Stephen Williams, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1765 December 11

Author Williams, Stephen

Date11 December, 1765

Call Number765661

abstractWilliams writes to recommend a young man as a possible missionary.

handwritingHandwriting is casual and frequently difficult to decipher.

paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages is in good condition, with light staining, creasing and wear. A tear near the location of the seal results in no loss of text.

signatureThe signature is abbreviated.

noteworthyOn one recto, Williams refers to “Mr. Brewster” and “Sir Brewster.” These are most likely Charles Brewster, the father of the youth, referred to as “Sir,” whom Williams is recommending.

Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.

Persistent Identifier

Rev. And dear Sir
your surprising letter is now
before me, upon receiving it — I was ready to say: Great, and
marvelous are thy works, Lord God almighty, just, and
true, are thy ways, thou King of Saints
etc. and Even to put
up that prayer, that All nations might come and worship
before him, who only is holy
etc. what matter is it, of joy, and
rejoicing, that the time is coming, when God, will be more abundantly
feared, and glorified on Earth, than hither to, he has been; when all na­
­tions of the world, shall come as a willing people unto God, and
own, and Honour him, and pay their solemn Adorations to him etc.
the Lord, who is not unrighteous, to forget [illegible][guess: that] work, and La
­bour of Love, which any have showed towards his name
, I trust
will reward, those that have so freely, and generously Given of their
wordly substance, to promote, the noble and pious design of gospeliz
ing, the poor indians etc. — .
dear Sir, your letter came to me last Evening, so that it is impossi
ble for me, to See Sir Brewer — before Mr. Brewer returns; Sir Brewer's
character is good, he is esteemed a pious man, his carriage and
Behaviour very different from the wild airy youths who are rea­
­dy, to despise him, for his Gravity and seriousness, and because he will
not run with him, into [illegible] [illegible] riot etc. —. he is accounted a good
Scholar — calm, and Sedate in his temper — but he is of a tender
or rather broken constitution, occasioned by his able application to
his Studies; what his inclination, would be, as to Such an under­
taking I dont know — nor how his friends, would be disposed I cant
Say, but suspect, they, would be unwilling, he Should engage etc.
but, I shall take an opportunity to talk with the young Gentle­
­man himself, without making a noise about the matter; and if
I find it is worth while, to advertise you of it, I Shall.
my most respect
ful, and affectionate Salutations to yourself, Mrs. Wheelock, and your children.
 from your unworthy Brother and Fellow Servant
Stephen Williams
From Rev. Stephen
Williams
December 11. 1765.
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