. Hearing you teach that Word
+that the Scribes and Pharisees said <i>Why do thy
+Disciples break the Tradition of the Fathers</i>?
+Christ answered, <i>Why do you make void the
+Commandments of God?</i> Then my heart feared
+that I do so, when I teach the Indians, because
+I cannot teach them right, and thereby make
+the word of God vain. Again, Christ said <i>If
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[200]</span>the blind lead the blind they will both fall into
+the ditch</i>; Therefore I feared that I am one
+blind, and when I teach other Indians I shal
+caus them to fall into the ditch. This is the
+love of God to me, that he giveth me all mercy
+in this world, and for them al I am thankfull;
+but I confess I deserve Hell; I cannot deliver
+my self, but I give my Soul and my Flesh to
+Christ, and I trust my soul with him for he is
+my Redeemer, and I desire to call upon him
+while I live.</p>
+
+<p>This was his Confession which ended, Mr.
+<i>Allin</i> further demanded of him this Question,
+How he found his heart, now in the
+matter of Repentance?</p>
+
+<p>His answer was; I am ashamed of all my
+sins, my heart is broken for them and melteth
+in me, I am angry with my self for my sins,
+and I pray to Christ to take away my sins, and
+I desire that they may be pardoned.</p>
+
+<p>But it was desired that further Question
+might be forborn, lest time would be
+wanting to here them all speak.”</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>The following is the Confession of Waban,
+(or the wind,) the man in whose wigwam
+Mr. Eliot preached to the Indians in the
+beginning of his ministry among them, and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[201]</span>who, from Mr. Eliot’s text, “Prophesy unto the
+wind,” &amp;c., supposed that the message of God
+was specially directed to himself.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p class="center">CONFESSION OF WABAN.</p>
+
+<p>“Before I heard of God, and before the English
+came into this Country, many evil things my
+heart did work, many thoughts I had in my
+heart; I wished for riches, I wished to be a
+witch, I wished to be a Sachem; and many such
+other evils were in my heart: Then when the
+English came, still my heart did the same
+things; when the English taught me of God (I
+coming to their Houses) I would go out of their
+doors, and many years I knew nothing; when
+the English taught me I was angry with them:
+But a little while agoe after the great sikness, I
+considered what the English do; and I had some
+desire to do as they do; and after that I began
+to work as they work; and then I wondered
+how the English come to be so strong to labor;
+then I thought I shall quickly die, and I feared
+lest I should die before I prayed to God; then I
+thought, if I prayed to God in our Language,
+whether could God understand my prayers in
+our Language; therefore I did ask Mr. <i>Jackson</i>,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[202]</span>and Mr. <i>Mahu</i>, If God understood prayers in
+our Language? They answered me God doth
+understand all Languages in the World. But I
+do not know how to confess, and little do I know
+of Christ; I fear I shall not beleeve a great
+while, and very slowly; I do not know what
+grace is in my heart, there is but little good in
+me; but this I know, That Christ hath kept all
+Gods Commandements for us, and that Christ
+doth know all our hearts; and now I desire to
+repent of all my sins: I neither have done, nor
+can do the Commandements of the Lord, but I
+am ashamed of all I do, and I do repent of all
+my sins, even of all that I do know of: I desire
+that I may be converted from all my sins, and
+that I might beleeve in Christ, and I desire him;
+I dislike my sins, yet I do not truly pray to God
+in my heart: no matter for good words, all is
+the true heart; and this day I do not so much
+desire good words, as throughly to open my
+heart: I confess I can do nothing, but deserve
+damnation; only Christ can help me and do for
+me. But I have nothing to say for my self that
+is good; I judg that I am a sinner, and cannot
+repent, but Christ hath deserved pardon for us.”</p>
+
+<p>This Confession being not so satisfactory as
+was desired, Mr. <i>Wilson</i> testified, that he
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[203]</span>spake these latter expressions with tears,
+which I observed not, because I attended to
+writing; but I gave this testimony of him,
+That his conversation was without offence
+to the English, so far as I knew, and among
+the Indians it was exemplar: his gift is not
+so much in expressing himself this way,
+but in other respects useful and eminent; it
+being demanded in what respects, I answered
+to this purpose, That his gift lay in
+Ruling, Judging of Cases, wherein he is
+patient, constant, and prudent, insomuch
+that he is much respected among them, for
+they have chosen him a Ruler of Fifty, and
+he Ruleth well according to his measure.
+It was further said, they thought he had
+been a great drawer on to Religion; I replyed,
+so he was in his way, and did prevail
+with many; and so it rested.</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p class="center">“CONFESSION OF WILLIAM, OF SUDBURY.</p>
+
+<p>I confess that before I prayed, I committed all
+manner of sins, and served many gods: when
+the English came first, I going to their houses,
+they spake to me of your God, but when I heard
+of God, my heart hated it; but when they said
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[204]</span>the Devil was my god, I was angry, because I
+was proud: when I came to their houses I hated
+to hear of God, I loved lust in my own house
+and not God, I loved to pray to many gods.
+Five years ago, I going to English houses, and
+they speaking of God, I did a little like of it,
+yet when I went again to my own house, I did
+all manner of sins, and in my heart I did act all
+sins though I would not be seen by man. Then
+going to your house, I more desired to hear of
+God; and my heart said, I will pray to God so
+long as I live: then I went to the Minister Mr.
+<i>Browns</i> house, and told him I would pray as
+long as I lived: but he said I did not say it from
+my heart, and I beleeve it. When <i>Waban</i>
+spake to me that I should pray to God, I did so.
+But I had greatly sinned against God, and had
+not beleeved the Word but was proud: but then
+I was angry with my self, and loathed my self,
+and thought God will not forgive me my sins.
+For when I had been abroad in the woods I
+would be very angry, and would lye unto men,
+and I could not find the way how to be a good
+man: then I beleeved your teaching, That when
+good men die, the Angels carry their souls to
+God; but evil men dying, they go to Hell, and
+perish for ever. I thought this a true saying,
+and I promised to God, to pray to God as long
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[205]</span>as I live. I had a little grief in my heart five
+years ago for my sins: but many were my
+prides; sometime I was angry with my self, and
+pityed my self; but I thought God would not
+pardon such a proud heart as mine is: I beleeve
+that Christ would have me to forsake my anger;
+I beleeve that Christ hath redeemed us, and I
+am glad to hear those words of God; and I desire
+that I might do al the good waies of God,
+and that I might truly pray unto God: I do now
+want Graces, and these Christ only teacheth us,
+and only Christ hath wrought our redemption,
+and he procureth our pardon for all our sins;
+and I beleeve that when beleevers dy, Gods
+Angels carry them to Heaven; but I want faith
+to beleeve the Word of God, and to open my
+Eyes, and to help me to cast away all sins; and
+Christ hath deserved for me eternall life: I have
+deserved nothing my self: Christ hath deserved,
+all, and giveth me faith to beleeve it.”</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p class="center">“CONFESSION OF MONEQUASSUN, THE SCHOOLMASTER.</p>
+
+<p>I Confess my sorrow for all my sins against
+God, and before men: When I first heard instruction,
+I beleeved not, but laughed at it, and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[206]</span>scorned praying to God; afterward, when we
+were taught at <i>Cohannet</i> (that is the place where
+he lived) I still hated praying, and I did think
+of running away, because I cared not for praying
+to God; but afterwards, because I loved to dwell
+at that place, I would not leave the place, and
+therfore I thought I will pray to God, because I
+would still stay at that place, therefore I prayed
+not for the love of God, but for love of the place
+I lived in; after that I desired a little to learn
+the Catechisme on the Lecture daies, and I did
+learn the ten Commandements, and after that, all
+the points in the Catechisme; yet afterwards I
+cast them all away again, then was my heart
+filled with folly, and my sins great sins, afterwards
+by hearing, I began to fear, because of my
+many sins, lest the wise men should come to
+know them, and punish me for them; and then
+again I thought of running away because of my
+many sins: But after that I thought I would
+pray rightly to God, and cast away my sins;
+then I saw my hypocricy, because I did ask
+some questions, but did not do that which I
+knew: afterward I considered of my question,
+and thought I would pray to God, and would
+consider of some other Question, and I asked
+this Question, <i>How should I get Wisdom?</i> and
+the Answer to it did a little turn my heart from
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[207]</span>sin, to seek after God; and I then considered
+that the Word of God was good; then I prayed
+to God because of the Word of God. The next
+Lecture day you taught that word of God, <i>If any
+man lack Wisdom, let him ask it of God, who
+giveth freely to them that ask him, and upbraideth
+no man</i>, <i>James</i>, 1:5. Then again a little
+my heart was turned after God, the Word also
+said, <i>Repent, mourn, and beleeve in Jesus Christ</i>:
+this also helped me on. Then you taught, <i>That
+he that beleeveth not Christ, and repenteth not of
+sin, they are foolish and wicked; and because
+they beleeve not, they shall perish</i>: then I
+thought my self a fool, because I beleeved not
+Christ, but sinned every day, and after I heard
+the Word greatly broke the Word. But afterward
+I heard this promise of God, <i>Who ever repenteth
+and beleeveth in Christ, God will forgive
+him all his sins, he shall not perish</i>; then I
+thought, that as yet, I do not repent, and beleeve
+in Christ: then I prayed to God, because
+of this his Promise; and then I prayed to God,
+for God and for Christ his sake: after that again
+I did a little break the Word of Christ. And
+then I heard some other words of God, which
+shewed me my sins, and my breakings of Gods
+word; and sometimes I thought God and Christ
+would forgive me, because of the promise to
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[208]</span>them that beleeve in Christ, and repent of sin, I
+thought I did that which God spake in the
+Promise. Then being called to confess, to prepare
+to make a Church at <i>Natick</i>, I loved <i>Cohannet</i>;
+but after hearing this instruction, <i>That
+we should not only be Hearers, but Doers of the
+Word</i>, then my heart did fear. And afterward
+hearing that in <i>Matthew</i>, Christ saw two brethren
+mending their Nets, he said, <i>Follow me and
+I will make you Fishers of men</i>, presently they
+followed Christ; and when I heard this, I feared,
+because I was not willing to follow Christ to
+<i>Natick</i>; they followed Christ at his Word, but
+I did not, for now Christ saith to us, <i>follow Me</i>:
+then I was much troubled, and considered of this
+Word of God. Afterward I heard another word,
+the blind men cried after Christ and said, <i>Have
+mercy on us thou Son of David</i>, but after they
+came to Christ he called them, and asked them,
+<i>What shall I do for you?</i> they said, <i>Lord open
+our eyes</i>; then Christ had pity on them, and
+opened their eyes, and they followed Christ;
+when I heard this, my heart was troubled, then
+I prayed to God and Christ, to open mine eyes,
+and if Christ open my eyes, then I shall rejoyce
+to follow Christ: then I considered of both these
+Scriptures, and I a little saw that I must follow
+Christ. And now my heart desireth to make
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[209]</span>confession of what I know of God, and of my
+self, and of Christ: I beleeve that there is only
+one God, and that he made and ruleth all the
+World, and that he the Lord, giveth us al good
+things: I know that God giveth every day all
+good mercies, life, and health, and all; I have
+not one good thing, but God it is that giveth it
+me, I beleeve that God at first made man like
+God, holy, wise, righteous; but the first man
+sinned, for God promised him, <i>If thou do my
+Commandements, thou shalt live, and thy Children;
+but if thou sin, thou shalt die, thou and
+thy children</i>; this Covenant God made with the
+first man. But the first man did not do the
+Commandements of God he did break Gods
+Word, he beleeved Satan; and now I am full of
+sin, because the first man brought sin; dayly I
+am full of sin in my heart: I do not dayly rejoyce
+in Repentance, because Satan worketh
+dayly in my heart, and opposeth Repentance,
+and all good Works; day and night my heart is
+full of sin. I beleeve that Jesus Christ was born
+of the <i>Virgin Mary</i>; God promised her she
+should bear a Son, and his Name should be
+<i>JESUS</i>, because he shall deliver his people
+from their sins: And when Christ came to
+preach, he said, <i>Repent, because the Kingdom of
+Heaven is at hand</i>; again Christ taught, <i>Except
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[210]</span>ye repent and become as a little child, ye shall
+not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven</i>; therefore
+humble your selves like one of these little
+children, and great shall be your Kingdom in
+Heaven. Again Christ said, <i>Come unto me all
+ye that are weary and heavy laden with sin, and
+I will give you rest: take up my Cross and
+Yoak, learn of me for I am meek, and ye shall
+find rest to your souls, for my yoak is easie and
+burden light</i>: these are the Words of Christ
+and I know Christ he is good, but my works are
+evil: Christ his words are good, but I am not
+humble; but if we be humble and beleeving in
+Christ, he pardons all our sins. I now desire
+to beleeve in Jesus Christ, because of the word
+of Christ, that I may be converted and become
+as a little Child. I confess my sins before God,
+and before Jesus Christ this day; now I desire
+all my sins may be pardoned; I now desire repentance
+in my heart, and ever to beleeve in
+Christ; now I lift up my heart to Christ, and
+trust him with it, because I beleeve Christ died
+for us, for all our sins, and deserved for us eternal
+life in Heaven, and deserved pardon for all
+our sins. And now I give my soul to Christ
+because he hath redeemed: I do greatly love,
+and like repentance in my heart, and I love to
+beleeve in Jesus Christ, and my heart is broken
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[211]</span>by repentance: al these things I do like wel of,
+that they may be in my heart, but because
+Christ hath all these to give, I ask them of him
+that he may give me repentance, and faith in
+Christ, and therefore I pray and beseech Christ
+dayly for repentance and faith; and other good
+waies I beg of Christ dayly to give me: and I
+pray to Christ for al these gifts and graces to
+put them in my heart: and now I greatly thank
+Christ for all these good gifts which he hath
+given me. I know not any thing, nor can do
+any thing that is a good work: even my heart
+is dark dayly in what I should do, and my soul
+dyeth because of my sins, and therefore I give
+my soul to Christ, because my soul is dead in
+sin, and dayly doth commit sin; in my heart I
+sin, and all the members of my body are sinful.
+I beleeve Jesus Christ is ascended to Heaven
+through the clouds, and he will come again from
+Heaven: Many saw Christ go up to Heaven,
+and the Angels said, even so he will come again
+to judg all the world; and therefore I beleeve
+Gods promise, That all men shall rise again
+when Christ cometh again, then all shall rise,
+and all their souls comes again because Christ
+is trusted with them, and keeps their souls,
+therefore I desire my sins may be pardoned;
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[212]</span>and I beleeve in Christ; and ever so long as I
+live, I will pray to God, and do all the good
+waies he commandeth.”</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p class="center">“CONFESSIONS OF ROBIN SPEENE.</p>
+
+<p>I was ashamed because you taught to pray to
+God, and I did not take it up; I see God is angry
+with me for all my sins, and he hath afflicted
+me by the death of three of my children, and I
+fear God is still angry, because great are my
+sins, and I fear lest my children be not gone to
+Heaven, because I am a great sinner, yet one of
+my children prayed to God before it died, and
+therefore my heart rejoyceth in that. I remember
+my Pawwawing [for he was a <i>Pawwaw</i>] my
+lust, my gaming, and all my sins; I know them
+by the Commandements of God, and God heareth
+and seeth them all; I cannot deliver my self
+from sin, therefore I do need Christ, because of
+all my sins, I desire pardon, and I beleeve that
+God calls all to come to Christ, and that he delivereth
+us from sin.”</p>
+
+<p class="center">“<i>His Second Confession.</i></p>
+
+<p>I have found out one word more: great are
+my sins, and I do not know how to repent, nor
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[213]</span>do I know the evil of my sins; only this one
+word, now I confess I want Christ, this day 1
+want him; I do not truly beleeve nor repent: I
+see my sin, and I need Christ, but I desire now
+to be redeemed: and I now ask you this Question
+<i>What is Redemption?</i> I answered him,
+by shewing him our estate by Nature, and
+desert, the price which Christ paid for us, and
+how it is to be applied to every particular
+person; which done, he proceeded in his confession
+thus: I yet cannot tell whether God hath
+pardoned my sins, I forget the word of God;
+but this I desire, that my sins may be pardoned,
+but my heart is foolish, and a great part of the
+Word stayeth not in my heart strongly. I desire
+to cast all my sins out of my heart: but I
+remember my sins, that I may get them pardoned,
+I think God doth not yet hear my prayers
+in this, because I cannot keep the Word of God,
+only I desire to hear the Word, and that God
+would hear me.”</p>
+
+<p class="center">“<i>His Third Confession.</i></p>
+
+<p>One word more I cal to mind, Great is my
+sin! this saith my heart, I have found this sin,
+when I first heard you teach, that all the world
+from the rising to the sitting Sun should pray to
+God, I then wondered at it, and thought, I being
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[214]</span>a great sinner, how shal I pray to God; and
+when I saw many come to the Meeting, I wondred
+at it: But now I do not wonder at that
+work of God, and therefore I think that I do
+now greatly sin: and now I desire again to
+wonder at Gods Works, and I desire to rejoyce
+in Gods good waies. Now I am much ashamed,
+and fear because I have deserved eternal wrath
+by my sins: my heart is evil, my heart doth
+contrary to God: and this I desire, that I may
+be redeemed, for I cannot help my self, but only
+Jesus Christ hath done al this for me, and I deserve
+no good, but I beleeve Christ hath deserved
+all for us: and I give my self unto Christ, that
+he may save me, because he knoweth eternal
+life, and can give it; I cannot give it to my self,
+therefore I need Jesus Christ, my heart is full
+of evil thoughts; and Christ only can keep my
+soul from them, because he hath paid for my
+deliverance from them.”</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p class="center">“CONFESSION OF ANTONY.</p>
+
+<p>Another who made his Confession is named
+<i>Antony</i>, upon whom the Lord was pleased
+the last Winter to lay an heavy stroke; for he
+and another Indian being at work sawing of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[215]</span>Board, and finishing the Peece, they laid it so
+short, and the Rowl not so stedfast, insomuch
+that this man being in the Pit directing to lay
+the Piece, and the other above ordering thereof,
+it slipped down into the Pit upon this mans
+head, brake his neather Chap in two, and
+cracked his Skull, insomuch that he was taken
+up half dead, and almost strangled with blood;
+and being the last day of the week at night I
+had no word until the Sabbath day, then I
+presently sent a Chyrurgion, who took a discreet
+order with him; and God so blessed his
+indeavors, as that he is now well again,
+blessed be the Lord: and whereas I did fear
+that such a blow in their Labor might discourage
+them from Labor, I have found it by
+Gods blessing otherwise; yea this man hath
+performed a great part of the sawing of our
+Meeting-House, and is now sawing upon the
+School-house, and his recovery is an establishment
+of them to go on; yea, and God
+blessed this blow, to help on the Work of
+Grace in his soul; as you shall see in his
+Confession, which followeth.</p>
+
+<p>Before I prayed to God I alwaies committed
+sin, but I do not know all my sins, I know but a
+little of the sins I have committed, therefore I
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[216]</span>thought I could not pray to God, because I knew
+not al my sins before I prayed to God, and since
+I heard of praying to God: formerly when the
+English did bid me pray unto God I hated it,
+and would go out of their houses, when they
+spake of such things to me. I had no delight
+to hear any thing of Gods Word, but in every
+thing I sinned; in my speeches I sinned, and
+every day I broke the Commands of God. After
+I heard of praying to God, that <i>Waban</i> and my
+two brothers prayed to God, yet then I desired
+it not, but did think of running away; yet I
+feared if I did run away some wicked men
+would kill me, but I did not fear God. After
+when you said unto me, pray, my heart thought,
+I will pray; yet again I thought, I cannot pray
+with my heart, and no matter for praying with
+words only: but when I did pray, I saw more of
+my sins; yet I did but only see them, I could
+not be aware of them, but still I did commit
+them: and after I prayed to God, I was still full
+of lust, and then a little I feared. Sometimes I
+was sick, and then I thought God was angry,
+and then I saw that I did commit all sins: then
+one of my brothers died, and then my heart was
+broken, and after him another friend, and again
+my heart was broken: and yet after all this I
+broke my praying to God, and put away God,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[217]</span>and then I thought I shall never pray to God:
+but after this I was afraid of the Lord, because
+I alwaies broke my praying to God and then my
+heart said, God doth not hear my prayer.
+When I was sick, and recovered again, I thought
+then that God was merciful unto me. Hearing
+that word of God, <i>If you hear the Word of God,
+and be forgetful hearers, you sin against God</i>;
+then I thought God will not pardon such a sinner
+as I, who dayly did so, and broke my
+praying to God. When I heard the Commandements,
+I desired to learn them, and other
+points of Catechism, but my desires were but
+small, and I soon lost it, because I did not desire
+to beleeve: then sometimes I feared Gods anger
+because of al my sins; I heard the Word and
+understood only this word, <i>All you that hear this
+day, it may be you shall quickly die</i>, and then I
+quickly saw that God was very angry with me.
+Then God brake my head, and by that I saw
+Gods anger; and then I thought that the true
+God in Heaven is angry with me for my sin,
+even for al my sins, which every day I live, I
+do. When I was almost dead, some body bid
+me now beleeve, because it may be I shal quickly
+die, and I thought I did beleeve, but I did not
+know right beleeving in Christ: then I prayed
+unto God to restore my health. Then I beleeved
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[218]</span>that word, <i>That we must shortly appear
+before Jesus Christ</i>; then I did greatly fear lest
+if I beleeved not, I should perish for ever. When
+I was neer death, I prayed unto God, <i>Oh Lord
+give me life, and I will pray to God so long as I
+live</i>, and I said, <i>I will give my self, soul, and body
+to Christ</i>: after this, God gave me health, and
+then I thought, truly, God in Heaven is merciful;
+then I much grieved, that I knew so little
+of Gods Word. And now sometimes I am
+angry, and then I fear because I know God
+seeth it; and I fear, because I promised God
+when I was almost dead, that if he giveth me
+life, I will pray so long as I live; I fear lest I
+should break this promise to God. Now I desire
+the pardon of all my sins, and I beg faith in
+Christ, and I desire to live unto God, so long as
+I live; I cannot myself get pardon, but I dayly
+commit sin, and break Gods Word, but I look to
+Christ for pardon.”</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p class="center">“CONFESSION OF EPHRAIM.</p>
+
+<p>All the daies I have lived, I have been in a
+poor foolish condition, I cannot tell all my sins,
+all my great sins, I do not see them. When I
+first heard of praying to God, I could not sleep
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[219]</span>quietly, I was so troubled, ever I thought I would
+forsake the place because of praying to God, my
+life hath been like as if I had been a mad man.
+Last yeer I thought I would leave all my sins,
+yet I see I do not leave off sinning to this day;
+I now think I shall never be able to forsake my
+sins. I think sometimes the Word of God is
+false, yet I see there is no giving over that I
+might follow sin, I must pray to God; I do not
+truly in my heart repent, and I think that God
+wil not forgive me my sins: every day my heart
+sinneth, and how will Christ forgive such an
+one? I pray but outwardly with my mouth, not
+with my heart; I cannot of my self obtain pardon
+of my sins: I cannot tell all the sins that I
+have done if I should tell you an whol day together:
+I do every morning desire that my sins
+may be pardoned by Jesus Christ; this my heart
+saith, but yet I fear I cannot forsake my sins,
+because I cannot see all my sins: I hear, That
+if we repent and beleeve in Christ, all our sins
+shall be pardoned, therefore I desire to leave off
+my sins.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging">This poor Publican was the last which made
+his Confession before I read them unto the
+Elders, and the last of them I shall now
+publish. I will shut up these Confessions
+with the Confession (if I may so call it) or
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[220]</span>rather with the Expression, and manifestation
+of faith, by two little Infants, of two
+yeers old, and upward, under three yeers
+of age when they died and departed out of
+this world.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><i>The Story is this</i>,</p>
+
+<p>This Spring, in the beginning of the yeer, 1652,
+the Lord was pleased to afflict sundry of our
+praying Indians with that grievous disease of
+the Bloody-Flux, whereof some with great torments
+in their bowels died; among which were
+two little Children of the age above-said, and at
+that time both in one house, being together taken
+with that disease. The first of these Children
+in the extremities of its torments, lay crying to
+God in these words, <i>God and Jesus Christ, God
+and Jesus Christ help me</i>; and when they gave
+it any thing to eat, it would greedily take it (as
+it is usual at the approach of death) but first it
+would cry to God, <i>Oh God and Jesus Christ,
+bless it</i>, and then it would take it: and in this
+manner it lay calling upon God and Jesus Christ
+untill it died: The mother of this Child also
+died of that disease, at that time. The Father
+of the Child told me this story, with great wonderment
+at the grace of God, in teaching his
+Child so to call upon God. The name of the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[221]</span>Father is <i>Nishohkou</i>, whose Confession you
+have before.</p>
+
+<p>Three or four daies after, another Child in the
+same house, sick of the same disease, was (by a
+divine hand doubtless) sensible of the approach
+of death, (an unusual thing at that age) and
+called to its Father, and said, <i>Father, I am going
+to God</i>, several times repeating it, <i>I am going
+to God</i>. The mother (as other mothers use to
+do) had made for the Child a little Basket, a little
+Spoon, and a little Tray: these things the
+Child was wont to be greatly delighted withal
+(as all Children will) therefore in the extremity
+of the torments, they set those things before it, a
+little to divert the mind, and cheer the spirit:
+but now, the child takes the Basket, and puts it
+away, and said, <i>I will leave my Basket behind
+me, for I am going to God, I will leave my
+Spoon and Tray behind me</i> (putting them away)
+<i>for I am going to God</i>: and with these kind of
+expressions, the same night finished its course,
+and died.</p>
+
+<p>The Father of this child is named <i>Robin
+Speen</i>, whose Confessions you have before, and
+in one of them he maketh mention of this child
+that died in Faith. When he related this story
+to me, he said, He could not tell whether the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[222]</span>sorrow for the death of his child, or the joy for
+its faith were greater, when it died.</p>
+
+<p>These Examples are a testimony, That they
+teach their children the knowledg and fear of
+God, whom they now call upon; and also that
+the Spirit of God co-worketh with their instructions,
+who teacheth by man, more than man is
+able to do.”</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Eliot says, ‘I have now finished all that I
+purpose to publish at this time; the Lord give
+them Acceptance in the hearts of his Saints, to
+engage them the more to pray for them; and
+Oh! that their judgings of themselves, and
+breathings after Christ, might move others (that
+have more means than they have, but as yet
+regard it not) to do the like, and much more
+abundantly.’</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>A meeting of the Elders of the Churches was
+requested by Mr. Eliot, as before stated, to give
+advice in view of these Confessions, and upon
+further personal examination of some of the Indians,
+as to the next step to be taken in organizing
+the Indian Church. But Mr. E. says,</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p>“There fell out a very great discouragement a
+little before the time, which might have been a
+scandall unto them, and I doubt not but Satan
+intended it so; but the Lord improved it to stir
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[223]</span>up faith and Prayer, and so turned it another
+way: Thus it was. Three of the unsound sort
+of such as are among them that pray unto God,
+who are hemmed in by Relations, and other
+means, to doe that which their hearts love not,
+and whose Vices Satan improveth to scandalize
+and reproach the better sort withall; while
+many, and some good people are too ready to
+say they are all alike. I say three of them had
+gotten severall quarts of strong water, (which
+sundry out of a greedy desire of a little gaine,
+are too ready to sell unto them, to the offence
+and grief of the better sort of <i>Indians</i>, and of the
+godly English too)&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_31" href="#Footnote_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a> and with these Liquors, did
+not onely make themselves drunk, but got a
+Child of eleven years of age, the Son of <i>Toteswamp</i>,
+whom his Father had sent for a little
+Corne and Fish to that place near <i>Watertowne</i>
+where they were. Unto this Child they first
+gave too spoonfuls of Strong-water, which was
+more then his head could bear; and another of
+them put a Bottle, or such like Vessel to his
+mouth, and caused him to drink till he was very
+drunk; and then one of them domineered, and
+said, <i>Now we will see whether your Father will
+punish us for drunkennesse</i> (for he is a Ruler
+among them) <i>seeing you are drunk with us for
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[224]</span>company</i>; and in this case lay the Child abroad
+all night. They also fought, and had been severall
+times Punished formerly for Drunkennesse.</p>
+
+<p>When <i>Toteswamp</i> heard of this, it was a great
+shame and breaking of heart unto him, and he
+knew not what to doe. The rest of the Rulers
+with him considered of the matter, they found a
+complication of many sins together.</p>
+
+<p>1 The sin of Drunkennesse, and that after
+many former Punishments for the same.</p>
+
+<p>2 A willful making of the Child drunk, and
+exposing him to danger also.</p>
+
+<p>3 A degree of reproaching the Rulers.</p>
+
+<p>4 Fighting.</p>
+
+<p>Word was brought to me of it, a little before
+I took Horse to goe to <i>Natick</i> to keep the Sabbath
+with them, being about ten dayes before the
+appointed Meeting. The Tidings sunk my
+spirit extreamly, I did judge it to be the greatest
+frowne of God that ever I met withall in the
+work, I could read nothing in it but displeasure,
+I began to doubt about our intended work: I
+knew not what to doe, the blacknesse of the
+sins, and the Persons reflected on, made my
+very heart faile me: For one of the offendors
+(though least in the offence) was he that hath
+been my Interpreter, whom I have used in Translating
+a good part of the Holy Scriptures; and
+in that respect I saw much of Satans venome,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[225]</span>and in God I saw displeasure. For this and
+some other acts of Apostacy at this time, I had
+thoughts of casting him off from that work, yet
+now the Lord hath found a way to humble him.
+But his Apostacy at this time was a great Triall,
+and I did lay him by for that day of our Examination,
+I used another in his room. Thus Satan
+aimed at me in this their miscarrying; and
+<i>Toteswamp</i> is a Principall man in the work, as
+you shall have occasion to see anon God-willing.</p>
+
+<p>By some occasion our Ruling Elder and I being
+together, I opened the case unto him, and
+the Lord guided him to speak some gracious
+words of encouragement unto me, by which the
+Lord did relieve my spirit; and so I committed
+the matter and issue unto the Lord, to doe what
+pleased him, and in so doing my soul was quiet
+in the Lord. I went on my journey being the
+6 day of the week; when I came at <i>Natick</i>, the
+Rulers had then a Court about it. Soon after I
+came there, the Rulers came to me with a
+Question about this matter, they related the
+whole businesse unto me, with much trouble
+and grief.</p>
+
+<p>Then <i>Toteswamp</i> spake to this purpose, <i>I am
+greatly grieved about these things, and now
+God tryeth me whether I love Christ or my Child
+best. They say, They will try me; but I say,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[226]</span>God will try me. Christ saith, He that loveth
+father, or mother, or wife, or Child, better than
+me, is not worthy of me. Christ saith, I must
+correct my Child, if I should refuse to doe that,
+I should not love Christ. God bid Abraham kill
+his Son, Abraham loved God, and therefore he
+would have done it, had not God with-held him.
+God saith to me, onely punish your Child, and
+how can I love God, if I should refuse to doe
+that?</i> These things he spake in more words,
+and much affection, and not with dry eyes: Nor
+could I refraine from teares to hear him. When
+it was said, The Child was not so guilty of the
+sin, as those that made him drunk; he said,
+<i>That he was guilty of sin, in that he feared not
+sin, and in that he did not believe his counsells
+that he had often given him, to take heed of evill
+company; but he had believed Satan and sinners
+more then him, therefore he needed to be punished.</i>
+After other such like discourse, the Rulers
+left me, and went unto their businesse,
+which they were about before I came, which
+they did bring unto this conclusion, and judgement,
+They judged the three men to sit in the
+stocks a good space of time, and thence to be
+brought to the whipping-Post, &amp; have each of
+them twenty lashes. The boy to be put in the
+stocks a little while, and the next day his father
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[227]</span>was to whip him in the School, before the Children
+there; all which Judgement was executed.
+When they came to be whipt, the Constable
+fetcht them one after another to the Tree (which
+they make use of instead of a Post) where they
+all received their Punishments: which done,
+the Rulers spake thus, one of them said, <i>The
+Punishments for sin are the Commandements of
+God, and the worke of God, and his end was, to
+doe them good, and bring them to repentance.</i>
+And upon that ground he did in more words
+exhort them to repentance, and amendment of
+life. When he had done, another spake unto
+them to this purpose, <i>You are taught in Catechisme,
+that the wages of sin are all miseries and
+calamities in this life, and also death and eternall
+damnation in hell. Now you feele some smart
+as the fruit of your sin, and this is to bring you
+to repentance, that so you may escape the rest.</i>
+And in more words he exhorted them to repentance.
+When he had done, another spake to this
+purpose, <i>Heare all yee people</i> (turning himselfe to
+the People who stood round about, I think not
+lesse then two hundred, small and great) <i>this is
+the Commandement of the Lord, that thus it
+should be done unto sinners; and therefore let
+all take warning by this, that you commit not
+such sins, least you incur these Punishments</i>.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[228]</span>And with more words he exhorted the People.
+Others of the Rulers spake also, but some things
+spoken I understood not, and some things slipt
+from me: But these which I have related remained
+with me.</p>
+
+<p>When I returned to <i>Roxbury</i>, I related these
+things to our Elder, to whom I had before related
+the sin, and my grief: who was much
+affected to hear it, and magnified God. He said
+also, That their sin was but a Transient act,
+which had no Rule, and would vanish. But
+these Judgements were an ordinance of God,
+and would remaine, and doe more good every
+way, then their sin could doe hurt, telling me
+what cause I had to be thankfull for such an issue:
+Which I therefore relate, because the Lord
+did speak to my heart, in this exigent, by his
+words.”</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>This difficulty being thus settled, the time
+came for the meeting of the Elders. Mr. Eliot
+observes,</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p>“When the assembly was met for Examination
+of the <i>Indians</i>, and ordered, I declared the end
+and Reason of this Meeting, and therefore declared,
+That any one, in due order, might have
+liberty to propound any Questions for their satisfaction.
+Likewise, I requested the Assembly,
+That if any one doubted of the Interpretations
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[229]</span>that should be given of their answers, that they
+would Propound their doubt, and they should
+have the words scanned and tryed by the Interpreters,
+that so all things may be done most
+clearly. For my desire was to be true to Christ,
+to their soules, and to the Churches: And the
+trying out of any of their Answers by the Interpreters,
+would tend to the satisfaction of such
+as doubt, as it fell out in one Answer which they
+gave; the Question was, <i>How they knew the
+Scriptures to be the word of God?</i> The finall
+Answer was, Because they did find that it did
+change their hearts, and wrought in them
+wisedome and humility. This Answer being
+Interpreted to the Assembly, my Brother <i>Mahu</i>
+doubted, especially of the word [<i>Hohpoóonk</i>]
+signifying <i>Humility</i>, it was scanned by the Interpreters,
+and proved to be right, and he rested
+satisfied therein. I was purposed my selfe to
+have written the Elders Questions, and the <i>Indians</i>
+Answers, but I was so imployed in propounding
+to the <i>Indians</i> the Elders Questions,
+and in returning the <i>Indians</i> Answers, as that
+it was not possible for me to write unlesse I had
+caused the Assembly to stay upon it, which had
+not been fitting; therefore seeing Mr. <i>Walton</i>
+writing, I did request him to write the Questions
+and Answers, and help me with a Copy of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[230]</span>them, which I thank him, he did, a Copy whereof
+I herewith send to be inserted in this place, on
+which, this only I will animadvert, That the Elders
+in wisdome thought it not fit to ask them in
+Catechisticall method strictly, in which way
+Children might Answer. But that they might
+try whether they understood what they said,
+they traversed up and downe in Questions of
+Religion, as here you see.</p>
+
+<p class="center">POSTSCRIPT.</p>
+
+<p>Let the Reader take notice, That these questions
+were not propounded all to one man, but
+to sundry, which is the reason that sometime
+the same Questions are propounded againe
+and againe. Also the number Examined
+were about eight, namely, so many as might
+be first called forth to enter into Church-Covenant,
+if the Lord give opportunity.”</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>We have a Catechism, entitled “The Examination
+of the Indians at Roxbury, the 13th day
+of the 4th month, 1654.” The following are
+some of the questions and answers.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> Have not some Indians many Gods?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> They have many Gods.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[231]</span></p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> How doe you know these Gods are no
+Gods.</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> Before the English came we knew not
+but that they were Gods, but since they came
+we know they are no Gods.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> How doe you know the word of God is
+Gods word?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> I believe the word that you teach us, was
+spoken of God.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> Why doe you believe it?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> Therefore I believe it to be the word of
+God, because when we learn it, it teacheth our
+hearts to be wise and humble.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> Whether are not your sins, and the
+temptations of <i>Hobbomak</i> more strong since, then
+before you prayed to God?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> Before I prayed to God, I knew not what
+Satans temptations were.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> Doe you know now?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> Now I have heard what Satans temptations
+are.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> What is a temptation of the Devill in
+your heart, doe you understand what it is?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> Within my heart there are Hypocrisies,
+which doe not appear without.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> Whether doe not you find this a principall
+temptation from the wickednesse of your
+heart, to drive you away from Christ, and not to
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">[232]</span>believe the gracious Promises in Jesus Christ?
+Or whether when you find wickednesse in your
+heart, you are not tempted that you cannot believe?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> My heart doth strongly desire to goe on
+in sin, but this is a strong temptation, but Faith
+is the work of Jesus Christ.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> What doe you believe about the immortality
+of the soule, and resurrection of the body?
+doth the soule dye when the body dyeth?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> I believe, when the body of a good man
+dyeth, the Angels carry his soule to heaven,
+when a wicked man dyeth, the Devills carry his
+soule to hell.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> How long shall they be in that state?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> Untill Christ cometh to Judgement.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> When Christ cometh to judge the world,
+what then shall become of them?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> The dead bodies of all men shall rise
+againe.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> Whether shall they ever dye any more?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> Good men shall never dye any more.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> Whether doe you believe that these very
+bodies of ours shall rise againe?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> This body which rots in the earth, this
+very body, God maketh it new.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> Who is Jesus Christ?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> Jesus Christ is the Son of God, yet borne
+man, and so both God and man.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">[233]</span></p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> Why was Christ Jesus a man?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> That he might dye for us.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> Why is Christ Jesus God?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> That his death might be of great value.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> Why doe you say, Christ Jesus was a
+man that he might dye, doe onely men dye?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> He dyed for our sins.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> What reason or justice is there, that
+Christ should dye for our sins?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> God made all the world, and man sinned,
+therefore it was necessary Christ should dye to
+carry men up to Heaven. God hath given unto
+us his Son Jesus Christ, because of our sins.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging">The Question being put to another for further
+Answer, his Answer was, <i>That God so
+loved the world, that he gave his onely begotten
+Son, that whosoever believeth in him
+should not perish, but have everlasting life</i>.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> When you heare that <i>Adam</i> by his sin
+deserved eternall death, and when you hear of
+the grace of God sending Jesus to save you,
+which of these break your heart most?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> Pardon of sin goeth deepest.</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>With regard to the formation of the church,
+one writer says;</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p>“This great and solemne work of calling up
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">[234]</span>these poor Indians unto that Gospel light and
+beauty of visible Church-estate, having now
+passed through a second Tryall: In the former
+whereof, they expressed what experience they
+had found of Gods grace in their hearts, turning
+them from dead works, to seek after the living
+God, and salvation in our Saviour Jesus Christ.
+In this second they have in some measure declared
+how far the Lord hath let in the light of
+the good knowledge of God into their soules,
+and what tast they have of the Principles of
+Religion, and doctrine of salvation. Now the
+Question remaineth, <i>What shall we further doe?
+And when shall they enjoy the Ordinances of
+Jesus Christ in Church-estate?</i></p>
+
+<p>“The work is very solemne, and the Question
+needeth a solemne Answer. It is a great
+matter to betrust those with the holy priviledges
+of Gods house, upon which the name of Christ
+is so much called, who have so little knowledge
+and experience in the wayes of Christ, so newly
+come out of that great depth of darknesse, and
+wild course of life; in such danger of polluting
+and defiling the name of Christ among their
+barbarous Friends and Countrey-men; and under
+so many doubts and jealousies of many people;
+and having not yet stood in the wayes of
+Christ so long, as to give sufficient proof and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">[235]</span>experience of their stedfastnesse in their new
+begun profession. Being also the first Church
+gathered among them, it is like to be a pattern
+and president of after proceedings, even unto
+following Generations. Hence it is very needfull
+that this proceeding of ours at first, be with
+all care and wearinesse guided, for the most effectuall
+advancement of the holinesse and honour
+of Jesus Christ among them.</p>
+
+<p>“Upon such like grounds as these, though I
+and some others know more of the sincerity of
+some of them, than others doe, and are better
+satisfied with them: Yet because I may be in a
+temptation on that hand, I am well content to
+make slow hast in this matter, remembring that
+word of God, <i>Lay hands suddenly on no man</i>.
+Gods works among men doe usually goe on
+slowly, and he that goeth slowly, doth usually
+goe most surely, especially when he goeth by
+counsell. <i>Sat cito si sat bene</i>,&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_32" href="#Footnote_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a> the greater proof
+we have of them, the better approbation they
+may obtain at last. Besides, we having had
+one publick meeting about them already this
+summer, it will be difficult to compasse another,
+for we have many other great occasions, which
+may hinder the same, and it is an hard matter
+to get Interpreters together to attend such a
+work, they living so remote. The dayes also will
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">[236]</span>soon grow short, and the nights cold, which will
+be an hindrance in the attendance unto the accomplishment
+of that work, which will most fitly
+be done at <i>Natick</i>.</p>
+
+<p>“But above all other Reasons this is greatest,
+that they living in sundry Towns and places remote
+from each other, and labourers few to take
+care of them, it is necessary that some of themselves
+should be trained up, and peculiarly
+instructed, unto whom the care of ruling and
+ordering of them in the affaires of Gods house
+may be committed, in the absence of such as
+look after their instruction. So that this is now
+the thing we desire to attend, for the comfort of
+our little <i>Sister that hath no breasts</i>, that such
+may be trained up, and prepared, unto whom
+the charge of the rest may be committed in the
+Lord. And upon this ground we make the
+slower hast to accomplish this work among
+them. Mean while I hope the Commissioners
+will afford some encouragement for the furtherance
+of the instruction of some of the most godly
+and able among them, who may be in a speciall
+manner helpfull unto the rest, in due order and
+season.</p>
+
+<p>“And thus have I briefly set down our present
+state in respect of our Ecclesiasticall proceedings.
+I beg the prayers of the good people
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[237]</span>of the Lord, to be particularly present at the
+Throne of Grace, in these matters, according as
+you have hereby a particular Information how
+our condition is. And for me also, who am the
+most unfit in humane reason for such a work as
+this, but my soule desireth to depend and live
+upon the Lord Jesus, and fetch all help, grace,
+mercy, assistance, and supply from him. And
+herein I doe improve his faithfull Covenant and
+Promises, and in particular, the Lord doth cause
+my soule to live upon that word of his, <i>Psal.</i>
+37:3, 4, 5, 6, 7, wherein I have food, rayment,
+and all necessaries for my selfe and children
+(whom I have dedicated unto the Lord, to serve
+him in this work of his, if he will please to
+accept of them) and this supply I live upon in
+these rich words of gracious Promise, <i>verse</i> 3.
+<i>Trust in the Lord, and doe good, dwell in the
+Land, and verily thou shalt be fed.</i></p>
+
+<p>“Herein also I find supply of grace to believe
+the conversion of these poor Indians, &amp; that not
+only in this present season, in what I doe
+already see, but in the future also, further then
+by mine eye or reason I can see. Which supply
+of grace, I live upon in those words of his
+gracious Promise, which I apply and improve in
+this particular respect, <i>verse</i> 4. <i>Delight thyselfe
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[238]</span>also in the Lord, and he shall give thee the
+desires of thy heart</i>.</p>
+
+<p>“Herein also I find supply of grace to believe,
+that they shall be in Gods season, which is the
+fittest, brought into Church Estate; faith fetching
+this particular blessing out of the rich
+Fountaine of those gracious words of Promise,
+<i>Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in
+him, and he shall bring it to passe</i>.</p>
+
+<p>“Herein also my soule is strengthened and
+quieted, to stay upon the Lord, and to be supported
+against all suspitious jealousies, hard
+speeches, and unkindnesses of men, touching
+the sincerity and reality of this work, and about
+my carriage of matters, and supply herein.
+Which grace my soule receiveth by a particular
+improvement of that rich treasury of the Promise
+in these words, <i>verse</i> 6. <i>And he shall bring
+forth thy righteousnesse as the light, and thy
+judgement as the noon day.</i> And herein likewise
+I find supply of grace, to wait patiently for the
+Lords time, when year after year, and time after
+time, I meet with disappointments. Which
+grace I receive from the commanding force of
+that gracious Promise, <i>verse</i> 7. <i>Rest in the
+Lord, and wait patiently for him, fret not thy
+selfe</i>, either for one cause, or another. Thus I
+live, and thus I labor, here I have supply, and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">[239]</span>here is my hope, I beg the help of prayers, that
+I may still so live and labour in the Lords work,
+and that I may so live and dye.”</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>In 1670, the number of men and women in
+full communion at Natick, was between forty
+and fifty, and more than three hundred and fifty
+had renounced their savage practices and open
+sins, and gave heed to the instructions of the
+Gospel.</p>
+
+<p>Their meetings were notified by the drum.
+In their assemblies they were attentive and reverent.
+A native teacher commenced worship
+with prayer, and the English Christians assisted
+in the business of instruction. There, as at
+other times, and in other places among civilized
+people God poured out his Spirit upon the young.
+Several cases of hopeful piety in young children
+are mentioned. The most interesting of them
+have already been given.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Eliot having made a grammar of the Indian
+tongue, and a catechism, was proceeding
+with his Indian Bible. In 1649, he said it was
+his earnest wish to translate some parts of the
+Scriptures for the Indians. He probably labored
+at this work, at intervals, for twelve years, and
+he was at least forty-five years of age when he
+began it.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">[240]</span></p>
+
+<p>It should be remembered that this work, unlike
+the same employment of our foreign missionaries
+at their first arrival at new stations,
+was wholly in addition to his labors as Pastor of
+another people,—the congregation at Roxbury.
+It was of no direct use to him in his ministerial
+work, any farther than investigation and study
+is always profitable to the mind. It was a labor
+superadded to the cares and toil of his pastoral
+and ministerial office.</p>
+
+<p>A man who has a taste for languages is generally
+repaid for the labor of acquiring them, by
+the stores of learning which they contain. Cato
+learned Greek at the age of eighty, and the literary
+world mention it to his praise. But here
+is a man learning a language which has no literature.
+No tragic or heroic muse had left her
+inspired strains in it. No beautiful old ballads
+or legendary songs repaid his labor,—no Canterbury
+Tales, or Children in the Wood, or Chevy
+Chase, or Fairy Queen, hymns of devotion,
+nor martial songs; the language could only
+whoop and powaw; the great word, gathering
+subjunctives and adjuncts into itself, like a
+crowded wigwam, was savagely ignorant of the
+graces, or the concise, vigorous expressions of
+some barbarous tongues, and Eliot’s researches
+into it were like digging, as the Plymouth settlers
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">[241]</span>did, into the mounds for corn, and finding
+nothing but skulls. But nothing could repress
+the ardor of his benevolent mind. He was determined
+that the Indians should have the word
+of God in their own tongue, and the work drew
+near to its accomplishment.</p>
+
+<p>But how could it ever be printed? His slender
+salary could not pay for it; the planters
+could not subscribe an adequate sum. In a letter
+to England in 1651, he says, with much
+sorrow, “I have no hope to see the Bible printed
+in my days.”</p>
+
+<p>The Society for Propagating the Gospel came
+to his help.&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_33" href="#Footnote_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a> In September, 1661, the New Testament
+in the Indian tongue was published at
+Cambridge. Three years after this, the Old
+Testament was added, and the whole Bible,
+with a Catechism and the Psalms of David in
+metre, was thus given to the Aborigines of this
+desert, in their own tongue, in forty years after
+the settlement of the country.</p>
+
+<p>This was the first Bible printed on this Continent.
+It was printed at Cambridge, by Samuel
+Green and Marmaduke Johnson. A copy
+handsomely bound, was sent to King Charles II.,
+and the Rev. Richard Baxter says of it, “Such
+a work and fruit of a plantation was never before
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">[242]</span>presented unto a king.” Two hundred
+copies, in plain and strong leather, were immediately
+put in circulation for the use of the
+Indians. An angel would almost have exchanged
+his heavenly joy for the happiness of
+Eliot, when he visited Natick, and saw the Bible
+in the hands of the natives. Like old
+Jacob, strengthening himself upon his dying
+bed, he might then have said, “I have waited
+for thy salvation, O Lord;” or, like Simeon,
+“Now, Lord, lettest thou thy servant depart in
+peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation.”</p>
+
+<p>Douglass, in his History of America,&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_34" href="#Footnote_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a> says,
+“Mr. Eliot with immense labor translated and
+printed our Bible into Indian. It was done with
+a good pious design, but it must be reckoned
+among the <i>otiosorum hominum negotia</i>, (works
+of men of leisure). It was done in the Natick
+(Nipmuck) language. Of the Naticks, at present,
+there are not twenty families subsisting,
+and scarce any of these can read. <i>Cui bono?</i>”
+(To what profit?)</p>
+
+<p>Those who know how far Mr. Eliot was
+from being a man of leisure, will smile at the
+suggestion that the translation of the Bible into
+the Indian tongue was the work of an idle amateur.
+The disappearance of the race for whom
+this translation was designed, so unexpected,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">[243]</span>and indeed so contrary to the fond hopes of our
+forefathers, is very far from showing the futility
+of Mr. Eliot’s pious labor. Many of the Indians
+were made wise unto eternal life by the translated
+Bible. The good which it accomplished
+was more than an equivalent for the labor which
+it cost.</p>
+
+<p>Cotton Mather says, “Behold, ye Americans,
+the greatest honour that ever you were partakers
+of. This Bible was printed here at our Cambridge,
+and it is the only Bible that ever was
+printed in all America, from the very foundation
+of the world. The whole translation he writ
+with but one pen; which pen, had it not been
+lost, would have certainly deserved a richer
+case than was bestowed upon that pen with
+which Holland writ his translation of Plutarch.”&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_35" href="#Footnote_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a>&#x2060;</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">[244]</span></p>
+
+<p>The New Testament was published first, and
+then the whole Bible, Primers, Grammars,
+Psalters, Catechisms, The Practice of Piety,
+Baxter’s Call, Shepard’s sincere Convert and
+Sound Believer, soon appeared in the Indian
+tongue, from the pen of Mr. Eliot.</p>
+
+<p>By this time there were fourteen places of
+praying Indians under the care of Mr. Eliot,
+and about eleven hundred souls who were apparently
+converted. Natick, Stoughton, Grafton,
+Tewksbury, Hopkinton, Oxford, Dudley,
+Woodstock (three villages), Uxbridge and Marlboro’,
+all had communities of praying Indians.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Bancroft, in his History of the United
+States,&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_36" href="#Footnote_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a> says, “No pains were spared to teach
+them to read and write, and in a short time a
+larger proportion of the Massachusetts Indians
+could do so, than recently of the inhabitants of
+Russia.” The Indians of Cape Cod, Martha’s
+Vineyard, and Nantucket, amounting to about
+twenty-nine hundred, also were, by the labors
+of the Mayhews and others, partly evangelized.
+Mr. Eliot says, in 1673, that there were six
+churches gathered among the Indians, one at
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">[245]</span>Natick, one at Grafton, one at Marshpee, two at
+Martha’s Vineyard, and one at Nantucket. All
+these had religious teachers devoted exclusively
+to them, except the church at Natick, of which
+Mr. Eliot says, “In modesty they stand off, because
+they say that so long as I live, there is no
+need.” They could not be prevailed upon to
+have another teacher even with the advantages
+of his entire devotion to them, while Mr. Eliot
+was alive.</p>
+
+<p>Cotton Mather says,&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_37" href="#Footnote_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a> “The number of
+preachers to the Indians increases apace. At
+Martha’s Vineyard, the old Mr. Mayhew and
+several of his sons, or grand-sons, have done
+very worthily for the souls of the Indians; there
+were fifteen years ago by computation about fifteen
+hundred souls of their ministry, upon that
+one island. In Connecticut, the holy and acute
+Mr. Fitch has made noble essays towards the
+conversion of the Indians; but I think the sinner
+he has to deal withal, being an obstinate infidel,
+gives unhappy rumor as to the successes of
+his ministry. And godly Mr. Pierson has, if I
+mistake not, deserved well in that colony upon
+the same account. In Massachusetts we see at
+this day the pious Mr. Gookin, the gracious Mr.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">[246]</span>Peter Thacher, the well accomplished and industrious
+Mr. Grindal Rawson, all of them hard
+at work, to turn these poor creatures from darkness
+to light, and from Satan unto God. In
+Plymouth we have the most active Mr. Samuel
+Treat laying out himself to save this generation,
+and there is one Mr. Tupper, who uses
+his laudable endeavours for the instruction of
+them.</p>
+
+<p>“’Tis my relation to him&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_38" href="#Footnote_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a> that causes me to
+defer unto the last place the mention of Mr.
+John Cotton, who hath addressed the Indians in
+their own language with some dexterity. He
+hired an Indian after the rate of twelve pence
+per day, for fifty days, to teach him the Indian
+tongue; but his knavish tutor having received
+his whole pay too soon, ran away before twenty
+days were out; however, in this time he had
+profited so far that he could quickly preach unto
+the natives.”</p>
+
+<p>Two Indians from Martha’s Vineyard were
+entered at Harvard College. Their names were
+Joel and Caleb. Joel was lost on his voyage
+from Boston to Nantucket just before taking his
+degree. Caleb was graduated, but soon died of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">[247]</span>consumption at Charlestown. His name now
+stands on the College Catalogue in this form:
+“1665, Caleb Cheesehahteaumuck, Indus.” He
+composed a Latin and Greek Elegy on the
+death of an eminent minister, and subscribed
+them, “Cheesehahteaumuck, Senior Sophista.”</p>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">[248]</span></p>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII_1">CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+
+<p>Disturbance of Missionary efforts. Philip’s war. Removal of the
+Indians to Deer Isle. Return. Conclusion of the History of Missionary
+efforts among the Indians of this neighborhood. Reflections.</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<p>Civilization and the influence of the Gospel,
+however, had their limits. The Narraganset
+Indians, situated between the Connecticut and
+Plymouth Colonies, refused the Gospel, and the
+benevolent intentions of the English. King
+Philip, the famous warrior of Mount Hope, (now
+Bristol) whose name was terrible to our forefathers,
+scorned the doctrines of the cross. Mr.
+Eliot once had an interview with him, explained
+the way of salvation, and exhorted him to repent.
+The Indian chieftain rose, took hold of
+Mr. Eliot’s button, and told him, that he cared
+no more for his Gospel than he did for that button.</p>
+
+<p>The Indians under Philip were growing jealous
+of English encroachments upon their hunting
+fields. Petty depredations were made by the
+Indians upon the English settlements, then followed
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">[249]</span>a summons to court, which, in process of
+time, became exceedingly annoying to proud,
+untamed savages. They had bartered their
+lands for English implements and toys; the
+tools and the toys were gone, and the savage
+could not be satisfied to abide by a paper, call it
+treaty, bond, or contract, on which he had
+scratched his mark. He sighed for his old domains;
+the waves of civilization were coming
+round him like a flood; his people were artfully
+crowded by the English into narrow inlets between
+the settlements, that they might be
+watched on all sides.</p>
+
+<p>King Philip was summoned to Court in 1674,
+for some offence committed by his tribe. The
+informer was murdered by the angry savages.
+The murderers were hanged by the English.
+The massacre of eight or nine of the English at
+Swansey was the consequence. Philip wept
+when he heard that the blood of a white man
+had been shed. The Colonists began to arm,
+and a universal panic prevailed. The superstition
+of those days added much to the general
+terror. Signs in the heavens were reported to
+have been seen, a scalp on the disc of the moon
+in an eclipse; an Indian bow was imprinted on
+the sky. Troops of horses were heard rushing
+through the air. The horrors of an Indian war
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_250">[250]</span>made their faces pale and their hearts faint.
+The scenes at Bloody Brook, the burning of
+Lancaster, Medfield, Brookfield, Weymouth,
+Groton, Marlborough, the ambushments rising
+on the congregation as they returned from public
+worship, the massacre of wives and children
+at home, and the scalping of husbands and
+brothers in the field, roused the colonies of
+Plymouth, Massachusetts, and Connecticut to an
+exterminating war.</p>
+
+<p>It is easy to see that the communities of praying
+Indians could not escape the influence of the
+general excitement against the Indians. Some
+of them were accused, justly or unjustly, of favoring
+the designs of the enemy. The Colonists
+were all the time afraid that the instinctive
+love of war and carnage in the Indian bosom
+would break through the restraints of religion,
+and that all which had been done for the Indians
+would be only a qualification of them as more
+successful traitors and expert butchers.</p>
+
+<p>On the other hand, King Philip was jealous
+of the praying Indians. He used every means
+of persuasion and fear to enlist them on his side.
+Their situation was trying in the extreme. In
+the excited state of mind which an Indian war
+created among the English, a war on the part of
+the savages of stratagem, and treachery, it was
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">[251]</span>natural that the Christian Indians should be
+trusted and feared. Some of them enlisted with
+the English and did good service, and some deserted
+to Philip.</p>
+
+<p>In 1675, a number of the Christian Indians
+were brought to Boston on a charge of being
+concerned in a murder at Lancaster. Mr. Eliot
+and his friends interposed to save them, and
+succeeded in showing that the accusation was
+false and malicious. In so doing, they incurred
+the popular resentment, and were suspected and
+accused of bad motives and treasonable conduct.</p>
+
+<p>The feelings of the people were now so unreasonable
+that the worst consequences to the
+praying Indians were apprehended. In this state
+of things the General Court, as a means of protection
+to themselves and to the Indians, passed
+an order that the Natick Indians should be removed
+to Deer Island, in Boston harbor, between
+four and five miles from shore. They came to
+the place called the Pines, near Cambridge, on
+Charles River, and were thence conveyed by
+water to Deer Island. Mr. Eliot met them at
+the Pines, and endeavored to soothe and cheer
+them. He was then seventy years old. One
+might question whether he or the Indians suffered
+most in their removal.</p>
+
+<p>A party of Indians had fired a barn at Chelmsford.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">[252]</span>The English imputed it to the praying
+Indians at Tewksbury. A party of the English
+went to their wigwams, called them out and shot
+one lad, and wounded several women and children.
+The murderers were tried, but the jury
+were overawed by the public sentiment and
+cleared them. The Tewksbury Indians fled
+into the wilderness; messengers were sent to
+them inviting them to return, but they gave this
+answer: We are not sorry for what we leave
+behind, but we are sorry that the English have
+driven us from praying to God, and from our
+leader. We did begin to understand a little of
+praying to God. When the winter season came,
+their sufferings forced them back to their wigwams,
+and the English endeavored in various
+ways to atone for the injuries they had suffered.</p>
+
+<p>The Stoughton Indians, for some suspicion,
+were also removed to Deer Island, and the whole
+number there amounted to five hundred. Mr.
+Eliot and his friends visited them, and found
+them patient and meek, exhibiting the true influence
+of the Gospel in a satisfactory degree.
+But they were exposed to want and suffering of
+various kinds. The ill-treatment of other communities
+of Indians followed in rapid succession,
+and it was in vain that they sought in moments
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">[253]</span>of contention, to repair the injuries which they
+had inflicted. One party of Indians, for example,
+had been taken by a Narraganset Sachem,
+and had escaped, and were wandering in the
+woods, when an English scouting party met
+them, taking from them, among other things, a
+pewter cup which Mr. Eliot had given them for
+their communion service, and which they had
+kept and carried with them with the reverence
+of a Jew for his sacred vessels of gold and
+silver. This party were also carried to Deer
+Island.</p>
+
+<p>Philip, the terror of the English Colonies on
+this continent, was finally destroyed. The war
+subsiding, the Deer Island Indians, with the
+permission of the General Court, and by the
+funds of the society in England for propagating
+the Gospel, were removed to Cambridge, and
+were permitted to choose their places of settlement.
+Some of them went to the various falls
+of Charles River, some to Brush Hill in Milton,
+some settled at Nonantum, and many of them
+went to Natick.</p>
+
+<p>But the efforts to Christianize the Indians
+were never resumed with the interest and zeal
+which were formerly felt. On the part of the
+English, there was conscience of wrong, and on
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">[254]</span>the part of the Indians a remembrance of injustice,
+and thus a breach was made between them
+which was never healed. Some of the Indians
+had been made slaves. King Philip’s wife and
+son had been sold in the West Indies.&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_39" href="#Footnote_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a> Mr.
+Eliot followed with his prayers and efforts those
+of his Christian Indians who had been sold into
+bondage. He wrote to the celebrated and honorable
+Robert Boyle to use his efforts in redeeming
+some who had been left at Tangier.</p>
+
+<p>By various means the praying towns had been
+reduced in 1684, to four. The tribes have dwindled
+and finally disappeared, till a few years
+since one poor hut in Natick, inhabited by a
+family of Indian and Negro blood, and the gravestone
+of Daniel Takawambait in the stone wall,
+were the most prominent of the memorials
+which they have left behind them. Fragments
+of their language are imperishably associated
+with many places and scenes throughout the
+land. The rural retreat, the new town, the
+gallant ship, are emulous of their names; while
+the tavern sign, the bank note, the omnibus,
+and the tobacconist, grace themselves with their
+faces and implements. The New England poet,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">[255]</span>historian, and orator, draw thrilling incidents
+from Mount Hope and Bloody Brook, and the
+Christian and the philanthropist will enshrine
+the names of Nonantum and Natick. Westward
+and still westward, the New England
+tribes have receded. Civilization has had more
+repulsion and injury for the savage than Christianity
+has been able to overcome. There is a
+law of progress in the affairs of nations expressed
+in the prophetic language of the patriarch
+Noah; “God shall enlarge Japhet, and he shall
+dwell in the tents of Shem.” The savage
+retreats before the civilized man, and while we
+mourn over the ruin of individual tribes, we
+cannot but stand in awe of that resistless measure
+of God’s providence by which he is forcing
+the Caucasian race to fill the earth, and suffering
+uncivilized nations to melt away like the
+snow in spring.</p>
+
+<p>But that same vigorous faith which brought
+the Pilgrims here as missionaries to the Indians,
+has followed the red man in his wanderings
+over this vast continent. The names of David
+Brainard, Samuel Kirkland, and Gideon Blackburn,
+are identified with the history of Indian
+missions. The American Board has pursued
+the work of evangelizing them with much success.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">[256]</span>The history of the Cherokees, the mountaineers
+of America, is of itself a tale of romantic
+and thrilling interest. The sketches of the
+present North American Indians by Mr. Catlin,
+in his valuable work, show that a large field for
+missionary effort on this continent is yet spread
+before the American churches.</p>
+
+<p>When the workmen were digging for the
+foundation of some new houses at the corner of
+Tremont and Boylston streets, in Boston, several
+years ago, they found the skeleton of an
+Indian. He had been buried on his side, reclining
+on his arm, and was found in that
+posture. Christian faith and hope, mingled
+with a little fancy, would fain lead us to hail
+this incident as a sign that the Indian race are
+not yet recumbent in hopeless degradation; that
+though seemingly buried in the great wilderness,
+they are buried in the posture of rising. Many
+interesting recollections, and our natural feelings
+towards an oppressed people, make us wish
+that this was more than fancy, and, as the Indian
+on the seal of the Massachusetts colony had a
+passage of Scripture proceeding from his mouth,
+Come over and help us, would we gladly put
+another passage into the mouth of that resurrection
+Indian above mentioned, making him say,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">[257]</span>with prophetic ecstasy, as he looks towards
+Nonantum and surveys the scenes of his ancient,
+and apparently lost race, “Thy dead men shall
+live, together with my dead body shall they
+arise; awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust,
+for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the
+earth shall cast out her dead.”</p>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">[258]</span></p>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+
+<p>Mr. Eliot’s avowal of republicanism, and his retraction of it. His
+connection with the controversy about Mrs. Hutchinson. Richard
+Baxter’s Testimony about Mr. Eliot. Roman Catholics instructing
+the Indians. Mrs. Eliot. Close of Mr. Eliot’s life. Conclusion.</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<p>Two events in the life of Mr. Eliot must necessarily
+be noticed in giving a complete account of
+him. One is the publication and subsequent
+retraction of a book called the Christian Commonwealth,
+and the other is his connection with
+the controversy raised by that notorious woman,
+Mrs. Anne Hutchinson.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Eliot wrote a book about the year 1650,
+called the Christian Commonwealth. It was
+carried to England in manuscript and printed.
+In 1660, the Governor and Council of Massachusetts
+condemned this book as being “full of
+seditious principles and notions in relation to all
+established governments in the Christian world,
+especially against the government established in
+their native country.”</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Eliot wrote an acknowledgment of error
+as the author of the book, and presented his
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">[259]</span>recantation to the General Court. He speaks in
+it of Cromwell and his friends as “the late innovators”
+in the government of Great Britain,
+and of the monarchy as restored under Charles
+II., “as not only a lawful but eminent form of
+government.” The book was suppressed, and
+Mr. Eliot’s recantation was published through
+the colony.</p>
+
+<p>This incident has been considered as reflecting
+on Mr. Eliot’s character for discretion, or
+for decision. The book does not survive in this
+country to speak for itself. The facts in the
+case seem to be that during the success of Cromwell,
+Mr. Eliot composed his book in accordance
+with what seemed to be the tendency in England
+towards a settled republican form of government.
+But upon the restoration of Charles
+II., the provincial government of Massachusetts
+felt in duty bound to show their allegiance to
+the crown by protesting against the sentiments
+of a book which favored republicanism. How
+often it is the case that success is regarded as
+settling the question of right. Had Cromwell’s
+plan succeeded, the Massachusetts government
+would not have felt obliged to condemn Mr.
+Eliot’s book. We may perhaps reflect upon
+him for not maintaining and defending the
+principles of his book; but to have done so
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_260">[260]</span>would have been treason, seeing that monarchy
+had again become the established form of government
+in the mother country. Mr. Eliot,
+perhaps, felt that it was right for him to find
+reasons for that permanent change in the government
+of Great Britain which in the providence
+of God seemed to be at hand. When the
+event proved otherwise than he expected, loyally
+being then so much a part of religion, and “the
+powers” in the government of the mother
+country being, according to the received opinions
+of Christians, and like all other powers “that
+be,” “ordained of God,” it was a question with
+Mr. Eliot between decision and boldness,
+amounting to a treasonable spirit, and submission
+to constituted authority. The ill success
+of Cromwell no doubt made Eliot think
+that he had misinterpreted the purposes of
+God. Men are apt to feel and reason in this
+manner. If a colony, or province, or a number
+of men make insurrection, and succeed in overthrowing
+the government, men call it a revolution,
+and the independence of the new state or
+nation is acknowledged. If they do not succeed,
+the attempt is called a plot, conspiracy, insurrection,
+and the actors who in the event of success
+would have been “the fathers of their
+country,” “the founders of a nation,” are gibbeted
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_261">[261]</span>by their generation, and regarded as
+traitors by the next, and by the world. While
+a revolution is pending, a man may say many
+things as an observer and theorizer, which,
+when events contradict them, he will do his best
+to retract, or cover up. It cannot be wondered
+at, that, amid the enthusiasm which attended
+the Restoration, and the implicit submission of
+the Colonial government to the restored king,
+and influenced by the loyal spirit of his times,
+Mr. Eliot should have deemed it a Christian
+duty to confess and retract that which the providence
+of God seemed to indicate was an error.
+He was not prepared to lift up a standard against
+the government of Great Britain; the appeal
+which Cromwell and his friends had made to
+the God of nations and of battles, had not been
+answered in his favor, and Mr. Eliot was meek
+enough to yield submission to that which, in the
+circumstances, seemed to be a Christian obligation.
+What should he have done? Had he
+still believed that Cromwell was the anointed of
+the Lord, and that Charles was the usurper, he
+should have suffered any punishment rather
+than falsify his sentiments. It may be charitably
+supposed, however, that the events of the
+Restoration changed his opinion, and made him
+satisfied to be still a royalist. We have no evidence
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_262">[262]</span>in any part of his life, that Mr. Eliot was
+a time-server, or coward; on the contrary, he
+was remarkable for decision of character and independence.</p>
+
+<p>In confirmation of what has now been said
+respecting Mr. Eliot’s decision and firmness, we
+may allude to the part he took in opposing the
+sentiments and influence of that notorious disturber
+of the churches in his day, Mrs. Anne
+Hutchinson. She was of the sect of Antinomians,
+who abused the doctrines of free grace,
+maintaining that the law is of no use or obligation
+under the dispensation of the Gospel, while
+the doctrines they taught superseded the necessity
+of good works. Mrs. Hutchinson pretended
+to immediate impressions from heaven as the
+rule of conduct, saying that she knew God
+“spake to her, just as Abraham knew that it
+was the command of Heaven to sacrifice Isaac.”
+The Governor, Vane, who was an enthusiast,
+countenanced this woman, and Rev. Mr. Cotton,
+who took Mr. Eliot’s place in the church at
+Boston, when Mr. Eliot removed to Roxbury,
+was also infected by her influence so far as to
+oppose his colleague, the Rev. Mr. Wilson, and
+the other ministers, who were generally opposed
+to her. Had Mr. Eliot remained the teacher of
+the church in Boston, it would have prevented
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_263">[263]</span>that church from being divided as it was with
+regard to Mrs. Hutchinson, through the influence
+of his successor, Mr. Cotton. Mr. Eliot,
+with several other ministers, visited her, conversed
+with her upon religious subjects to
+ascertain her sentiments and spirit, and remonstrated
+with her for her bold denunciation of all
+the Plantation except Messrs. Cotton and Wheelright.
+Mr. Eliot appeared as a witness against
+her on her trial before the magistrates, and with
+Hugh Peters and Mr. Weld, testified that she
+said to them that “Mr. Cotton preached a covenant
+of grace, and the other ministers a covenant
+of works.” Mr. Eliot added, “I do remember
+this also, that she said we were not able and
+faithful ministers of the new covenant, because
+we were not like the apostles before the ascension.”
+Mr. Eliot took occasion on this trial to
+bear testimony against yielding to <i>impressions</i>
+as a rule of faith and duty. A passage from
+Mr. Hooker’s sermons was quoted in justification
+of Mrs. Hutchinson’s statements. But Mr.
+Eliot who had been brought up at the feet of
+Mr. Hooker, and knew his opinions well, insisted
+that the construction given to the passage
+was contrary to Mr. Hooker’s mind and judgment.
+His old friend, Gov. Winthrop, gently
+dissented from Mr. Eliot’s strong testimony
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_264">[264]</span>against impressions. Mr. Eliot said, “I say
+there is an expectation of things promised; but
+to have a particular revelation of things, as they
+shall fall out, there is no such thing in the
+Scripture.” Gov. Winthrop replied, “We must
+not limit the word of God.”&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_40" href="#Footnote_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a> Mrs. Hutchinson
+was condemned and banished. Her end softened
+the feelings of those who condemned her,
+and made them reflect upon the inexpediency of
+proceeding so strenuously as they did against
+her. Such feelings always arise in the minds
+of good men who have withstood prevailing
+errors, not to make them regret the testimony
+they bore for the truth, but to mourn over hasty
+and excessive zeal, when patience, and perhaps
+a measure of neglect, might sooner have ended
+a controversy, or have prevented it altogether.
+But it is easier for those who are removed, by
+time or place, from the excitements of a controversy,
+to moralize upon the best way of conducting
+it, than it would have been for them to exercise
+the judicious temper which they recommend
+and praise, had they themselves partaken in the
+strife. Mr. Eliot showed himself in this controversy
+to be no fanatical enthusiast, and gave
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_265">[265]</span>evidence that he was a man of decision and
+courage.</p>
+
+<p>The following characteristic letter was written
+by the famous Rev. Richard Baxter to Dr. Increase
+Mather then in London. It was occasioned
+by the receipt of Cotton Mather’s Life of
+Eliot.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p class="noindent">“<span class="smcap">Dear Brother</span>:</p>
+
+<p>I thought I had been near dying at 12
+o’clock, in bed; but your book revived me. I
+lay reading it until between one and two. I
+knew much of Mr. Eliot’s opinions, by many
+letters which I had from him. There was no
+man on earth whom I honoured above him. It
+is his evangelical work that is the apostolical
+succession that I plead for. I am now dying, I
+hope, as he did. It pleased me to read from
+him my case, [<i>my understanding faileth, my
+memory faileth, my tongue faileth</i>,] (and my
+hand and pen,) <i>but my charity faileth not</i>.
+That word much comforted me. I am as zealous
+a lover of the New England Churches as
+any man, according to Mr. Noyes’, Mr. Norton’s,
+Mr. Mitchel’s, and the Synod’s model.</p>
+
+<p>I loved your father upon the letters I received
+from him. I love you better for your
+learning, labors, and peaceable moderation. I
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_266">[266]</span>love your son better than either of you, for the
+excellent temper that appeareth in his writings.&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_41" href="#Footnote_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a>
+O that godliness and wisdom (may) thus increase
+in all families! He hath honoured himself
+half as much as Mr. Eliot. I say but half
+as much; for deeds excel words. God preserve
+you and New England! Pray for</p>
+
+<p class="center">Your fainting, languishing Friend,</p>
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Ri. Baxter</span>.”</p>
+
+<p><i>August 3, 1691.</i></p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>In contrast with the instructions which Mr.
+Eliot and other Protestant missionaries to the
+Indians gave the children of the wilderness,
+Cotton Mather alludes to the instructions given
+to the Indians in some parts of the country by
+the Popish missionaries. He says,</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p>“By an odd accident there are lately fallen
+into my hands the manuscripts of a Jesuit,
+whom the French employed as a missionary
+among the western Indians, in which papers
+there are both a catechism, containing the principles
+which those heathens are to be instructed
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_267">[267]</span>in, and cases of conscience referring to their
+conversations. The catechism, which is in the
+Iroquois language—with a translation annexed,
+has one chapter about heaven, and another
+about hell, wherein are such thick skulled passages
+as these.”</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> How is the soil made in heaven?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> ’Tis a very fair soil, they want neither
+for meats nor clothes; ’tis but wishing, and we
+have them.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> Are they employed in heaven?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> No, they do nothing; the fields yield corn,
+beans, pumpkins, and the like without any tillage.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> What sort of trees are there?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> Always green, full, flourishing.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> Have they in heaven the same sun, the
+same wind, the same thunder that we have here?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> No, the sun ever shines; it is always
+fair weather.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> But how are their fruits?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> In this one quality they exceed ours,
+that they are never wasted; you have no sooner
+plucked one, but you see another presently
+hanging in its room.</p>
+
+<p>Concerning hell, it thus discourses.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> What sort of a soil is that of hell?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> A very wretched soil; ’tis a fiery pit in
+the centre of the earth.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_268">[268]</span></p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> Have they any light in hell?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> No. ’Tis always dark; there is always
+smoke there; their eyes are always in
+pain with it; they can see nothing but the
+devils.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> What shaped things are the devils?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> Very ill shaped things; they go about
+with vizards on, and they terrify men.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> What do they eat in hell?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> They are always hungry, but the damned
+feed on hot ashes and serpents there.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> What water do they drink?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> Horrid water, nothing but melted lead.</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> Don’t they die in hell?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> No; yet they eat one another every day;
+but anon, God restores and renews the man that
+was eaten, as a cropt plant in a little time repullulates.</p>
+
+<p>One case of conscience is thus resolved by the
+Jesuit:</p>
+
+<p><i>Q.</i> Whether an Indian stealing a hatchet
+from a Dutchman be bound to make restitution?</p>
+
+<p><i>A.</i> If the Dutchman be one that has used any
+trade with other Indians, the thief is not bound
+unto any restitution; for it is certain he gains
+more by such a trade than the value of many
+hatchets in a year.</p>
+
+<p>In the History of the Early Jesuit Missions to
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_269">[269]</span>the Indians of this country,&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_42" href="#Footnote_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a> as well as in all
+other Jesuit missions, there is a degree of zeal
+and devotedness which is truly wonderful.
+This is not the place to discuss the motives of
+these men, nor the principle in human nature
+which leads to their self-sacrifice in the missionary
+work. The fruits of their work, however,
+show that they do not promulgate the Gospel of
+Christ in its simplicity, did we not know this by
+more direct evidence.</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>The wife of Mr. Eliot died three years before
+him, at the age of 84. She had come to him
+across the ocean, a betrothed bride, when he had
+found a home for her in this new world. During
+her residence here, “she had attained unto a
+considerable skill in physick and chirurgery
+which enabled her to dispense many safe, good,
+and useful medicines unto the poor that had occasion
+for them; and some hundreds of sick
+and weak and maimed people owed praises to
+God for the benefit which therein they freely
+received of her.”&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_43" href="#Footnote_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a>&#x2060;</p>
+
+<p>She managed all the private affairs of her husband
+for him that he might devote his whole
+time and strength to his arduous public labors.
+She brought up his six children of whom he
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_270">[270]</span>beautifully said, “they are all in Christ, or with
+Christ,” and then she smoothed his passage to
+the tomb by going before him, and making him
+more willing to depart. “That one wife,” says
+Mather, “which was given to him truly from
+the Lord, he loved, prized, cherished, with a
+kindness that notably represented the compassion
+which he thereby taught his church to expect
+from the Lord Jesus Christ; and after he
+had lived with her for more than half an hundred
+years he followed her to the grave with
+lamentations beyond those which the Jews, from
+the figure of a letter in the text,&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_44" href="#Footnote_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a> affirm, that
+Abraham deplored his Sarah with; her departure
+made a deeper impression on him than
+what any common affliction could. His whole
+conversation with her had that sweetness and
+that gravity and modesty beautifying of it, that
+every one called them Zachery and Elizabeth.”&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_45" href="#Footnote_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a>&#x2060;</p>
+
+<p>The old gray haired apostle stood over her
+coffin, and said to the concourse of people who
+had come to the funeral, “Here lies my dear,
+faithful, pious, prudent, prayerful wife. I
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_271">[271]</span>shall go to her, but she shall not return to
+me.”</p>
+
+<p>Lord Bacon&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_46" href="#Footnote_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a> speaking of “marriage and single
+life,” tells us what wives are to young men, and
+that “for middle age” they are “companions,”
+and “old men’s nurses.” Men generally do
+not wait till old age before they experience the
+exquisite tenderness and assiduity of woman in
+their sickness. We all subscribe to the last couplet
+of the following quotation, but not to the first:</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+  <div class="poetry">
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse indent0">“O woman! in thine hours of ease</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Deceitful, coy, and hard to please.</div>
+      <div class="center">...</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">When pain and sickness wring the brow,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">A ministering angel thou.”</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>There is a beautiful passage in one of Steele’s
+papers in the Spectator. It purports to be a
+letter to his wife. He says,</p>
+
+<p>“It is impossible for me to look back on many
+evils and pains which I have suffered since we
+came together, without a pleasure which is not
+to be expressed from the proofs I have had,
+in those circumstances, of your unmeasured
+goodness. How often has your tenderness removed
+pain from my sick head! how often anguish
+from my afflicted heart! With how skillful
+patience have I known you comply with the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_272">[272]</span>vain projects which pain has suggested, to have
+an aching limb removed, by journeying from
+one side of a room to another! how often, the
+next instant, traveled the same ground again,
+<i>without telling your patient it was to no purpose
+to change his situation</i>. If there are such
+beings as guardian angels, thus are they employed.
+I will no more believe one of them
+more good in its inclinations, than I can conceive
+it more charming in its form than my wife.”</p>
+
+<p>As Mr. Eliot became disabled by age for the
+ministerial work, he seemed to have the earnest
+solicitude about a successor which Moses had
+when, towards the close of his life, he “cried to
+the Lord” that he would “set a man over the
+congregation.” Mr. Eliot more than once assembled
+the people of the town to fast and pray
+with reference to a successor. The Rev. Nehemiah
+Walter was by the unanimous vote of the
+people associated with him in the pastoral
+office, after which it was with difficulty that he
+could be persuaded to conduct any public religious
+service, saying, “It would be a wrong to
+the souls of the people for him to do any thing
+among them when they were supplied so much
+to their advantage.” The last time that he
+preached is said to have been on the occasion
+of a public fast, when he expounded the lxxxiii.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_273">[273]</span>Psalm, being, (as the caption has it,) a complaint
+to God of the enemies’ conspiracies, and
+a prayer against them that oppress the church.
+He concluded his exposition with an apology,
+begging his hearers to pardon the poorness and
+meanness and brokenness of his meditations,
+adding, “my dear brother here will by and by
+mend all.”</p>
+
+<p>He once expressed the fear that his old friends
+and neighbors, Messrs. Cotton, of Boston, and
+Mather, of Dorchester, who had gone to heaven
+before him, would suspect him to have gone the
+wrong way, because he staid so long behind them.</p>
+
+<p>Towards the close of his life his mind dwelt
+much on the coming of the Son of Man, and
+whatever theme he began to converse upon, he
+soon fell into a strain of remarks upon this subject.
+On one occasion some one brought him
+intelligence of certain sad events whereby the
+Churches of New England were much afflicted.
+His reply was, “Behold some of the clouds in
+which we must look for the coming of the Son
+of Man.”</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Walter coming in to see him on his
+dying bed, Mr. Eliot said, “Brother, thou art
+welcome to my very soul. Pray retire to thy
+study for me, and give me leave to be gone,”
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_274">[274]</span>meaning that he should pray for his speedy
+release.</p>
+
+<p>Being asked how he did, he said, “Alas, I
+have lost every thing; my understanding leaves
+me, my memory fails me, my utterance fails
+me; but I thank God my charity holds out still;
+I find that rather grows than fails.”</p>
+
+<p>Speaking of the work in which he had been
+engaged among the Indians, he said, “There
+is a cloud, a dark cloud, upon the work of the
+gospel, among the poor Indians. The Lord
+revive and prosper that work, and grant that it
+may live when I am dead. It is a work which
+I have been doing much and long about. But
+what was the word I spoke last? I recall that
+word, <i>my doings</i>! Alas! they have been poor
+and small, and lean doings; and I’ll be the man
+that shall throw the first stone at them all.”</p>
+
+<p>The Rev. Increase Mather had gone to England
+on business connected with the ecclesiastical
+affairs of New England. Mr. Eliot wrote
+the following letter to him, and it is the last
+writing of his of which we have any account.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p class="noindent">“Reverend and beloved Mr. Increase Mather.</p>
+
+<p>I cannot write. Read Neh. 2:10. When
+Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant,
+the Ammonite heard of it, it grieved them
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_275">[275]</span>exceedingly that there was come a man to seek
+the welfare of the children of Israel.</p>
+
+<p>Let thy blessed soul feed full and fat upon
+this and other Scriptures. All other things I
+leave to other men, and rest,</p>
+
+<p class="center">Your loving Brother,</p>
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">John Eliot</span>.”</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>One of Mr. Eliot’s last expressions was this,
+Welcome joy! His last breath was spent in
+calling upon those who stood around his dying
+bed to “Pray, Pray, Pray.” He died in the
+beginning of the year 1690, in the eighty-sixth
+year of his age.</p>
+
+<p>Before his death, Mr. Eliot had the pleasure
+of seeing several faithful men raised up to labor
+among the Indians; among whom were Daniel
+Gookin, James Noyce, Rowland Cotton, Peter
+Thacher, Grindal Rawson, Goddefred Dettins,
+and M. Bondet. Mather says, “about the year
+1700, through the blessing of God in this one
+Massachusetts province, the Indians have mostly
+embraced the Christian religion. There are
+I suppose, more than thirty congregations of
+Indians, and many more than three thousand
+Indians, in this one province, calling on God in
+Christ, and hearing of his glorious Word.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_276">[276]</span></p>
+
+<p>In writing these pages, I have before me a
+copy of Eliot’s Indian Bible, to which are annexed
+his Psalms and Hymns, in the Indian
+tongue, and a short Catechism. Here is the
+monument of John Eliot; and what monument
+of earthly greatness is to be compared with it!
+The kings of the earth sleep in the great cathedral;
+the beautiful, ivy grown, ruined abbey
+crowns the sepulchre of the novelist and poet;
+the marble statue immortalizes the name and
+deeds of the conqueror by land or sea. They
+are but the grass that withereth, and the flower
+which fadeth, “but the word of the Lord endureth
+forever.” “Endureth”? There is not
+one Indian on this continent, or on the face of
+the earth, that can read this book. It can never
+guide another soul to God. As you look upon
+its title page, written in an unknown tongue,
+you see these words, Up-Biblum God, the
+Book of God. How significant, we may say,
+the appearance of those words when we consider
+the condition of the book bereaved of the race
+who once read it. “Up-Biblum God.” Like
+the man-child of the woman clothed with the
+sun who fled into the wilderness, and whose
+child was caught up unto God, and to his throne,
+this book, having done its office here, is, in a
+certain sense, caught up to God; and there it
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_277">[277]</span>“endureth forever,” in the hearts and souls of
+redeemed savages.</p>
+
+<p>This book will never, of course, be reprinted,
+and copies of it are becoming rare. But if we
+wished to send something to a desponding
+missionary, or an example of condescension and
+love for souls to a minister who despises and
+neglects his poor, humble people, no better gift
+could be selected than a copy of Eliot’s Bible.
+What gentle rebuke, what exhortation and encouragement,
+its long barbarous words would
+speak oftentimes in the minister’s or missionary’s
+study. We might appropriately inscribe
+on its cover the third reflection of Mr. Eliot on
+returning from one of his visits to Nonantum,
+and send it to every missionary station round
+the globe: “There is no need of miraculous or
+extraordinary gifts in seeking the salvation of
+the most depraved of the human family.”</p>
+
+<p>The mention of this Bible may lead us to
+think of that half million of wild Indians and
+that million and a half of partly civilized Indians
+who now occupy the wilderness of the west. It
+bids us attempt their conversion; it shows us
+that no difficulties are too mighty for the Gospel
+to overcome, no discouragements too great
+for true Christian faith and courage. The objects
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_278">[278]</span>of our forefathers’ zeal and hope in coming
+to these shores, are now beyond the Rocky
+Mountains. A wilderness still invites our increasing
+missionary efforts, as a wilderness once
+invited the labors of the Pilgrims. Wronged
+and driven away by the while man, still they
+cry:</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp63" id="seal2" style="max-width: 25.0em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/seal2.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    <p>COME OVER AND HELP VS</p>
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_279">[279]</span></p>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="APPENDIX">APPENDIX.</h2>
+
+</div>
+
+<h3 id="APPENDIX_A"><b>A.</b>—<a href="#Page_201">See page 201.</a></h3>
+
+<p class="center">(Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. 1732.)</p>
+
+<p class="hanging">“The following fabulous Traditions and Customs
+of the Indians of Martha’s Vineyard, were
+communicated to <span class="smcap">Benjamin Basset</span>, Esq. of
+Chilmark, by <span class="smcap">Thomas Cooper</span>, a half blooded
+Indian, of Gay head, aged about sixty years;
+and which, he says, he obtained of his grandmother,
+who, to use his own expression, was
+a stout girl, when the English came to the
+island.</p>
+
+<p>The first Indian who came to the Vineyard, was
+brought thither with his dog on a cake of ice.
+When he came to Gay Head, he found a very
+large man, whose name was Moshup. He had
+a wife and five children, four sons and one
+daughter; and lived in the Den. He used to
+catch whales, and then pluck up trees, and make
+a fire, and roast them. The coals of the trees,
+and the bones of the whales, are now to be seen.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_280">[280]</span>After he was tired of staying here, he told his
+children to go and play ball on a beach that
+joined Noman’s Land to Gay Head. He then
+made a mark with his toe across the beach at
+each end, and so deep, that the water followed,
+and cut away the beach; so that his children
+were in fear of drowning. They took their sister
+up, and held her out of the water. He told
+them to act as if they were going to kill whales;
+and they were all turned into killers, (a fish so
+called.) The sister was dressed in large stripes.
+He gave them a strict charge always to be kind
+to her. His wife mourned the loss of her children
+so exceedingly, that he threw her away.
+She fell upon Seconet, near the rocks, where
+she lived some time, exacting contribution of all
+who passed by water. After a while she was
+changed into a stone. The entire shape remained
+for many years. But after the English
+came, some of them broke off the arms, head,
+&amp;c. but the most of the body remains to this
+day. Moshup went away nobody knows whither.
+He had no conversation with the Indians, but
+was kind to them, by sending whales, &amp;c.
+ashore to them to eat. But after they grew
+thick around him he left them.</p>
+
+<p>Whenever the Indians worshipped, they always
+sang and danced, and then begged of the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_281">[281]</span>sun and moon, as they thought most likely to
+hear them, to send them the desired favour;
+most generally rain or fair weather, or freedom
+from their enemies or sickness.</p>
+
+<p>Before the English came among the Indians,
+there were two disorders of which they most
+generally died, viz. the consumption and the
+yellow fever. The latter they could always <i>lay</i>
+in the following manner. After it had raged
+and swept off a number, those who were well
+met to lay it. The rich, that is, such as had a
+canoe, skins, axes, &amp;c. brought them. They
+took their seat in a circle; and all the poor sat
+around, without. The richest then proposed to
+begin to lay the sickness; and having in his
+hand something in shape resembling his canoe,
+skin, or whatever his riches were, he threw it
+up in the air; and whoever of the poor without
+could take it, the property it was intended to resemble
+became forever transferred to him or her.
+After the rich had thus given away all their
+moveable property to the poor, they looked out
+the handsomest and most sprightly young man
+in the assembly, and put him into an entire new
+wigwam, built of every thing new for that purpose.
+They then formed into two files at a
+small distance from each other. One standing
+in the space at each end, put fire to the bottom
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_282">[282]</span>of the wigwam on all parts, and fell to singing
+and dancing. Presently the youth would leap
+out of the flames, and fall down to appearance
+dead. Him they committed to the care of five
+virgins, prepared for that purpose, to restore to
+life again. The term required for this would be
+uncertain, from six to forty-eight hours; during
+which time the dance must be kept up. When
+he was restored, he would tell, that he had been
+carried in a large thing high up in the air, where
+he came to a great company of white people,
+with whom he had interceded hard to have the
+distemper layed; and generally after much persuasion,
+would obtain a promise, or answer of
+peace which never failed of laying the distemper.”</p>
+
+<p class="center">“<i>Inscription copied from a grave stone at Gay Head.</i></p>
+
+<p class="center">1 <span class="spacer1">2</span> 3<br>
+YEUUH’WOHHOK’SIPSIN’</p>
+
+<p class="center">4 <span class="spacer2">5</span><br>
+SIL’PAUL’NOHTOBEYONTOK’</p>
+
+<p class="center"><span class="spacer3">6</span> 7<br>
+AGED’ 49: YEARS’NUPPOOP’TAH’</p>
+
+<p class="center">AUGUST’24<sup>TH</sup>1787.</p>
+
+<p class="center mt2 allsmcap">EXPLANATIONS.</p>
+
+<ul>
+  <li>1. Here.</li>
+  <li>2. The body.</li>
+  <li>3. Lies.</li>
+  <li>4. Silas Paul.</li>
+  <li>5. An ordained preacher.</li>
+  <li>6. Died.</li>
+  <li>7. Then, or in.”</li>
+</ul>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_283">[283]</span></p>
+
+<h3 id="APPENDIX_B"><b>B.</b>—<a href="#Page_41">See page 41.</a></h3>
+
+<p>In connection with the remarks in the foregoing
+pages on the climate and soil of New England,
+the following extract from a piece by Rev.
+John Higginson of Salem, 1629, will be read
+with interest. It is taken from the Collections
+of the Mass. Hist. Society, 1792.</p>
+
+<h4>NEW-ENGLANDS PLANTATION.</h4>
+
+<p class="hanging">Or, a short and true <span class="smcap">Description</span> of the Commodities
+and Discommodities of that countrey.
+Written in the year 1629, by Mr. <span class="smcap">Higgeson</span>,
+a Reverend Divine, now there resident.
+Whereunto is added a Letter, sent by Mr.
+<span class="smcap">Graves</span>, an Enginere, out of New-England.
+Reprinted from the third edition, London,
+1530.</p>
+
+<p>Letting passe our voyage by sea,&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_47" href="#Footnote_47" class="fnanchor">[47]</a> we will now
+begin our discourse on the shore of New-England.
+And because the life and wel-fare of
+every creature heere below, and the commodiousnesse
+of the countrey whereat such creatures
+live, doth by the most wise ordering of God’s
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_284">[284]</span>providence, depend next unto himselfe, upon the
+temperature and disposition of the foure elements,
+earth, water, aire, and fire (for as of the
+mixture of all these, all sublunary things are
+composed; so by the more or lesse enjoyment of
+the wholesome temper and convenient use of
+these, consisteth the onely well-being both of
+man and beast in a more or lesse comfortable
+measure in all countreys under the heavens)
+therefore I will indeavour to shew you what
+New-England is by the consideration of each of
+these apart, and truly indeavour by God’s helpe
+to report nothing but the naked truth, and that
+both to tell you of the discommodities as well as
+of the commodities, though as the idle proverbe
+is, <i>travellers may lye by authoritie</i>, and so may
+take too much sinfull libertie that way. Yet I
+may say of my selfe as once Nehemiah did in
+another case: <i>Shall such a man as I lye?</i> No
+verily: It becommeth not a preacher of truth to
+be a writer of falshod in any degree: And
+therefore I have beene carefull to report nothing
+of New-England but what I have partly seene
+with mine own eyes, and partly heard and enquired
+from the mouths of verie honest and religious
+persons, who, by living in the countrey a
+good space of time, have had experience and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_285">[285]</span>knowledge of the state thereof, and whose testimonies
+I doe beleeve as my selfe.</p>
+
+<p>First therefore of the earth of New-England
+and all the appertenances thereof: It is a land
+of divers and sundry sorts all about Masathulets
+Bay, and at Charles river is as fat blacke
+earth as can be seene any where: and in other
+places you have a clay soyle, in other gravell,
+in other sandy, as it is all about our plantation
+at Salem, for so our towne is now named.
+Psal. 76:2.</p>
+
+<p>The forme of the earth here in the superfices
+of it is neither too flat in the plainnesse, nor too
+high in hils, but partakes of both in a mediocritie,
+and fit for pasture, or for plow or meddow
+ground, as men please to employ it: though all
+the countrey bee as it were a thicke wood for
+the generall, yet in divers places there is much
+ground cleared by the Indians, and especially
+about the plantation: And I am told that about
+three miles from us a man may stand on a little
+hilly place and see divers thousands of acres of
+ground as good as need to be, and not a tree in
+the same. It is thought here is good clay to
+make bricke and tyles and earthen-pot as need
+to be. At this instant we are setting a brick-kill
+on worke to make brickes and tiles for the building
+of our houses. For stone, here is plentie of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_286">[286]</span>slates at the Isle of Slate in Masathulets bay,
+and lime-stone, free-stone, and smooth-stone,
+and iron-stone, and marble-stone also in such
+store, that we have great rocks of it, and a harbour
+hard by. Our plantation is from thence
+called Marble-harbour.</p>
+
+<p>Of minerals there hath yet beene but little triall
+made, yet we are not without great hope of being
+furnished in that soyle.</p>
+
+<p>The fertilitie of the soyle is to be admired at,
+as appeareth in the aboundance of grasse that
+groweth everie where, both verie thicke, verie
+long, and verie high in divers places: But it
+groweth verie wildly with a great stalke and a
+broad and ranker blade, because it never had
+been eaten with cattle, nor mowed with a sythe,
+and seldome trampled on by foot. It is scarce
+to bee beleeved how our kine and goates, horses
+and hogges, doe thrive and prosper here and like
+well of this countrey.</p>
+
+<p>In our plantation we have already a quart of
+milke for a penny: but the aboundant encrease
+of corne proves this countrey to bee a wonderment.
+Thirtie, fortie, fiftie, sixtie are ordinarie
+here: Yea Joseph’s encrease in Ægypt is outstript
+here with us. Our planters hope to have
+more then a hundred fould this yere: And all
+this while I am within compasse; what will you
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_287">[287]</span>say of two hundred fould and upwards? It is
+almost incredible what great gaine some of our
+English planters have had by our Indiane corne.
+Credible persons have assured me, and the
+partie himselfe avouched the truth of it to me,
+that of the setting of 13 gallons of corne hee
+hath had encrease of it 52 hogsheads, every
+hogshead holding seven bushels of London measure,
+and every bushell was by him sold and
+trusted to the Indians for so much beaver as was
+worth 13 shillings; and so of this 13 gallons of
+corne, which was worth 6 shillings 8 pence, he
+made about 327 pounds of it the yeere following,
+as by reckoning will appeare: where you may
+see how God blessed husbandry in this land.
+There is not such greate and plentifull eares of
+corne I suppose any where else to bee found but
+in this countrey: Because also of varietie of
+colours, as red, blew, and yellow, &amp;c. and of
+one corne there springeth four or five hundred.
+I have sent you many eares of divers colours
+that you might see the truth of it.</p>
+
+<p>Little children here by setting of corne may
+earne much more then their owne maintenance.</p>
+
+<p>They have tryed our English corne at New
+Plimmouth plantation, so that all our several
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_288">[288]</span>graines will grow here verie well, and have a
+fitting soyle for their nature.</p>
+
+<p>Our Governor hath store of greene pease
+growing in his garden, as good as ever I eat in
+England.</p>
+
+<p>This country aboundeth naturally with store
+of roots of great varitie and good to eat. Our
+turnips, parsnips, and carrots are here both bigger
+and sweeter then is ordinary to be found in
+England. Here are store of pumpions, cowcombers,
+and other things of that nature which
+I know not. Also divers excellent pot-herbs
+grow abundantly among the grasse, as strawberrie
+leaves in all places of the countrey, and
+plentie of strawberries in their time, and pennyroyall,
+wintersaverie, sorrell, brookelime, liverwort,
+carvell, and watercresses, also leekes and
+onions are ordinarie, and divers physicall herbs.
+Here are also aboundance of other sweet herbs
+delightful to the smell, whose names we know
+not, &amp;c. and plentie of single damaske roses
+verie sweete; and two kinds of herbes that bare
+two kinds of flowers very sweet, which they say,
+are as good to make cordage or cloath as any
+hempe or flaxe we have.</p>
+
+<p>Excellent vines are here up and downe in the
+woods. Our Governour hath already planted a
+vineyard with great hope of encrease.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_289">[289]</span></p>
+
+<p>Also, mulberries, plums, raspberries, corrance,
+chesnuts, filberds, walnuts, smalnuts, hurtleberies,
+and hawes of whitethorne neere as good
+as our cherries in England, they grow in plentie
+here.</p>
+
+<p>For wood there is no better in the world
+I thinke, here being foure sorts of oke differing
+both in the leafe, timber, and colour, all excellent
+good. There is also good ash, elme, willow,
+birch, beech, saxafras, juniper, cipres, cedar,
+spruce, pines, and firre that will yeeld abundance
+of turpentine, pitch, tarre, masts, and
+other materials for building both of ships and
+houses. Also here are store of sumacke trees,
+they are good for dying and tanning of leather,
+likewise such trees yeeld a precious gem called
+wine benjamin, that they say is excellent for
+perfumes. Also here be divers roots and berries
+wherewith the Indians dye excellent holding
+colours that no raine nor washing can alter.
+Also, wee have materials to make sope-ashes
+and salt-peter in aboundance.</p>
+
+<p>For beasts there are some beares, and they
+say some <i>lyons</i> also; for they have been seen at
+Cape Anne. Also here are several sorts of
+deere, some whereof bring three or four young
+ones at once, which is not ordinarie in England.
+Also wolves, foxes, beavers, otters, martins, great
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_290">[290]</span>wild cats, and a great beast called a molke as
+bigge as an oxe. I have seen the skins of all
+these beasts since I came to this plantation excepting
+lyons. Also here are great store of
+squerrels, some greater, and some smaller and
+lesser: there are some of the lesser sort, they
+tell me, that by a certaine skill will fly from tree
+to tree, though they stand farre distant.</p>
+
+<h5><i>Of the waters of</i> New-England, <i>with the things
+belonging to the same</i>.</h5>
+
+<p>New-England hath water enough, both salt and
+fresh, the greatest sea in the world, the Atlanticke
+sea, runs all along the coast thereof.
+There are abundance of Ilands along the shore,
+some full of wood and masts to feed swine; and
+others cleere of wood, and fruitful to bear corne.
+Also wee have store of excellent harbours for
+ships, as at Cape Anne, and at Masathulets Bay,
+and at Salem, and at many other places: and
+they are the better because for strangers there
+is a verie difficult and dangerous passage into
+them, but unto such as are well acquainted with
+them, they are easie and safe enough. The
+aboundance of sea-fish are almost beyond beleeving,
+and sure I should scarce have beleeved
+it, except I had seene it with mine owne eyes.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_291">[291]</span>I saw great store of whales, and crampusse, and
+such aboundance of mackerils that it would astonish
+one to behold, likewise cod-fish in aboundance
+on the coast, and in their season are plentifully
+taken. There is a fish called a basse, a
+most sweet and wholesome fish as ever I did
+eate, it is altogether as good as our fresh sammon,
+and the season of their comming was begun
+when wee came first to New-England in June,
+and so continued about three months space. Of
+this fish our fishers take many hundreds together,
+which I have seen lying on the shore to
+my admiration; yea their nets ordinarily take
+more than they are able to hale to land, and for
+want of boats and men they are constrained to
+let a many goe after they have taken them, and
+yet sometimes they fill two boates at a time with
+them. And besides basse wee take plentie of
+scate and thornbacks, and abundance of lobsters
+and the least boy in the plantation may both
+catch and eat what he will of them. For my
+owne part I was soone cloyed with them, they
+were so great, and fat, and lussious. I have
+seene some myselfe that have weighed 16 pound,
+but others have had divers times so great lobsters
+as have weighed 25 pound, as they assure
+mee. Also heere is abundance of herring, turbut,
+sturgion, cuskes, hadocks, mullets, eeles,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_292">[292]</span>crabbes, muskles, and oysters. Besides there is
+probability that the countrey is of an excellent
+temper for the making of salt: For since our
+comming our fishermen have brought home very
+good salt which they found candied by the
+standing of the sea water and the heat of the
+sunne, upon a rocke by the sea shore: and in
+divers salt marishes that some have gone
+through, they have found some salt in some
+places crushing under their feete and cleaving
+to their shooes.</p>
+
+<p>And as for fresh water, the countrey is full of
+dainty springs, and some great rivers, and some
+lesser brookes; and at Masathulets Bay they
+digged wels and found water at three foot deepe
+in most places: And neere Salem thay have as
+fine cleare water as we can desire, and we may
+digge wels and find water where we list.</p>
+
+<p>Thus wee see both land and sea abound with
+store of blessings for the comfortable sustenance
+of man’s life in New-England.</p>
+
+<h5><i>Of the aire of</i> New-England <i>with the temper
+and creatures in it</i>.</h5>
+
+<p>The temper of the aire of New-England is one
+speciall thing that commends this place. Experience
+doth manifest that there is hardly a
+more healthfull place to be found in the world
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_293">[293]</span>that agreeth better with our English bodyes.
+Many that have been weake and sickly in
+old England, by comming hither have beene
+thoroughly healed and growne healthfull strong.
+For here is an extraordinarie cleere and dry aire
+that is of a most healing nature to all such as
+are of a cold, melancholy, flegmatick, rheumatick
+temper of body. None can more truly
+speake hereof by their owne experience then my
+selfe. My friends that knew me can well tell
+how verie sickly I have bin and continually in
+physick, being much troubled with a tormenting
+paine through an extraordinarie weaknesse of
+my stomacke, and aboundance of melancholicke
+humors; but since I came hither on this voyage,
+I thanke God, I have had perfect health, and
+freed from paine and vomiting, having a stomacke
+to digest the hardest and coursest fare, who
+before could not eat finest meat; and whereas
+my stomache could onely digest and did require
+such drinke as was both strong and stale, now I
+can and doe often times drink New-England
+water verie well; and I that have not gone without
+a cap for many yeeres together, neither durst
+leave off the same, have now cast away my cap,
+and doe weare none at all in the day time: And
+whereas beforetime I cloathed my selfe with
+double cloaths and thicke waistcoates to keep
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_294">[294]</span>me warme, even in the summer time, I doe now
+goe as thin clad as any, onely wearing a light
+stuffe cassocke upon my shirt, and stuffe breeches
+of one thickness without linings. Besides I have
+one of my children that was formerly most
+lamentably handled with sore breaking out of
+both his hands and feet of the king’s-evill, but
+since he came hither hee is very well ever he
+was, and there is hope of perfect recoverie
+shortly even by the very wholesomnesse of the
+aire, altering, digesting and drying up the cold
+and crude humours of the body: And therefore
+I thinke it is a wise course for al cold complections
+to come to take physick in New-England:
+for a sup of New-England’s aire is better then a
+whole draught of Old England’s ale.</p>
+
+<p>In the summer time, in the midst of July and
+August, it is a good deale hotter then in Old
+England: And in winter, January and February
+are much colder, as they say: But the
+spring and autumne are of a middle temper.</p>
+
+<p>Fowles of the aire are plentifull here, and of
+all sorts as we have in England, as farre as I
+can learn, and a great many of strange fowles
+which we know not. Whilst I was writing these
+things, one of our men brought home an eagle
+which hee had killed in the wood: They say
+they are good meate. Also here are many kinds
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_295">[295]</span>of excellent hawkes, both sea hawkes and land
+hawkes: And my self walking in the woods
+with another in company, sprung a patridge so
+bigge that through the heaviness of his body
+could fly but a little way: They that have killed
+them, say they are as bigge as our hens. Here
+are likewise aboundance of turkies often killed
+in the woods, farre greater then our English
+turkies, and exceeding fat, sweet, and fleshy, for
+here they have aboundance of feeding all the
+yeere long, as strawberries, in summer al places
+are full of them, and all manner of berries and
+fruits. In the winter time I have scene flockes
+of pidgeons, and have eaten of them: They doe
+fly from tree to tree as other birds doe, which
+our pidgeons will not doe in England: They
+are of all colours as ours are, but their wings
+and tayles are far longer, and therefore it is
+likely they fly swifter to escape the terrible
+hawkes in this country. In winter time this
+country doth abound with wild geese, wild ducks,
+and other sea fowle, that a great part of winter
+the planters have eaten nothing but roast-meate
+of divers fowles which they have killed.</p>
+
+<p>Thus you have heard of the earth, water and
+aire of New-England, now it may bee you expect
+something to bee said of the fire proportionable
+to the rest of the elements. Indeede I
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_296">[296]</span>thinke New-England may boast of this element
+more then of all the rest: For though it bee
+here somewhat cold in the winter, yet here we
+have plenty of fire to warme us, and that a great
+deal cheaper then they sel billets and faggots in
+London: Nay, all Europe is not able to afford
+to make so great fires as New-England. A
+poore servant here that is to possesse but 50
+acres of land, may afford to give more wood for
+timber and fire as good as the world yeelds, then
+many noble men in England can afford to do.
+Here is good living for those that love good
+fires. And although New-England have no tallow
+to make candles of, yet by the aboundance
+of the fish thereof, it can afford oil for lampes.
+Yea our pine-trees that are the most plentifull of
+all wood, doth allow us plenty of candles which
+are very usefull in a house: And they are such
+candles as the Indians commonly use, having no
+other, and they are nothing else but the wood of
+the pine tree cloven in two little slices, something
+thin, which are so full of the moysture of
+turpentine and pitch, that they burne as cleere
+as a torch. I have sent you some of them that
+you may see the experience of them.</p>
+
+<p>Thus of New-England’s commodities: now I
+will tell you of some discommodities that are
+here to be found.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_297">[297]</span></p>
+
+<p>First, in the summer season for these three
+months, June, July, and August, we are troubled
+much with little flyes called musketoes, being
+the same they are troubled with in Lincolneshire
+and the Fens; and they are nothing but gnats,
+which except they bee smoked out of their
+houses are troublesome in the night season.</p>
+
+<p>Secondly, in the winter season for two months
+space, the earth is commonly covered with snow,
+which is accompanied with sharp biting frosts,
+something more sharpe then is in Old England,
+and therefore are forced to make great fires.</p>
+
+<p>Thirdly, the countrey being very full of woods,
+and wildernesses, doth also much abound with
+snakes and serpents of strange colours, and huge
+greatnesse: yea there are some serpents called
+rattle-snakes that have rattles in their tailes, that
+will not fly from a man as others will, but will
+flye upon him, and sting him so mortally, that
+hee will dye within a quarter of an houre after,
+except the partie stinged have about him some
+of the root of an herbe called snake-weed to bite
+on, and then hee shall receive no harme: but
+yet seldom falles it out that any hurt is done by
+these. About three years since, an Indian was
+stung to death by one of them, but wee heard of
+none since that time.</p>
+
+<p>Fourthly and lastly, here wants as it were
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_298">[298]</span>good company of honest christians to bring with
+them horses, kine, and sheepe, to make use of
+this fruitfull land: great pitty it is to see so
+much good ground for corne and for grasse as
+any is under the heavens, to ly altogether unoccupied,
+when so many honest men and their
+families in Old England through the populousnesse
+thereof, do make evry hard shift to live
+one by the other.</p>
+
+<p>Now, thus you know what New-England is,
+as also with the commodities and discommodities
+thereof: Now I will shew you a little of the
+inhabitants thereof, and their government.</p>
+
+<p>For their governors they have kings, which
+they call Saggamores, some greater, and some
+lesser, according to the number of their subjects.</p>
+
+<p>The greatest Saggamores about us can not
+make above three hundred men,&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_48" href="#Footnote_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a> and other
+lesse Saggamores have not above fifteen subjects,
+and others neere about us but two.</p>
+
+<p>Their subjects above twelve years since&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_49" href="#Footnote_49" class="fnanchor">[49]</a>
+were swept away by a great and grievous
+plague that was amongst them, so that there are
+verie few left to inhabite the country.</p>
+
+<p>The Indians are not able to make use of the
+one fourth part of the land, neither have they
+any settled places, as townes to dwell in, nor
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_299">[299]</span>any ground as they challenge for their own possession,
+but change their habitation from place
+to place.</p>
+
+<p>For their statures, they are a tall and strong
+limmed people, their colours are tawney, they
+goe naked, save onely they are in part covered
+with beasts skins on one of their shoulders,
+and weare something before; their haire is
+generally blacke, and cut before like our gentlewomen,
+and one locke longer than the rest,
+much like to our gentelmen, which fashion I
+thinke came from hence into England.</p>
+
+<p>For their weapons, they have bowes and arrowes,
+some of them headed with bone, and
+some with brasse: I have sent you some of them
+for an example.</p>
+
+<p>The men for the most part live idely, they do
+nothing but hunt and fish: Their wives set their
+corne and doe all their other worke. They
+have little houshold stuffe, as a kettle, and some
+other vessels like trayes, spoones, dishes, and
+baskets.</p>
+
+<p>Their houses are verie little and homely,
+being made with small poles pricked into the
+ground, and so bended and fastened at the tops,
+and on the sides they are matted with boughs
+and covered on the roof with sedge and old mats,
+and for their beds that they take their rest on,
+they have a mat.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_300">[300]</span></p>
+
+<p>They doe generally professe to like well of
+our coming and planting here; partly because
+their is abundance of ground that they cannot
+possesse nor make use of, and partly because our
+being here will bee a meanes both of relief to
+them when they want, and also a defence from
+their enemies, wherewith (I say) before this
+plantation began, they were often indangered.</p>
+
+<p>For their religion they do worship two Gods,
+a good God and an evil God: The good God
+they call Tantum, and their evil God whom they
+fear will doe them hurt, they call Squantum.</p>
+
+<p>For their dealing with us, we neither fear
+them nor trust them, for fourtie of our musketeeres
+will drive five hundred of them out of the
+field. We use them kindly; they will come into
+our houses sometimes by half a dozen or half
+a score at a time when we are at victuals, but
+will ask or take nothing but what we give them.</p>
+
+<p>We purpose to learn their language as soon
+as we can, which will be a means to do them
+good.</p>
+
+<h5><i>Of the present condition of the Plantation, and
+what it is.</i></h5>
+
+<p>When we came first to Nehum-kek,&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_50" href="#Footnote_50" class="fnanchor">[50]</a> we found
+about half a score houses, and a faire house
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_301">[301]</span>newly built for the Governor, we found also
+aboundance of corne planted by them, very good
+and well liking. And we brought with us about
+two hundred passengers and planters more,
+which by common consent of the old planters
+were all combined together into one body politicke,
+under the same Governour.</p>
+
+<p>There are in all of us both old and new planters
+about three hundred, whereof two hundred
+of them are settled at Nehum-kek, now called
+Salem: And the rest have planted themselves
+at Masathulets Bay, beginning to build a towne
+there which wee do call Cherton, or Charles
+Town.</p>
+
+<p>We that are settled at Salem make what
+haste we can to build houses, so that within a
+short time we shall have a faire towne.</p>
+
+<p>We have great ordnance, wherewith we doubt
+not but we shall fortifie ourselves in a short time
+to keepe out a potent adversary. But that which
+is our greatest comfort, and meanes of defence
+above all other, is, that we have here the true
+religion and holy ordinances of Almighty God
+taught amongst us: Thankes be to God, wee
+have here plenty of preaching, and diligent catechizing,
+with strict and carefull exercise, and
+good and commendable orders to bring our people
+into a christian conversation with whom we
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_302">[302]</span>have to doe withall. And thus wee doubt not
+but God will be with us, and <i>if God be with us,
+who can be against us?</i></p>
+
+<p>[Here ends Master Higgeson’s relation of
+New-England.]</p>
+
+<h5><i>A letter sent from New England, by Master
+<span class="smcap">Graves</span>, Engynere, now there resident.</i></h5>
+
+<p>Thus much I can affirme in generall, that
+I never came in a more goodly country in all
+my life, all things considered: If it hath not at
+any time been manured and husbanded, yet it is
+very beautifull in open lands, mixed with goodly
+woods, and again open plaines, in some places
+five hundred acres, some places more, some
+lesse, not much troublesome for to cleer for the
+plough to goe in, no place barren, but on the
+tops of the hils; the grasse and weeds grow up
+to a man’s face, in the lowlands and by fresh
+rivers, aboundance of grasse and large meddowes
+without any tree or shrubbe to hinder the sith.
+I never saw, except in Hungaria, unto which I
+alwayes paralell this countrie, in all our most
+respects, for every thing that is heare eyther
+sowne or planted prospereth far better then in
+Old-England: The increase of corne is here
+farre beyond expectation, as I have seene here
+by experience in barly, the which because it is
+so much above your conception I will not mention.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_303">[303]</span>And cattle doe prosper very well, and
+those that are bredd here farr greater than those
+with you in England. Vines doe grow here
+plentifully laden with the biggest grapes that
+ever I saw, some I have seen foure inches
+about, so that I am bold to say of this countrie,
+as it is commonly said in Germany of Hungaria,
+that for cattel, corne, and wine it excelleth. We
+have many more hopefull commodities here in
+this country, the which time will teach to make
+good use of: In the mean time wee abound with
+such things which next under God doe make us
+subsist: as fish, foule, deere, and sundrie sorts
+of fruits, as musk-millions, water-millions, Indian
+pompions, Indian pease, beanes, and many
+other odde fruits that I cannot name; all which
+are made good and pleasant through this maine
+blessing of God, the healthfulnesse of the countrie
+which far exceedeth all parts that ever I
+have beene in: It is observed that few or none
+doe here fal sicke, unless of the scurvy, that they
+bring from aboard the ship with them, whereof
+I have cured some of my companie onely by
+labour.</p>
+
+<h3 id="APPENDIX_C"><b>C.</b>—<a href="#Page_204">See page 204.</a></h3>
+
+<p>See Morell’s poem on New England, Mass.
+Hist. Coll., 1792.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_304">[304]</span></p>
+
+<h3 id="APPENDIX_D"><b>D.</b>—<a href="#Page_222">See page 222.</a></h3>
+
+<p>The following letter to King Charles II. accompanied
+the presentation of the New Testament
+in the Indian tongue. The letter was
+written and sent by the Commissioners of the
+United Colonies of Massachusetts, Plymouth,
+Connecticut and New Haven.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p class="hanging">“To the High and Mighty Prince, Charles the
+second, by the grace of God, King of England,
+Scotland, France, and Ireland, Defender
+of the faith, &amp;c.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging">“The Commissioners of the United Colonies in
+New England, wish increase of all happiness.</p>
+
+<p class="noindent">“Most dread Sovereign,</p>
+
+<p>“If our weak apprehensions have not misled
+us, this work will be no unacceptable present to
+your Majesty, as having a greater interest therein,
+than we believe is generally understood,
+which upon this occasion we conceive it our
+duty to declare.</p>
+
+<p>“The people of these four colonies (confederate
+for mutual defence, in the times of the late
+distractions of our dear native country) your
+Majesty’s natural born subjects, by the favour
+and grace of your royal father and grandfather
+of famous memory, put themselves upon this
+great and hazardous undertaking, of planting
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_305">[305]</span>themselves at their own charge in these remote
+ends of the earth; that without offence or provocation
+to our dear brethren and countrymen,
+we might enjoy that liberty to worship God,
+which our own conscience informed us was not
+only our right but duty; as also that we, if it so
+pleased God, might be instrumental to spread
+the light of the gospel, the knowledge of the son
+of God, our saviour, to the poor, barbarous
+heathen; which by his late Majesty, in some of
+our patents, is declared to be the principal aim.</p>
+
+<p>“These honest and pious intentions have
+through the grace of God and our kings, been
+seconded with proportionable success. For, omitting
+the immunities indulged by your Highness’s
+royal predecessors, we have been greatly
+encouraged by your Majesty’s gracious expressions
+of favour and approbation, signified unto
+the address made by the principal of our colonies;
+to which the rest do most cordially subscribe;
+though wanting the like seasonable opportunity,
+they have been till now deprived of
+the means to congratulate your Majesty’s happy
+restitution, after your long sufferings; which we
+implore may yet be graciously accepted, that we
+may be equal partakers of your royal favour
+and moderation; which hath been so illustrious,
+that to admiration, the animosities of different
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_306">[306]</span>persuasions of men have been so soon composed,
+and so much cause of hope, that, unless the sins
+of the nation prevent, a blessed calm will succeed
+the late horrid confusions of church and
+state. And shall not we, dread sovereign, your
+subjects of these colonies, of the same faith and
+belief in all points of doctrine with our countrymen
+and other reformed churches, though perhaps
+not alike persuaded in some matters of
+order, which in outward respects hath been unhappy
+for us,—promise and assure ourselves of
+all just favour and indulgence from a prince so
+graciously and happily endowed?</p>
+
+<p>“The other part of our errand hither hath
+been attended with endeavours and blessing;
+many of the wild Indians being taught, and understanding,
+the doctrine of the christian religion,
+and with much affection attending such
+preachers as are sent to teach them. Many of
+their children are instructed to write and read;
+and some of them have proceeded further to attain
+the knowledge of the Latin and the Greek
+tongues, and are brought up with our English
+youth in university learning. There are divers
+of them that can and do read some parts
+of the scripture, and some catechisms which
+formerly have been translated into their own
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_307">[307]</span>language: which hath occasioned the undertaking
+of a great work, viz. the printing the whole
+bible: which, being translated by a painful labourer
+among them, who was desirous to see the
+work accomplished in his days, hath already
+proceeded to the finishing of the new testament;
+which we here humbly present to your Majesty,
+as the first fruit and accomplishment of the pious
+design of your royal ancestors. The old testament
+is now under the press, wanting and craving
+your royal favour and assistance for the
+perfecting thereof.</p>
+
+<p>“We may not conceal, though this work hath
+been begun and prosecuted by such instruments
+as God has raised up here; yet the chief charge
+and cost, which hath supported and carried it
+thus far, hath been from the charity and piety of
+divers of our well affected countrymen in England;
+who, being sensible of our inability in that
+respect, and studious to promote so good a work,
+contributed large sums of money, which were to
+be improved according to the direction and order
+of the then prevailing powers; which hath been
+faithfully and religiously attended, both there
+and here, according to the pious intentions of the
+benefactors. And we most humbly beseech your
+Majesty, that a matter of so much devotion and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_308">[308]</span>piety, tending so much to the honour of God,
+may suffer no disappointment through any legal
+defect, without the fault of the donors, or poor
+Indians, who only receive the benefit; but that
+your Majesty be graciously pleased to establish
+and confirm the same; being contrived and
+done, as we conceive, in that first year of your
+Majesty’s reign, of this book was begun and
+now finished the first year of your establishment:
+which doth not only presage the happy
+success of your Highness’s government, but will
+be a perpetual monument, that by your Majesty’s
+favour, the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ
+was made known to the Indians; an honour
+whereof, we are assured, your Majesty will not
+a little esteem.</p>
+
+<p>“Sir, the shine of your royal favour upon
+these undertakings will make these tender plants
+to flourish, notwithstanding any malevolent aspect
+from those that bear evil will to this Sion;
+and render your Majesty more illustrious and
+glorious to after generations.</p>
+
+<p>“The God of heaven long preserve and bless
+your Majesty with many happy days, to his
+glory, the good and comfort of his church and
+people. Amen.”</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_309">[309]</span></p>
+
+<h3 id="APPENDIX_E"><b>E.</b>—<a href="#Page_182">See page 182.</a></h3>
+
+<p>The Society for Propagating the Gospel
+among the Indians has been mentioned several
+times in this work.</p>
+
+<p>About the year 1648, during the Protectorate
+of Cromwell, when the Presbyterians and Independents
+had influence in England, a Society
+was formed through the influence, it is believed,
+of Gov. Winslow, and called the Society for
+Propagating the Gospel among the Indians and
+others in North America.</p>
+
+<p>It is somewhere stated respecting Cromwell
+that he had conceived a very extensive scheme
+for the universal propagation of the Gospel, borrowing
+the zeal and ingenuity of the Jesuits, and
+intending to meet and counteract their efforts
+everywhere. This scheme perished with him
+in his early death. Even the Society for Propagating
+the Gospel among the Indians, &amp;c., did
+not long survive the restoration of royalty in
+1660. But during its existence under the Commonwealth
+it rendered aid to Mayhew, Eliot,
+and others, the funds being applied here through
+the Commissioners of the four Colonies.</p>
+
+<p>The Society being dissolved at the Restoration
+of monarchy under Charles II., an urgent
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_310">[310]</span>application was soon made for another Society
+having the same name and objects. The honorable
+and distinguished Robert Boyle was President
+of the new Society. He had great wealth,
+and used it with profuse liberality. The celebrated
+Bishop Burnet was his almoner in many
+private as well as public charities. He distributed
+a thousand pounds a year for several years
+before his death among the French refugees in
+England. He also gave yearly, for a long time,
+the sum of three hundred pounds for the propagation
+of the Gospel in North America. Mr.
+Eliot’s letters to his noble benefactor, which may
+be found in the Collections of the Mass. Hist.
+Society, will be read with interest.</p>
+
+<p>The Indian School, at Cambridge, was supported
+by the funds of this Society, and a building
+erected for it by the same. In 1665 there
+were eight Indian youths in that school. Eliot’s
+Indian Bible was printed at the expense of this
+Society, and cost £500, or not far from two
+thousand dollars.</p>
+
+<p>For a few years, the General Court of Massachusetts
+granted five hundred dollars towards
+the object of this Society. At the suggestion of
+the Society the Governor issued a request for
+contributions in its behalf to the towns of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_311">[311]</span>the Commonwealth. About $1560 were collected.</p>
+
+<p>This Society continues to this time. In 1800,
+its funds amounted to $20.000. At present they
+are not far from twice that sum. It is in the
+hands of members of the Unitarian denomination.&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_51" href="#Footnote_51" class="fnanchor">[51]</a>&#x2060;</p>
+
+<h3 id="APPENDIX_F"><b>F.</b></h3>
+
+<p>Letters of Mr. Eliot to Hon. Robert Boyle
+may be found in Mass. Hist. Coll. 1792. Also
+two interesting letters from the same in Francis’
+Life of Eliot, pp. 250 and 267.</p>
+
+<h3 id="APPENDIX_G"><b>G.</b></h3>
+
+<p>See, for an account of the Missionary Labors
+of the Mayhews, Wilson’s Memoirs of Eliot, pp.
+273-9.</p>
+
+<h3 id="APPENDIX_H"><b>H.</b></h3>
+
+<p>See Wilson’s Memoirs of E., p. 290.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_312">[312]</span></p>
+
+<h3 id="APPENDIX_I"><b>I.</b></h3>
+
+<p>Mr. Eliot’s Observations on forming the Indian
+Alphabet, do. do., p. 284.</p>
+
+<h3 id="APPENDIX_K"><b>K.</b></h3>
+
+<p>For an account of Rev. William Leverich, and
+some other laborers among the Indians, see
+Wilson’s Memoirs, pp. 257-60, p. 278-99.</p>
+
+<h3 id="APPENDIX_L"><b>L.</b>—<a href="#Page_133">See page 133.</a></h3>
+
+<p>The following petitions of Mr. Eliot have been
+copied for this work from the Mass. State
+Papers. The first is a temperance document
+which has not lost any pertinency or force
+by age.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><i>Petition of John Eliot to the —— General
+Court concerning the Indians</i>,</p>
+
+<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">Sheweth</span>,</p>
+
+<p>That whereas the Indians have frequent
+recourse to English townes and especially to
+Boston where they too often see evil examples
+of excessive drinking with English who are too
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_313">[313]</span>often disgraced with that beastly sin of drunkenness.
+And themselves many of them greatly
+delighting in strong liquors, not considering the
+strength and evil of them, and also too well
+knowing the liberty of the law which prohibiteth
+above half a pint of wine to a man that
+therefore they may without offence to the law
+have their half pint, and when they have had
+it in one place they goe to another and have
+the like till they be drunken. And sometime
+find too much entertainment that way by such
+who keepe no ordinary only desire theire trade
+though it be with the hurt and perdition of their
+soules. Therefore my humble request unto this
+honored Court is this, that there may be but one
+ordinary in all Boston who may have liberty to
+sell wine or any strong drink unto the Indians.
+And that whoever shall further them in their
+vicious drinking for theire own base ends who
+keep no ordinary may not be suffered in such a
+sinne without due punishment. And that at
+what ordinary soever in any other towne as
+well as Boston any Indian shall be found drunk,
+having had any considerable quantity of drink
+there, they should come under severe censure.
+These things I am bold to present unto you for
+the preventing of those scandalous evils which
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_314">[314]</span>greatly blemish and interrupt their entertainment
+of the Gospel through the policy of Satan
+who counter worketh Christ with not a little uncomfortable
+success. And thus with my hearty
+desire of the gracious and blessed presence of
+God among you in all your weighty affairs, I
+humbly take leave and rest your servant to command
+in our Savour Christ,</p>
+
+<p class="right">JOHN ELIOT.</p>
+
+<p>this 23d of the 8th 1648.</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<h3 id="APPENDIX_M"><b>M.</b>—<a href="#Page_134">See page 134.</a></h3>
+
+<p>The next petition is exceedingly interesting.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><i>To the Honorable the Governor and Council
+sitting at Boston the 13th of the 6th, 1675.
+The humble petition of John Eliot</i>,</p>
+
+<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">Sheweth</span>,</p>
+
+<p>That the terrour of selling away such Indians
+in the Ilands for perpetual Slaves who shall
+yield up themselves to your mercy is likely to
+be an effectual prolongation of the warre and
+such an exasperation of them as may produce
+we know not what evil consequences upon all
+the land. Christ hath said, “Blessed are the
+merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” This
+[treatment] of them is worse than death. To
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_315">[315]</span>put to death men that have deserved to die is an
+ordinance of God and a blessing is promised to
+it. It may be done in faith. The design of
+Christ in these last days is not to extirpate nations
+but to gospelize them. He will spread the
+Gospel sound the world about, rev. 11. 15. The
+kingdoms of the world have become the kingdoms
+of our Lord and of his Christ. His sovereign
+hand and grace hath brought the Gospel into
+these dark places of the earth. When we came
+we declared to the world, and it is recorded, yea
+we are instructed by our letters patent from the
+King’s majesty that the endeavour of the Indians
+conversion not their extirpation was one
+great end of our enterprize in coming to these
+ends of the earth. The Lord hath so succeeded
+his work as that (by his grace) they have the
+Holy Scriptures and sundry of themselves able
+to teach their countrymen the good knowledge
+of God. The light of the Gospel is risen
+among those who sat in darkness and in the region
+of the shadow of death. And however
+some of them have refused to receive the Gospel,
+and are now incensed in their spirits unto a
+warre against the English, yet by that good
+promise, Ps. 1:1-6, I doubt not but the meaning
+of Christ is to open the door for the free passage
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_316">[316]</span>of the Gospel among them, and that the
+Lord will publish that word, v. 6. Yet have I
+set my king on my holy hill of Syon, though
+some rage at it. My humble request is if you
+would follow Christ his design in this matter to
+promote the free passage of religion among
+them and not destroy them. To send them
+away from the light of the Gospel which Christ
+hath graciously given them unto a place, a state,
+a way of spiritual darkness to the eternal ruin
+of their souls is as I apprehend to act contrary
+to the mind of Christ. God’s command is that
+we should inlarge the kingdom of Jesus Christ.
+Esay, 54:2. Enlarge the place of thy tent. It
+seemeth to me that to sell them away for slaves
+is to hinder the inlargement of his kingdom.
+How can a Christian [soule yield to act]—(these
+words are indistinct) in casting away their
+soules for which Christ hath with an eminent
+hand provided an offer of the Gospel. To sell
+soules for money seemeth to me a dangerous
+merchandize. If they deserve to dy, it is far
+better to be put to death under godly [rulers]
+who will take care if meanes may be used that
+they may die penitently. To fall away from all
+meanes of grace when Christ hath provided
+meanes of grace for them, is for us to be active
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_317">[317]</span>in the destroying their soules when we are
+highly obliged to seek their conversion and salvation
+and have opportunity in our hands so to
+doe. Deut. 23:15, 16.&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_52" href="#Footnote_52" class="fnanchor">[52]</a> A fugitive servant
+from his Pagan master might not be delivered
+to his master, but be kept in Israel for the good
+of his soul. How much less lawful is it to sell
+away souls from under the light of the Gospel
+into a condition where their souls will be utterly
+lost, so far as appertains unto man. All men (of
+reading) condemned the Spaniard for cruelty
+upon this point for destroying men and depopulating
+the land. The country is large enough,
+here is land enough for them and us to, Prov.
+14:28. In the multitude of people is the King’s
+honor. It will be much to the glory of Christ
+to have many brought in to worship his great
+name. I beseech the honored Council to pardon
+my boldnesse, and let the case of conscience
+be discussed orderly before the thing be acted.
+Cover my weaknesse and weigh the reason and
+religion that laboreth in this great case of conscience.</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_318">[318]</span></p>
+
+<h3 id="APPENDIX_N"><b>N.</b>—<a href="#Page_135">See page 135.</a></h3>
+
+<p>The following petition of Mr. Eliot illustrates
+the kind interest which he took in the common
+and private affairs of the Indians. I
+have copied it from Mass. State Papers, (Indian
+Papers) 30. p. 15. 1639-1705.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p class="center">PETITION THAT TWO INDIANS MAY HAVE THEIR DUE.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><i>The humble petition of John Eliot to this Honorable
+Court.</i></p>
+
+<p>First in the behalfe of Totherswompe unto
+whom one of Uncas his men doth owe 18 fathom
+of wampompeague for 6 beare skins and he
+cannot obtain justice with ease and therefore
+doth humbly intreat this honored Court to procure
+justice for him in this particular. Phoxon
+well knoweth his demand is just and true, as
+Thomas and Stanton can testify.</p>
+
+<p>The other is in behalf of Anonganisch, who
+lost 17 fathom which Uncas and his men tooke
+unjustly from him 3 years since when they fell
+upon the Indians by Mr. Winthrop’s plantation,
+and he saith that when his case was at this
+Court formerly heard The Governour promised
+him that he should have justice, and that doth
+embolden him to sue again in the case. The
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_319">[319]</span>bringing them to doe justice doth so far cause
+them to honour and acknowledge God and therefore
+I humbly entreat your favour in furtherance
+of the same, and so commending all your
+weighty occasions to the blessing of the Lord.</p>
+
+<p class="center">Your worships servant in Jesus Christ,</p>
+
+<p class="right">JOHN ELIOT.&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_53" href="#Footnote_53" class="fnanchor">[53]</a></p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<h3 id="APPENDIX_O"><b>O.</b>—<a href="#Page_48">See page 48.</a></h3>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p class="center">THE CHURCH IN ROXBURY.</p>
+
+<p class="center">(See Am. Quarterly Register, Vol. 8th.)</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Thomas Welde</span>, the first Minister of Roxbury,
+was a minister in Essex, England. Refusing
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_320">[320]</span>to conform to the requirements of the
+Established Church, he sought the quiet enjoyment
+of the rights of conscience in this country.
+He arrived in Boston, June 5, 1632, and entered
+upon the pastoral office in Roxbury, at which
+time the Church was embodied. In 1641, he
+was sent as an agent, with <span class="smcap">Rev. Hugh Peters</span>,
+to England for the Province and never returned.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">John Eliot</span> became teacher of the Church in
+Roxbury, Nov. 5, 1632. The next year he became
+colleague with Mr. Welde.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Samuel Danforth</span> was colleague with Mr.
+Eliot after Mr. Welde went to England. He
+continued in office 24 years.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Nehemiah Walter</span>, born in Ireland, came to
+Boston at the age of 16. Graduated at Harvard
+College, and was the third colleague of Mr.
+Eliot. He had so good knowledge of the French
+Language that he preached to a society of French
+Protestants while their Pastor was absent.
+Whitefield called him “the good old Puritan.”
+A well known publication of his is called, “The
+Wonderfulness of Christ.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Thomas Walter</span>, his son, became colleague
+with his father, but died 7 years after.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Oliver Peabody</span>, son of the Missionary at
+Natick of the same name, succeeded Mr. Walter,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_321">[321]</span>but continued only 18 months, and died
+when on the eve of being married, aged 27.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Amos Adams</span>, was Pastor at Roxbury 22 years
+and died of the epidemic which prevailed in the
+camp at Roxbury and Cambridge. The title of
+one of his published Sermons was, The only
+Hope and Refuge of Sinners.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Eliphalet Porter</span> succeeded him and continued
+in office 51 years.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">George Putnam</span>, the present Pastor, was ordained
+colleague with him, July 7, 1830.</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>A Church was organized in Roxbury, Sept.
+18, 1834, composed of Members of Evangelical
+sentiments, and of the Orthodox Congregational
+denomination. It took the name of “<span class="smcap">Eliot
+Church</span>.”</p>
+
+<p>Rev. John S. C. Abbott was ordained Pastor,
+Nov. 25, 1835.</p>
+
+<p>Rev. Augustus C. Thompson was ordained
+Pastor, July 27, 1842.</p>
+
+<h3 id="APPENDIX_P"><b>P.</b>—<a href="#Page_51">See page 51.</a></h3>
+
+<p class="center">ROXBURY “ELIOT SCHOOL FUND.”</p>
+
+<p>“Eliot School Fund had its origin in the donation
+of Rev. John Eliot, of Roxbury, well
+known as the Apostle to the Indians, who, in
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_322">[322]</span>the year 1689, conveyed an estate of about seventy-five
+acres of land to certain persons and
+their heirs, as Trustees for ‘the maintenance,
+support and encouragement of a school and
+school master at that part of Roxbury, commonly
+called Jamaica or the Pond Plain, for the teaching
+and instructing of the children of that end
+of the town (together with such Indians and negroes
+as shall or may come to the said school)
+and to no other use, intent, or purpose whatever.
+This is the language of the deed.’ (The
+fund was afterwards increased by donations.)</p>
+
+<p>“The Eliot school fund consists (1840) of
+89,699.94. The School also possesses some
+real estate, which yields an annual income of
+8381.”</p>
+
+<p>Report of the Committee on the School Fund,
+Roxbury. Auditor’s Reports, 1831-1846.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true">
+
+<p>The following are the principal of Mr. Eliot’s
+publications. It is remarkable that no entire
+Sermon of his has been preserved.</p>
+
+<p>Answer to Norcott’s book against Infant Baptism.</p>
+
+<p>The Harmony of the Gospels in the Holy
+History of Jesus Christ.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_323">[323]</span></p>
+
+<p>The Christian Commonwealth.</p>
+
+<p>The Divine management of Gospel Churches
+by the Ordinance of Councils, constituted in order
+according to the Scriptures, which may be a
+means of uniting those two holy and eminent
+parties, the Presbyterians and the Congregational.</p>
+
+<p>Indian Bible, Catechism, and Psalms of David
+in metre.</p>
+
+<p>Baxter’s “Call to the unconverted,” translated
+into the Indian Tongue.</p>
+
+<p>The Practice of Piety, translated into the
+Indian Tongue. This book was written by
+Lewis Bayly, for some time Chaplain to James
+the First. In 1792, it had reached the <i>seventy-first</i>
+edition. The author was promoted to the
+see of Bangor, 1616. See Lib. Am. Biog. V.
+245. Francis’ Life of Eliot. <span class="smcap">Biog. Britan.</span>
+Art. <span class="smcap">Bayly</span>.</p>
+
+<p>Thomas Shepard’s Sincere Convert, translated
+into the Indian tongue.</p>
+
+<p>Thomas Shepard’s Sound Believer, translated
+into the Indian tongue.</p>
+
+<p>Indian Primer.</p>
+
+<p>This little book has been of great help to
+linguists by the division of syllables in it for
+children, thereby giving learners of a larger
+growth some insight into the formation of Indian
+words.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_324">[324]</span></p>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="NOTE">NOTE.</h2>
+
+</div>
+
+<p>The following appropriate conclusion to this volume came to hand
+just as the last pages were going to press.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The Choctaws to their White Brethren of
+Ireland.</span>—A meeting for the relief of the starving
+poor of Ireland was held at the Choctaw agency, on
+the 23d ult. Maj. William Armstrong was called to
+the chair, and J. B. Luce was appointed secretary.
+A circular of the “Memphis committee” was read
+by Maj. Armstrong, after which the meeting contributed
+$170. All subscribed, agents, missionaries,
+traders and Indians, a considerable portion of which
+fund was made up by the latter. The “poor Indian”
+sending his mite to the poor Irish!</p>
+
+<p class="right">[<i>Arkansas Intelligencer, April 3</i>.]</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="the-end" style="max-width: 43.75em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/the-end.jpg" alt="THE END OF VOL III.">
+</figure>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true">
+
+<div class="footnotes">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="FOOTNOTES">FOOTNOTES</h2>
+
+</div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_1" href="#FNanchor_1" class="label">[1]</a> See Laws of Mass. I., page 77, Sect. 8, 9.</p>
+
+<p>“<i>Whereas one end in planting these parts was to propagate the
+true religion unto the Indians</i>, and that divers of them are become
+subject unto the English, and have engaged themselves to be ready
+and willing to understand the law of God: It is therefore ordered that
+such necessary and wholesome laws which are in force, and may be
+made from time to time, to reduce them to civility of life, shall be
+once a year, if the times be safe, made known to them by such fit
+persons as the general court shall appoint.”</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_2" href="#FNanchor_2" class="label">[2]</a></p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+  <div class="poetry">
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse indent16">“Venient annis</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Secula seris, quibus Oceanus</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Vincula rerum, laxet, et ingens</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Pateat tellus, Typhis que novos</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Deteget orbes; nec sit terris</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Ultima Thule.”</div>
+    </div>
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse right"><i>Medea, Act. 3, v. 375.</i></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+</div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_3" href="#FNanchor_3" class="label">[3]</a> “America known to the Ancients.” Boston, 1773.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_4" href="#FNanchor_4" class="label">[4]</a> Mather.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_5" href="#FNanchor_5" class="label">[5]</a> Governor Bradford’s History of Plymouth.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_6" href="#FNanchor_6" class="label">[6]</a> Mass. Hist. Soc., Coll. 1794., p. 206.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_7" href="#FNanchor_7" class="label">[7]</a> Key, p. 213.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_8" href="#FNanchor_8" class="label">[8]</a> <a href="#APPENDIX_B">See Appendix, B.</a></p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_9" href="#FNanchor_9" class="label">[9]</a> <a href="#APPENDIX_C">See Appendix, C.</a></p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_10" href="#FNanchor_10" class="label">[10]</a> Roger Williams’ Key, p. 26.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_11" href="#FNanchor_11" class="label">[11]</a> Mag. B. III. Life of Eliot. Art. 1.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_12" href="#FNanchor_12" class="label">[12]</a> Sparks’ Lib. Am. Biog. V. 9. Francis’ Life of Eliot.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_13" href="#FNanchor_13" class="label">[13]</a> Mag. Book III., 499.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_14" href="#FNanchor_14" class="label">[14]</a> Vol. III., p. 15.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_15" href="#FNanchor_15" class="label">[15]</a> Book III. Art. IV.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_16" href="#FNanchor_16" class="label">[16]</a> Jefferson’s “Notes on Virginia.”</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_17" href="#FNanchor_17" class="label">[17]</a> Newton. Dr. Homer, in his History of Newton says, “This
+son of the apostle Eliot was the first minister of Newton. His abilities
+and occupation in the ministry are said to be pre-eminent.
+Under the direction of his father, he obtained considerable proficiency
+in the Indian language, and was an assistant to him in the
+missionary employment, until he settled at Newton. Even after his
+ordination there, he imitated the manner of his father, devoting himself
+to the instruction of the Indians, as well as his own flock. Accordingly
+he preached statedly once in a fortnight to them at Pequimet,
+(Stoughton,) and sometimes at Natick.”</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_18" href="#FNanchor_18" class="label">[18]</a> Now owned and occupied by Warren Dutton and Horace Gray,
+Esqrs.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_19" href="#FNanchor_19" class="label">[19]</a> “The first place he began to preach at was Nonantum, near
+Watertown, upon the south side of Charles River, about four or five
+miles from his own house; where lived at that time, Wabon, one of
+their principal men, and some Indians with him.” Gookin, Mass.
+Hist. Soc. Coll, for 1792. Vol I.</p>
+
+<p>“The place where Eliot first began to preach to the Indians, was
+at Nonantum, a hill at the northeast corner of Newton, nearly where
+Messrs. Haven’s and Wiggin’s houses now stand.” Moore’s Life
+of Eliot.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_20" href="#FNanchor_20" class="label">[20]</a> Mag. Book III., Part IV. <a href="#APPENDIX_C">See Appendix, C.</a></p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_21" href="#FNanchor_21" class="label">[21]</a> He who thinks that a belief in witchcraft, &amp;c., was a peculiarity
+of New England, should look into Strype’s Ecclesiastical Memorials.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_22" href="#FNanchor_22" class="label">[22]</a> He was not a Sachem, as frequently stated. See Mass. Hist.,
+Col. IV., 19.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_23" href="#FNanchor_23" class="label">[23]</a> The Day Breaking &amp;c., p. 15.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_24" href="#FNanchor_24" class="label">[24]</a> Shepard’s Clear Sunshine, p. 39. Hist. Coll. Vol. IV. 3d
+series. Shattuck’s Hist. Concord.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_25" href="#FNanchor_25" class="label">[25]</a> Shepard’s Clear Sunshine, &amp;c., p. 41.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_26" href="#FNanchor_26" class="label">[26]</a> <a href="#Page_19">See page 19.</a></p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_27" href="#FNanchor_27" class="label">[27]</a> See Bancroft’s History of the United States, Vol. I.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_28" href="#FNanchor_28" class="label">[28]</a> See Sir Walter Scott’s “Demonology and Witchcraft,” Letter
+II.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_29" href="#FNanchor_29" class="label">[29]</a> “Cleare Sunshine of the Gospel,” p. 46.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_30" href="#FNanchor_30" class="label">[30]</a> Shepard’s “Cleare Sunshine.”</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_31" href="#FNanchor_31" class="label">[31]</a> See the Memorial of Mr. Eliot to the General Court, on this
+subject, <a href="#APPENDIX_L">Appendix L</a>.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_32" href="#FNanchor_32" class="label">[32]</a> Fast enough, if well enough.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_33" href="#FNanchor_33" class="label">[33]</a> <a href="#APPENDIX_E">See Appendix, E.</a></p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_34" href="#FNanchor_34" class="label">[34]</a> I. 172. Note. 1715.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_35" href="#FNanchor_35" class="label">[35]</a> Mag. II, 511. <i>Philemon Holland.</i> See Rees’ Encyc., Aiken’s
+Biog. Mem. of Medicine. He was the <i>translator general</i> of his age,
+a man of incredible industry. In Fuller’s Worthies of England we
+learn that Holland, having written several translations with one pen,
+made the following stanza:</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+  <div class="poetry">
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse indent0">“With one solo pen I writ this book,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent2">Made of a gray goose quill;</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">A pen it was when I it took,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent2">And a pen I leave it still.”</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>A familiar story is told of Gibbon, in writing the “Decline and
+Fall,” and that he presented the pen to the Duchess of Devonshire,
+who honored it with a silver case. These stories are probably fabulous.
+The contrivances which these men must have used to make one
+pen, or even one quill, do so much work, would deserve the appellation
+above quoted from Douglass, “otiosorum hominum negotia,”
+or, the notions of men who had plenty of leisure.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_36" href="#FNanchor_36" class="label">[36]</a> II. 94.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_37" href="#FNanchor_37" class="label">[37]</a> Magnalia I, 516.—<a href="#APPENDIX_G">See Appendix, G.</a></p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_38" href="#FNanchor_38" class="label">[38]</a> Cotton Mather’s mother was the daughter of Mr. Cotton.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_39" href="#FNanchor_39" class="label">[39]</a> <a href="#APPENDIX_M">See Appendix, M.</a></p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_40" href="#FNanchor_40" class="label">[40]</a> Mass. Hist. Coll. 1802.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_41" href="#FNanchor_41" class="label">[41]</a> This testimony from Richard Baxter, in favor of the Mathers,
+is valuable to those who have seen them decried by some modern
+writers.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_42" href="#FNanchor_42" class="label">[42]</a> See Early Jesuit Missions, &amp;c., by Wm Ingraham Kip.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_43" href="#FNanchor_43" class="label">[43]</a> C. Mather.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_44" href="#FNanchor_44" class="label">[44]</a> Mather’s allusion is probably this: In Gen. 23:2, where it is
+said that Abraham came to weep for Sarah, a letter, smaller than the
+rest, in the Hebrew word <i>to weep for her</i> is believed by the Jewish
+critics to intimate that his grief was somewhat composed; (—“<i>luctum
+Abrahæ fuisse moderatum</i>.”—Poole’s Synopsis.)—<span class="smcap">Ed.</span></p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_45" href="#FNanchor_45" class="label">[45]</a> Magnalia I. 495.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_46" href="#FNanchor_46" class="label">[46]</a> Essays, VIII.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_47" href="#FNanchor_47" class="label">[47]</a> For the Journal of Mr. Higginson’s Voyage, see Hutchinson’s
+Collection of Papers, page 32.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_48" href="#FNanchor_48" class="label">[48]</a> That is fighting men.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_49" href="#FNanchor_49" class="label">[49]</a> 1617.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_50" href="#FNanchor_50" class="label">[50]</a> Or Naumkeag. Salem.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_51" href="#FNanchor_51" class="label">[51]</a> See Smith &amp; Choules’ Hist. Miss. 1832, Vol. II.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_52" href="#FNanchor_52" class="label">[52]</a> “Thou shall not deliver unto his master the servant which is
+escaped,” &amp;c.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_53" href="#FNanchor_53" class="label">[53]</a> Those who are interested in the subjects referred to in other
+petitions of Mr. Eliot may find those petitions as follows:</p>
+
+<p>Petition that the Indians may have more land, Mass. State Papers,
+30, page 31.</p>
+
+<p>Petition in relation to exchange of land with the Indians, do. do.
+page 81.</p>
+
+<p>Statement of John Eliot respecting lands, do. do. pp. 99, 100.</p>
+
+<p>Complains of wrong done to the Nipmucks by the Narragansetts,
+do. do. page 138.</p>
+
+<p>Gookin’s and Eliot’s petition for lands for the Christian Indians,
+do. do. p. 286.</p>
+
+<p>There are also some original MSS. of Mr. Eliot’s in the Hutchinson
+papers in the Library of the Mass. Historical Society, but they
+are somewhat illegible and of no special pertinency to the present
+work.</p></div>
+
+</div>
+
+</main>
+<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 79004 ***</div>
+</body>
+</html>
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