HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MEDFORD, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, FROM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT, IN 1630, TO THE PRESENT TIME, 1855.
Charles Brooks, Ed.

[85] Indians to the knowledge of the gospel, which that it may be speedier and better effected, the earnest desire of our whole company is, that you have diligent and watchful eye over our own people; that they live unblameable and without reproof, and demean themselves justly and courteous towards the Indians, thereby to draw them to affect our persons, and consequently our religion; as also to endeavor to get some of their children to train up to reading, and consequently to religion, while they are young: herein, to young or old, to omit no good opportunity that may tend to bring them out of that woful state and condition they now are in; in which case our predecessors in this our land sometimes were, and but for the mercy and goodness of our good God might have continued to this day; but God, who, out of the boundless ocean of his mercy, hath showed pity and compassion to our land, he is all-sufficient and can bring this to pass which we now desire in that country likewise. Only let us not be wanting on our parts, now we are called to this work of the Lord; neither, having put our hands to the plough, let us look back, but go on cheerfully, and depend upon God for a blessing upon our labors, who, by weak instruments, is able (if he see it good) to bring glorious things to pass.

Be of good courage, go on, and do worthily, and the Lord prosper your endeavor.

It is fully resolved, by God's assistance, to send over two ministers, at the least, with the ships now intended to be sent thither; but, for Mr. Peters, he is now in Holland, from whence his return hither I hold to be uncertain. Those we send shall all be by the approbation of Mr. White, of Dorchester, and Mr. Davenport. For whatsoever else you have given advice, care shall be taken, God willing, to perform the needful, as near as we can, and the times will permit; whereof, also, you may expect more ample advertisement in their general letter, when God shall send our ships thither. The course you have taken in giving our countrymen their content of planting tobacco there for the present (their necessity considered) is not disallowed; but we trust in God other means will be found to employ their time more comfortable, and profitable also in the end; and we cannot but generally approve and commend their good resolution to desist from the planting thereof, when as they shall descern how to employ their labors otherwise, which we hope they will be speedily induced unto, by such precepts and examples as we shall give them. And now, minding to conclude this, I may not omit to put you in mind, however you seem to fear no enemies there, yet that you have a watchful eye for your own safety, and the safety of all those of our nation with you, and not to be too confident of the fidelity of the savages. It is an old proverb, yet as true, the burnt child dreads the fire. Our countrymen have suffered by their too much confidence in Virginia. Let us by their harms learn to beware; and as we are commanded to be innocent as doves, so withal we are enjoined to be wise as serpents.