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THBMissionary David Brainerd's Letter to Ebenezer Pemberton of November 1744 Describing his Work Among the Indians, Rare 1744 Im
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LiveSep 8, 2017 - Sep 9, 2017
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- Lot Description
Pemberton, Ebenezer (1705-1777). A Sermon Preach'd In New-ark, June 12. 1744. At the Ordination OF Mr. David Brainerd, A Missionary among the Indians Upon the Borders of the Provinces of New-York, New-Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Boston: Rogers and Fowle for J. Pemberton, 1744. Approx. 5.25 x 7.5 in., iv, 39 pp. Pemberton's sermon is followed by a lengthy appendix. The appendix features David Brainerd's letter of November 5, 1744, to Pemberton in which he describes his missionary work as well as notes of Azariah Horton's work among the Indians of Long Island.
A very rare pamphlet relating to American Indians in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Ebenezer Pemberton was a prominent Boston-born minister. He served as minister of New York's First Presbyterian Church from 1726 through 1753, during which time he also served as a member of the New Jersey Board of the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge. This society, an Anglican missionary organization, was founded to establish schools and promote the faith in "uncivilized" parts of the Scottish Highlands and among the American Indians in the Colonies. The organization hired missionaries in the Colonies including David Brainerd who was approved for missionary work in November 1742. Shortly thereafter, Brainerd began his work proselytizing to American Indians in Pennsylvania, New York, and especially in New Jersey where his ministry proved most fruitful. Following his ordination in 1744 at which Pemberton delivered this sermon, Brainerd continued to work and live among the American Indians. In 1746 failing health forced him to give up his ministry, and on October 9, 1747, at the age of 29 Brainerd succumbed to tuberculosis. With the publication of his journal and biographies detailing his life, Brainerd became a popular and influential figure among leading Christians and missionaries. Perhaps because of its connection to the short and inspirational life of Brainerd, this sermon became one of Pemberton's most famous.
The 4pp preface of the book begins "To the Right Honourable The Marquis of Lothian, President, And the rest of the Members of the incorporated Society in Scotland For propagating Christian Knowledge." Ebenezer Pemberton opens the book by addressing the members of the organization to which he belonged and which sponsored David Brainerd's missionary activities. "Authorised by your Commission, we have attempted to send the Gospel to the infidel Indian Natives, that border upon the Provinces of New-York, New-Jersey, and Pennsylvania: And by Supplies received from your Honourable Society, have been enabled to support that charitable Undertaking. / The Ordination of one of your Missionaries to this great work, has given us an Opportunity to present the following Sermon and Narratives to your candid Acceptance." After commending the members for their part in enlarging the "Kingdom of the Great Redeemer," Pemberton reflects upon the challenges of missionary work. "Many are the Difficulties, Self-denials, and Discouragements, which your Missionaries must pass thro', in their Endeavours to propagate the Gospel among those who renounce the Society of human nature, and have been ensured from their Infancy to the most barbarous Practices. It is with Pleasure we behold them animated with so noble a Zeal for the Glory of God..."
The 21pp sermon focuses on three parts - the "melancholy fate of the heathen world... the compassionate care" which the Lord offers through his servants who are sent to minister...and the "duty of the Ministers of the Gospel" to compel the heathens to come in and accept God's gracious invitation - before Rev. Pemberton turns to address David Brainerd directly. "And suffer me, Dear Sir, in the first place to address myself to you, who are this day coming under a publick consecration to the service of Christ.... The work of the ministry, in every place, has its difficulties and dangers, and requires much wisdom, fortitude, patience, and self-denial, to discharge it in a right manner...But greater degrees of prudence, humility and meekness, mortification to the present world, holy courage, and zeal for the honour of God our Saviour, are necessary where they are call'd to minister the Gospel unto those, who through a long succession of ages have dwelt in the darkness of heathenism..."
The sermon is followed by Pemberton's account of the work of Mr. Azariah Horton who had been hired by the Society for missionary work prior to the hiring of Brainerd. This brief section is then followed by Brainerd's letter to Pemberton, written approximately five months after his ordination, in which he describes his work among the American Indians. Brainerd's letter describes his efforts to convert Indians, his establishment of a school, as well as the many hardships he experienced as a missionary living far from the conveniences of the world he had known. Overall, this pamphlet paints vivid pictures of staunch Christian efforts to convert American Indians and the prevailing white notions of superiority over the native inhabitants.
Condition
Upper right corners of interior pages dampstained with some foxing, not affecting legibility of text.
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