1807 JOHN ALLYN. On Call to Society for Propagating the Gospel among the Indians of North America.

A superb 4pp early American manuscript regarding the call of Rev. John Allyn [1767-1833], John Elliot, etc., and to engage a missionary tour to the Native America communities in Maine. The names of Whitman, Burr, etc., sprinkled throughout are worthy of further exploration. 

John Allyn entered Harvard University in 1781, and graduated in 1785, at the early age of eighteen. On leaving College, he was determined to devote himself to the work of the ministry, and so studied Theology under the direction of the able and learned, but highly eccentric, Dr. Samuel West, of Dartmouth.

In September of 1788, having been licensed to preach, he received an invitation from the Church and Society in Duxbury to become their Pastor, which he accepted.

After some time of faithful pastoral ministry at Duxbury, he was approached about the possibility of being employed on a missionary in Maine [1807] by the Society for Propagating the Gospel among the Indians and others in North America, which he fulfilled.

An influential minister, Dr. Allyn was sent [1820], by the town of Duxbury, as a delegate to the Convention for revising the Constitution of Massachusetts. He took great interest in the proceedings of that Body; and, though he made no speeches, great deference is said to have been paid to his judgment on the various questions that came up for consideration.

The entire manuscript is in the hand of John Allyn, including the copy of the letter by John Elliot. 

The manuscript, in full, is as follows: 

"Copy of a Letter sent to Dr. Elliot Feb. 28th immediately on receiving your letter by Mr. Whitman.

Sir,

I received this morning a letter from brother Burr Sandwich in which it is proposed that he & I should offer our Services to the society for propagating the Gospel, to go on a mission into the province of Maine the 1st of next Sept. I considered the proposal as proceeding from ennuis & if he had children he would not perhaps have thot of it. His wish however is dictated by benevolence. 

I would ask you the following questions 1 Is it proper for one to offer his services in such a case? 2 Might he or I expect to receive enough to hire preaching in our parishes & come home as well as we set off?

I confess for my part that I should like to rig up in a tight coat - with a bible in my pocket - take passage to Penobscot & spend 3 months in travelling a circuit of not more than 50 miles - more especially if there was a reasonable prospect of doing good either in the way of instruction & comfort - But I doubt very much my qualifications for this business - I must throw away my notes - preach in every sermon a whole system of theology in an unscholastic manner - eat victuals with dirty folks & sometimes go without - now & then encounter demagognic [sic} adversaries & many other such difficulties - instead of a good cup of coffee in the morning - a glass of wine after riding all day in the rain - a warm fire &c. &c. &c. I have hardly faith to think I should stand it above six months - You will amuse me by an answer to this letter which I wish you to consider in some measure as serious."

Yours &c. &c. &c. &c. 
JAllyn

[Followed By]

Boston March 12 1807. I was in Boston & before I had seen Jn Elliot I received the following note - 

Dear Sir

I was at Corporation meeting this afternoon & saw Judge Davis to whom I had communicated the contents of your letter, he being of the select Committee of the Soc. de Prop. Fide. He told me there were present Doct. Echly - More - & himself & that he recommended you & Burr for missionaries. More observed that he was well acquainte with Mr. Burr but not with Mr. A. 

They agreed to recommend you to the Society. Now the first question is Will you go - next, when - next, where - There are six districts, which will you chuse.

In Jn Bernards Sermon, this will instruct you in the nature of the duty. Judge Davis et Ego think it would be the most respectable mission we had been favoured with. 

Your friend & Brother
JEliot

[Followed By]

Dunboro March 23 [1807],

Dear Sir

You see how the matter stands. I have copied the letter, that you might see how far we are entered in the business. 

The Society meet in May next - I will not say what my present ideas are but only that I shall act as circumstances & emergencies may dictate - resigning up myself wholly to Providence which never leads wrong - The enterprise if we engagein it is serious - tho no tmore so than our daily professional duties - And your proposition ifit do no other good may do this to make me think how litle I have exerted myself to win souls to truth & religion.

I expect in the course of the week to send this letter by Mr. Graaval Alden & may therein add something more on the paper which covers there. 

With much Esteem & Friendship, Yours
JAllyn