Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. III
As I did begin from my first coming to Albany, so I go on to catechise the youth, and it hath pleased God to bless my weak endeavours that way, for a great many Dutch children, who at my first arrival were altogether ignorant of the English tongue,
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can distinctly say our catecliism, and make tlie responses at prayers. Every Sunday, after the second lesson at evening prayer, I explain some part of the catechism in as plain and familiar a manner as I can, shunning all controversies, teaching them such fundamental doctrines as are necessary and tend most to promote piety and a good life. I have taught the scliolars the prayers appointed for charity schools, and I have used all possible methods to engage the children to their duty, botli by the giving of small presents to the most forward and diligent, and by frequently visiting their schools; and for encouraging the school masters I give them what charity is collected in our church, obliging them to bring their scholars to public prayers. •
At Schenectady I preach once a month, where there is a garrison of forty soldiers, besides about sixteen English and about one hundred Dutch families ; they are all of them my constant hearers. I have tliis summer got an English school erected amongst them, and in a short time, I hope, their children will be fit for catechising. Schenectady is a village situated upon a pleasant river, twenty English miles above Albany, and the first castle of the Indians is twenty four miles above Schenectady. In this village there has been no Dutch minister these five years and there rs no probability of any being settled among them. There is a convenient and well built cliurch which they freely gave me the use of.