278

PAPERS RELATING TO THE SIX NATIONS.

I cannot but think with you that there is however a Want of becoming zeal amongst many whoseduty it is to promote the Interests of the Church, and to procure its members the full Enjoymentof all their rites & Ceremonies, to which they have surely an undoubted title. If other Denomi-nations find free indulgence But as the neglects of Superiors in Church & State must be ascribedto the artifices of those who persuade Men in Europe that its Members here are few & Inconsidera-ble Sucli Notions must I believe be eradicated before much assistance can be Expected.

D r Burton has not lately wrote me any thing material So that I know not what has been done,respecting my offer of land, or any other matter, perhaps the paquet now daily Expected may bringus something, on these heads. Whatever zeal we want is made up by the abundance of it amongstthe Dissenters, who (tho many of them have as little Religion as any of their neighbours) Supporttheir Cause with all their strength, from maxims of policy, an Example which we should follow,If no other argument has sufficient force.

The prospect which is at present afforded in this increasing Country is so great that, I hope whenMen in power are more disengaged from Domestic Concerns, they may turn their Eyes to America ,and without any attempts on the Consciences of other Men, endeavor to Strengthen the NationalChurch. But this point cannot be long neglected otherwise it will never answer. I desiredour friend M r Inglis to mention a Circumstance concerning Religion here that I think you ought toknow. The Lutheran Minister at Stoneraby has lately in a voluntary Manner without any previousArguments to Induce him thereto desired to take orders in the Church of England , and what is muchmore Strange, It is the desire of his Congregation that he should do so. The great difficulty isThat, they will be without a Minister during his absence, and that it will be attended with an Expencewhich from their great Occonomy, they do not chuse to Incurr, Especially as they have someCharitable Establishments amongst themselves, that are Chargeable.—If therefore any thing couldbe fallen upon, or that the Society would take it into Consideration, and that at the same time itCould be Carried through without making much noise, It would add the Majority of Inhabitants of avery fine Settlement to the Church, and as they are Foreigners must strengthen their allegiance toGov’t. I shall be glad to have your thoughts on this and Am allways with true regard.

D r Sir &c

SIR WM. JOHNSON TO THE REVD. DR. AUCHMUTY,

CONCERNING THE REVD MR HANNA OF SCHENECTADY.

Johnson-hall May 24 ll ‘ 1771.

Good Sir, I wrote to you the 4th of last Month, and amongst other tilings mentioned the affair ofthe Lutheran Minister near this place since which I have been applied to by M r W m Hanna ofSchenectady who was formerly a Presbyterian Minister at Albany, since which, he lias practisedthe Law in this County, and now expresses an ardent desire to take Orders in the Church ofEngland and become a Missionary, he has entreated me to befriend him in his application anddelivered me the Originals together with a Copy which I now inclose you of Sundry TestimonialsIn favor of his Abilities & Character.—he complains that the Presbyterians who had a great esteemfor him wdiilst he was their pastor are since warm against him, & lie professes much Zeal &inclination for the Church of which lie says he formerly would have become a member but for thoprejudices ag 4 it which his father entertained.