N01899:253
India Christiana. A discourse, delivered unto the Commissioners, for the Propagation of the Gospel among the American Indians : which is accompanied with several instruments relating to the glorious design of propagating our holy religion, in the Eastern as well as the Western, Indies. : An entertainment which they that are waiting for the kingdom of God will receive as good news from a far country. / By Cotton Mather, D.D. and F.R.S.
printed by B. Green, 1721
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.
Daily Experience has hitherto taught us, that by the advantage of Catechists, we may ⟨p. 82⟩do very much Good, not only upon the Members of the Church themselves, but also upon those that are without. Wherefore upon the Observation of This, we do all we can, that by the Word of Truth we may prepare such Catechists for us, who having a Good Foundation laid in the Knowledge of JESUS CHRIST, may both arrive to a Spiritual Experience, and may be made fit from hence to teach others in the Doctrine of JESUS CHRIST, and give them a Lively Demonstration of it. We have Seven such Catechists, with whom we manage, a Biblical Exercise, an Exegetical, and a Theological.
For the Biblical Exercise, we take some whole Book, of the New Testament; wherein we show them, what Parts are in every Chapter; Afterwards we go through' the Parts; and the Catechists themselves fetch out from thence, certain Doctrines joined with some Application of them. But when they come to Declare things, they proceed after this manner. First, they Expound the Matters, and the Context. Then, This being done, they apply to the proper Edification of the Soul, those things that appear to be most Subservient unto it. But by this Method, that which is principally aimed at, is, partly that they may get a more Solid, and a Stable ⟨p. 83⟩Knowledge of the Truth, out of the Sacred Scriptures; and partly that they may get into a greater Ability for Preaching when they shall have Opportunity to Speak any where, yea, anon to propound the Truth of GOD among the Nations.
For the Biblical Exercise, we take some whole Book, of the New Testament; wherein we show them, what Parts are in every Chapter; Afterwards we go thro' the Parts; and the Catechists themselves fetch out from thence, certain Doctrines joyned with some Application of them. But when they come to Declare things, they proceed after this manner. First, they Expound the Matters, and the Context. Then, This being done, they apply to the proper Edification of the Soul, those things that appear to be most Subservient unto it. But by this Method, that which is principally aimed at, is, partly that they may get a more Solid, and a Stable ⟨p. 83⟩Knowledge of the Truth, out of the Sacred Scriptures; and partly that they may get into a greater Ability for Preaching when they shall have Opportunity to Speak any where, yea, anon to propound the Truth of GOD among the Nations.
In the Exegetical Exercise, we hitherto handle only particular Sentences of the Bible; wherein supplying them with an Exposition according to the Rules of Interpretation, we fetch out certain Positions which are to the point in hand; and when we have in some orderly manner opened such a Sentence; they taking Notes hereof in writing, we leave them to their own Meditations. Whence it commonly comes to pass, that the Things which they have thus Meditated by themselves, they recite by Heart on the Lord's day, and offer them as a Sermon for the Public.
In the Exegetical Exercise, we hitherto handle only particular Sentences of the Bible; wherein supplying them with an Exposition according to the Rules of Interpretation, we fetch out certain Positions which are to the point in hand; and when we have in some orderly manner opened such a Sentence; they taking Notes hereof in writing, we leave them to their own Meditations. Whence it commonly comes to pass, that the Things which they have thus Meditated by themselves, they recite by Heart on the Lordsday, and offer them as a Sermon for the Publick.
In the Theological Exercise, we show them first the Fundamental Theses, in all the Articles of our Faith: And then we bring the strongest Proofs for them, from Sentences of the Scripture. And that we may serve this End the better, we have written a certain Compendium of Divinity, of an Octavo form, in the Tongue of this Damulic Nation.
May our most Gracious GOD, the Father of Mercies, Grant that these Catechists may in this way be so prepared, that even from These there may be chosen those, who may hereafter in the quality of Missionaries, take the work of this Mission into their management.
Our Main Study is of this Tendency; That the Number of these may increase more and more; Upon which we enter into a most certain Hope, that in the Church, and among the Nations, by their Means, we shall one day see much Advantage and a mighty Harvest.
Of these, there is One already placed as a Ruler to a little Church in a certain Village. To Others we have given the Denomination of Elders; to others that of Exhorters; whose Office 'tis often to Visit the Members of the Church from House to House; Instruct them, Advise them, and join in Prayers with them; And finally, the Office of others, is, That upon such as are to be Converted, and upon the Catechumens, they may Viva Voce, inculcate the most Substantial Foundations of Christianity; and so, having first laid those Foundations, then strive to get up higher with them.
Of these, there is One already placed as a Ruler to a little Church in a certain Village. To Others we have given the Denomination of Elders; to others that of Exhorters; whose Office 'tis often to Visit the Members of the Church from House to House; Instruct them, Advise them, and joyn in Prayers with them; And finally, the Office of others, is, That upon such as are to be Converted, and upon the Catechumens, they may Viva Voce, inculcate the most Substantial Foundations of Christianity; and so, having first laid those Foundations, then strive to get up higher with them.
If GOD please to Smile upon it, we have a Mind also, to make a Dictionary, in the Damulick Tongue, which may be of use to the Europeans as well as to this Nation. Every Page is to be divided into three Sections. In the first Plot, we place the Damulick words; the Primitive, and what is to be appendiced unto them. In the second, over against the Malabarian words, we place the Pronunciation of them in Latin Characters close by their side. In the third, we Express the signification thereof in Latin.
If GOD please to Smile upon it, we have a Mind also, to make a Dictionary, in the Damulick Tongue, which may be of use to the Europeans as well as to this Nation. Every Page is to be divided into three Sections. In the first Plat, we place the Damulick words; the Primitive, and what is to be appendiced unto them. In the second, over against the Malabarian words, we place the Pronunciation of them in Latin Characters close by their side. In the third, we Express the signification thereof in Latin.
In our Schools, where all things are dispensed upon free-cost, there are fourscore Children daily fed; Enjoying such Victuals and Garments as may be necessary for them. Unto the rest, there is most willingly allowed the Benefit of Instruction, and such Books as they may want, without their paying of any thing for it.
Our Press is now every day at work upon the Old Testament in the Damulick Tongue.
Our Paper-Mill here, yields us as much Paper as we have daily occasion for.
As to the Popish Missions in this our India, they are thought more Numerous than ours; insomuch that they say, there are no less than Two Thousand who here go to and fro in the Earth: But, alas, the deluded Heathen ⟨p. 86⟩People, is translated out of Darkness into Darkness, and from one Idolatry to another, without the least sense of the Good that in a CHRIST is to be met withal: That I may not say, Paganism is wickedly grafted into Popery.
The Word of GOD abundantly declares, That in the Latter Days there must arise Witnesses of the Truth, endued with the Gifts of Miracles. And since that thread-bare saying of Divines in the Church, Dona Miraculosa dantur propter Infideles, is a Truth shining with its own indisputable Rays; we do allow, That to facilitate His work in the Conversion of the Pagans, our GOD may crown it with these Extraordinary Helps to it; and may furnish His Missionaries with so great Powers, and bestow the Gifts of Miracles upon them. However these things we wholly leave with the Grace, and Mercy, and Providence of Heaven; the best Dispenser of all.
That which I now desire, is, That the Correspondence by Letters, which you have begun with us, may be still kindly continued; so that the East may talk with the West, and the West may manifest unto the East, its Desires, and the works of GOD. Yea, that they may stir up each other in the course of ⟨p. 87⟩the Gospel; quicken each other with their Prayers; push on each other in the way to Heaven; give to each other the Admonitions of Patience; and Confirm each other in the Hope that is our Life.
May our Heavenly Father, plentifully grant unto you, most Reverend Sir, from the overflowing Fullness of His CHRIST, Strength, and Light, and Happiness; that in all your works you may Perceive and Admire the Blessing of the Lord. Farewell in the Lord. I commend my self to your Fatherly Love and Prayers; Being,
May our Heavenly Father, plentifully grant unto you, most Reverend Sir, from the overflowing Fulness of His CHRIST, Strength, and Light, and Happiness; that in all your works you may Perceive and Admire the Blessing of the Lord. Farewel in the Lord. I commend my self to your Fatherly Love and Prayers; Being,
Most Reverend Sir, Your most obliged, Fellow-Labourer, and Fellow-Servant, John Ernest Grundler. At Tranquebar, the 10 day of December. 1719.
