sionaries from the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts have sixty, and some seventy, besides something very considerable from their people, I believe near half as much more. And, by the way, whether that money be improved in the best manner, while it is employed to maintain missionaries in a populous and plentiful country, as New England, in particular, where, I believe, there are not less than four hundred regular wellsettled ministers, and the people universally able to maintain the gospel among themselves,--whether it was the design of the first founders of that Society, and of the present donors to it, to sink thousands of pounds annually only to gratify a few sticklers for a party,* I leave others of more wisdom and knowledge in that affair to determine. But I am sure it has been no small grief and exercise of mind to me to see such sums of money expended in that manner, while our poor heathen neighbors lie almost utterly neglected; Satan, the prince of darkness, suffered to reign in triumph among them, without let or molestation, whole nations being subjected to him, and perishing by thousands for want of knowledge. This appears to me one of the most affecting things that can be mentioned or thought of; and I bless the Father of Mercies that I am not left to spend his substance in such a way. But I am sensible I have exceeded the bounds of a letter, and should not have so far presumed upon your patience had it not been for this clause in yours: "And let it be a long letter you write, giving me an account," This, sir, I hope, will excuse me. etc. And now, dear sir, I conclude with acknowledging all * Mr. Brainerd refers here to Episcopal missions in New England and New York, which he regarded as sectarian, as they disturbed existing Christian churches. your kindness and goodness to me, and wishing that the best of blessings from above may descend upon your person, family, and flock; that the Lord would make your labors abundantly successful among them, and bless you with a glorious harvest. I would likewise desire a remembrance in your addresses to the throne of grace for me, my people, and the cause of God among the Indians. And, if you should have leisure, and think it worth while to write, please to direct for me at Bethel in New Jersey, to the care of Mr. William Grant, Merchant, in Second Street, Philadelphia, or to the care of Mr. Denny de Berdt, Merchant, in Artillery Court, Chiswell Street, London. I am, with the greatest respect, Reverend sir, Your much obliged And very humble servant, This letter indicates an earnest and resolute life. It is marked also by a comprehensiveness of view and power of analysis and graphic description above his ordinary efforts, and rivalling his eminent brother.. In this year, 1752, Mr. Brainerd was united in marriage to Miss Experience Lyon, of New Haven, Conn. Of her past life, and where or in what style they set up housekeeping, we know nothing. If he took his young wife with him to Bethel, the Indian town, we may infer that "Wedded love's first home" had rude surroundings and appointments. We only know that the union was a happy one. CHAPTER XXV. VISIT FROM REV. SAMUEL DAVIS-LETTER TO SCOTLAND-CHANGE OF FIELD-LETTERS OF PRESIDENT EDWARDS-REV. GIDEON HAWLEY. WE 1753. E are allowed to catch a glimpse of Mr. Brainerd at home. President Davis, in his transit from Virginia to embark at New York for Europe as agent for the College of New Jersey, spent a little time in New Jersey. Under date of September, 1753, he says: * "Lodged at Mr. Brainerd's, the good missionary among the Indians, and was pleased with his account of the progress of religion among them, though now they are scattered by their land being fraudulently taken from them. "Tuesday. I took a view of the Indian town, and was pleased with the affection of the poor savages to their minister, and his condescension to them. Rode on towards Philadelphia, and spent the time in pleasing conversation, principally on the affairs of the Indians, with Messrs. Spencer, Brainerd, and Brown."+ *Davis' Journal, in Foote's "Sketches of Virginia," p. 230. †The Mr. Brown here mentioned was probably the Rev. John Brown, of Fagg's Manor, Pa. He removed to Kentucky in 1797. "He died in 1803, aged seventy-five; his wife died in 1802, aged seventy-three. His eldest daughter married the Rev. Thomas B. Craighead, of Tennessee. His eldest son, John, was three times He says he employed Mr. Brainerd to go to Virginia, with others, to supply his place. The state of Brainerd's mission at the time of President Davis' visit may be learned from the following letter: To the Preses of the Society in Scotland, dated Bethel, October 22, 1753. Since my last to your lordship, which bears date March 2d, 1753, I have steadily attended to the business of the mission, and have not been absent from my charge but upon some necessary occasions, and then only for a short space. I have endeavored strictly to attend to my commission and instructions, preaching the gospel, administering the sacraments, catechizing both the grown people and the children, visiting my people, praying and conversing with the sick, attending funerals, and watching all opportunities to do them good. I have constantly attended public worship three times on the Lord's day, steadily once, and sometimes more, in the rest of the week; besides, I have advised my people, especially of late, to meet at least one evening in a week at a private house, which they do in the several parts of their town, sometimes at one house, sometimes at another. This meeting I have generally attended, and carry it on by elected a member of the United States Senate from Kentucky; he married the only sister of the Rev. Dr. John M. Mason, and died in 1837, aged eighty. His third son, James, was the first Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, a member of the United States Senate for many years from Louisiana, and for six years Minister to the Court of France. His fourth son, Samuel, was an eminent physician, and a Professor in the Transylvania Medical College."-Webster's History of the Presbyterian Church, p. 657. * Gillies' "Historical Collections." Glasgow, 1754, p. 448. prayer, singing of psalms or hymns, and religious conversation. At these meetings I address myself to particular persons, inquire into the state of their souls, warn, exhort, encourage, etc., as I see occasion; and, when I am absent, the meeting is carried on by religious conversation, together with prayer and singing of psalms as above. My endeavors, may it please your lordship, through the blessing of Heaven, have been, I hope, attended with some degree of success. I have had the satisfaction of admitting one adult person to baptism, who, I trust, is a true convert to God and savingly acquainted with Jesus Christ; and sundry children have been the subjects of that divine ordinance. I can also with pleasure inform your lordship and the Society that many of our former converts adorn their profession by a sober, virtuous life; but some, I must needs say, have grievously backslidden, which has been matter of unspeakable grief to me, and done more to exhaust my spirits and wear me out than all the bodily fatigues I have ever undergone in the prosecution of this mission. Afterwards he writes of the great difficulties the Indians have labored under of late with regard to their lands, and of the lamented death of a promising young Indian the Society were educating for the gospel ministry, of whom he says: He had been a member of New Jersey College near two years, was much beloved by his classmates and the other scholars, and made a decent, handsome appearance among them. He died of a quick consumption. I had opportunity of conversing with him in the latter part of his sickness, and though he was under some darkness, |