a written contract, which I knew he would stand to, I returned it
back upon him, and told him I granted all that he had said to be
just, and on his part very kind; that I would discourse with the
men upon the point now, when I came to them; and I knew no reason
why they should scruple to let him marry them all, which I knew
well enough would be granted to be as authentic and valid in
England as if they were married by one of our own clergymen.
I then pressed him to tell me what was the second complaint which
he had to make, acknowledging that I was very much his debtor for
the first, and thanking him heartily for it. He told me he would
use the same freedom and plainness in the second, and hoped I would
take it as well; and this was, that notwithstanding these English
subjects of mine, as he called them, had lived with these women
almost seven years, had taught them to speak English, and even to
read it, and that they were, as he perceived, women of tolerable
understanding, and capable of instruction, yet they had not, to
this hour, taught them anything of the Christian religion – no, not
so much as to know there was a God, or a worship, or in what manner
God was to be served, or that their own idolatry, and worshipping
they knew not whom, was false and absurd. This he said was an
unaccountable neglect, and what God would certainly call them to
account for, and perhaps at last take the work out of their hands.
He spoke this very affectionately and warmly.
“I am persuaded,” says he, “had those men lived in the savage
country whence their wives came, the savages would have taken more
pains to have brought them to be idolaters, and to worship the
devil, than any of these men, so far as I can see, have taken with
them to teach the knowledge of the true God. Now, sir,” said he,
“though I do not acknowledge your religion, or you mine, yet we
would be glad to see the devil’s servants and the subjects of his
kingdom taught to know religion; and that they might, at least,
hear of God and a Redeemer, and the resurrection, and of a future
state – things which we all believe; that they might, at least, be
so much nearer coming into the bosom of the true Church than they
are now in the public profession of idolatry and devil-worship.”
I could hold no longer: I took him in my arms and embraced him
eagerly. “How far,” said I to him, “have I been from understanding
the most essential part of a Christian, viz. to love the interest
of the Christian Church, and the good of other men’s souls! I
scarce have known what belongs to the being a Christian.” – “Oh,
sir! do not say so,” replied he; “this thing is not your fault.” –
“No,” said I; “but why did I never lay it to heart as well as you?”
– “It is not too late yet,” said he; “be not too forward to condemn
yourself.” – “But what can be done now?” said I: “you see I am
going away.” – “Will you give me leave to talk with these poor men
about it?” – “Yes, with all my heart,” said I: “and oblige them to
give heed to what you say too.” – “As to that,” said he, “we must
leave them to the mercy of Christ; but it is your business to
assist them, encourage them, and instruct them; and if you give me
leave, and God His blessing, I do not doubt but the poor ignorant
souls shall be brought home to the great circle of Christianity, if
not into the particular faith we all embrace, and that even while
you stay here.” Upon this I said, “I shall not only give you
leave, but give you a thousand thanks for it.”
I now pressed him for the third article in which we were to blame.
“Why, really,” says he, “it is of the same nature. It is about