John Eliot: Evangelization Through Civilization

Evangelization through Civilization

As Puritans began to build their “City on a Hill,” they accepted it was their duty as Christians to evangelize the Indians thought to be the lost tribes of Israel similar to the biblical conversion of Jews prophesied in Revelation. However, in order to evangelize the Native Americans John Eliot believed the Indians had to become more “civilized” so as to be Christians and believe in God. He believed this civilization of Indians came in many different forms; one of which included changing one’s physical appearance.

Traditionally, Indians took great pride and put great import on their long hair. However, as the New English missionaries, including Eliot, began to convert Indians one of the first civilized

transitions Indians had to make was cutting their hair in modest manner reflective of the English style. Eliot argues that in doing so, the Indians were becoming more Christian. For instance, Eliot states, “…for since the Word has begun to work upon their hearts, they have discerned the vanity and pride which they placed in their hair…” By denouncing a sacred tradition of long hair, Indians were better able to mold themselves into the ideal Puritan “Christian.” The civilization ideal of short hair among Indians had major implications on the creation of their laws as well. For example, one law required all men with long lock to pay a fine. Similar to changing their hairstyles, Indians also had to denounce other traditions in order to civilize themselves for Christianity.

2 Presumably denounce traditions like witchcraft, powwows, etc. (through repentance they will see the wrong their ways of doing these things)

As John Eliot’s evangelical missions gained success, the next step for Indians to take was to make the move to a praying town rather than continue their nomadic or clan village lives. Eliot states, “We have cause to be very thankful to God who has moved the hearts of the General Court to purchase so much land for them to make their town in which the Indians are much taken with.” By living in an English modeled praying town, Eliot argues that Indian converts were better suited and equipped to worship as Christians and govern themselves in a more civilized, English-like, manner. For example, in the praying towns Indians were able to go to church, attend town bible studies, and surround themselves with other recent converts, something they were limited to or had no access to in Indian villages. In establishing the praying towns, Indians were also exposed to a town government and an institution of laws in which to govern themselves.
With the establishment of a praying town, Eliot also believed that a town government with a legal system in place was a key component necessary for Christianizing Indians.

In Eliot’s text, he lists some of the laws the Indians created for their town. Interestingly, the laws are representative of the English colonists’ laws and also of biblical laws. For example, one law Eliot recorded states, “If any unmarried man shall lie with a young woman unmarried, he shall pay 20s.” As read, the Indians created a law based on the bible commandant of adultery. Another reason Eliot pushed for a town government and legal system was because law established order and discipline among the Indians. This order and discipline was a crucial element of being a Christian in the Puritans eyes, because without order and discipline one could not be a true disciple of God. A final element of Indian civilization Eliot believed to be essential to Christianity was

education.
Once Indians had settled into a praying town and conformed to their new laws, Puritan missionaries were eager to begin educating the Indian children and setting up a school.

In reference to this Eliot states, “…the Indians offered all their children to us to be educated among us and instructed by us...” Eliot advocated for Indian children’s education particularly for the purpose of teaching them about sin, faith, and piety at a young age, values that defined Puritans’ faith. Eliot’s ideal of civilization through education was likely influenced from legislation passed by the Massachusetts General Court in 1642, which required parents to teach their children and servants literacy skills in order to be able to read the

bible.