N01027:13
A letter, about the present state of Christianity, among the Christianized Indians of New-England.…
A letter, about the present state of Christianity, among the Christianized Indians of New-England. Written to the Honourable, Sir William Ashhurst, governor of the Corporation, for Propagating the Gospel among the Indians, in New-England, and Parts Adjacent, in America.A letter, about the present state of Christianity, among the Christianized Indians of New-England. Written to the Honourable, Sir William Ashhurst, governour of the Corporation, for Propagating the Gospel among the Indians, in New-England, and Parts Adjacent, in America.
printed by Timothy Green, 1705
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
In the Indian Congregations, there were, at the Time of our last Visitation, (which we said, was about Four or Five Years ago,) about ⟨p. 6⟩Thirty Seven Indians, who were the constant Preachers of the Gospel unto them, in their own Language; In which they have Catechisms, and Bibles, and Psalm-books, and other Books of Piety; Translated by the vast Labours of worthy English-men.
Besides these, there are Seven or Eight English Ministers, who have Learned the Indian Tongue, and Visit the Indian Assemblies, and Pray, and Preach among them, and give such Directions, as they see needful for their Affairs. The Indian Ministers, very frequently apply themselves to these English ones, for their Advice, about Instructing their Flocks under their Charge. And some of the English Preachers, do constantly spend every Lords Day, with the Indian Assemblies; having taken the Charge of them.
Besides these, there are Seven or Eight English Ministers, who have Learn'd the Indian Tongue, and Visit the Indian Assemblies, and Pray, and Preach among them, and give such Directions, as they see needful for their Affairs. The Indian Ministers, very frequently apply themselves to these English ones, for their Advice, about Instructing their Flocks under their Charge. And some of the English Preachers, do constantly spend every Lords Day, with the Indian Assemblies; having taken the Charge of them.
How the Ordinary Congregations among the Indians are inclined, and how instructed, may be a little apprehended, from some Lines in a Letter, now lying before us, Dated not many Weeks ago, from a very Valuable Servant of God, namely, Mr. Samuel Danforth. He says; They met me at Little Compton about two Months since, to hear me Preach: Had you been there with me to see how well they filled up the Seats; with what Gravity they behaved themselves; what Attention they gave; what Affection they showed; how powerfully Paquachoise [an Indian, Prayed; (for I put him upon it, to