CHAPTER VII.

Natick. The Indians build a bridge. Scenery of Charles River.

The Arsenal at Watertown. Indian names. Mrs. Sigourney’s Lines.

Gov. Endicott’s Letter. Proceedings preparatory to forming

an Indian Church. Confessions of several Indians. Indian

Catechism. Number in the Indian Church at Natick. Eliot’s

Indian Grammar. His Indian Bible. Remarks upon it. A copy sent

to Charles II. Richard Baxter’s remark. Further observations on

the Indian Bible. 14 places of praying Indians, in 1660. Mr.

Bancroft’s testimony. Indian Youths at Harvard College.

We come now to another stage in the history of the Indian mission.

It has already been said that in 1650 Mr. Eliot obtained a grant of land

for the Indians, for the purpose of building houses and organizing a town

government. The place selected was called NATICK, which means _a place

of hills_. There the Indians began to build houses, each house having

a piece of land attached to it for agriculture. One large building was

erected to be the property of the town, the lower part to be used for a

school-room and place of worship, the upper room to be a place of deposit

for skins and articles of public property, with a bed for Mr. Eliot.

In one of his letters to friends in England, Mr. Eliot says,

“There is a great river which divideth between their planting grounds

and dwelling place, through which they easily wade in summer, yet in

the spring it is deep and unfit for daily passing over, especially of

women and children.” He proposed to the Indians that they should make a

foot bridge over it, which was accordingly built, and was ninety feet

long and nine feet high. When it was finished, Mr. Eliot called the

Indians together, prayed, and gave thanks to God, and taught them out of

a portion of Scripture. He then told them that as it had been hard and

tedious labor in the water, if any of them desired wages for their work

he would give it to them, yet considering the work was for their own use,

if they should do all that labor in love, he should take it well and

remember it.

They replied that they were far from desiring any wages for doing their

own work, and on the contrary were thankful for their employment,—at

which Mr. Eliot praised them for their readiness and ingenuity at such

work. This bridge is said to have lasted longer than one which the

English built about the same time at Dedham.

It would be interesting if we could identify some of the favorite

places of the Indians in this vicinity. It is pleasant to think that they

were often grouped together at that most charming point where the Charles

River bends round the arsenal at Watertown. No one who has stood on the

bridge at that place on a summer morning when the mists were rising

from the stream, or in the after part of the day, when the sun was in

the right position over the curving parts of the stream to make their

outlines brilliant as gold in the green meadow, can have failed to think

that had such scenery occurred to him in Italy or Scotland, he would have

found it celebrated in the works of the poet and painter. We have only

to take journeys about home to find in the part of the country where we

live, views and scenes both natural and historical of thrilling interest.

It is easy to imagine the light canoe borne rapidly along the winding

vales of the Charles River; we meet with Indian names in almost every

village which is watered by that interesting stream, as well as in other

places. Wrentham has its Nuckup hill; Norwich its Quenaboag and Shetucket

river; Auburn its Boggachoog brook; Lancaster its Weshakum ponds; and

Natick its Pegan plain.

The following lines by Mrs. Sigourney may appropriately be introduced

here.

INDIAN NAMES.

“How can the red man be forgotten, while so many of our states

and territories, bays, lakes and rivers, are indelibly stamped

by names of their giving?”

Ye say, that all have passed away,

That noble race and brave,

That their light canoes have vanished

From off the crested wave;

That ’mid the forests where they roamed,

There rings no hunter’s shout;

But their name is on their waters,

Ye may not wash it out.

’Tis where Ontario’s billow,

Like Ocean’s surge is curled,

Where strong Niagara’s thunders wake

The echo of the world,

Where red Missouri bringeth

Rich tributes from the west,

And Rappahannock sweetly sleeps,

On green Virginia’s breast.

Ye say their cone-like cabins,

That clustered o’er the vale,

Have fled away like withered leaves,

Before the autumn gale;

But their memory liveth on your hills,

Their baptism on your shore,

Your everlasting rivers speak

Their dialect of yore.

Old Massachusetts wears it

Within her lordly crown,

And broad Ohio bean it

Amid her young renown;

Connecticut hath wreathed it,

Where her quiet foliage waves,

And bold Kentucky breathes it hoarse,

Through all her ancient caves.

Wachuset hides its lingering voice,

Within his rocky heart,

And Alleghany graves its tone

Throughout his lofty chart;

Monadnock on his forehead hoar,

Doth seal the sacred trust;

Your mountains build their monuments,

Though ye destroy their dust.

The Society for Propagating the Gospel among the Indians of North

America, an account of which will be found in the appendix to this

volume, published a letter addressed to them by Governor Endicott, of

Massachusetts. It is interesting as a testimony to the advancement which

the Indians had made in religion and civilization, and as a specimen

of the personal interest which good rulers in former times took in the

promotion of the kingdom of Christ in the earth. The letter is here

printed as it is written, with the Introduction by the Society:

“The next Letter you meet withall came from the present

Governour of the _Massachusets_, directed to the President of

our Corporation, and another of the Members thereof, which

wee thought good to publish, that every Christian Reader may

partake in the same consolation, wherewith he and we are

comforted; and joyne with us in prayer to the Lord of the

Harvest, that he would provide more Labourers to enter upon

this soul-saving worke, and enlarge the hearts of all his

people in this Nation towards the same.”

“_Much honoured and beloved in the Lord Jesus_:

I Esteeme it not the least of God’s mercies that hath

stirred up the hearts of any of the people of God to be

instrumentall in the inlarging of the Kingdome of his deare

Sonne here amongst the Heathen _Indians_, which was one

end of our comming hither, and it is not frustrated. It

was prophesied of old, and now begins to be accomplished,

_Psal._ 2:8. Neither can I but acknowledge the unspeakable

goodnesse of God that gives us favour in the sight of our

Countreymen to helps on with so large a hand of bounty, so

glorious a work, provoked thereunto by your worthy selves,

the chiefs Actors of so good a designe, let me (with leave)

say confidently, you will never have cause to repent it;

For the work is Gods and he doth owne it, the labour there

hath been yours, and your Master will reward it. I think

Religion and Conscience binde me to seek unto God for you,

and to praise him with you, for what is already begun. The

Foundation is laid, and such a one that I verily beleeve

the gates of Hell shall never prevaile against. I doubt

not but the building will goe on apace, which I hope will

make glad the hearts of Thousands. Truly Gentlemen, had

you been eare and eye-witnesses of what I heard and saw on

a Lecture-day amongst them about three weeks since, you

could not but be affected therewith as I was. To speak

truly I could hardly refrain tears from very joy to see

their diligent attention to the word first taught by one

of the _Indians_, who before his Exercise prayed for the

manner devoutly and reverently (the matter I not so well

understanding) but it was with such reverence, zeale,

good affection, and distinct utterance, that I could not

but admire it; his Prayer was about a quarter of an houre

or more, as we judged it; then he took his Text, and

Mr. _Eliot_ their Teacher told us that were _English_,

the place (there were some Ministers and diverse other

godly men there that attended me thither) his Text was

in, _Matth._ 13:44, 45, 46. [The kingdom of heaven is

like unto treasure, &c. And to a merchant man, &c.] He

continued in his Exercise full halfe an houre or more, as

I judged it, his gravity and utterance was indeed very

commendable; which being done Mr. _Eliot_ taught in the

_Indian_ tongue about three quarters of an hour as neer

as I could guesse; the _Indians_ which were in number men

and women neer about one hundred, seemed the most of them

so to attend him, (the men especially) as if they would

loose nothing of what was taught them, which reflected much

upon some of our _English_ hearers. After all there was a

_Psalme_ sung in the _Indian_ tongue, and _Indian_ meeter,

but to an _English_ tune, read by one of themselves, that

the rest might follow, and he read it very distinctly

without missing a word as we could judge, and the rest

sang chearfully, and prettie tuneablie. I rid on purpose

thither being distant from my dwelling about thirty eight,

or forty miles, and truly I account it one of the best

Journeyes I made these many years. Some few dayes after I

desired Mr. _Eliot_ briefly to write me the substance of

the _Indians_ Exercise, which when he went thither again,

namely to _Naticke_, where the _Indians_ dwell, and where

the _Indian_ taught, he read what he remembered of it first

to their School-Master who is an _Indian_, and teacheth

them and their Children to write, and I saw him write also

in _English_, who doth it true and very legible, and asked

him if it were right, and he said yea, also he read it unto

others, and to the man himselfe, who also owned it. To tell

you of their industry and ingenuitie in building of an

house after the _English_ manner, the hewing and squaring

of their tymber, the sawing of the boards themselves, and

making of a Chimney in it, making of their ground-sells

and wall-plates, and mortising, and letting in the studds

into them artificially, there being but one _English_ man

a Carpenter to shew them, being but two dayes with them,

is remarkeable. They have also built a Fort there with

halfe trees cleft about eight or ten inches over, about

ten or twelve foot high, besides what is intrencht in the

ground, which is above a quarter of an acre of ground, as

I judge. They have also built a foot bridge over _Charles_

Rivers, with Groundsells and Spurres to uphold it against

the strength of the Flood and Ice in Winter; it stood

firme last Winter, and I think it will stand many Winters.

They have made Drummes of their owne with heads and brases

very neatly and artificially, all which shews they are

industrious and ingenuous. And they intend to build a

Water-Mill the next Summer, as I was told when I was with

them. Some of them have learnt to mow grasse very well.

I shall no further trouble you with any more Relation at

this time concerning them. But a word or two further with

your patience concerning other _Indians_. The work of

God amongst the _Indians_ at _Martins Vineyard_, is very

hopefull and prosperous also. I mist of Mr. _Mayhew_ their

Teacher, who was lately at _Boston_, and therefore cannot

give you a particular account thereof at this present time;

yet I cannot but acquaint you what other motions there

are touching other _Indians_. There came to us upon the

20th of this instant Moneth, at the Generall Court one

_Pummakummim_ Sachem of _Qunnubbagge_, dwelling amongst or

neer to the _Narragansets_, who offered himselfe and his

Men to worship God, and desired that some _English_ may

be sent from the _Massachusets_ Government to plant his

River, that thereby he may be partaker of Government, and

may be instructed by the _English_ to know God. We shall

I hope take some care and course about it, and I hope we

shall have more help to carry on that work also; For there

are some Schollers amongst us who addict themselves to the

study of the _Indian_ Tongue. The Lord in mercy recompence

it into your Bosomes, all that labour of love vouchsafed

to the poor _Indians_, which are the hearty prayers, and

earnest desire of, much honoured,

_Boston the 27th of the Eight. 1651._ Your loving Friend in

all service of Christ.

JOHN ENDECOTT.”

The prudence and caution of Mr. Eliot in his proceedings with regard to

the formation of a Church among the Indians are not a little remarkable.

He says,

“In way of preparation of them thereunto, I did this Summer

call forth sundry of them in the dayes of our public Assemblies

in Gods Worship; sometimes on the Sabbath when I could be with

them, and sometimes on Lecture daies, to make confession before

the Lord of their former sins, and of their present knowledg

of Christ, and experience of his Grace; which they solemnly

doing, I wrote down their Confessions: which having done, and

being in my own heart hopeful that there was among them fit

matter for a Church, I did request all the Elders about us to

hear them reade, that so they might give me advice what to

do in this great and solemn business; which being done on a

day appointed for the purpose, it pleased God to give their

Confessions such acceptance in their hearts, as that they saw

nothing to hinder their proceeding, to try how the Lord would

appear therein. Whereupon, after a day of Fasting and Prayer

among ourselves, to seek the Lord, in that behalf, there was

another day of Fasting and Prayer appointed, and publick notice

thereof, and of the names of Indians were to confess, and enter

into Covenant that day, was given to all the Churches about

us, to seek the Lord yet further herein, and to make solemn

Confessions of Christ his Truth and Grace, and further to try

whether the Lord would vouchsafe such grace unto them, as to

give them acceptance among the Saints, into the fellowship of

Church-Estate, and enjoyment of those Ordinances which the Lord

hath betrusted his Churches withal. That day was the thirteenth

of the eighth month.

When the Assembly was met, the first part of the day was

spent in Prayers unto God, and exercise in the Word of God;

in which my self first and after that two of the Indians

did Exercise; and so the time was spent till after ten or

near eleven of the clock. Then addressing our selves unto

the further work of the day, I first requested the reverend

Elders (many being present) that they would ask them Questions

touching the fundamental Points of Religion, that thereby

they might have some tryal of their knowledg, and better that

way, than if themselves should of themselves declare what

they beleeve, or than if I should ask them Questions in these

matters: After a little conference hereabout, it was concluded,

That they should first make confession of their experience

in the Lords Work upon their hearts, because in so doing, it

is like something will be discerned of their knowledg in the

Doctrines of Religion: and if after those Confessions there

should yet be cause to inquire further touching any Point

of Religion it might be fitly done at last. Whereupon we so

proceeded, and called them forth in order to make confession.

It was moved in the Assembly by Reverend Mr. _Wilson_, that

their former Confessions also, as well as these which they made

at present, might be read unto the Assembly, because it was

evident that they were daunted much, to speak before so great

and grave an Assembly as that was, but time did not permit it

so to be then: yet now in my writing of their Confessions I

will take that course, that so it may appear what encouragement

there was to proceed so far as we did; and that such as may

reade these their Confessions, may the better discern of the

reality of the Grace of Christ in them.”

He afterwards says,

“In the year 52 I perceiving the grace of God in sundry of

them, and some poor measure of fitnesse (as I was perswaded)

for the enjoyment of Church-fellowship, and Ordinances of Jesus

Christ, I moved in that matter, according as I have in the

Narration thereof, briefly declared. In the year 53 I moved not

that way, for these Reasons.

I having sent their Confessions to be published in _England_,

I did much desire to hear what acceptance the Lord gave unto

them, in the hearts of his people there, who daily labour at

the Throne of grace, and by other expressions of their loves,

for an holy birth of this work of the Lord, to the praise of

Christ, and the inlargement of his Kingdome. As also my desire

was, that by such Books as might be sent hither, the knowledge

of their Confessions might be spread here, unto the better and

fuller satisfaction of many, then the transacting thereof in

the presence of some could doe. These Books came by the latter

Ships (as I remember) that were bound for _New England_, and

were but newly out when they set saile, and therefore I had not

that answer that year, which my soule desired, though something

I had which gave encouragement, and was a tast of what I have

more fully heard from severall this year, praised be the Lord.

Besides there fell a great damping and discouragement upon

us by a jealousie too deeply apprehended, though utterly

groundlesse, _viz._ That even these praying _Indians_ were

in a conspiracy with others, and with the _Dutch_, to doe

mischief to the _English_. In which matter, though the ruling

part of the People looked otherwise upon them, yet it was no

season for me to stir or move in this matter, when the waters

were so troubled. This businesse needeth a calmer season,

and I shall account it a favour of God when ever he shall

please to cause his face to shine upon us in it. Yet this I

did the last year, after the Books had been come a season,

there being a great meeting at _Boston_, from other Colonies

as well as our owne, and the Commissioners being there, I

thought it necessary to take that opportunity to prepare and

open the way in a readinesse against this present year, by

making this Proposition unto them; namely, _That they having

now seen their confessions, if upon further triall of them in

point of knowledge, they be found to have a competent measure

of understanding in the fundamentall points of Religion; and

also, if there be due testimony of their conversation, that

they walke in a Christian manner according to their light, so

that Religion is to be seen in their lives; whether then it be

according to God, and acceptable to his people, that they be

called up unto Church estate?_ Unto which I had I blesse the

Lord, a generall approbation.

Accordingly this year 54 I moved the Elders, that they would

give me advice and assistance in this great businesse, and that

they would at a fit season examine the _Indians_ in point of

their knowledge, because we found by the former triall, that a

day will be too little (if the Lord please to call them on to

Church-fellowship) to examine them in points of Knowledge, and

hear their Confessions, and guide them into the holy Covenant

of the Lord. Seeing all these things are to be transacted in a

strange language, and by Interpreters, and with such a people

as they be in these their first beginnings. But if they would

spend a day on purpose to examine them in their knowledge

there would be so much the more liberty to doe it fully and

throughly, (as such a work ought to be) as also when they may

be called to gather into Church-Communion, it may suffice that

some one of them should make a Doctrinall Confession before

the Lord and his people, as the rule of faith which they build

upon, the rest attesting their consent unto the same: And

themselves (the Elders I mean, if the Lord so far assist the

_Indians_, as to give them satisfaction) might testifie that

upon Examination they have found a competency of knowledge in

them to inable them unto such a work and state. And thus the

work might be much shortned, and more comfortably expedited in

one day. I found no unreadinesse in the Elders to further this

work.

They concluded to attend the work, and for severall Reasons

advised that the place should be at _Roxbury_, and not at

_Natick_, and that the _Indians_ should be called thither, the

time they left to me to appoint, in such a season as wherein

the Elders may be at best liberty from other publick occasions.

The time appointed was the 13 of the 4 moneth; meanwhile I

dispatched Letters unto such as had knowledge in the Tongue,

requesting that they would come and help in interpretation,

or attest unto the truth of my Interpretations. I sent also

for my Brother _Mayhu_, who accordingly came, and brought an

Interpreter with him. Others whom I had desired, came not. I

informed the _Indians_ of this appointment, and of the end it

was appointed for, which they therefore called, and still doe,

when they have occasion to speak of it _Natootomuhteáe kesuk, A

day of asking Questions, or, A day of Examination_. I advised

them to prepare for it, and to pray earnestly about it, that

they might be accepted among Gods people, if it were the will

of God.

It pleased God so to guide, that there was a publick Fast

of all the Churches, betwixt this our appointment, and the

accomplishment thereof: which day they kept, as the Churches

did, and this businesse of theirs was a Principall matter in

their Prayers.”

It will be useful, as well as interesting, to give some of the

“Confessions of Indians” which were made and considered in preparation

for their entering into the Church state.

CONFESSION OF TOTHERSWAMP.

“Before I prayed unto God, the English, when I came unto

their houses, often said unto me, Pray to God; but I having

many friends who loved me, and I loved them, and they cared

not for praying to God, and therefore I did not: But I thought

in my heart, that if my friends should die, and I live, I then

would pray to God; soon after, God so wrought, that they did

almost all die, few of them left; and then my heart feared,

and I thought, that now I will pray unto God, and yet I was

ashamed to pray; and if I eat and did not pray, I was ashamed

of that also; so that I had a double shame upon me: Then you

came unto us, and taught us, and said unto us, _Pray unto God_;

and after that, my heart grew strong, and I was no more ashamed

to pray, but I did take up praying to God; yet at first I did

not think of God and eternal Life, but only that the English

should love me and I loved them: But after I came to learn

what sin was, by the Commandments of God, and then I saw all

my sins, lust, gaming, &c. (he named more.) You taught, That

Christ knoweth all our hearts, and seeth what is in them, if

humility, or anger, or evil thoughts, Christ seeth all that

is in the heart; then my heart feared greatly, because God

was angry for all my sins; yea, now my heart is full of evil

thoughts, and my heart runs away from God, therefore my heart

feareth and mourneth. Every day I see sin in my heart; one man

brought sin into the World, and I am full of that sin, and I

break Gods Word every day. I see I deserve not pardon, for the

first mans sinning; I can do no good, for I am like the Devil,

nothing but evil thoughts, and words, and works. I have lost

all likeness to God, and goodness, and therefore every day I

sin against God, and I deserve death and damnation: The first

man brought sin first, and I do every day add to that sin, more

sins; but Christ hath done for us all righteousness, and died

for us because of our sins, and Christ teacheth us, That if we

cast away our sins, and trust in Christ, then God will pardon

all our sins; this I beleeve Christ hath done, I can do no

righteousness, but Christ hath done it for me; this I beleeve,

and therefore I do hope for pardon. When I first heard the

Commandments, I then took up praying to God and cast off sin.

Again, When I heard, and understood Redemption by Christ, then

I beleeved Jesus Christ to take away my sins: every Commandment

taught me sin, and my duty to God. When you ask me why do I

love God? I answer, Because he giveth me all outward blessings,

as food, clothing, children, all gifts of strength, speech,

hearing; especially that he giveth us a Minister to teach us,

and giveth us Government; and my heart feareth lest Government

should reprove me; but the greatest mercy of all is Christ, to

give us pardon and life.”

“TOTHERSWAMP

_The Confession which he made on the Fast day before the great Assembly

was as followeth:_

I Confess in the presence of the Lord, before I prayed, many

were my sins, not one good word did I speak, not one good

thought did I think, not one good action did I doe: I did act

all sins, and full was my heart of evil thoughts; when the

English did tell me of God, I cared not for it, I thought it

enough if they loved me: I had many friends that loved me,

and I thought if they died I would pray to God: and afterward

it so came to pass; then was my heart ashamed, to pray I was

ashamed, and if I prayed not, I was ashamed; a double shame was

upon me: when God by you taught us, very much ashamed was my

heart; then you taught us that Christ knoweth all our hearts:

therefore truly he saw my thoughts, and I had thought, if my

kindred should die I would pray to God; therefore they dying,

I must now pray to God; and therefore my heart feared, for I

thought Christ knew my thoughts: then I heard you teach, _The

first man God made was named_ Adam, _& God made a Covenant

with him, Do and live, thou and thy Children; if thou do not

thou must die, thou and thy Children_: And we are Children of

_Adam_ poor sinners, therefore we all have sinned, for we have

broke Gods Covenant, therefore evil is my heart, therefore

God is very angry with me, we sin against him every day; but

this great mercy God hath given us, he hath given us his only

Son, and promiseth, That whosoever beleeveth in Christ shall

be saved: for Christ hath dyed for us in our stead, for our

sins, and he hath done for us all the words of God, for I can

do no good act, only Christ can, and only Christ hath done all

for us; Christ hath deserved pardon for us, and risen again,

he hath ascended to God, and doth ever pray for us; therefore

all Beleevers Souls shall goe to Heaven to Christ. But when I

heard that word of Christ, Christ said _Repent and Beleeve_,

and Christ seeth _who Repenteth_, then I said, dark and weak

is my Soul, and I am one in darkness, I am a very sinful man,

and now I pray to Christ for life. Hearing you teach that Word

that the Scribes and Pharisees said _Why do thy Disciples break

the Tradition of the Fathers_? Christ answered, _Why do you

make void the Commandments of God?_ Then my heart feared that

I do so, when I teach the Indians, because I cannot teach them

right, and thereby make the word of God vain. Again, Christ

said _If the blind lead the blind they will both fall into the

ditch_; Therefore I feared that I am one blind, and when I

teach other Indians I shal caus them to fall into the ditch.

This is the love of God to me, that he giveth me all mercy in

this world, and for them al I am thankfull; but I confess I

deserve Hell; I cannot deliver my self, but I give my Soul and

my Flesh to Christ, and I trust my soul with him for he is my

Redeemer, and I desire to call upon him while I live.

This was his Confession which ended, Mr. _Allin_ further

demanded of him this Question, How he found his heart, now in

the matter of Repentance?

His answer was; I am ashamed of all my sins, my heart is broken

for them and melteth in me, I am angry with my self for my

sins, and I pray to Christ to take away my sins, and I desire

that they may be pardoned.

But it was desired that further Question might be forborn, lest

time would be wanting to here them all speak.”

The following is the Confession of Waban, (or the wind,) the man in

whose wigwam Mr. Eliot preached to the Indians in the beginning of his

ministry among them, and who, from Mr. Eliot’s text, “Prophesy unto the

wind,” &c., supposed that the message of God was specially directed to

himself.

CONFESSION OF WABAN.

“Before I heard of God, and before the English came into this

Country, many evil things my heart did work, many thoughts I

had in my heart; I wished for riches, I wished to be a witch,

I wished to be a Sachem; and many such other evils were in my

heart: Then when the English came, still my heart did the same

things; when the English taught me of God (I coming to their

Houses) I would go out of their doors, and many years I knew

nothing; when the English taught me I was angry with them:

But a little while agoe after the great sikness, I considered

what the English do; and I had some desire to do as they

do; and after that I began to work as they work; and then I

wondered how the English come to be so strong to labor; then

I thought I shall quickly die, and I feared lest I should die

before I prayed to God; then I thought, if I prayed to God in

our Language, whether could God understand my prayers in our

Language; therefore I did ask Mr. _Jackson_, and Mr. _Mahu_,

If God understood prayers in our Language? They answered me

God doth understand all Languages in the World. But I do not

know how to confess, and little do I know of Christ; I fear I

shall not beleeve a great while, and very slowly; I do not know

what grace is in my heart, there is but little good in me; but

this I know, That Christ hath kept all Gods Commandements for

us, and that Christ doth know all our hearts; and now I desire

to repent of all my sins: I neither have done, nor can do the

Commandements of the Lord, but I am ashamed of all I do, and

I do repent of all my sins, even of all that I do know of: I

desire that I may be converted from all my sins, and that I

might beleeve in Christ, and I desire him; I dislike my sins,

yet I do not truly pray to God in my heart: no matter for good

words, all is the true heart; and this day I do not so much

desire good words, as throughly to open my heart: I confess I

can do nothing, but deserve damnation; only Christ can help me

and do for me. But I have nothing to say for my self that is

good; I judg that I am a sinner, and cannot repent, but Christ

hath deserved pardon for us.”

This Confession being not so satisfactory as was desired, Mr.

_Wilson_ testified, that he spake these latter expressions with

tears, which I observed not, because I attended to writing; but

I gave this testimony of him, That his conversation was without

offence to the English, so far as I knew, and among the Indians

it was exemplar: his gift is not so much in expressing himself

this way, but in other respects useful and eminent; it being

demanded in what respects, I answered to this purpose, That his

gift lay in Ruling, Judging of Cases, wherein he is patient,

constant, and prudent, insomuch that he is much respected

among them, for they have chosen him a Ruler of Fifty, and he

Ruleth well according to his measure. It was further said, they

thought he had been a great drawer on to Religion; I replyed,

so he was in his way, and did prevail with many; and so it

rested.

“CONFESSION OF WILLIAM, OF SUDBURY.

I confess that before I prayed, I committed all manner of

sins, and served many gods: when the English came first, I

going to their houses, they spake to me of your God, but when I

heard of God, my heart hated it; but when they said the Devil

was my god, I was angry, because I was proud: when I came to

their houses I hated to hear of God, I loved lust in my own

house and not God, I loved to pray to many gods. Five years

ago, I going to English houses, and they speaking of God, I did

a little like of it, yet when I went again to my own house,

I did all manner of sins, and in my heart I did act all sins

though I would not be seen by man. Then going to your house, I

more desired to hear of God; and my heart said, I will pray to

God so long as I live: then I went to the Minister Mr. _Browns_

house, and told him I would pray as long as I lived: but he

said I did not say it from my heart, and I beleeve it. When

_Waban_ spake to me that I should pray to God, I did so. But I

had greatly sinned against God, and had not beleeved the Word

but was proud: but then I was angry with my self, and loathed

my self, and thought God will not forgive me my sins. For when

I had been abroad in the woods I would be very angry, and would

lye unto men, and I could not find the way how to be a good

man: then I beleeved your teaching, That when good men die, the

Angels carry their souls to God; but evil men dying, they go to

Hell, and perish for ever. I thought this a true saying, and

I promised to God, to pray to God as long as I live. I had a

little grief in my heart five years ago for my sins: but many

were my prides; sometime I was angry with my self, and pityed

my self; but I thought God would not pardon such a proud heart

as mine is: I beleeve that Christ would have me to forsake my

anger; I beleeve that Christ hath redeemed us, and I am glad to

hear those words of God; and I desire that I might do al the

good waies of God, and that I might truly pray unto God: I do

now want Graces, and these Christ only teacheth us, and only

Christ hath wrought our redemption, and he procureth our pardon

for all our sins; and I beleeve that when beleevers dy, Gods

Angels carry them to Heaven; but I want faith to beleeve the

Word of God, and to open my Eyes, and to help me to cast away

all sins; and Christ hath deserved for me eternall life: I have

deserved nothing my self: Christ hath deserved, all, and giveth

me faith to beleeve it.”

“CONFESSION OF MONEQUASSUN, THE SCHOOLMASTER.

I Confess my sorrow for all my sins against God, and

before men: When I first heard instruction, I beleeved not,

but laughed at it, and scorned praying to God; afterward,

when we were taught at _Cohannet_ (that is the place where

he lived) I still hated praying, and I did think of running

away, because I cared not for praying to God; but afterwards,

because I loved to dwell at that place, I would not leave the

place, and therfore I thought I will pray to God, because I

would still stay at that place, therefore I prayed not for the

love of God, but for love of the place I lived in; after that I

desired a little to learn the Catechisme on the Lecture daies,

and I did learn the ten Commandements, and after that, all

the points in the Catechisme; yet afterwards I cast them all

away again, then was my heart filled with folly, and my sins

great sins, afterwards by hearing, I began to fear, because of

my many sins, lest the wise men should come to know them, and

punish me for them; and then again I thought of running away

because of my many sins: But after that I thought I would pray

rightly to God, and cast away my sins; then I saw my hypocricy,

because I did ask some questions, but did not do that which

I knew: afterward I considered of my question, and thought I

would pray to God, and would consider of some other Question,

and I asked this Question, _How should I get Wisdom?_ and the

Answer to it did a little turn my heart from sin, to seek after

God; and I then considered that the Word of God was good; then

I prayed to God because of the Word of God. The next Lecture

day you taught that word of God, _If any man lack Wisdom, let

him ask it of God, who giveth freely to them that ask him, and

upbraideth no man_, _James_, 1:5. Then again a little my heart

was turned after God, the Word also said, _Repent, mourn, and

beleeve in Jesus Christ_: this also helped me on. Then you

taught, _That he that beleeveth not Christ, and repenteth not

of sin, they are foolish and wicked; and because they beleeve

not, they shall perish_: then I thought my self a fool, because

I beleeved not Christ, but sinned every day, and after I heard

the Word greatly broke the Word. But afterward I heard this

promise of God, _Who ever repenteth and beleeveth in Christ,

God will forgive him all his sins, he shall not perish_; then I

thought, that as yet, I do not repent, and beleeve in Christ:

then I prayed to God, because of this his Promise; and then

I prayed to God, for God and for Christ his sake: after that

again I did a little break the Word of Christ. And then I

heard some other words of God, which shewed me my sins, and

my breakings of Gods word; and sometimes I thought God and

Christ would forgive me, because of the promise to them that

beleeve in Christ, and repent of sin, I thought I did that

which God spake in the Promise. Then being called to confess,

to prepare to make a Church at _Natick_, I loved _Cohannet_;

but after hearing this instruction, _That we should not only be

Hearers, but Doers of the Word_, then my heart did fear. And

afterward hearing that in _Matthew_, Christ saw two brethren

mending their Nets, he said, _Follow me and I will make you

Fishers of men_, presently they followed Christ; and when I

heard this, I feared, because I was not willing to follow

Christ to _Natick_; they followed Christ at his Word, but I

did not, for now Christ saith to us, _follow Me_: then I was

much troubled, and considered of this Word of God. Afterward I

heard another word, the blind men cried after Christ and said,

_Have mercy on us thou Son of David_, but after they came to

Christ he called them, and asked them, _What shall I do for

you?_ they said, _Lord open our eyes_; then Christ had pity on

them, and opened their eyes, and they followed Christ; when I

heard this, my heart was troubled, then I prayed to God and

Christ, to open mine eyes, and if Christ open my eyes, then

I shall rejoyce to follow Christ: then I considered of both

these Scriptures, and I a little saw that I must follow Christ.

And now my heart desireth to make confession of what I know

of God, and of my self, and of Christ: I beleeve that there

is only one God, and that he made and ruleth all the World,

and that he the Lord, giveth us al good things: I know that

God giveth every day all good mercies, life, and health, and

all; I have not one good thing, but God it is that giveth it

me, I beleeve that God at first made man like God, holy, wise,

righteous; but the first man sinned, for God promised him, _If

thou do my Commandements, thou shalt live, and thy Children;

but if thou sin, thou shalt die, thou and thy children_; this

Covenant God made with the first man. But the first man did

not do the Commandements of God he did break Gods Word, he

beleeved Satan; and now I am full of sin, because the first

man brought sin; dayly I am full of sin in my heart: I do not

dayly rejoyce in Repentance, because Satan worketh dayly in my

heart, and opposeth Repentance, and all good Works; day and

night my heart is full of sin. I beleeve that Jesus Christ was

born of the _Virgin Mary_; God promised her she should bear

a Son, and his Name should be _JESUS_, because he shall

deliver his people from their sins: And when Christ came to

preach, he said, _Repent, because the Kingdom of Heaven is at

hand_; again Christ taught, _Except ye repent and become as a

little child, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven_;

therefore humble your selves like one of these little children,

and great shall be your Kingdom in Heaven. Again Christ said,

_Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden with sin,

and I will give you rest: take up my Cross and Yoak, learn of

me for I am meek, and ye shall find rest to your souls, for my

yoak is easie and burden light_: these are the Words of Christ

and I know Christ he is good, but my works are evil: Christ his

words are good, but I am not humble; but if we be humble and

beleeving in Christ, he pardons all our sins. I now desire to

beleeve in Jesus Christ, because of the word of Christ, that

I may be converted and become as a little Child. I confess my

sins before God, and before Jesus Christ this day; now I desire

all my sins may be pardoned; I now desire repentance in my

heart, and ever to beleeve in Christ; now I lift up my heart to

Christ, and trust him with it, because I beleeve Christ died

for us, for all our sins, and deserved for us eternal life in

Heaven, and deserved pardon for all our sins. And now I give

my soul to Christ because he hath redeemed: I do greatly love,

and like repentance in my heart, and I love to beleeve in Jesus

Christ, and my heart is broken by repentance: al these things

I do like wel of, that they may be in my heart, but because

Christ hath all these to give, I ask them of him that he may

give me repentance, and faith in Christ, and therefore I pray

and beseech Christ dayly for repentance and faith; and other

good waies I beg of Christ dayly to give me: and I pray to

Christ for al these gifts and graces to put them in my heart:

and now I greatly thank Christ for all these good gifts which

he hath given me. I know not any thing, nor can do any thing

that is a good work: even my heart is dark dayly in what I

should do, and my soul dyeth because of my sins, and therefore

I give my soul to Christ, because my soul is dead in sin, and

dayly doth commit sin; in my heart I sin, and all the members

of my body are sinful. I beleeve Jesus Christ is ascended to

Heaven through the clouds, and he will come again from Heaven:

Many saw Christ go up to Heaven, and the Angels said, even

so he will come again to judg all the world; and therefore

I beleeve Gods promise, That all men shall rise again when

Christ cometh again, then all shall rise, and all their souls

comes again because Christ is trusted with them, and keeps

their souls, therefore I desire my sins may be pardoned; and I

beleeve in Christ; and ever so long as I live, I will pray to

God, and do all the good waies he commandeth.”

“CONFESSIONS OF ROBIN SPEENE.

I was ashamed because you taught to pray to God, and I did not

take it up; I see God is angry with me for all my sins, and

he hath afflicted me by the death of three of my children,

and I fear God is still angry, because great are my sins, and

I fear lest my children be not gone to Heaven, because I am

a great sinner, yet one of my children prayed to God before

it died, and therefore my heart rejoyceth in that. I remember

my Pawwawing [for he was a _Pawwaw_] my lust, my gaming, and

all my sins; I know them by the Commandements of God, and God

heareth and seeth them all; I cannot deliver my self from sin,

therefore I do need Christ, because of all my sins, I desire

pardon, and I beleeve that God calls all to come to Christ, and

that he delivereth us from sin.”

“_His Second Confession._

I have found out one word more: great are my sins, and I do

not know how to repent, nor do I know the evil of my sins; only

this one word, now I confess I want Christ, this day 1 want

him; I do not truly beleeve nor repent: I see my sin, and I

need Christ, but I desire now to be redeemed: and I now ask you

this Question _What is Redemption?_ I answered him, by shewing

him our estate by Nature, and desert, the price which Christ

paid for us, and how it is to be applied to every particular

person; which done, he proceeded in his confession thus: I yet

cannot tell whether God hath pardoned my sins, I forget the

word of God; but this I desire, that my sins may be pardoned,

but my heart is foolish, and a great part of the Word stayeth

not in my heart strongly. I desire to cast all my sins out of

my heart: but I remember my sins, that I may get them pardoned,

I think God doth not yet hear my prayers in this, because I

cannot keep the Word of God, only I desire to hear the Word,

and that God would hear me.”

“_His Third Confession._

One word more I cal to mind, Great is my sin! this saith my

heart, I have found this sin, when I first heard you teach,

that all the world from the rising to the sitting Sun should

pray to God, I then wondered at it, and thought, I being a

great sinner, how shal I pray to God; and when I saw many come

to the Meeting, I wondred at it: But now I do not wonder at

that work of God, and therefore I think that I do now greatly

sin: and now I desire again to wonder at Gods Works, and I

desire to rejoyce in Gods good waies. Now I am much ashamed,

and fear because I have deserved eternal wrath by my sins:

my heart is evil, my heart doth contrary to God: and this I

desire, that I may be redeemed, for I cannot help my self,

but only Jesus Christ hath done al this for me, and I deserve

no good, but I beleeve Christ hath deserved all for us: and

I give my self unto Christ, that he may save me, because he

knoweth eternal life, and can give it; I cannot give it to my

self, therefore I need Jesus Christ, my heart is full of evil

thoughts; and Christ only can keep my soul from them, because

he hath paid for my deliverance from them.”

“CONFESSION OF ANTONY.

Another who made his Confession is named _Antony_, upon whom

the Lord was pleased the last Winter to lay an heavy stroke;

for he and another Indian being at work sawing of Board, and

finishing the Peece, they laid it so short, and the Rowl not so

stedfast, insomuch that this man being in the Pit directing to

lay the Piece, and the other above ordering thereof, it slipped

down into the Pit upon this mans head, brake his neather Chap

in two, and cracked his Skull, insomuch that he was taken up

half dead, and almost strangled with blood; and being the last

day of the week at night I had no word until the Sabbath day,

then I presently sent a Chyrurgion, who took a discreet order

with him; and God so blessed his indeavors, as that he is now

well again, blessed be the Lord: and whereas I did fear that

such a blow in their Labor might discourage them from Labor,

I have found it by Gods blessing otherwise; yea this man hath

performed a great part of the sawing of our Meeting-House, and

is now sawing upon the School-house, and his recovery is an

establishment of them to go on; yea, and God blessed this blow,

to help on the Work of Grace in his soul; as you shall see in

his Confession, which followeth.

Before I prayed to God I alwaies committed sin, but I do

not know all my sins, I know but a little of the sins I have

committed, therefore I thought I could not pray to God, because

I knew not al my sins before I prayed to God, and since I heard

of praying to God: formerly when the English did bid me pray

unto God I hated it, and would go out of their houses, when

they spake of such things to me. I had no delight to hear any

thing of Gods Word, but in every thing I sinned; in my speeches

I sinned, and every day I broke the Commands of God. After

I heard of praying to God, that _Waban_ and my two brothers

prayed to God, yet then I desired it not, but did think of

running away; yet I feared if I did run away some wicked men

would kill me, but I did not fear God. After when you said unto

me, pray, my heart thought, I will pray; yet again I thought,

I cannot pray with my heart, and no matter for praying with

words only: but when I did pray, I saw more of my sins; yet I

did but only see them, I could not be aware of them, but still

I did commit them: and after I prayed to God, I was still full

of lust, and then a little I feared. Sometimes I was sick, and

then I thought God was angry, and then I saw that I did commit

all sins: then one of my brothers died, and then my heart was

broken, and after him another friend, and again my heart was

broken: and yet after all this I broke my praying to God, and

put away God, and then I thought I shall never pray to God: but

after this I was afraid of the Lord, because I alwaies broke

my praying to God and then my heart said, God doth not hear my

prayer. When I was sick, and recovered again, I thought then

that God was merciful unto me. Hearing that word of God, _If

you hear the Word of God, and be forgetful hearers, you sin

against God_; then I thought God will not pardon such a sinner

as I, who dayly did so, and broke my praying to God. When I

heard the Commandements, I desired to learn them, and other

points of Catechism, but my desires were but small, and I soon

lost it, because I did not desire to beleeve: then sometimes

I feared Gods anger because of al my sins; I heard the Word

and understood only this word, _All you that hear this day, it

may be you shall quickly die_, and then I quickly saw that God

was very angry with me. Then God brake my head, and by that I

saw Gods anger; and then I thought that the true God in Heaven

is angry with me for my sin, even for al my sins, which every

day I live, I do. When I was almost dead, some body bid me now

beleeve, because it may be I shal quickly die, and I thought I

did beleeve, but I did not know right beleeving in Christ: then

I prayed unto God to restore my health. Then I beleeved that

word, _That we must shortly appear before Jesus Christ_; then

I did greatly fear lest if I beleeved not, I should perish for

ever. When I was neer death, I prayed unto God, _Oh Lord give

me life, and I will pray to God so long as I live_, and I said,

_I will give my self, soul, and body to Christ_: after this,

God gave me health, and then I thought, truly, God in Heaven is

merciful; then I much grieved, that I knew so little of Gods

Word. And now sometimes I am angry, and then I fear because I

know God seeth it; and I fear, because I promised God when I

was almost dead, that if he giveth me life, I will pray so long

as I live; I fear lest I should break this promise to God. Now

I desire the pardon of all my sins, and I beg faith in Christ,

and I desire to live unto God, so long as I live; I cannot

myself get pardon, but I dayly commit sin, and break Gods Word,

but I look to Christ for pardon.”

“CONFESSION OF EPHRAIM.

All the daies I have lived, I have been in a poor foolish

condition, I cannot tell all my sins, all my great sins, I do

not see them. When I first heard of praying to God, I could

not sleep quietly, I was so troubled, ever I thought I would

forsake the place because of praying to God, my life hath been

like as if I had been a mad man. Last yeer I thought I would

leave all my sins, yet I see I do not leave off sinning to this

day; I now think I shall never be able to forsake my sins. I

think sometimes the Word of God is false, yet I see there is

no giving over that I might follow sin, I must pray to God; I

do not truly in my heart repent, and I think that God wil not

forgive me my sins: every day my heart sinneth, and how will

Christ forgive such an one? I pray but outwardly with my mouth,

not with my heart; I cannot of my self obtain pardon of my

sins: I cannot tell all the sins that I have done if I should

tell you an whol day together: I do every morning desire that

my sins may be pardoned by Jesus Christ; this my heart saith,

but yet I fear I cannot forsake my sins, because I cannot see

all my sins: I hear, That if we repent and beleeve in Christ,

all our sins shall be pardoned, therefore I desire to leave off

my sins.

This poor Publican was the last which made his Confession before

I read them unto the Elders, and the last of them I shall now

publish. I will shut up these Confessions with the Confession

(if I may so call it) or rather with the Expression, and

manifestation of faith, by two little Infants, of two yeers

old, and upward, under three yeers of age when they died and

departed out of this world.

_The Story is this_,

This Spring, in the beginning of the yeer, 1652, the Lord was

pleased to afflict sundry of our praying Indians with that

grievous disease of the Bloody-Flux, whereof some with great

torments in their bowels died; among which were two little

Children of the age above-said, and at that time both in one

house, being together taken with that disease. The first of

these Children in the extremities of its torments, lay crying

to God in these words, _God and Jesus Christ, God and Jesus

Christ help me_; and when they gave it any thing to eat, it

would greedily take it (as it is usual at the approach of

death) but first it would cry to God, _Oh God and Jesus Christ,

bless it_, and then it would take it: and in this manner it lay

calling upon God and Jesus Christ untill it died: The mother of

this Child also died of that disease, at that time. The Father

of the Child told me this story, with great wonderment at the

grace of God, in teaching his Child so to call upon God. The

name of the Father is _Nishohkou_, whose Confession you have

before.

Three or four daies after, another Child in the same house,

sick of the same disease, was (by a divine hand doubtless)

sensible of the approach of death, (an unusual thing at that

age) and called to its Father, and said, _Father, I am going

to God_, several times repeating it, _I am going to God_. The

mother (as other mothers use to do) had made for the Child a

little Basket, a little Spoon, and a little Tray: these things

the Child was wont to be greatly delighted withal (as all

Children will) therefore in the extremity of the torments,

they set those things before it, a little to divert the mind,

and cheer the spirit: but now, the child takes the Basket, and

puts it away, and said, _I will leave my Basket behind me, for

I am going to God, I will leave my Spoon and Tray behind me_

(putting them away) _for I am going to God_: and with these

kind of expressions, the same night finished its course, and

died.

The Father of this child is named _Robin Speen_, whose

Confessions you have before, and in one of them he maketh

mention of this child that died in Faith. When he related this

story to me, he said, He could not tell whether the sorrow for

the death of his child, or the joy for its faith were greater,

when it died.

These Examples are a testimony, That they teach their children

the knowledg and fear of God, whom they now call upon; and also

that the Spirit of God co-worketh with their instructions, who

teacheth by man, more than man is able to do.”

Mr. Eliot says, ‘I have now finished all that I purpose to

publish at this time; the Lord give them Acceptance in the

hearts of his Saints, to engage them the more to pray for them;

and Oh! that their judgings of themselves, and breathings after

Christ, might move others (that have more means than they

have, but as yet regard it not) to do the like, and much more

abundantly.’

A meeting of the Elders of the Churches was requested by Mr. Eliot, as

before stated, to give advice in view of these Confessions, and upon

further personal examination of some of the Indians, as to the next step

to be taken in organizing the Indian Church. But Mr. E. says,

“There fell out a very great discouragement a little before

the time, which might have been a scandall unto them, and I

doubt not but Satan intended it so; but the Lord improved it to

stir up faith and Prayer, and so turned it another way: Thus it

was. Three of the unsound sort of such as are among them that

pray unto God, who are hemmed in by Relations, and other means,

to doe that which their hearts love not, and whose Vices Satan

improveth to scandalize and reproach the better sort withall;

while many, and some good people are too ready to say they

are all alike. I say three of them had gotten severall quarts

of strong water, (which sundry out of a greedy desire of a

little gaine, are too ready to sell unto them, to the offence

and grief of the better sort of _Indians_, and of the godly

English too)[31] and with these Liquors, did not onely make

themselves drunk, but got a Child of eleven years of age, the

Son of _Toteswamp_, whom his Father had sent for a little Corne

and Fish to that place near _Watertowne_ where they were. Unto

this Child they first gave too spoonfuls of Strong-water, which

was more then his head could bear; and another of them put a

Bottle, or such like Vessel to his mouth, and caused him to

drink till he was very drunk; and then one of them domineered,

and said, _Now we will see whether your Father will punish us

for drunkennesse_ (for he is a Ruler among them) _seeing you

are drunk with us for company_; and in this case lay the Child

abroad all night. They also fought, and had been severall times

Punished formerly for Drunkennesse.

When _Toteswamp_ heard of this, it was a great shame and

breaking of heart unto him, and he knew not what to doe. The

rest of the Rulers with him considered of the matter, they

found a complication of many sins together.

1 The sin of Drunkennesse, and that after many former

Punishments for the same.

2 A willful making of the Child drunk, and exposing him to

danger also.

3 A degree of reproaching the Rulers.

4 Fighting.

Word was brought to me of it, a little before I took Horse to

goe to _Natick_ to keep the Sabbath with them, being about ten

dayes before the appointed Meeting. The Tidings sunk my spirit

extreamly, I did judge it to be the greatest frowne of God that

ever I met withall in the work, I could read nothing in it but

displeasure, I began to doubt about our intended work: I knew

not what to doe, the blacknesse of the sins, and the Persons

reflected on, made my very heart faile me: For one of the

offendors (though least in the offence) was he that hath been

my Interpreter, whom I have used in Translating a good part of

the Holy Scriptures; and in that respect I saw much of Satans

venome, and in God I saw displeasure. For this and some other

acts of Apostacy at this time, I had thoughts of casting him

off from that work, yet now the Lord hath found a way to humble

him. But his Apostacy at this time was a great Triall, and I

did lay him by for that day of our Examination, I used another

in his room. Thus Satan aimed at me in this their miscarrying;

and _Toteswamp_ is a Principall man in the work, as you shall

have occasion to see anon God-willing.

By some occasion our Ruling Elder and I being together, I

opened the case unto him, and the Lord guided him to speak some

gracious words of encouragement unto me, by which the Lord did

relieve my spirit; and so I committed the matter and issue unto

the Lord, to doe what pleased him, and in so doing my soul was

quiet in the Lord. I went on my journey being the 6 day of the

week; when I came at _Natick_, the Rulers had then a Court

about it. Soon after I came there, the Rulers came to me with

a Question about this matter, they related the whole businesse

unto me, with much trouble and grief.

Then _Toteswamp_ spake to this purpose, _I am greatly

grieved about these things, and now God tryeth me whether I

love Christ or my Child best. They say, They will try me; but

I say, God will try me. Christ saith, He that loveth father,

or mother, or wife, or Child, better than me, is not worthy of

me. Christ saith, I must correct my Child, if I should refuse

to doe that, I should not love Christ. God bid Abraham kill

his Son, Abraham loved God, and therefore he would have done

it, had not God with-held him. God saith to me, onely punish

your Child, and how can I love God, if I should refuse to doe

that?_ These things he spake in more words, and much affection,

and not with dry eyes: Nor could I refraine from teares to

hear him. When it was said, The Child was not so guilty of

the sin, as those that made him drunk; he said, _That he was

guilty of sin, in that he feared not sin, and in that he did

not believe his counsells that he had often given him, to take

heed of evill company; but he had believed Satan and sinners

more then him, therefore he needed to be punished._ After other

such like discourse, the Rulers left me, and went unto their

businesse, which they were about before I came, which they did

bring unto this conclusion, and judgement, They judged the

three men to sit in the stocks a good space of time, and thence

to be brought to the whipping-Post, & have each of them twenty

lashes. The boy to be put in the stocks a little while, and the

next day his father was to whip him in the School, before the

Children there; all which Judgement was executed. When they

came to be whipt, the Constable fetcht them one after another

to the Tree (which they make use of instead of a Post) where

they all received their Punishments: which done, the Rulers

spake thus, one of them said, _The Punishments for sin are

the Commandements of God, and the worke of God, and his end

was, to doe them good, and bring them to repentance._ And upon

that ground he did in more words exhort them to repentance,

and amendment of life. When he had done, another spake unto

them to this purpose, _You are taught in Catechisme, that the

wages of sin are all miseries and calamities in this life, and

also death and eternall damnation in hell. Now you feele some

smart as the fruit of your sin, and this is to bring you to

repentance, that so you may escape the rest._ And in more words

he exhorted them to repentance. When he had done, another spake

to this purpose, _Heare all yee people_ (turning himselfe to

the People who stood round about, I think not lesse then two

hundred, small and great) _this is the Commandement of the

Lord, that thus it should be done unto sinners; and therefore

let all take warning by this, that you commit not such sins,

least you incur these Punishments_. And with more words he

exhorted the People. Others of the Rulers spake also, but some

things spoken I understood not, and some things slipt from me:

But these which I have related remained with me.

When I returned to _Roxbury_, I related these things to our

Elder, to whom I had before related the sin, and my grief: who

was much affected to hear it, and magnified God. He said also,

That their sin was but a Transient act, which had no Rule, and

would vanish. But these Judgements were an ordinance of God,

and would remaine, and doe more good every way, then their sin

could doe hurt, telling me what cause I had to be thankfull for

such an issue: Which I therefore relate, because the Lord did

speak to my heart, in this exigent, by his words.”

This difficulty being thus settled, the time came for the meeting of the

Elders. Mr. Eliot observes,

“When the assembly was met for Examination of the _Indians_,

and ordered, I declared the end and Reason of this Meeting,

and therefore declared, That any one, in due order, might have

liberty to propound any Questions for their satisfaction.

Likewise, I requested the Assembly, That if any one doubted

of the Interpretations that should be given of their answers,

that they would Propound their doubt, and they should have

the words scanned and tryed by the Interpreters, that so all

things may be done most clearly. For my desire was to be

true to Christ, to their soules, and to the Churches: And

the trying out of any of their Answers by the Interpreters,

would tend to the satisfaction of such as doubt, as it fell

out in one Answer which they gave; the Question was, _How

they knew the Scriptures to be the word of God?_ The finall

Answer was, Because they did find that it did change their

hearts, and wrought in them wisedome and humility. This Answer

being Interpreted to the Assembly, my Brother _Mahu_ doubted,

especially of the word [_Hohpoóonk_] signifying _Humility_, it

was scanned by the Interpreters, and proved to be right, and

he rested satisfied therein. I was purposed my selfe to have

written the Elders Questions, and the _Indians_ Answers, but

I was so imployed in propounding to the _Indians_ the Elders

Questions, and in returning the _Indians_ Answers, as that

it was not possible for me to write unlesse I had caused the

Assembly to stay upon it, which had not been fitting; therefore

seeing Mr. _Walton_ writing, I did request him to write the

Questions and Answers, and help me with a Copy of them, which

I thank him, he did, a Copy whereof I herewith send to be

inserted in this place, on which, this only I will animadvert,

That the Elders in wisdome thought it not fit to ask them in

Catechisticall method strictly, in which way Children might

Answer. But that they might try whether they understood

what they said, they traversed up and downe in Questions of

Religion, as here you see.

POSTSCRIPT.

Let the Reader take notice, That these questions were not

propounded all to one man, but to sundry, which is the reason

that sometime the same Questions are propounded againe and

againe. Also the number Examined were about eight, namely,

so many as might be first called forth to enter into

Church-Covenant, if the Lord give opportunity.”

We have a Catechism, entitled “The Examination of the Indians at Roxbury,

the 13th day of the 4th month, 1654.” The following are some of the

questions and answers.

_Q._ Have not some Indians many Gods?

_A._ They have many Gods.

_Q._ How doe you know these Gods are no Gods.

_A._ Before the English came we knew not but that they were

Gods, but since they came we know they are no Gods.

_Q._ How doe you know the word of God is Gods word?

_A._ I believe the word that you teach us, was spoken of God.

_Q._ Why doe you believe it?

_A._ Therefore I believe it to be the word of God, because when

we learn it, it teacheth our hearts to be wise and humble.

_Q._ Whether are not your sins, and the temptations of

_Hobbomak_ more strong since, then before you prayed to God?

_A._ Before I prayed to God, I knew not what Satans temptations

were.

_Q._ Doe you know now?

_A._ Now I have heard what Satans temptations are.

_Q._ What is a temptation of the Devill in your heart, doe you

understand what it is?

_A._ Within my heart there are Hypocrisies, which doe not

appear without.

_Q._ Whether doe not you find this a principall temptation

from the wickednesse of your heart, to drive you away from

Christ, and not to believe the gracious Promises in Jesus

Christ? Or whether when you find wickednesse in your heart, you

are not tempted that you cannot believe?

_A._ My heart doth strongly desire to goe on in sin, but this

is a strong temptation, but Faith is the work of Jesus Christ.

_Q._ What doe you believe about the immortality of the soule,

and resurrection of the body? doth the soule dye when the body

dyeth?

_A._ I believe, when the body of a good man dyeth, the Angels

carry his soule to heaven, when a wicked man dyeth, the Devills

carry his soule to hell.

_Q._ How long shall they be in that state?

_A._ Untill Christ cometh to Judgement.

_Q._ When Christ cometh to judge the world, what then shall

become of them?

_A._ The dead bodies of all men shall rise againe.

_Q._ Whether shall they ever dye any more?

_A._ Good men shall never dye any more.

_Q._ Whether doe you believe that these very bodies of ours

shall rise againe?

_A._ This body which rots in the earth, this very body, God

maketh it new.

_Q._ Who is Jesus Christ?

_A._ Jesus Christ is the Son of God, yet borne man, and so

both God and man.

_Q._ Why was Christ Jesus a man?

_A._ That he might dye for us.

_Q._ Why is Christ Jesus God?

_A._ That his death might be of great value.

_Q._ Why doe you say, Christ Jesus was a man that he might dye,

doe onely men dye?

_A._ He dyed for our sins.

_Q._ What reason or justice is there, that Christ should dye

for our sins?

_A._ God made all the world, and man sinned, therefore it was

necessary Christ should dye to carry men up to Heaven. God hath

given unto us his Son Jesus Christ, because of our sins.

The Question being put to another for further Answer, his Answer was,

_That God so loved the world, that he gave his onely begotten Son, that

whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life_.

_Q._ When you heare that _Adam_ by his sin deserved eternall

death, and when you hear of the grace of God sending Jesus to

save you, which of these break your heart most?

_A._ Pardon of sin goeth deepest.

With regard to the formation of the church, one writer says;

“This great and solemne work of calling up these poor Indians

unto that Gospel light and beauty of visible Church-estate,

having now passed through a second Tryall: In the former

whereof, they expressed what experience they had found of

Gods grace in their hearts, turning them from dead works, to

seek after the living God, and salvation in our Saviour Jesus

Christ. In this second they have in some measure declared how

far the Lord hath let in the light of the good knowledge of God

into their soules, and what tast they have of the Principles

of Religion, and doctrine of salvation. Now the Question

remaineth, _What shall we further doe? And when shall they

enjoy the Ordinances of Jesus Christ in Church-estate?_

“The work is very solemne, and the Question needeth a solemne

Answer. It is a great matter to betrust those with the holy

priviledges of Gods house, upon which the name of Christ is so

much called, who have so little knowledge and experience in

the wayes of Christ, so newly come out of that great depth of

darknesse, and wild course of life; in such danger of polluting

and defiling the name of Christ among their barbarous Friends

and Countrey-men; and under so many doubts and jealousies of

many people; and having not yet stood in the wayes of Christ

so long, as to give sufficient proof and experience of their

stedfastnesse in their new begun profession. Being also the

first Church gathered among them, it is like to be a pattern

and president of after proceedings, even unto following

Generations. Hence it is very needfull that this proceeding

of ours at first, be with all care and wearinesse guided, for

the most effectuall advancement of the holinesse and honour of

Jesus Christ among them.

“Upon such like grounds as these, though I and some others

know more of the sincerity of some of them, than others doe,

and are better satisfied with them: Yet because I may be in

a temptation on that hand, I am well content to make slow

hast in this matter, remembring that word of God, _Lay hands

suddenly on no man_. Gods works among men doe usually goe

on slowly, and he that goeth slowly, doth usually goe most

surely, especially when he goeth by counsell. _Sat cito si

sat bene_,[32] the greater proof we have of them, the better

approbation they may obtain at last. Besides, we having had

one publick meeting about them already this summer, it will be

difficult to compasse another, for we have many other great

occasions, which may hinder the same, and it is an hard matter

to get Interpreters together to attend such a work, they living

so remote. The dayes also will soon grow short, and the nights

cold, which will be an hindrance in the attendance unto the

accomplishment of that work, which will most fitly be done at

_Natick_.

“But above all other Reasons this is greatest, that they

living in sundry Towns and places remote from each other, and

labourers few to take care of them, it is necessary that some

of themselves should be trained up, and peculiarly instructed,

unto whom the care of ruling and ordering of them in the

affaires of Gods house may be committed, in the absence of such

as look after their instruction. So that this is now the thing

we desire to attend, for the comfort of our little _Sister that

hath no breasts_, that such may be trained up, and prepared,

unto whom the charge of the rest may be committed in the Lord.

And upon this ground we make the slower hast to accomplish

this work among them. Mean while I hope the Commissioners

will afford some encouragement for the furtherance of the

instruction of some of the most godly and able among them, who

may be in a speciall manner helpfull unto the rest, in due

order and season.

“And thus have I briefly set down our present state in respect

of our Ecclesiasticall proceedings. I beg the prayers of the

good people of the Lord, to be particularly present at the

Throne of Grace, in these matters, according as you have hereby

a particular Information how our condition is. And for me also,

who am the most unfit in humane reason for such a work as

this, but my soule desireth to depend and live upon the Lord

Jesus, and fetch all help, grace, mercy, assistance, and supply

from him. And herein I doe improve his faithfull Covenant and

Promises, and in particular, the Lord doth cause my soule to

live upon that word of his, _Psal._ 37:3, 4, 5, 6, 7, wherein

I have food, rayment, and all necessaries for my selfe and

children (whom I have dedicated unto the Lord, to serve him in

this work of his, if he will please to accept of them) and this

supply I live upon in these rich words of gracious Promise,

_verse_ 3. _Trust in the Lord, and doe good, dwell in the Land,

and verily thou shalt be fed._

“Herein also I find supply of grace to believe the conversion

of these poor Indians, & that not only in this present season,

in what I doe already see, but in the future also, further then

by mine eye or reason I can see. Which supply of grace, I live

upon in those words of his gracious Promise, which I apply

and improve in this particular respect, _verse_ 4. _Delight

thyselfe also in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desires

of thy heart_.

“Herein also I find supply of grace to believe, that they shall

be in Gods season, which is the fittest, brought into Church

Estate; faith fetching this particular blessing out of the

rich Fountaine of those gracious words of Promise, _Commit thy

way unto the Lord, trust also in him, and he shall bring it to

passe_.

“Herein also my soule is strengthened and quieted, to stay

upon the Lord, and to be supported against all suspitious

jealousies, hard speeches, and unkindnesses of men, touching

the sincerity and reality of this work, and about my carriage

of matters, and supply herein. Which grace my soule receiveth

by a particular improvement of that rich treasury of the

Promise in these words, _verse_ 6. _And he shall bring forth

thy righteousnesse as the light, and thy judgement as the noon

day._ And herein likewise I find supply of grace, to wait

patiently for the Lords time, when year after year, and time

after time, I meet with disappointments. Which grace I receive

from the commanding force of that gracious Promise, _verse_ 7.

_Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him, fret not thy

selfe_, either for one cause, or another. Thus I live, and thus

I labor, here I have supply, and here is my hope, I beg the

help of prayers, that I may still so live and labour in the

Lords work, and that I may so live and dye.”

In 1670, the number of men and women in full communion at Natick, was

between forty and fifty, and more than three hundred and fifty had

renounced their savage practices and open sins, and gave heed to the

instructions of the Gospel.

Their meetings were notified by the drum. In their assemblies they were

attentive and reverent. A native teacher commenced worship with prayer,

and the English Christians assisted in the business of instruction.

There, as at other times, and in other places among civilized people God

poured out his Spirit upon the young. Several cases of hopeful piety in

young children are mentioned. The most interesting of them have already

been given.

Mr. Eliot having made a grammar of the Indian tongue, and a catechism,

was proceeding with his Indian Bible. In 1649, he said it was his earnest

wish to translate some parts of the Scriptures for the Indians. He

probably labored at this work, at intervals, for twelve years, and he was

at least forty-five years of age when he began it.

It should be remembered that this work, unlike the same employment of our

foreign missionaries at their first arrival at new stations, was wholly

in addition to his labors as Pastor of another people,—the congregation

at Roxbury. It was of no direct use to him in his ministerial work, any

farther than investigation and study is always profitable to the mind.

It was a labor superadded to the cares and toil of his pastoral and

ministerial office.

A man who has a taste for languages is generally repaid for the labor

of acquiring them, by the stores of learning which they contain. Cato

learned Greek at the age of eighty, and the literary world mention

it to his praise. But here is a man learning a language which has no

literature. No tragic or heroic muse had left her inspired strains in

it. No beautiful old ballads or legendary songs repaid his labor,—no

Canterbury Tales, or Children in the Wood, or Chevy Chase, or Fairy

Queen, hymns of devotion, nor martial songs; the language could only

whoop and powaw; the great word, gathering subjunctives and adjuncts into

itself, like a crowded wigwam, was savagely ignorant of the graces, or

the concise, vigorous expressions of some barbarous tongues, and Eliot’s

researches into it were like digging, as the Plymouth settlers did, into

the mounds for corn, and finding nothing but skulls. But nothing could

repress the ardor of his benevolent mind. He was determined that the

Indians should have the word of God in their own tongue, and the work

drew near to its accomplishment.

But how could it ever be printed? His slender salary could not pay for

it; the planters could not subscribe an adequate sum. In a letter to

England in 1651, he says, with much sorrow, “I have no hope to see the

Bible printed in my days.”

The Society for Propagating the Gospel came to his help.[33] In

September, 1661, the New Testament in the Indian tongue was published at

Cambridge. Three years after this, the Old Testament was added, and the

whole Bible, with a Catechism and the Psalms of David in metre, was thus

given to the Aborigines of this desert, in their own tongue, in forty

years after the settlement of the country.

This was the first Bible printed on this Continent. It was printed at

Cambridge, by Samuel Green and Marmaduke Johnson. A copy handsomely

bound, was sent to King Charles II., and the Rev. Richard Baxter says of

it, “Such a work and fruit of a plantation was never before presented

unto a king.” Two hundred copies, in plain and strong leather, were

immediately put in circulation for the use of the Indians. An angel would

almost have exchanged his heavenly joy for the happiness of Eliot, when

he visited Natick, and saw the Bible in the hands of the natives. Like

old Jacob, strengthening himself upon his dying bed, he might then have

said, “I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord;” or, like Simeon, “Now,

Lord, lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen

thy salvation.”

Douglass, in his History of America,[34] says, “Mr. Eliot with immense

labor translated and printed our Bible into Indian. It was done with a

good pious design, but it must be reckoned among the _otiosorum hominum

negotia_, (works of men of leisure). It was done in the Natick (Nipmuck)

language. Of the Naticks, at present, there are not twenty families

subsisting, and scarce any of these can read. _Cui bono?_” (To what

profit?)

Those who know how far Mr. Eliot was from being a man of leisure, will

smile at the suggestion that the translation of the Bible into the Indian

tongue was the work of an idle amateur. The disappearance of the race for

whom this translation was designed, so unexpected, and indeed so contrary

to the fond hopes of our forefathers, is very far from showing the

futility of Mr. Eliot’s pious labor. Many of the Indians were made wise

unto eternal life by the translated Bible. The good which it accomplished

was more than an equivalent for the labor which it cost.

Cotton Mather says, “Behold, ye Americans, the greatest honour that ever

you were partakers of. This Bible was printed here at our Cambridge,

and it is the only Bible that ever was printed in all America, from the

very foundation of the world. The whole translation he writ with but one

pen; which pen, had it not been lost, would have certainly deserved a

richer case than was bestowed upon that pen with which Holland writ his

translation of Plutarch.”[35]

The New Testament was published first, and then the whole Bible, Primers,

Grammars, Psalters, Catechisms, The Practice of Piety, Baxter’s Call,

Shepard’s sincere Convert and Sound Believer, soon appeared in the Indian

tongue, from the pen of Mr. Eliot.

By this time there were fourteen places of praying Indians under the

care of Mr. Eliot, and about eleven hundred souls who were apparently

converted. Natick, Stoughton, Grafton, Tewksbury, Hopkinton, Oxford,

Dudley, Woodstock (three villages), Uxbridge and Marlboro’, all had

communities of praying Indians.

Mr. Bancroft, in his History of the United States,[36] says, “No pains

were spared to teach them to read and write, and in a short time a larger

proportion of the Massachusetts Indians could do so, than recently of

the inhabitants of Russia.” The Indians of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard,

and Nantucket, amounting to about twenty-nine hundred, also were, by the

labors of the Mayhews and others, partly evangelized. Mr. Eliot says, in

1673, that there were six churches gathered among the Indians, one at

Natick, one at Grafton, one at Marshpee, two at Martha’s Vineyard, and

one at Nantucket. All these had religious teachers devoted exclusively to

them, except the church at Natick, of which Mr. Eliot says, “In modesty

they stand off, because they say that so long as I live, there is no

need.” They could not be prevailed upon to have another teacher even with

the advantages of his entire devotion to them, while Mr. Eliot was alive.

Cotton Mather says,[37] “The number of preachers to the Indians

increases apace. At Martha’s Vineyard, the old Mr. Mayhew and several

of his sons, or grand-sons, have done very worthily for the souls of

the Indians; there were fifteen years ago by computation about fifteen

hundred souls of their ministry, upon that one island. In Connecticut,

the holy and acute Mr. Fitch has made noble essays towards the conversion

of the Indians; but I think the sinner he has to deal withal, being

an obstinate infidel, gives unhappy rumor as to the successes of his

ministry. And godly Mr. Pierson has, if I mistake not, deserved well

in that colony upon the same account. In Massachusetts we see at this

day the pious Mr. Gookin, the gracious Mr. Peter Thacher, the well

accomplished and industrious Mr. Grindal Rawson, all of them hard at

work, to turn these poor creatures from darkness to light, and from Satan

unto God. In Plymouth we have the most active Mr. Samuel Treat laying out

himself to save this generation, and there is one Mr. Tupper, who uses

his laudable endeavours for the instruction of them.

“’Tis my relation to him[38] that causes me to defer unto the last place

the mention of Mr. John Cotton, who hath addressed the Indians in their

own language with some dexterity. He hired an Indian after the rate of

twelve pence per day, for fifty days, to teach him the Indian tongue; but

his knavish tutor having received his whole pay too soon, ran away before

twenty days were out; however, in this time he had profited so far that

he could quickly preach unto the natives.”

Two Indians from Martha’s Vineyard were entered at Harvard College.

Their names were Joel and Caleb. Joel was lost on his voyage from Boston

to Nantucket just before taking his degree. Caleb was graduated, but soon

died of consumption at Charlestown. His name now stands on the College

Catalogue in this form: “1665, Caleb Cheesehahteaumuck, Indus.” He

composed a Latin and Greek Elegy on the death of an eminent minister, and

subscribed them, “Cheesehahteaumuck, Senior Sophista.”

CHAPTER VII.

Disturbance of Missionary efforts. Philip’s war. Removal of

the Indians to Deer Isle. Return. Conclusion of the History

of Missionary efforts among the Indians of this neighborhood.

Reflections.

Civilization and the influence of the Gospel, however, had their limits.

The Narraganset Indians, situated between the Connecticut and Plymouth

Colonies, refused the Gospel, and the benevolent intentions of the

English. King Philip, the famous warrior of Mount Hope, (now Bristol)

whose name was terrible to our forefathers, scorned the doctrines of the

cross. Mr. Eliot once had an interview with him, explained the way of

salvation, and exhorted him to repent. The Indian chieftain rose, took

hold of Mr. Eliot’s button, and told him, that he cared no more for his

Gospel than he did for that button.

The Indians under Philip were growing jealous of English encroachments

upon their hunting fields. Petty depredations were made by the Indians

upon the English settlements, then followed a summons to court, which, in

process of time, became exceedingly annoying to proud, untamed savages.

They had bartered their lands for English implements and toys; the tools

and the toys were gone, and the savage could not be satisfied to abide

by a paper, call it treaty, bond, or contract, on which he had scratched

his mark. He sighed for his old domains; the waves of civilization were

coming round him like a flood; his people were artfully crowded by the

English into narrow inlets between the settlements, that they might be

watched on all sides.

King Philip was summoned to Court in 1674, for some offence committed by

his tribe. The informer was murdered by the angry savages. The murderers

were hanged by the English. The massacre of eight or nine of the English

at Swansey was the consequence. Philip wept when he heard that the blood

of a white man had been shed. The Colonists began to arm, and a universal

panic prevailed. The superstition of those days added much to the general

terror. Signs in the heavens were reported to have been seen, a scalp on

the disc of the moon in an eclipse; an Indian bow was imprinted on the

sky. Troops of horses were heard rushing through the air. The horrors of

an Indian war made their faces pale and their hearts faint. The scenes at

Bloody Brook, the burning of Lancaster, Medfield, Brookfield, Weymouth,

Groton, Marlborough, the ambushments rising on the congregation as they

returned from public worship, the massacre of wives and children at

home, and the scalping of husbands and brothers in the field, roused the

colonies of Plymouth, Massachusetts, and Connecticut to an exterminating

war.

It is easy to see that the communities of praying Indians could not

escape the influence of the general excitement against the Indians. Some

of them were accused, justly or unjustly, of favoring the designs of the

enemy. The Colonists were all the time afraid that the instinctive love

of war and carnage in the Indian bosom would break through the restraints

of religion, and that all which had been done for the Indians would be

only a qualification of them as more successful traitors and expert

butchers.

On the other hand, King Philip was jealous of the praying Indians. He

used every means of persuasion and fear to enlist them on his side. Their

situation was trying in the extreme. In the excited state of mind which

an Indian war created among the English, a war on the part of the savages

of stratagem, and treachery, it was natural that the Christian Indians

should be trusted and feared. Some of them enlisted with the English and

did good service, and some deserted to Philip.

In 1675, a number of the Christian Indians were brought to Boston on

a charge of being concerned in a murder at Lancaster. Mr. Eliot and

his friends interposed to save them, and succeeded in showing that the

accusation was false and malicious. In so doing, they incurred the

popular resentment, and were suspected and accused of bad motives and

treasonable conduct.

The feelings of the people were now so unreasonable that the worst

consequences to the praying Indians were apprehended. In this state of

things the General Court, as a means of protection to themselves and to

the Indians, passed an order that the Natick Indians should be removed to

Deer Island, in Boston harbor, between four and five miles from shore.

They came to the place called the Pines, near Cambridge, on Charles

River, and were thence conveyed by water to Deer Island. Mr. Eliot met

them at the Pines, and endeavored to soothe and cheer them. He was then

seventy years old. One might question whether he or the Indians suffered

most in their removal.

A party of Indians had fired a barn at Chelmsford. The English imputed

it to the praying Indians at Tewksbury. A party of the English went to

their wigwams, called them out and shot one lad, and wounded several

women and children. The murderers were tried, but the jury were overawed

by the public sentiment and cleared them. The Tewksbury Indians fled into

the wilderness; messengers were sent to them inviting them to return, but

they gave this answer: We are not sorry for what we leave behind, but

we are sorry that the English have driven us from praying to God, and

from our leader. We did begin to understand a little of praying to God.

When the winter season came, their sufferings forced them back to their

wigwams, and the English endeavored in various ways to atone for the

injuries they had suffered.

The Stoughton Indians, for some suspicion, were also removed to Deer

Island, and the whole number there amounted to five hundred. Mr. Eliot

and his friends visited them, and found them patient and meek, exhibiting

the true influence of the Gospel in a satisfactory degree. But they were

exposed to want and suffering of various kinds. The ill-treatment of

other communities of Indians followed in rapid succession, and it was in

vain that they sought in moments of contention, to repair the injuries

which they had inflicted. One party of Indians, for example, had been

taken by a Narraganset Sachem, and had escaped, and were wandering in

the woods, when an English scouting party met them, taking from them,

among other things, a pewter cup which Mr. Eliot had given them for their

communion service, and which they had kept and carried with them with the

reverence of a Jew for his sacred vessels of gold and silver. This party

were also carried to Deer Island.

Philip, the terror of the English Colonies on this continent, was

finally destroyed. The war subsiding, the Deer Island Indians, with the

permission of the General Court, and by the funds of the society in

England for propagating the Gospel, were removed to Cambridge, and were

permitted to choose their places of settlement. Some of them went to

the various falls of Charles River, some to Brush Hill in Milton, some

settled at Nonantum, and many of them went to Natick.

But the efforts to Christianize the Indians were never resumed with

the interest and zeal which were formerly felt. On the part of the

English, there was conscience of wrong, and on the part of the Indians a

remembrance of injustice, and thus a breach was made between them which

was never healed. Some of the Indians had been made slaves. King Philip’s

wife and son had been sold in the West Indies.[39] Mr. Eliot followed

with his prayers and efforts those of his Christian Indians who had been

sold into bondage. He wrote to the celebrated and honorable Robert Boyle

to use his efforts in redeeming some who had been left at Tangier.