| Citation |
BEP(F.773.030
19 Jul 1773:32 (1973)
Extract of a letter from Cherry-Valley, [?New York] to the
Board of commissioners here for propagating the Gospel among
the Heathen Nations, dated July 2, 1773, giving an account
of the ordination of Mr. Crosby, their missionary at
Onaghoquage.
Honorable and reverend gentlemen,
I am desired to transmit to you some account of the
ordination of the Rev. Mr. Crosby, now missionary at
Onoghoquage; present the Rev. Messi'rs Samuel Dunlop, of
Cherry-Valley, Samuel Kirkland, missionary at Oneida,
Alexander Miller, of Schenacdade, and Samuel Johnston, of
New-Lebanon.----Mr. Aaron Crosby appeared with a testimonial
of his being licenced to preach the Gospel by an association
held at Brookfield in New-England; and after examination had
of the candidate, the ministers proceeded to his ordination
by prayer and laying on of hands, &c.--The Sermon was
preached by Mr. Miller, from Mark xvi, 15. " Go ye into all
the world and preach the Gospel to every creature." The
Rev. Mr. Dunlop presided in the ordination, taking the
candidate's obligation, and making the ordination prayer
with the imposition of hands; Mr. Kirkland gave the charge,
first in English and then in Indian, that the Indians might
be made acquainted with the great importance and solemnity
of the charge; and Mr. Johnston gave the right hand of
fellowship. Near thirty Indians, as representatives of the
church at Onoughoquage were present; and about as many more
from Oneida attended on the occasion, who behaved with great
decency and regularity, performing the Psalmody both at the
beginning and close of the work, in three parts with great
exactness, to the satisfaction and entertainment of the
whole auditory; they also sang an anthem in Indian, composed
by the Rev. Mr. Kirkland, for that occasion. In the evening
the Rev. Mr. Kirkland convened the Indians again, gave them
a lecture in the Indian tongue, and prayed both in English
and Indian for the benefit of the promiscuous multitude; at
which time the Indians performed the psalmody and sang an
anthem, with great solemnity.-----Next morning the chiefs of
the Indians returned their most sincere and hearty thanks to
their fathers the honorable board, for their care in sending
them a man with whom they were so well pleased, and who has
now been set apart to the work of the Gospel ministry,
particularly for their spiritual good; and also to the
ministers who officiated in the ordination, observing that
they never before conceived or had even the most distant
thought of the weight and importance of a gospel ministry.
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