Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. IV
Dr Burton has not lately wrote me any thing material So that I know not what has been done, respecting my offer of land, or any other matter, perhaps the paquet now daily Expected may bring us something, on these heads. Whatever zeal we want is made up by the abundance of it amongst the Dissenters, who (tho many of them have.as little Religion as any of their neighbours) Support their Cause with all their strength, from maxims of policy, an Example which we should follow, If no other argument has sufficient force. :
The prospect which is at present wniedsa in this {creasing Country is so great that, I hope when Men in power are more disengaged from Domestic Concerns, they may turn their Eyes to America, and without any attempts on the Consciences of other Men, endeavor to Strengthen the National Church. But this point cannot be long neglected otherwise it will never answer. I desired our friend Mt Inglis to mentiona Circumstance concerning Religion here that I think you ought to know. The- Lutheran Minister at Stoneraby has lately in a voluntary Manner without any previous Arguments to Induce him thereto desired. to take orders in the Chureh of England, and what is much more
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Strange, It is the desire of his Congregation that he should do so. The great difficulty is That, they will be with out a Minister during his absence, and that it will be attended with an Expence which from their great Occonomy, they do not chuse to Incurr, Especially as they have some Charitable Establishments amongst _ themselves, that are Chargeable.--If therefore any thing could be fallen upon, or that the Society would take it into Consideration, and that at the same time it Could be Carried through without making much noise, It would add the Majority of Inhabitants of a very fine Settlement to the Church, and as they are Foreigners must strengthen their allegiance to Gov't.