Chap. 5.

Southern Colonies.

031

to Virginia was commerce. In the year 1607 James Town was settled; the company of planters brought out with them a clergyman of the name of Hunt: this was the first minister on these shores; from the character of the company by whom he was brought out it may be presumed that he was an episcopalian," he appears to have been a man of an excellent spirit, and singularly worthy character. He had great influence in healing the divisions, and promoting the peace and welfare of the company." Mr. Hunt suffered great losses and afflictions during his ministry in this colony, but how long he remained is uncertain, for three years after we hear of a Mr. Bucke arriving at James Town and officiating as colonial chaplain, he also is spoken of in the most respectful terms. A succession of chaplains may be traced for some years, but the history of Virginia is very barren of spiritual affairs. The conversion of Pocahontas an Indian princess is one of the chief events of these times, and the principal that can come within our design. She had by timely interference, when very young, saved the life of captain Smith one of the company who had been taken captive and was preparing for execution by the cruel order of Powhatan the chief king. This lady continued to manifest great kindness to the English, and by many offices which she undertook at her own hazard, saved them from the stratagems of the Indians and supplied them with many important and necessary articles. This decided attachment to the English on the part of Pocahontas proeured for her in return the high regards of the colony. "Mr. Rolfe, who was afterwards made secretary of the colony a worthy gentleman, fell deeply in love" with this amiable and excellent Indian lady, and in 1613, having obtained the consent of king Powhatan her father,

032

Pocahontas, or Lady Rebekah.

Cent. 17.

were joined in marriage, to the great satisfaction and peace of the colony. "Great attention was given by

Mr. Rolfe and the Rev. Mr. Whitaker to the instrue. tion of Pocahontas in the English language and Christian religion. Eager was her pursuit of knowledge, and her proficiency was equal to her engagedness. She soon renounced her paganism and embraced Christianity. She was baptized by the name of Rebekah, and was afterwards known by the appellation of the LADY REBEKAH. She was the first convert from among the aborigines of North America to the Christian protestant faith. About three years after her marriage, Mr. Rolfe made a visit with her to England. She was introduced to the queen, and treated with great respect by lord and lady Delaware, and other persons of quality. The company in London gave order for the maintenance of both herself and child. But on this visit, she closed the scene of life with a calm, joyful hope in the divine mercy. She left a son Thomas Rolfe, who had an honourable education in England. He came over to Vir. ginia, where he lived and died, in affluence and honour. His descendants are among some of the most respecta ble families in Virginia.

In the year 1643, the pious people of Virginia stated by letters to the Boston church, that the churches in Virginia were in a deplorable condition for want of teachers and pastors, they begged the churches of Massachusetts to send them help. According to their prayer, three clergymen were dispatched with recommendation from the general court to the authorities of Virginia ; but though these New England ministers were well and thankfully received by the people, yet the magistrates and council would not suffer them publicly to officiate, giving their orders "that all such as did not conform to

Chap. 5.

West Indies.

538

the discipline of the church of England should depart that country by such a day"

New York was first settled by the Dutch, in 1614, but soon after, the English took possession of the colony, and incorporated it under the government of Virginia. These Southern colonies being established chiefly under the auspices of episcopalians, they discovered a bias much more towards popery than towards the doctrine and discipline of the puritans; and though the church of England sought an establishment, to the exclusion of non-conformity, yet trade and commerce were the chief object of these adventurers, and therefore spiritual matters were but a secondary concern.

WEST INDIES. At so early a period little can be said of Christians or of churches in these islands. CoJumbus was the first and chief discoverer of this group, and he being of the Roman faith, the pope had the first hold of them, much of this dominion still remains. If the Bermuda isles may be allowed to class with the West Indies, there is one circumstance in relation to these just within the province of our history. In 1609 Admiral Sir John Somers was wrecked on one of these islands on his expedition to Virginia. great part of the cargo were saved. here several months during which time. "They had morning and evening prayers daily; divine service was performed and two sermons were preached every Lord's day by their chaplain, Mr. Bucke. One marriage was celebrated, and two children were born and baptized.” In a year or two after this, a plantation was commeneed.

The crew and They continued

The northern settlements of the American continent afford, this century, no detail of importance. Wherever the British government has established settlemonts and

584

Review.

Cent. 17

plantations, the church of England has laid her hand upon them, and what is as true, as it is remarkable, in most cases were the English episcopacy has prevailed, there has been an asylum for papists.

CHAPTER VI.

REVIEW OF THE CENTURY.

THE Commencement of this period is marked with the hypocrisy, intolerance, and tyranny of James the First of England, and Sixth of Scotland. A leading feature of the times is to be seen in a strong tendency to the superstitions of popery; the principal barrier raised against this sad inclination, and the only one which proved effectual was the zeal, the perseverance, and the Christianity of the persecuted puritans and non-conformists. That form of doctrine embraced by the reformers, and avowed in the articles of the church of England after a lapse of a few years. lost ground in that very communion which had laid it as its base. Indeed it eannot be imagined that such doctrines can be cordially embraced and zealously preached, by men who go into an establishment for a living. Exactly the same was the case in all the protestant and reformed churches. Pure and undefiled religion is a divine spiritual thing, and can be supported and extended only by its native influence. True godliness cannot be shut in, nor shut out, as priests and legislators may decree. There is a much nearer relation between good men of all persuasions, than human establishments and ecclesiastical canons can possibly grant. Hence we have seen Lutherans,

Chap. 6.

Review.

526

Calvinists, presbyterians, episcopalians, conformists and non-conformists, agreeing to carry forward the designs of Christ and his apostles, while multitudes in these several denominations, subscribing the same faith, have pursued objects as opposite as the two poles.

The usurpation of the parliamentarians arrested the English hierarchy, escorted by king Charles and Dr. Laud, in its career of return to Rome, and for a while suspended the journey: but no sooner was this restraint taken off, than Charles the Second and his brother James renewed the undertaking, and had most certainly succeeded in conducting the church clean thither, but for the revolution under the renowned William.

A stronger contrast cannot be drawn, than that which appears in the moral state of things during the several periods of Cromwell and Charles the Second. Before the close of the civil wars, fanaticism rose to an enormous height; and during its triumphs, doubtless contributed, in some measure to prepare the way for that flood of shameless prodigality and seepticism,which prevailed in the subsequent period. During Cromwell's government, public amusements were discountenanced, while religious exercises were incorporated with all the common engagements of life. Oliver himself was frequently chaplain in his army, and he is said to have been engaged in social devotion, while the executioners were putting the king to death. The soldiers could pray and preach, and multitudes of the people carried their casuistry to such a length, that almost every thing furnished a case of conscience, and produced matter for the most solemn debate. Some of this might connect with true religion; but it was impossible that true reJigion should ultimately flourish under such a load of hypocrisy and spiritual pride, which those excesses were calculated to produce.