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persons, in aid of this cause; the same cause indeed, to which they have, in a peculiar sense, devoted their talents and their lives. If the clergy do not kindle into animated and zealous exertions, at the prospect of bringing new trophies to the feet of the cross, how can it be expected that their People shall become possessed of missionary ardor? What can be more consonant with the office of faithful preachers, than a systematic and vigorous course of labors, to send forth men of like faithfulness, into every land? What can more clearly show the benign tendency of the religion which is preached, than well directed efforts to make its blessings co-extensive with the human race? What can operate more powerfully to raise the tone of piety and the standard of Christian charity, than the united and concentrated action of those, who are set for the defence of the Gospel, and who apply to the promulgation of the Gospel, all the advantages, which God has put into their hands?

No truth is more forcibly exhibited in Scripture, than our strict accountability for all the talents committed to us; and for the use of no talent can men be more responsible, than for the influence which they may be capable of exerting, in consequence of occupying a public station, to which Divine Providence may have called them for the highest and noblest purposes. How cheering the thought, that while a minister in a Christian land is preparing for heaven the immortal beings committed to his charge, he may be exciting them to aid in conferring spiritual blessings upon other immortals, the inhabitants of a distant continent or island; thus putting in operation a series of beneficent causes, the effects of which shall never have an end; and thus laying a foundation for eternal gratitude and praise, that they were the voluntary, though feeble and unworthy, instruments of contributing to so glorious a consummation. How delightful the anticipation of meeting, in the New Jerusalem, redeemed sinners from different and remote parts of the world, proclaiming their obligation to the same benevolent agency, which was not only the means of eternal life to many within the sphere of its direct operation, but was extended to many others, of whom nothing was known but their need of the Gospel.

While a peculiar and most delightful agency is assigned to the clergy, in the great work to which they are here called, all other persons of influence in the church are also urged, by the most powerful considerations, to co-operate for the promotion of the same glorious design. Let those, who, by a long life of consistent Christian examples, have obtained the reputation of fathers and mothers in Israel, take peculiar pleasure

in giving their dying testimony and their last labors to this cause. Thus will their setting sun go down with a mild and heavenly radiance, and cast its vivifying beams upon the generation that is to follow. The young Christian, whose heart is set upon the greatest, the most desirable, and the most permanent objects, has a path of true glory open before him. Can his ardent and vigorous mind need an exhortation? Will he not anticipate more than the occasion would permit to be said? Let him consult his Bible, his conscience, and cast his eye forward to the judgment day, and he will not linger or hesitate.

With a devout acknowledgment of the kindness and faithfulness of God, the members of this Board will cheerfully trust in his promises, and leave themselves and their humble ministration, to his disposal.

By order of the Prudential Committee,

JEREMIAH EVARTS, Clerk pro tem. Springfield, Sept. 19, 1821.

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per man.

Nov. 13. We have now a house finished, 17 feet by 22, with a brick chimney, for the accommodation of travellers. We have suffered much inconvenience from not having sufficient room for them; fifteen or twenty sometimes calling at once, to tarry over night.

Last evening enjoyed a pleasant season of conversation, singing, and prayer with several guests from Mississippi and Pennsylvania.

Circular from the War Department.

Received by mail from the War Department, by order of the Secretary of War, the Lancasterian Sytem of Education with improvements. It was accompanied by a circular, recommending the adoption of the system in the schools established for the instruction of Indian children. The parental care which the General Government exercises over these schools, demands our liveliest gratitude.

Sabbath, 18. Three or four of the natives attended public worship. After the exercises were closed, we attempted to converse with them by means of our boys. They can interpret but very imperfectly on religious subjects. We anticipate the time with much interest, when the two youths at the Cornwall school will return to their nation, and act as interpreters at these establishments.

[Though so many travellers call at this station, they are, by donations, and in other ways, a source of profit to the mission.]

29. Four young gentlemen tarried with us last night and a part of this day. Three of them are froin New York, and are professors of religion. Their visit has been very pleasant. They are teachers of penmanship. They made a donation of $10 to the school.

Dec. 3. A pious gentleman of the Methodist denomination from Tennessee, visited us to-day. He left $5 for the school. In the evening united in the monthly concert of prayer.

6. This evening received, to our great joy, the letter from Mr. Slocomb, contain ing the donation of $100 from Gen. Putnam, which we supposed was lost. The letter was mailed in July last.

[That the Indians should be ignorant of the Sabbath, is not surprising. But that they are in general wholly ignorant of God, may to some seem doubtful, so frequently do they use the phrases, the Great Spirit, the Great Father above, &c. That, however, they have little, or no idea of God, as a Spirit, might be easily shewn. That they generally know nothing about him, is asserted below. See also, vol. xvii, p. 342.]

Sab. 9. Not knowing when the Sabbath comes, the Choctaws frequently bring articles for sale on that day. In such cases, we give them the privilege of storing their articles till Monday. This evening two Choctaw men and one woman came from a village about 15 miles distant with potatoes. Through our friend Capt. Folsom, providentially with us to-day, we held a talk with them. They stated, that there are four families in the neighborhood in which they reside; that they have concluded to work; that they do not purchase whiskey and bring it into their neighborhood, as many other Choctaws do; that their head-man, called the Red Switch, never drinks to intoxication; and that he advises them to bring what they have to sell to the missionaries, to purchase clothes with.

The moral condition of this people is truly deplorable, and must cause every benevolent heart to weep. Surely darkness hath covered the land, and gross darkness the people. They say, that "the Choctaws talk about the great Father above. But they do not know who he is, or what he wishes them to do. They think, that if missionaries should come among them, and talk with them, it would do good." We have never visited that part of the country in which they reside.

10. We have now completed three double brick chimneys accommodating 6 rooms, and one single chimney. Our bricklayer left us to-day to go to Elliot, to build a large chimney there.

Arduous labors.

12. Started a five horse waggon for Elliot. It takes over a quantity of lime and

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tår for that establishment, and will bring back flour, and some articles of clothing. Those who have had no experience in a similar situation, can form no just conception of the extent and variety of labor in these establishments. In almost every neighborhood in New England, furniture, farming tools, blacksmithing, shoe-making, &e. can be obtained, by going a short distance, at a reasonable price. Those who wish to build, can be supplied with boards, shingles, and other materials at any time, and to any extent necessary. Here, we must saw our plank by hand, and either make our shingles, or transport them a great distance, burn our own lime, and make our own brick. In short, we should be embarrassed continually, if we could not do the work of a blacksmith, carpenter, cabinet-maker, mill-wright, wheelwright, shoe-maker, tailor, saddler, harnessmaker, &c. We have oakum to pick, boats to cover, caulk and pitch, and our supplies to convey from distant places, both by land and water. This shows that business must advance slowly, unless we are well supplied with mechanics and other help, and with money.

The hauling of provisions and other supplies from Elliot, and of lumber for buildings, in addition to our farming business, obliges us to keep heavy teams of oxen and horses; and we find it very difficult in this country to obtain experienced and faithful teamsters.

Excessive cold.

15. After two days of sunshine, the ice is still hanging to the trees and bushes, and even to the grass and weeds in the open prairie, which froze on them during a rain, 48 hours ago. The thermometer, at sunrise this morning, stood at 11o.

17. Hired a man and his wife this morning, from the settlements in Alabama, for one year. He is an industrious farmer, and his wife a good seamstress.

24. Our waggon arrived from Elliot with flour, clothing, &c., and brought letters from several of the brethren there.

26. The weather is excessively cold for this climate. Thermometer this morning at sunrise stood at 8°, which is three degrees lower than it had been since we have been in this nation.

29. In the evening brother Williams arrived, accompanied by the Rev. G. Hol-lenbeck.

Sab. Dec. 30. Our dear brother Hollenbeck preached unto us the words of eternal life. Text: I am the light of the world. With his exercises we were much instructed and refreshed. The Lord reward him for his labors of love. He is a

licentiate from the Presbytery of Albany, || N. Y. Was last from Natchitoches, Louisiana, and is on his way to Tennessee; in feeble health, having suffered much from remittent and intermittent fevers.

Closing reflections.

31. Thus, through the tender mercy of our God, we are brought to the conclusion of another year of our short lives, and of our labors. With devout gratitude and praise we are constrained to say, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.

MISSION AMONG THE CHEROKEES.

EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL KEPT
AT BRAINERD.

(Continued from p. 16.)
A refractory scholar.

Nov. 15, 1821. An adult scholar, a half breed, went out of school without leave.

16. The scholar above mentioned attended school to-day. When his class

took their places to read, he reluctantly sat down with them and read; but would not spell, though repeatedly required to do

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Mr. Chamberlain conversed with him respecting his conduct. He wept, and soon left the house. Mr. Chamberlain followed him to his cabin, went with him to father Hoyt's room, and spent some time in conversation with him alone. He did

not appear angry, but much distressed. He said he wished to leave this country, and go to war against the Osages. Mr. ChamFain inquired why he violated the rules of the school, by going out as he did,-why he did not ask permission: He said he thought of it, but his heart was so bad he could not. Mr. Chamberlain, after pointing out the danger of attempting to run away from God, told him he might go or stay, as he chose.

17. The scholar mentioned yesterday told us this morning he had made up his mind to leave the school, and go to the Arkansas. When Mr. Chamberlain gave him his clothes, he said he wished to ask forgiveness for his conduct. When Mr. C. replied that he would freely forgive him, he immediately burst into tears, and wept. sometime, and went away much affected. He is now gone, and our opportunities for instructing him are probably for ever past. After leaving us, he met brother Butler, and told him he was very sorry he had left the school, and would go back, but feared he could not be received. As brother Butler knew not what he might have done to oce VOL. XVII.

casion his leaving the school, he did not urge him to return.

Death of John Rackley.

18. This evening John Rackley, a scholar of about 14 years of age, was taken with a pain in his head, and vomiting.

20. The sick boy was removed into the mission house for his comfort, and our con venience in attending him. Before night he became delirious. Some of the others are unwell. They are generally taken with a severe headache 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 sun-rise he died. This dear child was almost the only hope of an aged grandmother, whose earthly friends have fled to the world of spirits, ad left her gray hairs to go down with sorrow to the grave. This is the first instance of mortality among the scholars, since the comabove mentioned, arrived about sun-set, inmencement of this school. The old lady expressibly borne down with grief.

22. The remains of the deceased child were committed to the tomb.

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