A late and further manifestation of the progress of the gospel amongst the Indians…

There fell out a very great discouragement a little before the time, which might have been a scandal 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 do that which their hearts love not; and whose Vices Satan improveth to scandalize and reproach the better sort withal; while many, and some good People are too ready to say they are all alike. I say three of them had gotten several quarts of Strong-water, (which sundry out of a greedy desire of a little gain, are too ready to sell unto them, to the offence and grief of the better sort of Indians, and of the godly English too) and with these liquors, did not only make themselves drunk, but got a Child of eleven years of age, the Son of Toteswamp, whom his Father had sent for a little Corn and Fish to that place near Watertown, 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 Drunkenness (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 several times Punished formerly for Drunkenness.

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) 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 spoonfulls of Strong-water, which was more then his head could bear; and another of them put a Bottle, or such like Vessell 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.