Eliot John

Eliot, John (1604-1690), called "the Indian Apostle," and "the Indian Evangelist," was born in Hertfordshire, and educated at Jesus College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. in 1622. He taught in a school, and took orders, but owing to difficulties on account of his religious views he went to New England, and was called to a pastorate at Roxbury, which he retained till his death. He took great interest in the welfare and conversion of the Indians, and established what was called the praying colony at Natick. He contended that the civil improvement of the natives must be attended to as well as the religious. He translated the Bible into an Indian tongue, and in 1666 brought out an Indian grammar, besides making many other translations and producing many writings.