For several years the course of things was of the most pleasing nature. The place was frequented by heathen Indians from every quarter and many of them were apparently converted. Schools for the children were blessed. At a place about thirty miles up the river, an awakening commenced, a missionary was stationed there, and for some time it seemed as though all in the neighbourhood would embrace the gospel.

In September 1767, David Zeisberger, a very active missionary, set off on a journey through a prowling wilderness to the river Ohio. Arriving at Goshgoshink, he commenced his labours among the most abandoned natives. Never had he seen pagan abominations practised in so horrid a manner. Never had he beheld sin in so hideous and unblushing a form as at this place. It seemed to be the seat of Satan's court, the very centre of his throne. Yet the inhabitants were pleased with his visit, probably on account of its novelty. A blind chief, called Allemewi, was much af fected, and a woman, said to be one hundred and twenty years old, was carried a considerable distance to hear the good words of the Saviour before she died. Before the departure of the missionary, the Indians, in a public council, invited him to return, which he did the next summer accompanied by two of his Brethren, and several converted Indians. On their arrival they preached every day, besides holding meetings morning and evening. It was an interesting sight to see the multitudes that assembled, with their faces painted black and vermilion, and their heads decorated with feathers and foxes' tails. These at first heard the word with attention, but soon the chiefs, jealous of their authority, instigated the old women to go about complaining that the corn was blasted, the deer had fled from the woods, and chesnuts and bilberries would no longer grow because of the strange doctrine, and because some Indians had changed their manner of life. To appease the wrath of the offended spirits, solemn sacrifices of hogs were offered in atonement. The whole

town was in confusion. Some attempted to kill the missionaries, who finally retired to a little distance and established themselves on the opposite side of the river. They commenced a settlement at a place called Lawunnakhannuk. Thither many who were partially awakened repaired. Among these was the blind chief Allemewi. This chief had protected the missionaries, and now appeared to be a real convert. One day he seemed full of grief, and said, "Brethren, I can bear it no longer; I must open my mind to you. I have neither eaten nor slept for three days and nights. My heart is full within me. I am convinced that I am a lost sinner, and unless my heart shall soon receive comfort I must die, for I cannot live so much longer." He trembled in every limb as he uttered these words. after he was baptized and rejoiced in hope. Two others had been baptized at this place before; and the inhabitants of Goshgoshink, from various causes, began to be better affected towards the missionaries.*

Soon

Lawunnakhannuk in the beginning of 1770 was visited by an effusion of the spirit. Several heathen were converted. Some among the visitors. A strange Indian, who was conveying a barrel of rum to Goshgoshink, called and heard the Gospel. He was convinced of sin, and immediately resolved to alter his course of life. He therefore returned the barrel of rum to the trader at Pittsburg, from whom he had taken it, declaring that he would neither sell nor drink it any more; and if the trader refused to take it back he would pour it into the Ohio. The trader and other white people present were greatly amazed, and assured him this was the first barrel of rum ever returned by an Indian. He took it back without objection.

Hostilities having commenced between the Seneca and Cherokee Indians, the missionaries thought it advisable to retire from the seat of war. The congregation embarked on the Ohio, sailed past Pittsburg to the mouth of Beaver Creek, and up the river to the falls.

* Loskiel's History, Part III. p. 51.

They then travelled by land some distance to Kaskaskunk, and formed a settlement in its vicinity which they called Friedenstadt, or the Town of Peace. The Indians in the neighbourhood were astonished, or rather alarmed, to see a people settling among them differ ing so much in manner from themselves; and to hear a doctrine preached, of which, before, they had no idea. Many bitterly opposed them; especially some teachers, who held to cleansing from sin, by the use of emetics. The missionaries, especially Zeisberger, who was well known among various Indian tribes, were in much danger, but God preserved them and finally gave them favour in the sight of the heathen. Among the first that were baptized was a famous captain of the Delawares, Glikkikan, who when the Brethren were at Lawunnakhannuk, went thither on purpose to dispute with and confound them; but was himself convicted. With him was baptized another chief called Genaskund, who had retired with them from Goshgoshink. They both remained living examples of the power of divine truth.

Meantime the congregation at Friedenshutten were in trouble. The Iroquois Indians had privately sold their lands notwithstanding the previous grant to them; and they were likewise surrounded by European settlers, and by mischievous Indians, both of whom exposed them to many temptations. It was thought best for the congregation to emigrate.

The Brethren at Friedenstadt had received an invitation from the chief and council of a town on the Muskingum to come and reside with them. Zeisberger, having previously explored the county, had commenced a settlement about 70 miles from Lake Erie, with five Indian families, which he called Schoenbrunn. The situation was very promising, having a small lake, good planting grounds, and much game. To this place the congregation at Friedenshutten, consisting of 240 persons, directed their course, and arrived at Friedenstadt, on their way, after a journey of eight

weeks, in which they had suffered incredible hardships in the wilderness. From hence they proceeded to the Muskingum, and built a settlement, which was called Gnadenhutten. They were followed soon after by the congregation at Friedenstadt, various circumstances having rendered a removal necessary. The savages in the neighbourhood had become outrageous. They would frequently come into the settlement in a drunken frolic, and break ever window that was open, so that the inhabitants were obliged to fasten their shutters, and burn candles during the day. In one instance a savage came in running, and exclaiming he would kill the white man. Having proceeded with full speed to the house of the missionary, he burst open the door and rushed in like a wild beast. The missionary's wife, much terrified, snatched up her child and fled. The missionary himself, being sick, rose up in the bed' and looked at the assassin with the utmost composure. Disconcerted by this, he suddenly stopped short, and the Indian converts hastening to the assistance of their teacher, seized and bound him.*

The christian Indians were now all collected on the Muskingum in two settlements. Their prospects were flattering. At first, indeed, they were harassed by an Indian war, and in danger of entire destruction; but peace was soon established. The Delawares, among whom they resided, proved themselves friendly, con firmed the grant of their lands, and at length, in full council, voted that they themselves would receive the gospel. Their address to the missionaries was as follows." Brothers and friends, you told us on your arrival, that intended to build two or three towns, for the believing Indians. Two are erected, and we perceive that they are already filled with inhabitants; we, therefore, having long ago resolved to receive the gospel, have thought it is now time to build the third town, that those of our people who believe may have

you

* Loskiel's History, Part III, p. 28.

a place of refuge. We therefore desire you to begin as soon as possible. We wish particularly to see our children instructed in reading the holy scriptures, that they may never forget them. Our eyes are to you, for we are not able to accomplish it ourselves." A new settlement was therefore commenced in the vicinity of the former, which they called Litchtenau; and at the end of 1778 the converts, in the three settlements, amounted to 414 persons.

CHAPTER X.

NORTH AMERICA CONTINUED.

Mission affected by the American war-Brethren taken prisoners-Congregation removed to the SanduskyInhuman massacre-Missionaries ordered to Detroit -Establishment on the Huron-Various wanderings --Fairfield built-Goshen--Attempts on the Wabash -Other attempts-Fairfield burnt-rebuilt—View of the mission.

WHILE the mission was thus happily prospering, it received a fatal check from the war already commenced between Great Britain and the colonies. The Brethren were determined to maintain a strict neutrality. They were imitated for a time by the Delaware chiefs. Some tribes in the vicinity, resolved on war, were enraged against the missionaries, attributing. it to them that the Delawares would not fight. They therefore tried every method to destroy the mission, and among others attempted to seduce the believing Indians from the truth. In this they were, unhappily, but too successful. A party of apostates was formed even in Schoenbrunn who were ready to murder or imprison the missionaries. Every attempt was made