A plain and faithful narrative of the original design, rise, progress and present state of the Indian charity-school at Lebanon, in Connecticut

1. That Provisions of all Sorts were then, and still are, at an higher Price than ever before in these Parts, occasioned by the preceeding Wars and extreme Drought. When they are reduced to their usual Price, the Expence of educating Indian Youth will be much less.

2. The Circumstances of this Undertaking were extraordinary, and the necessary Expences of it were consequently so, and such as there may never be such Occasion for again. This was the opening a Door which never had been opened for such a Purpose to these Nations; and it was thought by many who knew their great Fondness for their Children, that it could not be soon accomplished, i. e. to make either Parents or Children willing to comply with an Invitation to come such a vast Length, and under such Circumstances as have been mentioned. But the Report of David confirmed by the Boys on their Return, has given such Conviction of the Sincerity and Kindness of our Intentions towards them, as has removed all Objections. And nothing more is now necessary to our obtaining as many well-chosen Boys and Girls as we please, but to employ some faithful Missionary among them for that Purpose.

I have been the more particular in this Account, because I would remove the unreasonable Prejudices raised against this Method, by partial and unfair Accounts, and a Cry of enormous Expences, &c. And to let the World know there is nothing in it worthy to be objected by one who is in earnest to accomplish this great and important Design.

What I have done for this School since its Beginning, in many expensive Journies; (for none of which have I ever charged any Thing at all); in constant Care for their Health, in Endeavours to cure their savage Disposition, and form their Minds and Manners to right Rules of Virtue and Religion, in extraordinary Care and Trouble for several of them in Sickness, in Expences by Company, not only of English but Indians at my House, occasioned thereby; and incidental Charges in many Instances, none are able justly to estimate, or likely so much as to think of many of them, but one who is intimately acquainted with the Business: In Consideration for which I have had the Assistance of several of them a few Times in an extraordinary Croud of Business; and of late some Advantage by the School to two of my own Children. Which Reward I suppose impartial Judges will not think to bear a very considerable Proportion to these Expences which are not charged, and which in my Judgment is not the one Tenth Part of them.

Mr. Moor's Grant contains about two Acres of Pasturing, a small House and Shop; for the Use of which from the first I have received about £. 4 lawful Money, clear of the Charge of Repairing, which is not equal to the Money I have paid to Physicians which is not charged.

I have professed to have no View to making an Estate by this Affair: What the Singleness and Uprightness of my Heart has been before GOD, he knows; and also how greatly I stand in need of his Pardon.

My Accompt with the School has been charged after the following Manner, viz. For the whole Expence of Cloathing, Boarding and Tutoring the Boys from December 18th. 1754, to November 26th. 1760. at the Rate of £. 16 lawful Money per Annum, for each; but when their Number was so increased I found it necessary to come nearer to the true Value of it, and have since used greater Exactness; but have never charged higher than at the lowest Money Price for what they have had of me, and for what I have bought for them of our Traders, Shoemakers, Taylors, &c. I have charged just what I have given, and no more. I have charged for their Tuition, as for English Scholars, i. e. for Latin Scholars, and such as were savage and needed much Care and Instruction, at 2s. L.M. per Week, or £. 4 10s. per Annum; and for others proportionally. The whole School, one Year with another, has not quite cleared my Expence for the Master. Last Year it did a little more; and since the 27th of May last, it has over-done my Expence for the Master 15s. 8d. besides the Tuition of the Girls. I have charged for the Girls but 4d. per Week, i. e. for one Day's Schooling and Dinner; and the whole Expence for their Education will be but little more than their Cloathing.

The total Amount of all my Disbursements in this whole Affair, for near Eight Years, that is, since December 18. 1754, to November 27. 1762, charged in the Manner, and after the Rate before-mentioned, is, (Errors excepted) £. 566 2s. 5d. Sterling.—And the total Amount of all the Donations before-mentioned, together with smaller ones, which I suppose needless to mention particularly, received within the said Term, is, (Errors excepted) £. 509 2s. 5d. Sterling.

And as this School was set up when there was no Scheme devised, or Plan laid, which this could be in Opposition to; so it is not continued in Opposition to any other Measures which are proposed or pursued by others.

And, blessed be GOD that he has put it into the Hearts of a Number of Gentlemen of Ability in and near Boston, to contribute so liberally towards the Furtherance of the general Design. And is it not a Pity that Christians of all Denominations should not unite their utmost Endeavours for the Accomplishment of it; and especially now while the Door is so widely opened for it? And what a Pity is it that any Time should be lost? And how exceeding mean, and infinitely beneath those noble Sentiments, and that generous Love to the Souls of Men, and to our King and Country, which true Religion inspires, will it be to fall into Parties; and on Account of differing Opinions reflecting the most probable Methods for accomplishing the End, to obstruct and hinder one another therein? There is enough for all to do; and the Affair is of so great Importance, that it calls for the Trial of every Method that has the least Probability of Success; and different Methods may greatly subserve and assist one another.

We can none of us boast such Perfection of Understanding and Skill in the Affair as to set up safely for Infallibility. Many Attempts have been made by wise and good Men; and the Issue has taught them their Want of that Knowledge which is got by Experience; and that their pious Labour and Expence had been in a great Measure lost for want of it.

And I would take this Opportunity to express my Gratitude for those generous Benefactions whereby this Infant Institution has been hitherto supported; and I hope through the Blessing of GOD upon our our Endeavours, those pious Benefactors will have Occasion for the most easy and comfortable Reflections, as having made an Offering acceptable to GOD, and bestowed it well for the Advancement of the Kingdom, and Glory of the great Redeemer: And that the Blessing of many of our American Heathens, who shall in the present and succeeding Generations, reap the Benefit thereof, may come upon them: And that others understanding that this School stills lives, under GOD, upon the Charity of good Men, will be moved to open their Hands to minister further, and necessary Supplies for it.

Hebron, December 31. 1762.

To the Printers.

We having been informed that the Rev'd Eleazar Wheelock of Lebanon has lately prepared and sent to your Press, A Narrative of the Indian Charity School under his Care; and being willing to contribute to the Furtherance of that truly noble and charitable Undertaking, which, though new and untried before he entered upon it, appears to us to have the greatest Probability of Success, and to afford the most encouraging Prospect of spreading the Gospel far and wide among our American Pagans, of any Method that has yet been attempted: And we can't but hope that a recommendatory Letter, which was some Time since sent to a private Friend, signed by a Number of neighbouring Ministers, may serve to satisfy the World, That the charitable Design which that Gentleman is pursuing, is, in the Judgment of his Neighbours, who are well acquainted with him, and with the Affair of his School, neither selfish, nor enthusiastic; nor the Plan proposed so expensive, as may be any reasonable Objection against making a thorough Trial thereof: And we having consulted several of the Subscribers who join with us (as we believe all wou'd do if they had Opportunity for it) in desiring that said Letter might be published at the End of said Narrative; that so far as the Credit and Reputation of the Clergy in this Neighbourhood will influence thereto, all Prejudices may be removed from the Minds of Christians of every Denomination, and all be excited to unite their Endeavours according to their Ability to encourage and promote so noble and important an Undertaking: Wherefore please to give said Letter (a Copy whereof you will receive with this) a Place at the Close of said Narrative, and you will oblige

Your's to serve,Benjamin Pomroy,Elijah Lothrop,Nathaniel Whitaker.COPY of the LETTERChelsea, in Norwich, July 10. 1762

SIR,

We Ministers of the Gospel, and Pastors of Churches hereafter mentioned with our Names, having for a Number of Years past heard of, or seen with Pleasure, the Zeal, Courage and firm Resolution of the Reverend 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, viz. by the Mission of their own Sons. And as we are verily perswaded, that the Smiles of divine Providence upon his School, and the Success of his Endeavours 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 own 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, that the present Openings in Providence ought to invite Christians of every Denomination to unite their Endeavours, and lend a helping Hand in carrying on the charitable Design; and we are heartily sorry if Party Spirit and Party Differences shall at all obstruct the Progress of it, or the old Leaven in this Land ferment upon this Occasion, and give a watchful Adversary Opportunity so to turn the Course of Endeavours 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 of his Majesty's Dominions in America were the governing Motives which at first induced the Reverend Mr. Wheelock to enter upon the great Affair, and to risque his own private Interest as he has done since in carrying it on; so we esteem his Plan to be good, his Measures prudently and well-concerted, his Endowments peculiar, his Zeal fervent, his Endeavours 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 find that besides giving in all his own Labour and Trouble in the Affair, he has charged for the Support, Schooling, &c. of the Youth, at the lowest Rate it could be done for, as the Price has been and still is among us; and we apprehend the generous Donations already made, has been, and we are confident will be laid out in the most prudent Manner, and with the best Advice for the Furtherance of the important Design. And we pray God abundantly to reward the Liberality of any upon this Occasion; and we hope the Generosity, especially of Persons of Distinction and Note, will be a happy Lead and Inducement to still greater Liberalities, and that in Consequence thereof the wide extended Wilderness of America, will blossom as the Rose, Habitations of Cruelty become Dwelling-Places of Righteousness, and the Blessing of Thousands ready to perish come upon all those whose Love to Christ, and Charity to them, has been shown upon this Occasion, which is the hearty Prayer of,

Sir,Your sincere Friendsand humble Servants,

N. B. The Names of the Subscribers stand in the same Order in which they subscribed, and not according to Seniority; and it is hoped any Inaccuracies observable in the Draught will be excused, at least not charged upon more than one of the Number, inasmuch as they signed separately, not having the Advantage of a Convention for that Purpose.

The END

1

This Part of my Plan seems to be abundantly justified by that which the Rev Dr Colman of Boston, and the Rev Mr. Sergeant of Stockbridge, have wrote upon this Head. See Mr. Sergeant's Letter to the Doctor, printed at Boston 1743. Page 15. The Doctor writes thus:—"Another thing suggested by Mr. Sergeant, and a most wise and necessary one in the present Case is—his taking in Girls as well as Boys, if Providence succeed the Design, and a Fund sufficient to carry it on can be procured:–I must needs add on this Head, that this Proposal is a Matter of absolute Necessity, wherein we are not left at Liberty, either as Men or Christians; for there cannot be a Propagation of Religion among any People, without an equal Regard to both Sexes; not only because Females are alike precious Souls, form'd for God and Religion as much as the Males; but also because the Care for the Souls of Children in Families, and more especially in those of low Degree, lies chiefly upon the Mothers for the first 7 or 8 Years: Which is an Observation or Remark which I had the Honour to make unto my dear and honoured ancient Friend, Henry Newman, Esq; Secretary to the Hon. and Rev. Society for promoting Christian Knowledge; which when he had communicated to them they put into Print, and sent it to the Directors of the 1764 Schools; (if I have not miscounted) that so a greater Proportion of Girls might be taken into them to receive a religious Education for the sake of their Posterity, and therein for the more effectual answering the very End of their Charity Schools."–