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204

PAPERS RELATING TO THE SIX NATIONS.

[Enclosure In Dr Pomroy’s letter.]

Chilsea in Norwich July- 10 th 1762,

Sir, We Ministers of the Gospel, and Pastors of Churches, hereafter mentioned with our Names,having for a number of years past heard of, or seen with pleasure the Zeal, Courage , and firmResolution of the Rev d Eleazar Wheelock of Lebanon to prosecute to Effect, a Design of spreadingthe Gospel among the Natives in the Wilds of our America , and especially his Perseverance in itamidst the many peculiar Discouragements he had to encounter during the late years of the Warhere, and upon a Plan which appears to us to have the greatest probability of Success Viz, bythe Mission of their own Sons ; and as we are verily persuaded that the smiles of divine Provi-dence upon his School , and the Success of his endeavours hitherto, justly may and ought toencourage him, and all, to believe it to be of God and that which he will own and succeed for theglory of his own great Name in the Enlargement of the Kingdom of our divine Redeemer, as wellas for the great Benefit of the Crown of Great Britain, and especially of his Majestys Dominions inAmerica, so we apprehend the present openings in Providence ought to invite Christians of everyDenomination to Unite their Endeavours and lend a helping hand in carrying on the charitable design,and we are heartily sorry if Party Spirit and Party differences shall at all obstruct the Progress ofit, or the old Leaven in this Land ferment upon this Occasion, and give a watchful adversary Oppor-tunity so to turn the course of Endeavours into another Channel as to defeat the design of spreadingthe Gospel among the Heathen, to prevent which, and encourage Unanimity, and Zeal in prose-cuting the design, we look upon it our Duty as Christians , and especially as Ministers of the Gospelto give our Testimony, that as we verily believe, a disinterested Regard to the Advancement of theRedeemer’s Kingdom, and the Good of his Majesty’s Dominions in America were the governingMotives which at first induced the Rev d M 1 ' Wheelock to enter upon the great affair, and to risk hisown private Interest as he has done since in carrying it on, so w r e esteem his Plan to be good, hisMeasures prudently and well concerted, his Endowments peculiar, his Zeal fervent, his Endeavoursindefatigable for the accomplishing this design, and we know no Man likeminded who will naturallycare for the State. May God prolong his Life, and make him extensively useful in the Kingdomof Christ. We have also some of us at his desire examined his Accompts, and find that besidegiving in all his own Labour and trouble in the Affair, lie has charged for the Support, Schooling&c a of the Youth at the lowest rate it could be done for, as the price of things have been, andstill is amongst us, and we apprehend the generous Donations already made, have been, and we areconfident will be laid out in the most prudent manner, and with the best advice for the furtheringof the important Design, and we pray God abundantly to reward the liberality of any upon thisoccasion, and we hope the Generosity, especially of Persons of distinction and Note will be a happylead and inducement to still greater liberalities, and in Consequence thereof, the wide extended Wil-derness of America will blossom as the Rose, habitations of Cruelty become dwelling places ofRighteousness, and the blessings of Thousands ready to perish come upon all those, whose Love toChrist and Charity to them has been shown upon this Occasion, which is the hearty Prayer of

Sir Your most sincere Friends andhumble Servants

Pastor of the first Chh in StoningtonPastor of the Second Chh in StoningtonPastor of the Church at Chilsea in NorwichPastor of the first Church in HebronPastor of the Church at Gilead in HebronPastor of a Church in Stonington

Ebenezer Rossiter,Joseph Fish,Nathaniel Whitaker,Benjamin Pomroy,Elijah Lathrop,Nathaniel Eells,