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Their numbers encreafed greatly in a ftaort time, 

 and this progrefs was, in a great meafure, owing to 

 the zeal of the firft converts who compofed this 

 chofen flock. In the very height of a war, and 

 even with the hazard of their lives they have tra- 

 velled over all the cantons, in order to make profe- 

 lites, and when they have fallen into the hands of 

 their enemies, who were often their neareft relations, 

 reckoned themfelves happy when dying in the midft 

 of the moft frightful torments, as having expofed 

 themfelves to them, folely for the glory of God 

 and the falvation of their brethren. Such were the 

 lentiments even of the murtherers of the minifters 

 of Jefus Chrift, and perhaps this oracle of St. Paul, 

 Ep. Rom. c. 20. TJbi ant em abundavit delirium, fu- 

 -perabundavit Gratia, was never fo literally accom- 

 plifhed as now. It was moft commonly left to 

 their choice, either to renounce Jefus Chrift and re- 

 turn to their canton, or to fuffer the moft cruel 

 death, and there was not an example of one who 

 accepted life upon that condition. Some have even 

 perifhed worn out with miferies in the prifons of 

 New- York, when they could have had their liberty 

 on changing their belief, or engaging not to live 

 among the French, which they imagined they 

 could not do without running the rifque of lofting 

 their faith. 



Thofe converts, who on fuch occafions difplayed 

 fo. much fidelity and greatnefs of foul, muft un- 

 doubtedly have been prepared for it by the pureft 

 virtue ; we cannot in reality call in queftion certain 

 fads, which have been notorious over the wliole co- 

 lony, and which render thofe very credible for which 

 we have only the evidence of the Indians themfelves 

 and their pallors. M. de St. Valier, who is head 

 of this church to this day, wrote as follows in the 



year 



