Part 2
If indeed a Truck-Master should prove an unfaithful Servant, and enrich himself by defrauding them, he might have Occasion for _English_ Soldiers to protect him and his Stores; but if they found him faithful, friendly and just in his Dealings with them, they would be as careful of him as of their own Eyes, and venture their own Lives for him. What would not the _Indians_ of _Stockbridge_ have done for Mr. _Sergeant_ in his Day, whom they had found to be their true and hearty Friend? And what would they not now do for Mr. _Woodbridge_, of whom the have had the like Experience? _Indians_ will be as ready as the _English_, and perhaps much more so, to serve and protect, if there be Occasion, those whom they have found to be their faithful and real Friends.
In a Word, I apprehend, that if we had in Times past treated the Natives according to the Rules of Equity and Justice, it would have been quite sufficient to have engaged them in our Interest, and to have kept them in Amity and Friendship with us; and that, even now, they might in a little Time be attached to us, by such Treatment: But this, I confess, I despair of, if every private Person must be left at his Liberty to treat them as he pleases, and to defraud them of all they have; which I take to be the Case in _New-York_ Government, who lie next to the _Five Nations_, and have their Trade; tho’ in this _Province_ we have good Laws in Force to restrain private Persons from selling them strong Drink.
2. We should also exercise that Kindness and Generosity towards them, that shall convince them that it is for their Interest to be in Friendship with us. We should not, in a Case of such Importance, content ourselves with being barely just in our Treatment of them, but we should also be kind and generous, as a proper Expedient to obtain the End proposed. I am aware, I shall here be quickly interrupted with this Exclamation;
What! _kind_ and _generous_ to such an ungrateful evil Crew! To which I shall only answer, We have good Authority for being _kind to the Unthankful, and to the Evil_. And if that good Being who recommends it to us, had not given an Example of it, in his Dealings with us, how deplorable had our State been? This kind Temper and Behaviour is recommended to us in the Gospel, not only because it is the Will of our heavenly Father that we should be kind, but also because the Exercise of it answers excellent Ends; produces very good and desirable Effects; such as Love, Friendship, Peace, &c. And while we make a Profession of Christianity, it is Pity the Practice of it, in so material an Article, should be objected against. And is it not very proper that we should exercise Kindness and Generosity to the poor Natives, when there is a strong Probability of its being of very happy Consequence both to them and us?
A great deal of Kindness and Generosity has been exercised towards the River _Indians_ at _Housatunnuk_, by this _Government_, by the honourable _Corporation_ at Home, by their honourable and reverend _Commissioners_ at _Boston_, by the Rev. Mr. _Hollis_, by the Rev. Mr. _Sergeant_, Mr. _Woodbridge_, and others; and the Consequence has been very happy as to them; they are brought to the Knowledge of the Gospel, and to a Christian Profession; and many of them, we hope, to the saving Knowledge of God. We also have found the Benefit of this kind Usage of them; for thereby they are become our hearty Friends, are united to us in their Affections, and were a Means, in the Hand of Providence, of covering our most Western Frontiers the last War. And were the like Kindness shewn by us to other Tribes, is there not Room to hope that the Effects might be alike happy? If Townships, suitable for _Indians_ to settle in, were provided in our Frontiers, and it were proposed to them, that if they would come and settle in them, they should not only enjoy the Land as their own, but also have a Minister supported among them to instruct them in the Christian Religion; and also a School-Master to teach their Children to read and write; would not this induce many of them, especially of the better Sort, to come and settle in our Borders? And would they not cover our Frontiers in case of a War with _France_?
What has been done for the _Indians_ at _Stockbridge_, has doubtless been much observed and approved of by the _Natives_ far and near. That there is a School set up at _Canada_, in Imitation of Mr. _Sergeant_’s School at _Stockbridge_, and a large Number of Scholars in it, we have heard and receive for Truth. That the _French_, who esteem Ignorance to be the Mother of Devotion, and do not desire to teach the _Indians_ any Thing more than to say their Beads, and to cross themselves, have done this out of Choice, is not at all likely. They do not desire that their _Indians_ should become a knowing People. But yet, being sensible that the Report of Mr. _Sergeant_’s School had spread itself far and wide, and that their _Indians_ were pleased with the Method the _English_ had taken to furnish the _Natives_ with Knowledge, they apprehended, that unless something like it were done among them, there would be Danger of the _Indians_ repairing to us for Instruction, and to prevent this, and to engage them to themselves, they set up their School. This, I conjecture, is the Truth of the Case. And if so, it is manifest that the _Indians_ are inclined to seek after Knowledge; and therefore would be disposed to hearken to such kind and generous Proposals, if they were made to them. And who can tell but that this, that, or the other Tribe, would gladly settle such Towns, if they were invited to it in a proper Manner?
3. Another Step, and perhaps the most promising one we can take, to engage the _Indians_ in Friendship with us is, to send Missionaries among their respective Tribes, Ministers and Schoolmasters, to instruct them in the Principles, and to persuade them to the Practice of Christianity. Tho’ they have so long lived near us, and been conversant with us, yet they remain ignorant of the Way of Salvation, Strangers to the Gospel, and are perishing for lack of Knowledge: A Case that might well move our Pity and Compassion towards them, and put us upon doing what we can for their Relief. And whether our former Neglect of Things of this Nature has not been provoking to Heaven, may be worthy of our serious Enquiry.
The Interest the Rev. Mr. _Barclay_ had in the _Mohawks_, while he was with them, the Reformation of Manners he wrought among them, their Willingness to receive Instruction, and their Engagedness to prosecute Learning, are a plain Indication that faithful Missionaries would be welcome to them. And the _Five Nations_ being nearest us, and their Friendship of very great Consequence, it might be proper to begin with them: And what has been done among them by Mr. _Barclay_ and others, might be no small Help in the Case. If we should send Persons well qualified for the Business to reside among them, and support them well, there would be no Foundation for any Jealousy that we have an ill Design upon them, and if at any time such Jealousies should arise, they would soon subside, upon the _Indians_ having a little Experience of our Kindness and Friendship to them. The prudent Conduct and faithful Labours of such Missionaries might, by the Blessing of God, serve to remove their Barbarity, correct their Manners, reform their Lives, promote in them virtuous Sentiments, and by Degrees form them to true Religion. This we may hope would be the happy Event, with Respect to many of them, tho’ not to all; and if, by much Labour and Expence, it might be brought to pass, should we not find our Account in it; for what would be the Charge of supporting a few Missionaries, compared with that of an _Indian_ War? And is there not great Probability that such Measures would in a few Years Time attach them to us in a hearty Friendship? And if the _Five Nations_, who are a Terror to, and have in great Measure the Command of, other Tribes, were indeed our Friends, and made so by such Obligations laid upon them, would it not be an effectual Means of restraining other _Indians_ from giving us Trouble in case of a War?
The general Objection here, I am sensible, will be;--There is no Likelihood of succeeding, and therefore it is not worth While to make any Trial; it would only be to spend Labour and Money to no good Purpose. To which I reply,
How can we draw the Conclusion before we have made the Experiment? Have we ever made any proper Trial, and found ourselves disappointed? And can it be looked upon just to draw such a Conclusion, in a Case of such Importance, unless we had better Grounds for it?
It is true, Mr. _Sergeant_ made a Visit to the _Susquehanna Indians_, Mr. _Brainard_ also, in his Day, did the same, without Success; but we know that the Excuse those _Indians_ made was, that they held their Lands of the _Five Nations_, and therefore could not comply with such a Motion, till their Consent was first obtained. And besides, shall we esteem two or three Visits made by private Persons a sufficient Trial in this Case? Sufficient indeed it was to shew that those good Gentlemen were possest of an excellent Spirit, and of a laudable Zeal for the Good of the poor Natives; but yet I apprehend not sufficient to discourage further Attempts. If those Gentlemen, who went in a private Capacity, had sustained a publick Character, perhaps they had been more regarded. But however, when we have used our best Endeavours, and they indeed prove unsuccessful, we may be excusable; but can we look upon ourselves so, if we sit still, and use no Endeavours for the Help of those poor benighted People?
If proper Attempts should be made for Christianizing the _Five Nations_, there would, I am sensible, some notable Difficulties lie in the Way, but yet perhaps none but what might be surmounted.
One Difficulty that would doubtless attend such a laudable Undertaking, would arise from those who maintain a private Trade among them, from which they reap great Gain; especially by the Article of Rum, too much of which they convey to them, and by the Influence of which the _Indians_ are easily defrauded.
These Traders would be very sensible, that if Christianity should prevail among those _Nations_, the _Hope of their Gain_ would be _gone_, and _seeing by this Craft they have their Wealth_, they would use their utmost Endeavours to dissuade the _Indians_ from embracing the Ways of Religion. They in Fact did so at _Housatunnuk_, where the Number of _Indians_ was small, and their Trade not so considerable. How much more then will they do it, if Endeavours should be used to convert the _Mohawks_, whose Trade is vastly more advantageous? But as the _Indians_ at _Housatunnuk_, by Mr. _Sergeant_’s Help, saw thro’ the Artifice they used, and were made sensible of the selfish Views of the Traders, so doubtless the _Five Nations_ may easily be informed, and the Obstruction soon removed.
Another Difficulty will arise from the false Insinuations of _Romish_ Emissaries, who will not fail to tell them, that we are about to teach them a false Religion, and if they hearken to us, they will all certainly be damned. But when those _Indians_ are properly informed of the Conduct of the _French_, and other Roman Catholicks, how they deny the Use of the Bible to the common People among themselves, and that they have no Design to acquaint the _Indians_ with the Word of God: And on the other Hand, that our Design is not to impose upon them, but to open the Bible to them, to enable them to read it, and to judge for themselves; will not this satisfy them of our honest Intentions towards them, and of the Safety and Propriety of their examining Things, that they may form a Judgment for themselves?
A third, and perhaps much the greatest Difficulty that would attend this good Design is, that those _Indians_ esteem themselves Christians already, and value themselves upon their being as good Christians as their Neighbours. Mr. _Sergeant_, in his Journal of _November_ 25, 1734, says,--‘The _Mohawks_ are generally Professors of Christianity, but for want of Instruction have but little of it in Reality.--’ They are so ignorant of the Principles of Religion, that they know not the Difference between one who is baptized, and calls himself a Christian, and one who lives agreeably to the Rules Christ has given us to walk by. They are not sensible of the Necessity of being conformed to those Rules of Virtue and Holiness which Christ has prescribed. _Romish_ Emissaries have baptized some of them, others (as I have been informed) have been baptized by _Dutch_ Ministers; and they esteem it a Privilege belonging to them to have their Children baptized, whenever they present them, without any Regard being had, either to the Qualifications of the Parent, or the religious Education of the Child. When the Rev. Mr. _Spencer_ was among them a few Years ago, they were much displeased that he declined baptizing some Children, whose Parents were notoriously ignorant, vicious and wicked. Some _Indians_ from _Canada_, who had an _English_ Woman to their Mother, came a few Years past to _Westfield_ to visit their _English_ Relations there, and while they staid at that Place, they had a Child born, and were much offended with the Rev. Mr. _Balantine_, who declined baptizing of it, as they desired. Since the Rev. Mr. _Edwards_ has been at _Stockbridge_, one of the _Mohawks_ residing there had a Child born, and was highly affronted because Mr. _Edwards_ did not baptize it upon his Desire. From these Instances it is evident, that they account their Children have Right to Baptism, whenever they desire it. And being baptized, they esteem them good Christians, whatever their Conversation may be; for they derive their Notions of Christianity, not from the Bible (to which they are Strangers) but from the Example of the _Dutch_ and _French_, with whom they are conversant, and who profess themselves to be Christians.
And so far forth as being baptized, in the forementioned Manner, and calling themselves Christians will make them so, they are so to be esteemed. Now these Things being so, it may prove a difficult Thing to make them sensible, that Drunkenness, and other vicious Practices, are inconsistent with Christianity; because those Christians, who fall under their Observation, give them an Example of Vice, and go such Lengths therein.
But yet I apprehend this Difficulty might also be removed, by giving them a just and true Account of the Nature and Extent of the Christian Religion, by informing them what the Will of _Christ_ is; how he expects that we should be conformed to his Likeness, and to his Laws. The _Indians_ are as capable of hearing Reasons, and giving them their Weight, as other Men; and it is because they know not what Christianity is, that they esteem themselves Christians, in their present Circumstances. When they are made acquainted with the Terms of Salvation, proposed in the Gospel, and what they must do that they may inherit eternal Life; when they are well instructed in the Doctrines of _Christ_, they will be sensible that the Religion which they now have, is little or nothing like that which is taught by the Gospel. When Mr. _Edwards_ refused to baptize a _Mohawk_ Child born at _Stockbridge_ (which I have before mentioned) and they were very much displeased with him on that Account, he went to them, gave them the Reasons of his Conduct, and informed them as clearly as he was able, of the Nature and End of Baptism: Those _Indians_ received the Force of his Reasons, and appeared to be satisfied and contented, when he had taken Pains to inform them. And I doubt not but proper Instruction and Information would remove the Difficulty I have been speaking of.
Tho’ Christianizing those _Indians_ may prove a difficult Work, yet if our Endeavours might, by the divine Blessing, be succeeded, would not the Advantage thence arising to them, and us, more than compensate the Pains and Expence we should be at? And is there not so much Ground to hope for Success, as should induce us to make the Experiment?
I shall now conclude, by briefly suggesting a few Things, not yet mentioned, the serious Consideration of which may excite us to use our best Endeavours for the Conversion of the neighbouring _Indians_ to the Christian Faith.
1. And in the first Place, should not the Consideration of the divine Bounty and Goodness, bestowed upon us, excite us to employ Part of that undeserved Goodness to promote the Knowledge of God, our bountiful Benefactor, among those who are destitute of it? Thro’ the undeserved Favour and Blessing of God, we have been prosperous in our secular Affairs, succeeded in our Husbandry, Trade, &c. and are become a wealthy People: And, were we as willing as we are able, might we not spare large Sums for the Propagation of the Gospel among the Heathen? Ought we not then to shew our Gratitude to the glorious Author of all our Comforts, by employing a Part of his Bounty to promote the Redeemer’s Kingdom? Is it not fit that we should thus _honour the Lord with our Substance_? Does it not lie as a Reproach upon us, who make an high Profession, that we expend so little to promote the Knowledge of God among the _Natives_, and so much to ill Purposes? Were what we employ in unnecessary Expences, by which Pride and Luxury are indulged and nourished, employed in the laudable Method I am recommending; would it not be sufficient well to support a Multitude of Missionaries among the neighbouring Tribes? Would it not probably be a Means of turning many of them _from the Power of Satan to God_? And would it not be _an Odour of a sweet Smell, a Sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God_[1]? And seeing God, by his Blessings, has enabled us to contribute to such a good Design, should we not chearfully give of our Substance, for the spiritual Benefit of the perishing Heathen?
2. Should not the Light and Grace of the Gospel, which we, thro’ divine Goodness enjoy, be a stronger Argument still to excite us to endeavour the Conversion of the Heathen?
A few Generations back we were in a State of Heathenism, as they now are: _Aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel--and without God in the World_[2]. But, thro’ divine Goodness, _the Day-spring from on High has visited us_, and we enjoy the Light and Privileges of the Gospel-Dispensation. Seeing then God has had Compassion on us, and bestowed upon us those richest Blessings, ought we not to have Compassion on the neighbouring Heathen, and use our best Endeavours that they also may be made Partakers of the Light and Blessings of the Gospel?
3. Should we not be moved to such charitable Endeavours from the Consideration of the wretched and forlorn Circumstances, in which the poor _Natives_ appear before our Eyes? We often behold those piteous Objects, appearing half naked, and almost starved; which is the Effect of their vicious Way of Living. We see them also in the Depths of Ignorance and Barbarity; wholly unacquainted with the Way of Salvation, and quite unconcerned for their eternal Good: And yet their Powers, both of Body and Mind, are not inferior to our own. Were they brought to Civility and Industry, they might stand upon equal Ground with us, respecting the Comforts of Life; and were they instructed in divine Things, made acquainted with the great and important Truths of the Gospel, they might stand as fair for the Kingdom of Heaven as we do. Should not our Eyes therefore affect our Hearts, when we behold them in such miserable Circumstances? And should we not exert ourselves in all proper Ways for their Help? Did the Wounds of the poor Man _half dead_, who _fell among Thieves_, plead with so much Eloquence for human Compassion, as the unhappy State of the poor _Natives_ does for Christian Charity? And if the Compassion of a _Samaritan_ was moved by the former, how much more should the Bowels of a _Christian_ be moved by the latter?
4. The noble Example of some generous and pious Persons, at Home, may well excite us to liberal Contributions for the Benefit of the poor Heathen.
Not only publick Societies, but also private Persons, in _Great-Britain_, have generously and liberally contributed for the Benefit of the _Natives_, in this distant Part of the World. Tho’ they are at 3000 Miles Distance, and never beheld, as we do, those miserable Objects; yet, from a truly pious and generous Spirit, they have sent over their liberal Contributions, that the Heathen, by their Means, may be informed in the Way of Life. _Verily, they shall not lose their Reward._ A noble Example they set before us, most worthy our Imitation: And how can we excuse ourselves, if we neglect to copy after it? Some indeed may plead their Inability, but this is not the Case of all. Are there not among us many wealthy Merchants and Traders? Are there not also many Farmers, who abound in Wealth, upon the Lands which were, a few Years ago, the Property of the _Indians_, who now stand in Need of their Charity? Should not such Persons be moved, by the generous Examples of others, to help forward the noble Design of converting the Heathen? Yea, are not the People in general able to do something to help forward so good a Design? And will it not lie as a Reproach upon us, if we, who make a high Profession of Religion, prove void of Charity, when we are so loudly called to the Exercise of it, not only by the laudable Example of generous Benefactors at Home; but also by the perishing Circumstances of the neighbouring _Indians_?
I shall only add my hearty Wishes, that this _American_ Continent, which, for Ages unknown, has been a Seat of Darkness, and _full of the Habitations of Cruelty_, may become a Scene of Light and Love; that the Heathen in it, who have been wont to thirst after Blood, may _hunger and thirst after Righteousness; That the Wilderness and solitary Place may be glad for them, the Desart rejoice and blossom as the Rose;----That the Glory of_ Lebanon _may be given unto it, the Excellency of_ Carmel _and_ Sharon; _That they may see the Glory of the Lord, and the Excellency of our God_[3].
_FINIS._
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Phil. iv. 18.
[2] Ephes. ii. 12.
[3] Isaiah xxxv. 1, 2.
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Transcriber’s Notes:
Footnotes have been moved to the end of the text and relabeled consecutively through the document.
Punctuation has been made consistent.
Variations in spelling and hyphenation were retained as they appear in the original publication, except that obvious typographical errors have been corrected.