Appendix on the Affairs of the Indian Mission

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 state of the Indians in these parts of America, having been represented to the Society in Scotland for propagating Christian knowledge; the said Society cheerfully.came to 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 mission.

As soon as the Correspondents were thus authorised, 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 prevailed 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 of which 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 a hundred miles. —

At his first coming among them he was well received b most, and-heartily welcomed by some of them. Those at the east end of the island especially gave diligent and serious attention to his instructions, and were many of them put upon solemn inquiries about “ whet they should do to be saved.” A general reformation of manners was soon observable among most of these Indians. They were serious and solemn in their attendance, upon both public 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 to learn them to read; and

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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 complains of a great defection from their first reformation and care about their souls, occasioned by strong drink being brought among them, and their being thereby allured to a relapse into their darling vice of drukenness: 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 oa 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 employed 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 to 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 his conduct and success in that | undertaking, is contained in a letter we lately received from himself, which is as follows.

To the Reo. 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 [ have used to propagate Christian knowledge among them, the difficul-

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ties 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 cheerfulness, both because I apprehend it will be a likely means to give pious persons, who are concerned for the kingdom of Christ, some just apprehension of the difficulties that attend the propagation of it amongst the poor Pagans; and it is hoped, will engage their more frequent and fervent prayers to God, that those may be succeeded who are employed in this arduous work; and also because I persuade myself, 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 warmer desires, that “the kingdoms of this world may speedily become the kingdom 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 concerning 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. On the first of April following I arrived among the Indians, at a place called by them Kaunaumeek, in the county of Albany, about twenty miles distant from the city eastward.

The place was sufficiently lonesome and unpleasant, being encompassed 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 Jived about two years in this wilderness. In this family £

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lodged about the space of three months, the master of it being the only person with whom I could readily converse m those parts, except my Interpreter; others understanding very little English.

After I had spent about three months im this situation, I found my distance from the Indians a very great disadvantage to my work amongst them, and very burdensome to myself. I was obliged to travel forward and backward almost daily on foot, having no pasture in which 1 could keep a horse for that purpose. After all my pains, 1 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 resolved 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. I accordingly removed soon after; and for a time, lived with them in one of their wigwams. I then built a small house, where I spent the remainder of that year entirely alone; my interpreter, who was an Indian, choosing rather to live in a wigwam among his own countrymen.

This way of living was attended with many difficulties. I found myself in a place where I could get none of the necessaries and common comforts of jlife; no, not so much as a morsel of bread, but what I brought from places fifteen and twenty miles distant; and was often obliged for some time together to content myself without, for want of an opportunity to procure the things I needed. But though 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 lest they should be prejudised against Christianity, and their minds embittered against me and my labours among them, by means of the insinuations of some who though they are called Christians, seem to have no concern for Christ’s kingdom, but had rather that the Indians should remain Heathens, that they may with the more ease cheat, and so enrich themselves by them ;—I say, the fear and concern I felt in these respects were much more pressing to me,

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than all the difficulties that attended the circumstances of my living.

As to the state or temper of mind in which 1 found these Indians, at my first coming among them, I may justly say, it was much more desirable 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 removed 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. The Indians were in some good degree prepared to entertain the truths of Christianity, instead of objecting against them, and appearing almost entirely une ‘tractable, as is common with them at first, and as perhaps these appeared a few years ago. Some of them at least ‘appeared very well disposed toward religion, and were much pleased with my coming among them.

In order “to turn them from darkness to light,” I studied what was most plain and easy, and best suited to their capacities. I endeavoured to set before them from time, as they were able to receive them, the most important and necessary truths of Christianity; such as immediately concerned their conversion to God, and such as I judged had the greatest tendency to effect that glorious change in them. Especially I made it the scope and drift of all my labours, to lead them into a thorough acquaintance with these two things. First, The sinfulness and misery of their state by nature; the evil —of their hearts, the heavy guilt they. were under, and their exposedness to everlasting punishment; also their utter inability to save themselves, either from their sins or from those miseries which are the just punishment of them; 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.

Secondly, 1 frequently endeavoured to open to them the JSulness, all-sufficiency and freeness of that redemption, which the Son of God has wrought out by his obedience and sefferings for perishing sinners; how this provision was suited to all their wants; and how he called and invited them to accept of everlasting life freely, notwithstanding all their sinfulness, inability and unworthiness.

. After 1 had been with the Indians several months, I coms

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posed some Forms of Prayer, adapted to their circunr stances and capacities; which with the help of my interpreter, ¥ translated into the Indian language; and soon learned to pronounce their words, so as to pray with them in their own tongue. I alsotranslated several Psalms into their language, and soon after we were able to sing in the worship of God. When the people had gained some acquaintance with 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 necessarily to be previously 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 designed to represent; also some of the surprising miracles God wrought for their salvation, while they trusted in him, and the sore punishments he sometimes brought upon them, when they forsook and sinned against him. Afterwards | 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 upon it.

Having thus endeavoured 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, which afforded them a more distinct and particular view of what they had before learned. 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 myself, in order to learn the Indian language with the Rev. Mr. Sargeant. There was likewise an English School constantly kept by my interpreter among the Indians; which I used frequently to visit, in order to give. the children and young people some instructions and exhortations suited to their age.

The degree of knowledge to which some of them attained, was considerable. Many of the truths of Christianity seemed fixed 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. Some of the children also

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and young people who attended the school, made. considerable proficiency 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 seemed at tines to be attended with some power upon the hearts aad consciences of the Indians. This appeared evident in a few instances, in which some were awakened to a sense of their miserable state by nature, and appeared solicitous for deliverance from it. Several came of their own accord to discourse with me about their souls; and others with tears inquired, “ what they should do to be saved ;” and whether the God that Christians served, would be merciful to those that had been frequently drank? And though I cannot say, I have satisfactory evidence of their being “ renewed in the spirit of their mind,” and savingly converted to God; yet the Spirit of God did in such a manner attend the means of grace, and so operate upon their minds as to afford 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, as well as their heathenish custom of dancing, hallooing, &c. And 1 could not but hope, that they were reformed in some measure from the sin of drunkenness. They likewise manifested a regard to the Lord’s day.; and not only behaved 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 rejoiced to observe any serious concern among them about 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 informed 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. On hearing this they appeared very sorrow-

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ful, and some of them endeavoured to persuade me to continue with them; urging that they had now heard so mach about their souls’ concerns, that they could never more be willing to live as they had done without a minister, and farther instructions in the way to heaven. 1 told them they ought to be willing that others also should hear the gospel, seeing they 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. 1 then advised them, in case should leave them and be sent elsewhere, 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. They seemed disposed to comply with this advice.

On April 6. 1744, I was directed by the Correspondents for the Indian mission to take leave of the people, with whom 1 had then spent a full year, and to go as soon as convenient to a tribe of Indians on Delaware river in Pennsylvania. On the 29th I took my leave of the people, who were mostly removed to Stockbridge, under the care of the Rev. Mr. Sargeant. 1 then set out on my journey toward - Delaware; and on May 10th, met with a number of Indians: in a place called Minnissinks, about a 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 [ spent some time, and first addressed their king in’ a friendly manner. After some discourse, and attempts to contract a friendship with him, [ told him | had a desire, for his benefit and happiness, to instruct them in Christianity. ° He laughed at it, turned his back upon me, and went away. I then addressed another principal man in the same manner, who said he was willing to hear me. After some time I followed the king into his house, and renewed my discourse to him; but he declined talking, and left the affair to another, who appeared to be a rational man. He began and talked very warmly near a quarter of arhour. He inquired why I desired the Indians to become Christians, seeing the Chris-

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Wians were so much worse.than the Indians. The Christians, he said, would lie, steal and drink, worse than the Indians. It was they who first taught the Indians to be drunk: aad they stole from one another to that degree, that their rulers were obliged to hang them for it, and yet it was aot sufficient to deter others from the like practice. But the Indians, he added, were none of them ever hanged for stealing, and yet they did not steal half so much; and he supposed that if the Indians should become Christians, they would then be as bad as these. They would live as their fathers lived, and go where their fathers were when they died. I then freely owned, lamented, and joined with him ia condemning the all 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. When he appeared calmer, 1 asked him if he was willing that 1 should come and see them again: he replied, +he should be willing to see me again as a friend, if I would not desire them to become Christians. 1 then bid them, farewel, and prosecuted my journey toward Delaware. Oa _ 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 preached to the few.that were present; they appeared very attentive, and well disposed. The king in particular seemed both to wonder, and at the same time to be well pleased with what I taught them, respecting the divine Being, &c. Since that time he has ever shewn himself friendly, 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 dwelt here are dispersed, and removed to places farther back in the country. There are not more than ten houses 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

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When I first began to preach here, the number of hearers was very small; often not exceeding twenty or twenty-five; but towards the latter part of the summer their number increased, so that I have frequently had forty persons or more at once. The effects of God’s word upon some of the Indians in this place, are somewhat encouraging. Several of them are brought to renounce idolatry, and to ‘decline partaking of those feasts which they used to offer in sacrifice to certain unknown powers. Some few among them have for a considerable time manifested a serious concern about their eternal welfare, and still continue to “ inquire 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 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 that others might be excited to do the same.

In July last I heard of a number of Indians residing at a place called Kauksesauchung, more than thirty miles westward from the place where I usually preach. I visited them, found about thirty persons, and proposed to preach to them. They readily complied, and I preached to them only twice, they being just then removing from this place, where they only lived for the present, to Susquahannah-river where they belonged.

While I was preaching they appeared sober and attentive, and were somewhat surprised, having never before heard of these things. Two or three, who suspected that I had some ill design upon them, urged that the white people had abused them, and taken their lands from them; and therefore they had no reason to think that they were now concerned for their happiness; but on the contrary, that they designed to make them slaves, or get them on board their vessels, and make them fight with the people over the water, as they expressed it, meaning the French and Spaniards. However, most of them appeared very friendly, and told me they were then going directly home to Susquahannah. They desired 1 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

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that God designed to “ open an effectual door” 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 undertuok a journey to Sasquahannah. After three days tedious travel, two of them through a wilderness almost. unpassable by reason of mountains and rocks, and two nights lodging in the open wilderness, I came to an Indian settle+ ment on the side of Susquahannah-river, called Opeholhaupung. Here were twelve Indian houses, and about seventy souls, old and young, belonging to them. Here also, soon after my arrival, 1 visited the king; addressing him with expressions of kindness, and informing 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 continued there several days, preaching every day, as long as the Indians were at home. And they in order to hear me, deferred 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 preacting. The women, supposing the affair to be of a public 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 preached 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. When I had endeavoured to answer their objections, some appeared much satisfied. I then asked the king whether 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 wished 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.

Other things in their behaviour appeared comfortable and encouraging. Upon the whole I could not but rejoice that I had taken the journey among them, though it was attended

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with many difficulties and hardships. The instructions I gave them tended in some measure to remove their heathenish jealousies and prejudices against Christianity; and I could not but hope that the God of all grace was preparing their minds to receive “the truth as it isin 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 spent,” 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 filled with prejudices against Christianity, on account of the vicious lives and unchristian behaviour of some that are called Christians. These not only set before them the worst examples, but some of them take pains, expressly 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 attached 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 “ it was 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 desired to become Christians, they frequently reply, that “they will live as. their fathers lived, and go to their fathers when they die.” If the miracles of Christ and his apostles be mentioned, to prove the truth of Christianity; they also mention miracles which their fathers told them were anciently wrought among the Indians, and which Satan makes them believe were so.—They are much attached 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 sacri-

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fice to them. They also offer 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 called powwows, who are supposed to have a power of inchanting, or poisoning 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, Their manner of living is likewise a great disadvantage to the design of their being Christianized. They are almost continually roving from place to place; and it is but rare that an opportunity can be had with some of them for their instruction. There is scarce any time of the year in which 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 roast their corn, until it is 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 | 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 “love 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 ard speedily be brought into his kingdom of grace, and made heirs of immortal glory. Iam,

Your obedient, humble servant, Davin BRAINERD.

in Pennsylvania, Nov. 5, 1744.

Forks of Delaware Sir,

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,

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yet their numbers, in the adjacent places are very considerables; who it is hoped 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, 1 thought it not best to make my first attempts among them; hoping I might hereafter be better introduced to them by means of these. Several 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. FINIS.. oe Be Fay ° at <a

E, W. MORRIS, PRINTER, WYCOMBE,

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