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At Martha's Vineyard, for how many years has the settlement of the Lands been Left unaccomplished, where a Revenue of an 100 £ a year, might be as Easily brought in as 50 £ and things would be better, if such a person as Mr. John Chipman, may be added unto one of the Mayhews, powers to do what is hitherto neglected.

At Punkapoag, (where an honest Labourer in the work of Christianity among the Indians has had but Eight pounds, for the Labours of near twice Eight years,) Things are in a Condition, which calls for a more thorough Inspection.

I could mention many more, Occasions for somewhat more Vigour to be Exerted in the Proceedings of the Commissioners.

I would be Thankful for what opportunities I have sometimes had of being patiently and favourably heard speaking at the Honourable Board of the Commissioners; and would humbly move, That since by Mortality, or some Enfeebling Circumstance in the Approaches of it, there is now Left not so much as one Minister among the Commissioners, they would please to think on some Nomination for a Substitution to be commended to, and confirmed by the Governor and Company at home; And if a Minister or two should come into the Nomination, perhaps there might be some Advantage in it, as well as Decency for the Commissioners do not Look upon the Business of the Board, as if it were meerly or mainly to save money or manage a Discrete and Frugal Merchandise; but principally and perpetually to Invent and pursue the best Methods of serving the Interest of pure and undefiled Religion among the Indians.

May our glorious Lord, graciously direct and succeed the pious Essays of His Faithful Servants, to do the work of His Kingdome, which you are all most cordial and constant Friends unto.

And may a singular share of Blessings rest upon your Honors Person, and whole Administration, with such wishes, I take Leave; and subscribe, Your Honours, Most affectionate and most obedient Serv't.

Mar. 20, 1724.

TO BENJAMIN COLMAN.1

A.A.S.

SIR, -Nothing that I have mett withal, (and continue to meet withal) causes me to lay aside my zelous concern for the welfare of the Colledge, which you have under your Government.

I think it my Duty therefore, to inform you, that within these

1 An earlier letter to Colman, dated November 6, 1724, is in Proceedings. XLIV. 260.

few Hours, I am (from one whose Time and Heart is more with some Folks than I wish it were) inform'd of great Machinations and Expectations, to see the Colledge demanded into the hands, of a Daughter of Babylon; and notable over-haulings.

On this occasion, Lett me not be thought an Overbusy Intermeddler in affairs which I have been sufficiently forbidden. from any meddling with, if I humbly offer two Things to your Consideration.

The Colledge is in a most precarious uncertain, unsafe Condition, for want of an Incontestible Charter, you know whose Maxim it was, (and whose it will be) That when the Cow was Dead, the Calf died in the Belly of it; And how often and how Long our General Assemblies acted, as Confessing of it. Whether this be True and Just or no, the men whom you know too well, will as soon as they can proceed upon it. Several Opportunities, and even Invitations, to gett a Royal Charter for the Colledge, were in a wretched Manner, and on wretched Intentions thrown away. We have now a King on the Throne, who is not so much in the Interests of High-Church, and will not be so fond of doing what K. James himself (as my PARENTATOR will tell you) confess'd a Most unreasonable Thing, but that, if the Dissenters at home will so far Lay aside their Unbrotherliness, as to join their Intercessions, we may hope to obtain a Charter. What I wish for, is, That Mr. Colman may be prevail'd withal, to step over the Atlantic and Employ the Talents wherewith GOD has furnished him, to sollicit and prosecute this matter; and that the Colledge Treasury may (with other Assistences) be at the Expence of an Hook to Catch a Salmon. I Entreat you think of it. And if there be any Service that I can do, in forwarding the Design (tho' it be very Little, that I can do in this or any other matter) I shall upon your Direction do all that I am able.

In the Mean time; I remember the Time, when Days of Supplication, have been kept in and by the Colledge. If there were such kept at this Critical Time, who can tell, how many good Consequences may follow upon them. There is doubtless a Number, even of the under-graduates, whose prayers may help, caelum tendere etc.

And others not so well-disposed may on such Days be in the way of the greatest Edification. While such Things are by you carrying on there, I will associate myself with some of my Fellow-Christians here, in Harmonizing Exercises.

Tis possible, the same Indescretion, which attends all my other

Essays to do Good, may be discerned in this also. But it is address'd unto one, who knows how to forgive, and Candidly accept, His Brother and Servt.

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If you ask, How I do? I can scarce allow myself Air Enough, to give you an Account, in the Terms of the Letter the poor Souldier at Casco, wrote unto my Brother Walter, at Roxbury. Yett for part of it, I may.

If you ask, What I do? Alas, Methinks, my Name is Do Little; Tho' in Deed and in Worth, much Inferiour to him that wore that Name.

I am hastening unto the Work of my Triparadisus. But perhaps making more Haste unto the Paradise of GOD.

The Less I do myself, I think, I must Contrive the more for others to do.

And as there are several small services to Good Interests, which I may take an opportunity to mention unto you, if I Live to see you: [By the way, Ask Mr. Cooper and Mr. Foxcroft, if I this Day wrote nothing to them?] So there is One Very Important, Extensive Peece of work, which you must give me Leave to assign over to you.

Our, AGRICOLA; Good Master Henchman has it; and it has been many weeks in his Hands. Now, if he saw Cause to go on with it, upon a sufficient Encouragement, I cast the whole care (under the glorious Lord, who always does All!) upon you. I Leave it, with you to direct him, and advise him; very particularly about the method of sending the Proposals for Subscriptions (which he has in his hands) into the Countrey Towns. Mr. T. Green, will I suppose, be so kind, as to help us all over Connecticut. Perhaps, I may add, Excite him too, against Loss of Time; and against Living at the Sign of the Snail. You see, how I sett you to ploughing; even under the Cold; yea, Because of the Cold. The Harvest! The Harvest! It is near, Lord come Quickly. The rest (I want strength; my side akes with This!)

1 On June 29 the Church, "having taken into Consideration the Difficulties our reverend Pastors labor under by the high and excessive prices of all necessaries of Life," voted a weekly allowance of four pounds to Dr. Mather, and of three pounds ten shillings to Dr. Gee.

I reserve to another Time. I am, Your Brother, As merry as one bound for Heaven.

(Mrs. Askews subscription)

CO. MATHER.

Let no vulture's eye see the enclosed but let it, at your own time, return safely to me. The fair copy met with a strange deliverance, which at another Time I may tell you of.

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SIR, That you are as Cordial and Constant a Friend unto me, as any I have in the world, Endears you not unto me, so much as your being such a Friend of our glorious CHRIST, and of His Truth and Cause and Kingdome in the World.

Some Expression of it, I have seen in your Favour to the, Ratio Disciplinae; wherein I have seen the Kindness of God.

That work will certainly prove one of the Usefullest Things, that ever were offered unto the churches. Their perpetual Confirmation and Establishment in the Faith and Order of the Gospel, and their Vindication to the (Court and) world, will be but some of the consequences, that will be found upon its publication.

Our great Adversary thinks so. Hence, he obtained a permission t'other day, to scatter two thirds of the Copy, unto the four Winds of Heaven, in Loose Leaves, whereof, some were taken up by strangers, others were found in a Garden, others in a wood-pile; when, if it had been to save my Life, or one worth ten thousand of mine, I could not have recovered it. But, the Angel of the Lord Look'd after it. Not a Leaf, nor a Line of it, is missing!

The work proceeds. Nine-sheets are now printed off.

But, So, Now, our Good Bookseller does declare, the work shall stop; not a sheet more shall be done.

He'l tell you his Reason, if you ask him. And I have told you Mine!

I don't wonder that such a work must be brought forward with a Struggle. Tis a sign, tis for the Kingdome of God!

I had not writt a Word of all This; but only to introduce my Request, that you would Visit Madam Saltonstal, from whom I Learnt yesterday, that you may hope to find her a Noble Subscriber. See Isa. XXXVII: 3. with LXVI. 9.

I add no more, but that I am, Sir, Your Brother (and Servt) in the Labour, and service and Patience of the Kingdome. Apr. 5, [1726.]

C. MATHER.

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SIR, — It appears to me, that Just Sentiments on the present Condition of the PROTESTANT RELIGION, are what our Churches as well as those of Europe, need greatly to be instructed and Excited with. Our prayers as well as Theirs, are called for; and may have their operation, on the sad Occasion.

I have not forgotten, the Folly and Baseness, with which our, present State of Religion, was treated. Yett I am not thereby discouraged, from allowing, that if you think it advisable, you may give this to Mr Gerrish, for Publication; and if he have it out, by the Election-day Morning, he will be no great Loser by it. You will please to Correct Every thing in it, (as well as the press-work,) and lett Every thing about it, be just as you would have it. I Leave all to your Discretion and Activity.

But, Continue of the Opinion, it may be a very useful paper; and may have prayerful Consequences.

If it be cavill'd at, I can show a much more obnoxious one of Dr. Owens, published in a worse Time than ours pretends to be. I am, Sir, Your Brother and Servt.

Munday Morn.

CO MATHER.

For your marvellous, and Victorious Pryn, I mightily thank you.

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26 d. VIII m. [October.] 1726. SIR,- When will the Angry Man, who wrote the Enclosed, have done persecuting of me?

A Long While ago,1 hearing you and the worthy Ministers of your Neighbourhood basely reflected on, for ordaining a Minister, who had confessed unto Mr. Stone,2 that he had never studied Divinity for one month (or some such small space,) by way of preparation for the Ministry, before his Entrance upon public preaching; (or to this Effect, which, I think, I have seen asserted under Mr. Stones hand:) I replied, I was well-assured This could not be true. For, besides what I myself knew of the studies follow'd by him, I was informed by Mr. Cotton,3 how long he had studied Theology in Ireland, under as famous and worthy a Tutor; as Mr. Stone could have wished for him.

1In 1718.

2 Nathaniel Stone, of Harwich. *Rowland Cotton, of Sandwich.

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