George Berkeley
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
"A Proposal for the Better Supplying of Churches in Our Foreign Plantations, and..." by an unidentified author is a religious proposal written in the early 18th century. This publication advocates for establishing a college in Bermuda with the aim of supplying the English colonies and their missions with well-educated clergy and missionaries. The book addresses the urgent need for religious instruction to improve moral conditions among settlers and to convert Indigenous peoples to Christianity. The main content of the proposal focuses on the perceived lack of proper clergy in the English colonies, resulting in moral decay and insufficient outreach to the native populations. The author suggests that creating a seminary on the islands would not only train local youth for the ministry but also facilitate the education of Indigenous children, making them more effective at spreading the gospel among their communities. The proposal highlights various considerations regarding the location and structure of such an institution, arguing that Bermuda's unique position and resources make it the ideal site. Ultimately, the aim is to foster a greater religious presence and moral improvement within the colonies through a sustainable educational initiative.