CHAP. VIII. Of the Progress of the Gospel among the Indians in the Colony of New-Plymouth, and the Instruments God hath raised up to promote the same.
§. 1. THE example and exhortations of Reverend Mr. Eliot, and his travelling into Plymouth jurisdiction at sometimes, and writing letters to stir up others, and preaching among some of them, and others coming sometimes to him, hath had an influence, through the grace of God co-operating, to win sundry of them to yield obedi|ence and subjection unto the gospel. For the encouragement and fur|therance of that work, it pleased God to raise up one Mr. Richard Bourne, living in that colony, about Sandwich; who being a pious, sober, and active person, endowed with good understanding in the scrip|tures, having gained by his industry and diligence a competent know|ledge and ability to teach them in the Indian language; he applied him|self to preach the gospel to some Indians that dwelt not far from his habitation: and afterwards finding good success, went further among them, preaching the glad tidings of salvation to sundry others: that a good and plentiful harvest is gathered in that colony. Of which take the following account from his own hands.
§. 2. "To his much esteemed friend, Captain Gookin, in Cam|bridge. dddd.
"Worthy Sir,
"All due respects presented; according to your desire, signified in your letter unto myself, I have endeavoured to return you a particular answer, according to the short time I had to accomplish it in. Al|t•ough I have not been willing to appear formerly in so particular ac|count as this is, but rather did desire, that the effect o• the work might speak for me, the which would speak more fully than I could: But being it must be so now, I hope it will occasion many to render thanks to God with myself, in respect of the grace in the gospel manifested among these poor, lost people. And for those that I have been con|versant with, and employed amongst, these many years, you may please to see as followeth.
"First there is at Meeshawn, or near the head of the Cape,* and at Punonakanit, or Billinsgate,* that are praying Indians, that do fre|quently Page 57 meet together upon the Lord's day to worship God; and like|wise the rest as followeth; viz.
| Men and women | 51 | 72 |
| Young men and maids | 21 | |
| Of these seventy two there is that can read Indian | 25 | |
| And that can write there is | 16 |
"Potanumaquut,* or Nawsett,* or Eastham, there are praying Indians,
| Men and women | 24 | 44 |
| Young men and maids | 20 | |
| Of these forty four there is that can read | 7 | |
| That can write there is but | 2 |
"Manamoyik,* there are praying Indians,
| Men and women | 42 | 71 |
| Young men and maids | 29 | |
| Of these seventy one there is that can read | 20 | |
| That can write | 15 | |
| That can read English | 1 |
"Sawkattuket,* Nobsquassit,* Matakees,* and Weequakut,* praying Indians,
| Men and women | 55 | 122 |
| Young men and maids | 67 | |
| Of these one hundred and twenty two there is that can read | 33 | |
| That can write there is | 15 | |
| That can read English | 4 |
"Saruit, Pawpoesit, Coatuit,* Mashpee, Wakoquet,* there is praying Indians,
| Men and women | 70 | 95 |
| Young men and maids | 25 | |
| Of these ninety five there is that can read | 24 | |
| That can write | 10 | |
| That can read English | 2 |
"Codtanmut,* Ashimuit,* Weesquobs,* there is praying Indians,
| Men and women | 12 | 22 |
| Young men and maids | 10 | |
| Of these twenty two there is that can read | 13 | |
| That can write | 7 | |
| That can read English | 2 |
Page 58"Pispogutt,* Wawayontat,* Sokones,* there is praying Indians,
| Men and women | 20 | 36 |
| Young men and maids | 16 | |
| Of these thirty six that can read | 20 | |
| That can write | 7 |
"Cotuhtikut*, Assoowamsoo,* there are praying Indians, one with another, - - - - - 35
* "Concerning these last mentioned, I cannot give such a partic|ular account, as I did in the former; forasmuch as that when I return|ed from Cotuktikut to Plymouth, then I was informed of your desires respecting this account; the places being near forty miles distant from my habitation.
"As respecting gathered churches, there is but one; and ninety per|sons, baptized; beside, yet in full communion, twenty seven. For Englishmen that are employed in the work, that respects this account, there is only myself. Mr. John Cotton is employed in another part of the colony; the which, I conclude, he will give a particular ac|count of.
"The church of Indians in this colony, whereof I am pastor, was gathered near four years since.
"There is four Indians employed in this work, viz. Wuttananmat|tuk, Meeshawin, Peter, alias Sakantuket, and Charles of Mannamit* and places adjacent. Other Indians, viz. four I have employed; but as yet have not received any wages as from the honoured Commission|ers, by reason of the miscarrying of my letters.
"As for lands set out to the Indians, distinct from the English lands, there are divers places already bounded; viz. Where I am most con|versant, there is a tract of land preserved for them and theirs forever, under hand and seal; the which is near ten miles in length, and five in breadth. There is the like done at Comassakumknat,* near Sand|wich, and at Cotuhtikut: Our honoured governour and magistrates being always very careful to preserve lands for them, so far as is in their power to do it.
"The places that want help in a settled way, are these, viz. Co|tuhtikut, Potanumaquut, Manamoyik, Sokones, and Mananiet.* We have and do want books exceedingly to carry on the work by those that are employed therein. I do not question but there is more than one hundred young ones, that are entered both in writing and reading, that are not put into this account. There is good hopes of divers of Page 59 them: some of them, being lately dead, having given a good testimo|ny of their being in the faith; and so lifting up their souls to Christ, as their saviour and their all in all; as divers of the well affected Eng|lish know, and have been present among some of them that departed this life.
"I was with one of them the last summer, that had been sick for a long time; and I stayed with him near one whole day: and there came from him very savoury and heavenly expressions. One passage I will make bold to insert; the which is this. That he being very sick, not expecting the continuance of his life, told me that his wife did much solicit him to forsake God and live; forasmuch as many that were not praying Indians, were not so afflicted as he was. But he, using those words in Job ii. •, 10, gave her this answer. That he would cleave to God, although he died, rather than live, and forsake him.
"Much more I might write in these respects, but am not willing to be troublesome; although the truth is, that many of them are very loose in their course, to my heart breaking sorrow.
"As concerning the messengers, that were present, when the church was gathered, there was present our honoured governour, that now is, with divers of the magistrates. There was also seven of the teach|ing elders, with the messengers of their respective churches; besides, I suppose, five hundred people: some of the chief of them declaring their satisfaction and approbation of the present work at that time.
"Thus I hope I have in general answered your queries according to the short time I had to accomplish these things in, considering the remoteness of the several places, where I am conversant divers times. Thus I have given you a brief answer to your desires; intreating the blessing of the Lord to be with you and this great work for Jesus Christ which we have in hand: and rest
Yours in the service of Christ,
Sandwich, 1. of 7. month, 1674.
RICH. BOURNE."
§. 3. I had another account from Mr. John Cotton, pastor of the English church at Plymouth, concerning those Indians he teacheth in that colony of Plymouth; which take in this following letter from him, directed to me:
"These for the Worshipful Captain Daniel Gookin, Magistrate, living in Cambridge.
"Worshipful and honoured Sir,
"Mr. Bourne having been long in the Indian work, and acquaint|ed with the Indian language in several parts, is most able to give you a satisfying account of the work of God, and its progress among the In|dians of this colony. I have not long lived here: but in this time I began to preach the word of God to a company of Indians, at a place called Kitteaumut.* Since which, through the blessing of God, the number of praying Indians is forty males and females. As yet they have no Indian teacher; but on sabbath days, they usually go to hear one of Mr. Bourne's Indians, at the nearest place to them.
Page 60"About ten of these can read the English books;* and many more are very desirous to learn to read the word: but here is very great want of Indian primers and bibles. I much desire that the Com|missioners would take some speedy course to supply that defect. I sometimes preach to the Indians upon the Cape, at several places, and at Namassekett;* whither come the praying Indians of Affawomit* and Ketehiquut.* Of those Indians Mr. Bourne gives you the account. When the courts are here, there are usually great multitudes of In|dians from all parts of the colony. At those seasons I preach to them; which I mention, because God hath so far blessed it, as to make it a means to encourage some that live very remote, to affect praying to God: viz. Manmanewal, sachem of Sakonett,* and some principal Indians of Coquitt;* who made their confessions, and declared their willingness to serve God; and they do improve all the opportunities they can get to hear the word. They came to hear me at Acushnett,* when I preached there; and do desire further means of instruction. I desire your prayers for me and mine; and rest, Sir,
"Your Worship's in any service for Christ,
"JOHN COTTON."
Plymouth. Sep. 14. 1674."
§. 4. There are some that have hopes of their greatest and chiefest sachem, named Philip, living at Pawkunnawkutt.* Some of his chief men, as I hear, stand well inclined to hear the gosp•l: and himself is a person of good understanding and knowledge in the best things. I have heard him speak very good words, arguing that his conscience is convicted: but yet, though his will is bowed to embrace Jesus Christ, his sensual and carnal lu•s are strong bands to hold him fast under Sa|tan's dominions. It is our duty by faith and prayer to wait God's time, to give a blessing on the means. Indeed the scriptures informs us, That not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble men, are called. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world, to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are. And the reason is, that no flesh should glory in his presence. 1. Cor. 1. 26-29. Though not many, yet some of the great men of the world, God is pleased sometimes to call; and they are only those that he hath chosen. When a sachem or sagamore is converted to the faith, and yields him|self up to embrace the gospel, it hath a great influence upon his sub|jects; Page 61 according to that old maxim: Regis ad exemplum totus compo|nitur orbis.*
