CHAPTER XXXVIII.

MR. BRAINERD'S SCHOOL-WHEELOCK'S INDIAN PUPILS VERY IMPERFECT-MR. BRAINERD ASKS A COMMITTEE OF SYNOD ON HIS MISSIONARY AFFAIRS-" FIFTY-NINE POUNDS FOR FIVE HUNDRED SERMONS."

1769.

THOUGH Mr. Brainerd had only reached the

age of forty-nine, the "shadows of the evening" seemed to be gathering over his life. He complains more of ill health; he is less prominent in the Synod; he is sent on fewer missions. All his health and time and energies were demanded by the great field of his personal labor. As his hopes failed in regard to giving permanent character and prosperity to his Indian mission, he seems to have devoted himself entirely to founding churches among the scattered whites.

The Synod this year appointed a committee, consisting of Drs. Alison, Witherspoon, Rogers, and Mr. Brainerd, to see if a plan of missions could be reported next year. They also say:

"From Mr. Brainerd's report respecting the school under his inspection, which the Synod agreed to support, we find it hath not been kept up more than half the last year, for which we therefore allow him fifteen pounds,

which is half of what was voted last year.

But, as he expects he shall be able to continue that school the current year, having provided a master for that purpose, voted that he be allowed thirty pounds for the support of it.

"Ordered, also, that Mr. Brainerd shall receive for the current year the sum of eighteen pounds, being the interest of the money in the hands of the Treasurer of the College of New Jersey for the support of an Indian mission, and that he also have twenty pounds from the Synodical treasurer for the continuance of his labors in the year past in those desolate parts where he has been usefully employed, and the Synod desire Mr. Brainerd to supply in these parts as formerly."

They continued him on the Great Committee to meet, on the 14th September, at New Haven, in the Convention of Presbyterians and Congregationalists, assembled for the purpose of devising measures to resist the inroads of Episcopal authority. He was in an obscure field, but still honored by his brethren. They appointed him to supply vacancies at Burlington, Gloucester, and Cape May counties.

* Records of Presbyterian Church, p. 047.

† Sir Walter Scott, in one of his novels, makes an old gray-haired butler, who had been in the family forty years, affirm that his gray head was an emblem of both his and his master's honors,-i.c., le thought it honorable to himself that he had been so long employed, and honorable to his master that he had the discrimination to appreciate him.

Mr. Brainerd might have said this to the members of the New York and Philadelphia Synod.

BRIDGETOWN (MOUNT HOLLY), February 3, 1769.

REV. AND DEAR SIR:

It is true I am not a good correspondent,-I have neither inclination nor facility to write letters; but I think I have a friendly heart, and sincerely wish prosperity to Zion and your Indian academy.

*

Two of your kind letters are now before me: one by Miriam Store, which came the last of November, the other bearing date the 4th of July last, which I came across in a journey a few days before. Much of the contents of both are very afflictive to me. Is it so, then, that all our painful labors and long-continued expense must be unspeakably worse than lost? I could give you a long detail of baseness and ingratitude, such as I did not think could exist even in Indians till of late. I know of no other way than to bear every thing or quit the service.

Dr. Whitaker gave me a sad account of Hezekiah,† which was grievous. I was glad, however, of an interview with him: shall always think myself well employed when attempting any thing for the promotion of your school. Pray draw upon me often that way, if there be occasion; I shall always most readily answer your bills in the best manner I can, though I am sensible it is little I can do.

I yet sometimes feel a very strong bias towards Indian affairs, notwithstanding I have been so pitiably used by them. Should be very glad of an interview with you, and the more so if it could be any degree of comfort to you in your worn-out state.

*The Indian girl mentioned already as sent to Dr. Wheelock's school.

Hezekiah Calvin.

*

Miriam came to Bridgetown with a heavy heart; was there some time before my return from a journey. Told Mrs. Brainerd she was on the point of turning back when she came to New London, and even after she got to New York. Speaks very well of Dr. Wheelock and all his family, etc.

After the receipt of your letter, I took an opportunity to talk with her; she appeared to be considerably affected, but, upon the whole, did not discover so good a temper as I could have desired. Her behavior since her return, as far as I know, has been unexceptionable.

I have not been able yet to get her into a tailor's shop as a journeywoman, to perfect her trade. She at present does house-work with a serious, religious woman in this town, and is well liked. I return you very many thanks for your faithful and painful care of her and the rest. Her poor old parents were overjoyed to see her: I wish she might be a blessing to them.†

I told Stephen Calvin about his son, the watch, etc. I know not what he intends to do: he did not desire me to write any thing about it.

The account from Oneida is very comfortable: may the work spread far and wide, and Jesus reign in all that barbarous world. By the first opportunity please to give kindest regards to Mr. Kirkland, and congratulate him

my

* About nine years after the death of his first wife (during which time his only companion was his little daughter Mary), Mr. Brainerd married Mrs. Elizabeth Price, of Philadelphia, who survived him, and died in 1783. She was a woman of great excellence of character, not only a good wife to Mr. Brainerd, but a most affectionate and beloved mother to his only daughter. Of her family relations we have no knowledge.

We infer that Miriam had run away from Dr. Wheelock's school and returned home. She seems to have been not much worse than other girls of her age.

for me. The Lord comfort his heart and strengthen his hand abundantly.

My best salutations to Mrs. Wheelock, in which Mrs. Brainerd joins: kind love to your son and family.

Reverend and dear sir,

Your very humble servant,

JOHN BRAINERD.

BRIDGETOWN (MOUNT HOLLY), June 22, 1769.

REV'D AND DEAR SIR:

Hezekiah Calvin* is this minute come into my house, on his way to New England, and finds me just returned from a journey into Pennsylvania. He has behaved pretty well, for any thing I know, since he has been in these parts. I have given him the offer of the school if he could behave steady and well: he talks of accepting the offer after his return from New England. Miriam Store is not the thing I want her to be, by any means.

She has, however, behaved better of late than last winter. I am greatly distressed often. There is too much truth in that common saying: "Indians will be Indians." I am at present very poorly, almost worn out; have neither time nor strength to write. Send the most cordial salutations, in which Mrs. Brainerd joins with,

Reverend and honored sir,

Your affectionate

JOHN BRAINErd.

Hezekiah Calvin had become unsteady. In 1766, three years before, Dr. Wheelock said of him, "he is a sober, well-behaved youth, and teaches a school among the Mohawks. He is a good scholar in English, Latin, and Greek, and writes a good hand."Wheelock's Narrative, London, 1766.