India Christiana. A discourse, delivered unto the Commissioners, for the Propagation of the Gospel…

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.

There is also care taken to Catechise the Youth: For besides what is done in this kind, by the Indian School-Masters & Preachers, I frequently examine the Young People my self, and have determined to attend this Service once a Fortnight, in some or other of the forementioned Villages; and this Method will, I hope, prove very advantageous: many grown People as well as Children, attending these Exercises.

The Indian Church at Martha's-Vineyard, whereof Mr. Japheth Hannit an excellent Indian Minister was formerly the Pastor, but died in the Year 1712, had after his Death another Pastor, called Sowomog: but he being an Old Man when he was first called ⟨p. 90⟩