From the Rev. George Whitefield. My Dear Mr. Wheelock, London, February 2, 1766. This day three weeks I had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Whitaker and Mr. Occum. On their account, I have deferred my intended journey into the country all next week. They have been introduced to and dined with the Daniel of the age, viz. the truly noble Lord Dartmouth. Mr. Occum is also to be introduced by him to his majesty, who intends to favor the design with his bounty. A short memorial for the public is drawn, which is to be followed with a small pamphlet. All denominations are to be applied to, and therefore no mention is made of any particular commissioners or corresponding committees whatsoever. It would damp the thing entirely. Cashiers are to be named, and the monies collected are to be deposited with them, till drawn for by yourself. Mr. Occum hath preached for me with acceptance, and also Mr. Whitaker. They are to go round the other denominations in a proper rotation. As yet every thing looks with a promising aspect. I have procured them suitable lodgings. I shall continue to do every thing that lies in my power. Mr. S is providentially here-a fast friend to your plan and his dear country. I wish you joy of the long wished for, long prayed for repeal, and am, my dear Mr. Wheelock, Yours, &c. in our glorious head, GEORGE WHITEFIELD. Rev. and dear Sir, From the Rev. Charles J. Smith. Brookhaven, Long Island, March 12, 1766. I long to hear from you, and am anxious to learn what reception and success Mr. Whitefield finds, and the dear missionaries, and also what is become of the apostolic Mr. Kirkland. and what prospect there is of supporting those missions, &c. &c. Though the times are hard and difficult, yet the earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof. And as he hath hitherto, so he hopefully still will own, and bless your noble design. May we not argue with Manoah's wife? "If the Lord were pleased to let the school fall through, he would have not, heretofore, so remarkably owned it, neither would he have done such great things for it, as have come to pass." A letter of intelligence to the care of Mr. D, will be safely forwarded, and refreshing as the spices of Arabia, to one who has been exiled from the beloved pulpit, almost ever since he left his dear friend and father at Lebanon. The commission from your Rev. board will be highly ac ceptable, whenever the gentlemen appointed can conveniently attend to draw it up; and please to forward it by Mr. D. As you, sir, know its design, it is needless to desire may be as full as the charter will permit, Is it worth while for me to write to Mr. E- to enquire whether the charter will answer the end proposed, and shield one against the attacks of the establishment in Virginia? it The discourse on regeneration, delivered there, accompanies this, and solicits your acceptance. Pray write as often as you can, which will lay great obligations upon, and much rejoice, Rev. Mr. Wheelock. Reverend Sir, Yours affectionately, CHARLES J. SMITH. From the Mayor in behalf of the Aldermen, &c. of the Rev. Sir. county of Albany. May, 1766. We are favored with your letter of the 21st, and with Mr. S's of the 10th of April last. The design of christianizing the Indians, and diffusing the light of the gospel to those anhappy people, that have not yet partaken of that divine blessing, is so truly charitable, and favorable to humanity, that it deserves all the encouragement and attention, that it has met with from our gracious sovereign, and those worthy benefactors, who so generally followed the royal example. We esteem ourselves peculiarly happy that an opportunity is offered us, to show how much we are inclined to promote a plan so universally countenanced, and so deservedly applauded. We have informed ourselves of the Rev. Mr. Kirkland, to whom you was pleased to refer us for particulars. The affair is of so much importance, that it claims our most serious and delibe rate consideration, and the little time allowed from the speedy return of Mr. does not permit us to send you our proposals by him: we shall however embrace the earliest opportunity to convey them to you, and we hope that when you get them, they will be such as will meet with your approbation, and merit the consideration of those worthy gentlemen in England, to whom this affair is referred. We beg leave to assure you, sir, of our particular regard for you; we wish you much of the divine grace, and health to go on with this good work, of which (greatly to your honor be it spoken, and may it long be gratefully remembered) you have been the first promoter. We are, Rev. Sir, Your most humble servant, V. DOW, Mayor, &c. To the Rev. George Whitefield. Lebanon, July 24, 1766. Rev. and dear Sir, I wrote you via Boston a few days ago, and have nothing now to write but to the same purpose. Mr. Kirkland returned from his long tour to the Senecas, May 19, accompanied by Tekanonde, the chief warrior of that : tribe, and one whose influence is great. He appears to be of pregnant genius, an affable temper, benevolent, steady, judicious, manly, and has always been friendly to the English. A protector and steady friend to dear Mr. Kirkland, amidst per ils and dangers too many and great to relate and describe in a letter. They came to Hartford, while the general assembly were sitting the governor and company showed him great respect, and made a handsome entertainment for him. The governor delivered him a speech, and received his answer, (Mrs Kirkland being their interpreter) much to the satisfaction and admiration of the whole assembly. After this they made them a present of £20. The black general was much affected with their kindness and respect, and marvelled much to find the country so peopled. He was lame with the gout or rheuma tism, or he would have gone to Boston. He seemed much affected with my representation of the wretched and miserable condition of his nation, &c. and gave in to it (I believe heartily) that we were the people whom God loves, and that they had been cast off by him a long time. He said he would go and tell his nation what I had said, and what he believed; but, said he, they will all rise up against me, when I do so. We clothed him in scarlet, and sat him on a sprightly horse (instead of a very mean one, which he brought with him.) He was greatly pleased and affected with my school, and was often so affected with the ignorance and brutality of his own people, that he would sometimes talk with Mr. Kirkland, and weep a great part of the night, and sometimes seemed almost overwhelmed with sorrow. Now, said he, I find all those things, which Mr. Kirkland had told me, and a great deal more, are true. He often spake of the corruption of manners among the Indians, since their acquaintance with our traders and soldiers. And indeed it seems these have made them sevenfold worse than the devil could make them. Mr. Kirkland was ordained the 19th ult. and a solemn assembly indeed we had on that occasion. David Fowler, after being detained about three weeks by sickness, returned from Oneida the 27th ult. in company with M. one who kept a school among the Mohawks last year, and W- one of his own scholars; and would have been accompanied also by one of the chief men of that tribe, had he not been detained to condole the death of his uncle, the chief warrior of that nation. David also gave account of several murders of Indians, committed by the English, which Sir William Johnson feared would, baffle all his endeavors for peace, as he writes me by David.» This rupture has disconcerted my plan for this year, as it shuts up our way to the Oneidas and Senecas. I am sensible, my dear sir, of my obligations to you, and have been sometimes solicitons what return of gratitude to make suitable thereto, and can find none; but this is enough that your work and reward too, is with the Lord, "who is not unrighteous to forget your works and labors of love, which you have showed towards his name." I am, Rev. and Dear Sir, Yours, in our glorious head, &c. To the Rev. N. Whitaker: My very Dear Brother, Lebanon, July 30, 1766. I wrote you a few days ago via Boston, and referred you to mine of the same date to Mr. Whitefield, as I must in this also. I never was so continually full, and crowded with business, for so long time together, as I have been of late. I have made It my care that my ministry should not be blamed. I depend wholly upon agriculture for my support; and I have still as much, and intirely as ever. The care of my school, and every thing that concerns the missionaries, and the planning all their missions, and all provisions of every kind for that purpose." |
