skilled in brick making, we conclude to proceed in this business, with a view to build the walls of our large houses of brick, instead of wood. It is very difficult to obtain timber here, and we have no doubt that brick will be much cheaper.

Tuesday, Nov. 26.-The millwright is very sick. Two or three other hired men are also unable to labour.

Thursday, Nov. 28.-Brother Vaill returned from Fort Smith this evening. Had a pleasant passage of three days down the river, but a tedious jaunt of ten days in returning. Sold two Bills on the Treasurer at New-York, of one thousand dollars each. Also sent an order to Cincinnati for our next year's supplies, with a request to have a boat purchased, and hand employed to bring it up the river, and then assist us at this Station. By calculation it is found that we can obtain supplies cheaper by this means than by paying freight, as we have heretofore done.

Saturday, Nov. 30.-Brother Pixley returned on foot from Mr. Choteau's. The Indians have thronged around us for several weeks past, yet have left none of their children. Notwithstanding their tardiness to come forward, our hearts were never more blessed with a spirit of faith and patience. Mr. Choteau's establishment on this river will probably give permanency to their residence in this part of the country; and, on the whole, things appear to be more favourable for a permanent, and we hope for a successful, Missionary Station in this place. Brother Chapman has lately received a letter from David Brown, a Cherokee, at Cornwall School, which breathes forth the most ardent desires for the conversion of the Osages. By the Arkansaw Gazette it appears that the girl who was carried off by a white man is recovered, and is now in the care of Eli I. Lewis, Esq. at the

Post.

SENECA MISSION.

this Mission. One from Montgomery, Orange County, N. Y. and two from the Congregations of Raritan and Millstone, N.J. These have proved a most acceptable present, especially the valuable amount of bedding, contained in the box from Orange Co. which was greatly needed at this station. May He who has declared, that "those who devise liberal things, by liberal things shall be made fat,” enrich our dear Christian brethren and

sisters, for this instance of love to his cause. "May our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and our Father, give them everlasting consolation and good hope through grace; comfort their hearts, and establish them in every good word and work."

Monday, Feb. 2.-The Concert for Prayer was this day thinly attended, in consequence of a funeral in the afternoon. After the exercises were finished, we embraced an opportunity to consult the views of the Chiefs, in regard to the new arrangement of the Board, to embody as many of the children of the Tuscarora Tribe at this Station, as may be induced the plan, and we presume they will not. to come. They offered no objection to

Desertion from the School.

Feb. 3.-We regret to find that two of our promising boys have left us, who are in part claimed by the opposite party, in consequence of a slight correction received for bad conduct. The effect on the rest of the children has been most salutary. Before correcting them, we endeavoured to convince them that it was a very necessary, but to us a painful duty.

Feb. 7.-A Chief called on us to-day, to solicit marriage for two of his relatives, one a brother, the other a sister. At the hour appointed for the marriage, a large concourse of people again assembled to witness the novel ceremony. We waited till a late hour for the brother to

make his appearance, but waited in vain. At length a messenger arrived from the brother of the Chief, stating that he greatly regretted the necessity under which he

Clothing received.

Jan. 28, 1823.-We have lately received three boxes of clothing for the use of

of the conduct of his wife's brother, an influential Pagan, who is enraged with her for her intention. They both, however, wished the minister to know, that

to gratify their wishes, notwithstanding his opposition.

Arrival of the Rev. Mr. Crane and the

aged Sacharissa.

Feb. 14.-Brother Crane arrived last evening with Sacharissa, the aged Chief, desiring a Council with the Seneca Chiefs to-day. They convened according to appointment. The subject proposed by our Brother for their consideration was, whether they would consent that the Tusca rora children should be embodied at this Station, and should receive the same advantages with theirs. This consent appeared to be necessary to satisfy the minds of some of the Tuscarora Chiefs, who were fearful that otherwise there was danger lest the peace and friendship of the two tribes might be disturbed. Brother Crane addressed them at some length on the important benefits that would result to their children, could they all be educated on the plan which had been already submitted to the consideration of the Board, the outline of which he stated to them; but he did not expect that the Chiefs would pass any decision upon that plan now, except so far as related to the reception of the Tuscarora children. The result of their deliberations upon the subject was, that it appeared to be a matter which was likely to affect the interests of the nation so deeply, that they could not, in justice, pass an opinion upon any part of the plan until it was canvassed at the next June Council, when it would be taken up, and decision made in a regular manner. They concluded by expressing their thanks to the ministers present for taking so lively an interest in their welfare; and they hoped sincerely that we might effect much good among the several tribes for whose benefit we were appointed.

Family Visitation.

March 1.-During the month past, the resident minister at this Station has been able, amidst the pressing concerns of the establishment, to visit some of the more serious natives at their own houses, with a view of forming a church at no distant period, consisting of the Mission family

has had an opportunity of catechising for some time. The immediate object of these visits was to ascertain their views in regard to such an event. These visits have afforded a good opportunity of instructing them in some of the leading principles of family government, in which they are commonly very deficient.

Feb. 20.-Miss Ascenath Bishop arrived in safety from Homer, as an assistant female teacher. By her we received a box of clothing from that place.

Visit from the Chiefs.

March 2.-Two of the principal Chiefs called to-day, to procure assistance in some communications to their Agent. They appeared much chagrined when informed that the petition of the friends of civilization and Christianity in this and the adjoining counties, praying for such

an alteration of one of the statutes of this state, as that Ministers of the Gospel and Missionaries be permitted to reside on Indian lands, was negatived in the House of Assembly of this state. Surely God will overrule this for good.

Return of the Boys to the School.

March 8.-To-day the two boys, who left the school, returned. One came and plead to be received, saying that he "had done wrong, and is very sorry." The other was forcibly taken away by a dissipated mother, against his inclination, and has now been returned through the interference of one of the Chiefs. Their tattered and filthy garments were immediately exchanged for their former comfortable suits. The smile of health and contentment is now lighted up in their countenances, which before were pale with hunger, and sullen through despair.

Present State of the School.

March 10.-Another interesting little girl was brought to us to-day by one of the Chiefs, who said that she was very desirous to come and live in our family. Her age is ten years. We have given her the name of Catalina Vroom, after a particular friend. Our school is, we think, becoming more and more interesting. The whole number is seventeen. The

facility with which the girls advance in the knowledge of household business, and the boys in all the branches of study which occupy their attention, must be truly a ground of encouragement to the patrons of Indian Missions. There is one class of six or seven who already read fluently in the New Testament; some spell well in words of four or five syllables; and we

have few beginners. They also make progress in the English language as fast as could reasonably be expected, considering their easy access to their own homes. O! that the Lord would take a saving dealing with their souls: "purify their hearts through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth;" and fit them for his own glorious rest.

MISSION AMONG THE CHOCTAWS.

ELLIOT.

The Boston Missionary Herald, for the month of April, contains an Abstract of the Journal of this Mission, from the 10th of September to the 8th of February last. From this Abstract the following passages are selected:

The summer vacation having closed, the school commenced on the 10th of September. In a circuit taken by Mr. Byington and Mr. Wood, during the preceding week, they saw nearly thirty pupils at their homes, most of whom had been sick since they left school; and the intermittent fever still prevailed.

The journal pays a tribute to the memory of Mrs. Kingsbury, “who, in a sudden and unexpected manner, was called away from her labors, her cares, her children, her husband, leaving these missions, and this people to mourn the loss of an unwearied and devoted labourer in this vineyard of the Lord."

Sept. 25. Within a few days there have been two large collections of Choctaws, at two different places, to end the mourning for deceased friends. At neither place was whiskey drank to excess, which has commonly been

the case on such occasions. The head men are making an effort to repress the use of ardent spirits: a circumstance which affords us great encouragement to go forward in our labours.

At the close of October, Mr. Byington visited that part of the nation where Mr. Williams's school is situated. Being taken suddenly ill, he was treated with great kindness by the inhabitants. He speaks of the happy visit, which he enjoyed "with Mr. Williams, and those who have recently experienced the grace of God in their own souls." Several members of the mission family were much in

disposed in October and the beginning of November; but, on the 18th of the latter month, the journal makes grateful menThere had tion of returning health. been much less sickness at Elliot than during any preceding summer, though there appears to have been more than usual among the Choctaws generally.

The 5th of December was kept by the mission family as a day of thanksgiving and praise.

About the 10th of December, Mr.

Kingsbury arrived at Elliot to meet the agent of the United States, and confer with a dissatisfied Chief, respecting the school. It is a subject of complaint with a part of the Choctaws, that boys are made to work when out of school, and punished for misconduct. With them, as with all untutored people, children grow up entirely free from restraint. It can hardly be expected that, in the early stages of improvement, all difficulty and embarrassment from this source should be avoided. The Missionaries have held but one language on the subject. They have uniformly declared, that children committed to their care must be subject to their authority; must be docile and obedient in school, and trained to habits of industry when not engaged in study; that if they do not come on these terms, they cannot be received. To these terms the Chiefs have repeatedly assented. Yet, when the trial comes, and the children are impatient of restraint, or refractory in their conduct, some of the parents justify them, and blame the Missionaries.

Mr. Byington has long been desirous of acquiring the Choctaw language, su that he may be able to preach to the na

tives without an interpreter. For this purpose he began, in December last, to reside, for a week at a time, in Choctaw villages, where no English is spoken.

Dec. 28. He was much gratified with the kindness of the people, and their disposition to receive instruction. He went to a village about 16 miles distant, and staid most of the time at the house of the Chief. Within two miles of the house where he staid are about 20 families, and between 30 and 40 children, of a suitable age to attend school, who now have little to do, and are wasting their time in idleness or play. There are three looms in this village: one of them made by a Choctaw. The Indians raise corn, cotton, sweet potatoes, beans, &c. The women were generally at work, picking cotton, spinning, sewing, or cooking, while the men do little else than talk, sit, and smoke tobacco. The children appeared anxious to learn,

Jan. 3, 1823. Mr. Byington was kindly received by the people whom he visited. They expressed much pleasure that he was learning their language; often saying to him, "When you know our language we can talk without an interpreter."

Jan. 7. Examined the boys' school. Some of the neighbours attended. The scholars appeared well. There appeared to be a life and animation in the boys, which was quite gratifying. They read, and spelt, and translated from English into Choctaw, and from Choctaw into English. Two of them are drawing maps of the United States, and two have cyphered to the Double Rule of Three.

Mr. Byington resided a while at the house of the Chief who has been dissatisfied with the school. He was there entertained with great kindness. Among many other things, the Chief said, that "he was proud of the Missionaries, and would not say they were bad men.' He dictated several talks to Mr. Byington, which he wished him to write down, and carry home with him. He said that "when he was a boy it was customary for the oldest men in the nation to give long talks to the boys, concerning the former wars of the Choctaws, Chickasaws, &c. and then to whip the boys severely to make them remember the talks."

BETHEL.

The station to which the name of Bethel is now given, has been called in some of our surveys the French Camps. It will hereafter be designated as above. It is situated, as will be remembered, on the road leading through the Choctaw nation, from Tennessee to Natchez.

On the 17th of November, 1822, a church was organized at this place; and four of those who had become hopefully pious during the past summer, publicly professed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. On the 19th of January, five others were admitted into the church. Of the nine new members, eight are coloured people, three men and five women, the ninth is a white man. Hopes are entertained that one or two other blacks will soon be received into Christian fellowship; and that one other, who has left the world, has been admitted to the felicities of the church triumphant.

The case of one of the converts is described by Mr. Williams at some length.

A black woman, who has a family, had been in considerable distress of mind from the first daily, till, from fasting and other causes, she of the awakening. This distress increased became alarmingly indisposed, and to all human appearance in danger of speedy death. One day, after being left alone, she was found speechless and motionless; and in this state she remained, with but little alteration, for about twenty-four hours. At times she groaned deeply; her pulse was faint, and her limbs had upon them a cold chill. In short, she appeared to be on the borders of eternity. At length, however, she revived in some measure, but for several hours afterwards continued speechless. She then smiled, and lifting up her hands and eyes toward heaven, exclaimed aloud, "The Lord has forgiven me. I thank God, he has forgiven me." She immediately rose from her bed and walked, and appeared to be recovered from all bodily infirmity, except a degree of weakness. Her mouth was also opened to tell of the great` change which had taken place in her views and feelings. She sent for her master, who has been rather opposed to the Gospel, and described, with much feeling, the state she ed also for all her fellow-servants, who came together to the number of 45 or 50, when she addressed them in such a manner, that the most hardened were melted into tears. By her desire, and with the consent of her master, a messenger was sent a distance of four miles for their unworthy teacher. Though the day was past, and though my rest had been broken for two nights preceding, I went. My interview with those poor negroes, and with their beyond description. How changed the scene astonished master, was solemn and affecting since the night before, which I had spent at her house! A heavenly smile now sat upon her countenance.

had been in, and how she now felt. She call

She has always been considered a very ignorant woman, and was never before inclined to say much. But now she spoke freely, ex-' cept when she appeared to be almost over

whelmed with a view of the glory of God, and of the greatness of His love. She said, "You are all strange to me. All things around me are new. I feel like I have just been born."

During the time she was in the helpless situation above described, Mr. W. had frequently observed tears bursting copi ously from her eyes, when she made not the least noise or motion. In explanation of this, she represented her feelings to have been, at that time, those of keen distress, lest she should become the prey of the great adversary. In her figurative manner, she described herself as seeking for the gate of heaven, and crying to Jesus to let her in.

"That's what made me cry," said she. "I 'fraid Jesus not let me in. Then I think, I'll die at the gate; I wont go back. So I beg the Lord take me; let me in. I want to go where He is. Lord have mercy. I give up all to thee. Then Jesus come himself, and open the gate."

This evening, continues Mr. Williams, was a very pleasant one to me, and to all those present who loved the Lord's appearing. We sung and prayed repeatedly. In the morning we met again. I prayed with them, and then left them; though not till I had evidence of the happy effects of what we had seen and heard on the minds of some who were present.

The School at this Station.

As late as Feb. 8, Mr. Williams wrote to the Corresponding Secretary as follows:

The state and prospects of this school continue to be encouraging. The number of scholars is 24, besides our two children, mak

ing 26 in all. Only seven of this number are females. Eight of the scholars are full blooded Choctaws. Eight board at their homes; nine are supported wholly at the expense of the Board, and the others chiefly by their parents.

Several of the Cherokees, who reside in the neighbourhood of Mr. Hall, have, it is hoped, been made to feel the value of the Gospel, and to love its sacred truths.

We shall lay before our readers some extracts from Mr Hall's journal, which have special reference to the work of divine grace, which he has witnessed at Taloney.

July 21, 1822, Sabbath.-A respectable number of the natives attended divine service.

Mr. Chamberlain, being present, preached all day. In the afternoon, he addressed himself, through an interpreter, to those Cherokees who cannot understand English. The meetings were continued more than four hours; and the people staid more than an hour longer, for further instruction.

August 18, Sabbath.-Those, concerning whom we have a hope, remained two hours after our public service, desiring more particular instruction. Many questions were asked them, and in all their answers they discovered a humble dependence on the merits of Christ, and of him alone for salvation.

Sept. 22-A brother of the Baptist denomi nation spent the day with us. He appears much rejoiced to see the work of the Lord in this place.

About the last of October they were visited by Mr. Posey, late Baptist Missionary at the Valley Towns. He was much surprised and gratified by the change which had taken place at Taloney since his last visit there, about a year before. On the 1st of November, an Indian was present at an evening meeting who had not been present before at that place. He appeared to be considerably anxious with respect to his spiritual welfare.

The Christmas season was spent with much propriety by the blacks and some of our white neighbours. The former custom of riot and dancing was driven from the neighbourhood to the distance of 14 miles, where were a few dissolute white men. Not only on Christmas day were there religious exercises at our house, but at other times, also, during the holiday week, did the blacks meet for prayer.

MISSION AMONG THE CHEROKEES.

TALONEY.

We have stated more than once that a sprit of inquiry on religious subjects was evidently gaining ground at this station.

On the 8th, the two brothers, M'Kee and Israel Folsom, arrived at Taloney from the Foreign Mission Shool.

Nov. 10, Sabbath.-This has been a truly interesting day. Our little congregation was composed of people from six different nations or tribes. At our evening meeting, more were present than could be accommodated with

seats.

Concerning the youths above named, Mr. Hall says:-"They have left a very favourable impression on the minds of the people here, respecting Missionaries and their labours."

21. Had occasion to punish one of my