New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-17
ELIOT,S CONTEMPORARY.
Indians of Martha's Vineyard EdrlD
Had q Missionary.

N-svr-Rs5sora Mass April 16 (SpeciaD.-Conteni-
porary with Eliot In the early missionary laoors
with the Indians Of New-England were the May
hews-Governor Thomas and his son-of Martha's
VINEYARD The Rev. Thomas Mayhem. IT, was the
first minister to the infant settlement at Great
Harbor, now known as Edgartown and went there
with the first settlers in 1872 He was youns
man OF twenty-One years, well educated ana pre-
pairing for the ministry. and was sent thither BY
his father who had purchased the Vineyard and
adjacent islands from Lord Sterling, OF England,
for the purpose of setting up colony there Inc
elder MAYHEM soon followed. and became both
patentee and Governor of Martha's vineyard and
the neighboring islands.
IT, 1I,Dta+,o, soon called his son TO labor with
+benn in the ministry and in the language OF ons
OF his descendants "his English HOOK Delus tnen
small he, with great compassion oehei" ths
wretched natives OF which there were SOo OF more
on those islands. perishing in utter ignorance OF ne
true God and eternal life. and God. VINO mad or
4,t,ad him "a an evangelist for the conversion OF
these Indian Gentiles. stirred him up with noiy
zeal and resolution 20 labor for their lil1ila1On
and deliverance-"
governor MAYHEM. the father, eo-operated with
his son in bringing the natives to knowIedse OF
Christ F,- greatly encouraging the work. and BY
mild and humane treatment the Governor soon
won the respect and esteem OF the natives. ana
they soon came to look upon him as tnelr prlcipa1
ruler and patron He induced the Indian saeherns
to govern their people according to the English
laws So wise and benehcent was his manner or
treatment Of the Indians that in ss than ten years
he had induced several hundred to renounce tneir
heather worship and proclaim their failh N the
true God.
=. -, svar,nfa Of the thorough missionary work
OF the Mayhews father and son. it may be re-
marked that during the long and bloody hing
Philips War. which followed the death OF Aassa-
SOFT the Indians Of MarIhas Vineyard and adjacent
islands remained true and friendly 10 the English.
Though befns urgently importuned by the natives o.
the mainland to take sides with them. and YET n
the early stages Of the settlement or the country
they were the most warlike and savage OF the1n al
An example of this may be cited In me year Io-''
one Henry Derner on his way from England %
Virginia landed on the Vineyard. where he was at
tackled by the Indians. and thirteen OF his ni1een
followers killed He himself was seriously wound
ed and died soon after from his wounds In VIZ
ginia-
Bv the wear 1851 fifteen years after the settlement
~ the island the praying Indians numbered many
hundred men and women. and many people II Ems
land advanced a considerable sum to encourage 1n9
propagation OF the Gospel among the NeW-E-hsiAil1
Indians.
several native helpers in the field. and his father
thoroughly fmbued with the missionary spirit ths
Rev Mr. Mayhem. in 1851. contemplated a snort
visit to England to give more particular account
OF the of the Indians than he could 40 oF
letter. He accordingly took passage IN a SHE, u.
sether with an Indian who vas e Plescl me- - -
passengers were ever heard Of again -
a
MAYHEM jr who was so affectionately beloved a1g
esteemed By the Indians that they could scdrcey
bear his absence Tar as Boston; longing Ior NJ
is recorded. he seldom named without tears
To this DAY the place the waySlCe Where NJ
soemny and affectionately took leave Of thar poor
last year a suitable and enduring memorial Was
erected thereon 10 mark the spot =, -.
In that wear. under date or LeceInDer . lle
IA nous Eliot thus expresses himself:
The Lord has given this amazing oI0W 20 JdA1
away my brother Mayhem His aged father Goes
his endeavOr TO uphold the work among the poor
Indians. whom by letters have encouraged Whai
The venerable father continued his Iabors amOng
,,v his grandson. the Rev. John MAYHEM. born IN
1652 who continued in the ministry TIL loss ne W
Indians IN very orderly way or asSeIl1l,,-ls ~
the Lords Day for public worship and also an
Indian church OF one hundred communlcantS. RS
eldest son. the Rev. Experience Mayhem. tooh AY
the work and continued IN il for siXty-four years
1894 To T75S-when he died. aged etghty-hve years
The celebrated Cotton Mather said OF Aim IN
man that exceeds this Mr.. Mayhem. II there he one
that equals him" He understood the Indian AN
guaZe thoroughly. and translated large portions O..
the Bible INTO II. Though he missed .easnsso
education IN his younger days, yet by dtlgent st1Gy
and labor he made such progress In know h,
later years that TO him was offered the degree Or
Master OF Arts at Cambridge. though he moteSJy
excused himself from the honor However. the COZ
lcge at length Overruled his modesty and ConLt-re9
AZ upOn him NJ the public commencement on July J.
1723. with the appreciation Of all who knew him
The Rev. Zachariah Mayhem the fifth geuer3Jon
Rev Experience Mayhem. and I'm 1851, nine wears
after his fathers death he was ordained. and De
voted thirty-u!ne years 10 the service as minister
and missionary.
Thus II may be seen how ehectuaI and far reach.
ing the work of these men in the early DAYS oI
this country. The fruits OF their labor are even TOW
manifest. for the remnant Of the aborisines tnat
still cling to the island God fearing people
and among the best citizens.