N01899:274
India Christiana. A discourse, delivered unto the Commissioners, for the Propagation of the Gospel…
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.
Each of these Villages is provided with an Indian ⟨p. 89⟩Preacher to dispense the Word to them on the Lord's Days, when I am not with them. They meet for the Worship of GOD twice a Day on the Sabbath, and after Prayer, sing a Psalm; then there is a Sermon Preached on some Portion of Scripture, which being ended, they sing again, while the Days be of a sufficient length; and then conclude with Prayer.
Each of these Villages is provided with an Indian ⟨p. 89⟩Preacher to dispence the Word to them on the Lord's Days, when I am not with them. They meet for the Worship of GOD twice a Day on the Sabbath, and after Prayer, sing a Psalm; then there is a Sermon Preached on some Portion of Scripture, which being ended, they sing again, while the Days be of a sufficient length; and then conclude with Prayer.
There has, from time to time, been much care taken that the several Villages might be provided with School Masters to teach the Children to Read and Write; yet some of them have not been so constantly supplied, as is to be desired; and generally when the Spring of the Year comes on, the Indians take their Children from School, alleging they want them for Tillage of the Land; and so the Schools fail till the Fall; and this has much hindered their Progress in Learning: Nevertheless, I think the greatest number can Read, either in the English or in the Indian Tongue; and some in both.
There has, from time to time, been much care taken that the several Villages might be provided with School Masters to teach the Children to Read and Write; yet some of them have not been so constantly supplied, as is to be desired; and generally when the Spring of the Year comes on, the Indians take their Children from School, alleging they want them for Tillage of the Land; and so the Schools fail till the Fall; and this has much hindred their Progress in Learning: Nevertheless, I think the greatest number can Read, either in the English or in the Indian Tongue; and some in both.