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<ref>The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, 2008</ref>   

<ref>The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, 2008</ref>   

====Mission of John Eliot====

====Mission work with John Eliot====

John Eliot (1605 - 1690), born in Widford, Hertfordshire, [[England]] in 1604, was the younger son of Bennett Eliot, a wealthy landowner. At the age of only  fifteen he entered Jesus College at Cambridge University, where he soon was recognized as a brilliant linguist and classical scholar.

John Eliot (1605 - 1690), born in Widford, Hertfordshire, [[England]] in 1604, was the younger son of Bennett Eliot, a wealthy landowner. At the age of only  fifteen he entered Jesus College at Cambridge University, where he soon was recognized as a brilliant linguist and classical scholar.

However, Eliot found hardness of heart in his first attempt mid-1646, that being was to the Indian community under Sachem Cutshamekin at Neponset (in Dorchester), as the older Sachem rejected the gospel and his braves openly ridiculed and mocked the clergyman.

However, Eliot found hardness of heart in his first attempt mid-1646, that being was to the Indian community under Sachem Cutshamekin at Neponset (in Dorchester), as the older Sachem rejected the gospel and his braves openly ridiculed and mocked the clergyman.

    

    

Eliot found more hope among a small band of Indians under a native leader  of somewhat lesser stature named Waban, whom he described as "one who gives more grounded hope of serious respect for the things of God, than any as yet I have known of that forlorn generation. Waban was son-in-law of the Sachem of Concord, whose community lived on the southwest slope of Nonantum Hill (presently on Brighton-Newton line.)  

Eliot found more hope among a small band of Indians under a native leader  of somewhat lesser stature named Waban, "a wise and grave Indian"  whom Eliot described as "one who gives more grounded hope of serious respect for the things of God, than any as yet I have known of that forlorn generation. Waban was son-in-law of the Sachem of Concord, whose community lived on the southwest slope of Nonantum Hill (presently on Brighton-Newton line.)  

Accompanied by two of three other clergymen, Eliot delivered about a one hour sermon in the Algonquian language in October, 1646, followed later by a three hour lectureship, resulting in Waban immediately turning to the Lord [[Jesus Christ]] and his people also soon became Christians. The official sanction of the work by the government also meant that the need for more land was made to Eliot, who interceded for them (leading liberal historians to impugn their motives).

Accompanied by two of three other clergymen, Eliot delivered about a one hour sermon in the Algonquian language in October, 1646, followed later by extended exchanges with them, in which Eliot his fellow clergy gave further instruction and answered  questions put forth to them by the Indians, such as:

 

 

As a result of this ongoing evangelism many were convicted in heart of their sins and need of salvation in Christ, some to the point of weeping, and  Waban turned to the Lord [[Jesus Christ]] and progressively many others of his people. The Indians offered all their children for Christian education, and some even  reproved Englishmen:  "An Indian seeing a profane Englishman fall a tree on the Sabbath said to him, 'Do you not know that this is the Lord's day in the Massachusetts, much matchet man, (i. e. much wicked man,) what, break you God's day?'"  They also exhorted other Indians  to turn to to the faith, and endured persecution, with at least one suffering martyrdom by being poisoned.  

 

The official sanction of the work by the government also meant that the need for more land was made to Eliot, who interceded for them (leading liberal historians to impugn their motives)

On November 4 of the next month,  the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony voted "for the good of the Indians" to give the desired land, with Eliot being part of the commission which was to handle the matter. Asked by the Indians what to call their Christian village, Eliot recommended that it be called Nonantum, which in English signifies  rejoicing, because “they hearing the word, and seeking to know God, the English did rejoice at it."

On November 4 of the next month,  the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony voted "for the good of the Indians" to give the desired land, with Eliot being part of the commission which was to handle the matter. Asked by the Indians what to call their Christian village, Eliot recommended that it be called Nonantum, which in English signifies  rejoicing, because “they hearing the word, and seeking to know God, the English did rejoice at it."

The Indians, thus settled, were instructed in husbandry, and were excited to a prudent as well as industrious management of their affairs. Some of them were taught such trades as were most necessary for them, so that they completely built a house for public worship, 50 feet in length and 25 feet in breadth.

The Indians, thus settled, were instructed in husbandry, and were excited to a prudent as well as industrious management of their affairs. Some of them were taught such trades as were most necessary for them, so that they completely built a house for public worship, 50 feet in length and 25 feet in breadth.

However, in less than five years after its foundation, Eliot was obliged to migrate the entire population of this  North American Christian Indian community to a 3,000-acre site some fifteen miles to the southwest, in the present town of Natick.<ref>[http://www.braintreehistorical.org/NewsLetters/March2007.pdf The Lantern] Braintree Historical Society, VOL March 2007 XXV No.3</ref><ref>http://hassanamesit.org/images/documents/History%20Report%20-%20Final%2012012006.pdf</ref>.<ref>http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trm036.html</ref><ref>http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trm004.html</ref><ref>http://www.tyndalesploughboy.org/eliot-bible/</ref>  

However, in less than five years after its foundation, Eliot was obliged to migrate the entire population of this  North American Christian Indian community to a 3,000-acre site some fifteen miles to the southwest, in the present town of Natick.<ref>[http://www.braintreehistorical.org/NewsLetters/March2007.pdf The Lantern] Braintree Historical Society, VOL March 2007 XXV No.3</ref><ref>http://hassanamesit.org/images/documents/History%20Report%20-%20Final%2012012006.pdf</ref>.<ref>http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trm036.html</ref><ref>http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trm004.html</ref><ref>http://www.tyndalesploughboy.org/eliot-bible/</ref><ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=FZ8DAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA18&dq=rev+john+elliot&output=text Memoirs of the life and character of Rev. John Eliot], pp. 24-43</ref>  

Twenty years after the arrival of Eliot, the Massachusetts General Court established Natick (meaning  “Place of Searching”) as the  praying Indian village/town in 1651, helping them to  be able to to worship in peace. This is considered by some to be the first '''formally''' "Christian town" in America, and consisted at first of 51 inhabitants in seven villages, with seven more being later established.  The beloved (by the Indians at least) Eliot became known as the “Apostle to the Indians.”  

Twenty years after the arrival of Eliot, the Massachusetts General Court established Natick (meaning  “Place of Searching”) as the  praying Indian village/town in 1651, helping them to  be able to to worship in peace. This is considered by some to be the first '''formally''' "Christian town" in America, and consisted at first of 51 inhabitants in seven villages, with seven more being later established.  The beloved (by the Indians at least) Eliot became known as the “Apostle to the Indians.”