of a miffionary, tho' at his fon's death he was in his seventieth year. Love to Jefus, and to fouls pur chafed by his blood, incited him to do all that he was able, even to

port an English minifter in the fervice of the Indians: And he has little, or no hopes of finding any of the spirit of his deceased fon, to bear the burden, attending fo toilfome a work: He confidered, that it was highly probable, that not many could be found, who would be able, or willing to purfue the work, as his excellent fon had done, who had spent his strength, and yet rejoiced in the midft of thofe many aches, pains, and diftempers contracted by his often lodging on their hard matts, in their expofed wigwams, and enduring wet and cold in faith of God's accepting, and profpering him in that painful work, to which he could fee no earthly advantage, that might rationally move, or encouragehim: And when he looked on the Indians, he could not bear to think, that the work fo happily begun, and fo far advanced by his fon, fhould now expire with him.*

Under given circumftances, he viewed himself as called upon in Providence to water what his fon had planted; and to carry on the plantation to as great an extent, as he fhould be enabled. He was of opinion, that extraordinary occafions warranted extraordinary meafures; and therefore foon came to a refolution to do what he could himself.

His heart was in the work, and he rofe fuperior to all discouragements. He did not confider his age as a bar to the toilfome labor

Mat. Mayhew's Triumph's of

Grace-Indian Converts.

He had indeed fome fpecial advantages, which facilitated, in fome measure, his miffionary fervices. He had learned fo much of the language of the natives, as was needful to understand, and difcourfe with them: And upon his undertaking to inftruct them publicly, he took pains to acquire a more accurate knowledge of it. This alfo was of special benefit, that as a magiftrate, and a neighbor, he was in high esteem among them. They generally admired, revered, and loved him for his wisdom, integrity, impartial juftice, and philanthropy. They heard his words with attention: And tho' what he faid, in fome cafes, might be contrary to the notions they had heretofore entertained; yet they would not immediately reject his fentiments, but weighed them in their minds, and confidered them without that judice, which would have arifen against the same things, if propofed by many others.

pre

Before the particulars of this Mr. Mayhew's miffionary fervices be related, it may be very proper to obferve, that prior to his fon's deceafe, and even from the beginning of his miffion, he did much, in various ways, to encourage him and to promote the great and good work, which, with fuch pious zeal, and affiduity he was pursuing.

Notice has already been taken, of his wife and prudent measures to prevent the Indians from imbibing prejudices against the English, and their religion, and to remove any, which they had taken in,

Particularly, he took pains with the fachems to convince them, that should they, and their people become chriftians, they would not fuffer any diminution of their dig. nity, or of any emoluments, which, as rulers, they could justly and equitably claim.

peo

This good gentleman did alfo no little fervice, while his fon was living, by privately converfing with many of the Indians upon moral, and religious fubjects. As foon, as he had acquired a tolerable acquaintance with their language, his pious difpofition, and great pity for that miferable ple, led him to improve this advantage, in taking all proper occafions to tell them of their deplorable state, and to point them to the way of deliverance: His words were fo wife and weighty, and expreffed with so much concern and seriousness, as, by the bleffing of God, made fuch deep impreffions on many, that they could never lofe. Among the reft, the forementioned famous Powow Tequanonim was a memorable inftance, who was taken off from his unlawful trade, and became a Christian in 1650: He declared, that his converfion was chiefly owing to fome things, which he had heard from this Mr. Mayhew, who took occafion to difcourfe with him about true happiness, and the way to it, which this Indian faid, he could never forget.*

*Such inftances afford much encouragement to Chriftians, whether in public, or private stations in the church, to introduce religious difcourfe in private converfation, as often as it can be done with propriety, and a profpect of being heard with candor; especially to take pains with thofe, who have not the knowledge of God, and are eftranged from him. Tho' preaching the word is the most ufual way, which God takes to bring men to the faith of the

a

Thus this pious gentleman was fellow-helper to the truth with his amiable fon; and did much to promote his fuccefs among these poor heathens.

Upon the decafe of his fon, he foon enters upon his miffionary labors. An holy zeal for the glory of God, and a compaffionate charity to the fouls of this bereaved, and perishing people, animate him in his endeavors to promote their fpiritual good. He refolves to do his utmoft, both to preferve this moft important work, and to carry it on, tho' under many external difficulties, and difcourage

ments.

He determines frequently to vifit, and encourage this poor people. He goes once every week to fome of their plantations. At fo advanced an age, he fets himfelf, with diligence, to perfect himfelf in their difficult language: And tho' the chief English magiftrate on the Island, does not difdain to commence 'a preacher to the Indians.

He ordinarily preached to fome of their affemblies one day every week, as long as he lived: And his heart was fo exceedingly engaged in the service, that he fpared no pains, nor fatigues in it, tho' at fo great an age. He fometimes travelled on foot near 20 miles, through the woods, to preach and vifit, when there was no English house near, to lodgeat in his abfence from home.

Nor does he content himself with the progress which his fon

gofpel; yet fometimes he is pleafed to make use of other methods to promote the fame important end. Sometimes a few pious and pertinent words, dropped in familiar, private converfation, make fuch a favorable, and deep im preffion, as is never effaced.