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"the emoluments of science, immersed amidst "scenes of cruelty and blood, they have nothing "noble or worthy the rational creature to enter"tain and feast themselves and one another with, "in a social way. Can we think of this wretch"ed state of our fellow men, and feel no com"passion moving towards them? Or can we "think much of a little expense, to turn such "habitations of cruelty into dwelling places of righteousness, and little sanctuaries where the "true God may be worshipped in spirit and "truth, instead of sacrifices to devils?"

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These people are sunk into a much more savage state of society than their supposed ancestors in Asia. Since the proximity of the two continents at Behring's strait has been known, it has been generally believed, that the original inhabitants of America emigrated from Asia. Other circumstances are more conclusive evidence of the fact. The eastern side of America was less populous than the western. This has been attested for ages by many writers on the subject. A natural result from the first settlements being formed in the west.

The traditions of our savages, as far as the nature of the case admits, establish the same fact. They proclaim their wanderings from the west. When you ask the Indians of Carolina whence their forefathers came, they point to the westward, and say, "Where the sun sleeps, thence our forefathers came." The tribes on this side the Mississippi, assert that they came from the west, northwest or south. The Natches say, that once they dwelt in the south west, "under. the sun." The Chikkasahs, the Six Nations, the Mahicanni, and the tribes of New England, say they came from the westward. These last say, that in the south west is the court of the

Great God, Cawtantowwit. In the south west are the spirits of their forefathers. To the south west go their own spirits, when they die. From the south west came their corn and beans, from the fields of the great God, Cawtantowwit.* Similar traditions of the Toltecas and Mexicans, support the opinion of their Asiatic origin.

The Illinois and the Miamis say, they "came from the borders of the sea, very distant to the west."

In this continent are found the languages of Asia. The language of Mexico may be traced to the languages of the Persians, the Curdic, the Arabs, the Tartars, the Vogoulitchi, whence also are derived considerable portions of the numerous languages, derived from the Delaware stock, the Six Nations, the Cherokees, the Creeks, the Chikkasahs, the Choktahs, and many other' tribes in North and South America. Strong resemblances are also found between several American languages and those of China and Japan. The languages of Caucasus and Tartary, are discovered in America, and though less affinity is sometimes found between languages of America, radically the same, than between those in Asia, radically the same, this only proves, that the American tribes have been longer separated than those of Asia, or what, perhaps has had more influence, that their greater change of place, novelty of situation, and difference in style of living, have introduced a more rapid change of language. It is a fact, worthy of attention, that but one radical language has been discovered, by extensive researches, either in America or the old world.

*Roger Williams.

+ See "New Views of the origin of the tribes and nations of Ameri ca, by B. S. Barton, M. D." an excellent work.

To support the Asiatic origin of our Savages, the ancient forts and mounds of the western country, bring in their united testimony. These are less frequent on the Atlantic, than to the west of our high range of mountains. This indicates their erection to have been by a people from the westward. What vastly corroborates this opinion is, that forts and mounds of similar construction and apparent design, are scattered over the northern part of Asia. These mighty labors of other times, in Asia and America, whose origin and use have baffled the enquiries of philosophers, were probably performed by the same people.*

In 1764, the school consisted of about thirty scholars, of whom about one half were Indians; the residue were either independent English youth, or those who were preparing for Indian missions, and dependant either in part, or wholly, on the funds of the school, for the expense of their education. Religious, faithful and learned masters were employed, from time to time, for the school.

The Indian boys were accommodated in a part of the house given by Mr. Moor, and furnished with proper lodging, diet, and other necessaries, by persons employed for the purpose. The school house was nigh Mr. Wheelock's dwelling, in the hall of which, the students and their instructors, attended morning and evening prayers.

The following is a general description of the manner of conducting the school. "The stu"dents were obliged to be decently dressed, and "ready to attend prayers, before sunrise, in the "fall and winter, and at six o'clock in the sum "mer. A portion of scripture was read by se"veral of the seniors of them; and those who

* Rev. Mr. Harris' Tour to the Ohio.

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"were able answered a question in the Assembly's Catechism; some explanatory questions were asked them upon it, and answers ex"pounded to them. After prayers, a short time "was allowed for their diversion, and the school "began with prayer at nine o'clock, and ended at twelve; began at two and ended at five "o'clock with prayer. Evening prayers were at"tended before day light was gone. Afterwards "they applied to their studies. They attended public worship, and had pews devoted to their "use in the house of God. On the Lord's day "morning, and between and after the meetings, "the master, or some one to whom they would submit, attended them, to inspect their behaviour, hear them read, catechise and discourse "to them. And once or twice a week they "heard a discourse, delivered by Mr. Wheelock, “calculated for their capacities, upon the most "important and interesting subjects."

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Such a number of youth, taken from the midst of savage life, attending with decency and devotion upon the duties of religion, was a new and pleasing spectacle. The progress of his "Indian children," as he used to call them, in learning and good manners, was, for Mr. Wheelock, a favorite topic of conversation, at home and abroad. He loved them and bore them daily on his heart to the throne of grace. Their tempers were generally docile and pleasant, their behaviour agreeable, and their diligence and progress in learning exceeded expectation. At first, some of them discovered their savage cruelty of disposition, in their torturing animals for amusement; but by means of reproof and instruction, they soon became sensible of the impropriety and evil of such practices.

* First Narrative of the Rise and Progress of the School.

SECTION IV.

BOARD OF CORRESPONDENTS ERECTED-DONATIONS FROM GREAT BRITAIN-SCHOOL MASTERS MR. KIRKLAND'S MIS SION TO THE SENECAS-MR. OCCUM.

IN consequence of application, Mr. Wheelock, in 1764, received from the Hon. Society in Scotland, for propagating Christian knowledge, the following commission for a Board of Correspondents with that society, designed to assist in promoting the objects of Moor's Indian Charity School.

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The committee of directors of the society in "Scotland, for propagating christian knowledge, "in virtue of the powers granted to them, by "the general meeting of said society, and agree"ably to a particular appointment of the gene"ral meeting, held upon the twenty fourth day "of November last. Taking under their consi"deration, the signal success, with which it has "pleased God Almighty to bless the British ! arms, in North America, during the late war; "and that Providence thereby, presents a favor"able opportunity, and calls upon them to improve it for enlarging and promoting the king"dom of Christ, in those dark places of the "earth, that are full of the habitations of cruel66 ty. And it having been represented to them, "by Mr. Eleazar Wheelock, teacher of an In"dian charity school, at Lebanon, in the colony "of Connecticut, in New England, that several "well disposed persons there, would gladly con"tribute to further the above design, conforma"bly to a petition transmitted to said society: "Do therefore nominate and appoint the following persons, viz. Jonathan Huntington, Esq. of Windham, Elisha Sheldon, Esq. of

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