at OF THE iraatDiQQusaiL sasaaiam AT l PRINCETON, N. J. DOWATIOX C» K SAMUEL AGNEW, OF PHILADELPHIA, PA. jSettez - o4i>. Th&wcJL/ /a$y£.i§&^7 *> 039< j ggg! s e S<^^>3 - |j Case , Division. , c Shelf, Section. . j Book, No . .. v-rji aafgl^i 1 ? ' Z' ? 6/7 V . ••• » * • ■ ,1 A Plan for tflMifhing a Repository oj cheap Publications, on Religious and Moral Sub- jects ; -which -will be fold a; a Halfpenny, or Penny , and few to exceed Two-pence , each. “ GREAT BRITAIN has long been diltin- gu'fted above other countries for an attention to perfons of the lower clafs. Hofpitals, difpefi- faries, and humane foe eties, prove her care of their bodies ; while Sunday, as well as other ■charity fchools, and a variety of inftitutions for communicating inltrudtion, among which the excellent focietes for promoting Chriftiaii and religious knowledge Hand confpicuous, roanifefl lier folicitudv for their fouls. “ Though the plan here offered to notice, is, in its prominent feature, diltinguifhcd from all Cxifting religious inftitutions, it may be made an auxiliary to each ; as its general object is the fame, though its means are more humble, and the good propofed by it is expedted to be done at a peculiarly eafy rate. “The objedtofthis inftitution is the circulation of religious and ufeful knowledge, as an antidote to the poifjn continually flowing through the channel of vulgar and licentious publications. Thefe, by their chcapnefs, as well as by their being, unhapp ly, congenial to a depraved taftc, the nature of the cafe “ Be Dg well aware, that fermens, catech'frm, and other articles of preceptive piety, may be had from the great focicties already formed, we Ihall prefer what is Unking, to what is merely didadlic. Inllrudlive incidents, lives, deaths, remarkable difpenfations of providence, ufeful narratives, will form a conflderablc part of the plan ; from which will be carefully excluded whatever is cnthufiaftic, fuperftitious, orabfuid. Thefe tradls, by intcrefting and attesting the heart, may, under a divine influence, help to give it a rignt tendency. And, in our choice of materials, wc mud ever bear in mind, tlfht car prime objcdl being the counteraction of an exif 'irg evil, of wh cn the poifon is but tou palatable, we mult labour to render our antidote the moie pleafant. . lu the circulation hi our tradts, the idia of Cfle is preferred to that of donation ; becaufe th cr« is reafen to conclude, that books bellowed by charity are too feidom read, and that men’s opinion of the value of a thing is apt to be en- hanced by the expence or the toil of its acqui- fltion. “ Brevity, cheapnefs, and a neat ahd agreeable appearance, are the harmlcfs allurements wo ’ Ihall employ. Byfupply ng religious and moral tradts uniting all thefe advantages, we hope to draw off, in fome mcafure, the venders of corrupt bailads from their pernicious traffic. For the fame perfons who have hitherto hawked vice and folly through the country, will, no doubt, with equal readinefs, circulate what is pure and virtuous, (houldthey find it no lets gainful. “Let the experiment he fairly tried. — Let the fubftantial dealer — let the ret. ,'ers of papers and fongs in the obfeurer parts of a town— let thofe who occupy a (tall at a fair for the fale of books and ballads — let the poor woman who travels with her matches and her cakes — be a ; l encou- raged to try whether they cannot, at once, aliift thcmfelvcs and the caufe of virtue. “ But though the peculiarly of our plan confifi s in the encouragement it holds out to common vc deis, wo anticipate much aftiftance from the generality of thole who can afford 10 purchafe witlr a view of giving away. Such will bo fup- p' ed, at an eafy rale, with uf ful prefents for their fervants, workmen, charity fchools, and the poor at large. It may xlfo gvat fy many to be furnilhed with papers fuitid for diltribution on a journey, in hofpitals, work- houfes, prifuns, on hoard fhips, and among foldiers. “Though thefe articles will not be delivered from our repofitory grat s,the turns will be fuch as to invite purchafers. “ A fmall fund is already raifed. Additional fubfcribcrs will enable us to extend our views : nor do we exclude the hope of awakening fimilar defi_,ns in di'tant parts, beyond the immediate influence of the oiiginal foecty. “ Every remark, tending to improve the infli- tution, will be cheerfully converted to ufe. .A nd even Uiofc % ho rather defire than expect its fuc- cefs, may be fatisfied that, in giving their mite, they cannot at lead, encourage evil : for no caufe of any particular party is int nded to be ferved by it; but general Chriltiai iiy will be pro- moted, upon practical principles. And it is pi'-, fumed there can be but one opinion, among all thinking perfons, of the importance of improving the morals and principles of the people.” A^isx^fir erv JLa^U yyi^uvAtfiAsLA /f-A-i/ s££jL £s}&-4*~>>s^y£^^{0 *'/' ‘ AAju y^sx*y&z&) # sijy/^u. *yC i 0-2^ tr-y^ y s££jL £s}£_A*s^yA^OL) *ry sO*->~a*-* /AAj£> Slsly\ yj-^UuJ^J y<^J^KjL-*yCy A*. \siyy^jL4^A-4 ^ AAjlj o<^j&i O /^'*- / vax\_£xO f t-ytAy 64^XSi_A^ / A- y/ ^ V~> JKyKyAc /&L> AA-yAx^^ s7/££j-> 77s^fi/ t A ^ju-i yy £ ' / yL'/'t*~^-*y -<-<-> jlaAa-A A-yA-a^A ^ *AA yCw r -/t 7 am ] ATm^ ^ — y *~fiy ,7- / J. _J/A ,,y.^y 7 y / 7 t 72 % l/ZlAx*t C*~0 G*SlAA C*J AJ «yV '<- > ^'-T y X/A-^ 1 yy ^ ^ ^ ■ At) Mxifi^ yf-^yAr ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ AlMt ^ ^sSlL Ay ry^ A-j ^ ^ ArAtM , 7^ vU ~ t A v _A -x ^t_ALy*A> ' /^Ae±s>M M?CtJL£-*/i-A, AAj-y tAojtT, 7 A£ fir y *■<£*. , fi aAjl cyj~o^)A~- M j| ' ^ «rv *y y/*^o ^ , /. / ^ia^- ^ A y‘^. /a-x y o j , , s - *■ » ^-..' 'x^' , a — a yAjwy~ estv&~-, -otAy w» t^/» Zy. //C/- ^ A /W t> V^VA, •* 7 M m * - i A BRIEF M I STORY OF THE SOCIETY IN SCOTLAND, FOR Propagating Chrijlian Knowledge IN THE HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS; n< THE CORRESPONDENT BOARD IN LONDON; FROM THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SOCIETY IN THE YEAR * 7 OI >_ DOIVN TO THE PRESENT TIME. / HENRY HUNTER, D. D. SECRETARY TO' THE CORRESPONDENT BOARD. LONDON. 179s TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE ROBERT EARL of KINNOULL, VISCOUNT DUPLIN, AND LORD HAY OF PODWARDIN; PRESIDENT OF THE COMMITTEE OF DIRECTORS THE SOCIETT IN SCOTLAND, FOR PROPAGATING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE; THIS WHICH HAS RECEIVED SUCH LIBERAL PATRONAGE FROM HIM AND HIS RESPECTED PRECECESSOR IN TITLE AND IN SPIRIT, OF Brief Hiflory of a Society , IS HUMBLY INSCRIBED,' BY HIS OBEDIENT SERVANT HENRT HUNTER, Bethnal- Green Ro April 2i, 1795. x\ ■ T?r . • - yxr , £ - : V . V „ / . . ■ . - _ . • X. -k . • - "» < - . , - - • • . - • vy s> > , 7 .7* • t , / . • : c .. . 1 f . . . ... • , • ' r" • . • j < *i • * • . - . » . .;„ij :j. . :V»c: * 7.' : c -T f _ • ' • . - L ' / • " : ’ •' ■. i . I . * t A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY IN SCOTLAND, FOR Propagating Chriftian Knowledge . O BJECTS poflefs various magnitude and im- portance, both from their own real, eflential, permanent, qualities ; and from the character and complexion of the mind which contemplates them. Some are of univerfally felt and acknowledged value and utility ; others are important, or infignificant, according to the tafte, and turn of thought, of the beholder. Some are moft highly prized when viewed at a diftance ; others yield more delight on a clofer infpedtion. Thofe, un- doubtedly, are of higheft eftimation, which combine the moft numerous affemblage of ufeful qualities, and, con- fequently, colled! the generality of fuffrages. But no man is entitled to undervalue his neighbour’s objedt ; and a wife man will be cautious how he magnifies his favourite, out of meafure, and out of feafon, left he ex- pofe it to derifion, in his zeal to procure for it undue refpedt, A 3 In 6 history of the society For In the ardor of recommendation, invidious compart- 1 foils are fometimes ftated between one charitable lnftitu- tion and another. This is, at ortce, impolitic, illiberal, and unjuft It provokes retaliation, it offends tire impar- tial, it fofters a party -fpirit, which is the declared foe of all charity. To admit the juft claim, and to celebrate the juft praife, of a brother, of a rival, nay, of an enemy, is both manly and wife ; for this too provokes retaliation; fuch retaliation as a good man can avow, and pradtife, with honour. The Society for propagating Christian Knowledge is one candidate, among a thoufand, for public favour ; and is at all times difpofed to acknow- ledge, with gratitude, the liberality and munificence with which it’s repeated appeals have been anfvvered. A fhort account of it’s formation, of it’s views, and of it’s fuccefs, may, perhaps, be acceptable to thofe who are al- ready it’s Members and Supporters, and may be an in- ducement to fuch as are not, to declare their approbation of it’s principle, and to contribute towards it’s perma- nency and utility. In the year 1701, a fmall number of pious, and pub- lic-fpirited, Citizens of Edinburgh, thought proper ta form themielves into a Society for the reformation of Manners; of all reforms, before or l'mce propofed, furely the moft interefting, patriotic, and important. Nearer objedts naturally preffed firft on their attention. The dreary and JSfk regions of their own Country arofe into view, prefenting a melancholy and afflidling pic- ture of accumulated human wretchednefs : — a high nor- thern PROPAGATING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. 7 them latitude ; a furly climate ; a ftubborn, fterile foij ; civil oppreffion ; and a gloomy, religious fuperftition. Some of thefe were the work of Nature ; and, though they admitted of mitigation, never could be completely remedied. Others were only local and temporary evils. The human mind is a foil, at all fcafons, and in all fitu- ations, fufceptible of culture ; and the improvement of the mental faculties, has an obvious tendency toward the melioration of the external condition. No profpeft could be more difcouraging than what prefented itfelf to the eyes of thofe virtuous Reformers : A Country almoft inacceflible and unknown ; inhabited by men of a different habit, of a different language ; men in a ftate of total ignorance and barbarifm ; the very light that was in them, worfe than darknefs. The land was, indeed, divided into parifhes, with the legal eftablifh- ment of one church and one fchool in each parifh. But what was the nature, and the extent, of the diftridls thus divided ? Many of thofe parifhes are from thirty to forty Englifh miles in length, fome of them much more ; and thefe interfered with lakes, rapid rivers, arms of the fea, “ rough quarries, rocks, and hills whofe “ heads touch Heaven.” Many of them confift of feve- ral fmall fequeftered iflands, fcattered over a tempelfuous Ocean, which, for a confiderable part of the year, for- bids all communication. Thus fituated, what advantage could by far the greater part of the forlorn inhabitants derive from their parochial eftablifhments ? In the low countries of Scotland, the common people are among the moft civilized and beft inftrudted on the Globe. , A 4 They S HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY FOIt They are all taught, at leaft, to read ; all are accuf- tomed regularly to attend their place of worfhip ; the Clergy vifit their flocks, from houfe to houfe, in a fhted courfe of exhortation and catechizing ; and the Country abounds with the Bible, with catechifros, and with innu- merable treatifes on pra&ical religion, in the vernacular language, which are eagerly read, and with no flight de- gree of improvement. It was not fo in the Highlands. There, the generality had no opportunity of learning to read. And if they had acquired that art, Towhatpur- pofe, in a region where there were no books, not even the Scriptures, in the native tongue ? In this ftate of torpid inaction had the faculties of a numerous, hardy, and intrepid race lain buried for ages ; unlefs when roufed into cafual exertion, at the mandate of a lordly Chieftain. Meanwhile Popery was availing herfelf of this dark and rude ftate, to make profelytes to the Church of Rome. Religion is neceflary to the foul of man ; and unlefs inftru&ed in one that is rational, pure, peaceable — full of mercy and good fruits , it will be in danger of adopting one that is irrational, earthly , fen- fual , dev'iUfb. This was unhappily the cafe of the Highlands, at the beginning of the prefent century. The generally prevailing political principle was a blind, but furious, attachment to the recently exiled Houfe of Stuart, and a confequent infuperableaveriiontothe Con- ftitution and Government eftabliflied at the Revolution, in i68S,and the whole religious knowledge of the Coun- try w T as reduced to a few Popifti legends and ceremonies, received without examination, and praiStifed without un- derftanding. A few PROPAGATING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. <) A few plain fails, the refult of enquiry made on the fpot, by impartial and intelligent perfons, fpecially ap- pointed for the purpofe, will ferve to confirm and fup- port the general defcription now given, of the vaft field which the Society propofed, from it’s firft formation, to cultivate. The parifh of South-Uiji confifts. of the Iflands of South-Ui/i, Benbecula , and Erifca. It is 45 miles long, and near 8 miles in breadth ; and it was found to contain about 2600 fouls, of whom 2300 were Papifts : and that there were two Popifh Priefls and a mafs houfe in it. The parifh of Barra confifts of the Ifland of Barra , which is 7 miles and a half long, and 3 broad, and of fis other finall Iflands; and was found to contain about 1300 fouls, of whom 1250 were Papifts. In the time of Charles I. all the inhabitants were Proteftants ; but after the Reftoration, this, and the parifh next mentioned, be- ing united, and the minifter refiding always in Harris , Popifh priefts occupied the former, and perverted almofl the whole inhabitants. The parifh of Harris confifts of the Ifland of Harris, and feven other fmail iflands. It is 36 miles long, and 9 broad, and contains about 2000 fouls, all Proteftants. The parifh of Bolcfkine is 30 miles long and 6 broad, and contains about 1600 perfons capable of receiving in- ftrudlion, of whom 400 arc Papifts, and thefe increafing in number. The It) WISTORY OF THE SOCIETY FOR The parifh of Urquhart is about 27 miles long, and 18 broad. It contains about 2CCO fouls, of whom about 1 30 or 140, who inhabit Glenmcrijion, are Papifts. A Popifh prieft refides frequently in this valley. The parifh of Kilmallie is 52 miles long, and 37 broad, and contains about 4000 fouls, of whom 35 are Papifts. Fort William is in this parifh. The parifh of Ardnamurchan comprehends the five following diftridls; Ardnamurchan , properly fo called, which is 21 miles long, and 6 broad, and contains 12CO fouls, all Proteftants ; Sunart, which is 21 miles long, and 7 and a half broad, and contains 447 fouls, of whom 4 are Papifts ; Moydart , which is 24 miles long, and from 7 and a half to 10 anft a half broad, and contains 828 fouls, of whom 824 are Papifts ; South Morar> which is 21 miles long, and from 3 to 4 and a half broad, and contains 281 fouls, of whom there is only one Pro- teftant The whole number of fouls in this Parifh is 3816, of whom 1956 are Papifts. A Popifh prieft re- fides conftantly in Arafaig , where a mafs-houfe was built about ten years ago ; another prieft refides con- ftantly in Afoydart, and a third in South Alorar *. The parifh of Lefmore, to which Appin is now united, is about 60 miles long, and 25 broad, and contains about 3000 fouls. * The account here given of the Parifhes in the Highlands was taken from furvey about twenty years ago. Since then the cafe is greatly altered to the better. The PROPAGATING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. 11 The parifh of Glenmuick lies on the fouth fide of the river Dee , and is 15 miles long. To it arc now united the parifhes of Dultich and Glengarden , which lie on the north fide of that river, and are 20 miles long, and, at an average, 12 miles broad. They contain about 2200 fouls, of whom about 337 are Papifls. The parifh of Crath'ie , to which Braemarr is now united, is 25 miles long, and about 10 broad, the river Dee running through the middle of it, and contains 2253 fouls, of whom 337 are Papifls. The parifh of Inveraven is 15 miles long, and from 3 to 4 and a half broad, and contains 1200 fouls. At Scallan , in the braes of Glenlivct, in this parifh, is a Po- pifh College, or Seminary, the only one in Scotland. The number of ftudents who attend it is, in general, from 8 to 12 ; moft of them are the fons of gentlemen in the neighbourhood, and fome of them become Priefts without going abroad to receive orders. At prefen t there are 12 ftudents in this College. About a century ago, the number of Papifls in Glenlivet was fo inconfiderable, that they had no fixed Prieft, but were obliged to fend to Gardenfide , 12 or 15 miles diftant, for one to vifit theix; lick, and baptize their children. Since the erection of this College, which was about 70 or 80 years ago, Po- pery has made fuch a rapid progrefs, that, according to the moft authentic accounts, there are at prefentno fewer than 1520 Papifls in this and the neighbouring parifh of Kirkmichael. In. the former, the increafe is 200, fince the year 1750, and in the latter, 77 fince the year 1755. T he fituation of this College is peculiarly calculated for promoting tz HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY FOtt promoting the interefts of Popery, being in the centre of feven parifhes, at the diftance of to miles from each church, except that of Kirkmichacl , from which it is fix miles diftant, and furrounded with a ridge of hills* whereby it is feparated from all the neighbouring coun- tries. Befide a Prieft, or Bifhop, who refides conftantly at this College, there are generally three, and often fix, Priefls, who officiate in the feveral mafs-houfes of both parifhes. The parifh of Glenclg comprehends the diftridls of Glenelg, Knoidart, and North Moray. Glenclg is 9 miles long from north to fouth, and the glens, which lie from eaft to weft, are 6 miles long. Knoidart , which is feparated from Glenelg by an arm of the fea, called Loch-Urn , is 15 miles long from eaft to weft, and 7 miles and a half broad from fouth to north. North Afcrar , which is fe* parated from Knoidart by an arm of the fea, called Loch- Nevis , is 15 miles long from eaft to weft, and from 3 to 4 miles and a half broad, from north to fouth. This computation includes only the inhabited parts of the parifh ; beyond which, the mountains, called the utter hills , extend many miles towards Glengary and Lochaber ; to thefe mountains the inhabitants migrate with their cattle in Summer. In this parifh are 2570 fouls, of whom 1340 are Papifts. A Popifh Prieft refides con- ftantly at Knoidart, and officiates in a mafs-houfe at In * vergeferan , on the fide of Loch-Urn. About four or five years ago, a Popifh lady did, by her laft will, bequeath a confiderable fum of money for the purpofe of eredfing a Popifh fchool, or academy, at North Morar . Several other Papifts having alfo contributed for this purpofe, an Academy PROPAGATING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. 13 Academy was accordingly ere&ed, and ftill fubfifts, at which a Prieft regularly officiates. Laid year there were 16 ftudents, mod of whom were the Ions of gen- tlemen in that country. Now, if fuch was the Hate of the Highlands in 1774* when the above fadds, and a multitude of a fimilar na- ture, were ascertained, in what a deplorable condition muft that wretched Country have been, at the period when this Society entered on it’s honourable career? It prefents a people fecluded from all intercourfe with their fellows fubj edits, from the proteddion of legal goi- vernment, from the meansof focial, intelleddual, moral and religious improvement ; ignorant as the herds which they tended, and llubbornasthefoil where they vegetated. How- noble, then, was the apoftolical Spirit which, undifmay- ed, undertook the arduous talk of inllrudding an ignor rant, of civilizing a rude, of chriftianizing a heathenilh race ; the divine talk of opening mens eyes, to turn them from darknefs to light , and from the power of Satan unto God! And who can contemplate the prefent fdate of things, without looking beyond the inftruments, to the hand which employed them, giving glory to God, and faying, 'This is the Lord's doing ; it is marvellous in our eyes P Inftead of uniting parilhes already enormoufly large, found policy would have fuggelded the propriety of Subdi- viding the larger pari flies, and of eldablilhing a greater number of Churches and Schools, in commodious Situa- tions. But this was an undertaking for the LegHlatu re of a great Nation, not for a handful of private individuals, whofe *4 HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY FOR whofe afTociation was voluntary, whofe influence was limited, whofe means were {lender. Unable, however, to accomplifh all they wifhed, they began with attempt- ing what was practicable ; and they fucceeded. Unable to build and to endow Churches, they propofed to efta- fclifh Schools in the more extenfive parifhes, in ftatiorrs of eafier accefs to the inhabitants, from which, as from the centres of fo many fubordinate circles, a little light might bediffufed around. The Society, from the beginning, fixed an anxious eye on the rifing generation, as it’s leading, darling object. There is a period of life when ignorance, indolence and vice, have become inveterate, and, without a miracle, incurable. Inftead of employing, therefore, unavailing efforts to inftruct and reclaim untoward age, the ftrength of exertion was directed toward the cultivation of unper- v.erted, uncorrupted youth. As be thou warmed , be thou filled, will not feed the hun- gry and clothe the naked, fo the Affociators were aware, that be ye infirufled, would not illumine the Highlands. To their time, their attention, and their labour, they con- tributed alfo their money, and folicited the fubferiptions of their friends. In a few years, befide defraying the ex- pence of their infant eftablifhment, they had been ena- bled to form a capital of ^.IOOO; and the objedf then appeared of fuch importance, in the eyes of Government, that, in the year 1709, which was the eighth of the Socie- ty’s exiftence, the Queen was induced to give it the fan&ion of a royal Charter, together with a promife of further favour. At PROPAGATING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. 1$ At the firft meeting under the Charter, plans of future operation were propofed, examined and adopted. 7 he leading objedl was the eredtion and maintenance of Schools, in the fituations where they were mod needed, and the feledlion of proper mailers to inllrudl the youth com- mitted to their care; and it was refolved that their Schools fhould be open for the adtnilhon of young perfons of every defcription, the children of Papiltsas well as of Protellants. Many ftations were fuggefled as peculiarly favourable to the view’s of the Society. But to defign was one thing, and the ability to execute was another. Of the great number propofed, they were obliged to reflridt them- felves to five, where the neceffityfeemedto be moll urgent. To have encroached on their little capital would have Been toexhauft it, and thedilTolution of the Society mull fpeedily have followed it’s formation. But it was a refo- lution, from the beginning, which has been fteadily and uniformly adhered to, that every donation and bequell fhould go toward the increafe of the capital ; and that the intereft only fhould be applied to the fupport of their ef- tablifhment. This was proceeding flowly indeed, but furely ; and by perfeverance in their original determina- tion, they have been enabled, by length of time, Ly pub- lic favour, and by the bleffing of Providence on their labours, to form a capital, whofe produce is maintaining a very extenfive, and continually growing fyflem, of in- llrudtion and indullry. For the gratification of thofe who may take pleafure in tracing the progrefs of a beneficent Inllitution, under liberal patronage and careful management, the follow- l6 HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY FOR. ing view of the Society, at various’periods of it’s exiftence, is exhibited ; and will, it is prefumed, be not unaccept- able to a foliering and munificent Public. A.D. * 7*3 Schools.- — 12 •— Capital. Scholars; 1715 — 2 5 — £• 6,177 1719 - 48 - 8,168 1727 - 78 - 9 ’ I 3 I — 2,757 1732 — 109 — * 3 ’ 3 l8 1742 — 128 — 19,287 1753 — 15 2 — 24,308 1758 — 176 — 28,413 — 6,409 2781 — 180 — 34,000 — 7,000 From this it appears, that in the courfe of the firft feventy years of it’s duration, the funds of the Society, and it’s correfponding exertions, have been advancing with a rapidity of progreffion far beyond expectation, al- moft beyond imagination: and it prefents an encouraging example of the fuccefs which will ever crown perfevering efforts directed to a valuable end. Muft it not afford real fatisfaCtion to every patri- otic, humane, chriftian mind, to trace, from it’s rife, through an extended progrefs, both as to time and effeCt, an Jnftitution which embraces objects the mofl invalu- able in the fight of GOD and of Man ? It will ferve as a {landing leffon to all future generations, not to be dis- couraged from making generous, daring attempts, in a good caufe, whatever real or apparent difficulties may be in the way. Man knows not what he is capable of PROPAGATING CHRlstlAN KNOWLEDGE. I? doing, till he tries his own ftrength. He who aims at high things* and exerts himfelf, will infallibly attain to fomething ; but he who fees a lion continually in the way, is a pefpetual prifoner to his own little timid mind, his powers are all locked up, the genial current of the foul is congealed into a mafs of ice ; he lives, and dies* ufelefs to himfelf, ufelefs to Mankind. Even to fail, in a great and generous undertaking, adminifters a melan- choly confolation to the heart which devifed it, and which made the attempt: What then is it to contemplate a plan of goodnefs carried into eft'edt? What mu ft be the fatisfadtion of the man who fees his benevolent purpofe realized; who beftolds a new creation arifing but of dark, rude, difcordant materials? It is, in it’s meafure, the felicity of the Creator himfelf, who “ faw every thing that he had made, and behold it was u very good.” And if the exertions of a folitary indi- vidual may, by the bleffing of Heaven, work wonders j what is not to be expedted, under the fame divine influ- ence, from a band of Brothers, employing united efforts, and mutual encouragement ; and tranfmitting to future generations a double portion of their pious, zealous, pa- triotic fpirit ! It is, perhaps, worthy of remark, that the era of the UNION of the two Kingdoms, and of the exiftence of the Society for propagating Christian Know- ledge as a chartered Company, is very nearly the fame. The Royal affent was given to the Adi of Union March 6th, 1707, and the Patent of Incorporation bears date the 25th May, 1709. Thus the moft eventful pe- riod in Britifti ftory ; a period which gave a new and H common l8 HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY FOR common name to this Queen of Iflands; which ce- mented the political, commercial, fcientific, legiflative and moral interefls of two great Nations, is coeval with the Inflitution of a plan of intellectual, moral and reli- gious improvement, which has greatly meliorated both ends of the Ifland, in “ bleffing him that gives, and him ** that takes.” No fooner had England and Scotland embraced as friends, than they turned their eyes together to the bleak regions of the North, with the olive-branch extended, faying, “ Be partakers of all our privileges; “ learn our language, receive our protection, admit'bur “ religion, fhare our abundance ; Be free, he wife, be “ happy.” But to cure ignorance, and to remove prejudice, is not the work of a day. A degrading arifl'ocracy was the real Government of that remote part of the Country, and defiance bid defiance to legal authority. What pro- grefs could the calm purfuits of manners, arts, induflry, humanity, religion, make in a Country agitated by fierce, vindictive, civil and religious principles — no, not princi- ples ; bur gloomy, fullen, unrelenting prepofleffions. The Revolution of 1688 was flill frefli in the recollec- tion, and in the refentment, of myriads. The name of Stuart was “ as ointment poured forth,” and that of Brunfvvick fent forth a finking favour , to the nofes of thofe deluded Caledonians. The whiggifm of the earlier years of Queen Anne, and the toryifm of the latter pe- riod of her reign, had thrown not the Highlands only, but the whole united Kingdoms, into a flate of fermen- tation. ' III PROPAGATING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. 19 In human affairs, Events “ of great pith and moment” ftcceed each other with wonderful rapidity. The Union took place in 1707 ; the Society for pro- pagating Christian Knowledge, was formed by Letters -Patent in 1709; Queen Anne died in 1714, and a Rebellion was excited, for the purpofe of defeating the Hanover Succeffion, in 1715. This Lift event threat- ened not only to obftrudl the progrefs, but to terminate the exiftence of the infant Society. But, young as it was, it had already contributed toward difleminating loyalty, and quafhing the fpirit of difaffedtion. Rebel- lion was fpeedily eXtinguifhed,the hands of Government were {Lengthened, and the exertions of the Society were renewed, with increafing ardor. The firft meeting of the Society under their incor- porating Patent was numerous and refpedtable. It was held at Edinburgh, Nov. 3d, 1709; and was attended by feveral of the Nobility; by 14 of the Lords of Seflion, by many Gentlemen of fuperior Rank, and by mod of the Clergy of the City and neighbourhood. They chofe their Officers, as the Letters-Patent directed, and ap- pointed a Committee of Directors for the regular dif- patch of bufinefs, with powers to meet and adt as cir- cumftances might require. At their next meeting, Jan. 5th, 1710, a fcheme of management was prelented, approved, and ordered to be printed, for the information of the Public. Even at this diftance of time, it may be fatisfadfory to know what the precife views of the Society were, from the very com- mencement of their honourable career, and to compare B 2 their 40 HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY FOR their original views with their fubfequent proceedings, and fuccefs. The following are the moll material arti- cles of the fcheme propofed, fanCtioned and publifhed. 1. To eredt and maintain fchools in fuch places ot Scotland, particularly in the Highlands and Iflands, as fhould be found to need them mod; in which fchools, Papifts as well as Prote Hants of every denomination, and all perfons whatfoever, fhould be taught, by fit and well- qualified fchoolmafters, appointed by the Society, to read the Holy Scriptures and other pious books, as alfo to write, and to underhand the common rules of arithme- tic, with fuch other things as fhould be thought fuitable to their circumftances. 2. That the fchoolmafters fhould be particularly care- ful to inflruCt their fcholars in the principles of the Chriftian Reformed Religion ; and, for that end, fhould be obliged to catechife them at ieaft twice a-week, and to- pray publicly with them twice a-day. 3. That not only fuch as were unable to p3y, fhould be taught gratis, but that thofe whofe circumftances re- quired it, fhould have fuch farther encouragement as the Society fhould think fit, in a confiftency with their patent. 4. To name tome prudent perfons, minifters and others, to be overfeers of thofe fchools, who fhould take care, that the fchoolmafters do their duty, and that the inftructions to be given from time to tiriie, by the So- ciety, or their Committee, be punctually obferved ; which PROPAGATING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. 216 which overfeers fhould make their report to theSociET v quarterly, or half-yearly at fartheft. 5. To give fuitable encouragement to fuch minifters or catechifts as fhould be willing to contribute their af- fiftance towards the farther inftrudlion of the fcholars, remote from church, by not only catechifing, but preach-* ingtothem: which minifters or catechifts lhould take the fame care of the other inhabitants as of the fcholars. 6. To extend their endeavours for the advancement of the Chriftian Religion, to Heathen Nations ; and, for that end, to give encouragement to minifters to preach, the Gofpel among thym. The very year enfuing, the lamp of knowledge was lighted up in St. Kilda, one of the moft remote and in- acceflible of the weftern ifles, by the eftabliftiment and endowment of a fchool of ufeful knowledge, where no- thing had been taught for many a dark and dreary gene- ration, but the art of catching fifh and folan-geefe, for the wretched fupport of mere animal life : and, with the flender annual provifion of 1 61. 13s. 4d. an humble apof- tie was fent thither, to be a fjher of men. That fame year, 1711, a refolution was formed to ere& eleven fchools more ; embracing, among other objects, the ifle of Sky, and thofe of Orkney and Zetland. And all this was to be attempted with the fcanty revenue of a capital of 3700I. That is, twelve fchoolmafters, with the ne- ceffary accommodations of houfes, fchool-rooms, books, and falaries, were to be maintained by an yearly income of 185I. ! Of tfrefe eleven fchools, five were actually B 3 fettle4 22 HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY FOR fettled next year, 1712, and in 1713 they amountid to 12 cftablithments. The means of the Society, and the application of them, increafing in a gradual and equal progreflion, it’s capital in 1715 amounted to 6177I. and it’s fchools to 25 : and there is every reafon to believe that the civil commotion of this year was rendered lefs dangerous, and was more fpeedily quafhed, by the progrefs of knowledge and of loyalty, which it was their profefied objedt to dif- fufe. By this time the exigence, the views, and the fuccefs, of the Society were known over the whole lfland of Great Britain, and as univerfally approved as known. A moft honourable teftimony of this approba- tion was given in the year. 17 1 7., One of the leading declared objedts of the Infiitution being to extend their en- deavours for the advancement of the Chrijlian Religion , to Heathen Nqtions ; and, for that end, to give encouragement to Minljiers to preach the Gcfpel among them : Dr. Daniel Williams , a diffenting clergyman, in London, did, by his iall will, give to the Society, at the end of one year after they lhould fend three qualified minifters to abide iq foreign and infidel countries, all his lands and tene- ments in and about Catworth, in Huntingdonfhire, then let at about 681 . fterling per annum, “ to have and to “ hold, as long as the Laid Society continues to carry et on the faid attempt for the converfion of infidel coun- “ tries, and the Members of the faid Society are per- “ mitted to be freely eledled.” On receiving informa- tion of this valuable legacy, the Society began to take the PROPAGATING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. the proper meafures for fulfilling the condition thereof : but, for want of adequate funds, was, for fevernl years, difabled from carrying the fame into execution, by fend- ing miffionaries into foreign parts; but what was after- wards done, in confequence of this, will appear in it’s proper place. The General Aflemblv of the Church of Scot- J LAND had, from the beginning, cordially concurred in the pious views of the Society, and, by repeated adds, injunddions, recommendations, and pecuniary aids, had promoted their endeavours to do good. And from the epoch of the Accefldon of the Royal Family of Hanover, to this day, not only Government, but the Legisla- ture itfelf, has adopted the great leading objedd of this Society, and made it the fubjedt of repeated Adds of Parliament. By an Add pafled in the firld vear of George I. intitled, “Add for the more efFeddual fecuring the peace of the “ Highlands in Scotland,” fuch perfons as his Majeldy fhould appoint under his royal fign-manual, were re- quired and impowered, on or before the ild of Decem- ber, 1716, to lay before his Majeldy? an account of the proper places for eftablifhing fchools, and of the neceflary falaries for the maintenance of them, that all needful provifion might be made for that end. His Ma-efty having granted a commifiion in purfuance of fi id v,r. the perfons therein named made a report to his ?vL>« > „ bearing, That 15 1 fchools, exclulive of thofe a' eftablilhed, were abfolutely neceflary in dv therein fpecified, whereof they, together wit' B 4 00 , 24 HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY FOR port, gave a geographical defcription ; and that 20I. was a competent falary for each of the fchoolmafters, amount- ing in all to about 300QI. per annum. By an a<£l paffed in the fourth year of George I. in- titled, “ Adi for veiling the forfeited ellates in Great “ Britain and Ireland, in trullees, to be fold for the ufe “ of the public, &c.” it was ena&ed, ** That, of the “ nett monies which Ihall arife by fale of the faid ellates “ and interefts, or by the rents and profits thereof till “ fale, a fum, not exceeding io,oool. fliall be appro- “ priated and applied towards the making a capital ftcrck, ** for a yearly interell or income, out of the monies “ which Ihall arife by the faid effates which lie in Scot- “ land, and not otherwife, towards eredling and main- “ taining fchoolsin the Highlands of Scotland, according * s to fuch ways and methods, and in fuch manner, as “ by any future adl or adts of parliament to be made and “ palTed for that purpofe, Ihall be directed and appointed.’’ By another adl, paffed in the fixth year of George I. intitled, “ Adl for laying a duty upon wrought plate, “ and for applying money arifing from the clear produce, (by fale of the forfeited ellates) towards anfvvering his “ Majelly’s fupply, See.” it was provided, “ That no- “ thing in this prefent adl contained, Ihall be conllrued “ any way to invalidate or infringe a provifion made by “ an ail paffed in the fourth year of his Majelly’s reign, “ for appropriating a fum, not exceeding 20,000k to be “ applied towards ercfling and maintaining fchools in “ the Highlands of Scotland, nor to alter the order and manner appointed by the faid a& for railing the faid “ fum PROPAGATING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. 2| “ fum out of the monies which {hall arife, by fale of the “ forfeited eftates in Scotland, any thing in this prefcnt “ aft to the contrary notwithftanding.” To make effeftual the money thus appropriated by Parliament, was a matter too interefting to the High- lands of Scotland lo be left altogether unattempted by the Society. They did therefore exert all their endea- vours for this purpofe; firft, by furnifhing the commif- fioners with the proper materials ~for enabling them to make the requifite report to his Majefty ; and then, by making repeated applications to the members of both houfes of parliament, and to perfons in power, for obtain- ing an aft of parliament, direfting the manner in which theaforefaid 20,oool. fhould be applied to thepurpofes to which it had been appropriated. They afterwards pre- fented a petition to his Majefty on this fu’ojeft ; which was referred to the Board of Treafury. But no part of this money has ever been received by the Society. By what influence, the effeft of an Aft of the Le- gislature, for a purpofe fo benevolent and patriotic, could have been eluded or defeated, it is, perhaps, not eafy to afcertain ; or if it could, to expofe it might be deemed invidious. It is fufficient to obferve, in this place, that the Society is not indebted, for any part of it’s profperity, to the fpoils of the deluded abettors of Rebellion in either 1715 or 1745: and that Royal Bounty and private munificence have fince amply com- penfated the non-appropriation of the large fum voted by Parliament, for the inftruftion and civilization of the Highlands and Iflands of Scotland. Demands 26 HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY FOR Demands for additional Schools increafing much falter than the funds of the Society, it was refolved, in 1728, to make application to the Barons of Exchequer, for a grant of fome part of the vacant Itipends which fall to the Crown, in aid of their flender means. Applica- tion was accordingly made and repeated, hut was treated with mortifying neglect. As private individuals, men are generally benevolent and generous, but official men, and Boards, are unfeeling and ungracious. The capital had now rifen to 9 1 3 1 1. 15s. qd. the Schools to 78, and the fcholars inflrutStcd to 2757. The following year, 1729, a meafure was adopted and carried into execution, which has eventually promoted the caufe of the Society more than even the well-in- tended parliamentary interpolation could have done, or than could have been extorted bv importunity from pub- lic Boards. Dr. Williams’s Legacy had afforded a very flattering proof, that the various objects of the Society were regarded with high approbation in the Britifh Me- tropolis ; it was therefore refolved, conformably to powers vefted in them by the Letters-patent, to grant a Com- iniffion to certain perfons, refident in London, as their Correfpondents, for receiving i’ubfcriptions, donations, legacies, &c. toward the defign of their inftitution ; as all’o for laying out whatever furns might be entrufled to them ; and in 1 73 1, the Society confidering, that it is the cuftom of charitable focieties in England, to receive annual contributions, or fubfcriptions for annual pay- ments, from well-difpofed perfons; and that it might prove beneficial to this Society, to receive in the fame manner annual donations or fubfcriptions, did agree to accept PROPAGATING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. 27 accept the fame ; which fhoulcl be Cither wholly ex- pended, or added to the capital flock, as the refpeftive donors fhould determine. What the effeCt of this was, will be feen in the fequel. It was found expedient, in procefs of time, to extend the views of the Society even beyond the mental and moral improvement of the objects of their charity ; or rather more effectually to promote thefe, by endeavour* ing to meliorate their temporal condition. But they v/ere reftri&ed by their Patent. In 1 7 38 , therefore, the Society confidering that, by their Patent, they were not impowered to ereft fchools for the purpofe of in- ftru&ing the poor children in hufbandry, trades, or ma- nufactures, which is the molt proper and effedtual means of curing that habit of idlenefs which is but too preva- lent among the inhabitants of the Highlands, refolved to apply to his Majefty for an enlargement of their powers ; and did accordingly obtain a fecond Patent to that effeCt. Some time after this, the Society came to the fol- lowing refolutions, with regard to the management of their funds, in as far as concerns their firfl and fecond Patents. 1, That no part of the flock of the Society which was bequeathed or given to them, or whereof they were poffeffed at the date of the fecond patent or charter, fliall be applied to any of the additional purpofes in that fe- cond charter mentioned : but that the whole thereof lhall be applied to the fame purpofe as formerly, agree- ably HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY FOR ably to the charter fubfifting at the date of the donations or contributions, whereof that flock is compofed. 2. That whatever donations have been made fince the date of the fecond patent, or fhall for the future be made, without any particular direction from the donors, /hall be applied promifcuoufly to the purpofes of the firft or fecond patent, as the Society fhall find mofl likely to anfwer the laudable ends of either, or of both. 3. That whatever fums have been already given for the fpecial purpofes either of the firft or fecond patent, fhall be applied accordingly. Andthat -if any future benefa&or fhall think fit to make a fpecial donation, either wholly for the purpofes of the firft or fecond char- ter, or in certain proportions, to the purpofes of either of the charters, the Society will caufe feparate accounts of fuch appropriations to be kept, in order that the will of fuch benefa£tors may be ftri&ly obferved. 4. That the Society will cqnftantly take care to conjoin the purpofes of both patents ; and while they will profecute, as they fhall be enabled, thofe of the fecond, they will never fuffer the purpofes of the firft patent to be negle&ed. In order to which, in cafe any contributor fhall dire£l the money by him given, to be applied fingly to the purpofes of the fecond patent, the Society will take care, out of their other funds, to caufe the fame children to be inftructed, in terms of the firft and original patent. And PROPAGATING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. 2$ And thus, by the operation of this fecond Patent, the Society had united objeCts of indifpenfahle importance to human happinefs; the cultivation, at once, of the bodily and of the mental powers ; moral and religious improvement, together with the praCtice of ufeful arts and habits of induflry ; in other words, the means of at- taining temporal and everlafting felicity. His Majefiy King George I. had, leveral years previ- ous to the date of the fecond Patent, made a happy pre- paration for it’s introduction and effeCt, by making (in 1725) his firft donation of ioool. to be employed by the General Alfembly of the Church of Scotland, for the reformation of the Highlands and Iflands, and other places where Popery and ignorance abounded. This aCt. of Royal Munificence has evtr fince been annually re- peated by that Prince, and his Succeflors. And never, furely, was bounty more happily conceived, more oppor- tunely bellowed, nor more faithfully and fuccefsfullv applied. A Handing military force to overawe the Highlands and Wands, and to fecure allegiance by ter- ror, would have been lefs effectual, and much more er- penfive. And the Country was thus completely indem- nified for the inefficacy of an ACt of the Legiflature, by a perfonal ACt of the Sovereign. This annual dogation is managed by a committee, nominated by the General Affembly, called the Committee for managing the Royal Bounty. In 1739, the firft attempt was made to facilitate in- flruCtion, by the publication of a vocabulary Gaelic and Englifli, for the ufe of the Society’s Schools ; and, a few 30 HISTORY Of THE SOCIETY FOR r few years after, this was followed up by a tranflafiort into Gaelic of that well-known tr aft, Baxter’s Call to the Unconverted ; the expenfe of the transition, and of print- ing 1000 copies, being defrayed by the generolitv of Jofeph Damer , of the kingdom of Ireland, Efq. accompanied with a donation of look for the general purpofes of the So*- ciety. This exhibits a pleafing view of the efUmatioii in which the Society’s objefts and efforts were held in the Sifter Kingdom; as well as of the pious, liberal, and enlarged mind of the Individual. Though the Highlands and Blands of their own Country prefen ted a vaft field to the companion and be- neficence of the Society, they had in contemplation, from the beginning, a farther, an unbounded objedt, namely, the illumination of Heathen Nations. The profecution of this humane view had never been loft light of, much lefs relinquifhed ; but, from the narrow-* nefs of their funds, it neceffarily remained, for many years, in a ftate of fufpenfion. At length, in 1730, long after the death of Dr. IVilliamsy whofe bequeft to this purpofe has been already mentioned, they found them-* felves in a condition to make a beginning. A commif- lion w r as, accordingly, granted to his Excellency Jona- than Belcher , Efq. Governor of Maffachufett’s-Bay, and to other gentlemen of character and influence in New England, to be their Correfpondents in thofe parts, with power to them to chufe perfons qualified for being em- ployed as Miflionaries, and not employed by any other Society, to fix the falary which fhould be given to each of thofe Miflionaries, and to fpecify the particular places where they fhould ferve, In purfuance of this commiflion, which PROPAGATING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. 3 1 which was mofl readily accepted by his Excellency Go- vernor Belcher, and the other perfons therein named, three Miffionaries were appointed by them, with a falary of 20I. each, for inftrudling in Chriflian Knowledge the Indians on the borders of New England, viz. Mr. Jofeph Secomb, who was ftationed at Fort-George on George’s River, where the Penobfcot Indians traded ; Mr. Ebene~ ze r Hinfdalc , at Fort-Dammer on Connecticut River ; and Mr. Stephen Par her, at Fort-Richmond, both of theul places of refort for the Indians. Upon an application from Governor Belcher , the General Court of the Province of MalTachufett’s-Bay voted, that 100I. per annum of their currency Ihould be paid out of the public treafury to each of the aforefaid Miffionaries, provided that they lliould ufually refide at the three places above mentioned, or at fuch other places as fhould be named by the faid Gene- ral Court, and there perform the duty of Chaplains. Thefe Miffionaries were maintained by the Society till the year 1737, when they were difmiffied, on account of their want of fuccefs, and of their declining to live among the Indians. Previous to this, viz. in 1735, the eftate bequeathed by Dr. Williams had been conveyed to the Society ; the free yearly rent whereof then amounted to 56I. The Truftees for the Colony of Georgia, having, in 1735, engaged a confiderable number of peon ! e, from the Highlands of Scotland, to fettle there, and being de- firous that they ffiould have a Prefbyterian Minifter to preach to them in Gaelic, and to teach and catechife the children in Englifh, applied to the Society to grant a coinmiffion $2 HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY FOR commilTion to fuch Minifter, who fhould likewife a£l aj one of their Miffionaries for inftrudting the native In- dians, and to allow him a falary for fome years, until th6 Colony fhould be able to maintain him at their own folc expenfe. Thefe Tru flees farther agreed to give to this Miffionary, and to his fucceffors, in perpetuity, 300 acres of land The Society accordingly granted a commif- fjon to Mr. 'John Macleod , a native of the Ifle of Sky, with a falary of 50I. This Million was fupported till the year 1740, when the greateft part of the inhabitants of this Colony having been cut off, in an unhappy expe- dition againft the Spaniards at St. Auguffine, Mr. Mac- Leod left Georgia; In 1741 the Society eftablifhed a Board of Cor- refpondents at New York, with the fame powers, and for the fame purpofes, with that efcablifhed at Boffon, eleven years before. This Board appointed Mr. Azariah Horton to be Mif- fionary on Long Ifland, a part of the Province of New York, with a falary of 40I. and named, as his affiftant and interpreter, one Miranda , an Indian, formerly a trader, but who had for fome time laboured to inflrudl the Delaware and Sufquehatina Indians. Miranda died foon after his appointment ; but Mr. Horton remained for feveral years on Long Ifland ; where he at firft met with great fuccefs in converting the native Indians ; but afterwards this million, not having been found exten- Lvely ufeful, was difeontinuedi In PROPAGATINO CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. 33 In 1743, the Society appointed Mr. David Brainard to be a miffionary, with a falary of 40I. and gave him an interpreter. He officiated among the Indians in Albany in the province of New York, and then among the De- laware Indians in the province of Penfylvania; among whom, and the Indians on the borders of New Jerfey, he remained till his death in 1747, his labours having been remarkably blefled. He was fucceeded by his brother Mr. John Brainard ; who having been occafionally employed wherever he could be ufeful, was, in 1759, eftablilhed as miffionary among the Indians who were fettled upon a track of land purchafed for them by the government of New Jerfey ; where he continued to labour with much fuccefs for many years. The Society for the propagation of the gofpel in New England, having refolved to fend, at their own expence, one miffionary and one fchoolmafter to the Cherokee Upper Towns, provided the Society in Scotland fhould fend another miffionary and fchool- mafter to the fame towns, this Society allowed 6ol. per annum for fuch million, which was put under the management of certain perfonsin Carolina and Virginia. In confequence of this, Mr. Martin undertook the mil- lion in December 1757 ; and appearances being promi- fing, Mr Richardfon was fent in the year following; but the Cherokees having joined in hoftil ities with the French againft Great Britain, this million was foon given up. The board of correfpondents at Bofton having ceafed toadlfince the year 1737, when the millions under their C infpedtion 34 HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY FOR infpeCtion were withdrawn, the Society granted a new commiffion to the Honourable Thomas Hutchin - fon t then Lieutenant-Governor of the province of Maf- fachufett’s-bav, and to. certain other gentlemen of the town of Bofton, to be their correfpondents, with the ufual powers. This board fent three miftionaries to O- honoquagie, an Indian town on the banks of Sufquahanna river, where they were received with great cordiality ; but not having been fo fuccefsful as was expeCted, they returned to Bofton. As ignorance of the Indian language had always prov- ed a great obftacle to the propagation of the gofpel among the North-American Indians, the board of correfpond- ents, above mentioned, adopted a plan for the education ofEnglilh and Indian youths ; in confequence of which three Indians were put to fchool : but many inconve- niencies, and particularly a great deal of expenfe, having been found to attend this fcheme, it was dropped. They then attempted to eftablifh fchools in the Indian fettlements; but hoftilitics having been commenced by the Indians on the borders of New England, this mea- fure was attended with little effeCt. Mean while the board of correfpondents at Bofton having folicited the Society to apply in their behalf to the General Aflembly of the church of Scotland, a col- lection was appointed to be made through all the parilh- churches in Scotland, for the purpofe of Chriftianizing the North American Indians, the money arifing from which amounted to 543I. 5s. 3d. This collection was made in the year 1764. PROPAGATING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. 35 The Reverend Dr Eleazar IVhcelock having, in 1754, feftablifhed a charity-fchool at Lebanon in ConneClicut, for the education, partly of Indian, and partly of Engliili youths, to qualify them for being fent as miffionaries, in- terpreters, or fchoolmafters, to the different Indian tribes ; and this fchool being in a flourilhing condition, he ap- plied to the Society for having a board of correfpond- ents, with the ufual powers, appointed in the colony of Connecticut, which board might fuperintend future mif- lions in thofe parts. This requeft the Society granted and gave a commiffion accordingly. In 1767, Dr. PVheelock fent over to Britain the Reve- rend Mr. Nathaniel f'Vlntaker, and the Reverend Mr. Samp/on Occam, which laft had been educated by him, and had, for fome time, been employed by the Society as a miffionary among the Oneyda Indians, to procure henefaCtions for the fupport of the above-mentioned fchool. Thefe two gentlemen prefented a memorial to the Socie- ty; who tranfmitted copies ofitto all the minifters in Scot- land, with an earnelt recommendation to them, to take all proper methods for obtaining contributions in their refpec- tive parilhes. At the fame time, in order to fecure the ap- plication of the money which might be colleCled, to the interefling objeCl in view, the Society refolved, that the whole fhould be under their own management. In confequence of this, the fum of 2529I. 17s. nd. was colleCled, and paid to the Treafurer of the Society. The employing Mr. Occam, on this fervice, evinced the fagacity of Dr. Wheelock, and produced all the effeCt which could realonabJy be expeCted from it. It was a C 2 highly. 36 HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY FOR highly inte re fling object to the good people of Scotland, to fee and to hear a copper-coloured man, not only him- felf illuminated with the knowledge of gofpel truth, but exalted into a teacher cf it to others ; leading their devo- tions in the family, in the pulpit ; preaching, in polifhed Europe, “ the unlearchable riches of Chrifh” Where- * ever he was received as a gueft, men preffed into the company, to enjoy the pleafure of his converfation : whenever he preached, the Church was crowded ; every ear was attentive, every heart and hand open to the pur- pofe of his Miffion ; fVhitjield , in all his glory, and with all his art and eloquence, poffefled lefs command over the minds and the purfes of North-Britons, than the fimple, artlefs, modeft Indian. Hence the collection, large beyond all example, of more than 2500I. in a coun- try fo poor as Scotland, toward promoting the know- ledge of divine truth among the untutored Indians of America. The Indian fchool remained at Lebanon till the year 1771, when it was removed to Hanover, in the govern- ment of New Hampfhire, near 200 miles from its for- mer ftation ; and was incorporated, by a royal charter, with Dartmouth college, founded about that time. For this reafon, the Society’s board of correfpondents in Connecticut was difcontinued, and the management of the funds deftined for America was intruded to the boards at Boflon and in New Jerfey; which laft board was appointed in the room of that formerly at New York, all the members of which were either dead, or re- moved to New Jerfey. The PROPAGATING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. 37 The Society having received moft agreeable ac- counts of the diligent and fuccefsful labours of the Re- verend Mr. Samuel Kirkland , who had been educated by Dr. IFhcclock , and had been for fome years employed by him, and afterwards by the Society for propagating the gofpel in New England, as a Mifilonary among the Oneyda Indians, took him into their fervice, and granted to him and an Indian catechift jointly, a yearly falary of 90I. the Corporation of Harvard College in New Eng- land having alfo agreed to give him the like fum. The Society afterwards allowed him to draw upon them for the additional fum of 50I. in order to procure the necef- fary accommodation for himfelf and family. All the advices refpe&ing him were mod fatisfying. He was mailer of the language of the Oneydas and Se- necas, among whom, and the Tufcororas, he laboured with the utmoft aftiduity and fervency. His chief reii- dence was among the Oneydas, at a great diftance from any EngJilh fettlement. Having lived long among them, he acquired their entire efteem, affedlion, and confidence. The Indian fchool under his care at Oney- da flourilhed, and confided of 40 or 50 fcholars. The people in general behaved well, and a confiderable num- ber entertained a juft fenfe of religion. They foon after built a church for themfelves, a thing till then unheard of among favages, who generally, if they are willing to hear the gofpel, expedl to have every thing done for them. But thefe were not all the good effedts of Mr. Kirk- land'^ miniflry. The Indians among whom he reftded, C 3 convinced I 38 HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY FOR convinced of the neceffity of quitting their former favage manner of life, became more civilized than any of their neighbours. He taught them hufbandry, often wrought with them in the fields, to inftrufl them in the improve- ment of land, and frequently fupplied them with farm- ing-utenfils. Many of them cultivated their lands, planted grain, and kept a number of cattle. Thus they became able to live on their own farms, which muft greatly ferve the million ; and, as they became good huf- bandmen, the expenfe of furnifhing them with utenfils, once neceffary, was faved. Mr. Kirkland’ s prefent * flation is highly favourable for promoting the defign of his million, as it lies on the raoft noted road through the Six Nations, and is con- flantly frequented by Indian travellers. This circum- ilance Jikewife occafions a con hderable expenfe : befides which, many Indians who attend on his miniftry, come from diftant parts ; fo that there is feldom a fabbath on which feveral do not eat at his table. When to thefe things is added, the difficulty of tranfporting provifions and other neceffaries through an uncultivated wildernefs, the falary allowed to him mull appear to be no more than what is abfolutely requifite. The track of land, containing about 4000 acres, on which the Indians among whom Mr. Brainard is Mif- fionary are fettled, is fituated near the middle of the * This refers to the (late of things immediately previous to the unhappy rupture between Great-Britain and the American Co- lonies. country, PROPAGATING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. 39 countrv, between the River Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean. The foil is very proper for producing Indian corn, rice, beans, potatoes, and other culinary vegetables; it is favourable to fruit-trees of various forts, and particularly fo to Englifh clover, and wants nothing but cultivation to fupply the Indians with all forts of vegetables. The extent of countrv under his charge is ICO miles eaft and weft, and near 80 north and fouth ; the number of Indians is about 150 or 160 ; that of the white people is very con- fiderable. His million has hitherto been fuccefsful. The Indians on that track of land remained in perfect peace and amity with the Englifh during the whole time that the other Indian nations were committing the molt bar- barous depredations upon them. As to their morals, they are in general rather reformed, and many of them fupport an unblemifhed chara£ter. Several attempts were made to get an Englifh fchoolmafter to live among them, and to teach their children ; but thefe proved fruit- lefs. An Indian fchoolmafter was therefore eftablifhed, who has met with confiderable fuccefs. The profpedts among the white people in thofe parts are very encou- raging. No fewer than eight houfes for public worfhip have been eredled fince Mr. Br award ’ s fettlement among them ; and it is probable that more will yet be built. Beftdes the millions above-mentioned, the Society fent, in the year 1772, two miftionaries and an inter- preter to the Delaware Indians. On their arrival, many of the Indians were attentive, and fome were de- firous of being inftrudled in the word of God. But thefc promifing appearances foon vanilhed ; and the Indians C 4 ordered 40 HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY FOR ordered the miffionaries to return to thofe who fent them. The expence of this lad million amounted to 150I. which was paid out of the money collected for Dr. l'Vheelock\ fchool. The Society alfo paid 40I. toward the fupport of four MifTionaries who were fent the year after to the In- dian tribes in Canada: and, at the fame time, fent to the college of New Jerfey a prefent of books to the value of 50I. having formerly fent a like prefent to Cambridge college in New England. In 1774, a memorial was prefented to the Society from the Rev. Dr Ezra Styles and Mr. Samuel Hopkins , both pallors of churches in Newport, Rhode Illand ; wherein they fet forth the following particulars: that two negro men in that place, named Brijlol Yamma and John famine, were hopefully converted to Ch ri i'tianity fome years ago, and have fince that time fudained a good character as Chridians : that they were about 30 years of age, of confiderable natural abilities, and fpoke their native language, the language of a numerous and powerful nation in Guinea: that they were very dcfir- ous to quit 'all worldly profpeiEls, and even to ride their lives, in attempting to open a door for the propagation of the gofpel among their ignorant brethren: that thefe concurring circumdances had induced feveral perfons in Newport, Rhode Illand, to fet on foot a propofal of fend- ing them on a midion to Africa: that, in order to qua- lify them for this important office, they mud be put to fchool, and taught to read and write better than they did; as alfo that they mud be indrufled more fully in divinity : PROPAGATING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. 41 divinity: that if, upon trial, they fhould be found to have made fuitable proficiency, and fhould be thought by competent judges to be qualified for a&ing as Mif- fionaries, it was not doubted, that money might be pro- cured fufficient to carry the defign into execution : that at prefent money was wanted for difcharging a debt of 50 dollars, contracted by the latter of the afore-mentioned negroes at the time of purchafing his freedom, and for fupporting both of them at fchool. The memorialifls therefore intrealed all well-difpofed perfons to contribute to forward this attempt to fend the glorious light of the gofpel to thofe nations which now worfhip falfe gods. The Society having confidered this memorial, unani- mouily approved of the propofal which it contained, and ordered, that a fum, not exceeding 30I. fhould be fent to the memorialifls ; at the fame time fignifying their wil- lingnefs to contribute for the fupport of the intended million, whenfoever it fhould, by the blefling of God, take effect. And thus, by one of the happy reverbera- tions of Divine Providence, from the bofom of flaverv in America, the emancipated captive was fent back to his native land, to diffufe “ the liberty wherewith Chrift has fet us free” among his fwarthy brethren on the burn- ing fhores of wretched Africa; and the Society had the honour of contributing toward this work of Mercy alfo. Meanwhile the Society’s exertions at home proceeded with unremitting vigor. In order to induce the inhabi- tants of the Highlands to learn the Englifh language, it had been deemed expedient to meet them half wav, by in- dulging them with a tranllation, of ufeful publications, into 4 2 HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY FOR into their native tongue. In this view, Baxter's Cull was, in 17581 followed by a tranflation, into Gaelic, of a plain and popular manual of Chriflian Knowledge, well-known in Scotland by the name of the Mothers Cateckifm : and a tranflation of the Scriptures themfelves was now ferioufly meditated. By this time, the Soci - ety’s capital had increafed to 28,4131. 16s. 6d. their fchools to 176, and their pupils to 6409. The arduous taflcof tranflating the Bible into the lan- guage of the Highlands was in part efFedfed, through the zeal, afliduity and perfeverance of the Reverend 'James Stewart , Minifler at Killin, in the Prefhytery of Dun- Iceld, who, in 1767, produced a complete tranflation of the New-Teftament, of which 10,000 copies were prin- ted and difperfed, at an expenfeof 645I. 4s. The extinction of the fecond Rebellion, in 1746, and the opening of an eafy communication, by means of good roads, to the remotefl: parts of the country, occaflonally allured multitudes of Highlanders, of both fexes, to the fouthern parts of the Kingdom ; particularly to aflift in reaping the harvefts of the meadows and of the plains. They returned with the wages of that ufeful labour to cheer and fupport the dark months of winter : but in procefs of time many of them found it convenient to become ftationary in the South. This had taken place to fuch a degree, that, in 1770, it was found neceflary to attend to the condition of the great numbers who had become rehdent in the Scottifh Metropolis and it’s vici-. nity. . A fubfcription PROPAGATING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. 43 A fubfcription having been, accordingly, opened in. behalf of the poor Highlanders living in and near the city of Edinburgh, who, for want of a dated minifter to preach to them in the Gaelic language could not partake of the benefit of divine ordinances, a confiderable fumof money was thereby raifed, with which ground was pur- chafed, and a chapel for public worfirip eredled ; and the property of it veiled in the Society, by a conveyance from Mr. William Dickfon of Edinburgh, dyer, who purchafcd the ground, and was the chief promoter cf the fubfcrip- tion. A catechift was appointed to officiate in this cha- pel until a minifter fhould be appointed. At this period the Society, defirous of obtaining the fulleft information with regard to the fituation and circumftances of their fchools, and the condudl of their fchoolmafters, in the Highlands and Hlands, granted a commiflion to Mr. Lewis Drummond . , Lieutenant in the Jate 113th regiment of foot, in whom they placed a very great confidence, to vifit their fchools in different parts, and to make an exa£l report of all the particulars relative thereto, according to inftrufilions given to him for that purpofe. Mr. Drummond, in two feveral vilitations, each of which continued for many months, executed this truft with fuch fidelity, diligence, and zeal, as jufti- fied the good opinion which the Society entertained of him, and gave them entire fatisfadlion. He made two diftindl and complete reports of thefe vifitations, which conveyed to the Society much interefting intelligence, concerning the ftate, not only of their fchools, but of religion in general, in the Highlands and Hlands of Scotland, 44 HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY FOR Scotland, and fuggefted to them fome material altera- tions for the improvement of their plan. By the fecond Patent, obtained from his Majefly George II. in 1758, the Society were authorifed, “ over and above the purpofes of their original Patent, “ to caufe fuch of the children educated at their fchools “ as they ihould think fit, to be inftruCted and bred up to “ hufoandry and houfev/ifery, or in trades and manufac- “ tures, or in fuch like manual occupations as the So- “ ciety Ihould think proper, and that in fuch places, “ and in fuch manner, as the Society, or their Direc- “ tors, fliould think the molt practicable and expedient.” It may be acceptable to give a very fhort and general ac- count ot the proceedings of the Society under this laft Patent, As no part of the money bequeathed to, or received by, the Society, previous to this Patent, was to be ap- plied to the purpofes of it, fome years elapfed before the hate of their funds would permit them to purfue thofe obje&s; and even then, it became a matter of no fmall difficulty, amidft a variety ofjchemes propofed with the heft intentions, to determine which of them was the molt practicable, as well as moll ufeful. The firft attempt was made in 1745, by eftablilhing a fchool for teaching agriculture, in the parifh of Cal- lendar, prclbvtery of Dumblane,with a falary of 12I. but after a year’s trial, which proved in every refpeCt in- effectual, it was difcontinued. In PROPAGATING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. 45 In 1751, upon an application from the late Earl Of Findlater , then Lord Defkford , the Society eflablifhed a fchool at Portfoy, in the parifh of Fordice, Banffshire, with a falary of iol. at which the children were in the morning inftruCted in reading Englifh, in writing, and in the common rules of arithmetic, and in the afternoon, were employed in fpinning, knitting ftockings, dreffing flax, weaving, &c. according to their ages ?nd capacities. The Society did likewife, that fame year, Hpon an application from a company of merchants in Perth, who fet up a manufactory of linen cloth, at Logierait, in Athol, give an annual allowance to the fchoolmafter of that parifh, for teaching, in the ufual manner, the chil- dren employed in that manufactory. The Board of Truftees for Fifheries and Manufac- tures having agreed to employ part of their funds in fet- tling fmall colonies of linen-manufaCturers in different parts of the Highlands ; and the ftation of one of thofe colonies being fixed atLochcarron, in Rofsfhire; the pro- prietor of thefe lands applied to the Society for their afliftance in eftablifhing tradefmen in that part of the country. Accordingly the Society entered into an agreement with him ; whereby they not only ereCted a fchool on the firft Patent, but allowed, out of the funds appropriated for the fecond Patent, falaries, for the fpace of five years from and after the term of Whitfunday, 1755, to a blackfmith, a fhoemaker, a Cartwright, and a ploughman, upon thefe conditions, that the ploughman fhould inflruCf, gratis, all who might offer themfelves ; and that the others fhould inhruCl; a certain number of apprentices. 46 HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY FOR apprentices, and maintain them at bed and board, at a reafonable rate, at the expenfe of the Society. In con- fequence of this agreement, thefe tradefmen fettled at Lochcarron. The Society refolved to grant falaries to fuch of the ichoolmaders’ wives, or other perfons refiding near the fchools, as fhould be certified to them to be properly qualified for indruCting the fcholars in fpinning, knit- ting {lockings, or any other ufeful branch of manufac- ture. The Society, upon receiving, in 1559, Mr. Woocl't valuable legacy of 2000I. which was to be applied to the additional purpofes of the fecond charter, publifhed ad- vertifements, inviting all who were converfant in manu- factures, agriculture, &c. to fugged propofals for laying out this money in fuch manner as might bed promote the intered of the Highlands and Iflands. Many propofals were accordingly fuggeded ; but, after mature delibera- tion, it was refolved, that this money fhould be applied, partly in buying wheels and reels, to be didributed in different places, and partly in putting out fuch of the children, educated at the Society’s fchools, as fhould be recommended by perfons of character, as apprentices to tradefmen, manufacturers, and others, the perfons re- commending them giving fecurity, by bond, that thefe apprentices, when properly indruCted, fhould fettle in fome part of the Highlands. In confequence of thefe re- folutions, many fpinning-wheels and reels were didri- buted ; many young women were taught to fpin ; and many PROPAGATING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. 47 tnany young men were inflruCted in various branches of trade and manufacture. The other funds deftined for the fecond Patent are em- ployed in falaries to fpinning-miflreffes. The Correfpondent Board in London had been efta- blifhed in the year 1729, but continued in a date rather inactive for a leries of years. It formed indeed a power- ful link in the great chain which united the Parent- Board with the African and American Continents. The Commerce of this great City opens an univerfal commu- nication, between every Land and every People ; and thereby opens a path for ufeful knowledge, to Nations ignorant and barbarous, more direCt, more infallible, and infinitely more honourable than ever was attempted, or effected, by the devouring fword. Through this chan- nel, as we have feen, the Negro, manumitted and en- lightened, was fent back from flavery in the wilds of America, with the olive-branch of the gofpel in his hand, extended to his footy brethren on their native fliores ; and the dingy American, not only a convert to Chriftianity, but a teacher of it, was wafted to Britain with that precious treafure which had firft ilfued from thence. It is by fuch an aCtion and reaCtion of good or evil, of mutual benefits or of mutual plagues, that a righteous Providence demonftrates its conftant attention to the affairs of this World ; and makes individuals and nations inftruments of profperity or of punifhment to each other, according as they have aCted well or ill. The 48 HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY FOR The London Board conduced with fidelity every pe- cuniary truft committed to them, but London itfelf, that world within itfelf, prefented a field of benevolence not yet cultivated, a vein of wealth not yet opened. It is well known that the caufe of mod charitable Inftitutions is maintained and promoted in the Britifh Metropolis chiefly by means of the two great principles of Human Nature, Religion and Sociality. The Correfpondent Board obferved other benevolent Societies availing them- felves from year to year of the combined power of thefe principles, and refolved to follow the example. Accord- ingly it was agreed, at a Special General Meeting of the Board, held on November 18, 1773, that early in the Spring following, a Sermon fhould be preached in re- commendation of the Charity, and that afterwards the Friends of the Inftitution fhould dine together, and en- deavour to fupport and extend it’s object by obtaining donations or annual contributions, to be immediately ap- plied to the general purpofes of the Society. The event fully juftified the propriety of this meafure. Care had been taken to avoid all appearance of party fpirit, in the arrangements made on this occafion. The pulpit of the liberal-minded Mr. Spiljbury was fixed upon, and the amiable and unafluming Dr. Langford was feledted to be the Preacher. The Service at Salter’s Hall was well attended, and a liberal colledtion obtained. Gentlemen of various religious denominations, and of various ranks in civil life, aflfembled at dinner, perfect harmony prevailed, the interefts of the Society were warmly fupported, and powerful encouragement was given to repeat the experiment once every year. The PROPAGATING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. 49 The Scottilh Nobility and Gentry, refident in Lon- don, were now induced to take up the caufe. They became members of the Correfpondent Board ; they exe- cuted the office of Steward ; they nobly vied with each other in promoting the Charity : and each fucceeding year exhibited a fucceffion of fplendor and munificence united. Some of them, indeed, had already aided the Society by the eftablifhment and fupport of Schools on various parts of their own eftates. Unlike their lordly anceftors, whofe pride it was to exercife uncontroled fway over abjedt, ignorant Haves, they gloried in the il- lumination and improvement of their vaflals, and gene- roufly contributed their time, their countenance, their fubftance, toward the extenfion of objedfs fa desirable. Minifters of the Church of England, coalefced with their Diflenting and Scottifh brethren, in carrying on this great and good Work. The Preacher was annually feledted, without any regard to the religious denomina- tion to which he belonged. The Prefbyterian followed the Independent; he, in his turn, was fucceeded by the Anabaptift ; all was harmony, all was zeal. The more that the caufe was enquired into, the more it appeared to merit fupport ; and befide a regular annual fubfcrip- tion, valuable donations and bequefls were, from time to time, increafing the fphere of the Society’s influence and ufefulnefs. Two inftances of thefe deferve particu- larly to be commemorated. The firfi: of them difplays an adt of munificence as fplendid, as the manner in which it was performed is unoftentatious and humble. For fome time previous to D the 50 HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY FOR the month of April, 1791, a correfpondence had been carried on between a refpe£lable clergyman of the Church of England and the Secretary of the Society, refpe&ing the nature of the inflitution, the ftate of the Society’s funds, and the objecls to which they are de- voted. Inquiries on tliefe points, it feems, were made at the requefl of a gentleman, who then had it in view to become a benefactor to the Society, but who wifhed previoufly to fatisfy himfelf as to the profpect of utility to the public from his intended donation. The infor- mation wanted, was immediately given, in the fulleft and freefl manner ; and, as the Secretary was affined by his reverend correfpondent, to the entire fatisfadlion of the gentleman at whofe defire the correfpondence was carried on. The hopes of the members were in confe- quence excited of a conhderable donation - y but their mod fanguine ideas were far exceeded by the munificent gift of which they foon after received the notice : For in a letter from the fame clergyman, towards the end of March, a trufl-deed was tranfmitted to the Secretary, conveying to the Society the fum of ten thousand pounds flock in the national fund of the five per cent. annuities. The flock was transferred to a mofl refpedl- able gentleman, Ifaac Hawkins Browne, Efq. as truf- tee, to receive the dividends on the Society’s account for a few years, if they ihould think it proper that the trull fhould continue fo long ; but with power to them to take the flock into their own management, in cafe they fhould fo incline. This donation, fo confiderable and unexpended, was rendered flill more remarkable by the fingular delicacy of the generous donor’s mind. While he took effedlual meafures that the benefit of his donation PROPAGATING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. 51 donation fhould be enjoyed by the Public, he difcovered an equal and no Jefs effe&ual anxiety, that the benefac- tor fhould remain altogether unknown. The Society are therefore prevented from communicating perfonally to himfelf the fentiments of gratitude and refpeCt with which this princely benefaction has imprefled their minds. Thefe however, they anxioully embraced the earlielt opportunity of expreffing to the clergyman through whofe channel this correfpondence had been conducted, and to the gentleman who had been nomi- nated, and had confented to aCt as truftee. By them the grateful impreffions of the Society were communicated to this generous, though unknown, friend to religion and his country. As a fmall teftimony of their gratitude (the only one in their power), the Society unani- moufly refolved, and immediately ajjumed as members both the gentleman who is appointed trullee, and the clergyman above referred to. The refpeCtable Truftee, Mr. Browne has fince transferred the ftock to the So- ciety, has qualified himfelf as a member of the Lon- don-Board, by a handfome annual fubfcription, and by ferving the office of Steward. Soon after the intelligence of this large and uncom- mon donation had been given, the Society had the fatisfaClion to receive accounts of a fecond acceffion to their funds, frill more confiderable than the former, by a legacy of the late Peter Huguctan , Lord Vanvryhovven of Holland. For many years, this Nobleman had been a regular and liberal benefaCtor to the inftitution, at the anniverfary meetings of the Correfponding Board in London ; and in 1789, the Society received from D 2 him 52 HISTORY OF 1HE SOCIETY FOR him a donation of five hundred pounds of the four per cent. Bank annuities, transferred to them by a deed of truft. After his death, which happened in the courfe of this year, it appeared, that by his will, he had, amongft a variety of other legacies, to different charitable inftitutions, and to a very large amount, be- queathed to the Society in Scotland for propagating Chriftian Knowledge, the fum of twenty thousand pounds, for the purpofes of the fiift and fecond pa- tents ; that is to fay, for promoting religion, literature, and induflry in the Highlands and Ifiands. His Lord- fhip’s executors found it neceffary, before paying any of the legacies, to have the authority of the Court of Chan- cery for their procedure. This occafioned fome little delay in the payment of the legacy ; but after a friendly procefs, the Society was put in pofTeffion of this great and munificent bequeft. While Providence was thus miraculoufly multiply- ing the refources of the Society, they were employed in exploring the vaff field of their benevolence, both at home, and in diftant regions, and in devifing the beft means in their power, as humble fellow-workers with God, to extend the empire of Knowledge, Virtue, and Happinefs. As the revenue of the F.ftate in Huntingdonfliire, be- queathed to the Society by Dr. IVilliams , as already mentioned, and fome other branches of their funds, are by the donors fpeeially appropriated to the propagation of Chriftian Knowledge in America, and other heathen and infidel countries, the Society has not been inattentive to PROPAGATING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. 53 to the proper application of thefe funds. Two Miflion- .sries are ftill employed by them in America, viz. the Reverend Mr. Kirkland among the Oneida, Onondago, and Seneka Indians, and the Reverend Mr. Sargeant among the Stockbridge tribes. Of the ardent zeal and indefatigable exertions of the former, the Society have repeatedly had occalion to report in the vvarmeft terms of approbation. His late journals afford fufficient evi- dence that his labours are continued with uniform ear- neflnefs and perfeverance. They exhibit a pidlure of benevolence, of labours, and of fufferings in the caufe of the Gofpel, which fcarcely has been exceeded fince the days of the Apoflles. To his pious and unwearied exer- tions for enlightening the darkened minds of the Indian tribes, and particularly thofe of Canada, among whom he undertook a long and perilous tour for that purpofe, he added the expenfe of relieving numbers when peri fil- ing with hunger. A famine, it feems, prevailed in their country; and his humane and generous mind, fhocked with the feenes of mifery which he beheld, willingly di&ated efforts for the relief of the fufferers, far beyond what his narrow income could afford. The Savages, affedted with a deep fenfe of gratitude, beheld him with the reverence due to a fuperior being; numbers willingly received his inftrudtions; many, it is to be hoped, to their eternal joy. The Diredlors, feeling themfelves called upon by the fame principles which influenced the condudt of this good man, unanimoufly agreed to remit an adequate lum for his ufe, to defray this extraordinary expenfe, sud to teftify their warm approbation of his benevolence. D 3 The 54 HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY FOR The labours of Mr. Sargeant, though in a narrower fphere, have been found faithful and affiduous. What fuccefs may ultimately attend the exertions of the So- ciety in thefe remote and unenlightened regions, time only can unfold. That many individuals among the Savages have, by the bleffing of God, become favingly acquainted with the truths of the gofpel, and that the morals and external conduit of great numbers have been improved, there is fufficier.t ground to believe. One thing is acknowledged by all who have opportunity to be acquainted with thefe tribes, that thofe of them among whom the light of the gofpel has been in any meafure diffufed, have become lefs addiited to exccfs in the ufe of fpirituous liquors, lefs cruel and ferocious in their manners, and more attentive to the arts of civilized life, particularly to agriculture. Of late, propofals have been laid before the Society for fome farther extenfion of their exertions, by efta'nlifhing fchools in the Indian tenitories, for educating in the principles of Chriftianity, literature, and civilization, the children of the Indians, particularly thofe of the Sachems or chief men ; and alfo for fending a new million into the remote, and hitherto almoft unexplored, country of the Cherokees. Thofe propofals appeared to them to merit attention: The firll of them, that for eredling fome new fchools for the edu- cation of Indian youth, they have already taken mea- furcs to render efficient ; the other is a matter of fuch difficulty, and attended with fo much expenfe, that fdr more information mull be obtained, as to the method of carrying it into execution, and its probable fuccefs, before it can be prudent to make the attempt. Apian formerly under confideraticn, for conveying the knowledge of the gofpel PROPAGATING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. 55 gofpel to Africa, by means of fome emancipated and con- verted negroes of Rhode Illand, has again been renewed; and the Diredtors have written to the refpedtable clergy- man with whom the propofal originated, for fuch infor- mation as may enable them to judge of its pradticability. Before we quit the fubjedt of America, it may, per- haps, be acceptable to fome Readers, to perufe the fol- lowing; communication relative to the exertions and fuc- cefs of the Society in that part of the World. It firft appeared in the public prints of the day, in May, 1772, and feems highly worthy of being preferved; and the ra- ther that though the political fyftems of both the Old and New Worlds have undergone very material altera- tion fince that period, the religious fyftem remains un- broken, undifturbed. It is conceived in thefe terms; “ It is with particular pleafure we lay before the pub- “ lie any accounts of thefuccefs of attempts to fpread the 44 gofpel among the heathens in America, as nothing “ can tend more to fecure our Colonies in that part of 44 the World, from the ravages and defolations of Indian “ wars, which have been fo feverely felt, than bringing “ thofe poor benighted people to the knowledge of the “ Chriflian Religion, which naturallv unites them to us 44 in afFedtion and intereft, by the moft facred of all “ bonds; and every defign of this fort merits the greater “ attention in this country, as it is- well known how in- “ defatigable our hereditary and inveterate enemies the “ French are, in endeavours, by their Miffionary Priefts, 14 and all manner of art and intrigue, to bring the In-- <( dians to embrace the Romifh corruptions of Chrif- D 4 “ tianity. 56 HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY FOR “ tianity, thereby the more effedtually to alienate them ** from us, and to ufe them as inftruments to difturb our giftrates, judges, and officers of the law, within our do- lmens', and others our good fubjefts in their refpe&ive ftations, to give all proper and needful affiftance and en- couragement to the faid Society, and thofe employed and intruded by them, in air matters and caufes tending to the furtherance of this pious defign : and that at all times, and upon all occafions, when required thereto, as they will be anfwerable to us. And, laftly, we declare and ordain, That thefe our letters-patent and charter, or any authentic extra£l thereof, {hall be good, firm, valid, and effe&ual in law, according to our royal intentions herein exprefled, to all intents and purpofes; and im- power the Lord Prefident of the Seffion in Scotland to caufe timeous advertifement to be given to the members of the faid Society to convene the firft Thurfday of Ja-r nuarv, March, June, or November, that (hall be thirty days after the date hereof, at Edinburgh, in the faid town’s hall, or where he fhall think moft convenient in that ci- ty, at three of the clock in the afternoon. And the faid Society are hereby impowered to caufe public notifications to be made of this charter, and the powers herehy granted, with what they do upon the fame from time to time, in fuch manner as they {hall think moft conducive to the furtherance of the faid delign. In teftimony whereof, we have ordained our feal, appointed by the treaty of Union to be kept and ufed in place of the great feal of Scotland, to be hereto appended, at our court of St James’s, the twenty -fifth dayof May 1 709 years, and of our reign the eighth yea y. APPENDIX. 9 No. II. SECOND PATENT. G EORGE, by the grace of God, King of Great Bri* tain, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith. Forafmuch as we, taking into our royal confideration, that her late Majefty Queen Anne, of blefled memory, did, upon the narrative of the charitable inclinations of many of her fubje&s, for railing a voluntary contribution towards the further promoting Chriftian knowledge, and the increafe of piety and virtue in Scotland, by her letters-patent, bearing date at St James’s, the 25th day of May 1709, conftitute, appoint, ordain, and declare the faid contributors to be a legal fociety and corporation, by the name of, The Society in Scotland for propagating Chriftian Knowledge ; with power to them to receive fubv fcriptions to eredl and maintain fchools to teach to read, efpecially the holy fcriptures ; as alfo to teach writing, arithmetic, and fuch like degrees of Knowledge as might be competent ; as in the faid letters-patent, containing di- vers other claufes, at more length is fet forth : And we ta- king likewife into confideration the petition of the faid Society for propagating Chriftian Knowledge, in their anniverfary general court held at Edinburgh, upon Thurl'day the 7th of January laft, fetting forth the faid letters-patent; and that it is found by experience, that the breeding up of young people to handy labour, trades, and jpanufaitures, together with learning to read and write, will 1G APPENDIX. will be of great benefit, not only to thefe young people, but likewife to the nation in general, and better anfwer the inclinations of the contributors for promoting piety and virtue, that the forefaid Society are, by their faid ori- ginal patent, declared able and capable in law to purchafe and enjoy lands, tenements, rents, and other privileges and jurifdiCtions, in fee and perpetuity, not exceeding the yearly value of 2000I. fterling ; but it may be doubted, whether, by the faid patent, they have power to fell and difpofe of lands once purchafed: the faid Soci- ety therefore humbly prayed we would be pleafed, not only to ratify and perpetually confirm the forefaid let- ters-patent for the ends therein mentioned, but alfo fur- ther to impower and authorife the faid Society, by all lawful means, and according to rules by them to be efta- blifhed in that behalf, over and above the purpofes of their original patent, to caufe fuch of the children as they fhali think fit, to be inftru&ed and bred up to hufban- dry and houfewifery, or in trades and manufactures, or sn fuch like manual occupations as the Society fhali think proper 1 and that in fuch places, and in fuch man- ner, as the Society or their directors fhali think the moft practicable and expedient ; and further, to impower the faid Society to fell and difpofe of fuch lands, tenements, rents, privileges, and jurifdiCtions, as they already have, or fhali hereafter purchafe, fo often as they fhali judge the fame expedient, and for the intereft of the Society: Therefore we, from an earned: defire for promoting the good of our fubjeCts in all parts of our dominions, ordain letters-patent to be made and paffed under the feal ap- pointed by the treaty of Union to be kept and made ufe of in Scotland, in place of the great feal of Scotland, containing APPENDIX. El containing our ratification and perpetual confirmation of the forefaid letters-patent, for the ends and purpofes therein mentioned ; and alfo our full power and autho- rity to the faid fociety, by all lawful means, and accord- ing to rules by them to be eftablifhed in that behalf, over and above the purpofes of their original patent, to caufe fuch of the children as they fhall think fit to be inflru&ed and bred up to hufbandry and houfewifery, or in trades and manufa&ures, or in fuch like manual occupations as the Society fhall think proper ; and that in fuch places, and in fuch manner, as the Society, or their dire&ors for the time being, fhall think the moft practicable and expedient; and containing likewife our full powers to the faid Society to fell and difpofe of fuch lands, tenements, rents, privileges, and jurifdi&ions, as they already have, or fhall hereafter purchafe, as often as they fhall judge the fame expedient, and for the inter- eft of the Society; provided always, that fuch fale, or difpo- fal of the forefaid lands, tenements, and others, fhall have the confent and approbation of our Trufty and well-be- loved the Lords Juftice-General, Prefident of the court of Sefiion, Chief Baron of the Court of Exchequer, Juftice-Clerk, our Advocate and Solicitor for the time being, or any three of them, &c. In teftimony whereof we have ordained our feal appointed by the treaty of Union to be kept and ul'ed, in place of the great feal of Scotland, to be hitherto appended, at our court at Ken- fington, the ftxth day of June 1738, and of our reign $he nth year. No. 12 APPENDIX. No. III. jiff of the Lords of Council and SeJJion, appointing the firf Members of the Society in Scotland for propagating Chrifian Knowledge. At Edinburgh, the 9th July, 1709. T HE Lords of Council and Seflion having had pro- duced before them her Majefty’s warrant for let- ters-patent, erefting a Society in Scotland for propagat- ing Chriflian Knowledge, dated at her Majefty’s court, at St. James’s, the 25th May laft bypaft ; whereby they are authorifed and impowered to make the firft no- mination of the members of the faid Society out of the fubfcribers and contributors toward that pious defign ; and having had alfo laid before them the lift of the faid fubfcribers, and fubfcriptions of the contributors, and ha- ving conftdered the fame, the faid lords, in obedience to her Majefty’s will and pleafure, exprefled in her faid warrant for Jetters-patent, did, and hereby do, nominate cleft and appoint, his Grace James Duke of Queenfberry and Dover, John Duke of Athol, David Earl of Buchan, Thomas Earl of Haddingtoun, John Earl of Lauderdale, James Earl of Seafield, David Earl of Glafgow, Charles Earl of Hopetoun, Archibald Earl of Iftay, Sir William Anftruther of that Ilk, one of the Lords of Council and Seflion, John Allardice Provoft of Aberdeen, Mr Robert Alexander one of the principal clerks of Council and Seflion, / APPENDIX. *3 Seffion, Mr David Blair one of the minifters of Edin- burgh, and one of her Majefty’s chaplains, Mr William Brodie Advocate, one of the Commiflaries of Edinburgh, Adam Brown late dean of guild there, Mr George Bar- clay minifter of Strathbrock, Mr John Brown minifter of the gofpel at Abercorn, Mr Thomas Blackwell mini- fter of the gofpel at Aberdeen, Mr Robert Baillie mini- ofthe gofpel at Inver nefs, William Brown of Dalgowrie, Adam Cockburn of Ormifton, Lord Juftice-Clerk, and Sir Alexander Cambell of Ceffnock, two of the Lords of Council and Seflion, Sir Hugh Cuninghame of Craig- end, John Campbell late bailie of Edinburgh, Mr Wil- liam Carftares principal of the college of Edinburgh, one of her Majefty’s chaplains, Sir James Campbell of Aber- uchill, Major James Colt in Edinburgh caftle, Mr Pa- trick Cumming minifter of the gofpel at Ormifton, Mr John Currie minifter of the gofpel at Haddington, Sir Hew Dairy mple ofNorthberwick, Lord Preftdent of the Council and Seffion in Scotland, Sir David Dal- rymple of Hailes, her Majefty’s Advocate, Sir Robert Dundas of Arnifton, one of the Lords of Council and Seffion, Mr John Dundas ofPhilpftoun, Advocate, John Duncan late bailie in Edinburgh, Mr Alexander Dun- das Dodtor of Medicine, Sir Gilbert Elliot of Min to, and Mr James Erfkine or Grainge, two of the Lords of Council and Seffion, Lieutenant-Colonel John Erfkine of Carnock, Sir Gilbert Elliot of Stobs, Mr John Flint minifter of the gofpel at Lafiwade, Sir Francis Grant of Cullen, one of die Lords of Council and Seffion, John Gordon late provoft of Aberdeen, Mr James Gellie ad- vocate, Sir George Home of Kello, Mr James Hamilton of Pancaitland, Mr George Hamilton and Mr James Hart H APPENDIX. Hart, two of the minifters of the gofpel at Edinburgh, Mr Robert Horfeburn minifter of the gofpel of Saltpref- ton, Sir Patrick Jonfton Lord Provoft of Edinburgh, Robert Inglis goldfmith, late deacon-convener there, Mr James Kirkwood minifter of the gofpel, Sir John Lau- der of Fountainhall, one of the Lords of Council and Seffion, Mr William Law profeiTor of philofophy in the college of Edinburgh, Sir John Maxwell of Nether Pol- lock, MrRoderick Mackenzie of Preftonhall, and Mr John Murray of Bowhill, three of the Lords of Council and Sef- fion, Sir James Maclurg of Vogrie, Mr Francis Montgom- ery of Giffan, Mr Alexander Macleod advocate, Mr John Matthiefon one of the minifters of the gofpel at Edin- burgh, Mr Neil Macvicar minifter of the gofpel at St. Cuthbert’s, Mr John Maclaren minifter of the gofpel at Carftares, Sir Alexander Ogilvie of Forglen one of the Lords of Council and Seffion, Sir Walter Pringle advo- cate, Mr Robert Pringle advocate, Sir Dougald Stewart of Blairhall, one of the Lords of Council and Seffion, Sir James Stewart late Lord Advocate, Sir Robert Pringle of Stevenfon, Sir Robert Sinclair, of Longformacus, Mr John Stirling principal of the College of Glafgow, Mr Walter Stewart advocate, Mr Samual Semple minifter of Libberton, Mr John Sandilands minifter of the gofpel at Dolphintoun, Nicol Spence writer in Edinburgh, Mr George turnbull minifter of the gofpel at Tyninghame, Alexander Thomfon of Portlethem, Mr William Veitch minifter of the gofpel at Dumfries, Sir George Wilhart of Cliftonhall, Mr William Wifhart, and Mr James Webfter two of the minifters of the gofpel at Edinburgh, and William Wardrop dyer, late-deacon con- vener there, to be the conftituent members of the Soci- ety APPENDIX. IS ety in Scotland for propagating Chriftian Knowledge; to whom, and others to be affumed by them, and their fuc- ceffors, to be hereafter chofen in manner mentioned in the faid letters-patent, the powers and privileges thereby- given by her Majefty fhall belong, for the ends and pur- pofes therein contained. And the faid Lords of Council and Seffion appoint and ordain this prefent nomination to be tranflated into Latin, and recorded, together with the forefaid letters-parent, in the regifterof her Majefty ’s chancery in Scotland, according to the faid warrant ; and that extra&s of the faid letters-patent, and alfo here- of, one or more, be given out by the director of her Ma- jefty’s chancery and his deputes, when required. Signed in prefence, in name, and at the appointment, of the faid Lords of Council and Seffion, by HEW DALRYMPLE, IP, D. FINIS-.