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 EX L1BRIS 
 
DISCOURSE, 
 
 Before 
 
 THE SOCIETY FOR 
 
 PROPAGATING THE GOSPEL AMONG THE 
 
 INDIANS, AND OTHERS, IN 
 
 A ORTH AMERICA. 
 
 On the \st of November, 1804, 
 
 Br REV. L E V I F R I S B 
 
 Pastor of the First Church in Ipswich. 
 
 Cbarkstoivn : 
 
 FRINTED BY SAMUEL ETHERIDGE. 
 
AT a meeting of the Society for Propagating the 
 Gospel among the Indians, and others in North Amer 
 ica, on the first of November, 1804. 
 
 Voted, That the Rev. Dr. LATHROP, the Rev. Dr. 
 ELIOT, and the Rev. Dr. ECKLEY, be a Committee, to 
 return the thanks of the Society to the Rev. Mr. 
 FRISBIE for his excellent Sermon, delivered before 
 th eiMhis <Jay> ap3 tp*e<niest a copy of it for the press. 
 
 . -V: : * :: - : Jfc#U>IAH MORSE, Secretary. 
 
DISCOURSE, &c. 
 
 ACTS VIII. 5, 6, 7, 8. 
 
 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, 
 and preached Chrijl unto them And the 
 
 people with one accord gave heed unto thofe 
 things which Philip f pake ^ hearing and fee 
 ing the miracles which he did. For unclean 
 
 fpirits crying with a loud voice came out of 
 many that were poffeffed with them ; and 
 many taken with palfies^ and that were lame^ 
 were healed : And there was great joy in 
 that city. 
 
 JL HE changes, which take place in the 
 condition and character of cities and nations, 
 are wonderful ! While the people of Jerufa- 
 lem defpife and perfecute the gofpel of 
 Chrift ; the Samaritans receive it with thank- 
 fulnefs and joy ! They were a people of a 
 ftrange original, and a fingular character : 
 memorable for their error and duplicity in 
 
[ 4 J 
 
 religion, for their numerous immoralities, 
 and for various calamitous revolutions. 
 They were, at this time, involved in igno 
 rance, finfulnefs, and guilt ; afflicted with 
 demons and difeafes, and infatuated with the 
 diftr acting enchantments of Simon the for- 
 eefer. Philip, by the truth and power of 
 the gofpel, prelented and applied an effectual 
 remedy to all their diforders. He poured 
 light upon their benighted minds, hope and 
 peace into their guilty hearts ; difpenfed 
 health and comfort to their difeafed bodies, 
 liberty froni tormenting demons, and from 
 the delufions of an impious impoftor. They 
 had therefore abundant reafons for tranf- 
 ports of joy. 
 
 But were they the only people whofe nat 
 ural and moral diforders required the heal 
 ing power of the gofpel, or who were filled 
 by its falutary light and influence with emo 
 tions of great joy ? By no means. They 
 were but an epitome of mankind ; an affect 
 ing example of the deplorable condition of 
 the whole human race. And their joy was 
 but a fpecimen of the joy of every perfon, 
 family, and people, who believe the truth, 
 and receive the bleffmgs of the gofpel of 
 peace. For GOD has deiigned and adapted 
 
[ 5 .] 
 
 this gofpel to be a light to lighten the 
 tiles, and the glory of his people Ifrael. To 
 be glad tidings of great joy to all people ; 
 to proclaim peace upon earth, and the divine 
 good will to man, to the remoteft ends of 
 the world* 
 
 THE fubjecl, therefore, naturally fugged- 
 ed by the text, to our ferious consideration, 
 is this : 
 
 THAT the gofpel of falvatlon mujl prove a 
 fource of great joy to all who cordially hear^ tin- 
 derjland) and receive it. 
 
 THE gofpel is capable of producing great 
 joy, becaufe it is defigned and adapted to 
 deliver us from grievous and complicated 
 evils, and to confer upon us the enjoyment 
 of precious and everlafting benefits. And 
 to illuflrate the truth of pur doctrine, it may 
 be ufeful to confider, 
 
 Ift. THE evils, from which the gofpel is 
 fuited and intended to deliver us. And, 
 
 Ildly, THE bleflings which it promifes and 
 communicates to all thofe, who cordially re 
 ceive it. 
 
 Ift. THE evils, from which the gcfpel is 
 adapted and defigned to deliver the finful 
 children of men, are, that ignorance, fmful- 
 nefs, guilt, and mifery, which had ovr- 
 
[ 6 ] 
 
 fpread all the nations of the earth. They 
 had loft the knowledge of the living God, of 
 themfelves, of their duty, their dignity, and 
 happinefs, and had funk into a deplorable 
 ftate of fpiritual delufion, flavery, and death. 
 There was indeed a time, when mankind 
 were acquainted with their Maker ; a * when 
 they beheld the face of God in the mirror 
 of his works ; but fuch was the depraved 
 difpofition of their hearts, that when they 
 knew God, they glorified him not as God, 
 neither were they thankful, but became 
 vain in their imaginations, and their fool- 
 ifh heart was darkened ; and, profeffmg 
 themfelves to be wife, they becarne fools. 
 When we read the firil chapter of St. Paul s 
 Epiftle to the Romans, how are we afflidled 
 and difgufted with the difmal picture, which 
 he has there given of the human, and efpec- 
 ially of the Roman character and condition ? 
 And when we confult the teftimonies of con 
 temporary authors, how are we furprifed to 
 find them drawing the fame picture of de 
 formity with features fo exceedingly firmlar ? b 
 How foon did mankind rebel againft the 
 voice of nature, of reafon, and of the gra 
 cious and awful difpenfations of Providence ? 
 The earth was overfpread with wickednefs ; 
 
 * See Notes at the end. 
 
[ 7 ] 
 
 It was overwhelmed with a flood ; but the 
 deluge did not wafh away the iniquity and 
 pollution of the human heart ! Men rap 
 idly degenerated into error, idolatry, and 
 fin. The reafon was, they did not like to 
 retain GOD in their knowledge. The infin 
 ite purity and fplendor of his majefty were 
 too dazzling for their weak and diftexnpered 
 fight. His laws, and worfhip were too ftri<5t 
 and holy to meet the approbation of their 
 perverted minds. Therefore they invented 
 gods more fenfible, more congenial and in 
 dulgent to their imaginations and appetites. 
 And, having transferred to thefe fi<flitious 
 deities the paffions and vices of depraved 
 humanity, they honoured and worfhipped 
 them with rites and offerings correfpondent 
 to their characters, and to die corrupted and 
 bewildered fentiments and propenfities of 
 their own hearts. For the character, the 
 government, and the laws of fuch gods they 
 could have no cordial veneration. They 
 fometimes trembled before them, and at 
 tempted to appeafe their anger with coftly 
 vi&ims and cruel facrifices ; but how often, 
 when they were not fuccefsful, was their 
 flavifh terror converted into impious repin 
 ing, inlult, and contempt ? Ignorant of GOD, 
 
[ 8 ] 
 
 they neither knew nor reverenced their own 
 natures as fubjects of dignified, rational, and 
 immortal fpirits. Having no ideas of an 
 immortal exiftence, or of future rewards and 
 punifhments, but fuch as were confufed, 
 fabulous, and extravagant, they felt and 
 aflumed a liberty of plunging into all kinds 
 of injuftice, treachery, and violence. 
 
 BUT it is poflible that the dreary picture 
 which has been drawn of the gentile ftate 
 and character, however warranted by ancient 
 hiftory and modern obfervation, will not be 
 permitted to pafs for a juft likenefs of the 
 whole heathen world. 
 
 LET it then be acknowledged that the 
 learning, the policy, the patriotifm, liberty, 
 and virtue of the Greeks and Romans have 
 been admired and celebrated, by the hifto- 
 rians, poets, and orators of all ages ; yet in 
 the enlightened view of true philofophy and 
 religion, how greatly is their glory obfcured 
 and degraded ? Their boafted patriotifm and 
 love of liberty, what were they better, except 
 in a few inftances, than a reftlefs, infatiable 
 luft of advancing and eftablifhing their own 
 perfonal and national wealth, grandeur, and 
 glory, upon the fubjection and flavery of all 
 furrounding nations ? If, in the early ftages 
 
t 9 ] 
 
 of their republics, they were diftinguiflied 
 by more liberal and generous fentiments, yet 
 in proportion as they rofe in power, riches, 
 and greatiiefs, they funk in probity and vir 
 tue ;- until, by their pride, licentioufnefs, and 
 faction, they had facrificed their liberty and 
 independence to emperors and tyrants, and 
 exhibited to all nations and ages an example 
 of a Hill more wretched flavery to the fordid 
 amd imperious paffions of riot, luxury, cru 
 elty, and wickednefs. Nothing lefs had 
 been fufficieiit to fatisfy their ambition than 
 abfolute dominion over all the nations of the 
 earth ; and, by their attempts to accomplifli 
 this extravagant project, and the improve 
 ment they made of their conquefts, they 
 deluged the world with blood, and torment 
 ed its inhabitants with infinite mifchiefs and 
 miferies, 
 
 AND what was their philofophy but ail 
 incoherent fyftem of pompous {peculations, 
 embellifhed indeed with fome fc altered rays 
 of truth, but corrupted and obfcured by 
 predominant {hades of error, fophiftry, and 
 arrogance ? 
 
 THEIR virtue was a ftranger to humility ; 
 an alien from true love to GOD and benevo 
 lence to man ; it was the offspring of pride, 
 B 
 
t 10 ] 
 
 fubtilty, and a thirfl of glory. It had not y 
 even with the afliftance of all their philofo- 
 phy and refinement, either the will or the abil 
 ity to enlighten and reform the body of the 
 people, to purify their religion, or amend 
 their hearts, but left themunder the full domin 
 ion of polytheifm and idolatry, and fuffered 
 their fervices and rites of worfhip to remain 
 corrupted and deformed by all the deteftable 
 extravagance, impurity, and fuperftition, of 
 the moft barbarous pagans. 
 
 IF we attend to the nation of the Jews j; 
 they had received from heaven the lively 
 oracles of GOD, which taught them his per 
 fections, his worfhip, and his will, and the 
 principles and benefits of private and public 
 wifdom, virtue,.- and happinefs ; but they 
 deferted their GOD, corrupted their religion, 
 and became flaves to the power of their 
 crimes and their enemies ; and, having loft 
 all jufl ideas of the character and defign of 
 their long predicted Meffiah^ they expected 
 him, not as a Saviour from the bondage and 
 mifery of fin, but as a prince and a hero, 
 who would conduct them to liberty, con- 
 queft, and glory above all the nations of the 
 earth. When therefore the Saviour appear 
 ed, detected and condemned that ignorance^ 
 
[ 11 ] 
 
 pride, hyppcrify, and wickednefs, which had 
 polluted and degraded all ranks and ages of 
 people, they were exafperated to rage, and 
 malice againft him ; they vilified, perfecut- 
 .ed, and finally murdered him by a mod 
 painful and ignominious execution. And 
 now the fun of righteoufnefs feemed to have 
 jfet forever, and all mankind to be involved 
 in a gloomy night of ignorance, delufion, 
 wickednefs, and death ; from which it was 
 impoflible, they could arife into light, liber 
 ty, and happinefs, without the interpofition 
 of the infinite power and mercy of GOD. 
 Thefe divine perfections did interpofe for 
 the inftruction and falvation of a periihing 
 world. Which leads us to confider, in the 
 
 lid PLACED the bleflings which the gofpel, 
 the medium of this divine interpofition, 
 promifes and communicates to all who cor-^ 
 dially receive it, and fo proves to them, as 
 our dodtrine aflerts, a fource of exceeding 
 great joy. And it proves fuch a fource, be- 
 caufe, in the 
 
 ift PLACE, it reveals to them the LORD 
 JESUS CHRIST, the Son of GOD, who came 
 into the world to heal the diforders, and ex 
 pel the miferies of mankind ; to give light 
 to the gentiles, life and falvation to the ends 
 
[ 12 ] 
 
 of the earth. To accomplish this great and 
 benevolent end his incarnation, doctrines, 
 miracles, f ufferings, refurreelion, and afcen- 
 fi on into glory ; the effufions of his Spirit, 
 the preaching of his apofllcs and miniilers, 
 were all defigned and adapted : they declar 
 ed, they exemplified, the adorable perfec 
 tions and government of GOD, that affem- 
 blagc of majefty and mercy, dignity and 
 condefcenfion, holinefs and grace, which 
 unite in the divine character and works. 
 They taught mankind the knowledge of 
 their relation and obligation to GOD, as their 
 creator, benefactor 6 , and friend. They in- 
 flru6ted them in the knowledge of the dig 
 nity and deftination of their immortal na 
 tures, the depravity and ruin to which they 
 were degraded by fin, their accountablenefs 
 to God, the refurreclion of their bodies, 
 their appearance at his righteous tribunal, 
 and their final confignrneiit to endlefs hap- 
 pinefs, or mifery, according to their works. 
 
 BUT could thefe folemn truths prove a 
 fource of joy to guilty criminals ? No ; they 
 were intended primarily to roufe their atten 
 tion, to alarm their confciences, and to im- 
 prefs their minds with an effectual convic 
 tion of their finfulnefs and guilt; and of 
 
[ 13 ] 
 
 that gulf of darknefs and perdition into 
 which their fins were plunging them head 
 long. Such a conviction alone can render 
 men duly ienfible of their abfolute need of 
 an Almighty Saviour. For if they are not 
 fufficiently convinced of the greatnefs an$ 
 malignity of their moral diforders, and their 
 want of all merit to atone, for them, or 
 power to remove them, how can they pofli- 
 bly be fenfible of the neceflity of an all per 
 fect Phyfician ; or perceive, in the proviiion 
 of fuch a Phyfician, the difplay of divine 
 wifdom, holinefs, and grace ? And if it con 
 tains no difplay of thefe perfections, it bears 
 not the lignature of GOD, it is not diftin- 
 guifhed from a fyftem of impoflure and de 
 ceit. Thofe, therefore, who would effectually 
 examine the divine original of the gofpel, 
 muft bring to this examination a mind im- 
 pifeffed with a fenfe of fin, and of the necefli 
 ty of a method of falvation by unmerited 
 grace ; otherwife, it is a wonder if their 
 prejudices, and their pre-attachment to the 
 deluding enjoyments of the world, do not 
 impel them to view this gofpel with fuch 
 doubt and indifference, as will finally degen 
 erate into infidelity and contempt. 
 
{ 14 1 
 
 THE pagans were not totally deftitutc 
 of this kind of preparation for the belief and 
 reception of the gofpel of peace. For, how 
 ever deeply they were involved in the gloom 
 of ignorance and wickednefs, yet they de-* 
 rived from nature and tradition some gleams 
 of falutary light, by which they were made 
 partially and painfully fenfible of the c^for^ 
 der and mifery into which they had fallen. 
 Their confciences did not wholly forbear to 
 reproach them for their unnatural and atro^ 
 cioxis crimes, and to affure them " that thofe, 
 who commit fuch things are worthy of 
 death." For that fenfe of the intimate con 
 nection there is between the works and wa 
 ges of iniquity, which the God of nature has 
 implanted in the human breaft, is feldom 
 totally obliterated by all the ftupifying pow 
 er of ignorance and vice. Hence their 
 ftrange and coilly offerings, their human 
 vidtims*. their facrifice of friendly and filial 
 blood, to appeafe the anger of their gods. 
 But when the gofpel fhone upon them, it 
 difcovered to them in the ftrongeft light, 
 their fin, their danger, and their remedy ; 
 and caufed them at once both to tremble 
 and rejoice. While it unveiled to their view 
 that threefold chain of ignorance, wicked- 
 
[ 15 3 
 
 nefs, and guilt, by which they were bound, 
 it revealed the hand, which was both able 
 and willing to burft it aflmder ; the hand 
 which was ftretched out to give fight to the 
 blind, healing and liberty to the wounded, 
 broken hearted, captive. By the energy of 
 its light and power it diflipated their dark- 
 hefs "and delufion, expelled their idols and 
 demons, filenced their lying oracles, con 
 founded their magicians, and difcovered to 
 their deluded votaries the falfehood and arro 
 gance of their impious devices and presump 
 tuous pretenfions ; and thus exhibited with 
 the brighteft evidence, the dignity, excel 
 lence, and glory of him, who was indeed 
 the mighty power of GOD. 
 
 And if the operations of the fpirit and 
 truth of the gofpel have been lefs powerful, 
 rapid, and wonderful in lucceeding ages, 
 yet they have been fubftantially the fame, 
 and have produced fimilar effedls among the 
 ignorant and deluded pagans and favages 
 both in Afia and America. Witnefs the te 
 timonies of an Eliot, a Mayhew, a Brainard, 
 and of many others, who have laboured with 
 pious courage and zeal in thefe wild and 
 ftubborn regions of God s husbandry. As 
 all have finned and deftroyed themfelves, 
 
[ 16-] 
 
 and the whole world, both barbarous and 
 civilized, is become guilty before God, there 
 fore to every one, who effectually under- 
 ftaiids and believes the gofpel, it mufl be 
 come a fource of powerful convLdlion and 
 contrition, and of pure and fubftantial joy. 
 How is it^poflible it ihould be otherwife ? 
 For, while it difcovers to them their deplor 
 able ignorance, their aggravated offences, the 
 wrath of God revealed from heaven againft 
 their unrighteoiifnefs, and ungodliiiefs, and 
 fills them with awful apprehenfions of end- 
 leis darknefs and perdition, it does, at the 
 fame time, reveal to their admiring view the 
 boundlefs compaffion of God, and the per 
 fect fuitablenefs and all-fufficiency of his Son 
 Jefus Chrift. It offers him to their accept 
 ance as a Saviour and advocate of infinite 
 dignity, merit, and mercy ; who, by his obe 
 dience and death has obtained for finners a 
 complete and everlafting falvation : a falva- 
 tion confiding in the full pardon of nu 
 merous and aggravated offences ; in peace 
 and acceptance with God, adoption into his 
 family, deliverance from the dominion and 
 pollution of fin, and an.intereft in all the 
 grace and affiflance neceffary to a fleady 
 perfeverance in faith and holinefs to the 
 end of life ; a falvation commencing wi&h 
 
[ 17 ] 
 
 hope, peace, and purity, and terminating in 
 the final enjoyment of everlafting bleflednefs 
 and perfe&ion, in the kingdom of glory. 
 
 WE obferve sdly, that when chriftians con- 
 (icier the evil principles and propensities of 
 their nature, and feel their total inability to 
 maintain a courfe of lively faith and obedi 
 ence in oppofition to that numerous hoft of 
 enemies and temptations, which furround 
 them, and watch for their definition, they 
 muft greatly rejoice in that ample provifion, 
 which is made in the gofpel for their direc 
 tion, fupport, and prefervation : a provifion, 
 which propofes and promifes the Son of GOD 
 for the all-powerful and gracious captain of 
 their falvation, engages to give and contin 
 ue to them the inftrudlions and influences of 
 his holy Spirit, to guide, defend, and comfort 
 them in their wearifome and dangerous pil 
 grimage through the wildernefs of this world ; 
 and to conduct them to a crown of life, a 
 manfion of reft, and a triumph of glory in 
 the heavenly Canaan, 
 
 3dly. WHAT afliftance and fatisfadlion do 
 they derive from divine ordinances ? Thefe 
 are the clduds which diftill the heavenly 
 
 manna ; precious medixims of fpiritual inter- 
 c 
 
[ 13 ] 
 
 courfe with GOD, of the manifeftation of his 
 perfections, the communications of his grace, 
 and of offering up to him the facrifices of 
 holy, worfhip and heavenly affection. Thefe 
 ordinances, they are perfuaded, are of the 
 higheft importance to propagate truth, to 
 promote virtue and holinefs, and to main 
 tain a fenfe of GOD and religion in the hearts 
 of their children, their friends, and their fel 
 low-citizens \ and that nothing can, therefore, 
 aim a more deadly blow at the civil and moral 
 purity, dignity, and happinefs of a people, 
 than a bold or infidious attempt to render 
 their religious inftitutions and ordinances, 
 objects of neglect, contempt, and rejection, 
 THEREFORE, 4thly, the gofpel mull be a 
 fource of joy to all fincere chriftian patriots, 
 on account of its powerful influence to pro 
 mote and fecure the order and happinefs of 
 fociety. Virtue, confifting in juftice, integ 
 rity, and benevolence, is the foul of an har 
 monious, and well regulated community ; 
 the vital, attractive, principle, which animates 
 and unites all its members. But it might 
 be as wifely expecled that grapes would grow 
 upon thorns, as that virtue would flourifh 
 on any other ftock, than that of religion. 
 And is it poffible to find a religion, which 
 
[ 19 ] 
 
 contains a collection of laws, a fyftem of 
 truths, and ordinances fo friendly to virtue, 
 and fo powerfully efficacious to cherifh and 
 extend it, as the religion of the gofpel ? E- 
 ven infidels acknowledge the fuperior purity 
 and perfection of gofpel precepts, the mild- 
 nefs and liberality of that virtue, which they 
 enjoin, and the majefty and energy of thofe 
 motives, by which they enforce it. c Thefe 
 precepts and motives operate powerfully to 
 purify the fprings, and to foften the rigor of 
 civil government ; they perfuade and impel the 
 heart of the magistrate to the love and prac 
 tice of wifdom, juftice, and chriftian patriot- 
 iftn, by railing his attention to an all-perfe6t 
 Sovereign, in whofe prefence all earthly dif- 
 tindtions are equalized ; in whofe view, pride, 
 injuftice, and cruelty ,are infinitely odious and 
 criminal ; right eoufnefs, purity, and lenity, 
 exceedingly amiable and laudable, and at 
 whofe tribunal they fhall finally receive an 
 everlafting recompenfe. At the fame time 
 the precepts and motives of this religion al 
 lure and conftrain the heart of the fubjedt to 
 that reverence for the laws and minifters of 
 government, and to that juftice, fidelity, 
 and benevolence toward his fellow-citizens, 
 which moft effectually promotes focial har- 
 
[ 20 ] 
 
 rnony and happinefs : they guard him in, 
 public, they watch him in fecret, to deter 
 him, not only from the deeds of covert wick- 
 ednefs, but even from thofe paffions and im 
 aginations^ which, if indulged, might termi 
 nate in works of impiety and unrighteouf- 
 nefs. 
 
 THE mild influence of chriflianity foftens 
 the horrors of war, and humanizes the feroc 
 ity of courage ; while it animates the virtu 
 ous warrior to purfue the bloody conflidl 
 with invincible fpirit and bravery to the 
 point of victory, it there fets bounds to his 
 career, difpofes him to fpare the vanquiftied 
 enemy, and to confole the calamity of defeat 
 and captivity with the meek and generous 
 language and treatment of fympathy and be 
 neficence. 
 
 THAT a contrary fpirit of licentioufnefs, 
 difcord, and perfecution, has frequently and 
 greatly deformed the beauty, and ruined the 
 happinefs of chriftian focieties and nations, 
 is acknowledged and deplored. The corrupt 
 and reftlefs paffions of mankind, which too 
 often pervert the bed things to the vilefl pur- 
 pofes, have proftituted the mod pure and be 
 nevolent religion, which the world ever be 
 held, to a cloak of covetoufnefs and hypoc- 
 
t 21 ] 
 
 rify, to an engine of ambition, impurity, and 
 revenge. A falfe and fiery zeal has imagin 
 ed it was doing GOD fervice by harafling 
 and tormenting every fedl, which differed 
 from its own. A fpecious and prepofterous 
 charity indulgent to men of loofe and dan 
 gerous principles and practices, has been eager 
 to exclude from fociety, and brand with in 
 famy thofe whom it ftigmatized as puritans 
 and fanatics, becaufe they were not as lib 
 eral as itfelf. But fuch events, as they ver 
 ify the truth of gofpel predictions, fo they 
 furnifh 110 folid objection againfl its divine 
 original, or the purity and benevolence of its 
 genius, its dodlrines, or precepts. For will 
 any prefume to aflert, that the gofpel gives 
 the finalleft encouragement to licentioufnefs, 
 intolerance, or cruelty ? No ; it forbids 
 and oppofes them with all the energy of 
 divine authority, juftice, and love. 
 
 WE add 5thly, that the gofpel is adapted 
 to prove a fource of joy to mankind under 
 that heavy burden of want, difeafe, and fuf- 
 fering, to which fin has fubjedled them. 
 
 ARE we then to expedl that it will exert, 
 as in the days of its firft promulgation, a mi 
 raculous power to fatisfy their defires, and 
 to heal their fufferings and difeafes ? No ; 
 
t $2 ] 
 
 but we are warranted to expect effects, in 
 fome refpects, ftill more falutary and fubftan- 
 tial : to expect that it will eradicate, or re- 
 flrain thofe vicious principles and paffions, 
 which are the inexhauflible fprings of hu 
 man wants and miferies. That it will mor 
 tify that covetoufnefs which impels the ava 
 ricious to worfhip the world, and to facrifice 
 their health, liberty, happinefs, and falvation 
 to this infatiable idol. That it will crucify 
 thofe unbridled luftsandaffedUons which con- 
 fume the property, enfeeble the bodies, and 
 deflroy the fouls of thofe who indulge them. 
 That it will humble that pride, and correct 
 thofe falfe and dangerous principles of hon 
 our, which are the caufes of endlefs vexa 
 tion, difcord, and diftrefs ; and will imprefs 
 the hearts of men with a full conviction that 
 it is infinitely more noble and generous to 
 forgive injuries and affronts than to revenge 
 them ; to defpife the reproaches of a mif- 
 judging world, than, by attempting the vin 
 dication of character, and the acquifkion of 
 glory in fingle combat, to brave the laws of 
 their country, pierce with exquifite anguifh 
 the tendereft fenfibilities of nature, fpurn the 
 love, and defy the vengeance of their SAV- 
 IOUR, and their GOD. 
 
[ 23 ] 
 
 WE are moreover to expert that the gofpel 
 of Chrift will prove a fource of fupport and 
 confolation to the piotis believer, under all 
 the inevitable exigencies and calamities of 
 life, by giving him juft conceptions of the 
 glory and government of GOD, and a cordial 
 acquiefcence in all the manifeftations of his 
 will and difpenfations of his providence: that 
 it will give him the joyful teftimony of a 
 pure, approving confcience, and a comforta 
 ble affurance that all his trials and fuffer- 
 ings are the merciful corrections of a mofl 
 wife and gracious Father, who will blefs 
 them for the advancement and confirmation 
 of his faith and holinefs, and for increafing 
 his preparation for the enjoyment of com 
 plete and everlafting bleffednefs : that how 
 ever he be poor and deftitute, yet he is rich 
 in the pofTeflion of all things in the fulnefs 
 of GOD through the all-fufEciency of Chrift, 
 and in the unfearchable treafares of his grace 
 and glory. How often have the deftitute, 
 the dejedled, and heavy laden fled for refuge 
 to their gracious Redeemer, and found reft 
 and peace to their weary fouls ? Under the 
 fierceft ftorms of affliction and perfecution 
 the hope of the gofpel is an anchor of the 
 foul. The depth and darkaefs of an hor~ 
 
[ 24 ] 
 
 rible pit and a miry clay are not Ib pro 
 found and impenetrable as to exclude from 
 the humble fuppliant every glimmering prof- 
 pecft of deliverance, or forever to debar his 
 eyes from the light of liberty, or his lips from 
 the fong of joy ! For if the high and the lofty 
 One, who inhabiteth eternity, will defcend 
 and dwell with the humble and the contrite, 
 is it poffible that they fliould not be revived 
 and comforted by the prefence and com 
 munion of a friend and Father fo infinitely 
 all-fufficient in power, wifdom, tendernefs, 
 and love ? 
 
 WE have only to add, that the gofpel is 
 a fource of joy to the fincere believer under 
 the profpedl, the approaches, and the pangs 
 of death. However the philofopher may 
 affecft, in the pride of his wifdom, to defpife 
 it ; however the warrior may lofe, or brave 
 its terrors in the fire and tumult of conflidl, 
 or the profpecSl of vidlory and glory ; or the 
 martyr be tranfported above the dread and 
 feeling of its formidable afpedl, and cruel 
 tortures by a confcioufnefs of the redlitude 
 and dignity of his caufe, the prefence of his 
 GOD, and the expectation of a crown of 
 heavenly bleffednefs ; yet, to the retired and 
 contemplative mind, death is naturally cloth- 
 
[ 25 ] 
 
 ed with forms of darknefs and difmay. From 
 the dread of which to what can we flee for 
 deliverance but to that gofpel, which brings 
 life and immortality to light ? Are we op- 
 preiTed by a confcioufnefs of fin with the 
 apprehenlion of appearing in the prefence of 
 afpotlefs Judge ? The gofpelprefentsthe moft 
 animating hope of acquittance at his right 
 eous tribunal. Are we diftreffed with a pain 
 ful idea of being torn away from all our 
 precious relatives and friends ? The gofpel 
 encourages us to expedl a blifsful union* with 
 angels and the fpirits of jufl men made per 
 fect ; to find a friend and a father in GOD ; 
 to fee his face in peace, and drink in the 
 moft raviihing pleafures from the light of 
 his countenance. Is it painful to bid an ev- 
 erlafting farewell to all the enjoyments of 
 life ? The gofpel promifes an inheritance 
 incorruptible, a manfion, a crown, a throne, 
 a life of endlefs reft and glory in the pref 
 ence of Jefus Chrift. Are we mortified with 
 the apprehenfion of committing our bodies 
 to the deformity and corruption of the 
 grave ? Our hearts may be cheered with the 
 blifsful profpecT: of their refurredlion to a 
 ftate of heavenly ftrength, honour, and im- 
 mortality ; of their transformation into a 
 
[ 26 J 
 
 likenefs to the glorious body of our Re 
 deemer, and filming like the brightnefs of 
 the fun forever in the kingdom of his Father. 
 And are not thefe exalted and everlafting 
 benefits amply fufficient to counterbalance 
 all the wants, labours and fufferings of life 
 and death, and to evince the truth of our 
 doctrine, that the gofpel is adapted and de- 
 figned to be a fource of great joy to all who 
 cordially believe and obey it I 
 
 MAY we not then juftly conclude the di- 
 courfe with this general inference, which ap 
 plies the fubjecl to the prefent occafion, That 
 if we are fatisfied from knowledge, from 
 faith, and efpecially from our own experi 
 ence, that the gofpel is indeed fuch a fource 
 of joy as has been reprefented, then it is our 
 duty, our intereft, and happinefs, to difrufe 
 the bleffings of it, by all fuitable means and 
 exertions, through every divifion and habi 
 tation of the human race ? Such exertions 
 
 niufl be highly pleafing and honourable to* 
 
 . 
 
 GOD our SAVIOUR ; for there is joy in 
 heaven, joy in the prefence of the angels, 
 over one finner who repenteth ; and if the 
 converfion of one produces fuch joy in heaven, 
 what gladnefs would refult from the conver 
 fion of a multitude ?- And if chriftians cor- 
 
I 27 ] 
 
 dially unite in the execution of a defign 
 which employs infinite power, wifdom, and 
 love, have they not great reafon to hope they 
 fhall be ultimately fuccefsful ? The defigns 
 of GOD mufl prevail, and become finally 
 triumphant. Happy thofe who have co 
 operated in the promotion of their fuccefs ; 
 they lhall ultimately fliare in the honour and 
 bleffednefs of their perfect accomplifhment. 
 
 SHOULD we not therefore catch that fpirit 
 of heavenly companion, which the gofpel 
 breathes toward human creatures, periihing 
 in ignorance and wickednefs, and zealoufly 
 exert it in every warrantable method for 
 their deliverance ? 
 
 AND is not the condition of great num 
 bers of our fellow-countrymen truly danger 
 ous and deplorable ? Removed into the un 
 cultivated regions of our exteiifive country, 
 fubje6ted to labour, hardfhip, and, in a meat 
 ure, to the want of thofe means of knowl 
 edge, piety, and happinefs which we fo abun 
 dantly enjoy, are they not in danger of de 
 generating into ignorance, vice, and barbari 
 ty, of becoming irreligious, diforclerly, and 
 jniferable among themfelves, ufelefs, not to 
 fay peftilent, members of fociety, and finally 
 outcaftsfrom the kingdom of GOD ? If then 
 
[ 28 ] 
 
 our hearts are melted and expanded with the 
 precious dodlrines and bleffings of the got- 
 pel, we fhall be zealous and a6tive to diffufe 
 its light, purity, and happinefs, among our 
 diflant brethren. 
 
 AND may not the members of this fociety, 
 inftituted for the propagation of the gofpel, 
 among the Indians and others., congratulate 
 themfelves on the honour and happinefs of 
 being engaged in a defign, fo dignified and 
 benevolent ? May they not expect, with a 
 proportionable degree of confidence, the 
 countenance and patronage of government, 
 the afliftance of the influential and opulent, 
 and the good wimes and prayers of all, who 
 acknowledge, who experience the truth, the 
 joy, and the charity of the gofpel ? What 
 though the evidences and profpec~ls of fuc- 
 cefs may not be fo numerous and promifing 
 as fully to fatisfy the wimes of the pious and 
 the munificent, yet they Ihould confider that 
 former exertions for the converfion of the 
 favages have not been wholly unavailing. 
 If the harveft of converts has been compara 
 tively fmall, yet has it not been fufficient to 
 compenfate all the expenfe and labour, which 
 have been beftowed upon it ? If the value of 
 one foul is far greater than of all the treaf- 
 
t 29 ] 
 
 xires and glories of the world, furely the fal- 
 nation of one, and efpecially of a number, muft 
 be an ample recompenfe for all the arduous 
 and expenfive means, which have been em 
 ployed for its accomplifhment. 
 
 AND from the meafure of civilization, 
 knowledge, and religion, flill retained by 
 our brethren in the new and diftant parts of 
 our country, and from the cheerfulnefs and 
 gratitude with which they appear to accept 
 and fecond the attempts, which have been 
 made to increafe the diffusion of chriftian 
 knowledge and piety among them, the prof- 
 peel of fuccefs is ftill more promiling. But 
 whatever the degree of this fuccefs mall fi 
 nally prove to be, tjtiofe who are fincerely 
 engaged in the promotion of it will experi 
 ence the fuperior pleafure of gratifying their 
 own charitable affections, and a high fati- 
 fadlion in the confcious fincerity of their in 
 tentions to honour their GOD, their SAVIOUR, 
 and his religion, and to advance the tempo 
 ral and eternal happinefs of their human 
 brethren. Thefe pious and benevolent in 
 tentions, and the animating profpecls of ex 
 tending the bleffings of falvation to millions 
 of the human race, may be vaft and un 
 bounded. For thefe bleffings are not limit- 
 
I 30 ] 
 
 ed to any period of time, or defcription of 
 people. The divine commiffion : " Go teach 
 all nations ; go preach the gofpel to every 
 creature," flill retains its gracious and facred 
 authority. The declarations, the promifes, 
 the benefits of endlefs life and happiiiefs ihay 
 be proclaimed with perfect fincerity not on 
 ly to the learned, the opulent and the polifh- 
 ed inhabitants, of civilized countries, but to 
 the fwarthy African, the plundering Arab, 
 the roving Tartar, and the wandering Sav 
 age who traverfes the wilds of America, from 
 the defert plains of Patagonia to the dreary 
 mountains of the frozen pole : and if they 
 will but liften to the joyful found, embrace 
 its propofals, and comply with its prefcrip-r 
 tions, their hearts fhall be melted and 
 moulded to a fpirit of meeknefs, piety, and 
 love, and finally bleffed with the enjoyment 
 of everlafling peace, purity, and glory in the 
 kingdom of GOD. 
 
 How elevating and delightful muft be the 
 reflection to the hearts of all, who are lin- 
 cerely engaged in this benevolent defign, 
 that their efforts may ultimately fpring up 
 into fuch an exuberant harveft of bleffings 
 to their fellow-creatures, and be finally 
 crowned with an immeafurable reward ? 
 
[ 31 ] 
 
 FOR if the holy and munificent Judge of 
 all human creatures and a&ions, will, at laft 
 openly applaud and recompenfe thofe who 
 have miniftered relief to the natural wants 
 and fufferings of their neighbours, with 
 what an emphafis of fuperiof applaufe will he 
 fay to thofe who have been liberal and adlive 
 in contributing fpiritual food and confola- 
 tion to the hungry arid periming fouls of fin- 
 ners, " Come ye blefTed of my Father inherit 
 the kingdom prepared for you from the 
 foundation of the world, for I was hungry, 
 thirfty, naked, fick, and in prifon, and ye 
 vifited me, and granted me comfort and re 
 lief ; for in as much as ye did it unto one 
 of the leaft of thefe my brethren, ye have 
 done it unto me." 
 
 t 
 
 A M E N. 
 
* 
 
C 33 ] 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 NOTE [A.] J>. 6, 
 
 THE time especially intended, was immediately after the 
 flood, when mankind were not perverted and corrupted with er 
 ror, and idolatry ; but it is probable that the apostle intends to 
 suggest that the perfections of GOD are discoverable by his 
 works, and that all might, from this source, obtain some just 
 ideas of them, if they were disposed to attend with a humble, imt 
 and fixed application. 
 
 NOTE [B.] p. 6. 
 
 THOSE who have been conversant with Roman authors will 
 readily recollect, or easily find, the testimonies referred to by 
 the preacher ; but the author principally intended is Seneca. 
 Those who are able to read the works of this philosopher in his 
 own language, and are disposed to examine the description 
 which hegivesofthe human awl the Roman character, and com 
 pare it with that of the apostle, may consult Seneca de brevi- 
 tate vitre, Chapts. 2d, 12th, 14th, and 16th; and de beneficiis 
 JLibr. 3d, Chapts. 15, 16, Libr. 5th, Chapts. 15th and 17th. 
 
 FOR the satisfaction of the English reader, I will take the 
 liberty to transcribe a passage or two from an abstract made by 
 Sir ROGER U ESTRANQE, in which he affirms, "that he has 
 reduced all Seneca s scattered ethics to their proper heads, 
 without any additions of his own, except such as were absolutely- 
 necessary for connecting them together." He introduces 
 Seneca, declaring that, u Some are ungrateful to their own 
 country ; and their country no less ungrateful to others ; so 
 that the complaint of ingratitude reaches all men. Doth 
 not the son wish for the death of his father ; and the husband 
 for that of his wife ? But who can look for gratitude in an 
 age of so many gaping and craving appetites, where all peo 
 ple take, and none give ? In an age of license to all sorts 
 of vanity and wickedness ; as lust, gluttony, avarice, envy, 
 ambition, sloth, insolence, levity, contumacy, fear, rashness, 
 private discords, and public evils, extravagant and ground 
 less wishes, vain confidence, sickly affections, shameless 
 impieties, rapine authorized, and the violation of all things 
 sacred and profane ; obligations are pursued with sword a_nd 
 poison ; benefits are turned into crimes ; and that blood 
 most seditiously spilt, for which every honest man should ex 
 pose his own. Those who should be the preservers of their 
 coiuitry, are the destroyers of it ; and it is matter of dignity to 
 
 i 
 
[ 34 ] 
 
 trample upon the government. The sword gives law, and 
 mercenaries take up arms against their masters. Among 
 these turbulent, and unruly motions, what hope is there of find-? 
 ing honesty or good faith ; mercy, modesty, or religion ?" 
 L Estrange s Abstract, Boston edition, of 1792. If the reader 
 wishes to see the sable picture completed, he may consult the 
 same abstract, pages 132, 133, and 327. 
 
 NOTE p. 15, (two lines from the bottom.) 
 
 THE ministers of Boston, Doctors Cotton Mather, Colman, 
 Sewall, Prince, and others, in what they call an attestation to 
 Mr. Mayhew s account of pious Indians at Martha s Vineyard, 
 given at Boston, June 14th, 1726 ; assert that " twice seven 
 years had not passed away, after the beginning of the Massa* 
 chusetts Colony, before the renowned ELIOT, a good man, full 
 of the holy Spirit, and moved by him, set forward the good 
 work, " and the hand of the LORD was with him" and with a 
 victorious labour he became master of the Indian language, and 
 in that language preached to many villages of the savages ; un 
 til, by the blessing of God on his laborious diligence, many be-r 
 lieved and were turned unto the Lord. The Indians being so 
 successfully instructed in the word of truth and gospel of sal 
 vation, soon had schools erected among them ; and learning to 
 read and write, this indefatigable servant of GOD, first of all, 
 translated the Bible into their language ; and added a version 
 of the Psalms in Indian metre, whereof they became skilful and 
 graceful singers. * They further assert that the consequence 
 of all this was, the forming of congregations, the collecting and 
 establishing churches, and administering ordinances, in several 
 villages of Indians, who attended upon them with apparent sincer 
 ity, constancy, and devotion. In this account of pious Indians, 
 by Mr. MAYHEW, the reader may find such an history of the 
 conversion, the pious and exemplary lives, and peaceful deaths 
 of many of those people of both sexes, and of all ranks and ages, 
 as will afford him a satisfactory conviction of their having im 
 bibed the Spirit, enjoyed the comforts, and practised the duties 
 of Christianity, with a truly evangelical sincerity. 
 
 THOSE who have read Mr. David Brainard s journal of the rise 
 and progress of a work of grace among the Indians in New Jersey 
 and Pennsylvania, will recollect the account he gives of the pow 
 erful and surprising influence of the gospel upon the minds and 
 hearts of those savage people ; especially upon one who had 
 been a noted conjurer, [pow wow] drunkard and murderer ; 
 and who, like Simpn Magus, " gave out, that he was some 
 great one, to whom* they all gave heed, from the least to the 
 greatest, saying, this man is the great power of God ;" but 
 who became, not a pretended, but, apparently, a real subject qf 
 
[ 35 ] 
 
 the faith and holiness of the gospel ; a zealous defender, and 
 practical preacher of the truth which he once attempted to 
 obstruct and destroy. See Brainard s Journal, page 154, and 
 221. 
 
 NOTE [C.] p. 19. 
 
 LORD Bolingbroke, in the 5th vol. of hk. works, page 188, 
 as quoted by Dr. Fuller in his "Gosjiel its oivn ivitness" ac 
 knowledges that, * the gospel is in all cases one continued les 
 son of the strictest morality, of justice, of benevolence, and 
 of universal charity." 
 
 VOLTAIRE, quoted by the above author, in page 69 of his 
 " Gosfiel its own ivitncss" asserts that " wherever Society is 
 established, there it is necessary to have religion, for religion 
 which watches over the crimes that are secret, is, in fact, the 
 only law which a man carries about with him ; the only one 
 which places the punishment at the side of the guilt ; and 
 which operates as forcibly in solitude and darkness as in the 
 broad and open face of day." This cannot be affirmed with 
 dxact truth of any other religion but that of the gospel. 
 
 LORD Shaftsbury observes, that " whoever by any strong 
 persuasion or settled judgment, think* in the main, that virtue 
 causes happiness, and vice misery, carries with him that secu 
 rity and assistance to virtue which is required" or, " if he 
 
 believes a GOD, dispensing rewards and piurishmenls to virtue 
 and vice in a future" life ; " he carries with him still the 
 same advantage and security ; whilst his belief is steady, 
 and no ways wavering or doubtful." And although he la 
 bours to prove that this hope of reward and fear of punish 
 ment, has too great an influence on the mind, tends to increase 
 the power of self love beyond all clue bounds of proportion, 
 and to swallow up all generous and benevolent principles and 
 motives, yet he acknowledges, that, " if by the hope of reward 
 be understood the love and desire of virtuous enjoyment, or 
 of the very practice and exercise of virtue in another life ; the 
 expectation or hope of this kind is so far from being derogato 
 ry to virtue, that it is the evidence of our loving it the more 
 sincerely, and for its own sake." Characteristics, vol. 2, 
 page 67 and 65. 
 
 Now if his Lordship would have conceded, as may be pre 
 sumed he would, that the Christian religion presents to the 
 minds of men the clearest and strongest views and evidences 
 of future rewards and punishments, and that the nature of 
 these rewards and punishments, and the hope and fear which 
 they excite, are such as he requires, and even admits to be 
 conducive to the sincere and constant practice of virtue, then 
 he acknowledges, implicitly at least, that this religion has a 
 powerful influence to promote safety, order, and the happiness 
 of society. 
 
C 36 ) 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 A PARTICULAR account of the Society for Propagating the 
 Gospel, of its operations, and funds, was given at the close of 
 the Discourse, preached before them by Dr. LATHROP, the last 
 year. It is not necessary that it be here repeated. 
 
 THE permanent funds of the Society remain as stated by their 
 Treasurer in his Report, published in the discourse just men 
 tioned.* The General Court, willing to increase the means 
 and usefulness of the Society, added^e hundred dollars to their 
 usual grant, making it a thousand, for the current year. This 
 addition was made specially with a view to enable the Society 
 to establish and support schools, in Maine, in places where the 
 inhabitants are unable to educate their children. Beside this 
 grant* two hundred and fifty five dollars, twenty seven cents, 
 were collected after the delivery of the preceding Anniversary 
 Discourse. 
 
 SUCH have been the means of the Society. They have em 
 ployed them in supporting Mess rs. MAYHEW, HAWLEY, and 
 SERGEANT, who minister to Indian congregations, at Martha s 
 Vineyard, Marshpee, and New Stockbridge. Five Missiona 
 ries also have been sent Jhe past season to preach the gospei 
 among that part of the inhabitants of Maine, who are either 
 wholly destitute of, or but sparingly enjoy, the means of relig- 
 ion. Four hundred dollars have been expended in promoting 
 school education for children, in new plantations ; and the same 
 sum in books, for distribution ; such as Bibles, Testaments, 
 Psalm books, Primers, Spelling books, Doddridge s Rise and 
 Progress, Token for Children, Divine Songs, and a variety of 
 other religious books and tracts ; a great part of which have 
 been distributed by the Missionaries, and others, to whom they 
 have been committed for that purpose. 
 
 FROM the Journals of the several Missionaries, and informa 
 tion received from other authentic sources, there is reason to 
 believe that the efforts of the Society have been crowned with 
 an encouraging degree of success. The labours of the Mis 
 sionaries have been gratefully acknowledged ; the books have 
 been received and read with avidity, and hopeful improvement, 
 and the aid and encouragement given to schools has been pe 
 culiarly acceptable, and evinced that this method of benefiting 
 that hardy and enterprising class of people, who are extending, 
 the settlement of our country, may be pursued on a larger scale 
 with eminent advantage. Among the good effects of these ex 
 ertions of the Society, are the preservation, as far as they have 
 influence, of the good habits of these emigrants, formed in the 
 places of their nativity, the advancement of Christian piety, civil 
 
 * Total amount of funds, 23,417 DoUs. 36 Cts.-Auuual income, 1/145 Dolls, 83 Cts- 
 
[ 37 ] 
 
 order, morality ,and the establishment of churches, forming con-~ 
 gregations, the administration of the ordinances of baptism, and 
 the "Lord s Supper, and exciting and cherishing dispositions 
 and wishes among the people, permanently to enjoy the benefit 
 Df these and other good institutions. 
 
 THE Society learn with pleasure from their Missionaries, that 
 there exists a general disposition among the people in the new 
 plantations, according to their ability, to support schools and 
 religious institutions ; but their means are yet so inadequate, 
 that the aid of the Society is peculiarly acceptable. A contin 
 ued and increased attention to these hardy and useful citizens 
 is so obviously promotive of the religious, moral, civil, and so 
 cial interests of the Commonwealth, and so much for the pecu 
 niary advantage of the proprietors of lands in this part of the 
 State, that the Society confidently hope for the continued aid of 
 the Legislature ; and that the gentlemen who hold here large 
 tracts of unsettled lands, will be induced, from the double mo 
 tive of interest and benevolence, to contribute liberally to a pur 
 pose so laudable. The Society hold themselves pledged to a 
 faithful use of all funds deposited in their Treasury. It is their 
 pleasure to be the stewards and almoners of the Common 
 wealth, and of pious and wealthy individuals. 
 
 OFFICERS of the SOCIETY for the year ending MAY 1805. 
 
 Hon. James Sullivan, Esq. President, 
 
 Hon. Oliver Wendell, Esq. Vice-President, 
 
 Ebenezer Storer, Esq. Treasurer, 
 
 Rev. John Eliot, D. D. Vice-Treasurer, 
 
 Rev. Jedidiah Morse, D. D. Secretary, 
 
 Rev. Abiel Holmes, Assistant-Secretary, 
 
 Rev. John Lathrop, D. D. 
 
 Rev. Joseph Eckley, D. D. . 
 
 William Phillips, Esq. )> Select Committee. 
 
 Mr. Samuel Salisbury, 
 
 Rev. Jedidiah Morse, D. D, 
 
 The following is a List of Members living, January 1st, 1805. 
 
 Rev. Thomas Barnard, D. D. 
 Alden Bradford, Esq. 
 Rev. William Channing, 
 Hon. Richard Cranch, 
 Hon. Francis Dana, 
 Hon. John Davis, 
 Hon. Thomas I>awes, 
 
f 38 ] 
 
 Rev. Joseph Eckley, D. D. 
 
 Samuel Eliot, Esq. 
 
 Rev. John Eliot, D. D. 
 
 Rev. Nathaniel Emmons, D. D. 
 
 Rev. Levi Frisbie, 
 
 David S. Greenough, Esq. 
 
 Rev. Abiel Holmes, 
 
 Mr. David Hyslop, 
 
 Rev. John Lathrop, D. D. 
 
 Hon. Benjamin Lincoln, 
 
 Rev. Joseph McKean, D. D. President of Bow- 
 
 doin College, 
 
 Rev. Jedidiah Morse, D. D. 
 Samuel Parkman, Esq. 
 Rev. Elijah Parish, 
 Eliphalet Pearson, L. L. D. Hancock, Professor 
 
 of the Hebrew atfd Oriental Languages, and 
 
 the English Language, 
 William Phillips, Esg. 
 Rev. Eliphalet Porter, 
 Daniel D. Rodgcrs, Esq, 
 Mr. Samuel Salisbury, 
 Ebenezer Storer, Esq. 
 Hon. James Sullivan, Esq. 
 Hon. Cotton Tufts, Esq. 
 Hon. Dudley A. Tyng, Esq. 
 Hon. Oliver Wendell, 
 Rev. Samuel West, D. D. 
 Mr. James White, 
 Ebenezer Wight, Esq. 
 Samuel Williams, L. L. D. 
 Mr. William Woodbridge. 
 
 FORM of a BEQUEST, or LEGACY. 
 
 Item. I give and bequeath the sum of to 
 
 the Society for Propagating the gospel among the Indians and 
 others in North America ; to be applied either to the general 
 objects of the Institution, or to such particular purposes, con 
 sistent with those objects, as the donor may think proper- 
 
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