Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to William McCullock, 1769 June 9
Date9 June, 1769
Call Number769359
abstractWheelock expresses his gratitude for a gift of books, and relates the progress of various missionary enterprises in the face of drunkeness and outside influences.
handwritingHandwriting is, for Wheelock, exceedingly formal and clear.
paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages is in good condition, with light-to-moderate staining, creasing and wear. Some preservation work has been done on the central vertical crease.
inkBrown ink is somewhat faded.
noteworthyAs is marked on one recto, this document is a copy.
Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
Rev. and dear Sir,
of 14th ultimo, from my dear Mr. C. Jeffry Smith, in‐
‐forming me of your just complaint for not having
received my Receipt of the Books sent to my School
through his Hands, I was indeed ashamed and affected
with such a Neglect of mine, and can only plead, what
I am obliged often to plead, as excuse for Neglect, and
that too, in cases of Importance, viz My Want of
Time for it, 'til it had slipped my Mind — The Books
came safe, and a choice Present I esteem them — I
have to the best of my Ability disposed of a Number
of them, among the Indians of Several Tribes, and
to such as I judged your Charity would point out —
The rest are waiting for such occasions, and they shall,
you may depend upon it, my dear Sir, by God's help,
be faithfully disposed of according to my discretion,
for the pious Purpose for which you designed them.
And God grant you may meet Numbers of those
poor Savages, on the blissful Shore, by whom you
may hear the Mention of your Charity, as the Means
under God of preparing them for, and bringing them there
In addition to my ordinary Work in the ministry,
The care of my School, preparing, planning for,
supplying and sending missionaries, and schoolmasters,
into the Wilderness, disposing, and directing their
respective Services etc. God has of his abundant Grace
been pleased to grant another special and sweet Season
of the Outpouring of a Spirit of Conviction, and
conversion upon my people.
It began last October in a Small neighborhood,
first occasioned by the Death of a pious Youth
Rev. Mr. McCullock
(Copy)
about 5 years ago; while he was a Member of my School —
this Concern soon spread through the parish; but has been
almost wholly confined to the youths. Their Terrors in
general have been nothing like so great, as they have been
in several former Seasons of Awakening; and particularly
that about 27 Years ago: yet appeared genuine; and I trust
in many instances effectual, and the Fruits exceeding
good. And by the Mercy of God, the whole has been con‐
ducted with such Decency and discretion, that even the
accuser of the Brethren has not been able, that I have
ever heard of, to find so much as a plausible objection
against, either the work itself, or the Subjects, or in‐
struments of it — There seems at present to be an Abate‐
‐ment of it, but peace and oneness of Heart is yet to a happy
Degree our Character. God grant we may not, as we have
heretofore repeatedly done, under such a Mercy, neglect
our Watch, and indulge to sleepiness, and Security. There are
about 50. in this Season, who, in a Judgment of rational
Charity, are become Subjects of a Saving Work of God's
Grace. About the same Number were hopefully added to
the Lord in the aforementioned Season about 5 years
ago: there is of late a beginning of it in Several Neigh‐
‐bouring parishes — and it is at present very great in
a Town called Canaan in the northwest Corner of
this Colony, under the Ministry of the Rev. Mr. Farrand,
about 70 or 80 Miles from me. there is also considerable
appearance of it in Middletown, about 40 miles from me,
but the progress of it there, it is to be feared, will be ob‐
structed, and many perverted by wild and enthusiastic
people called Separates in those parts.
The Work of God among the Indians at Oneida has
been indeed Wonderful. The Town called Kanawalohale
under Mr. Kirtland, are become a people near to God,
a church has been lately gathered there, the Number
first embodied was 17, and about 8 or 10, more were es
teemed qualified, who were by the Providence of God
prevented joining with them at that Time, but
expected to have the opportunity very soon — of this
Number were many, if not most of their wise
men (as they call their Counselors)
In this affair there has been from first 'til
now, great opposition from Earth and Hell—
Frequent Reflections between the Tribes themselves
— and between them and the English — The bad con‐
duct of Traders and unrighteous Dealers with them,
— Several large, and long congresses in which they
have sold large Tracts of their Lands to the English;
and after that been rendered incapable of doing
or getting Good, so long as their Money lasted etc.
they able to buy Rum at any rate — By this
Means several of their Tribes are much diminish‐
ed — Some perishing in their drunkenness —
frequent Murders committed among them —
their Children perishing through Neglect — and their
Tribes in a continual Ferment for Months
together, as though Hell had broke loose. —
But after all My Hope is in God, who has ma‐
nifested the Riches of his Grace towards the Oneidas,
that we shall yet see Numbers of the poor taw‐
ny Wretches flocking to Christ; and that the
Grace of God towards these, who were but a little
while ago like their Brethren; will prove but
an
an earnest, and first Fruit, of a Glorious harvest to Christ,
through the Wilds of America —
I doubt not your fervent Prayers and the united Cries of
thousands in Scotland, are daily ascending to the God
of all Grace for the success of every attempt agreeable
to his Word and Will, in this great Affair —
Please, my dear sir, when you are nearest, and warmest
at the Throne of Grace, to remember in particular, him
who, though now unknown, hopes soon to rest with you,
where the wicked shall cease from troubling, and where Savage
brutishness, and indian Ingratitude shall vex no more.
Please to accept my tender of much brotherly Affecti
‐on to you — and permit me to subscribe myself
Your much obliged Friend
and very Humble Servant
Eleazar Wheelock