of the
Rev. Eleazar Wheelock of Lebanon, to prosecute to effect a design of
spreading the gospel among the natives in the wilds of our America,
and especially his perseverance in it, amidst the many peculiar
discouragements he had to encounter during the late years of the war
here, and upon a plan which appears to us to have the greatest
probability of success, namely, by a mission of their own sons; and as
we are verily persuaded that the smiles of Divine Providence upon his
school, and the success of his endeavors hitherto justly may, and
ought, to encourage him and all to believe it to be of God, and that
which he will own and succeed for the glory of his great name in the
enlargement of the kingdom of our divine Redeemer, as well as for the
great benefit of the crown of Great Britain, and especially of his
Majesty's dominions in America; so we apprehend the present openings
in Providence ought to invite Christians of every denomination to
unite their endeavors and to lend a helping hand in carrying on so
charitable a design; and we are heartily sorry if party spirit and
party differences shall at all obstruct the progress of it; or the old
leaven of this land ferment upon this occasion, and give a watchful
adversary opportunity so to turn the course of endeavors into another
channel as to defeat the design of spreading the gospel among the
heathen. To prevent which, and encourage unanimity and zeal in
prosecuting the design, we look upon it our duty as Christians, and
especially as ministers of the gospel, to give our testimony that, as
we verily believe, a disinterested regard to the advancement of the
Redeemer's kingdom and the good will of His Majesty's dominions in
America, were the governing motives which at first induced the Rev.
Mr. Wheelock to enter upon the great affair, and to risk his own
private interest, as he has done since, in carrying it on; so we
esteem his plan to be good, his measures to be prudently and well
concerted, his endowments peculiar, his zeal fervent, his endeavors
indefatigable, for the accomplishing this design, and we know no man,
like minded, who will naturally care for their state. May God prolong
his life, and make him extensively useful in the kingdom of Christ. We
have also, some of us, at his desire examined his accounts, and we
find that, besides giving in all his own labour and trouble in the
affair, he has charged for the support, schooling, etc., of the youth,
at the lowest