Hanover in the Province of New Hampshire
September
9th 1771.
My very dear and
honoured Sir.
I thank you for your most endearing Letter of April 26th which I have now before me, and it is like cold water to a thirsty Soul. I wrote you a hasty
and
undigested 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, and gives me no time but to throw out a few hints. I bless God who has honored you with Ability, and 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,
and 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 independent Scholars, I expect will fill the whole and as many Rooms of the private houses which are going forward
near to it as can 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
and believe a door will be opened to effect it. the inde
pendent Scholars provide for themselves, and are no
expense to the fund, nor any Impediment any way to
the first Object i.e. the
Charity Scholars
but the contrary.
provision
Esq. Thornton.
provision must be made for the
Charity Scholars English
and Indians, and it cant be without expense. I am and have
been seeking all assistances I can in this matter, but to do
it without expense 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
expense of what is yet to do, and will likely afford a pretty
income to
the School besides.
Mr. Occom is now 200 Miles from me. I wrote last Winter and again last Spring, and have now desired Mr. Avery to make the most prudent Inquiry he could of Mr. Occoms moral Character, that I may be advised whither it be
such as that it can consist with the honor of Christ and the reputation of the sacred Character to employ him as a missionary, and if so I have wrote Mr. Occom that I now do
as I always have, stand ready to do all I can to promote his
comfort and
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 account of him. The wound he has given the dear Cause is very great and is yet bleeding.
I believe there is no[illegible][guess: w] talk or Jealousy in this Country that I
have changed my Religion though I believe many would rejoice if I should. —
We are passing
through a rough and thorny way,
our
our days work will be done by and by, and I trust we shall
rest together where the wicked will cease from
troubling etc. I am with warmest Affection
Your much obliged and very humble Servant
Eleazar Wheelock
To Esq.
Thornton
September
9th 1771.