The clear sun-shine of the gospel breaking forth upon the Indians in New-England. Or,…The clear sun-shine of the gospel breaking forth upon the Indians in Nevv-England. Or,…

Likewise they are careful to sanctify the Sabbath, but at first they could not tell how to do it, and they asked of me how they should do it, propounding it as a question whether they should come to the English meetings or meet among themselves; they said, if they come to the English meetings they understand nothing, or to no purpose, and if they met together among themselves, they had none that could teach them. I told them that it was not pleasing to God, nor profitable to themselves, to hear and understand nothing, nor having any that could interpret to them. Therefore I counselled them to meet together, and desire those that were the wisest and best men to pray, and then to teach the rest such things as I had taught them from Gods Word, as well as they could; and when one hath done, then let another do the like, and then a third, and when that was done ask me, &c. and to pray unto God to help them therein: and this is the manner how they spend their Sabbaths.

Likewise they are carefull to sanctifie the Sabbath, but at first they could not tell how to doe it, and they asked of mee how they should doe it, propounding it as a question whether they should come to the English meetings or meet among themselves; they said, if they come to the English meetings they understand nothing, or to no purpose, and if they met together among themselves, they had none that could teach them. I told them that it was not pleasing to God, nor profitable to themselves, to hear and understand nothing, nor having any that could interpret to them. Therefore I counselled them to meet together, and desire those that were the wisest and best men to pray, and then to teach the rest such things as I had taught them from Gods Word, as well as they could; and when one hath done, then let another do the like, and then a third, and when that was done aske me, &c. and to pray unto God to help them therein: and this is the manner how they spend their Sabbaths.

They are also strict against any profanation of the Sabbath, by working, fishing, hunting, &c. and have a Law to punish such as are delinquents therein by a fine of 10 s. and sundry cases they have had, wherein they have very strictly prosecuted such as have any way profaned the Sabbath. As for example, upon a Sabbath morning Cutchamaquin the Sachem his wife going to fetch water met with other women, and she began to talk of worldly matters, and so held on their discourse a while, which evil came to Nahanton's ear, who was to teach that day (this Nabanton is a sober good man, and a true friend to the English ever since our coming) so he bent his discourse to show the sanctification of the Sabbath, & reproved such evils as did violate the same; & among other things worldly talk, and thereupon reproved that which he heard of that morning. After he had done, they fell to discourse about it, and spent much time therein, he standing to prove that it was a sin, and she doubting of it, seeing it was early in the morning, and in private; and alleging that he was more to blame then she, because he had occasioned so much discourse in the public meeting: but in conclusion they determined