N01899:76
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.
The Joyful Sound reaching to both the INDIA's. › APPLICATION.
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.
But notwithstanding all of this, we must humbly say, 'Tis a Day of Small things. The Indians are not yet improved so far into English Civility, and Industry, and Husbandry, as were to be desired, and as a due Improvement in Christianity would oblige them to. Many of the English, instead of giving them Assistances and Encouragements, have rather contrived Indirect Ways to keep them under, and Entangle them in Debts unto them; and Vile Things have been done upon their Insolvencies, Religion, 'tis to be feared, is under a Decay among them: Their Good Order languishing: And the older and wiser Indians going off, and English Neighbours too often hurting of the Survivors, much of that little Glory in which has been among them, seems to have an Ichabod written upon it.
But notwithstanding all of this, we must humbly say, 'Tis a Day of Small things. The Indians are not yet improved so far into English Civility, and Industry, and Husbandry, as were to be desired, and as a due Improvement in Christianity would oblige them to. Many of the English, instead of giving them Assistences and Encouragements, have rather contrived Indirect Ways to keep them under, and Entangle them in Debts unto them; and Vile Things have been done upon their Insolvencies, Religion, 'tis to be fear'd, is under a Decay among them: Their Good Order languishing: And the older and wiser Indians going off, and English Neighbours too often hurting of the Survivors, much of that little Glory in which has been among them, seems to have an Ichabod written upon it.
But what has of all things the most Threatening Aspect upon them, is, The love of Strong Drink, which strangely Captivates the Indians; insomuch that very few are found Able wholly to resist and conquer the Temptation, when 'tis laid before them; and which, notwithstanding the Prohibitions of the Law, finds ways of coming at them, that seem almost Incurable; and which, where it has its operation, does confound all Religion, and every Valuable Interest. Rum; That Branch of the River of Death; Alas, it threatens, more than any thing else, that we can think upon, to drown the Good Work, for which we are this day Signalizing our Solicitude. Men of Israel, Help! What, what shall be done for the Help, of a Mischief, so formidable, so deplorable!