It is well known that there are yet remaining vast
Numbers of aboriginal Natives in this Land; whose Manner of living is Savage almost to a level with the brutal Crea‐‐tion; but fierce and terrible in War. Their Dwellings are emi‐
‐nently Habitations of Cruelty — they have continued, from Age to Age, in
the grossest
paganism and Idolatry — Strangers to all the Emoluments of Science — but
Subtle and skillful
in all the Arts of Cruelty and Deceit — and on every consideration
their State is, perhaps, the most wretched and piteous of all the
human Race — They have, from the first planting of these Colonies, been a Scourge and Terror to their English Neighbours — often ravaging and laying waste their frontiers — butchering, torturing, and captivating their Sons — dashing their Children against
the Stones — Skillfully devising, and proudly glorying in, all possible
methods of Torture and Cruelty within their Power. etc.
And the consideration, that their being civilized, and taught the
Knowledge of the only true God
and Saviour, and so made good Members
of Society, and peaceable and quiet Neighbours ( which cannot be
Effected but by
introducing the Gospel among them) is of such
vast importance to the Crown of
great
Britain, the Peace and
prosperity of our Land — and especially to their own good and
happiness in Time and to Eternity; Moved me, about eleven
years ago, to erect a
charity School in order for the Educat‐
ing the most
promising of their own Sons that might be obtained,
with a view to their being employed as missionaries
and School —
masters among their respective Tribes; together with a number of
of English Youth, to be sent forth as Companions and associates
with them in the Same business. And the good Behaviour of the Boys which I have hitherto had in this
School; and their Proficiency in Learning, has been Such, by the blessing of God, upon instruc‐tion and discipline, that many Gentlemen of Character and note both at Home, and abroad, have Seen fit to encourage the
design by Such Liberalities, as have Supported it hitherto with‐out any Fund
for that Purpose.
But the necessary
expenses for the Support of Such a number
as are now employed in the wilderness at the distance of
three or four Hundred Miles, viz three missionaries Eight
School Masters, and two Interpreters, occasionally hired
to that Service, and where they can have little or no assistance
towards their Support, from the Savages among whom they
live. Together with the necessary Supplies for the School
which now consists of Twenty; and others expected Soon, who
are of Families of Importance in
Tribes Still more remote,
Are greater than can be reasonably expected from these
American Colonies, especially at a Time when complaints
of Debt; and want of Money are So loud, and universal.
But considering that this great undertaking looks with
such a favourable and encouraging
aspect, and that a
wider Door, than ever is now open for the Furtherance of
it, by sending missionaries, and schoolmasters further
among Tribes where none have heretofore been; I am
not only necessitated but encouraged that to represent
the case, and employ my dear, and faithful Brother the
Rev.
Mr. Whitaker, in my Stead to bespeak the charitable
assistance of the Friends of Zion abroad. And I am
confident that numbers and all
according to their Ability, who
have at Heart, that which the Heart of the great
Redeemer
is infinitely Set upon. viz. the enlargement of his Kingdom
and the Salvation of the perishing Souls of men, will be
ready to consider of, and forward to assist, in this so
interesting Affair, if they believe that I am not asking for
myself, but am only begging an Alms for Christ, and in a
case of no less
necessity than that. (if not the very same) which
he is pleased to represent, and express by his being an hungered, and
thirsty, and naked, and Sick, and in prison, and that he will
even in this Life bountifully requite those who
contribute
Supplies for these his necessities, and reward and honour them
at last with a come ye blessed of my Father inherit the
Kingdom prepared for you.
And whatever any shall
please to contribute for this Purposes I shall receive as sacred to the Redeemers cause, and shall improve it to the aforesaid uses according to my best Ability, and by the
best Advices and I hope that all Friends, and Benefactors to this design, will have occasion for the most
easy and comfor‐‐table Reflections, that their Charities
were bestowed in the best
manner for the Glory of God and the Good of men, for which Purpose I bespeak the Prayers of all who truly desire the
prosperity of Zion.