ness and diligence, during the period of twentyfour years, and afforded high satisfaction to Mr Eliot, who viewed him as eminently qualified to supply his lack of service, h

h Mather, b. iii, p. 191. b. iv. p. 154.

I

CHAPTER VI.

66

Opposition to the corporation for Propagating the Gospel in New-England-Extract from one of Eliot's letters, relating his success in the conversion of the Indians, and their progress in erecting a town remote from the English-Natick finished-Eliot establishes civil order among the English-Natick visited by the Governor of Massachusetts-Eliot adopts measures for the formation of a Christian church, and writes down the confessions of the Indians-Account of a great assembly" at Natick-The New-England ministers refuse to form a church among the Indians-Mr Eliot's feelings on this subject, and Dr I. Mather's opinion about the Indians-Account of the death of two Indian children-Eliot prosecutes his labours, and applies to the General Court in behalf of the Indians-Grants of settlements to the Indians-Daniel Gookin appointed ruler of the praying Indians-Difficulties relative to the settlement of the Indians at PunkipogExhortations of two Indians-Church formed at Natick.

WE have already been made acquainted with Mr Eliot's intention to establish a settled form of government among the Indians,-to institute schools for their education,-and to form those who ap

peared to be truly converted into a Christian church. We have also seen the hope which he entertained of being able to carry his plans into effect, and of receiving such pecuniary assistance from England as was necessary in the circumstances in which he was placed.

The corporation for Propagating the Gospel in New-England afforded him all the encouragement which they were warranted to do, on a consideration of the money which they had received, and the prospect of an accession to their funds which they could reasonably entertain. The benevolent individuals, however, who composed this body, though supported by the influence of Parliament, and several of the most eminent individuals of the day, had to struggle with much opposition. Their motives and their proceedings were misrepresented; and they were assailed by a multitude of objections, from many of whom they entertained the most charitable opinion. Amidst all the difficulties, however, with which they had to contend, they acted with the greatest prudence. They contributed "their labour and their pains freely to the work, without the least diminution of the stock;" and adopted the kindest means of rebutting the accusations which had been brought against them. Having

done nothing wrong, they had nothing to conceal; and, with the view of satisfying the public that the charitable donations entrusted to them were not misapplied, they invited a weekly inspection of their books, which contained "an account of their receipts, disbursements, and manner of proceeding." Acting in this manner, and conscious of the goodness of their cause, they trusted that God would advance its interests; and they found accordingly that he stirred up the hearts of some eminent Christians to contribute in a liberal manner to its support, and " to charge their lands with a yearly revenue to the corpora

very

tion." a

Mr Eliot, having been informed of these circumstances, proceeded in the execution of his plans; and, in a letter addressed to a member of the corporation, and dated 28th February, 1651, he gave a pleasing view of the progress which he had made, and of the improvements which, by the divine blessing, were gradually taking place in the moral condition of the Indians.

a Address to the Christian Reader, apud Strength out of Weaknesse; or, a Glorious Manifestation of the further progresse of the gospel among the Indians, London 1652, and p. 40.

"In matters of religion," he says,

they go

on, not only in knowledge, but also in the practice and power of grace. I have seen lively actings of charity out of reverence to the command of the Lord. We offered twelve-pence a night to any who would tend an old destitute paralytic man; and for mere hire none would abide it :out of mere charity, however, some of the families did take care of him. The old man doth wisely testify that their love is sincere, and that they truly pray to God. I could, with a word spoken in our churches, have this poor man relieved; but I do not, because I think the Lord hath afflicted him for the trial of their grace, and exercise of their love.

"One of our principal men, Wamporas, is dead. He made so gracious an end of his life, embraced death with such holy submission to the Lord, and was so little terrified at it, as that he hath greatly strengthened the faith of the living. I think he did more good by his death than he could have done by his life. One of his sayings was, 'God giveth us three mercies in the world; the first is health and strength, the second is food and clothes,-the third is sickness and death; and when we have had our share in the two first, why should we not be willing to take our part in