Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to John Thornton, 1771 September 9
Date9 September, 1771
Call Number771509
abstractWheelock thanks Thornton for his assistance, describes the buildings and details expenses for the Charity School. He adds his hopes that Occom has reformed and can be of service again.
handwritingFormal handwriting is not Wheelock's; it is clear and legible. The trailer appears to be in Wheelock's hand.
paperTwo small sheets are in good condition, with light staining, creasing and wear.
inkBlack.
noteworthyThis document is likely Wheelock's own copy.
signatureThe signature is not Wheelock’s.
Persistent Identifier
I thank you for your most endearing
Letter of April 26th which I have now before me, & it is like
cold water to a thirsty Soul. I wrote you a hastyline and
undigestd Line, by the hand of my Clerk on my receiving
it, while the Bearer was waiting impatiently for it
and now the case is nearly the same, the Bearer
being just setting out on his Journey, & gives me
no time but to throw out a few hints.
I bleſs God who has honored you with Ability, &
has so largely opened your Heart to serve the cause
of the Redeemer with his Goods which he has committed
to your stewardship — I find my confidence in you
in that regard has sensibly alleviated my Burden.
Letter of April 26th which I have now before me, & it is like
cold water to a thirsty Soul. I wrote you a hasty
undigestd Line, by the hand of my Clerk on my receiving
it, while the Bearer was waiting impatiently for it
and now the case is nearly the same, the Bearer
being just setting out on his Journey, & gives me
no time but to throw out a few hints.
I bleſs God who has honored you with Ability, &
has so largely opened your Heart to serve the cause
of the Redeemer with his Goods which he has committed
to your stewardship — I find my confidence in you
in that regard has sensibly alleviated my Burden.
The Buildings which I am finishing are
no more than are absolutely neceſsary for the School,
& it cant subsist here without them, if I am suc=
ceſsful in my Attempt to get the Number of Indian
Youth which I hope for as soon as the house is finished
they with the Independant Scholars, I expect will
fill the whole & as many Rooms of the private
houses which are going forwards
near to it as can
be made ready for them
no more than are absolutely neceſsary for the School,
& it cant subsist here without them, if I am suc=
ceſsful in my Attempt to get the Number of Indian
Youth which I hope for as soon as the house is finished
they with the Independant Scholars, I expect will
fill the whole & as many Rooms of the private
houses which are going forward
be made ready for them
The College or large Building has not been
as yet entered upon, but will likely be neceſsary
if God continues his Smiles a few Years, when I hope
& believe a door will be opened to effect it. the Inde=
=pendant Scholars provide for themselves, & are no
expence to the fund, nor any Impediment any way to
the first Object i.e. the Charity ScholarsEnglish & Indian
& it cant be without expence but the contrary.
provision
[left]Esq.r Thornton.
provisions must be made for the
Charity Scholars English
& Indians, & it cant be without expence. I am & have
beendseeking all aſsistances I can in this matter, but to do
it without expence to the fund is not poſsible, nor what
I ever expected, and you may depend upon it I shall spend
no more than is absolutely neceſsary for the School.
The Saw mill is finished which will much leſsen the
Expence of what is yet to do, & will likely afford a pretty
income to ye School besides.
as yet entered upon, but will likely be neceſsary
if God continues his Smiles a few Years, when I hope
& believe a door will be opened to effect it. the Inde=
=pendant Scholars provide for themselves, & are no
expence to the fund, nor any Impediment any way to
the first Object i.e. the Charity Scholars
provision
[left]Esq.r Thornton.
provision
& Indians, & it cant be without expence. I am & have
been
it without expence to the fund is not poſsible, nor what
I ever expected, and you may depend upon it I shall spend
no more than is absolutely neceſsary for the School.
The Saw mill is finished which will much leſsen the
Expence of what is yet to do, & will likely afford a pretty
income to ye School besides.
M.r Occom is now 200 Miles from me. I wrote laſt
Winter & again last Spring, & have now desired M.r Avery
to make the most prudent Inquiry he could of M.r Occoms
moral Character, that I may be advised whither it be such
as that it can consist with the honor of Christ & the
reputation of the sacred Character to employ him as
amMiſsionary, & if so I have wrote M.r Occom that I now
do&
as I always have, stand ready to do all I can to promote
his comfort & Usefulneſs therein.
Winter & again last Spring, & have now desired M.r Avery
to make the most prudent Inquiry he could of M.r Occoms
moral Character, that I may be advised whither it be such
as that it can consist with the honor of Christ & the
reputation of the sacred Character to employ him as
a
do
his comfort & Usefulneſs therein.
He complained in a letter to me of my writing
to you only of his fall, but nothing in his favor. I hope
to be able soon to give you a comfortable Acco.t of him.
The wound he has given the dear Cause isyet
bleeding
very great & is yet bleeding.
to you only of his fall, but nothing in his favor. I hope
to be able soon to give you a comfortable Acco.t of him.
The wound he has given the dear Cause is
very great & is yet bleeding.
I believe there is no[illegible][guess: w] talk or Jealousy in this Country that I
have
changed my Religion tho' I believe many would
rejoice if I should. —
changed my Religion tho' I believe many would
rejoice if I should. —
We are paſsing
thro' a rough & thorny way,
our
our days work will be done by & by, & I trust we shall
rest together where the wicked will cease from
troubling &c. I am with warmest Affection
our
our days work will be done by & by, & I trust we shall
rest together where the wicked will cease from
troubling &c. I am with warmest Affection
Your much obliged and
very humble Servant
Eleazar Wheelock
very humble Servant
Eleazar Wheelock
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