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A Proposal for the Better Supplying of Churches in Our Foreign Plantations, and for Converting the Savage Americans to Christianity, By a College to Be Erected in the Summer Islands, Otherwise Called the Isles of Bermuda

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A Proposal for the Better Supplying of Churches in Our Foreign Plantations, and for Converting the Savage Americans to Christianity, By a College to Be Erected in the Summer Islands, Otherwise Called the Isles of Bermuda

by George Berkeley

EN·~41 minutes

Chapters

Description

This 1725 pamphlet opens with a stark assessment of the spiritual state of England’s overseas colonies, lamenting the scarcity of learned clergy and the persistent moral decay among settlers and native peoples alike. The author draws on biblical imagery to underscore the urgency of the problem, arguing that the “great harvest” of souls cannot be reaped without a dedicated workforce of competent ministers.

Central to the proposal is the creation of a college on the Bermuda islands, intended to train both local clergy for vacant churches and missionaries capable of engaging with Indigenous communities and enslaved Africans. By linking proper education with moral reform, the writer contends that a well‑grounded ministry could both uplift colonial society and foster a more sincere Christianity among those considered “savages.”

The document blends practical concerns—such as the shortage of qualified priests—with a broader vision of a more disciplined, compassionate empire. Its persuasive appeal lies in the conviction that a modest investment in education could transform the religious landscape of the New World, offering listeners a glimpse into early eighteenth‑century debates over faith, empire, and social responsibility.

Details

Language

en

Duration

~41 minutes (39K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Credits

Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)

Release date

2010-03-31

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

George Berkeley

George Berkeley

1685–1753

Best known for the bold claim that the material world exists only as it is perceived, this Anglo-Irish philosopher turned everyday experience into one of philosophy’s biggest puzzles. He was also an Anglican bishop whose clear, provocative writing kept his ideas alive far beyond his own century.

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