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CHAPTER XIX.
PROPOSALS FROM STOCKBRIDGE, AND FROM THE COMMISSIONERS--VISIT TO
STOCKBRIDGE--INDIAN MISSION--HOUSATONNUCKS--MOHAWKS--DISSENSIONS OF
ENGLISH INHABITANTS--MR. HOLLIS'S MUNIFICENCE.
Early in December, 1750, Mr. Edwards received proposals from the
church and congregation at Stockbridge, to become their minister; and
about the same time, similar proposals from the commissioners, at
Boston, of the "Society in London, for Propagating the Gospel in New
England, and the Parts adjacent," to become the missionary of the
Housatonnucks, or River Indians, a tribe at that time located in
Stockbridge and its immediate vicinity. Before deciding on these
proposals, he went to Stockbridge, in the beginning of January, 1751,
and continued there during the remainder of the winter, and the early
part of the spring, preaching both to the English inhabitants, and, by
the aid of an interpreter, to the Indians. Soon after his return, he
accepted of the invitation both of the commissioners and of the people
of Stockbridge.
The Indian mission at Stockbridge commenced in 1735; when the Rev.
John Sergeant was ordained their missionary. He continued to reside
there until his death, July 27th, 1749. His Indian congregation,
originally about fifty in number, gradually increased, by accessions
from the neighbouring settlements on the Housatonnuck river, to the
number of two hundred and fifty--the actual number in 1751 Mr.
Sergeant devoted much of his time to the study of their language; (the
Moheekanneew; [39] ) yet, at the close of his life, he had not made
such progress, that he could preach in it, or even pray in it, except
by a form. He ultimately regretted the time and labour thus lost, and
expressed the conviction, that it would be far better for his
successor not to learn the language, but to preach by an interpreter,
and to teach the children of the Indians the English language, by the
aid of schoolmasters. Very little success appears to have attended his
labours, either among the Indians or the English congregation.
A school was established, for the instruction of the Indian children,
at the commencement of the mission, and placed under the care of
Timothy Woodbridge, Esq. one of the original settlers of Stockbridge,
and characterized by Mr. Edwards, as "a man of very good abilities, of
a manly, honest, and generous disposition, and as having, by his
upright conduct and agreeable manners, secured the affections and
confidence of the Indians." He was supported by the government of the
province, and devoted himself faithfully to the business of
instructing the Indian children; yet for a long period, like Mr.
Sergeant, he had to lament that so little success attended his
labours. This was owing to various causes. The Indians lived in a
village by themselves, at a small distance from the English
settlement. Their children lived at home with their parents, and not
in a boarding-school, and of course made little or no progress in the
English language; and they had no books in their own. The English
traders sold large quantities of ardent spirits to the Indians, and in
this way constantly counteracted the efforts made to do them good.
There were also unfortunate dissensions among the people of
Stockbridge. The settlement of the town was begun, with a direct
reference to the intellectual and moral improvement of the Indians, in
the immediate vicinity. The lands of the Indians, comprising a very
extensive tract, were secured to them; and important privileges were
granted to the families of the original settlers, by the provincial
legislature, with reference to this very object. Unfortunately, one of
the most wealthy of those settlers appears to have removed to
Stockbridge, with the design of amassing a still larger fortune by his
intercourse wit the Indian settlement. With this view, he formed a
large trading establishment in the neighbourhood. From his wealth and
his locality, affairs of some moment, relating to the Indians at
Stockbridge, were on various occasions intrusted to his management; in
one of which Mr. Woodbridge regarded him as doing so great and
palpable an injury, both to the Indians and the province, that, taking
it in connexion with the general tenor of his conduct, he felt himself
bound to prevent, as far as lay in his power, all intercourse between
him and the Indian settlement, as well as all influence which he might
attempt to exert over the affairs of the Indians. In return, he
endeavored, in the first instance, to prevent the Indians from sending
their children to the school, and to render those parents who actually
sent them dissatisfied with Mr. Woodbridge; and at length to procure
the dismission of that gentleman from his appointment. This
controversy was of long continuance, and affected the whole
settlement. The result was, that although he amassed considerable
wealth, he entirely lost the confidence of the Indians; and so
completely alienated the minds of the English inhabitants, that every
family in the place, his own excepted, sided with his antagonist. This
controversy, for a long time, had a most inauspicious effect on the
school of Mr. Woodbridge and on the mission of Mr. Sergeant.
In 1739, Mr. Sergeant, despairing of any considerable success under
the existing plan of instruction, attempted the establishment of an
Indian boarding-school, to be kept at the expense of the English. He
proposed, that the children should live in the family of their
instructor, and learn the English language; and that their time should
be divided between work and study, under different masters. For some
time, he made but little progress in raising funds for this purpose,
but at length was aided in his design, by the benevolence of the Rev.
Isaac Hollis, a clergyman near London, who most generously offered to
defray the expense of the board, clothing, and instruction of twelve
Indian children. At this time no boarding-house was built; and for a
long period, Mr. Serjeant found it impossible to procure a person duly
qualified to take charge of the school. To begin the work, however,
Mr. Serjeant hired as a temporary teacher, until a competent one could
be procured, a Capt. Martin Kellogg, an illiterate man, originally a
farmer, and subsequently a soldier, about sixty years of age, very
lame, and wholly unaccustomed to the business of instruction. His
sister, Mrs. Ashley, the wife of a Capt. Ashley, of Suffield, who had
been taken prisoner, when a child, by the Iroquois, and perfectly
understood their language, was the interpreter of the English at
Stockbridge; and her brother having come to reside there, in
consequence of having no regular business, was employed temporarily by
Mr. Sergeant, for the want of a better instructor, because he was on
the spot. A school had just been commenced under his auspices, (not
however as a boarding-school, as no house could be procured for the
purpose,) when the French war of 1744 broke it up; and Capt. Kellogg,
that he might continue to receive the money of Mr. Hollis, carried
several of the Indian boys to Newington, in Connecticut, where he had
previously resided.
After the close of the war, in 1748, Mr. Sergeant began the erection
of a house for a boarding-school. He also wrote a letter to the nation
of the Mohawks, then residing on the Mohawk river, about forty miles
west of Albany, inviting them to bring their children to Stockbridge
for instruction. But he did not live to see either of these designs
accomplished. At his death, in 1749, several Indian boys were left in
the hands of Capt. Kellogg, who in the autumn of 1750, not having
heard from Mr. Hollis for a considerable period, and supposing him to
be dead, dismissed them for a time, and gave up his attempt to form a
school.
In consequence of the letter of Mr. Sergeant to the Mohawk tribe,
which had been accompanied by a very kind invitation from the
Housatonnuck Indians, offering them a portion of their lands for a
place of settlement, if they would come and reside in Stockbridge,
about twenty of them, old and young, came to that place in 1750, a
short time before the removal of Mr. Edwards and his family. The
provincial legislature, learning this fact, made provision for the
support and maintenance of the children, and Capt. Kellogg,
unfortunately, was employed as the instructor. He never established a
regular school, however, but taught the boys occasionally, and
incidentally, and employed them chiefly in cultivating his own lands.
He was then 65 years of age.
Near the close of Mr. Serjeant's life, the school for the Housatonnuck
children, under Mr. Woodbridge, became much more flourishing. His
salary was increased, the number of his pupils augmented, and himself
left to act with less restraint. The Indians also became less inclined
to intemperance. The influence of the ----family was likewise extinct;
the English inhabitants having to a man taken the opposite side in the
controversy; and the Indians regarding Mr. Woodbridge as their best
friend, and his opponent as their worst enemy. Mr. Woodbridge was
also, at this period, able to avail himself of the assistance of a
young Housatonnuck, educated by himself, of the name of John
Wonwanonpequunnonnt, a man of uncommon talents and attainments, as
well as of sincere piety; who appears to have been raised up by
Providence, that he might become the interpreter of Mr. Edwards, in
preaching to his countrymen.
Mr. Hollis, having heard of the arrival of the Mohawks at Stockbridge,
and supposing that a regular boarding-school was established under the
care of Capt. Kellogg, wrote to him to increase the number of the
children to twenty-four, who were to be maintained and instructed at
his expense. During the winter of 1750-51, the number of Mohawks, who
came to reside at Stockbridge, was increased to about ninety; among
whom were Hendrick, and Nicholas, and seven others of their chiefs.
Such was the state of things at Stockbridge, and such the state of the
Indian mission, and of the Indian schools, when Mr. Edwards was
invited to remove to that place. The ----family at first exerted their
whole influence, to prevent his receiving an invitation from the
people at Stockbridge; but, finding that the church and parish
(themselves excepted) were unanimous in giving the invitation, and
very anxious that he should accept it, that there was no chance of
producing a change in the minds of the commissioners in Boston, and
that continued opposition must terminate in their own utter
discomfiture, they changed their course, and professed to be highly
gratified that he was coming among them.
After his return to Northampton, in the spring of 1751, Mr. Edwards,
before coming to a final decision, paid a visit to his Excellency Sir
William Pepperell, at Kittery, to learn the actual views of the
government, with regard to the Indian establishment at Stockbridge;
and having received satisfactory assurances on this subject, he soon
after announced to the people of Stockbridge, and to the commissioners
in Boston, his acceptance of their respective invitations. In the
third week of June, he went again to Stockbridge, and remained there
during the greater part of the ensuing month.
While at Stockbridge, he addressed the following letter to the Rev.
Mr. Erskine.
"Stockbridge, June 28, 1751.
rev. and dear brother,
I have lately received the `Treatise on the Restoration of the Jews,'
and a pamphlet entitled, `A Serious Address to the Church of
Scotland,' and a `Sermon on the Qualifications of the Teachers of
Christianity,' preached by you before the Synod, with Glass's Notes on
Scripture Texts, No. 5. These pamphlets were enclosed in a wrapper,
superscribed by your hand There was also in the packet, a brief
advertisement concerning one of the pamphlets, written in your hand,
though without any date or name, or any letter in the packet. But yet,
I conclude these pamphlets were sent by you, and accordingly I now
thank you for them. Your discourse on the Qualifications of Teachers
of Christianity, is a very acceptable present. Glass's Notes on
Scripture Texts contain some things that are very curious, and
discover close study, and a critical genius. The Treatise on the
Restoration of the Jews, if written by a christian divine, is a
strange and unaccountable thing; by reason of there being nothing at
all said, or hinted, about the Jews' conversion to the Christian
faith, or so much as one mention of Jesus Christ; and his supporting
that the prophecies of Ezekiel are to be literally fulfilled, in the
building of such a temple and city as is there described, and the
springing of such a river from the threshold of the temple, and its
running into the east sea, and the Jews offering sacrifices, and
observing other rites spoken of in Ezekiel; and that the Messiah is
yet to come, and to reign in Jerusalem as a temporal prince, &c. And I
am wholly at a loss, as to the author's real design, whether it was,
to promote Judaism, or deism, or only to amuse his readers. Since I
received these pamphlets, I have received letters from all my other
correspondents in Scotland; but none from you. Mr. M'Laurin speaks of
your writing, or designing to write; but suggests that possibly your
letter would not arrive so soon as the rest; so that I hope I shall
yet, ere long, receive a letter from you. The letters I have received
from my other correspondents, make mention of a great revival of
religion in Guelderland, and Mr. M'Laurin has sent me printed accounts
of it, published, as I understand, by Mr. Gillies, his son-in-law,
being extracts of letters from Holland. I had some notice of it
before, in a letter from Mr. Davenport, who, for the most part,
resides in New Jersey. The account he wrote, was brought over from
Holland by a young Dutch minister, whose name is John Frielinghausen,
born in New Jersey, second son to an eminent Dutch minister there. His
elder brother is settled at Albany, and by all accounts, is an able
and faithful minister. This second son has been in Holland two years,
I suppose to perfect his education in one of their universities, where
his brother at Albany had his education. He came over into America the
last summer, having just been married and ordained in Holland, in
order to take the pastoral charge of some of the places that had been
under his father's care.
The accounts Mr. Davenport gives from him, are not so particular, as
those that are published by Mr. Gillies. But there is one material and
important circumstance, which he mentions, not taken notice of in the
accounts from Scotland, viz. that the stadtholder was much pleased
with the work.
At the same time, that we rejoice in that glorious work, and praise
God for it, it concerns us carefully to pray, that God's ministers and
people there may be directed in such a state of things, wherein wisdom
and great discretion are so exceedingly needed, and great care and
skill, to distinguish between true and false religion; between those
inward experiences, which are from the saving influence of the Spirit
of God, and those that are from Satan, transforming himself into an
angel of light. Without this, it may be expected, that the great
deceiver will gradually insinuate himself; acting under disguise, he
will pretend to be a zealous assistant in building the temple, yea,
the chief architect, when his real design will be, to bring all to the
ground, and to build Babel, instead of the temple of God, finally to
the great reproach and grief of all true friends of religion, and the
haughty triumph of its adversaries. If I may be allowed my conjecture
in this affair, there lies the greatest danger of the people in
Guelderland, who are concerned in this work. I wish they had all the
benefit of the late experience of this part of the church of God, here
in America. Mr. M'Laurin informs me, dear Sir, that you have a
correspondence in the Netherlands; and, as you know something of the
calamities we have suffered from this quarter, I wish you would give
them some kind admonitions. They will need all the warnings that can
be given them. For the temptation to religious people, in such a state
of things, to countenance the glaring, shining counterparts of
religion, without distinguishing them from the reality, what is true
and genuine, is so strong, that they are very hardly indeed restrained
from it. They will at last find the consequences not to be good, of an
abundant declaring and proclaiming their experience, on all occasions,
and before all companies, if they get into that way, as they will be
very likely to do, without special caution in their guides. I am not
so much concerned about any danger, the interest of the revival of
religion in Guelderland may be in, from violent open opposition, as
from the secret, subtle, undiscerned guile of the old serpent. I
perceive, pious ministers in the Netherlands are concerned to obtain
attestations to the good abiding effect of the awakenings in Scotland
and America. I think it is fit they should know the very truth of the
case, and that things should be represented neither better nor worse
than they are. If they should be represented worse, that would give
encouragement to unreasonable opposers; if better, that might prevent
a most necessary caution, of the true friends of the awakening. There
are, undoubtedly, very many instances in New England, in the whole, of
the perseverance of such, as were thought to have received the saving
benefits of the late revival of religion; and of their continuing to
walk in newness of life, and as becomes saints; instances, which are
incontestable, and which men must be most obstinately blind not to
see; but I believe the proportion here is not so great as in Scotland.
I cannot say, that the greater part of supposed converts give reason,
by their conversation, to suppose that they are true converts. The
proportion may, perhaps, be more truly represented, by the proportion
of the blossoms on a tree which abide and come to mature fruit, to the
whole number of blossoms in the spring.
In the forementioned letter, which I lately received from Mr.
Davenport, he mentions some degrees of awakening in some places of New
Jersey. The following are extracts from his letter. `I returned last
month from Cape May, where I had been labouring some time, with little
or no success, as to the unregenerate; except somewhat encouraging,
the last day of my preaching among them. Yet, blessed be God, I hear
of the success of several ministers in the Jerseys, and the revival of
religion in some places; though it is very dull times in most. Mr.
Reed of Boundbrook, has, I hear, some encouragement, by reason of a
few in that place being under conviction. Mr. Kennedy, who is likely
to settle at Baskingridge, I hear, has still more encouragement; and
Mr. John Frielinghausen more yet, among the Dutch. He is the second
son of the Mr. Frielinghausen, mentioned in your narrative, who died a
few years ago. This second son came over from Holland, where he had
been two years, and was ordained a little before he came over, the
last summer. Pious ministers among the Dutch, this way, I think
increase faster of late, than among other people. I was at the house
of such an one, Mr. Varbryk, as I came along in this journey; who was
ordained last fall, about five miles beyond Dobbs's Ferry, in New York
government. Mr. William Tennent told me, that Mr. John Light, a pious
young Dutch minister in New Jersey, was translating the accounts from
Holland into English. Mr. Brainerd has had some special success
lately, through mercy; so that nine or ten Indians appear to be under
conviction, as he tells me; and about twelve of the white people near
them, that used to be stupid like the very heathen; and many others
more thoughtful and serious. Mr. Sacket has lately been favoured with
peculiar success, in reducing a number drawn away and infected by the
separatists; and some endeavours I have used since that, and with him,
have, I trust, not been altogether in vain. The good Lord grant, that
false religion may cease, and true religion prevail through the
earth!' This letter of Mr. Davenport was dated April 26, 1751.
The Dutch people in the provinces of New York and New Jersey, have
been famed for being generally exceedingly ignorant, stupid, and
profane, little better than the savages of our American deserts. But
it is remarkable, that things should now begin to appear more hopeful
among them, about the same time that religion is reviving among the
Dutch in their mother country; and certainly the revivals of religion
which have very lately appeared, especially among the Dutch in Europe,
do verify God's holy word, which not only gives such great
encouragement to those who have engaged in the Concert for United
Prayer, begun in Scotland, to go forward, but binds it strongly upon
them so to do; and shows that it will be an aggravated fault, if,
after God does such glorious things so soon after we have begun in an
extraordinary manner to ask them, we should grow cold and slack, and
begin to faint. And I think what God has now done, may well cause
those, who seemed at first, with some zeal, to engage in the affair,
but have grown careless about it, and have left off, to reflect on
themselves with blushing and confusion. What if you, dear Sir, and
other ministers in Scotland, who have been engaged in this affair,
should now take occasion to inform ministers in the Netherlands of it,
and move them to come into it, and join with us, in our united and
extraordinary prayers, for an universal revival of religion?
As to my present circumstances, I came the last week to this place,
having undertaken the business of a missionary to the Indians here;
having been chosen the pastor of this church, and chosen missionary by
the commissioners for Indian affairs in Boston. My instalment is
appointed to be on the second Thursday in the next month. [40] I don't
expect to get ready to remove my family till winter. But I must refer
you, dear Sir, to my letters to Mr. M'Laurin and Mr. Robe, for a more
full account of my circumstances, and of the things which have passed
relating to them. I have, with this, sent you the Gazette, containing
the Result of the late Council at Northampton, and intend to order one
of my Farewell Sermons to be put up for you. My family were in their
usual state of health when I left them, excepting my youngest child,
who had something like an intermitting fever.
Please to present my cordial respects, and christian love, to your
dear consort, and remember me in your prayers, with regard to the
trials and changes I am called to pass through, and the new important
business I have undertaken.
I am, dear Sir, your most
united and obliged friend and brother,
jonathan edwards."
From Mr. Gillespie he received, about this period, a letter most
grateful to his own feelings, expressing a lively and affectionate
sympathy in his afflictions, as well as surprise and astonishment at
the conduct of the people of Northampton. Mr. Edwards, in his reply,
communicates a series of facts respecting them, which not only were
adapted at the time to remove these impressions of his friend; but
will be found, also, to contain a most important and salutary lesson
of instruction, to every minister and every church. The solemn caution
of the apostle, in 1 Cor. iii. 10-15., to every minister, to take care
how he builds up the temple of God, of which Jesus Christ is the
foundation--a caution, which refers not only to the nature of the
doctrines which he teaches, but also, and even more especially, (as
will be obvious from verses 16 and 17.) to the character of the
members whom he adds to the church of Christ, which is the temple of
God;--is here enforced most solemnly, by arguments derived from
experience.
"To the Rev. Thomas Gillespie, Carnock.
Stockbridge, July 1, 1751.
rev. and very dear sir,
I am very greatly obliged to you for your most kind, affectionate,
comfortable, and profitable letter of Feb. 2, 1751. I thank you, dear
Sir, for your sympathy with me, under my troubles, so amply testified,
and the many suitable and proper considerations you suggest me, for my
comfort and improvement. May God enable me to make a right improvement
of them.
It is not to be wondered at, dear Sir, that you are shocked and
surprised at what has happened between me and the people of
Northampton. It is surprising to all impartial and considerate persons
that live near, and have the greatest advantage to know the
circumstances of the affair, and the things that preceded the event,
and made way for it. But no wonder if it be much more so to strangers
at a distance. I doubt not, but that God intends his own glory, and
the safety and prosperity of Zion, and the advancement of the
interests of religion, in the issue of this event.
But it is best, that the true state of the case should be known, and
that it should be viewed as it is, in order to receiving that
instruction which Divine Providence holds forth in it, and in order to
proper reflections and right improvement.
As there is a difference among particular persons, as to their natural
temper, so there is some difference of this kind to be observed in
different countries, and also in different cities and towns. The
people of Northampton have, ever since I can remember, been famed for
a high-spirited people, and of a difficult and turbulent temper.
However, though in some respects they have been a stiff-necked people,
yet God has been pleased, in times past, to bestow many distinguishing
favours upon them. The town has stood now near one hundred years.
Their first minister, Mr. Eleazar Mather, brother to Dr. Increase
Mather of Boston, and Mr. Samuel Mather of Dublin, Ireland; was a very
eminent man of God. After him came Mr. Stoddard, my grandfather, a
very great man, of strong powers of mind, of great grace and great
authority, of a masterly countenance, speech, and behaviour. He had
much success in his ministry; there being many seasons in his day, of
general awakening among his people. He continued in the ministry, at
Northampton, about sixty years. But God was pleased, in some respects,
especially, to manifest his power in the weakness of his successor;
there having been a more remarkable awakening, since his death, than
ever had been till then, in that town: although since that, also, a
greater declension, and more awful departures from God, in some
respects, than ever before; and so the last minister has had more to
humble him, than either of his predecessors. May the effect be
answerable to God's just expectations.
The people have, from the beginning, been well instructed; having had
a name, for a long time, for a very knowing people; and many have
appeared among them, persons of good abilities; and many, born in the
town, have been promoted to places of public trust: they have been a
people distinguished on this account. These things have been
manifestly abused to nourish the pride of their natural temper, which
had made them more difficult and unmanageable. There were some mighty
contests and controversies among them, in Mr. Stoddard's day; which
were managed with great heat and violence: some great quarrels in the
church, wherein Mr. Stoddard, great as his authority was, knew not
what to do with them. In one ecclesiastical controversy in Mr.
Stoddard's day, wherein the church was divided into two parties, the
heat of spirit was raised to such a degree, that it came to hard
blows. A member of one party met the head of the opposite party, and
assaulted him, and beat him unmercifully. In latter times, the people
have had more to feed their pride. They have grown a much greater and
more wealthy people than formerly, and are become more extensively
famous in the world, as a people that have excelled in gifts and
grace, and had God extraordinarily among them; which has insensibly
engendered and nourished spiritual pride, that grand inlet of the
devil in the hearts of men, and avenue of all manner of mischief among
a professing people. Spiritual pride is a most monstrous thing. If it
be not discerned, and vigorously opposed, in the beginning, it very
often soon raises persons above their teachers, and supposed spiritual
fathers, and sets them out of the reach of all rule and instruction,
as I have seen in innumerable instances. And there is this
inconvenience, attending the publishing of narratives of a work of God
among a people, (such is the corruption that is in the hearts of men,
and even of good men,) that there is great danger of their making it
an occasion of spiritual pride. There is great reason to think that
the Northampton people have provoked God greatly against them, by
trusting in their privileges and attainments. And the consequences may
well be a warning to all God's people, far and near, that hear of
them.
Another thing, which probably has contributed in some measure to the
unhappiness of the people's manners, was, that Mr. Stoddard, though an
eminently holy man, was naturally of a dogmatical temper; and the
people being brought up under him, and with a high veneration for him,
were naturally led to imitate him. Especially their officers and
leading men, seemed to think it an excellency, to be like him in this
respect.
It has been a very great wound to the church of Northampton, that
there has been for forty or fifty years, a sort of settled division of
the people into two parties, somewhat like the Court and Country
party, in England (if I may compare small things with great). There
have been some of the chief men in the town, of chief authority and
wealth, that have been great proprietors of their lands, who have had
one party with them. And the other party, which has commonly been the
greatest, have been of those, who have been jealous of them, apt to
envy them, and afraid of their having too much power and influence in
town and church. This has been a foundation of innumerable contentions
among the people, from time to time, which have been exceedingly
grievous to me, and by which doubtless God has been dreadfully
provoked, and his Spirit grieved and quenched, and much confusion and
many evil works have been introduced.
Another thing, that evidently has contributed to our calamities, is,
that the people had got so established in certain wrong notions and
ways in religion, which I found them in, and could never beat them out
of. Particularly; it was too much their method to lay almost all the
stress of their hopes in religion, on the particular shape and method
of their first work; i.e. the first work of the Spirit of God on their
hearts, in their conviction and conversion; and to look but little at
the abiding sense and temper of their hearts, and the course of their
exercises, and trials of grace, for evidences of their good estate.
Nor had they learned, and many of them never could be made to learn,
to distinguish between impressions on the imagination, and lively
spiritual experience; and when I came among them, I found it to be too
much a custom among them without discretion, or distinction of
occasions, places, or companies, to declare and publish their own
experiences; and oftentimes to do it in a light manner, without any
air of solemnity. This custom has not a little contributed to
spiritual pride and many other evils. When I first settled among the
people, being young and of little experience, I was not thoroughly
aware of the ill consequences of such a custom, and so allowed or at
least did not testify against it, as I ought to have done.
And here I desire it may be observed, that I would be far from so
laying all the blame of the sorrowful things, that have come to pass,
to the people, as to suppose that I have no cause of self-reflection
and humiliation before God, on this occasion. I am sensible that it
becomes me to look on what has lately happened, as an awful frown of
heaven on me, as well as on the people. God knows the sinfulness of my
heart, and the great and sinful deficiencies and offences; which I
have been guilty of, in the course of my ministry at Northampton. I
desire that God would discover them to me more and more, and that now
he would effectually humble me, and mortify my pride and
self-confidence, and empty me entirely of myself, and make me to know
how that I deserve to be cast away, as an abominable branch, and as a
vessel wherein is no pleasure; and, if it may consist with his holy
will, that he would sanctify me, and make me a vessel more meet for my
Master's use; and yet improve me as an instrument of his glory, and
the good of the souls of mankind.
One thing, that has contributed to bring things to such a pass at
Northampton, was my youth, and want of more judgment and experience,
in the time of that extraordinary awakening, about sixteen years ago.
[41] Instead of a youth, there was want of a giant, in judgment and
discretion, among a people in such an extraordinary state of things.
In some respects, doubtless, my confidence in myself was a great
injury to me; but in other respects my diffidence of myself injured
me. It was such, that I durst not act my own judgment, and had no
strength to oppose received notions, and established customs, and to
testify boldly against some glaring false appearances, and
counterfeits of religion, till it was too late. And by this means, as
well as others, many things got footing, which have proved a dreadful
source of spiritual pride, and other things that are exceedingly
contrary to true Christianity. If I had had more experience, and
ripeness of judgment and courage, I should have guided my people in a
better manner, and should have guarded them better from Satan's
devices, and prevented the spiritual calamity of many souls, and
perhaps the eternal ruin of some of them; and have done what would
have tended to lengthen out the tranquillity of the town.
However, doubtless at that time, there was a very glorious work of God
wrought in Northampton, and there were numerous instances of saving
conversion; though undoubtedly many were deceived, and deceived
others; and the number of true converts was not so great as was then
imagined. Many may be ready, from things that are lately come to pass,
to determine, that all Northampton religion is come to nothing; and
that all the famed awakenings, and revivals of religion in that place,
prove to be nothing but strange tides of a melancholy and whimsical
humour. But they would draw no such conclusion, if they exactly knew
the true state of the case, and would judge of it with full calmness
and impartiality of mind.
There are many things to be considered in the case of Northampton:
1. That many of those, who have been most violently engaged, and have
chiefly led and excited others in it, though they have been leading
men in the town, and have been esteemed considerable for their
knowledge, estate, and age, and have been professors of religion, yet
have not been the most famed for piety.
2. The leading men, who have been the most engaged in this matter, who
have taken vast pains to stir up others that are inferior, have had
this great advantage in their hands, that the controversy was a
religious controversy; that that, which I opposed, was what they
always had supposed to be a part of divine truth, a precious and
important doctrine of the word of God; and, that the cause of my
opposers was the cause of God. This has led the more ignorant and less
considerate people to look on their zeal against me as virtue, and to
christen even their passions and bitterness in such a cause with
sanctified names, and to let them loose, and prosecute the views of
their bitterness and violence without a check of conscience.
3. They have also had the great advantage of the vast veneration the
people had for Mr. Stoddard's memory; which was such, that many looked
on him almost as a sort of deity. They were all, (i.e. except the
young people,) born and brought up under his ministry, and had been
used from their infancy to esteem his sayings all as oracles. And he,
they knew, maintained that doctrine which I oppose, with great
positiveness and zeal, and opposed the contrary, which I maintain, as
an exceedingly pernicious doctrine. Under these circumstances, I
naturally appear as a dangerous opposer of the cause of God, and my
teaching and insisting on the doctrine, which Mr. Stoddard opposed,
appears to them a sort of horrid profaneness.
4. Crafty designing men have abundantly filled the ears of the more
ignorant with suggestions, that my opinion tends to overthrow all
religion, and to ruin the present and future generations, and to make
all heathens, shutting them out of the church of Christ.
5. Not only many of the leading men of Northampton have used their
utmost endeavours, to engage the minds of the common people in this
controversy, but they have also been put forward, by the neighbouring
ministers all round. My opposers have also been assisted and edged on
by some at a great distance, persons of note; and some great men in
civil authority have had a great hand in it.
6. It is to be considered, that the contrary opinion to mine, had not
only long been established in Northampton without so much as one
opposer to it; but it had also been fully and quietly established, for
a long time, in all the neighbouring churches and congregations, and
in all the country round, even to a great distance; so that my opinion
when first broached, appeared to the people exceedingly singular.
Their views being very narrow, it appeared to them, that all the
world, almost, was against me. And my most crafty opposers improved
this advantage, and abundantly represented me as all alone in my
opinion.
7. Many of the people, who at length came to have their spirits much
raised, and were brought to join in violent measures, yet came slowly
into it, after being long practised with, and indefatigable endeavours
used, to engage and influence them.
8. There are about twenty heads of families, besides others, women and
young people, who ever appeared openly against the proceedings of the
town, and many others have appeared friendly to me. And there is not a
little reason to think, that there are many more, especially women and
youths, that would appear so, if they dare. For a person, by appearing
my friend at Northampton, even so much so as openly to discountenance
my being turned out of the pulpit, exposes himself to the immediate
persecution of his neighbours, and perhaps of his nearest friends. I
mean, he falls under their great resentment, loses all their
friendship, and is every where the object of reproach.
9. It is to be considered, that these things have happened when God is
greatly withdrawn, and religion was very low, not only at Northampton,
but all over New England.
10. I believe the devil is greatly alarmed, by the opposition made to
the lax doctrine of admission to the christian church, and to the
corresponding practice, which had been so long established at
Northampton, and so extensively in the country; in which he found his
account, and hoped for more important consequences, and more agreeable
to him. And God, for wise ends, has suffered him to exert himself, in
an extraordinary manner, in opposition; as God ordinarily does, when
truth is in the birth.
But I am drawn out to an unexpected length in my observations on these
things, and have not left myself room, nor time, for some other
things, that I would willingly write, and must therefore refer you to
my letters to my other correspondents in Scotland; particularly, Mr.
M'Laurin, Mr. Robe, Mr. M'Culloch, and Mr. Erskine. To some of them, I
have sent a particular account of my present circumstances, and of
things which have lately passed, relating to them. I would only say in
general, that I have had a call to settle in Stockbridge, a place in
the western borders of New England, next to the province of New York,
about thirty-six miles from Albany, and about forty miles from
Northampton, the place where Mr. Sergeant was minister and missionary
to the Indians. I am both called by the church here, constituted
partly of Indians and partly of English, and am appointed missionary
to the Indians, by the commissioners of Indian affairs, in Boston;
agreeably to what you suggest in your letter, as though you had been
able to foresee future events, when you say,--"Perhaps you are to be
employed where the gospel has been little understood or attended to."
I suppose this place will, for the future, be the place of my ordinary
abode, though it will be some months before I can remove my family. I
have no leisure, at present, to write on the subject you speak of,
viz. Impressions, and supposed immediate revelations, though I own the
vast importance of the subject. I had begun to write something against
the Arminians, before the late controversy; and now lately, Mr.
Williams has written a book, in answer to mine on that subject; which
I think myself obliged to answer, if God give me opportunity.
I have much to teach me to behave like a pilgrim and stranger in the
earth. But in the midst of troubles and difficulties, I receive many
mercies. Particularly, I have great reason, with abundant
thankfulness, to take notice of the great kindness of my friends in
Scotland. Blessed be God, who never forsakes those that trust in him;
and never wants instruments, for the conveyance of his goodness and
liberality to those who suffer in his cause!
I shall take care, that there be conveyed, with this letter, to you,
one of my Farewell Sermons, and the Result of the Council that sat at
Northampton the last May. Remember me, dear Sir, at the throne of
grace, with regard to all my trials; and with regard to my new
circumstances, and the important service I have undertaken in this
place;--and please, in your next, to inform me, what family you have,
and of their state.
I am, dear Sir, your most
affectionate friend and brother,
jonathan edwards."
The following letter of Mr. Edwards to the Rev. Isaac Hollis, the
patron of one of the Indian schools at Stockbridge, will explain some
of the difficulties to which they were subjected.
"To Mr. Hollis.
Stockbridge, July 2, 1751.
rev. and honoured sir,
Having seen your late letter to Mr. Prince of Boston, and another to
Capt. Kellogg, received this summer, and having lately been appointed
missionary to the Indians in this place, I thought myself obliged to
take the first opportunity to write to you, who have exerted yourself,
in so extraordinary a manner, to promote our interests here, to serve
which I am now devoted; partly to offer you my thanks for what you
have done, and have lately offered to do, with so fervent and enlarged
a heart, and bountiful a hand, for the advancement and enlargement of
Christ's kingdom of grace among this poor people, and the eternal
welfare of their souls; which may well excite the joy and admiration
of all good Christians, the thanks of all who make the interests of
Zion their own, and especially of him who has the souls of the Indians
committed to his own more immediate care.
I write, also, partly to inform you of what I have had opportunity to
observe, of the state of things here, relating to the affair of the
instruction of the Indians, which you have a right to know; it being
an affair in which you have been pleased so greatly to interest
yourself, and which depends so much on the effects of your most
generous christian beneficence. I have had considerable opportunity to
observe the state of things; for though it is but about a month since
I came here, after I had undertaken the work of the ministry here, as
the stated missionary, yet I had been here before, two months in the
winter, and then spent much time with the Indians, particularly with
the Mohawks under the care of Capt. Kellogg.
There are here two schools for the instruction of Indian children: one
under the care of Mr. Timothy Woodbridge, which began soon after Mr.
Sergeant began to preach to these Indians,--this school consists
wholly of the proper Housatonnuck Indians; the other, under the care
of Capt. Kellogg, which he began with the Housatonnucks, on the plan
which Mr. Sergeant projected; but, in the changeable unsettled state,
in which things have been since Mr. Sergeant's death, it has been
altered from that form, and the Housatonnuck boys have left it, and it
now consists wholly of Mohawk children, which have been brought down
hither by their parents, from their own proper country, about eighty
miles, to this end, that they might be taught to read, and write, and
be instructed in the christian religion.
There are some things, which give a hopeful prospect with regard to
these Mohawk Indians; particularly the forward inclination of the
children and their aptness to learn. But that, which has evidently
been the greatest defect from the beginning in the method of
instruction here, is, that no more proper and effectual measures have
been taken, to bring the children that are here to the knowledge of
the English tongue. For want of this, all the labour and cost, which
have been expended in schools here, for about fourteen years, have
been consequently to but little effect or benefit. When the children
are taught to read, many of them, for want of the English language,
know nothing of what they read; their books being all in English. They
merely learn to make such and such sounds, on the sight of such and
such marks, but know not the meaning of the words, and so have neither
profit nor pleasure in reading, and will therefore be apt soon to lose
even what they have learned, having no benefit or entertainment in the
use of it.
It is on many other accounts of great importance, that they should be
brought to know the English language. This would greatly tend to
forward their instruction; their own barbarous languages being
exceedingly barren, and very unfit to express moral and divine things.
It would likewise open their minds, and, by means of their
acquaintance and conversation with the English, would tend to advance
them in knowledge and civilization. Some pains has been taken to teach
the children the English tongue, but nothing very considerable has
been accomplished. And I can think of but two ways in which it can be
effected:--either by introducing a number of English children into the
schools, to learn with them, and be their mates; or by distributing
the Indian children into English families, to live there a year or
two, where they must be allowed to speak the English and nothing else,
and then return into the Indian schools, to perfect them in reading
and writing, and the knowledge of the principles of religion, and all
other useful knowledge. The latter, if their parents can be persuaded
to consent to it, as probably they may, will be much the most
effectual.
I would therefore, Sir, humbly propose, that some such method should
be taken with regard to the children, who have the benefit of your
liberality; and that part of your benefaction should be expended in
this way, under the care of prudent and faithful trustees; for, in
order to the business being managed thoroughly in future, a great deal
of care and activity will be necessary, vastly more than the
schoolmaster can have leisure for. There are many things pertaining to
the regulation of the affairs of the instruction of the Indian
children, which seem greatly to require the care of a number of
persons, who shall be intrusted to dispose things according to the
best of their discretion; sending from time to time a particular and
exact account of the manner in which they have laid out your money.
I thought myself obliged to give you these intimations; you being at a
great distance, and not capable of knowing the exact state of things,
any otherwise, than by the information of those who are on the spot;
and it being fit that you should know those circumstances, which are
of so much importance to the affair, that, without a proper regard to
them, the great expense which you incur, is liable to be in a great
measure in vain.
I humbly request your prayers to the Fountain of all light and grace,
for his guidance and assistance in this important service, which I
have lately undertaken in this place.
I am, Honoured Sir,
Your most humble servant,
And affectionate brother in the gospel ministry,
jonathan edwards."
A conference was appointed to be held at Albany, the last week in
June, 1751, between the commissioners of the governments of
Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York, and the chiefs of the
Iroquois, or Six Nations, for the purpose of making a treaty. The
commissioners of Massachusetts were directed to pass through
Stockbridge, on their way to Albany, for the purpose of conferring
with the Mohawks already there, about their settlement in New England.
On their arrival they found that Hendrick, and almost all the heads of
families, on account of their disgust at the neglect of their
children, on the part of Capt. Kellogg, had returned to their own
country. In consequence of this, they requested Mr. Edwards to go to
Albany, and be present at the conference; whither he accordingly went
the first week in July. In an interview with Hendrick and Nicholas, he
endeavoured to persuade them to influence as many of the Mohawk
chiefs, as possible, to go to Stockbridge, and there treat of their
removal to New England. This being urged upon them afterwards, by the
commissioners of Massachusetts, was agreed to by them and the other
chiefs; and a conference appointed to be held at Stockbridge in
August. Mr. Edwards then returned to Stockbridge, and in the latter
part of July, to his family in Northampton.
The first week in August, he removed his family and effects from
Northampton to Stockbridge; and on Thursday, Aug. 8th, was regularly
installed as the minister of the congregation in that place, and
inducted into the office of missionary to the Indians residing in its
vicinity. His salary was derived from three sources: from the parish
of Stockbridge; from the Society in London, for Propagating the Gospel
in New England, and the Parts adjacent, whose missionary he was,
through their commissioners at Boston; and from the legislature of the
colony, as a part of the annual fund devoted to the civilization of
the Indians. This latter sum was paid, of course, to the individual,
who held the office of minister and missionary at Stockbridge,
although the government had no voice in his appointment.
On Tuesday, Aug. 13th, the chiefs of the Mohawks came from their two
principal settlements to Stockbridge, and met the commissioners of the
province. The chiefs expressed a very strong desire that their
children might be instructed; but objected to the removal to
Stockbridge, on the ground that the affairs of the Mohawks there were
left in the utmost confusion, that no regular school was established,
and no thorough means taken for the education of their children. After
reminding the commissioners how often the English had failed to fulfil
their promises, and disappointed the hopes which they had encouraged
them to entertain, they requested them to promise nothing, but what
the government would certainly perform. The commissioners agreed among
themselves, that in consequence of the utter incompetency of Capt.
Kellogg, another instructor, a man of learning and skill, must be
procured for the Mohawk school; and promised the chiefs that a regular
school should be established for their children, and a competent
instructor speedily procured. After this, the chiefs declared their
acceptance of the proposals made to them, of sending their children to
Stockbridge for instruction, and of coming, a number of them, to
reside there; and tendered a belt of wampum to the commissioners, in
confirmation of the agreement, which was accepted. On Thursday, Aug.
22, the council was dissolved, and the chiefs went home.
The Mohawks at this time discovered a very strong desire to promote
the education of their children, and an unusual willingness to receive
religious instruction; as did also a part of the tribe of the
Oneiyutas, or Oneidas, residing at Onohohquauga, or Onohquauga, a
settlement on the Susquehannah. The French having been apprized of the
efforts making by the English, in behalf of the Mohawks, were busily
occupied in seducing them, and the other tribes of the Iroquois, to
emigrate into Canada; and were actually erecting a chain of forts
extending from Canada through New York, Pennsylvania, and the
wilderness beyond to the Mississippi. Mr. Edwards, believing that if
the utmost good faith was not kept with the Mohawks the whole plan of
instructing them would be defeated, and regarding the period as a most
critical one for the welfare of the British colonies, addressed a
letter on the subject of the Indians, to the Hon. Thomas Hubbard,
Speaker of the House of Assembly. In this letter he gave an account of
the council held with the chiefs of the Mohawks, at Stockbridge, and
their agreement to encourage the education of their children at that
place; mentioned the interest felt in the subject by the Mohawks and
the Oneiyutas, and by some of the Tuscaroras; stated the vast
importance of the existing crisis, for securing the friendship of the
Six Nations; recited the machinations of the French, to seduce them
from the English interest, and their hostile movements in the west;
pointed out the religious and literary instruction of the Indians as
the only means of securing their attachment to the British cause; and
detailed the measures necessary to be pursued at Stockbridge, to
promote these great objects. [42]
When Mr. Edwards had removed his family to Stockbridge, he found
himself exceedingly embarrassed, from the difficulty of procuring the
land necessary for his own immediate accommodation. When the town was
first settled, it was granted to the Housatonnucks, except six
portions, to the late missionary, the school-master, and four other
settlers. These portions were now distributed among fourteen
proprietors, and could be purchased only at a very high price. He
therefore presented a petition to the General Court, at their session
in October, 1751, asking leave to purchase the necessary lands, for
his own accommodation--a homestead in the centre of the town, and a
piece of wood-land in the outskirts. The legislature granted him leave
to purchase the homesteads, and recommended to the English
inhabitants, to provide the necessary wood-land for their minister.
On the tract of land, which he purchased, near the centre of the town,
Mr. Edwards, soon after, erected a commodious dwelling, which is still
standing.
_________________________________________________________________
[39] The common language of all the Indians in New England, New York,
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, except the Iroquois.
[40] This part of the letter must have been written in July, as the
installation took place in August.
[41] In 1734-35.
[42] I regret that the length of this interesting letter renders its
insertion impracticable.