tive feelings, into the presence of an infinitely holy God. There is frequently a moral courage in forbearance ;-a courage, which, though not nursed by the commendations of the mighty of this world, whose praises, when properly considered, are a reproach to humanity, may produce more surprising results than the valour of armies has yet been able to accomplish.

CHAPTER IX.

Account of the praying towns in Massachusetts under Eliot's care in 1674-Account of King Philip's war, and its evil consequences with regard to the praying Indians-Extract from one of Eliot's letters, addressed to the Hon. Robert Boyle-Publication of a second edition of the Indian New Testament-Extracts from two letters addressed to Boyle, illustrative of Eliot's anxiety to circulate the Scriptures among the Indians -Money granted to Eliot to enable him to publish a second edition of the Indian Old Testament-Letter from Eliot to Boyle-Extract from Dr Increase Mather's Letter to Dr Leusden of Utrecht-Eliot's last Letter to Boyle.

IN the year 1674, when Major Gookin completed his "Historical Collections of the Indians in New-England," the principal praying towns in the colony of Massachusetts, under the care of Mr Eliot, amounted to seven. Of these we shall give such an account as is necessary to illustrate the success which, under the divine blessing, had accompanied the labours of Mr Eliot.

1. NATICK, where the first Christian church

was formed in the year 1660, contained twentynine families, and one hundred and forty-five souls, who occupied about six thousand acres of land. Most of these were of course able to attend the house of God. On the Lord's day, fast-days, * and lecture-days, they assembled at the sound of a drum. Their teachers were Anthony and John Speen; who, in conducting the religious exercises of the church, followed the example of the English. Their services consisted of solemn prayer, reading the Scriptures, praise, catechizing, preaching, and pronouncing the blessing. "In all these acts of worship, for I have been often present with them,” says Major Gookin, “ they demean themselves visibly with reverence, attention, modesty, and solemnity, the men-kind sitting by themselves, and the women-kind by themselves, according to their age, quality, and degree, in a comely manner. And for my own part, I have no doubt, but am fully satisfied, according to the judgment of charity, that divers of them do fear God, and are true believers." A considerable number of them

* Mr Eliot taught the converts to set apart days for fasting and prayer, whenever they should have occasion; and they performed the duties connected with them with a very laborious piety.-Mather's Magnalia, b. iii. p. 202.

were church members, and united with the Christian Indians of some of the neighbouring towns in celebrating the dying love of Jesus.

2. PAKEMITT, or PUNKAPOG, * was situated about fourteen miles south from Boston, contained about twelve families, and sixty souls, and possessed six thousand acres of land. The Indians who lived in this place had removed from Neponsitt mill, and had been severely tried by the apostacy, death, and removal of some of their members, and by the afflictive dispensations of divine providence. They enjoyed the instructions of William Ahatwon, a young man of piety and talent.

3. HASSANAMESITT, † the town at which the church was formed in 1671, was inferior to none of the other Indian plantations in the extent, fertility, and culture of its lands; and it annually produced a large quantity of grain and fruits. About thirty baptized persons, sixteen of whom were communicants, resided within its bounds, and worshipped God in a most becoming manner. When the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was dispensed, they were joined by other church members, who resided in other places.

4. OKOMMAKAMESIT * was situated about thirty miles westward from Boston, and contained about ten families, and fifty souls, The land belonging to it consisted of six thousand acres, and was well cultivated. It possessed several good orchards planted by the Indians. It had suffered much by the death of its ruler, who is represented as a very pious and judicious man. Its teacher's name was Solomon.

5. WAMESIT or PANTUCKET† was situated between Concord and Merrimack rivers, and distant from Boston about twenty miles. It possessed only twenty-five hundred acres of fertile land; but contained about fifteen families and seventyfive souls. These observed the same civil and religious orders as the inhabitants of the other towns, and had a constable and other officers, and a teacher called Samuel, who having been educated at the expence of the corporation, possessed a respectably cultivated mind.

This place was well situated as a fishing station, and great numbers of the Indians resorted to it from various quarters during the fishing season. Mr Eliot, as we have seen, taking advantage of this circumstance, had long been accustomed to

* Marlborough. + Tewksbury.