We received
the Doctor's kind epistle yes‐
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.
I am very glad to understand
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,