Lucius R. Paige, History of Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1630-1877, with a genealogical register

‘ [385] bounds of Dorchester.’¹ His authority extended over those who dwelt at Nonantum, which was then included in Cambridge. With these Indian neighbors the English maintained peace. In one respect their relations were peculiarly interesting. When Rev. John Eliot commenced the public labors of his mission, ‘the first place he began to preach at was Nonantum, near Watertown Mill, upon the south side of Charles River, about four or five miles from his own house, where lived at that time Waban, one of their principal men, and some Indians with him.’² Eliot had previously devoted much time to the task of acquiring a competent knowledge of the Indian language, and had imparted religious instruction to individuals, as he had opportunity. At length he commenced his public ministry to the heathen, as thus related by himself: ‘Upon October 28, 1646, four of us (having sought God) went unto the Indians inhabiting within our bounds, with a desire to make known the things of their peace to them. A little before we came to their Wigwams, five or six of the chief of them met us with English salutations, bidding us much welcome; who leading us into the principal wigwam of Waaubon, we found many more Indians, men, women, children, gathered together from all quarters round about, according to appointment, to meet with us, and learn of us. Waaubon, the chief minister of justice among them, exhorting and inviting them before thereunto, being one who gives more grounded hopes of serious respect to the things of God than any that as yet I have known of that forlorn generation,’ etc.³ My prescribed limits will not admit a particular account of this primitive Christian mission to the Indians. Briefly, they were visited in a similar manner, November 11 and 26, and December 9, in the same year. At these several meetings, by prayers, and sermons, and familiar questions and answers, an earnest effort was made to impart to them a knowledge of the Gospel. A particular description of the means used, and of the encouraging results, is given by Eliot in a tract entitled, ‘The Day-breaking if not the Sun-rising of the Gospel with the Indians in New England.’ printed at London, 1647, and reprinted in the Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society, XXIV. 1-23. In this missionary work, Mr. Eliot was assisted by Rev. Thomas Shepard of Cambridge