lings a sermon. This is the grasping avarice of the Presbyterian clergy! This man was doubtless called by some, in contempt, a hireling preacher! If men must live by the gospel, it is little wonder that when Mr. Brainerd died, so far as Presbyterian ministers are concerned, his field lay desolate for near a hundred years.

We have a single letter from Mr. Brainerd in 1771. It has little of interest, except that it shows the warmth of his heart.

REVEREND SIR:

NEW HAVEN, October 16, 1771.

I thank you for your favor of the 7th instant by Mr. Davenport, and desire very sincerely and affectionately to condole with you and the public on the death of your dear son, the Rev'd Mr. Maltby. The Lord take care of his dear fatherless and motherless children, and send to the people of his late charge a pastor after his own

heart.

And may Heaven's blessings in abundance rest on you, your dear family, and charge. I long to see you, your college, etc., but cannot now: what may be hereafter I know not.

Can say nothing farther respecting the intended mission on the Muskingum.

I send all respectful salutations to Mrs. Wheelock and your family.

I am, most affectionately,

JOHN BRAINERD.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

MISSION OF MESSRS. MCCLURE AND FRISBIE TO MUSKINGUM-MR. BRAINERD'S LETTERS ON HIS OWN EMBARRASSMENTS.

THE Synod say:—

1772.

"Mr. Brainerd's Indian school appears to have been successfully continued since our last Synod six months, for which it is agreed to give him fifteen pounds; and we farther desire him to continue the school this year at the expense of the Synod, and we appoint Messrs. Spencer, Hunter, and Green to visit the school twice before next Synod, or oftener, if convenient.

is

"It appeared also to the Synod that Mr. Brainerd had very fully complied with the order of last Synod, in supplying the numerous vacancies in his neighborhood: therefore the treasurer, agreeably to the order of last year, directed to pay him twenty pounds. Ordered, also, that Mr. Brainerd receive for the ensuing 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.”*

The correspondence of Mr. Brainerd with the Rev. Dr. Wheelock this year is unusually full,

* Records of the Presbyterian Church, p. 427.

suggesting facts bearing on his character and history. We have hesitated in spreading some of these facts before our readers; but it would be impossible rightly to represent this missionary if we failed to allow him to speak for himself in regard to difficulties which burdened and embarrassed his life and labors.

We have seen what he received for his services, his school, and his mission,-about fifty-five pounds a year from the Synod, and a few pounds additional, say five or six a year, from his white churches. He had expended much of his little estate in his mission, expecting that Governor Bernard and the Government of New Jersey, who had drawn him to the field, would see him through in the matter. He was disappointed. With advancing years and enfeebled health, he naturally became anxious to recover for his support and comfort what he had expended in good faith for the benefit of his mission. Having no relief at home, he turned to his old friends in Scotland, and appealed to the Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge. He supposes Dr. Wheelock's European acquaintance and influence would avail to bring him relief. This explains the long letter among those that follow.

REV'D AND DEAR SIR:—

TRENTON, June 19, 1772.

We have of late some things that appear very unfriendly to our design of opening a mission on the Muskingum, or anywhere in these parts. There have been,

if we are not misinformed, several murders committed between the Indians and white people on both sides, and a prospect of war between the Senecas and Delawares ; nevertheless, it appears to me best to prosecute the design as far as we can, and, by consulting Dr. Witherspoon and Mr. Spencer, I find they are of the same opinion: the doctor (Witherspoon) will write you on this head.

If it be so that we cannot make a tour this year, perhaps the door may be open early in the spring.

In the mean time, the young gentlemen* may be employed in my boundaries; but, after all, the matter will be submitted wholly to your judgment and at your direction.

My best regards to Mrs. Wheelock, and kind salutations to your son and family. I write in haste, and almost without pen and ink, but am, more than ever,

Reverend and honored sir,

Your affectionate friend,

JOHN BRAINERD.

BRIDGETOWN (MOUNT HOLLY), August 27, 1772.

REV'D AND DEAR SIR:

Yours by Messrs. McClure and Frisbie† claims my thankful acknowledgments. It is not now before me.

* Young men designing to enter on missions.

† Rev. David McClure, D.D., spent some time with Mr. Kirkland at Oneida, afterwards graduated at Yale College in 1769, became a teacher in Dr. Wheelock's school, and in 1772 set out, in company with Mr. Frisbie, to visit the Delaware Indians on the Muskingum River, and made this call on Mr. Brainerd on his way. The mission was fruitless. His wife was the daughter of Dr. Pomroy, and niece of Dr. Wheelock. He died at East Windsor, Conn., in 1820, aged seventy-one. In 1811, in connection with Dr. Parish, he published the "Memoirs of Dr. Wheelock," in which there seems to be an ambitious effort to connect him with great personages in England and

After the young gentlemen had been with me some days, as long as we thought best, and both preached in my borders, I attended them to Philadelphia, spent some days with them there preparing for the tour-work among the remote Indians.

If the road had been open, I was to have gone with them to Muskingum; but, as the Board of Correspondents thought that not advisable at this time, it was concluded they should make a visit up the Susquehanna, especially the west branch, which puts out toward the Ohio; and, as no great things were expected this season, my place here important, the summer far advanced, and my state of body very frail, I could not think it duty to accompany them on that tour. But, by a letter a few days ago from Mr. Sproat, I find that, as they proceeded westward, they had intelligence by the Indian traders that the ruptures and disturbances among the Indians, especially in the parts where we first proposed to make trial, had happily subsided, and they determined to make their way for Muskingum. May Heaven prosper their way!

Their letter to Mr. Sproat was from Carlisle, about one hundred and twenty miles from Philadelphia, on the road to Fort Pitt, bearing date the 10th instant. I hope they may meet with good acceptance among the Indians. I would have gone with all my heart, and given them the best introduction in my power; but Divine Providence,

America, and to ignore Dr. Wheelock's earliest and warmest friends. When it mentions Brainerd, which it does but once or twice, it calls him Rev. Mr. Bd. No wonder the book never reached a second edition. It was false to the heart and memory of Dr. Wheelock.

The Rev. Levi Frisbie, a pupil of Dr. Wheelock, graduated in the first class at Dartmouth College, in 1771. After some years of faithful missionary labor, he was settled at Ipswich, Mass., in 1776, and died there, in 1806, aged fifty-seven. He was a most devoted and useful minister.