extract, and which may, in connection with what I have lately written, let you see the progress of the proposed mission to Muskingum. I have wrote Mr. Occum, desiring him to accept the mission (of which I wrote you lately) and take David Fowler with him, as companion and school master. I design these young gentlemen (who will set out in a few days) shall go by Mohegan, and prevail with Mr. Occum, if they can, to accom> pany them. I have promised him the same reward as shall be allowed them. My hope is only in God-he is my only prop. The storm that is raised against me don't, can't dismay me, while I believe the cause is God's, and see him prospering it among the floods, see him evidently sitting upon them.

If my honored patrons can find any alteration, that can be made in the charter, with safety to the School, I will do my utmost to effect the same. I cannot consent, that so large an interest as is now held by it (which I verily believe to be given by God, in answer to prayer) should be given up.

I long to have that done which will be honorary and satisfactory to my honored patrons. One frown from them (as I verily believe them to be the favorites of heaven, and to have a single eye to the Redeemer's cause) would depress and sink me more than all the slandering of thousands, who are inspired from another quarter. These storms rather encourage and strengthen me. I believe satan well knows, that his kingdom is in danger from it, and, if possible, will prevent the pious souls, who are fitting to storm his castle, from appearing in arms against his strong holds.

I know you will not cease to pray for, honored Sir,

Your obliged and

very humble servant,

ELEAZAR WHEELOCK.

J. Thornton, Esq.

From John Thornton, Esquire.

Dear and Reverend Sir,

Brighton, Sept. 14, 1772.

I was unwilling to omit the first opportunity of thanking you for your favor of the 3d inst. I am glad the books, &c. proved acceptable. My wife and I were sorry to hear so poor an account of Mrs. it must be a most distressing scene; and we do most sincerely sympathize with you. Afflictions are not joyous, but grievous. However, we are assured they bring forth the peaceful fruits of righteousness. Every rod has a voice; and whether the Almighty pleases to warn, correct, or edify us, we happily know, that love is at the bottom. Therefore, it is our wisdom, as well as our duty, to examine ourselves, under such circumstances; and, if possible, find out the reason, why the Almighty contendeth with us. And if we are sincere and upright in our search, we may often discover the way, and wherefore we are brought into such trials. Some times we find, that worldliness has gained the ascendency over us; some particular lust is to be purged and mortified. Sometimes a too close attachment to our lawful employments is discovered. Perhaps we find a decline in 'spiritual life; we grow formal, and want quickening; or the Lord is about to teach us more effectually the things of our peace; and dispose us to seriousness and recollection, by affliction and trouble. Happy is it for us, if these things be sanctified for the good of our souls. We shall then have reason to say, it was good for us to be in trouble.

The duty of a christian, I am persuaded is, to look nicely to Providence; to seek after a flexible, childlike disposition; to submit to every dispensation; to have an adoring gratitude to the father of mercies, and to have the heart filled with love to the everloving, everlovely Jesus. If I am writing, I would always say something of his excellencies. In conversation, I would wish him to be the chief topic of discourse. I would

have him in my thoughts, lying down and rising up. His love is immense; and a sense of his love, shed abroad in the heart, is the very quintessence of happiness here below. O how little of this is known in the professing world! What a falling away in both our and your church. A spiritual slumber has, insensibly, stolen both upon preachers and hearers. I was concerned to find this so much the case in Scotland, where I hoped better things. If the Lord of life is not supreme in our hearts, he will have no place there. To guard against this fatal lethargy of soul, and to keep grace lively and vigorous in the heart and exercise, I find, calls for great attention and circumspection.

It may seem strange; but, I think, even orthodox opinions, delivered in a cold and formal way, without application, seem to have a tendency to lull the hearers asleep, and leave them short of an experimental feeling of the power of godliness.

You, my dear Sir, have it in your power to do great things; a number of disciples at your feet, who, ere long, are to ap pear, as public teachers of others. I do hope you will make it a matter of conscience, as well as duty, to guard them against error in their judgment on the one hand, and formality and supineness on the other. Then they will be blessings to the church indeed. The best of all knowledge is, without doubt, the knowledge of ourselves, of our God, and of Jesus, whom he hath sent. Other branches of science are necessary, and, when sanctified, may be of great utility in the church; but this divine knowledge swallows up all in itself. I find that, notwithstanding all human endeavors, divine teaching is absolutely necessary, to give an interest in gospel truths; and to bring them home with power to the soul.

When I consider your situation, as having the first forming of the minds of many for the ministry, I look upon your office as great and important, according to our ways of thinking. The good and evil of many thousands may depend upon the right training of those under your care: for, generally speaking, as

is the minister, so are the people. If the minister is enlightenword will come with power upon

ed, lively and vigorous, his many, and make them so. If he is formal, the infection will spread among his hearers. If he is lifeless, spiritual death will be visible through the greatest part of the congregation. In this sense, may you, my dear Sir, become the spiritual father of many generations, and be an happy instrument of preventing that fatal spiritual lethargy, that has got too much power already, and seems to be gaining ground in almost every congregation. The task is hard, but the prospect charming. Many children, when you are quiet in the grave, will rise up and call you blessed.

If your present situation has a tendency to enforce these important concerns upon your mind, it will be a blessed one.

That you may become more and more useful; that your own soul may prosper; that the schools of the prophets may be replenished by your labor, and, that you may, at last, have an additional glory for your work's sake, is the earnest prayer, and sincere desire of,

I was unwilling to omit the present opportunity of thanking you, for yours of 14th April, from Norwich, in your way to Hartford. And it gave me pleasure to hear that you left all well; and that Mr. Ay continued with Mr. Kirkland. May the Lord ever keep us simple hearted, ceasing from man, and having our eye ever fixed on him. The Lord our God is merciful, gracious, long suffering, abundant in goodness and truth. The various societies of believers, are united in one; for we have one common Lord, one faith, and one baptism.

And the gifts and graces of the spirit are not confined to any sect; but the beauty of holiness is discernable, throughout God's universal church; in all that love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Let us then be careful, that we grieve not the least of his children, whose name is Jealous; and above all, take heed that we make not a covenant with his enemies; but may we look up to God for a blessing, that he may give us a right judgment in all things.

I have, since writing you last, received a well written letter from dear Mr. Occum, who stands high in my good opinion, for that honesty and simplicity I have ever remarked in him. As I sent you a copy of my last letter to him, I trouble you once more, with what I have now written him, as I shall rejoice to hear you think favorably of him.

The bands of the wicked have robbed God; but now he has broken the gates of brass, and burst the bars of iron asunder, that impede the promulgation of the glorious gospel. I doubt not but he will make his great power known. May judgment, mercy and faith be ever in exercise, and preserve us from every evil way. May the Lord guide us by his counsel, and afterwards receive us to glory.

I am, always, with sincere regard,

Dear and Rev. Sir, your much devoted and

Affectionate servant,

JOHN THORNTON.

From the Rev. Charles Beatty.

Reverend and Dear Sir,

Philadelphia, April, 1772.

The committee of the board of correspondence of the society in Scotland, for propagating christian knowledge, are now sitting, and have an agreeable prospect of opening a mission soon, among the Delaware Indians, upon Muskingum, about one hundred miles westward of Fort Pitt. They are informed,