Blackleach Burritt, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1766 March 27
Date27 March, 1766
ms number766227
abstractBurritt, reluctant yet undecided regarding Wheelock's invitation to become a missionary among the Indians, requests more information.
handwritingHandwriting is largely clear and legible; however, letter case is frequently difficult to decipher, especially with regard to the letter S.
paperLarge single sheet is in fair condition, with moderate staining, creasing and wear. There is some repair work on one verso along particularly heavy creases.
inkBlack ink is faded.
Persistent Identifier
Rev.nd and worthy S.r
I Reciev'd yours of March 12
wherin you Informd me there was 3 Miſionaries wanting; to send among the Indian Tribes, and you deſired me to take the Matter into Conſideration, to
se If I could find my Self willing to undertake such a work; I have thought much about it since then,
both Sleeping and wakeing, I must Confeſs it appears a Greate
Undertakeing, but a laudable one for thoſe that are qualified: may God succeed you in Proſecuteing the Affair, and qualify Labourers, and Send them into the Heathen
Country, and give them the light of the Knoledge of his son. I am in GREAT MEASURE unqualified for
such an undertak^ing^, for it needs the Innocency
Wiſdom of the serpant
mix'd with the
Innocency of the ^dove^ in a Peculier manner. I but lately Come out of College, and have not Studied Divinety long, and suſpect my Kno^w^ledge in Divinety is not Sufficient; but If you cannot get others, I dare not at preſent Say I will not undertake, for I know that most men are backward to
undertake in that Buſineſs, God can work by weak means and oft times do's that the Praiſe and Glory may Redound to himſelf. tis lamentable to see how the Gospel is treated by it's Profeſsors, where tis freely promulgated, and to think there are thouſands that are periſhing for lack of Viſion.
Pleaſe
Sr to inform me (by the Bearer or the first oppertunity) in
theſe 4 Points. 1 whether the Indians Peteition for Miſionaries,
2ly, how they treat them, and thier
Meſsaages, 3ly how miſionaries fare as to shelter, food, and lodging, and 4ly how much you allow them, for I have no money of my own to support myself
with, If the Proſpect of being uſefull appears Conſiderable, I feel my self favourably inclind I am going home to see my Parents about it this week, I know not how
to Spend time to goo a Journey now, if I do I fear I shall not be prepard for Examination this may Coming. if you must have a Poſitive
Anſwer before Election pleaſe
Sr to tell me if not I will Give you an Anſwer then, if you are^will be^ at
Harford, I beg Liberty being in hast to subſcribe myself your
Sinceer
well-Wiſher and very Huble Servant
Blackleach
Burritt
PS pleaſe
Sr to give my compliments to Sir Whelock your son, and sir
Kinne. Sir Potter
&
Yale send suitable regards to
Mr
Whelock, and Compliments to Sir Whelock
&
Kinne
March 27 AD 1766 —
Letter from M.r Blackleach. Burrett. March. 27.
1766.
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