Thomas Bray.

Thomas Bray was an Anglican clergyman dedicated to missionary and philanthropic endeavors in England and its colonies, especially the education and conversion of American blacks. Trained in theology at Oxford, he served as an Anglican curate, chaplain, and vicar, but his real interests were in organizing missionary and philanthropic enterprises. He was a key figure in the founding of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts (S.P.G.), the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (S.P.C.K.), and the Associates of Dr. Bray.

Early Years of the Associates.

After a brief visit to America in 1699, Bray successfully petitioned the Crown for a charter for the S.P.G., which was established in 1701. Its purpose was to send missionaries to the colonies to minister to all people, but its outreach to the Native Americans and blacks...