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

It is true, The last Account which we took not very long ago, informed us, That at Martha's-Vineyard, and the little Adjacent-Island, there were Ten little Congregations, wherein our Great SAVIOUR is Worshipped; and which have Two English-men, and Ten Indians, that in their own Language do Preach ⟨p. 38⟩unto them. At Nantucket, there were Three Congregations, and as many Preachers. On the Continent, there were between Twenty and Thirty Congregations of Christianized Indians, whereto there belong some Thousands of Souls. These had then Ten English Preachers, who gave them their Instructions and Assistances; and between Twenty and Thirty Indian Teachers, by whom the Exercises of the Lords Days are mostly managed. Some of these Congregations, are not yet advanced unto all the Privileges of the Evangelical Church-State. But a considerable Number are so; and some New Churches were lately formed among them. I suppose, Things are not very much altered, from what they were in this Account, which the last Visitation brought unto us. Very many English Witnesses have been much affected with the Devotion, that they have seen expressed by these Indians in their Public Exercises of Religion; their Prayers formed with much of pertinency, and uttered with as much solemnity; their Sermons, of Orthodox Divinity, at the Hearing whereof, Children scarce a dozen Years old, readily turn to the Proofs; their Psalmody, in which they out-do some of our English Assemblies; and the Admonitions & Excommunications, with ⟨p. 39⟩which they Censure Scandalous Offenders. One that is at this time a Worthy English Minister, but a Preacher to the Indians in their own Language also, has given in unto us, this Testimony. Their Gravity, and diligent Attendance in the Time of Worship; with the Affectionate Confessions of such as are admitted into the Church; make me hope, that many of them may have the Work of the Spirit wrought in them, according to the working of the Mighty Power of GOD. Their Method, respecting those that are admitted into their Communion, is more according to the manner of the Churches in the Primitive Times, than is now practised in most parts. The Person to be Admitted, stands forth in the midst of the Assembly; and first makes a Declaration of his Knowledge, and sometimes desires Information in things most arduous and doubtful. And then he makes a Confession of Sin;

It is true, The last Account which we took not very long ago, informed us, That at Marthas-Vineyard, and the little Adjacent-Island, there were Ten little Congregations, wherein our Great SAVIOUR is Worshipped; and which have Two English-men, and Ten Indians, that in their own Language do Preach