benevolence which signalize the present day, the Committee rejoice in his appointment as a missionary to the seamen who resort in such numbers to the Sandwich Islands. You, also, and your brethren will rejoice in it, and will do all in your power to aid and encourage him in his arduous, but interesting task. It is understood by the Committee, that wherever Mr. Diell's particular residence may be, his appropriate sphere of labor embraces all the foreign seamen in all the islands. He is to be their pastor and teacher; and the direct efforts of the missionaries of the Board in their behalf, will be in accordance with principles and rules having his cheerful assent.

Finally, Dear Brethren, the Committee would earnestly inculcate the duty of attending most carefully to the spiritual state of your own hearts. A missionary, of all other good men, must be most miserable, whose affections are allowed to wander in pursuit of the world. Live near to God. Have fellowship with the Father and the Son, through the blessed Spirit of grace and truth. Let the love of Christ, and the worth of immortal souls for whom he died, and regard for the glory and happiness of his kingdom, constrain you, and those who are the partners of your life, to devoted, ceaseless activity. Be faithful unto death, and the Lord Jesus, the King of Zion, will give you an unfading crown of glory in his presence on high.

By order of the Prudential Committee.

R. ANDERSON,

DAVID GREENE, Secretaries,

Missionary Rooms, Boston, Nov. 6, 1832.

Extracts from the INSTRUCTIONS of the PRUDENTIAL COMMITTEE to the Rev. SHERMAN HALL and Rev. WILLIAM T. BOUTWELL, missionaries to the Ojibeways of the North West Territory of the United States.

DEAR BRETHREN,

As you are about to enter on the work of preaching Christ to the Indians, to which you have devoted yourselves, the Committee would embrace the opportunity of making a few suggestions respecting the kind of labors which you will be expected to perform, the principles which should guide you in them, and the means you should use to secure the divine blessing.

The mission you contemplate will differ in many of its circumstances from any of those heretofore established by the Board among the Indians. Those have been mostly among Indians who were surrounded by white settlements, limited to a comparatively small territory, easy of access, and whose charac ter and habits had been much modified by their intercourse with more civilized communities. You are to go among Indians who are remote, occupying the unlimited wilderness, difficult of access, and but little affected by intercourse with white men. Your mission must, in many respects, be conducted in a different manner from any other mission, which the Board has established among the Indians. On this ground there is a peculiar responsibility laid upon you, as pioneers in this wide field. You are not devising plans and

acting merely for that tribe for whom your labors are specially designed. If you can devise a plan of a mission, and put it into successful operation, which, in point of economy and efficiency, shall be suitable for the Ojibeways between Lake Superior and the head waters of the Mississippi, missions on a similar plan may be extended over the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific. But should you be able to devise no such plan, how are the numerous tribes throughout the continent to be evangelized? The Committee have thought on this subject with much anxiety. The Indian missions now under their care, considering the number of persons benefitted by them, have required a far greater number of laborers, and a far greater amount of funds, than any other missions of the Board. Missions further in the interior, conducted on the same plan, would be still more expensive; so that, considering the claims of other heathen nations, with a vastly more dense population, more accessible, and where the means of subsistence are far cheaper, and considering, also, the scanty pecuniary means which are furnished for conducting missions, the Committee would not feel justified in carrying their operations among the Indians to a much greater extent, unless some less expensive plan can be devised.

They will not undertake to point out in detail what plan must be adopted, though they would attempt to give some general view of what it seems to them it should be.

1. There should be no boarding schools supported at the expense of the Board. These were a leading feature in all the missions heretofore established among the Indians. But they have been the occasion of great expense; and the results, as seen in the character and subsequent conduct of the scholars, have not, thus far, answered the expectations of the Committee. They have doubtless done much good, and more may yet appear, but there is reason to think that they have to some extent occasioned a very undesirable feeling of dependence on the part of the scholars and adult Indians. But to think of boarding schools so far in the interior, and in a climate so unfavorable to agricultural pursuits, is out of the question.

2. There must not be large secular establishments, agricultural or mechanical, connected with the contemplated mission. These establishments, generally, in cases where they have been connected with the stations, have contrib uted little to the diminution of expense, while they have rendered large mission families necessary, given to the stations an appearance of wealth and show, occasioned much perplexity and labor, and not unfrequently have been the occasion of reproach and objection on the part of opposers. Our missionaries generally are disposed to relinquish them.

3. Having excluded boarding schools and secular establishments, it would seem easy to reduce the expense. Still, to effect this as far as should be done, will require much wisdom, industry, and self-denial. In order to give the gospel to all the tribes, who occupy the interior of this continent, and wander from Hudson's Bay to California, and from the Mississippi to the Pacific Ocean, must require a great number of preachers and a great number of stations. If each of these should cost from $500 to $1000, which has been the usual annual expense of our small preaching stations, it is easy to see, that to accomplish the object and at the same time do our portion of

evangelical labor among foreign nations, is hopeless, unless God shall open channels of income to the Board, of which we have now no prospect. Your desire that the gospel should be speedily preached to all the unhappy tribes should call all your enterprise and energy into action, to establish a mission on a plan which may be effective, and may be extended through this continent. There are probably no better examples of industry, self-denial, economy, and persevering, cheerful activity, than the United Brethren in Greenland and Labrador. Their plan may probably be much improved in the country which you visit, by your itinerating to a considerable extent among the Indians. They seem content with the mere necessaries of life, where nothing more can be had without great expense and labor; and being fed, and clothed, and housed, so as to be healthy and comfortable, and having the privilege of laboring in the service of their Lord and Master, and for the salvation of benighted, dying men, they are contented and happy.

4. The great object of your mission, the object never to be for a moment lost sight of, is to preach the gospel of Christ directly to old and young, with the intention and earnest desire of being made the instruments of their speedy conversion. Let the accomplishment of this be the great, guiding principle in all your plans, labors, and researches; and let this be the object of your prayers and studies. Never feel easy, if you are not making advances towards it. But you are not to think that you are preaching the gospel when you are addressing the large assembly only. You will probably have much more frequent occasion to preach it, and may do it as really and effectually, to a family or two in a small cabin, or in conversation with individuals, or in the little school.

5. Another kind of labor to be embraced in the object of your mission, is the acquisition of the Ojibeway language, and the translation of elementary books, scripture tracts, &c. into it. You will consider the acquisition of the language as a thing indispensable to your extensive and highest usefulness. To depend on interpreters, is expensive and embarrassing. To attempt to introduce the English language extensively, even among the children, especially without boarding schools, is vain. With such helps as you will be able to obtain, the Committee hope that you will not find the acquisition of the language a difficult task. In writing the language, they will expect you to use Mr. Pickering's orthography as the basis. This is used by the missionaries at the Sandwich and Society Islands, and among the Choctaws, Ottawas, Senecas, and Abernaquois.

6. You will probably find it practicable to establish some small schools at the stations where you may be. The Committee wish you to do this as early, and to as great an extent, as the circumstances will permit. Of course they must be taught in the English language, and will probably be very small till books in the native language can be prepared.

7. Another object of your mission will be to obtain information respecting the Indian tribes in the northwest,-their numbers, situation, how far and in what way they are accessible, and what are the most practicable methods of introducing the gospel among them. You will avail yourselves of all the information which you can obtain from the gentlemen connected with the northwest fur-trade, who, as they have heretofore manifested so deep an

interest in missionary operations in that quarter, will undoubtedly communicate readily to you whatever they may know. You may, also, obtain information by journies which you may be able to make, and from the Indians.

In respect to the commencement of any station which you might propose, the Committee would wish for knowledge on the following points. (1.) How many Indians would come within the sphere of its influence, as a preaching station, and as a school? (2.) How could a missionary family be supplied with the means of subsistence, and at what expense? (3.) Is the place easy or difficult of access? (4.) Of how many should the mission family consist, and of what character? (5.) To what unfavorable influences would the mission be exposed from any quarter? (6.) What are the feelings of the Indians themselves in view of its establishment?

Ascertain and report, as far as you shall have the power, the state, character, history, religious motives and superstitions of the Indians. Make inquiries on these points-(1.) What notions they have concerning the Deity. Have they any conception of a Supreme, spiritual Being, who is from eternity; who created, who knows, and in his particular providence governs all things, and who cares whether men do good or evil? (2.) Do they seem to have any conscience which constrains them to do what they admit to be right? Have they any strong sense of moral obligation, or any fear of God, which deters them from doing what they wish? (3.) Have they any notion of sin against God? What are their notions of what is morally good or bad in character? (4.) What notions have they of a future state-where is it? what is it? Are there rewards and punishments in it? Can they point to any man who they think will be punished? (5.) Do they know of any mode of obtaining pardon for sin? (6.) Have they any idols, religious rites or worship? What are they? (7.) Do they know any thing of Christianity? Where and when did they learn it? (8.) Have they any traditions respecting their own origin, or past history?

8. Another important object of your mission will be, to devise some plan by which the scholars who may hereafter leave the Mackinaw school, may be prevented from returning to their rude state and habits again, and losing the advantages which they have received. This will be a very difficult thing to effect; yet much of the usefulness of that large school, which has cost much labor and money, depends upon it. On this point, as on others, you will confer freely with Mr. Ferry and Mr. Stuart. The danger of error, as the Committee suppose, in devising and putting in operation a plan for effecting this object, will be calculating too favorably respecting the influence which you can exert on these Indian youths, and respecting their enterprise, and patient, persevering industry. You may not take into the account sufficiently the ill influence which their own people or bad white men may exert on any community of them, which might be found. No plan on this subject should be adopted, which depends much on external pecuniary aid, whether from the Board, or any other quarter.

We shall often think of you, Dear Brethren, and pray for you in your lonely and responsible situation, and shall do all in our power to administer

to your comfort and usefulness. May you ever share in the protection and guidance of your covenant-keeping God and Savior.

By order of the Prudential Committee.

Missionary Rooms, Boston, June 10, 1832.

DAVID GREENE.

Extracts from the INSTRUCTIONS of the PRUDENTIAL COMMITTEE to the Rev. HENRY R. WILSON, missionary to the Cherokees of the Arkansas. DEAR BROTHER,

In behalf of the Prudential Committee, we make some suggestions to you respecting your missionary labors.

First, as to your place of residence.

Should it seem to

you and your brethren expedient to form a new station where you can come more directly into contact with the Indians, and especially with those who, as yet, have had few advantages for religious instruction, you will feel authorized to do it. In that case you must make such arrangements, as may seem best for living comfortably. A residence in immediate connection with the Indians, would afford you peculiar facilities for acquiring the language, to which, as this may not improbably be your permanent field, we think you had better give some attention.

Secondly. Your great work will be, preaching the gospel; and you will not feel that you are to do this merely on the Sabbath and at public meetings on other days, but you can do it also when you can get access to the schools, when you visit from house to house, or when you meet the Cherokees by the way. Let it be your great object at all times, and that to which your prayers and labors should be most unremittingly directed, to convince the Indians of their depravity and guilt and of their perishing need of an interest in the great atonement of Christ. Hold up the law of God before them, in all its holy strictness and extent, and the Saviour, in all the fulness of his love and mercy. Expostulate with sinners with a warmth and constraining energy which cannot be resisted. Show yourself at all times to be an embassador for God, and pray sinners in Christ's stead to be reconciled to God.

Thirdly. Do all you can to render the schools effectual in communicating instruction to the rising generation, and to establish new schools in villages where there shall be openings, and where the means shall be furnished.

Use your influence to introduce books and tracts in the Cherokee language, as they may be obtained from time to time from the press in the old nation. By an arrangement recently made, we hope that a considerable number of tracts will issue from the press during the next year. Labor also to cherish a fondness for reading among that part of the people, who understand the English language. Do what you can towards furnishing them with books and tracts, or informing them how they may obtain them.

Fourthly. In admitting members to the church, be careful that you do nothing to depress the standard of Christian character. The Indians are uncommonly quick to discern inconsistency between the profession and the