d Provision.

As for Churches there are but very few; and I knew of but one Minister
in the whole Government, and he (for what Reasons I know not) had no
great Faculty of influencing the People, and is lately removed thence;
so that much Religion cannot be expected among a Collection of such
People as fly thither from other Places for Safety and Livelihood, left
to their own Liberty without Restraint or Instruction.

Many there have I (with Sorrow) seen ten or fifteen Years old, who have
never had the Opportunity of Baptism, which they joyfully receive.

_Col. Frederick Jones_, one of the _Council_, and in a good Post, and of
a good Estate in _North Carolina_, before his Death applied to me,
desiring me to communicate the deplorable State of their Church to the
_late Bishop of London_; assuring me that if the Society for propagating
the Gospel in Foreign Parts would contribute and direct them, the
Government there would join in establishing by Law such Maintenance as
might be sufficient for some Clergymen to settle among them.

I acted according to his Request, but never heard of the Event of this
Application.

For Want of Clergy the Justices of the Peace _marry_, and other Laymen
perform the _Office of Burial_.

The common _nominal Christians_ live there not much better than
_Heathens_; the pious Endeavours of the Society having been frequently
disappointed either by their not having full Knowledge of the Country
and People (and so pursue not the most proper Methods) or else because
they have had the Misfortune sometimes to pitch upon Persons, that have
not answered the End of their Calling and Mission.

By these Means the State of the Church in _North Carolina_ is very
miserable; which is of greatest Moment, and requires the most charitable
Direction and Christian Assistance; not only for the Conversion of the
_Indians_ and _Baptism of Negroes_ there, but for the Christening and
Recovery to the Practical Profession of the Gospel great Numbers of
_English_, that have but the _bare Name_ of God and Christ; and that too
frequently in nothing but vain Swearing, Cursing, and Imprecations.

May all these vast Countries grow in Grace, and encrease in spiritual
Blessings, and temporal Prosperity.

May all the _Ends of the World_ see and pursue rightly the _Salvation of
God_, and know and believe that there is _none other Name given under
Heaven, by and thro' whom they may be saved, but only the Name of Jesus
Christ_