David McClure, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1767 December 17
Date17 December, 1767
Call Number767667.3
abstractMcClure writes of his progress at Yale, and his desire to go on a mission and serve the design.
handwritingHandwriting is small yet formal and clear. McClure occasionally includes a flourish or mark next to an uppercase R and, in one case, an uppercase I.
paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages is in fair condition, with moderate-to-heavy creasing, staining and wear that leads to a minor loss of text.
inkBrown-black ink is slightly faded.
Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
terday, with the greatest Joy and Gratitude; and would return
most unfeigned Thanks for the sincerest expressions of usu‐
al parental unmerited Love. agreeable to the Doctor's
Direction I presented respects to Messrs. Bird and [illegible][guess: Whitlesy]
with the Narratives they return respects to the Doctor.
likewise one to Mr. Mitchel our Tutor and desired him to
peruse the Letter to us as the Doctor mentioned, that
he might understand more thoroughly the design in which
we are embarked. I was some time with him; he inquired
concerning the School and the Doctor's proposed method
for our Learning and 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 continuance and
prosperity of the School, was much rejoiced to hear of
such surprising success from home, should be very
sorry he said, if the School should be within Gen. Lyman's
Government on the Ohio; but for what particular reason
I did not ask him — Mr. Baldwin happened to be pre‐
sent in our Room when the Doctor's Letter arrived, he
accepted the Narrative very thankfully and returns his re‐
spects to the Doctor.
is so well satisfied with our Behaviour and proficiency in
Learning here; I hope I shall always so conduct at College
as to merit the Doctor's Approbation and honour the Design with
which I have the happiness to be so intimately connected.
With Regard to my daily employ tis as much as I possibly
can go through with. We still continue three Recitations a day.
at present we recite chiefly the Languages and philosophy the
latter is both very pleasing and profitable; which the Doctor
recommends; I hope to keep my standing and make my way
good in classical Studies — Some of our Studies I appre‐
hend not to be so useful to us, as Mathematics and the like
which I in a great measure omit; which for us who are employed
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, and which I am sensible must be attained, else
everything will in a manner be discouraging — Mr. Johnson's
and I converse rarely in any other Language; I hope [gap: tear][guess: not]
to loose what little I have already attained. It much rejoices
my Heart to hear of such unexpected Encouragments from Home.
that God has put into the Hearts of the great and wise such a
benevolent Principle towards the Design. O may the great
End in View be obtained, when the Heathen shall hear of a
crucified Redeemer and put their Confidence only in his meri‐
‐torious Blood. I long to be fitted and prepared for this great
and glorious Cause. But alas! my unpreparedness! 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 should
be highly favoured and 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 and my Hands are ready if there
be a Door open among the Indians and it be the Doctor's Mind.
I am sensible in some measure of my present distinguished
privileges for which I hope ever to retain the most feeling
sense of Gratitude. Those Branches of literature the
Doctor recommended we are at present in pursuit of, and
particularly Oratory which at present flourishes and wears
a very agreeable aspect — I fear I have already wearied
the Doctor's Patience by an unbecoming Prolixity; for
which I humbly ask forgiveness, and gratefully subscribe my‐
self,