Joseph Johnson, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1767 December 29

Author Johnson, Joseph

Date29 December, 1767

Call Number767679.2

abstractJohnson writes of his spiritual concerns, the progress of the school, and his differences with Kirkland.

handwritingHandwriting is small, yet mostly clear and legible. Letter case is frequently difficult to discern, especially with regard to the letter S.

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

inkBlack-brown ink is faded in spots.

Persistent Identifier

Revd & ever hond Doct.r
I would once more attempt to
write to you my Hond Benefactor; Notwithſtanding I find
my mind so Diſcompoſ'd, it is as if their was no Solidneſs in my
mind, sometimes Encouraged, & at other time Diſhearted; So yt
I cant be Reſolute in what I do. at preſent things look dark—
They all wear a garment of Diſcouragement, but I hope that
Before long Some will change their preſent garment, & Look
Encouraging to your poor Labourers in the Wilderneſs.
I Fear that God is about to give up theſe poor Ignorant heathen
to walk after their own hearts, and cut them of Intirely from his
Earth; I think at preſent their is Some concern amongſt theſe
Indians I would hope a Real concern, I hope that God is about to
carry on his own work amongſt us, and bring out Some of our Souls
from this darkneſs into his Marvelous Light. I am yet in the Gall
of Bitterneſ and in the bond of Iniquity. I hope that God will yet
Enable me to See the pride of my heart, & the great Sin of Unbelief
and the Neceſsity I Stand in of X Jeſus, I believe that unleſs God be
pleaſed to open my Eyes that I may See the wickedneſs of my heart
I greatly fear I shall never Obtain the One thing needfull.
I deſire the continuance of your prayers dayly that God would
make and keep me humble minded and willing to Submit to
his will and pleaſure & to diſpoſe of me as Seems good to him
and moſt for his own Glory and the furtherence of the Glorious
Redeemers Kingdom Here in this Deſert.
It seems as if I was in Some meaſure willing to devote my at to yt
End. I have no Strange news to Enform you of at preſent I steadily
attend the School, Such Times Excepted as when mr kirtland wants
my aſsiſtantce the illegibleScholars ar 5 in number at preſent they larn
very faſt, I have Some hopes of having my School Enlargd
in Number, but if not, I hope that it may Increaſe in—
Knowledge. I will do all that Lays in my power to teach
them in all thing I am capable of. I Live very comfortable
upon the Indian fair, I Lack nothing but thank full
Heart. (as I wrote before.) I have had my health as Uſual
By the Goodneſs of God, and I hope Revd Sir, that by the
Same Gododneſs that you have had your Valuable health
aſ Uſual Likewiſe. I would once more aſk the continuance
of your prayers, that god keep me from pride, from—
Ingratitude, from diſhonouring his Great Name—
from all the Temptations of the Divil, and from all the
Temptations of my fellow Youth. that he would keep me from
the Luſts of the Eye, and the Luſts of the fleſh. and in Short from
Everything that is Diſpleaſing to him.
I muſt own and I think it my duty to confeſs now that
that I was wrong in my thoughts about that Queſtion
which Mr kirtland aſked me "do you think there is So
"great a Differrence Between me and Mr Wheelock,
I Miſunderſtood him he Said that "do you think there is a
"greater Difference between you and me, then there is between
"Mr Wheelock and me. it was Laſt winter when I Shewed
my Reluctance in aſsiting him for his fire wood." He Said I
"would willingly take care of Mr Wheelock if he was up
"here.—I said So would I. Then his Queſtion came.
I have no more to write at this Time, Only Revd Sir;
I Deſire Still to be under your kind Direction in all
things thal I undertake. Revd Sir. I should be glad of
a favour of a illegibleLitter from you as I always have a deſire
to hear from my kind & hond Benefactor.

So hond Sir
I deſire to Subſcribe myſelf your Humble & Obedient—
—Pupil.

Joſeph Johnſon.
PS. my humble Duty to madam,
& Reſpects to all your worthy
Family. I have been in great
Hurry in this Letter I dont know
as you can Read it.
Blank page.
From Joseph Johnson
 Dec.r 29.th 1767

To
 The Rev.d Dr Wheelock
 In
 New England
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