the mission-house for his comfort, and our convenience in attending him. Before night he became delirious. Some of the others are unwell. They are generally taken with a severe headach and vomiting. 21. Last night the sick boy was in extreme pain, and a continued state of derangement. About 4 o'clock we sent for his grandmother, 20 miles distant, who is his only surviving near relative in this part of the country, except a sister four or five years of age. But we sent too late to give her an opportunity of seeing him alive. A little after sunrise he died. This dear child was almost the only hope of an aged grandmother, whose earthly friends have fled to the world of spirits, and left her gray hairs to go down with sorrow to the grave. This is the first instance of mortality among the scholars, since the commencement of this school. The old lady, above mentioned, arrived about sunset, inexpressibly borne down with grief. Arrival of Local Missionaries. 24. Brother and sister Ellsworth, and sister Harriet Ellsworth, arrived in good health, after a long, though prosperous journey of eight weeks and four days. We rejoice in the goodness of God to them and us, and especially to the children and people of our charge, in continuing to furnish them with the means of literary and religious in struction. Sickness of Mr. Hoyt. 29. Last night father Hoyt was seized with a pulmonary complaint, and was in extreme pain through the night. 30. Father Hoyt continues in great distress, and considering his former weakness, we consider his situation very precarious. Death of a white man. Dec. 1. Brother Butrick went to Mr. Coodey's to visit a white man, sick with a consumption. As the sick man said he thought he should die this night, and the family wished brother Butrick to spend the night there, he concluded to stay. This man, though repeatedly warned of his danger, and entreated to prepare for death, told sister Coodey, but two or three days ago, that he had not thought much of dying; and would not even now, when sensible of the near approach of death, say he was sorry for all his sins. About 9 o'clock he expired. Providential escape. 3. Last night, as Mr. Chamberlain was at the well, a large dog that has been here some time, and appeared strangely for a few days past, came by him, so near as almost or quite to touch his clothes, went into the hall, and discovered evident marks of madness. Mr. Chamberlain, through the kind Providence of God, escaped. After a short time, the dog howled, and ran. Peculiar gratitude is due to God for this deliverance. 4. The mad dog was this morning killed. We know not what, if any creatures, have been bitten by him. Temporary absence of Mr. Vail. Brother Vail left us for New-Jersey. We should regret his undertaking so long a journey at this season of the year, especially as his labours are so much needed here, were it not that parental duty so evidently requires his absence for a time. 8. Mr. Little from Philadelphia called, on his way to Huntsville. Father Hoyt is still confined to his bed, but is, we we trust, recovering. This morning Mr. Little left us to pursue his journey. He seems truly interested in missions. His stay has been short: but his company and conversation have been refreshing to our hearts. On his departure, he expressed his good wishes, and his desires to promote the Redeemer's kingdom among the heathen, by a donation of twenty dollars. 11. Through the kind Providence of God, father Hoyt is so far recovered, as to sleep last night without a watcher. We trust, that, through the Divine blessing on the means used, he will soon be enabled to discharge the important duties of his station. Visit of Samuel J. Mills and others. 15. Brother Samuel J. Mills and David Brainerd's father, whose English name we learn is Fields, arrived. The latter brought two girls, one of which has not before attended school. Brother Potter also arrived from CreekPath. He brings favourable tidings concerning the church and people there. Since he was here before, he has baptized one of his beloved charge. 16. We had the privilege of coming again to the Lord's table. Here the master and the servant are alike; the rich and the poor meet together, and the Lord is the helper of them all. We lament the continued debility of our dear father Hoyt, and some of the sisters, which keeps them from the house of God. Arrival of Mr. Parker. He 19. Brother Parker arrived. came by water to Nashville, and from thence to Winchester in a hired wagon. At Winchester he left his family and came here on foot, about 60 miles, for a wagon to convey his family to this place. Although he has found some trouble since he landed at Nashville, yet generally he has been prospered; and we have great cause to rejoice in the goodness of God, in bringing him in safety to the scene of his future labours; and we trust he will be able to do much toward building the house of God in this benighted land. 24. Brother Parker left us to go to his family, having been detained here by rain and high water, a number of days. This evening through the kindness and mercy of God, our dear father Hoyt was able to be present at our meeting, for business, after an absence of four weeks. MISSION AMONG THE CHERO- In compliance with the directions contained in the Circular from the Department of war, dated Sept. 3, 1819, the undersigned, missionaries under the patronage and direction of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, have the honour to make the following statement. The establishment, which they have had the pleasure of commencing for the benefit of that division of the Cherokee Indians, which has migrated west of the Mississippi, and settled upon the Arkansaw river, is located about four miles north of the river; two hundred miles above the Arkansaw Post; and about one hundred miles below the present military post at Fort Smith. It is not much short of five hundred miles up the Arkansaw; following the course of the river. The site selected is on the west side of a creek called Illinois, which is lined, on each bank, with good bottom land. The creek empties into the Arkansaw from the north, and is navigable for keel-boats, as far as our establishment, about one half the year. The name DWIGHT has been given to this station in affectionate remembrance of the late Timothy Dwight, D. D. President of Yale College, who was a warm and devoted friend to missions, a distinguished and active member of the Board, and the first who died from that body after its incorporation. We all arrived in this country in the month of July, 1820. Sickness, however, with which we were all affected, prevented our entering immediately on the work in view, and has greatly retarded our operations since their commencement. The site selected was a wilderness. The first tree was felled on the 25th of August. Since that time, we have cleared, and enclosed with a substantial fence, about 20 acres, most of which is improved the present season. We have also erected four cabins of hewed logs for dwellinghouses; two of which are 20 feet square, with piazzas on two sides, and two are 18 feet by 22, with piazzas on each side. A school-house, 24 feet by 36, is nearly completed, constructed on the Lancasterian plan, and designed to accommodate 100 children. A considerable part of the work is done for a dining-hall and kitchen in one building, 24 feet by 68, with piazzas on both sides, and a cellar under it, 24 by 40 feet. Aside from what has been mentioned, we have built a corn-crib and stable, and have cleared and fenced a garden, yards, &c. The property at present belonging to the establishment, consists principally of stock and farming utensils: Three horses, two yoke of oxen, ten cows and calves, between 30 and 40 head of swine, two wagons, one cart, ploughs, &c. We have not yet made sufficient progress to enable us to open a school for the instruction of heathen children; but hope to do so in about two months. The number which will be admitted to enjoy the privileges of instruction cannot at present be named, as no limits will be set to the extent of benevolent action, except what is involved in the want of means. The plan upon which the school will be conducted is similar to that of the schools at Brainerd and Elllot, with which the Executive is in some measure acquainted, and which has already received its approbation. The plan requires, that all the children taken into the school be received also into our family, that they may be constantly under our care and direction. By taking them before their habits are formed, placing them in a Christian family, and teaching them, not only the common branches of human learning, but the various kinds of labour on the farm, and in the work-shop,-and thereby inuring them to babits of industry, temperance, and sobriety,-there will be a foundation laid for their future usefulness; and reason to hope, so far as the influence of such an education extends, that the condition of our aborigines will be essentially improved. This plan of education, embracing a practical knowledge of agriculture, and such of the arts as are suited to the condition of the Indians, on the part of the boys; and spinning, weaving, sewing, and the various kinds of labour in a well-regulated family, on the part of the girls; is that which we design to introduce into the school, about to be commenced. We fully accord with the views of government, so far as they are known to us, as to the high importance of teaching Indian children to labour; and not only how to do this to good advantage, but also to feel sensible of the necessity and utility of it in their own case; and to prepare their minds gradually to be pleased with industrious habits and active life. But for the accomplishment of the object contemplated, time, per; severance, exertion, and no small expense, will be requisite. In order to make the establishment permanent and highly beneficial, additional buildings must be erected, mechanics brought on the ground, a large plantation cleared and put into a productive form, and great additions made to the stock and farming utensils. Among the buildings are a saw-mill and grist-mill, which are important not only for the natives, but for diminishing the expenses of the school. The actual performance of all this will require greater means than we can at present expect, unless the benevolent aid and fostering hand of government be extended to us. To this we look with humble confidence for at least a part of our resources for carrying on the great and highly important work of civilizing a part at least of our long neglected aborigines. To this work we have devoted ourselves for life, desiring and expecting no other earthly reward than what is experienced in benevolent exertion, and having a full conviction of its entire practicability. EXTRACT OF A LETETR FROM MR. FINNEY TO THE TREASURER. Dwight, Ark. Ter. Nov. 23, 1821. DEAR SIR,-Respecting the mission with which we are connected, nothing of interest can at present be communicated. We occupy a field, however, which, although hitherto a barren wild, and hard of cultivation, is not to be neglected. The Lord can, and will in his own time, have, even here, a harvest of souls to the praise and glory of his grace. We may see no fruit even to the end of our course; but the assurance that our labour in the Lord shall not be in vain, and that we may be the humble instruments of preparing the way of the Lord in this part of the wilderness, encourages us to labour patiently and perseveringly, and to occupy till he come. Our missionary trials are spoken of as peculiarly severe; but pain, sickness, and exposure to premature death, are some of the lightest trials of a missionary life, and are nothing compared with what some have experienced who have gone before us, or when viewed in connexion with the heavenly nature of the object we seek. It has often been a question in my own mind, whether missionaries ought to communicate any thing of the kind to the Christian public, lest they appear desirous of selfexaltation. But when we consider the fact, that the missionary enterprise is becoming in some measure popular, and that the number of those who offer themselves as candidates for the sacred service is increasing, there is perceived to be danger, that some will enter the lists without counting the cost, or with minds unprepared for the rugged course on which they enter. It seems proper, therefore, to present, in some measure at least, the dark side of the missionary life, which may operate as a barrier against a hasty, inconsiderate, unhallowed entering upon a work, which requires stability, decision, faith, patience, perseverance, and a holy enduring zeal. Foreign Intelligence. LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. In our March number, we gave some interesting statements of the progress of the Gospel in several of the Islands of the Southern Ocean. The following accounts from Huaheine and Raiatea have since been received in the London Missionary Chronicle. SOUTH SEA ISLANDS. HUAHEINE. Mr. Ellis and Mr. Barff are the only Missionaries now remaining at this island, the inhabitants of which are about 2000 in number, and the greater part of whom now reside near the Missionaries. "We are happy," say they, in a letter dated June 17, 1821, "to inform you that our work continues to prosper in our hands, and we trust good is doing among the people around us. The little church of Christ in Huaheine continues to flourish, and we hope will be preserved by the great Head of the church, faithful to the end. Encouraged by our elder brethren, and assisted by an intelligent native, we have commenced the translation of Isaiah, part of which has already been revised by our brother Nott. The Gospel of John has been finished at Taheite, and we are reprinting a second edition of it here. The liberal grant of paper from the British and Foreign Bible Society has proved a very acceptable supply. The services of the Sabbath and week days are well attended, the number of hearers on the Lord's Day being generally from 1000 to 1400. It is pleasing to see them regular in attendance on the appointed means, but we have still reason to fear, that with many, the inviting sound of the Gospel penetrates only the outward ear. Many of our people having expressed themselves desirous of baptism, we have, during the past year, baptized 72 adults and 38 children. We have also upwards of 400 candidates for baptism, with whom we meet once a week, to inquire into the sincerity of their profession, and to instruct them in the nature and design of that ordinance. Besides the above-mentioned meetings, and the regular service on Wednesday evenings, we have another for conversation on Monday evening; at which we answer any questions that may be proposed, and explain to them any texts or passages of scripture, the meaning of which they may not have heard, or may not understand. This meeting is remarkably interesting and beneficial. It encourages a spirit of inquiry among the people, and affords us an excellent opportunity to insist on particular duties, much more pointedly than we can do in our general dis courses. On With very great pleasure we have also to mention the formation of a church of Christ in another of these islands, an event we had the satisfaction to witness in May last, when, after many prayers, and the most ample instruction had been given, as to its nature, design, ordinances, and entire distinctness from every human institution, 15 of the most pious and consistent of those who had been baptized were formed into a Christian church. Lord's Day, May 7th, we sat down together to commemorate the Saviour's dying love. It was a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and a season of holy joy to our souls. On Lord's Day, Oct. 1st, six more, who had been some months candidates for communion, were added to church fellowship. We feel great pleasure in adding, that their conduct hitherto has adorned their profession. Our schools have been well attended, and the advancement in spelling, reading, writing and arithmetic, encoura ging. The British system of education has been introduced, as far as circumstances and the habits of the scholars will admit. The average number of scholars is 450, divided into classes, according to their attainments, and placed under native teachers. Our Sunday School also continues to prosper; it contains at present 230 boys, 120 girls, and 12 teachers. The attendance of the children is regular, and their behaviour at school and during public worship is very commendable. Catechising is the kind of instruction attended to on the Sabbath day; but instruction is not the only advantage arising from our Sunday School; it has a powerful tendency to impress the minds of the rising generation with a reverence for the Lord's Day, prevents in a measure their contracting the indolent habit of sleeping away the time between the services, and habituates them to bear confinement and fixedness of attention during the time of public worship. In Dec. 1819, the walls and roof of our large place of worship were finished. The people were very anxious to get it done before the meetings of the Society in May, and by the latter end of April they completed the floor, pulpit, desk table-pew and seats, in a manner highly creditable to their industry and ingenuity. It was opened on May 3d, when Brother Ellis preached from Chron. vi. 8. "Will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth.” About 1500 were present; a disease, raging like a plague at the time, confined many to their habitations. The second week in May was a period to which many looked forward with pleasing anticipation. On Tuesday evening, May 6, we commenced our Anniversary Meetings; a sermon was then preached, and two on the Wednesday. On Thursday the 11th inst. at an early hour the chapel was again crowded. Brother Ellis introduced the business of the day by stating the objects of the Society, and the peculiar claims of those who still continued in the same state of wretchedness and superstition as they themselves were, when the Missionary Society first sent the word of God to their islands. The Secretary It was formerly the general custom of the islanders to sleep during the heat of the day, from which it is probable they will only be weaned very gradually, as industry increases in the islands. Ed. |