We received
the Doctor's kind Epestle yes‐
terday, with the greatest Joy & Gratitude; & would return
most unfiegn'd Thanks for the ſincearest
Expreſsions of uſu‐
‐al parental unmerited Love. Agreable to
the Doctor's
Direction I
presented Reſpects to Meſs
rs
Bird
&
[illegible][guess: Whitleſy] with the Narratives they return Reſpects to
the Doctor.
likewise one to
Mr Mitchel our Tutor &
desir'd him to
peruse the Letter to us as
the
Doctor mentioned, that
he might understand more thoro'ly the Disign in which
we are embarked. I was some time with him; he enquired
concerning
the School and
the Doctor's propos'd method
for our Learning & the like; I endeavoured to inform
him in ſhort according to my best Understanding of the Affair.
He expreſsed a very great Deſire for the Continuence
&
Proſperity of
the School, was much rejoic'd to hear of
ſuch
ſurpriſing
Succeſs from home, ſhould be very
^ſorrey^ he said, if
the School should be
within
Gen.l Lyman's
Government on the
Ohio; but for what particular Reaſon
I did not ask him —
M.r Baldwin
hapned to be pre‐
sent in our Room when
the Doctor's Letter arriv'd, he
accepted the Narrative very thankfully & returns his Re‐
ſpects to
the Doctor.
I am very glad to understand
the
Doctor is so well ſatiſfied with our Behaviour &
Proficiancy in
Learning here; I hope I shall always so conduct at College
as
to merit
the Doctor's Approbation & honour the Design with
which I have the Happyneſs to be so intimately connected.
With Regard to my daily employ tis as much
as I poſeably
can go thro with. We still continue three Recitations a day.
at present we recite cheifly the Languages &
Philoſophy the
latter is both very pleaſing
& profitable; which
the Doctor
recommends; I hope to keep my ſtanding
& make my way
good in claſsical Studies — Some of our Studies I appre‐
hend not to
be so uſeful to us, as Mathematics & the like
which I in a great meaſure omit; which for us who are employ'd
in the Indian Design, I imagine to be of little or no Service.
— A Knowledge of the Indian Language is of vastly great‐
‐er Importance, & which I am sensible must be attaind, else
every thing will in a manner be discouraging —
M.r
Johnſon's
^& I ^
Converſe
[illegible][guess: ations are
in] rarely in any other Language; I hope
[gap: tear][guess: not] to loose what little I have already attain'd. It much rejoices
my Heart to hear of such unexpected Encouragments from
Home.
that God has put into the Hearts of the
great &
Wiſe
ſuch a
benevolent Principle towards the Design. O may the great
End in View
be obtain'd, when the Heathen shall hear of a
crucified Redeemer & put their Confidence only in his meri‐
‐torious
Blood. I long to be fitted &
prepair'd for this great
& glorious Cause. But alaſs! my unprepairedneſs! how amaz‐
‐ingly lukewarm am I in an Affair of such
infinite Importance
to the Souls of Men! I desire to wait on God for every
thing neceſsary for me. his time is the best. I think I shou'd
be highly favoured & greatly happy in being the Instrument
of
good to
my
fellow Men! I should be glad to understand if the
Doctor pleases whether he designs I shall take a
Tour among
[gap: stain][guess: the] Indians
in the Spring; my Heart & my Hands are ready if there
be a Door
[illegible]open among the Indians & it be
the Doctor's Mind.
I am ſensible in ſome measure of my present distinguish'd
Priviledges for which I hope ever to retain the most feeling
Senſe of Gratitude. Thoſe Branches of Leterature the
Doctor recommended we are at present in perſuit of, and
particularly Oratory which at present flourishes & wears
a very agreable
Aſpect — I fear I have already wearied
the Doctor's Patience by an unbecoming Prolixity;
for
which I humbly ask forgivneſs, & gratefully ſubscribe
my‐
‐ſelf,