A39226:124
A further account of the progress of the Gospel amongst the Indians in New…
A further account of the progress of the Gospel amongst the Indians in New England: being a relation of the confessions made by several Indians (in the presence of the elders and members of several churches) in order to their admission into church-fellowship. Sent over to the corporation for propagating the Gospel of Jesus Christ amongst the Indians in New England at London, by Mr John Elliot one of the labourers in the word amongst them.A further account of the progress of the Gospel amongst the Indians in New England: being a relation of the confessions made by several Indians (in the presence of the elders and members of several churches) in order to their admission into church-fellowship. Sent over to the corporation for propagating the Gospel of Jesus Christ amongst the Indians in New England at London, by Mr John Elliot one of the laborers in the word amonsgt them.
London: printed by John Macock, 1660
A brief Relation received from Mr John Elliott of the late Proceedi… › Confessions › Monotunkquanit.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Monotunkquanit.
He was next called, who thus spake.
I Have heard the word, and prayed to God several years. And I confess that before I prayed, I was full of sin, and yet I do not know my sins. I thought they were all good ways, and therefore I did them. I knew not the Sabbath, nor Lecture days, nor any good, only I knew wild Actions, daily I desired falsehood, ⟨p. 65⟩vile actions, singing Indian songs, these things I desired to do: but all good things I was ignorant of, and very much I sinned, daily. Then I heard of praying to God. I came to Cohannit at Dorchester, from Nipmuk where I lived, but my heart laughed at praying, and said its a vain action, only those actions that I was bred up in, I liked and esteemed, but these new things I derided. The Sachems disliked it, and therefore so did I. The rich men disliked it, and therefore so did I. I believed not, that God is; I went to Cohannit, not for praying, but to gather clams: When I came thither, they exhorted me to pray: and said, The Minister cometh to morrow to teach, it is lecture day. I desired to see him: he came, they met together. I went, and carried my son Samuel: I saw the Minister, he called my son; asked him, Who made you; they bid him say God; but I had not so taught him. He asked, whose son he was, they said mine: he said, do you pray to God? I said no, for I am a poor man, and naked: they that pray are clothed. Therefore I will not pray, can poor men pray? Therefore I would not pray: I went home. Then Waban and Totherswamp came to my house, and taught me to pray. They entreated me, now pray to God; My heart liked it not. They said, God is a great God, and made all the World. I said, who is witness of that? They said, the Minister will answer you. Again, they taught me the Commandments of God; but I did not believe. Totherswamp promised to come again, he did so; and said, now pray to God, because God is good. I thought it a tedious thing to pray to God. Then he strongly entreated me: I said I will try; but not for praying, but in vain. Then my kindred said,