Samson Occom, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1764 August 22
Date22 August, 1764
ms number764472
abstractOccom reports on his activities and on progress in the building of his house. He also notes that he’s been paid a half-year's salary by the Company for Propagation of the Gospel in New England and the parts adjacent in America. On two verso, Wheelock has written an outline for a sermon.
handwritingOccom’s hand is formal and clear; Wheelock’s is cramped, heavily abbreviated and much less legible. There are two other hands on the document: one is that of an editor, likely 19th-century; the other likely belongs to Solomon Williams.
paperMedium-sized sheet folded in half to make four pages is in fair condition, with moderate wear along the edges, and a tear in the center that results in some loss of text.
inkDark brown ink, likely iron gall, has burned through the paper in spots.
noteworthyWoven throughout Wheelock's sermon are random notes that appear to be in Wheelock's hand. A note added below Wheelock's sermon appears to have been written by Solomon Williams. On two verso, an editor, likely 19th-century, has added the note "S. Occom aug. 22. 1764." This note has not been transcribed.
layoutOccom's letter is on one recto and verso; Wheelock's notes are on two recto and verso.
EventsBuilding of Occom’s house
Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
- I.Describe
faith in Christ
and
[illegible]particularly
what
is
implied in
— this
[guess: metaphorical]
description of it in our
text.
- 1.that Christ is the fountain author of special Life.
- 2. an appetite to [guess: the] food which is occasioned only by [guess: conviction] of the [illegible][guess: Lord]. ==
- 3. An application of Christ to [illegible][guess: offer] . ==
- 4.Delight. meet in [illegible] ==
- 5.derivation of nourishment from him.
- II.
without
this
there is not special Life. Le Da[illegible]rd
- 1.the principle of Life [gap: hole][illegible][guess: sup tg] spirit of Life in Christ[illegible]
- 2.of course all the [illegible][guess: actings] of it. and all [illegible]contrary Enmity == This [illegible][guess: For] [illegible][guess: for] [illegible][guess: David]
- 3.all the Symptoms of Death —
- 1.from the greatness of this necessity David 1764
- 2.from the expense of the Giver of the benefit[illegible]
- 3.the freeness of the offer == without money:
- 4.the sweetness and blessedness of the enjoyment ==
- 5.the [illegible]pleadings of infinite love on the one hand and Infinite wrath threatened ==