I.
LITTLE is known of the early life of this devoted missionary; he appears to have been a native of England, born in the year 1604. He received his education at the University of Cambridge, where he prosecuted his studies with great success. On leaving the University, he obtained a situation as usher of a school at Little Baddow, superintended by Thomas Hooker, who afterwards became one of the most distinguished divines of New England. It was while at Little Baddow that Mr. Eliot experienced a decided change in his whole sentiments and feelings. An interest in Christ and his salvation was now with him the one thing needful; and so deeply impressed did his mind become with the importance of religion, that he counted it his duty to devote himself to the work of preaching the Gospel to his fellow-men. But as he felt that the views which he entertained were such as would not then be tolerated in the Church of England, he resolved to set out for America; and, accordingly, he embarked for New England in the summer of 1631, and arrived at Boston in November of the same year.
Before leaving his native country, Mr. Eliot had agreed with a number of his Christian friends who intended to cross the Atlantic, that in the event of their doing so previous to his settlement over any other congregation, he would become their pastor. This engagement he afterwards fulfilled. On their arrival in New England they planted a colony about a mile from Boston, erected a town which they called Roxbury, and formed themselves into a church, of which Mr. Eliot was appointed minister. In the discharge of his pastoral duties he was remarkably conscientious and faithful, so that he was at once respected and beloved by his people. “He would sound the trumpet of God,” says Dr. Mather, “against all vice, with a most penetrating liveliness, and make his pulpit another Mount Sinai, for the flashes of lightning therein displayed against the breaches of the law given from that burning mountain. There was usually a special fervour in the rebukes which he bestowed on carnality. When he was to brand the earthly-mindedness of Church-members, and the allowance and indulgence which they often gave themselves in sensual delights, he was a right Boanerges,—he spoke as many thunderbolts as words.”
In the education of the young, Mr. Eliot took a particular delight, establishing schools, superintending them when formed, and composing catechisms of elementary instruction. When he entered a house, he was accustomed to call for the young people that he might lay his hands on them, and bless them. “I cannot forget the ardour,” says Dr. Mather, “with which I once heard him pray at a Synod held in Boston, ‘Lord, for schools every where among us! That our schools may flourish! That every member of this assembly may go home to procure a good school to be encouraged in the town where he lives! That before we die we may be happy to see a good school established in every part of the country!'” Such was the benevolent spirit by which this pious man was actuated in his endeavours to benefit the community to which he belonged.
The first settlers in New England were placed in circumstances of peculiar difficulty, which called for their utmost exertions to procure a sufficient temporal subsistence, and at the same time to promote their spiritual improvement and edification. While thus struggling, however, for their own preservation, they were by no means regardless of the poor ignorant savages by whom they were surrounded, and whom they saw perishing for lack of knowledge. In their benevolent endeavours to instruct them, they were not a little encouraged by an act passed by the General Court of Massachusetts in 1646, tending to facilitate the propagation of the Gospel among the Indians. It appeared that about the time when this act was passed, Mr. Eliot’s mind was deeply affected by the deplorable condition of these ignorant heathens, and at length after much consultation with his brethren, and earnest prayer for the Divine direction, he resolved to dedicate himself to the work of a missionary among them. To qualify himself for this important task, he lost no time in availing himself of every means of acquiring their language; and such was his success, that in a very short time he was able to address them in their own tongue. The place at which he preached his first sermon to them, was situated about four miles from his house, at Roxbury; and when he approached it, he was met by Waban, “a wise and grave Indian,” and several of his friends, who conducted him to a large wigwam, where he had an opportunity of proclaiming the Gospel to a considerable number of poor Indians. His second meeting with them was still more interesting, and during the concluding prayer, an event occurred which is well worth mentioning. “I cast my eye on one,” says one of Mr. Eliot’s friends, “who was hanging down his head weeping. He held up his head for a while—yet such was the power of the word on his heart, that he hung down his head again, and covered his eyes, and so fell wiping and wiping of them, weeping abundantly, continuing thus till prayer was ended; after which he presently turns from us, and turns his face to a side and corner of the wigwam, and there falls a weeping more abundantly by himself; which one of us perceiving, went to him, and spake to him encouraging words, at the hearing of which he fell a weeping more and more; so leaving of him, he who spake to him came unto me, being newly gone out of the wigwam, and told me of his tears; so we resolved to go again both of us to him, and speak to him again. We met him coming out of the wigwam, and there we spake again to him, and he there fell into a more abundant renewed weeping, like one deeply and inwardly affected indeed, which forced us also to such bowels of compassion, that we could not forbear weeping over him also,—and so we parted, greatly rejoicing for such sorrowing.”
Before the third interview with them, Mr. Eliot found that the Powahs, or Indian priests, had strictly forbidden the people to listen to the instructions of the English. The interference, however, of these wicked impostors was of no avail. The people still flocked to hear the devoted missionary, and many of them expressed a wish to have their children put under his care, that they might be educated in the knowledge of Christianity. Encouraged by the success which thus attended his labours, Mr. Eliot applied to the General Court of the colony on behalf of those who wished to be placed under his tuition. His application was successful; land was granted that they might build a town and enjoy the Christian instruction which they so much desired. From that hour civilization commenced among the Indians. A town was erected, surrounded by a stone wall, and containing a great number of neat comfortable wigwams. The women learned to spin; the men were instructed in husbandry and the more simple mechanical arts; and, in short, the whole settlement assumed an aspect of industry and activity.
Mr. Eliot’s exertions were promptly seconded by the local government, who passed several acts for the further improvement and civilization of the Indians. The change in consequence soon became apparent, even to the most careless observer. Mr. Whitfield, who paid a visit to the town which these Indians had reared, was particularly struck with astonishment at their appearance, and declared that, from their correct behaviour and decent clothing, he could scarcely distinguish them from the English people.
(To be continued.)