47 S HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



and great men, admit no man for so many years to any great benefice, but 

 such as shall oblige themselves to preach three years gratis in America ; 

 with part of the living let him maintain a curate, and the other part let 

 him apply to his own use. By this means we shall hav.j the greatest 

 and best men ; and in all human probability, such men must in a short 

 time, have made a wonderful progress in the conversion of these coun- 

 tries especially when it is perceived the good of souls is the only motive 

 to this undertaking. ' a 



About the same time he informs the Society that : — 



" The want of a Bishop, and exorbitant power of the several Gover- 

 nors of the Plantations are great hindrances to the propagation of the 

 Gospel." 



The following extract is taken from his next communication to the 

 Secretary : — 



" I have used some endeavors to persuade the Dutch in my neighborhood; into 

 a good opinion of the Church of England ; and have had that success, that they 

 would, I believe, join, a great part of them, in the sacraments and worship, had 

 they Dutch common prayer-books, and a minister that understood their language. 

 I have taken some pains with one of their ministers, one Mr. Henricus Beyse, 

 and have prevailed on him to accept of Episcopal ordination. I think him a man 

 of the best learning we have in this part of the world, and I believe he may be 

 ranked among the men of letters in the other, but I must acquaint you that he 



has had some falling out with his parishoncrs For my part 1 do believe he 



is most falsely accused, I have observed his life, and have found nothing in it 

 irregular or unbecoming his character. The Dutch of best figure have a value for 

 him, and allow him to be the greatest master of the Dutch tongue they have 

 among them; and those in my neighborhood esteem him very much. If the 

 Society think fit to employ him, I shall add to what they give, £15 per annum, 

 for three years ; and I believe he will do great service, and I doubt not you will 

 find him worth your acquaintance and favor. If the Society would send about 

 fifty Dutch common prayer books, I believe they would sell ; and the money 

 might be returned or paid to their missionaries, as they thought proper. This 

 would be doin g a great good, at a cheap rate. This, sir, is what offers at present 

 from Sir, Your affectionate, humble servant, 



LEWIS MORRIS. & 



Colonel Morris was at this time one of the most influential freeholders 

 in the parish of Westchester, and a liberal benefactor to its church. 

 The small bell that formerly hung in the turret of the old parish church 

 of St. Peters at Westchester was the gift of his bounty in 1706, and bore 

 this inscription : — 



"LEWIS MORRIS, 1G77." 



,1 New York, MSB. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. IOC. (Hawks.) 



b New York MSS. lroui archives at Fulham, vol. i, pp. 159, 1G0. (Hawks.) 



