Isaac McCoy - Apostle of the Western Trail
By George Ella The story of Isaac and Christiana McCoy and their missionary associates to the American Indians has long been eclipsed in Christian literature by other such notable worthies as John Eliot and David Brainerd, yet the scope of what Isaac McCoy’s missionary endeavors entailed and in the end what was achieved far exceeded that of his early predecessors in Indian missions and the comparative obscurity therefore is undeserved. Clearly no one accomplished so much good not only in his own day but for succeeding generations of American Indians as did Isaac McCoy. Born in 1784 near Union Town in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, McCoy moved with his family to Kentucky in 1790. After again moving to Clark County, Indiana, McCoy with his wife entered upon their great calling as missionaries to the Indians in 1818, setting up a mission station at Raccoon Creek where they worked among the Weas, Kickapoos, Potawa-tomis and Delawares. In 1820 McCoy established the Fort Wayne mission, and in 1823 he came to the realization that in order to preserve the Indian tribes from certain extinction they must be removed to the West and resettled within an "Indian Canaan." McCoy later wrote that, "from that time until the present [1840] I have considered the promotion of this design as the most important business of my life." In this engaging new biography noted author George Ella relates in fine narrative style the amazing fortitude on the part of the McCoys and their co-laborers, facing as they did opposition and discouragement on every hand - even from within their own denomination. In the course of their missionary lives the McCoys lost 11 of their 14 children, and thus in their devotion to Christ they experienced in a large measure "the fellowship of His sufferings." When Isaac McCoy lay dying in 1846, his last words, spoken to his beloved wife Christiana, were, "Tell the brethren, never to let the Indian mission decline." Unfolded before the reader is one of the great chapters in the history of Christian missionary endeavor, and a story of great courage and perseverance in the cause of Christ by those who truly loved the American Indians. Baptist historian Henry C. Vedder wrote concerning Isaac McCoy that, "His was a heroic life and death, and he deserves a place high among the apostles and martyrs."
Over 650 pages, fully indexed, illustrated, dust jacket. $42.00 plus shipping
Visit our Order Form
