Levi Frisbie, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1768 April 23

Author Frisbie, Levi

Date23 April, 1768

Call Number768273.1

abstractFrisbie writes that he considers himself unfit for missionary work.

handwritingHandwriting is small and slanting, yet mostly formal and clear. The trailer is in an unknown hand.

paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages is in fair condition, with light-to-moderate staining, creasing and wear.

inkBrown-black.

Persistent Identifier
Rev.d Sir. —

I must acknolege that what the Doc.r mentioned
to me with reſpect to going among the Indians in the
character of a Miſsonary was very surprizing, & I
thingk not without reaſon as it was a thing intirely
new to me and what I leaſt thought of, and
as the Doc.r mentioned it as tho, he had determind upon
it so far as to mention it to the Ministers at Infield.
I muſt think that the Doctr has a [illegible]too great opinion of
my abilities, or else dont look upon it neſceſsary for
a Miſsionary to have but very ordinary qualifications
for such a work — I look upon myself intirely unfit upon
every account, My knolege in divinity is nothing, tis as
a drop compard to the Ocean — I should not know how to begin
nor what to say, nor which way to go[illegible] to work, to try to instruct
People in Religion, and the great things of Eternity— I am
but a giddy Boy, no nothing of the world, have not that
prudence, that wiſdom discretion and fortitude that is necaſs‐
ary. I have no acquaintance with the Indians dont unders‐
tand their Tempers customs & Manners and should be intirly
unable to conform to them —If I should go in the Character
of a Miſsionary, the Indians would expect as much from
me as a Man of the greateſt accompliſhments, would
make no allowance for my puerility, and difficiency in
[illegible]almoſt every neceſsary Qualification, and expect as mu if
I should not fullfill their expectations, I should fall into
contempt among them, and if not spurnd away or killd,
yet should be under no capaſity of doing good — Mr Kirt‐
land
has been there[illegible] and I muſt be equal with him —
What can I tell them? that I am half a Miſsionary?
and what can I tell em is the Reaſon that there was not
whole ones sent? The Doc.tr knows my weak Constitution
and that to keep a School, and to pretend to instruct in a higher
Capaſity will be quite too much for my Strength, especially
conſidering all other hardships — how shall I lift up my head
Face before the learned Errorist, I shall be unable wholly
to defend my Religion by dint of Argument; It is true God
can make the weakeſt Means affectual, but yet their seems
there must in ordinary way be some fitneſs in the Means — we
should not think a pop gun had any fitneſs in it to batter down
a strong wall — And beſides what will the Enemies of the
Deſign say? that the Doct.r took a Freſhman out of
College and made a Miſsionary of him, even one who
was but a giddy boy? and will they not take occation
to deſpiſe me, and ridecule the deſign to the laſt degree —
its a caſe of neceſsity it may be anſwer'd, — if a Man was
drowning it would be neceſsary to help him out, but would
it be wiſe for a Man that could not swim at all to
leap in after him? — If some of us muſt go I humbly
immagin McClure far better quallifyd than I, and
I was surprizd to think I should be choſen in this
Juncture. before him — and to my shame may I speak
it I am not a church member, and have the utmoſt,
Reaſon to fear I have no grace — and who will licence
such a wretch to preach — it's a thing I little expected
to enter upon yet, and have not given my thoughts immedi‐
ately to it — I cant think tis my Duty to go in that
Capaſity, and if I do it will be wholly out of defference
to other Peoples Judgment, and quite contrary to my
own — I could offer many more Objections but I forbear,
Pleaſe to pardon my plainneſs — I thought it my Duty
to tell my Mind —
Reverend Sir I am your
moſt obligd unworthy Pupil
Levi Friſbie
From Levi Frisbie
April 23.d 1768

To
The Reverend E. Wheelock, D. D.

 In
 Connecticut
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