Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. III

I heartily wish it was in my power to give the honoured Society an account of my success in this Mission answerable to their piaus care & expense, I have indeed baptized within the last half year One White & One Negro Adult fifteen White & tlu-ee Negro Infants but have gained no new Commimicants -- PreachiDg once in three weeks at a place I find by experience will do a little more tlian keep up the present languid sense of rehgion and was it not for the steady tho' slow increase of the Congregation at Newtown I should be almost discouraged.

Flushing in the last generation the ground seat of Quakerism is in this the seat of Infidelity ; a transition how natural.

Bred up in an entire neglect of all religious principles in hatred to the Clergy & in contempt of the Sacraments how hard is their conversion, especially as they disavow even the necessity of any redemption.

At Jamaica open infidelity has not made so great a progress, a general remissness in attending divine Service however prevails, tho' I know not from what particular cause.

I beg leave to assure the Society that my best endeavours shall not be wanting to answer their truly pious intention the advancement -of pure religion & virtue -- Especially in striving earnestly to correct tlie present erroneous sentiments concerning religion that prevail in the Paiish. I am k^ &c

Samuel Seabury.

YoL. in. 21

322 PAPSmS RELATING TO CHURCHES IN QUEENS COITKTT.