And so far forth as being baptized, in the forementioned Manner, and calling themselves Christians will make them so, they are so to be esteemed. Now these Things being so, it may prove a difficult Thing to make them sensible, that Drunkenness, and other vicious Practices, are inconsistent with Christianity; because those Christians, who fall under their Observation, give them an Example of Vice, and go such Lengths therein.
But yet I apprehend this Difficulty might also be removed, by giving them a just and true Account of the Nature and Extent of the Christian Religion, by informing them what the Will of Christ is; how he expects that we should be conformed to his Likeness, and to his Laws. The Indians are as capable of hearing Reasons, and giving them their Weight, as other Men; and it is because they know not what Christianity is, that they esteem themselves Christians, in their present Circumstances. When they are made acquainted with the Terms of Salvation, proposed in the Gospel, and what they must do that they may inherit eternal Life; when they are well instructed in the Doctrines of Christ, they will be sensible that the Religion which they now have, is little or nothing like that which is taught by the Gospel. When Mr. Edwards refused to baptize a Mohawk Child born at Stockbridge (which I have before mentioned) and they were very much displeased with him on that Account, he went to them, gave them the Reasons of his Conduct, and informed them as clearly as he was able, of the Nature and End of Baptism: Those Indians received the Force of his Reasons, and appeared to be satisfied and contented, when he had taken Pains to inform them. And I doubt not but proper Instruction and Information would remove the Difficulty I have been speaking of.
Tho’ Christianizing those Indians may prove a difficult Work, yet if our Endeavours might, by the divine Blessing, be succeeded, would not the Advantage thence arising to them, and us, more than compensate the Pains and Expence we should be at? And is there not so much Ground to hope for Success, as should induce us to make the Experiment?
I shall now conclude, by briefly suggesting a few Things, not yet mentioned, the serious Consideration of which may excite us to use our best Endeavours for the Conversion of the neighbouring Indians to the Christian Faith.
1. And in the first Place, should not the Consideration of the divine Bounty and Goodness, bestowed upon us, excite us to employ Part of that undeserved Goodness to promote the Knowledge of God, our bountiful Benefactor, among those who are destitute of it? Thro’ the undeserved Favour and Blessing of God, we have been prosperous in our secular Affairs, succeeded in our Husbandry, Trade, &c. and are become a wealthy People: And, were we as willing as we are able, might we not spare large Sums for the Propagation of the Gospel among the Heathen? Ought we not then to shew our Gratitude to the glorious Author of all our Comforts, by employing a Part of his Bounty to promote the Redeemer’s Kingdom? Is it not fit that we should thus honour the Lord with our Substance? Does it not lie as a Reproach upon us, who make an high Profession, that we expend so little to promote the Knowledge of God among the Natives, and so much to ill Purposes? Were what we employ in unnecessary Expences, by which Pride and Luxury are indulged and nourished, employed in the laudable Method I am recommending; would it not be sufficient well to support a Multitude of Missionaries among the neighbouring Tribes? Would it not probably be a Means of turning many of them from the Power of Satan to God? And would it not be an Odour of a sweet Smell, a Sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God[1]? And seeing God, by his Blessings, has enabled us to contribute to such a good Design, should we not chearfully give of our Substance, for the spiritual Benefit of the perishing Heathen?
2. Should not the Light and Grace of the Gospel, which we, thro’ divine Goodness enjoy, be a stronger Argument still to excite us to endeavour the Conversion of the Heathen?
A few Generations back we were in a State of Heathenism, as they now are: Aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel—and without God in the World[2]. But, thro’ divine Goodness, the Day-spring from on High has visited us, and we enjoy the Light and Privileges of the Gospel-Dispensation. Seeing then God has had Compassion on us, and bestowed upon us those richest Blessings, ought we not to have Compassion on the neighbouring Heathen, and use our best Endeavours that they also may be made Partakers of the Light and Blessings of the Gospel?
3. Should we not be moved to such charitable Endeavours from the Consideration of the wretched and forlorn Circumstances, in which the poor Natives appear before our Eyes? We often behold those piteous Objects, appearing half naked, and almost starved; which is the Effect of their vicious Way of Living. We see them also in the Depths of Ignorance and Barbarity; wholly unacquainted with the Way of Salvation, and quite unconcerned for their eternal Good: And yet their Powers, both of Body and Mind, are not inferior to our own. Were they brought to Civility and Industry, they might stand upon equal Ground with us, respecting the Comforts of Life; and were they instructed in divine Things, made acquainted with the great and important Truths of the Gospel, they might stand as fair for the Kingdom of Heaven as we do. Should not our Eyes therefore affect our Hearts, when we behold them in such miserable Circumstances? And should we not exert ourselves in all proper Ways for their Help? Did the Wounds of the poor Man half dead, who fell among Thieves, plead with so much Eloquence for human Compassion, as the unhappy State of the poor Natives does for Christian Charity? And if the Compassion of a Samaritan was moved by the former, how much more should the Bowels of a Christian be moved by the latter?
4. The noble Example of some generous and pious Persons, at Home, may well excite us to liberal Contributions for the Benefit of the poor Heathen.
Not only publick Societies, but also private Persons, in Great-Britain, have generously and liberally contributed for the Benefit of the Natives, in this distant Part of the World. Tho’ they are at 3000 Miles Distance, and never beheld, as we do, those miserable Objects; yet, from a truly pious and generous Spirit, they have sent over their liberal Contributions, that the Heathen, by their Means, may be informed in the Way of Life. Verily, they shall not lose their Reward. A noble Example they set before us, most worthy our Imitation: And how can we excuse ourselves, if we neglect to copy after it? Some indeed may plead their Inability, but this is not the Case of all. Are there not among us many wealthy Merchants and Traders? Are there not also many Farmers, who abound in Wealth, upon the Lands which were, a few Years ago, the Property of the Indians, who now stand in Need of their Charity? Should not such Persons be moved, by the generous Examples of others, to help forward the noble Design of converting the Heathen? Yea, are not the People in general able to do something to help forward so good a Design? And will it not lie as a Reproach upon us, if we, who make a high Profession of Religion, prove void of Charity, when we are so loudly called to the Exercise of it, not only by the laudable Example of generous Benefactors at Home; but also by the perishing Circumstances of the neighbouring Indians?