The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

Extract of a Letter from Cherry-Valley, 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'd Mr. Crosby, now Missionary at Onaghoquage; present the Rev'd Mess'rs Samuel Dunlop, of Cherry-Valley, Samuel Kirkland, Missionary at Oneida, Alexander Miller, of Schenectady, and Samuel Johnston of New Lebanon.-----Mr. Aaron Crosby appeared with Testimonial of his being licensed 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 16, 15. Go ye into all the World, and preach the Gospel to every Creature. The Revd. 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 Onaghoquage 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 sung 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.