with several Governors and other
_English_, but he really never before heard that _Mohomny_ had a Son.

I relate this, to shew how by Degrees, after proper Methods, they may be
humoured, and brought to have some Notions of the true Religion, when
their Capacity and Temper is rightly studied and managed; for we must
_give Milk to_ such _Babes_ in Faith.

Some indeed, after seeming Conversion have apostatized and returned to
their own Ways, chiefly because they can live with less Labour, and more
Pleasure and Plenty, as _Indians_, than they can with us; but this might
easily be remedied by making a plentiful Provision for them, especially
those at the _College_, by sending some to Sea, and putting out others
to Trades, and not letting them idle away their Time, nor return to
their Towns so soon, before they be perfect in the Understanding and
Approbation of our Customs and Religion, and have seen some more of the
World, and be handsomly provided for; for then if they returned, they
might do Good to themselves and others.

This might by Degrees convert all the tributary and neighbouring
_Indians_; and the _Northern_ and _Southern Nations_ might be managed by
_Missionaries_ from the Society, and the _College Indians_.

These inland People are vastly numerous, as I have been told by the
Traders, who are sent out amongst them seven or eight hundred Miles,
with about a hundred Horses, and stay there sometimes for Years
together.

The Missionaries that are now sent, generally keep among the _English_,
and rarely see an _Indian_; or when they do, know but little how to
manage them; for you may as well talk Reason, Philosophy, or Divinity to
a _Block_, as to _them_, unless you perfectly understand their Temper,
and know how to humour them.

I believe indeed, Mr. _Andrews_, Missionary to the _Northern Indians_,
in the _late Queen_'s Time, did great Good among them in seven Years: In
which Time, he found out something of their Nature, and translated Part
of our Prayers and Psalms into their Language: Which Book when he gave
me, he told me that it had not the desired Effect, neither did his
Preaching avail as much as could be wished, because Policy and Interest
intervening often superseded the Promotion of the Gospel, and the
debauched Lives and vile Practices of our ordinary People give Examples
very pernicious to Religion; for the _Indians_ think, that _they_ may
surely be allowed the same Liberty as _we_; and if our Folks