Sermon at Ordination of David Brainerd, Appendix
An APPENDIX, Containing a ſhort Account of the Endeavours, that have been uſed by the Miſſionaries of the SOCIETY in Scotland for propagating Chriſtian Knowledge, to introduce the Goſpel among the Indians upon the Borders of New-York, &c.
THE deplorable, periſhing State of the Indians in theſe Parts of America, being by ſeveral Miniſters here repreſented to the Society in Scotland for propagating Chriſtian Knowledge; the ſaid Society charitably and chearfully came into the Propoſal of maintaining two Miſſionaries among theſe miſerable Pagans, to endeavour their Converſion from Darkneſs to Light, and from the Power of Satan unto GOD: and ſent their Commiſſion to ſome Miniſters and other Gentlemen here, to act as their Correſpondents, in providing, directing, and inſpecting the ſaid Miſſion.
As ſoon as the Correſpondents were authorized by the Society's Commiſſion, they immediately looked out for two Candidates of the evangelical Miniſtry, whoſe Zeal for the Intereſts of the REDEEMER's Kingdom, and whoſe Compaſſion for poor periſhing Souls, would prompt them to ſuch an exceeding difficult and ſelf-denying Undertaking. — They firſt prevail'd with Mr. Azariah Horton to relinquiſh a Call to an encouraging Pariſh, and to devote himſelf to the Indian Service. — He was directed to Long-Iſland, in Auguſt 1741, at the Eaſt End whereof there are two ſmall Towns of the Indians; and from the Eaſt to the Weſt End of the Iſland, leſſer Companies ſettled at a few Miles Diſtance from one another, for the Length of above an Hundred Miles.— At his firſt coming among theſe, he was well received by the moſt, and heartily welcom'd by ſome of them.— They at the Eaſt End of the Iſland eſpecially, gave diligent and ſerious Attention to his Inſtructions, and were many of them put upon ſolemn Enquiries about what they ſhould do to be ſaved.— A general Reformation of Manners was ſoon obſervable among the moſt of theſe Indians.—They were careful to attend, and ſerious and ſolemn in Attendance, upon both publick and private Inſtructions. — A Number of them were under very deep Convictions of their miſerable periſhing State; and about twenty of them give laſting Evidences of their ſaving Converſion to God.— Mr. Horton has baptized thirty five Adults, and forty four Children. — He took Pains with them to learn them to read; and ſome of them have made conſiderable Proficiency. But the Extenſiveneſs of his Charge, and the Neceſſity of his travelling from Place to Place, makes him incapable of giving ſo conſtant Attendance to their Inſtruction in Reading, as is needful. In his laſt Letter to the Correſpondents, he heavily complains of a great Defection of ſome of them, from their firſt Reformation and Care of their Souls, occaſioned by ſtrong Drink being brought among them, and their being thereby allured to a Relapſe into their darling Vice of Drunkenneſs: A Vice, to which the Indians are every where ſo greatly addicted, and ſo vehemently diſpoſed, that Nothing but the Power of divine Grace can reſtrain that impetuous Luſt, when they have Opportunity to gratify it. He likewiſe complains, that ſome of them are grown more careleſs and remiſs in the Duties of religious Worſhip, than they were when firſt acquainted with the great Things of their eternal Peace.— But as a Number retain their firſt Impreſſions, and as they generally attend with Reverence upon his Miniſtry, he goes on in his Work, with encouraging Hopes of the Preſence and Bleſſing of God with him in his difficult Undertaking.
This is a general View of the State of the Miſſion upon Long-Iſland, collected from ſeveral of Mr. Horton's Letters; which is all that could now be offered, not having as yet a particular Account from Mr. Horton himſelf.
It was ſome Time after Mr. Horton was imploy'd in the Indian Service, before the Correſpondents could obtain another qualified Candidate for this ſelf-denying Miſſion. At length they prevailed with Mr. David Brainerd, to refuſe ſeveral Invitations unto Places where he had a promiſing Proſpect of a comfortable Settlement among the Engliſh, to encounter the Fatigues and Perils, that muſt attend his carrying the Goſpel of Chriſt to theſe poor miſerable Savages. — A general Repreſentation of whoſe Conduct and Succeſs in that Undertaking, is contain'd in a Letter we lately received from himſelf, which is as follows.—
To the Reverend Mr. EBENEZER PEMBERTON.
Rev. Sir,
SINCE you are pleaſed to require of me ſome brief and general Account of my Conduct in the Affair of my Miſſion amongſt the Indians; the Pains and Endeavours I have uſed to propagate Chriſtian Knowledge among them; the Difficulties I have met with in Purſuance of that great Work; and the hopeful and encouraging Appearances I have obſerved in any of them: I ſhall now endeavour to anſwer your Demands, by giving a brief but faithful Account of the moſt material Things relating to that important Affair, with which I have been, and am ſtill concerned. And this I ſhall do with more Freedom, and Chearfulneſs, both becauſe I apprehend it will be a likely Means to give pious Perſons, who are concern'd for the Kingdom of CHRIST, ſome juſt Apprehenſion of the many and great Difficulties, that attend the Propagation of it amongſt the poor Pagans, and conſequently 'tis hopeful, will engage their more frequent and fervent Prayers to God, that thoſe may be ſucceeded, who are employ'd in this arduous Work: And alſo becauſe I perſuade my ſelf that the Tidings of the Goſpel's ſpreading among the poor Heathen, will be, to thoſe who are waiting for the Accompliſhment of the Glorious Things ſpoken of the City of our God, as good News from a far Country: And that theſe will be ſo far from deſpiſing the Day of ſmall Things, that on the contrary the leaſt Dawn of Encouragement and Hope, in this important Affair, will rather inſpire their pious Breaſts with more generous and warm Deſires, that the Kingdoms of this World, may ſpeedily become the Kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Chriſt.
I ſhall therefore immediately proceed to the Buſineſs before me, and briefly touch upon the moſt important Matters, that have concern'd my Miſſion, from the Beginning to this preſent Time.
On March 15, 1743. I waited on the Correſpondents for the Indian Miſſion at New-York; and the Week following, attended their Meeting at Woodbridge in New-Jerſey, and was ſpeedily diſmiſſed by them with Orders to attempt the Inſtruction of a Number of Indians in a Place ſome Miles diſtant from the City of Albany. And on the firſt Day of April following, I arrived among the Indians, at a Place call'd by them Kaunaumeek, in the County of Albany, near about twenty Miles diſtant from the City Eaſtward.
The Place, as to its Situation, was ſufficiently loneſome, and unpleaſant, being incompaſſed with Mountains, and Woods; twenty Miles diſtant from any Engliſh Inhabitants; ſix, or ſeven from any Dutch; and more than two from a Family that came, ſome Time ſince, from the Highlands of Scotland, and had then liv'd (as I remember) about two Years in this Wilderneſs. In this Family I lodg'd about the Space of three Months, the Maſter of it being the only Perſon with whom I could readily converſe in thoſe Parts, except my Interpreter; others underſtanding very little Engliſh.
After I had ſpent about three Months in this Situation, I found my Diſtance from the Indians a very great Diſadvantage to my Work amongſt them, and very burdenſome to my ſelf; as I was oblig'd to travel forward and backward almoſt daily on Foot, having no Paſture in which I could keep my Horſe for that Purpoſe. And after all my Pains, could not be with the Indians in the Evening and Morning, which were uſually the beſt Hours to find them at home, and when they could beſt attend my Inſtructions.
I therefore reſolv'd to remove, and live with or near the Indians, that I might watch all Opportunities, when they were generally at Home, and take the Advantage of ſuch Seaſons for their Inſtruction.
Accordingly I removed ſoon after; and, for a Time, liv'd with them in one of their Wigwams: and not long after, built me a ſmall Houſe, where I ſpent the Remainder of that Year intirely alone; my Interpreter (who was an Indian) chooſing rather to live in a Wigwam among his own Country-Men.
This Way of living I found attended with many Difficulties, and uncomfortable Circumſtances, in a Place where I could get none of the Neceſſaries and common Comforts of Life (no, not ſo much as a Morſel of Bread) but what I brought from Places fifteen and twenty Miles diſtant, and oftentimes was oblig'd, for ſome Time together to content my ſelf without, for Want of an Opportunity to procure the Things I needed.
But although the Difficulties of this ſolitary Way of living are not the leaſt, or moſt inconſiderable, (and doubtleſs are in Fact many more and greater to thoſe who experience, than they can readily appear to thoſe, who only view them at a Diſtance) yet I can truly ſay, that the Burden I felt reſpecting my great Work among the poor Indians, the Fear and Concern that continually hung upon my Spirit, leſt they ſhould be prejudic'd againſt Chriſtianity, and their Minds imbitter'd againſt me, and my Labours among them, by Means of the Inſinuations of ſome who (although they are call'd Chriſtians) ſeem to have no Concern for CHRIST's Kingdom, but had rather (as their Conduct plainly diſcovers) that the Indians ſhould remain Heathens, that they may with the more Eaſe cheat, and ſo inrich themſelves by them; The Burden, I ſay, the Fear, and Concern I felt in theſe Reſpects were much more preſſing to me, than all the Difficulties that attended the Circumſtances of my living.
As to the State or Temper of Mind, in which I found theſe Indians, at my firſt coming among them, I may juſtly ſay, it was much more deſireable, and encouraging, than what appears among thoſe who are altogether uncultivated. Their Heatheniſh Jealouſies and Suſpicion and their Prejudices againſt Chriſtianity, were in a great Meaſure remov'd by the long continued Labours of the Rev. Mr. Sargeant among a Number of the ſame Tribe, in a Place little more than twenty Miles diſtant: by which Means theſe were, in ſome good Degree, prepar'd to entertain the Truths of Chriſtianity, inſtead of objecting againſt them, and appearing almoſt intirely untractable, as is common with them at firſt and as perhaps theſe appear'd a few Years ago. Some of them, at leaſt, appear'd very well diſpos'd toward Religion, and ſeem'd much pleas'd with my coming among them.
In my Labours with them, in Order to turn them from Darkneſs to Light, I ſtudied what was moſt plain, and eaſy, and beſt ſuited to their Capacities: and endeavour'd to ſet before them from Time to Time (as they were able to receive them) the moſt important, and neceſſary Truths of Chriſtianity; ſuch as moſt immediately concern'd their ſpeedy Converſion to God, and ſuch as I judg'd had the greateſt Tendency (as means) to effect that glorious Change in them. But eſpecially I made it the Scope and Drift of all my Labours, to lead them into a thorow Acquaintance with theſe two Things. — Firſt, the Sinfulneſs and Miſery of the Eſtate they were naturally in: The Evil of their Hearts, the Pollution of their Natures: The heavy Guilt they were under, and their Expoſedneſs to everlaſting Puniſhment; as alſo their utter Inability to ſave themſelves, either from their Sins, or from thoſe Miſeries which are the juſt Puniſhment of them; and their Unworthineſs of any Mercy at the Hand of God, on Account of any Thing they themſelves could do to procure his Favour, and conſequently their extreme Need of CHRIST to ſave them. — And, Secondly, I frequently endeavoured to open to them the Fulneſs, Alſufficiency, and Freeneſs of that Redemption, which the SON of GOD has wrought out by his Obedience and Sufferings, for periſhing Sinners: How this Proviſion he had made, was ſuited to all their Wants; and how he call'd and invited them to accept of everlaſting Life freely, notwithſtanding all their Sinfulneſs, Inability, Unworthineſs, &c.
After I had been with the Indians ſeveral Months, I compos'd ſundry Forms of Prayer, adapted to their Circumſtances and Capacities; which with the Help of my Interpreter, I tranſlated into the Indian Language; and ſoon learn'd to pronounce their Words ſo as to pray with them in their own Tongue. I alſo tranſlated ſundry Pſalms into their Language, and ſoon after we were able to ſing in the Worſhip of God.
When my People had gained ſome Acquaintance with many of the Truths of Chriſtianity, ſo that they were capable of receiving, and underſtanding many others, which at firſt could not be taught them, by Reaſon of their Ignorance of thoſe that were neceſſary to be previviouſly known, and upon which others depended; I then gave them an hiſtorical Account of God's Dealings with his ancient profeſſing People, the Jews: Some of the Rites, and Ceremonies, they were obliged to obſerve, as their Sacrifices, &c. And what theſe were deſign'd to repreſent to them: As alſo ſome of the ſurprizing Miracles God wrought for their Salvation, while they truſted in him, and the ſore Puniſhments he ſometimes bro't upon them, when they forſook and ſinn'd againſt him. Afterwards I proceeded to give them a Relation of the Birth, Life, Miracles, Sufferings, Death, and Reſurrection of CHRIST: as well as his Aſcenſion, and the wonderful Effuſion of the Holy SPIRIT conſequent thereupon.
And having thus endeavour'd to prepare the Way by ſuch a general Account of Things, I next proceeded to read, and expound to them the Goſpel of St. Matthew (at leaſt the Subſtance of it) in Courſe, wherein they had a more diſtinct, and particular View of what they had before ſome general Notion of.
Theſe Expoſitions I attended almoſt every Evening, when there was any conſiderable Number of them at Home; except when I was obliged to be abſent my ſelf, in Order to learn the Indian Language with the Rev. Mr. Sargeant.— Beſides theſe Means of Inſtruction, there was likewiſe an Engliſh School conſtantly kept by my Interpreter among the Indians: which I us'd frequently to viſit, in Order to give the Children and young People ſome proper Inſtructions, and ſerious Exhortations ſuited to their Age.
The Degree of Knowledge to which ſome of them attain'd, was conſiderable. Many of the Truths of Chriſtianity ſeem'd fix'd in their Minds, (eſpecially in ſome Inſtances,) ſo that they would ſpeak to me of them, and aſk ſuch Queſtions about them, as were neceſſary to render them more plain and clear to their Underſtandings.
The Children alſo, and young People, who attended the School, made conſiderable Proficiency (at leaſt ſome of them) in their Learning; ſo that had they underſtood the Engliſh Language well, they would have been able to read ſomewhat readily in a Pſalter.
But that which was moſt of all deſirable, and gave me the greateſt Encouragement amidſt many Difficulties and diſconſolate Hours, was, that the Truths of God's Word ſeem'd, at Times, to be attended with ſome Power upon the Hearts and Conſciences of the Indians. And eſpecially this appeared evident in a few Inſtances, who were awaken'd to ſome Senſe of their miſerable Eſtate by Nature, and appear'd ſolicitous for Deliverance from it. Several of them came, of their own Accord, to diſcourſe with me about their Soul's Concerns; and ſome, with Tears, enquired what they ſhould do to be ſaved? And whether the GOD that Chriſtians ſerv'd, would be merciful to thoſe that had been frequently drunk, &c.
And although I can't ſay, I have ſatisfactory Evidences of their being renewed in the Spirit of their Mind, and ſavingly converted to God, yet the Spirit of God did (I apprehend) in ſuch a Manner attend the Means of Grace, and ſo operate upon their Minds thereby, as might juſtly afford Matter of Encouragement to hope, that God deſigned Good to them, and that he was preparing his Way into their Souls.
There likewiſe appeared a Reformation in the Lives and Manners of the Indians.
Their idolatrous Sacrifices (of which there was but one or two, that I know of, after my coming among them) were wholly laid aſide. And their Heatheniſh Cuſtom of Dancing, Halloeing, &c. they ſeem'd in a conſiderable Meaſure broken off from. And I could not but hope, that they were reform'd in ſome Meaſure from the Sin of Drunkenneſs. They likewiſe manifeſted a Regard to the Lord's Day: And not only behav'd ſoberly themſelves, but took Care alſo to keep their Children in Order.
Yet after all I muſt confeſs, that as there were many hopeful Appearances among them, ſo there were ſome Things more diſcouraging. And while I rejoic'd to obſerve any Seriouſneſs, and Concern among them about the Affairs of their Souls, ſtill I was not without continual Fear and Concern, leſt ſuch encouraging Appearances might prove like a Morning-Cloud, that paſſeth away.
When I had ſpent near a Year with the Indians, I inform'd them that I expected to leave them in the Spring then approaching, and to be ſent to another Tribe of Indians, at a great Diſtance from them: Upon hearing of which they appear'd very ſorrowful, and ſome of them endeavour'd to perſwade me to continue with them; urging that they had now heard ſo much about their Souls Concerns, that they could never more be willing to live as they had done, without a Miniſter, and further Inſtructions in the Way to Heaven, &c. Whereupon I told them, they ought to be willing that others alſo ſhould hear about their Soul's Concerns, ſeeing thoſe needed it as much as themſelves. Yet further to diſſuade me from going, they added, that thoſe Indians, to whom I had Thoughts of going (as they had heard) were not willing to become Chriſtians, as they were, and therefore urged me to tarry with them. I then told them, that they might receive further Inſtruction without me; but the Indians, to whom I expected to be ſent, could not, there being no Miniſter near to teach them. And hereupon I adviſed them, in Caſe I ſhould leave them, and be ſent otherwhere, to remove to Stockbridge, where they might be ſupplied with Land, and Conveniences of Living, and be under the Miniſtry of the Rev. Mr. Sargeant: Which Advice, and Propoſal, they ſeem'd diſpoſed to comply with.
On April 6, 1744. I was order'd and directed by the Correſpondents for the Indian Miſſion, to take Leave of the People, with whom I had then ſpent a full Year, and to go (as ſoon as conveniently I could) to a Tribe of Indians on Delaware-River in Pennſylvania.
Theſe Orders I ſoon attended, and on April 29th took Leave of my People, who were moſtly remov'd to Stockbridge under the Care of the Rev. Mr. Sargeant. I then ſet out on my Journey toward Delaware; and on May tenth, met with a Number of Indians in a Place called Minniſſinks, about an hundred and forty Miles from Kaunaumeek (the Place where I ſpent the laſt Year) and directly in my Way to Delaware-River. With theſe Indians I ſpent ſome Time, and firſt addreſs'd their King in a friendly Manner; and after ſome Diſcourſe, and Attempts to contract a Friendſhip with him, I told him I had a Deſire (for his Benefit and Happineſs) to inſtruct them in Chriſtianity. At which he laugh'd, turn'd his Back upon me, and went away. I then addreſs'd another Principal Man in the ſame Manner, who ſaid he was willing to hear me. After ſome Time, I follow'd the King into his Houſe, and renew'd my Diſcourſe to him: but he declin'd talking, and left the Affair to another, who appeared to be a rational Man. He began, and talked very warmly near a Quarter of an Hour together: he enquired why I deſir'd the Indians to become Chriſtians, ſeeing the Chriſtians were ſo much worſe than the Indians are in their preſent State. The Chriſtians, he ſaid, would lie, ſteal, and drink, worſe than the Indians. 'Twas they firſt taught the Indians to be drunk: And they ſtole from one another, to that Degree, that their Rulers were obliged to hang them for it, and that was not ſufficient to deter others from the like Practice. But the Indians, he added, were none of them ever hang'd for Stealing, and yet they did not ſteal half ſo much; and he ſuppos'd that if the Indians ſhould become Chriſtians, they would then be as bad as theſe. And hereupon he ſaid, they would live as their Fathers liv'd, and go where their Fathers were when they died. I then freely owned, lamented, and join'd with him in condemning the ill Conduct of ſome, who are called Chriſtians: told him, theſe were not Chriſtians in Heart; that I hated ſuch wicked Practices, and did not deſire the Indians to become ſuch as theſe.—And when he appear'd calmer, I aſk'd him if he was willing, that I ſhould come and ſee them again: he replied, he ſhould be willing to ſee me again: as a Friend, if I would not deſire 'em to become Chriſtians.—I then bid them farewell, and proſecuted my Journey toward Delaware. And May 13th I arrived at a Place called by the Indians, Sakhauwotung, within the Forks of Delaware in Pennſylvania.
Here alſo, when I came to the Indians, I ſaluted their King, and others, in a Manner I thought moſt engaging. And ſoon after informed the King of my Deſire to inſtruct them in the Chriſtian Religion. After he had conſulted a few Minutes with two or three old Men, he told me, he was willing to hear. I then preach'd to thoſe few that were preſent: who appear'd very attentive, and well-diſpoſed. And the King in particular ſeemed both to wonder, and at the ſame Time to be well pleas'd with what I taught them, reſpecting the DIVINE BEING, &c. And ſince that Time he has ever ſhewn himſelf friendly to me, giving me free Liberty to preach in his Houſe, whenever I think fit.—Here therefore I have ſpent the greater Part of the Summer paſt, preaching uſually in the King's Houſe.
The Number of Indians in this Place, is but ſmall: moſt of thoſe that formerly belong'd here, are diſpers'd, and remov'd to Places farther back in the Country. There are not more than ten Houſes hereabouts, that continue to be inhabited; and ſome of theſe are ſeveral Miles diſtant from others, which makes it difficult for the Indians to meet together ſo frequently as could be deſir'd.
When I firſt began to preach here, the Number of my Hearers was very ſmall; often not exceeding twenty or twenty-five Perſons: But towards the latter Part of the Summer, their Number increas'd, ſo that I have frequently had forty Perſons, or more at once: and oftentimes the moſt of thoſe belonging to thoſe Parts, came together to hear me preach.
The Effects which the Truths of God's Word have had upon ſome of the Indians, in this Place, are ſomewhat encouraging. Sundry of them are brought to renounce Idolatry, and to decline partaking of thoſe Feaſts which they uſed to offer in Sacrifice to certain ſuppoſed unknown Powers. And ſome few Inſtances among them have, for a conſiderable Time, manifeſted a ſerious Concern for their Soul's eternal Welfare, and ſtill continue to enquire the Way to Zion, with ſuch Diligence, Affection, and becoming Solicitude, as gives me Reaſon to hope, that God who (I truſt) has begun this Work in them, will carry it on, until it ſhall iſſue in their ſaving Converſion to himſelf. Theſe not only deteſt their old idolatrous Notions, but ſtrive alſo to bring their Friends off from them. And as they are ſeeking Salvation for their own Souls, ſo they ſeem deſirous, and ſome of them take Pains, that others might be excited to do the like.
In July laſt I heard of a Number of Indians reſiding at a Place (call'd Kaukſéſauchung) more than thirty Miles Weſtward from the Place where I uſually preach. I viſited them, found about thirty Perſons, and propoſed my Deſire of preaching to them: they readily comply'd, and I preach'd them only twice; they being juſt then removing from this Place (where they only liv'd for the preſent) to Suſquahannah-River where they belong'd.
While I was preaching, they appear'd ſober, and attentive; and were ſomewhat ſurpriz'd, having never before heard of theſe Things. There were two or three, who ſuſpected that I had ſome ill Deſign upon them; and urg'd, that the white People had abus'd them, and taken their Lands from them, and therefore they had no Reaſon to think that they were now concern'd for their Happineſs: But on the contrary, that they deſign'd to make them Slaves, or get them on board their Veſſels, and make them fight with the People over the Water (as they expreſs'd it) meaning the French and Spaniards, However, the moſt of them appear'd very friendly, and told me, they were then going directly home to Suſquahannah, and deſired I would make them a Viſit there, and manifeſted a conſiderable Deſire of farther Inſtruction.
This Invitation gave me ſome Encouragement in my great Work; and made me hope, that God deſign'd to open an effectual Door to me for ſpreading the Goſpel among the poor Heathen farther Weſtward.
In the Beginning of October laſt, with the Advice and Direction of the Correſpondents for the Indian Miſſion, I undertook a Journey to Suſquahannah. And after three Days tedious Travel, two of them thro' a Wilderneſs almoſt unpaſſable by Reaſon of Mountains and Rocks, and two Nights lodging in the open Wilderneſs, I came to an Indian Settlement on the Side of Suſquahannah-River, call'd Opeholhaupung: where were twelve Indian Houſes, and (as nigh as I could learn) about ſeventy Souls, old and young, belonging to them.
Here alſo, ſoon after my Arrival, I viſited the King, addreſſing him with Expreſſions of Kindneſs: and after a few Words of Friendſhip, inform'd him of my Deſire to teach them the Knowledge of Chriſtianity. He heſitated not long before he told me, that he was willing to hear. I then preached, and continu'd there ſeveral Days, preaching every Day, as long as the Indians were at Home. And they in order to hear me, deferr'd the Deſign of their general Hunting (which they were juſt then entering upon) for the Space of three or four Days.
The Men, I think, univerſally (except one) attended my Preaching. Only, the Women, ſuppoſing the Affair we were upon was of a publick Nature, belonging only to the Men, and not what every individual Perſon ſhould concern himſelf with, could not readily be perſuaded to come and hear: but, after much Pains uſed with them for that Purpoſe, ſome few ventured to come, and ſtand at a Diſtance.
When I had preach'd to the Indians ſeveral Times, ſome of them very frankly propoſed what they had to object againſt Chriſtianity; and ſo gave me a fair Opportunity for uſing my beſt Endeavours to remove from their Minds thoſe Scruples and Jealouſies they laboured under: And when I had endeavour'd to anſwer their Objections, ſome appeared much ſatisfied. I then aſked the King if he was willing I ſhould viſit, and preach to them again, if I ſhould live to the next Spring: He replied, he ſhould be heartily willing for his own Part, and added, he wiſh'd the young People would learn &c. I then put the ſame Queſtion to the reſt: Some anſwered, they ſhould be very glad, and none manifeſted any diſlike to it.
There were ſundry other Things in their Behaviour, which appeared with a comfortable, and encouraging Aſpect; that, upon the whole, I could not but rejoice I had taken that Journey among them, altho' it was attended with many Difficulties and Hardſhips. The Method I uſed with them, and the Inſtructions I gave them (I am perſuaded) were Means in ſome Meaſure, to remove their heatheniſh Jealouſies, and Prejudices againſt Chriſtianity: And I could not but hope, the God of all Grace was preparing their Minds to receive the Truth as it is in Jeſus. If this may be the happy Conſequence, I ſhall not only rejoice in my paſt Labours and Fatigues; but ſhall, I truſt, alſo be willing to ſpend and be ſpend, if I may thereby be inſtrumental to turn them from Darkneſs to Light, and from the Power of Satan to GOD.
Thus, Sir, I have given you a faithful Account of what has been moſt conſiderable reſpecting my Miſſion among the Indians; in which I have ſtudied all convenient Brevity. I ſhall only now take leave to add a Word or two reſpecting the Difficulties that attend the Chriſtianizing of theſe poor Pagans.
In the firſt Place, Their Minds are fill'd with Prejudices againſt Chriſtianity, on Account of the vicious Lives and unchriſtian Behaviour of ſome that are call'd Chriſtians. Theſe not only ſet before them the worſt Examples, but ſome of them take Pains, expreſly in Words, to diſſuade them from becoming Chriſtians; foreſeeing, that if theſe ſhould be converted to God, the Hope of their unlawful Gain would thereby be loſt.
Again, Theſe poor Heathens are extremely attach'd to the Cuſtoms, Traditions and fabulous Notions of their Fathers. And this one ſeems to be the Foundation of all their other Notions, viz. that 'twas not the ſame GOD made them, who made the White People, but another who commanded them to live by Hunting, &c. and not conform to the Cuſtoms of the white People.— Hence when they are deſir'd to become Chriſtians, they frequently reply, that they will live as their Fathers liv'd, and go to their Fathers, when they die. And if the Miracles of Chriſt and his Apoſtles be mentioned, to prove the Truth of Chriſtianity; They alſo mention ſundry Miracles, which their Fathers have told them were anciently wro't among the Indians, and which Satan makes them believe were ſo.—They are much attach'd to Idolatry: Frequently making Feaſts, which they eat in Honour to ſome unknown Beings, who, they ſuppoſe, ſpeak to them in Dreams; promiſing them Succeſs in Hunting, and other Affairs, in Caſe they will ſacrifice to them. They oftentimes alſo offer their Sacrifices to the Spirits of the Dead; who, they ſuppoſe, ſtand in Need of Favours from the Living, and yet are in ſuch a State as that they can well reward all the Offices of Kindneſs that are ſhewn them. And they impute all their Calamities to the Neglect of theſe Sacrifices.
Furthermore, they are much awed by thoſe among themſelves, who are call'd Powwaws, who are ſuppoſed to have a Power of Inchanting, or poyſoning them to Death, or at leaſt in a very diſtreſſing Manner. And they apprehend it would be their ſad Fate to be thus inchanted, in Caſe they ſhould become Chriſtians.
Laſtly, The Manner of their living is likewiſe a great Diſadvantage to the Deſign of their being Chriſtianized. They are almoſt continually roving from Place to Place; and 'tis but rare, that an Opportunity can be had with ſome of them for their Inſtruction. There is ſcarce any Time of the Year, wherein the Men can be found generally at home, except about ſix Weeks before, and in, the Seaſon of planting their Corn, and about two Months in the latter Part of Summer, from the Time they begin to road their Corn, until 'tis fit to gather in.
As to the Hardſhips that neceſſarily attend a Miſſion among them, the Fatigues of frequent Journeying in the Wilderneſs, the Unpleaſantneſs of a mean and hard Way of Living, and the great Difficulty of addreſſing a People of a ſtrange Language, theſe I ſhall, at preſent, paſs over in Silence; deſigning what I have already ſaid of Difficulties attending this Work, not for the Diſcouragement of any, but rather for the Incitement of all, who live the Appearing and Kingdom of Chriſt, to frequent the Throne of Grace with earneſt Supplications, that the Heathen, who were anciently promiſed to Chriſt for his Inheritance, may now actually and ſpeedily be brought into his Kingdom of Grace, and made Heirs of immortal Glory. —
I am, Sir, Your obedient, humble Servant, David Brainerd. From the Forks of Delaware in Pennſylvania, Nov. 5. 1744.
P. S. It ſhould have been obſerved in the preceding Account, that although the Number of Indians in the Place I viſited on Suſquahannah River, in October laſt, is but ſmall, yet their Numbers in the adjacent Places are very conſiderable: Who, 'tis hopeful, might be brought to embrace Chriſtianity by the Example of others. But being at preſent ſomewhat more ſavage, and unacquainted with the Engliſh, than theſe I viſited, I thought it not beſt to make my firſt Attempts among them; hoping I might hereafter be better introduc'd among them by Means of theſe.—Sundry of the neighbouring Settlements are much larger than this: ſo that there are, probably, ſeveral hundreds of the Indians not many Miles diſtant.
D. B.
ERRATA.
Pag. 10. lin. 2. read over a ——
P. 12, l. 30. r. effectual —
P. 27. l. 22. r. Jealouſy —
End of the text · Ebenezer Pemberton, Sermon at Ordination of David Brainerd (1744)