be adopted to put an effectual stop to war among the Indians. Our school, which has been suspended for two or three days, in consequence of the indisposition of Brother Jones, has recommenced to-day. Lord's Day, 11.-Brothers Dodge and Montgomery are still unable to take a part in the exercises of the Sabbath; and Brother Pixley has again preached both parts of the day. Arrival of supplies. Wednesday, 14.—A wagon, loaded with corn meal, arrived this evening. It has come in good time, as we are using the last barrel of our old stock. Had the wagon been detained a few days longer, we should have been left without bread. The Lord has ever dealt kindly with us. We have never been entirely destitute of this essential article for our subsistence. Sickness in the Indian village. Friday, 16.-Brother Pixley returned from the village. Many of the Indians are still sick, and some of them have died. We have reason to be thankful for the measure of health enjoyed in our family. Although a number are feeble, and some are occasionally attacked with the ague, yet most of us are able to come to our common table, and partake of the bounties of Providence together. Visit from the Indian Agent. Saturday, 17.-Major Graham, the Indian agent, called on us, in company with a priest of the Roman Catholic order. He was with us but a short time; conversed a little about Indian affairs; and retired with the promise of making us another visit. Wednesday, 21.-Brother Pixley and Sister Weller set out this morning for the Missouri: the former on business, and the latter to teach a school* for a season. Brother Dodge was to have performed this journey, but was prevented by an attack of the ague. Saturday, 24.-The water in our river *The circumstances under which it was thought best that Miss Weller should take charge of this school, were mentioned in the Journal of the 13th and 18th of July; and published in our December number. having become low, Brother Austin and most of our hands have been occupied, for the last three days, at our mill dam, It is important to the interests of the Mission, that our mills should be completed as soon as practicable. We hope to see them in operation in the course of a few weeks. Arrival of two of the brethren from Union. Monday, 26.-Brothers Requa and Redfield, from Union, arrived at Harmony this morning. From them we learn, that the health of that family is generally good, and that their prospects are brightening. We have also the agreeable intelligence, that the Cherokees and the Osages of the Arkansaw have formed a treaty of peace. Indian battle. Tuesday, 27.-A little band of the Iaways, having stolen a number of horses taken. A battle ensued; and several were from the Osages, were pursued and overkilled and wounded on each side. The Osages recovered their horses, and returned in triumph; some bearing a leg, and others a hand, a scalp, or an ear. Such are the scenes we are called to behold in this land of darkness! Two pagan tion to derive benefit from the skill of our of the wounded were brought to our sta surgeon. Return of the Agent. Wednesday, 28.-Major Graham has returned to the Factory, and is about to assemble the chiefs for the purpose of cancelling the Factory treaty. The council will be held in the course of the week. We have had some conversation with the establishment; and he has promised to agent on the subject of our missionary advise the Indians to avail themselves of the advantages offered by our school for the education of their children. He told us, however, that he had been requested, by the Roman Catholic Bishop at St. Louis, to speak to the Indians in relation to his forming a missionary establishment among them. There is a Catholic priest now here, who has accompanied the agent to the several Osage villages. There is, therefore, some prospect that popery may be substituted for paganism, among this ignorant and unhappy people. But the Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice! Friday, 30.--Sister Bright has been quite ill with a fever for several days. We hope, however, that she is now on the recovery. We have held a conference this day preparatory to the communion on the ensuing Sabbath. Indian Council. He At the council held to-day, the Indians agreed to relinquish the Factory treaty, on receiving a moderate remuneration in goods. The agent, being very unwell, excused himself from saying much to the Indians respecting our concerns. made, however, a short address; after which, we told them, that we were rearing an establishment, which had already cost much expense and labour, for the purpose of educating their children. We also mentioned, that we were now prepared to take more of them into our family than we had already received. Walkimain, the principal chief of the Little Osages, said that he thought very few from his village would be brought to us at present. He appeared more indifferent on the subject, than he had formerly done, while on a visit at our station. What will be the issue we know not. But, we repeat-The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice! TUSCARORA MISSION. Rev. J. C. Crane to the Domestic Secre tary. January 6, 1823. DEAR SIR-Since my last letter, I have been able to devote a part of my time to the pleasing and profitable labour of visiting the Indians: "teaching, from house to house, the unsearchable riches of Christ." In every family I found them willing to hear the truth; in almost all the utmost cordiality was manifested; and in a few I discovered some degree of tender feeling, and of promising anxiety about the state of their souls. Some, however, evinced a greater degree of obduracy than I have heretofore discovered among them, which is doubtless the result of the evils which have existed for a year past in this tribe; and which, I fear, will exert a similar influence for many months to come. It was gratifying to observe the influence which the plain "truth, as it is in Jesus," has in all the families in the tribe. I met with some who were disposed to let out the enmity of their hearts in every instance in which they could cover it with any plausible pretence. I met with complaints against the members of the church, with a great variety of excuses for not attending regularly at public worship on the Sabbath, for unfaithfulness, &c. &c., but not a word against the gospel. They decidedly approved of "The Word of the Great Spirit." They admitted that the word condemned their conduct, but allowed, also, that the word was right, and their conduct wrong. On the whole, I perceived much to discourage us, but felt constrained to offer to our dear Master our imperfect praise, for leaving us any hope of success, any intimations of merciful designs towards this people, after so severe a conflict as that we have recently sustained. "If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us, then they had swalled us up quickly, when their wrath was kindled against us.' Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us a prey to their teeth. The snare is Broken, and we are escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth." Our hopes of success, under God, have rested upon the few who love to pray among the Indians. In conversing with the members of the Church, I found them suffering under a great degree of lukewarmness, and was enabled to say some things which appeared to awaken them, in some measure, to a sense of their situation. They dined with me on the first day of the year. After dinner, I took them all into my study, and held a short meeting for exhortation and prayer. They all appeared to be impressed with the remarks which were made; and since that time, I think I have perceived more of the fruits of the Spirit amongst them. At the Monthly Concert, attended this evening, they manifested more engagedness than usual. Bless ed be the Lord for the least "token for good." The common adversary of their souls and of the cause of Christ is not, however, idle. Much is still done to deJude souls, and to divert their attention from "the one thing needful." Mr. Crane proceeds with an account of the severe domestic trials of one of the members of his Church. The following passage will show the tender regard which this afflicted member pays to the word of God, and his fixed determination, under the most painful circumstances, to be governed by its precepts : His conduct under this trial has met with the most decided approbation of myself and all the brethren He came to me and said-"I am a Christian. I have thrown away the customs of my forefathers. The good word is now my only guide. I am not under the laws of the state, and I cannot seek help from that source. I do not wish it. I wish to hear what the Lord says about my case, and I will do it. You have come here to open the word of God before our eyes, and to show us the right way. I now give you my hand--lead me through this difficulty, according to the will of the Great Spirit, and I will follow." SENECA MISSION. JOURNAL FROM THE THIRD OF NOVEMBER TO THE TENTH OF DECEMBER, 1822. Interesting Sabbath. minister left his desk, and, with much warmth and decision, and with all the affection of a father, reprimanded his people for certain conduct, which he considered at war with evangelical truth and righteousness. After the Chief who spoke to day had finished his address, I was informed by the interpreter, that a number of the Onondagas were expected to attend our meeting, who had never professed much friendship to ministers of the Gospel. It was a request of the chiefs, therefore, that I would take my text in some portion of the word of God, which would lead me to show the entire insufficiency of their former religion to make them either comfortable here, or happy in the world to come. The subject of discourse is contained in Heb. viii. 10. "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel in those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts, and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people." Sick-bed conversation. Thurs. Nov. 15.--Had a most interesting sick-bed conversation with Jonathan Jacket, who is apparently following to the grave, with rapid strides, his brother William, who died in May last. When I entered the house, I found the interpreter, with a number of the sick man's acquaintance, collected to see him. After he had informed me that he expected the doctor soon, to administer to his complaint, I supposed I had little time to lose, and therefore commenced conversation with him on the affairs of his soul. I asked whether this subject was agreeable to him; he replied that it was, "because it was the principal thing." I then requested him to open his mind to me without restraint, as I wished to give instruction suited to his case. He answered, that "whatever he should say should be the truth; that God was his witness, who was in every place, and knew the thoughts of his heart: it was, therefore, in vain to attempt to deceive him." He then went on to state, that, "on the last Sabbath, he felt more concerned than usual for his friends; particularly his grand-mother, before the people immediately after the mother, wife, nephew and wife, &c. some Sab. Nov. 3.--Our worshipping assembly this day appeared unusually interest ing. Before the religious services commenced, one of the principal chiefs rose and addressed the assembly, consisting of about eighty souls, on the importance of paying a strict obedience to those directions of the great and good God, which were, from Sabbath to Sabbath, and from time to time, explained to them from his word. As far as we could learn, he attempted also to admonish the audience for some departure from Gospel integrity, which had lately come within the reach of his observation. The same thing was feelingly, and from his manner, forcibly done, by Pollard, the chief speaker, on the last Sabbath. He rose ner, of whom had never attended the preaching of the gospel; and those who had, he supposed, understood but imperfectly. He called them to his bed-side, and counselled them separately, declaring that he, for one, did believe, contrary to the opinion of some, that there was a day of judgment coming, when the world should be judged before God, and that Jesus Christ would reward every person according to his works; the wicked he would reward with everlasting fire, and the righteous with endless happiness. He, therefore, counselled them to repent, and put away their sin by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ." He had previously informed me, that he had felt himself to be a sinner, and had determined to repent, and give himself to God. Fearing that he was resting on the determination, instead of the thing itself, I told him, that if he felt himself to be a sinthere was no cause, but his own unbelief, why he should not receive forgiveness; that pardon and salvation were offered to all who truly felt their sins to be a burden, and who would consent to roll that burden on the Lord Jesus Christ; and that, although his sins had been like mountains rising towards heaven, still the mercy of God, and the blood of Christ, like a mighty ocean, were sufficient to rise above them, and to hide them for ever. Having continued the conversation for some time, I closed by saying, that it was impossible for me to determine with certainty, whether he had made his peace with God, or not. I could only judge of my own spirit by the rule which God had given; but, as a minister of Christ, I was bound to tell others, and him among the rest, that if we ever love Jesus, it must be before we go hence to be here no more in this world, or not at all. God had declared, with respect to the next world, as the tree falleth, so it lieth." No repentance was to be expected there. As I feared his days here would be but few, I hoped, that "what his hands found to 'do, he would do with his might." This was all I had to say, and my prayer was, that God would be near him by his grace in all his sickness, and sanctify to him his 66 severest trials. Having looked me full in the face the whole time, he now put his hands to his eyes, and bursting into tears, sobbed aloud, and said, "sir, I thank you a thousand times for what you have now said to me in regard to my soul. You have given me more satisfaction in this short conversation, than I have ever received in my whole life. You have enlightened my understanding; my heart is full; it is my anxious request that you would pray for my soul." The whole audience was at once melted down. To weep, in this case, "for me indeed was easy; for him it was safe;" to have refrained would in me have argued the most unpardonable apathy. We then knelt down, and commended him to God in prayer. After rising, he again expressed the most lively gratitude for the comfort his mind had received during the conversation. Having expressed my determination to call upon him from time to time, as my circumstances would admit, I took my leave, and departed. Encouraging incident in relation to November 25.-The conduct of one of the natives to-day has more than ever convinced us of the importance of pursuing a steady and scriptural course, in all our operations among this people. The father who, not long since was greatly displeased with the teacher for reprimanding his two disobedient children, became displeased again, and said that he should take them away, inasmuch as they were accused of leading astray the whole school; and he would see whether their absence would be the means of restoring order. We told him that he could do as he thought best; but that it was painful for us to think that children so capable of doing well, with proper government, as his were, should be suffered to run about idle, and lose all they had learned. He was then, however, not to be diverted from his purpose. To-day he returned, and wished to have his children reinstated in the family; because, he said, both the children had pleaded, with tears, to be returned. After seeing our hesitation on the subject, he became more earnest, and confessed that his sinful heart had led him astray, in conducting towards us as he had done in relation to his children; and, to use his own language, he " hoped I would yet change his heart." He now promises, that, if we will permit them to return, and they again misbehave, he shall be cheerful in having us correct them; and if they run home, he will correct them, and send them back himself. Upon these conditions we consented that the young est might return, but that the other be suspended for one week, that she may be taught to consider the school a privilege. Another interview with the sick youth. Nov. 27.-I have just returned from visiting young Jacket, who is fast declining. He is one of our most industrious and ingenious young chiefs, and the last of 13 children, who have all died of the consumption. The principal chiefs of the christian party were collected to him pay their farewell visit; among them was Red Jacket, the father of the youth, and the principal chief of the pagan party. As he was already very much exhausted with conversation, I judged it proper to converse with him but little. His most serious and judicious friends told me, however, that he had expressed the state of his mind at large; that " he was tired of earth; that God had blessed his soul through Jesus Christ; and that now he had no wish to live, but earnestly desired to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better." If any hopes are ever to be cherished in a death-bed repentance, we think we have soine encouragement in the case of this young man. Death of the young chief. Dec. 10.-We were, this day, called to commit to its native dust, the remains of the youth mentioned above. A very touching address was delivered on the occasion by one of our most serious and pious chiefs, the interpreter not arriving in time. Oh that the Lord would sanctify this mysterious providence to this dying people! We trust that he will, in faithfulness and truth, order all things to the salvation of his own elect. CATARAUGUS MISSION. Mr. Thayer's letter, of the 31st of December, is principally devoted to a detailed statement of expenditures for the quarter ending on that day. The following short paragraph is all we shall now quote: dian children into the family have unOur preparations for receiving the Inavoidably been expensive. We endeavour to use the most rigid economy that the nature of the case will admit. The house we occupy is now about finished, and we expect to have the school in operation next week. EXPLORING TOUR. It was stated in a former number, that, in the course of the last summer, the Rev. Salmon Giddings, of St. Louis, Mississippi, performed an exploring tour among the Western Indians, in behalf of the United Foreign Missionary Society. On this tour, he visited several tribes, and selected a site for an extensive Missionary establishment, in the vicinity of Council Bluffs. His Journal, which we now present to our readers, will be perused with interest : JOURNAL OF THE REV. SALMON April 22, 1822.--Having made the necessary arrangements, I commenced my tour to the Indian tribes in the vicinity of the Council Bluffs. I had previously made an agreement with Major O'Fallon, the Indian agent for that part of the country, to travel in company with him from Chariton, where I was to meet him. I set out early, that I might have time to administer the sacrament of the Lord's supper and other ordinances in the Presbyterian church in that part of our newly settled country; and nothing peculiarly interesting occurred. May 15. We left Chariton, after procuring provisions for our journey, and rode to Grand River, a distance of 25 miles. We travelled through the Missouri bottom. The soil is rich, and the settlements extend about 12 miles from Chariton. There is a ferry and a cabin at the mouth of Grand River. Here we were detained one day, waiting for the |