gards the accomplishment of the work-the | sooner it is done, the better. And it must not be forgotten, that the delay of a single year; nay, of a single day, will be the occasion of immense loss, and awful guilt. But "at what point shall the attack be made?" And "where are the people most accessible?" The work should be begun on all sides, and without delay. Wherever the laborers have gone they have found work enough to do. If there be only a willing mind, an obedient heart, and a ready hand-a soul and a body willing to spend and be spent, the Lord will take care of the rest. All the stations among the Chinese emigrants-at Penang, Malacca, Java, Singapore and Siam-need reinforcements. Borneo, and numerous adjacent islands, need missionaries. All that wide extent of country, south of this-Tonquin, Laos, Cochin-China, and Cambodia-need missionaries. Loochoo, Formosa, Japan,|| Corea, and the region far beyond, need missionaries. Last, not least, China Proper needs missionaries-men who, with the spirit of the primitive apostles, will go into the interior, and along the coast, preaching the gospel, and distributing the word of God. Let it not be said that such attempts will be unavailing. That soldier is a coward, or a traitor, who will disobey or evade the commands of his Leader. The voyage along the whole coast of China, demonstrates to those who must have such proof, what can be done. The voyage along the Chinese coast, here referred to, is the one performed by Mr. Gutzlaff, of which there will be a more particular mention below. It is the same that was spoken of by Mr. Abeel, at p. 141 of the number for May. A knowledge of medicine would be of very great advantage to a missionary in China. A young, well educated physician, even if his theological knowledge should not be extensive, would be a great acquisition to this mission. There is and will be a diversity of talent demanded in missionaries. For such a people as the Chinese, there will be needed some thoroughly learned in all their classical and religious books, to meet and conquer the haughty antagonist on his own ground; and some with less knowledge of heathen philosophy, but rich in the word of God, to confound the wise and instruct the ignorant of this world, by the foolishness of preaching; and yet others will be needed, who, while they heal the sick, the lame and the blind, shall administer the bread and water of life, and the eyesalve that shall give vision of those things that are eternal. Means for procuring Bibles, tracts, and other books, are also wanted. The scripture-lessons, a copy of which has been forwarded to the Missionary Rooms, two tracts, one on the soul, by Afa, the other on gambling, by Dr. Milne, are the only books which your missionary has been concerned in publishing. The blocks for the scripture lessons cost us $342 50. They are well cut, and will last to print, probably, fifteen or twenty thousand copies. These Afa, procuring all the materials, can print for about thirty cents a copy. Tracts, too, can be printed very cheap; and we want means to print them, and then they can be circulated. Such, my dear sir, are some of our wants; superadded to which, and most of all, we need the Spirit of God to rest upon us, and upon all the means employed to bring the millions of China to a saving knowledge of the truth as it is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Pray for us. Dr. Morrison, and Mr. Gutzlaff, whose epistle I send with this, are both here, but will leave me to-day or to-morrow. The Rev. Charles Gutzlaff, writer of the following letter, is said to be a Prussian, and is connected with the Netherlands Missionary Society. It was a letter from this devoted and enterprising missionary addressed to the Board, which first called the attention of the Prudential Committee to Siam as a promising field for missions. Under date of January 14, 1832, he thus writes the Committee from Canton. The fact that your society had actually engaged in the Chinese mission, was a sufficient reason to fill my heart with gratitude towards God, who directs the hearts of his children to the greatest of nations, which his hand did create upon the globe. Your willingness to co-operate in the evangelization of the greatest nation, makes me fully believe you will increase your exertions, and even work to the utmost of your power, if God by his outstretched arm opens doors which nobody can shut. In reliance on the all-sufficiency of a Savior, styled the King of kings, to whom China is given with all its millions as an inheritance, I went from Siam to the Canton, Fou-Kien, Shanton, and Petcheli provinces, to the frontiers of Manchow Tartary, dressed in Chinese, after having become a naturalized citizen, in the quality of missionary, physician, and eventually of a navigator. Though not recognized as a European, I roused curiosity, stimulated inquiry, and recommended myself so far as to call forth an invitation for next year. Hence I very soon shall leave this place, and if God in his mercy permits it, take a wider range than ever before. Before you read this, I shall actually be engaged, and by divine mercy perhaps be permitted to go to Japan, that strong hold of satan. I hope that the holy cause will rouse you to prayer, that doors, so pertinaciously shut centuries since, may be thrown open, that the Chinese wall of national separation may be dashed to pieces, Corean superstition sink, Japanese misanthropy dwindle away, and Loo-Choo politeness be converted into obedience to the gospel. According to the last national censes, 350 millions constitute China's population, and these all worship the god of this world, and the surrounding countries are enveloped by impenetrable darkness, and we cannot send to these large nations the light of the gospel, because these countries are inaccessible to Christian missionaries? No; they are not inaccessible, if a servant of God, clothed with deep humility, penetrated with the love of Christ, endowed with talents, sustained by prayers, at home, and enlivened by his own, is willing to make every sacrifice for the glory of God. But there are no funds to support them? There are men who travel at their own expense to gratify their curiosity; and in a land of liberty, like yours, shall no individuals be found, who will travel at their own expense, for love to their Savior? Christ showers his grace upon your blessed country; and are there no individuals to be met with, who, being enriched by the gift of the Holy Spirit, can devote their property and their lives to the cause of God in China? To individuals of this description I address myself. They will find an unbounded field for exertion, patience, love, and talent. Let them be duly acquainted with some useful art, mathematics and medicine in preference, and possess a talent for acquiring languages, and they may brave Jesuitical stratagems, armed with faith in their Savior, and recommended by simplicity in their proceedings. An ardent mind will find free scope among this immense population. It is well to possess Christian fortitude, patience, and enthusiastic desire for the salvation of China. China needs these qualifications in its spiritual benefactors. tion. The whole of their conduct towards us seems to be contrived to throw as many obstacles in the way of our labors, as can consist with the preservation of friendly appearances towards ourselves. Though making unbounded pretensions to hospitality, they will ne her furnish a missionary with a regular supply of food, nor suffer him to use his own without the payment of a heavy duty. Though in the habit of spending much of their time in large companies, when a missionary proposes to preach, a tedious negotiation has to be entered into, when all their ingenuity is put in requisition, either to prevent the meeting by getting up a council or a dance, or to render it almost nugatory by calling on none but a few old men, or in some way preventing the people from attending. When commenced, the discourse is liable to be interrupted and the meeting broken up by the receipt of news, the arrival of strangers from another town, or any such trifling occurrence. In this way they harass and discourage both preacher and interpreter, though the latter is of course most exposed to the influence of the sly wit and drollery which often circulate on such occasions, and sometimes finds it a severe trial of fortitude to proceed with his unwelcome task. On one occasion last summer their opposition assumed a more definite and authoritative form than usual. While waiting for the chief to send out the criers to call the people to meeting, as he had previously engaged, he came forward and stated that the minds of the people were in a very agitated state respecting some public concerns, and that it would be impracticable to draw their attention to any other subject. He further said, "We have no objection to the preaching, it is a good thing," and pointing to the Bible added, "Take home the book and keep it for me. When our difficulties are over, bring it back and we will listen to you.' Two other Consider not the insignificant individual,|| who entreats you to become co-operators in this great vineyard, but the cause of God, and pray for your correspondent, who is surely the most incompetent for the per-principal men who came with him said formance of the task with which he is charged. Osages. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER OF MR. MONTGOMERY, DATED UNION, DEC. 27, 1831. Difficulty in gaining access to the Osages. SINCE the removal of the Osage settlement at Hopefield, in 1830, it has been my wish to spend as much of my time as possible among the people at the large town. No change, however, having taken place in their wandering habits, it is only during particular portions of the year that they are within our reach; and even when stationary there are many things which render it difficult to remain long with them, or to accomplish much in the business of their instruc their views also were the same. In the circumstances I did not consider it my duty to persist, though I afterwards found that the conduct of Clermont was not generally approved, and that no other difficulties than usual were to be met in assembling the people. Though but little interest appears to be taken by the generality in any religious subject, yet in conversation with individuals we sometimes find that they understand enough, in some cases, to satisfy their minds of the truth of our statements, in others, to excite the most lively opposition. An instance of the latter was exhibited by the well known Mad Buffalo in regard to the justice of God, a doctrine on which his feelings were no doubt influenced by the imprisonment which he suffered, some years since, at Little Rock. To punish a criminal, in any case, he would by no means admit to be consistent with goodness; and not even the finding a ransom to suffer in the room of sinners, could recon cile his mind to the divine proceedings. || books; you have never given me a plough, But the truth which excites the most frequent animadversion, is the spirituality of the divine nature. "Have you ever seen God?" "What sort of a being is he?" "Where is he?" are questions which they often put with evident feelings of triumph. Upon these facts Mr. Montgomery very justly remarks an axe, or a bake-oven; these are the things the nation. The above particulars are stated, not as at all unusual in the commencement of a mission in a heathen country, nor as constituting any peculiar ground of discouragement in regard to the Osages; but as serving to cast light on the nature of our present labors, and to account in some degree for the smallness of our progress. The reluctance which this people have hitherto manifested in regard to religious instruction, cannot be supposed to arise from any distinct apprehensions of the nature of the gospel. Perhaps it may, in part, be attributed to the doubtful state of their minds on the great question, whether they will adopt the ways of white people, or perse- Increasing disposition to receive the Gospel vere in their wandering life. In their conceptions, the arts, government, and religion of white people are viewed as a whole, inseparable from one another. All their traditions and ceremonies lead them to this conclusion. We have always found that much pains are requisite in order to prevent them from confounding farming with religion. While, therefore, their minds are not made up to adopt our customs, and mode of life entire, they appear to consider it necessary to resist the entrance of light on any subject, and to reject every innovation on the ancient system. The missionaries have now for many years had to encounter these obstacles to the success of their labors; but there is reason to think that a favorable change of prospects is at hand. Mr M. adds It is gratifying to have ground to hope that the opposition from this source will not be of long continuance. An evident change has of late certainly taken place in their sentiments in regard to civilization. All expectation of being able to maintain their hunter state, seems now to be really abandoned. Instead of arguing strenuously against both the necessity and practicability of their living by cultivating the soil, they appear now to be seriously convinced that this is their only alternative. Formerly, they looked with contempt and dislike on the undertaking at Hopefield, and blamed the missionaries for their agency in it. Now, many of them profess to be desirous to follow the example of the settlers, and complain of us for not furnishing them with cattle and implements as well as the people at Hopefield. "You do nothing,' said Clermont last summer, "but talk about among the Creeks. The Creeks here referred to are settled within twenty miles of Union. They have been mentioned repeatedly. See especially the number for March, p. 80. In the Creek country, the disposition to chiefly to the blacks, has been gradually hear, which for some time was confined spreading among the Indians. It is not, Creek to be seen at meeting; and, therehowever, yet popular or reputable for a fore, such as do attend are generally found to be more or less serious. Few of them understanding English, the discourse is always on their account interpreted. Happily this is a service which occasions us no trouble here, there being half a dozen young men who are competent and who would cheerfully officiate. Most of these young men possess great readiness of speech, and are in the habit of praying in public, and of addressing the people from their own stores of thought, sometimes at great length. How deeply important that they be duly assisted in extending the knowledge of the scriptures, and in forming their religious character. At a communion season in October, 15 persons were baptised. The church now embraces 63 members, of whom 23 are Creeks. Last Spring five young men of nearly equal age, none of whom could speak English, or wore the American dress, presented themselves among others for examination. Seldom has there been seen in western missions a happier fulfilment of Grant's beautiful anticipation: "Unwonted warmth the softened savage feel, Strange chiefs admire, and turbaned warriors kneel." While the church has been gradually || herd of Israel is about to take some of these enlarged, we think there has been a per- tender lambs under his own charge, by ceptible advance in knowledge and spirit- gathering them into his fold. For two ual judgment among many of the members. months past, considerable seriousness has They profess to prize correct scriptural in- prevailed among the youth at this station. struction; and have cheerfully received After laboring ten years on this barren Watts' Psalms and Hymns, to be substitut-heath, you may well suppose that even the ed in room of those lighter hymns which prospect of some precious fruits would have were previously used. In one important an exhilarating effect upon our spirits. To particular they exhibit very substantial evi- be permitted merely to break up the fallow dence of a desire to improve-a disposition ground, that those who come after us may to learn to read. After one of the leaders not sow among thorns, is a high privilege, had shown that it could be accomplished but to gather in the golden grain is in the without any stated instruction, numbers of highest degree encouraging. them commenced with spirit, and several have already become able to read in the easier parts of the New Testament, and have evidently profited much already by their new attainment. Last summer the disposition pervaded a considerable portion of the congregation, and frequently, when time admitted, previous to the usual service, they were attended to in the manner of a Sabbath school. The example of these people presents another proof of the efficacy of the religious principle in waking up the powers of the mind, in creating a thirst for knowledge, and in producing the steadiness of application which is requisite in acquiring the art of reading. None of them would, in their circumstances, have ever thought of attempting this attainment, had they not been excited by a desire to become acquainted with the scriptures, or, at Eight or ten were hopefully born into the least, carried along by the example and spirit of religious associates. In the state kingdom in one week. What is rather surof feeling which at present prevails, noth-prising, all except two or three of those ing appears to be wanting but the steady exertions of a resident missionary, in order to convert this interesting congregation into a reading people. June 4th Mr. Jones writes, that thirteen were admitted to the church on the day previous, eleven by profession and two by letter. Two of these were Osages, two were Delawares, and two were colored persons: the rest were children of the missionaries. Most of these are members of the school, and became hopefully pious during the month of March. The missionaries indulged hopes concerning the piety of several others, while the spirit of serious inquiry was manifest in many more. Ten days later, Mr. Jones writes that there was a prospect of a still larger accession to the church on their next communion, than was witnessed on the 3d of June. who entertain hope, have either been or are still members of the school. This fact imparts new courage to your missionaries, and is a proof of the utility of the schools. Were you here, you might suffer a similar inconvenience to that once experienced by missionaries among the Hottentots;-you could scarcely find a place for secret devotion. Walking out morning or evening, Under date of January 19th Mr. Jones speaks you would hear the voice of prayer in EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS OF MR. JONES, thus of the school The average number of Indian scholars in the school, for the last year, was from 36 to 40. The good order which has prevailed among them, the progress they have made in their studies, and in the domestic arts and agriculture, were we to look no farther than the present, is highly flattering. In the course of the year, several gentlemen of some distinction have visited the school, and have spoken in the highest terms of commendation, both as it respects the progress the scholars have made in their studies, and their general appearance. One gentleman, to express his good will, presented us with a bell for the benefit of the school. Revival of Religion at the Station. We bless God that a brighter day seems to be dawning upon us. Present appearances favor the idea, that the great Shep-l almost every direction. Chickasaws. EXTRACTS FROM A LETTER OF MR. STUART, THE General State of the Mission. Presbytery of Tombecbee met here two weeks since. It was an interesting time. The congregations were large and very attentive. An old African man was admitted to the communion. Since the meeting we have had larger congregations than usual. I now preach three times on the Sabbath, and have good attendance each time. The members of the church, I hope, are a little waked up. These generally stand firm, with a few exceptions. At the late meeting we excommunicated one, suspended three, and restored two. We have a temperance society, which numbers between 80 and 90 members. I have sent on for the Journal of Humanity for the benefit of the neighborhood. Our school is increasing. We have also a Sabbath school. It is a subject of almost daily lamentation that I cannot extend my labors more among the Indians. I earnestly desire to preach more to them, but cannot procure a suitable interpreter. Mr. Byington has appointed a two days' meeting here the third Sabbath in next month, after which we design taking a tour among the Indians on Tallahacchee. With regard to the present state of the Indians, I believe they are generally quiet and are resting satisfied that the treaty will not be ratified, it being, as they understand it, a conditional one, and the conditions not having been fulfilled on the part of the United States. The chiefs have been making some effort, the laws of Mississippi notwithstanding, to suppress intemperance among the people. They have agreed to remove, provided a suitable country can be obtained from the Choctaws. This, they believe, cannot be done, and therefore they have strong hopes of staying where they are. These hopes, I fear, are vain. It will be seen that the spiritual condition of the station was more encouraging when the foregoing extracts were written, than when Mr. Stuart wrote at the beginning of the year. See p. 118. TASSEL, DATED MAUMEE, APRIL 3, 1832. General View of the Mission. As it respects the concerns of this station, the family are enjoying good health, living in peace and harmony, and all manifest a disposition to press forward in the path of duty. I have visited the Indians some, while scattered on their hunting grounds in the course of the winter; but not so much as I intended, on account of the unfavorable season for travelling in the wilderness. When at home I preach every Sabbath at the station, attend the Sabbath school and Bible-class. The congregation is gradually increasing, and there is uniformly good attention. There has recently been two additions to this little church, one by letter and one by examination. At times we have had some tokens of the Lord's presence; so that we were encouraged to hope for a revival; but, as often before, these seasons have passed like the early cloud and morning dew. In my last, I wrote you that some of the Indians had agreed to go west of the Mississippi. I think now they will settle down with the others, and remain till the rest of their land is taken from them. They are more willing to receive instruction. Three new scholars have been added to the school, and several more have agreed to send their children this spring. Within two or three weeks, the Indians will return again to their villages. After this, myself and wife intend to spend our time almost exclusively among them. On the 27th of June Mr. Van Tassel states, that the school contained 31 Indian children-14 boys, from three to fifteen years of age, and 17 girls, from five to twenty years old. Ten of the scholars were studying arithmetic and geography, twelve were attending to writing, and fifteen were able to read in the Bible. The pupils were cheerful, obedient, and moral; and the cause of temperance was gaining ground, both among the Indians and the white settlers in the neighborhood. Mackinaw. EXTRACTS FROM A LETTER OF MR. FERRY, DATED DEC. 3, 1831. Increased attention to Instruction. THERE has been, during the whole of the past season, an unusual degree of interest manifested by the Indians visiting this place, in religious instruction. Notwithstanding all the Papal excitement and opposition, (which have been very great,) still Indians from different quarters, and some from L'Arbre Croche, where the Papal mission would, if possible, control every thing, have come to us time and again in considerable numbers to hear reading and attend to other means of instruction. There is evidently an uncommon movement of feeling among the Indians. In one case, which I believe I mentioned in a former letter, an Indian and his wife at L'Arbre Croche became dissatisfied, from their own observation, with the Papal movements; and, of their own accord, applied to us to take one of their children, and in a few days, a second; said they had thought of the subject since last spring, but dared not speak of it; and that none but their family knew of their design when coming to place their children with us. They are both girls, and by their lovely and promising character have already become much endeared to us all. The parents have been here to see them several times and bring them presents. They appear perfectly contented with what they have done, notwithstanding all that has been said to them, and so are the children. In two cases of Indians, both from Grand Traverse, we have evidence that the religious instruction imparted to them has been attended with saving grace. Grand Traverse is on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, about fifty miles from Macki naw. |