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the undertaking. But the present rupture with the Indians, has so heated the spirits of great numbers among our people, that the Governor and Company were apprehensive that the collection would be made under great disadvantage, and that there would not be that given, which would be honorable for the Government, if it should be attempted now, and therefore did, at their session in October last, advise, that it should be delayed till a more favorable prospect should invite to proceed therein. And supposing this to be the way, in which Providence designed supplies for this school at present, I neglected to seek them elsewhere, which now gives your Lordship an opportunity to shew your liberality, at a time when it is much wanted.

And whatever your sentiments shall be of this particular plan, or your disposition towards the encouragement of it; I pray your Lordship, to account the nature and importance of the design, in general, to be sufficient excuse, for the boldness and freedom I have now taken, or else of your innate goodness, pardon him, who is not willing to disoblige you, but is, with the most sincere esteem and respect, my Lord,

Your Lordship's most obedient and

Most humble Servant,

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I am not a little affected with the contents of yours, of the 14th inst. Such liberality in one congregation, and that comparatively small, by reason of the weather, at such a distance, and so little acquainted with the affair, and so much of late done by

the pagans to discourage such a design, and raise a temper, in the more unthinking part of mankind, very different from charity, is in my opinion truly great and wonderful; and the more affecting as it comes at a time when it is much wanted. May God requite their benevolence a thousand fold, in a more enduring substance. I hope I may be enabled so to improve it, and that the success of endeavors may be such, as may give those liberal souls occasion for the most easy and comfortable reflections, that it was well bestowed for the furtherance of the kingdom of our common Lord.

As to the remittance, I shall commit the affair to Messrs. Ralph and Eleazar Pomeroy, of Hartford, with instructions and orders. And from one or the other of them, you will likely hear very soon.

Please to present my compliments, in the most respectful manner, to each of those good gentlemen, you mention, by whose distinguished zeal, on the occasion, the cause was favored and encouraged, and accept sincerest respect from, Honored Sir,

Your much obliged and very

Humble Servant,

ELEAZAR WHEELOCK.

To the Right Hon. the Earl of Dartmouth.

Lebanon, Connecticut, New Eng. March 1, 1764.

May it please your Lordship,

It must be counted amongst the greatest favors of God, to a wretched world, and that which gives abundant joy to the friends of Zion, that among earthly dignities, there are those who cheerfully espouse the sinking cause of the great Redeemer, and whose hearts and hands are open to minister supplies for the support and enlargement of his kingdom in the world.

As your lordship has been frequently mentioned with pleasure by the lovers of Christ in this wilderness, and having fresh assurance of the truth of that fame of yours, by the Rev. Mr. Whitefield, from his own acquaintance with your person and eharacter, and being encouraged and moved thereto by him, I am now emboldened, without any other apology for myself, than that which the case itself carries in its very front, to solicit your Lordship's favorable notice of, and friendship towards, a feeble attempt to save the swarms of Indian Natives in this land, from final and eternal ruin, which must unavoidably be the issue of those poor miserable creatures, unless God shall mercifully interpose with his blessing upon endeavors to prevent it.

The Indian Charity School, under my care (a narrative of which, herewith transmitted, humbly begs your Lordship's acceptance) has met with such approbation, and encouragement from gentlemen of character and ability, at home and abroad, and such has been the success of endeavors hitherto used therein, as persuade us more and more, that it is of God, and a device and plan, which, under his blessing, has a greater probability of success, than any that has yet been attempted.

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By the blessing and continual care of heaven, it has lived, and does still live and flourish, without other fund appropriated to its support, than that great One, in the hands of Him, whose the earth is, and the fulness thereof.

And I trust there is no need to mention any other considerations to prove your Lordship's compassions, or invite your liberality on this occasion, than those which their piteous and per'ishing case does of itself suggest; when once your Lordship shall be well satisfied of a proper and probable way to manifest and express the same with success. Which I do, with the ut most cheerfulness, submit to your Lordship, believing your determination therein, to be under the direction of him who does all things well. And if the nature and importance of the case

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be not esteemed sufficient excuse for the freedom and boldness I have assumed, I must rely upon your Lordship's innate goodness to pardon him, who is with the greatest duty and esteem, my Lord,

Your Lordship's most obedient

And most humble servant,

ELEAZAR WHEELOCK.

Madam,

To the Countess of Huntingdon.

Lebanon, March 7, 1764.

By the narrative of the Indian Charity School, under my care, herewith transmitted, (which humbly begs your Ladyship's acceptance) you may see the design, we have for several years been pursuing, in favor of those swarms of savages in this wilderness, who are yet perishing for lack of vision.And nothing but a sovereign divine influence, in concurrence with endeavors used against the most stubborn opposition of their savage blindness, brutish lusts and passions, can now at last save them from final and eternal ruin.

The plan we have been pursuing (which has never yet been fully tried) has now obtained such reputation among gentlemen of character far and near, and such has been the success of endeavors already used therein, and such also are our growing prospects, that we are more and more persuaded, God designs mercifully to own it, as a mean to make his name known far and wide, in the wilds of America.

And as it has risen from small beginnings, to what it now is, amidst and against many and great discouragements, and has been supported only by the liberality of God's people, without any fund appropriated to that purpose, and still depends for its support, upon some source alone as the goodness of him,

who has the hearts of all in his hands: so, I trust, I need no other arguments to move your Ladyship's compassion towards those miserable creatures, or to obtain the benefit of your smiles upon this great undertaking, than their truly affecting condition may of itself at once suggest to you; even though you should be so disinterested in the exercise of your charity towards them, as not so much as once to turn your thoughts upon the blessings of those perishing souls, which will come upon you, or upon that effectual blessing of God, which will be upon such, and which only can make you truly blessed. The perfecting of which, God grant you may fully know when Christ shall exhibit to public view, his account of your works of charity for his name's sake, and say to such, come ye blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you; for I was an hungred and ye gave me meat, thirsty and ye gave me drink, &c.

The Rev. Mr. Whitefield (by whose motion and encouragement I have assumed this boldness) has lately travelled through New England, and preached as his broken state of health would allow, to as good acceptance as ever he did. He is now at Boston, and designs to return back to the southern governments, and from thence to England.

My heart is much encouraged and my hands strengthened in this affair, by the zeal which he (who seems always ready to every good work) shews in promoting it. I rely upon the nature and importance of the cause to plead for me, and obtain your pardon for the boldness and freedom herein used by him, who is with most sincere duty and esteem,

Madam,

Your Ladyship's

Most obedient, and

Most humble servant,

The Countess of Huntingdon.

ELEAZAR WHEELOCK.

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