converts among men in power.Their example was followed with

GELICAL MAGAZINE.

among the Indians in New-England and parts adjacent.

(Contin. from p. 370.)

NUMBER III.

Concerning the propagation of the gospel among the Indians, parti cularly on Martha's Vineyard, by the ministry of the Rev. Thomas Maybew, jun. Sc.

BSTACLES being, in fome

made much greater progress, than it had done before. In each year, for many in succession, natives of the ifland were coming in, and making profeffion of the Christian faith; in fome years a very confiderable number, till at length, very few speculative infidels remained upon this, and the neighboring iflands.

We have already taken notice of Mioxoo, and Tawanquatuck; the former, a man of diftinction; the latter a principal Sachem in that part of the ifland where he lived. These appear to have been the first VOL. II. No. 12.

only embraced the gospel them. selves; but encouraged others, particularly their dependents, to attend upon the means of inftruction, that they also might be led to the truth: Like good Cornelius, they called together their relations, intimate friends, and neighbors, that they also might partake of those important bleffings, which they themselves were defirous of enjoying.

In the year 1648, there was a

were

inclined for Chriftianity, to confirm, and assist one another in adhering to it. This affembly was held in Mr. Mayhew's prefence; and he observed, that twelve of the young men went and took Sacochanimo, the eldest fon of Taw anquatuck, the Chriftian Sachem, by the hand, telling him, they loved him, and would go with him in God's way; and the elder men encouraged them, and defired, that they would never forget these promifes; and so after they had fung part of a pfalm, in their own language, they returned home with

summer, there were thirty-nine Indian men of this meeting, who had the knowledge of the main points of religion, professed their belief of them, and folemnly engaged to live agreeably to them; beside the well-instructed and believing women, who were supposed to exceed the number of the

men.

Within this year an event took place, which surprised the whole Island, and turned to the great and speedy advancement of the Chriftian religion.

For it pleased God, who had drawn a confiderable number of the Indians from the powows to worship Himself, at which the powows were very much offended, yet now, even to perfuade two of themselves, to go after those, who fought Him, and defire that they might walk with them, in the ways of that God, whose name is Jehovah. They came under deep convictions of the fins they had lived in, and especially powowing; revealing the mysteries of their unlawful profession; and expressing the most sincere repentance, and utmost detestation of them; entreating, that God would have mercy upon them, pardon their fins, and teach them His ways for Christ Jesus' fake. And very affecting it was to Mr. Mayhew, and all who were present, (to use his own words) "To see these poor, naked fons of Adam, and slaves to the devil from their birth, to come towards the Lord, as they did, with their joints shaking, and their bowels trembling, their spirits troubled, and their voices, with much fervency, uttering words of fore difpleasure against sin and Satan, which they had embraced from their childhood with great delight: And now accounting it

the knowledge of God; that they had ferved the devil, the great enemy both of God and man, and had been so hurtful in their lives; but yet being very thankful, that thro' the mercy of God, they had an opportunity of being delivered out of their dangerous condition."*

The Christian Indians exceedingly rejoiced to fee the powows begin to turn from their wicked ways to the Lord. In a little time after, on a lecture day, at the close of the exercise, there were several more of the natives, who expressed their defire to become the servants of the most high God; among whom was Tequanonim, before mentioned, another powow of great esteem, and very notori

ous.

At the fame time came in about fifty Indians more in one day, defiring to join with the worshippers of God in his service; confessing their fins; some those actual fins they had lived in; and others, the wickedness of their hearts, defiring to be made better; and for this end, to attend on the word of God, and look only to Jesus Chrift for salvation. And upon this occasion Mr. Mayhew observes, that they generally came in by families; the parents bringing their children with them, introducing them with this short speech, "I have brought my children too: I would have my children serve God with us : I defire that this son and this daughter would serve Jehovah." And if the children could but speak, the parents would have them say something to show their willingness to serve the Lord: And when the commandments were repeated, they all acknowledged them to be good,

and made choice of Jehovah to be their God; promifing, by his help, to walk according to his counsels : And when they were received by those, who were before in a general covenant (of which we shall give an account soon) it was by chearful voices, and giving thanks to God, that they were met together in the ways of Jehovah.

These additions to the number of praying Indians were all made before the end of the year 1650.

By the midst of the year 1651, there were 199 men, women, and children, who had professed themselves to be worshippers of the great, and everliving Ged. And now there were two meetings kept every Lord's day, the one three miles, the other about eight miles from Mr Mayhew's house. Hiacoomes taught every Lord's day at the nearest, and Momonequem as often at the furtheft. On every Saturday they both came to Mr. Mayhew to be informed and instructed in the fubject they were to treat of; and God greatly af. fifted them: And Mr Mayhew had then undertaken, by divine assistance, to keep two several lectures, which would be, at each affembly, once a fortnight.

By the end of the year 1652, there were 282 Indians, notcountIng young children in the number, who were brought to renounce their false gods, and powows, and publicly, in fet meetings, before many witnesses, had freely disclaimed, and defied their tyrannical power. Even eight of the powows, had now forsaken their wick ed craft, and profitable trade, as they held it, and now made profeffion of their willing subjection to the true God. And as not any of these were compelled thereto by power; so neither were they allur

ed by gifts, having received none from the very beginning.*

Mr. Mayhew, this worthy fervant of Christ, continued his almost inexpressible labor, and vigilant care for the good of the Indians, whom he justly esteemed his joy and crown. And God was pleaf. to give such a victorious success to his unwearied labors, that by the year 1657, many hundred men, and women were added to the Christian society of fuch as might truly be faid to be holy in their conversation; and for knowledge, such as need not to be taught the first principles of the oracles of God; besides the many hundreds of loofer, and more fuperficial professors.‡