Hartford: From the Press of Beach and Jones, 1795. Item #1092

8vo.  205 x 120 mm., [8 x 4 ½ inches].  [vi], [7]-328 viii pp.  Contemporary mottled calf, red leather label on spine; head of spine a bit chipped, some minor staining to the spine, boards slightly bowed. Stamped “Ex Libris Wilson H. Kimnach” on front pastedown.  Very good copy of an original American binding. 

First edition, a second edition appeared in 1818.  David M’Clure (1748-1820), was a scholarship student at the Moor Indian School and was a protégé of the Rev. Eleazer Wheelock the famous minister and educator of the poor and indigenous peoples of New Hampshire. According to a short biography on the Dartmouth College website, M’Clure trained in the ministry under Wheelock, finally receiving his degree from Yale in 1769 and beginning his mission with the Delaware Tribes of Pennsylvania.  He was the pastor of the church in Northampton N.H. for a short time and spent over 30 years as pastor the church in East Windsor, CT.  He was a Trustee of Dartmouth College from 1777 until 1800.

His Sermons on the Moral Law, contains twenty four sermons that he wrote during the first years of his ministry and contain scriptural and doctrinal lessons, mostly based on the Ten Commandments.  It is apparent that many of these were written for the Native Americans he was charged to convert and contain simple lessons and examples laced with scriptural references.  Each of his sermons is written in clear language and is organized with specific points that clarify the meaning of scripture.  In most case he proved five numbered points that amplify his meaning and are easy to remember.  M’Clure’s published sermons are an excellent example of the pedagogical method of Wheelock, that was fashioned for the Indian Tribes of the North East.

Final leaves contain a list of 200 subscribers from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and an addition 50 subscribers from Saba, West Indies.  The names of women subscribers include, Mrs. Phebe Bower of Winsor CT., Mrs. Rebecca Burr of Hartford, Miss Esther Gillet of Hebron, CT., and Mrs. Eunice Skinner and Mrs. Sarah Skinner both of East Hartford.  From Saba West Indies, the subscriber’s list includes the names of Mrs. Ann Simmons, Miss Ruth Davis, and Miss Eliner Peterson. 

The connection between the publication of this book and the residence of Saba Island in the West Indies is a mystery.  At the end of the 18^th century Saba was mostly controlled by the Dutch and it became a haven for West Indian pirates, sugar growers, and enslaved peoples from Africa.  M’Clure’s sermons many have been used to Christianize the enslaved population that was growing at the end of the 18^th century as the a the Triangle Trade of sugar for rum increased in New England.  This would be an interesting direction for further research on the relationship of M’Clure’s book and the subscribers listed on the final leaf.

Evans, Charles. American Bibliography, 28999. Dartmouth  College, The Occum Circle/David McClure; https://collections.dartmouth.edu/occom/html/ctx/personography/pers0368.ocp.html JT DSC (1092)

Price: $900.00