a long talk with a very full assembly of Indians, and gave them their cattle. They appeared to be much gratified with what they heard and saw. According to their particular request, and entirely to their satisfaction, brother L. divided their cattle among them. They desired that the cattle might remain, however, in charge of the mission until next spring, on account of their fields at present not being enclosed so as to secure them from depredation The two labourers for the Ottawas are instructed to procure hay on the prairies for the stock, during the winter. The Indians renewed their solicitations for a school, and for other instruc tions which they hoped for from the mission. Gosa, after a serious conversation with his countrymen, informed brother L. that Noonday and Blackskin, had replied to some things they had heard, that they did not know how to pray; they wisned some one would instruct them. These Indians are, about this time, counselling largely among themselves on the subject of improving their condition. July 27. Topailue, the principal Chief of the Putawatomie tribe has deceased within a few days, on his return from Chicago. His death has been occasioned by the intemperate use of ardent spirits. Since the Indians assembled at their villages, on their return from the last winter's huntings, not less than 25 of them within a short distance around our place, have either been murdered by their fellows, in their Bachannalian revels, or have otherwise lost their lives by intoxication. Aug. 18. Were much perplexed with intoxicated Indians. About midnight || one of our hired men awoke us to inform that an Indian was on one of our dwellings, breaking the roof in order to gain admittance. I hastened out, and on inquiring what he meant, he replied he wanted fire to light his pipe. We gave him fire, and a severe reprimand, and let him go. Aug. 19. A perioque returned from Grand river, by which we receive messages from Noonday, Blackskin, and Go sa. These messages were written down by one of our young men. The following is an extract from the letter of Noonday. JAN. 1827. || "Brothers, we have met to-day to have a little talk. We are still waiting, hoping you will fulfil your promises to us. We are well satisfied with the news Gosa brought us from the eastward. We have lately returned from Detroit. We continue in the same mind as formerly, and are trying to persuade others to agree with us. We hope our friends at Carey will do for us what they have promised. I have nothing more to say, only that I wish our friendship may be lasting." BLACKSKIN'S LETTER. "Brothers, I have not much to say at present. We here are all of one mind. You say there is a God; we want you to fear him, and fulfil your promises. The cattle you have brought us, we are well satisfied with, and we send you our thanks for them. We have not seen the governor this summer, but will shortly go to see him. This is all I have to say at this time." Aug. 24. John L. Leib, Esq. of Detroit, the special Agent appointed by government to visit annually, and report, the Missionary Stations in this country, has spent about fonr days with us, made inquiries, &c. and this day took his leave. Aug. 25. Noshemak is a near neighbour of ours, who has long been afflicted with ill health, to whom we have often given medicine. He called to-day and asked for a cathartie. While conversing on the subject, he inquired, how long it would be until prayer-day? (Sunday ;) and went on to inform that conversation he had in his tent, on a visit made him from a mission, about a year ago, had not been forgotten by either himself or his wife. A deep impression, had been. made on their minds, and they had since that time daily thought on God and pray ed to him. He thought on God every night before he slept, and every morning as soon as he awoke, and that neither he nor his wife had been intoxicated for a long time. Among other pleasant communications which we have lately received from our friends, is one of particular interest from 4 LETTER FROM REV. E. GOING TO THE CORRESPONDING SECRETARY. Worcester, Nov. 17, 1826. Rev. and dear Sir, Sept. 10, I visited the Tonawanda Indian station among the Senecas, situated on the Tonawanda creek, 14 miles northwest of Batavia, under the patronage of the New York Baptist Convention. It has a school of 30 children in flourishing circumstances, under the care of brother Bingham, who is also a licensed preacher, and who, with his wife, has consecrated himself to the work of Indian reform. a good brother in Vermont, informing || EXTRACT OF A that some, benevolent friends of correct thinking, were about making provision for two of our Indian boys to receive there a medical education. This we record on our Journal as good, encouraging news. From the favourable disposition manifested towards the measure of sending into the settlements of the whites, the 8 youths who left our school last winter, the intimation just referred to above, and several similar communications lately received, we are encouraged to hope that the condition of these north western tribes will soon become so well understood, that compassionate hearts liberal hands will provide for other promising youths of our school, males and females, as will enable them to under-efficacy of christianity to promote their stand, and to feel, and to remedy their country's wants. Aug. 29. The Putawatomies and Miamies have been notified to attend a treaty with the U. States next month, the object of which is a cession of some Indian lands to the U. S. A Council has been called in the house of the old chief lately deceased, to confer on the subject. and None of the missionaries chose to attend, but we had, with their consent, one of our pupils there, who brought to us a very correct account of the proceedings of the Council. Sept. 11. We send an express to Detroit ph business, and to conduct hither through the wilderness, a male, and two female missionaries lately appointed to this mission, and whom we are to meet in Detroit the 15th. inst. Brother Lykins had intended to participate the pleasure of accompanying our expected associates, but has been prevented by the indisposition of our brother Meeker, who has been several weeks an invalid by an attack of fe The settlement, which includes near 200 Indians, exhibits evidence of the practicability of Indian reform, and of the temporal as well as eternal interest. Vast improvements have been already made in their condition. Much of their lands is well fenced and in a good state of cultivation. Many of their houses are well built and comfortable. They have also a saw-mill, and various other accommodations, indicative of their approach towards a state of civilization. Near one third of the number may be considered as under the general influence of religious principle; while ten have made a publick profession of faith, and their lives appear to evince the sincerity of their profession. Of these one has recently died in the triumphs of faith. He, in the immediate view of death, charged his christian brethren to live in peace, and in his name to say to the pagan party, that he once sought for heaven and happiness in the Indian religion; but that it never made him better, that he once thought that it was a religion that the Lord gave to the Indians, but now clearly saw that the Lord never told them that it was good. After he had been told that though it was wrong to hunt on Sunday, yet if he was sorry, he would not be deprived of the privilege of communing, he said, "Me done one other-don't know but it is sin: you know-me tell you. Me attend Indian court eleven days ago at Lockport: you know where. Well, me get ready to go home-find a man and waggon going my way-me say, Let me ride,-me lame. Well, he say, Get in, welcome. Well, by and by came to tavern you know where. Well, he say, Indian, you ride, now you pay me. Well, me take out two shillon, give um. He laugh-give um back-say no take um-you welcome ride, only you treat um, that's all. Well, me call for some liquor, he drink um. Well, we set out Me of myself and of professors in general. Every one spoke of one of their sisters, who was sick and detained from the meeting. Some hoped she would recover, and be with them at the next communion season, and others, fearing that she would die, hoped that they should commune with her in heaven. But the communication of William Prentop, who appeared to be a man of sound sense as well as of mechanical ability, was most interesting. He said, through the interpreter, who is a serious man, though not a professor of religion, and speaks only broken English,-"me great many thankful to God for this meeting. He keep us alive while one of our brethren die. Me great many sorry for our sick sister, that she can't be with us to day. Me still believe in God-me love him-me-pretty soon he grow cross-quarrel. wish to serve him. But me done one sin. Last spring me go down Allegany hunt you know where. Well, me hunt all the week-no catch um. Well, me think me no hunt Sunday-me go home see if me can find a meeting. Well, me go along thinking about God and good things-deer came out of the woods right before me. Me think me shoot um. No: me fraid to kill deer Sunday-but me don't know: me no catch um all the week. While me thinking, another deer come right along beside him. Me up shoot um, kill um both. Then me think me fraid me done wrong, but me dress um and then go to meeting. Well, me dress one-forcibly, as did the whole appearance of minister come along. He say, you Bufalo Indian? No me Tonawanda Indian. He say, you know Mr. Bingham? O yes; he my friend. He say, you go to meeting to day? Yes, by and by; may be. You minister? He say, Yes. You preach to day? Where? He say, There, pointing to the place, a school house near by. Well, me come by and by; may be. Well, me dress um, then me think me go to meeting. No: me hands all bloody minister been here he see um-he know it. So me go home, sorry all day. Me think it is wrong Me kill no more deer Sunday. Me great many glad for others that they have communion, if me don't come. Me keep back if you think best; you know." Me move away-me no want to quarrel. This simple narrative struck me very these recently converted children of the forest, as a specimen of primitive christianity, well worthy the imitation of the disciples of Christ. But I must hasten to my intended summary. There has no great alteration taken place in Buffalo, since I wrote you. During the summer, the court-house was undergoing repairs so that our meetings were held in a school-house, and they were of course smaller. Of late religious feeling has rather revived. Our friends now occupy the court-house, well fitted and commodious; and with the blessing of a stated ministry, which they now expect to enjoy, I hope the cause will prosper better than it hitherto has done. I preached there on the third Lord's-day in September. The house was full, and || dispersed. I preached five times in two the assembly solemn and tender, while days, with much encouragement. I then I exhorted them to put on the whole reluctantly left the place to meet other armour of God. The communion season appointments; but returned after two was sweet and refreshing, and more nu- weeks, and found that a few had been merously attended than any I had there made to rejoice during my absence. enjoyed. Eleven of the Amherst church || During the week succeeding, seven or came twelve miles to eat and drink with eight fled to the Saviour. Three chilus, for the last time, probably, till we shall dren in one family found Jesus precious do it in our Father's kingdom. The to their souls within twenty-four hours, church passed a vote of thanks to your one of whom was but ten years of age, Board for its assistance, and directed and a promising convert. I spent three their Clerk to certify it to you. Sabbaths here, heard more than twenty relate experience, and the week before I left, baptized five, among whom was the little girl of ten years. Others were halting between two opinions. In Hamburgh I hope my labour has not been in vain. The church has been gathered from their wanderings and encouraged to persevere. Four heads of families have been added by baptism, and several by letter. A few have hopefully been converted to God. I have assisted them to reorganize their Society, and they have resolved to build for their || accommodation a house of worship. A subscription has been opened for the purpose, and from twelve to fifteen hundred dollars obtained. If they had a suitable minister statedly with them, I see nothing in the way of their prosperity, and such a man they have some hope of obtaining next spring. I was providentially called to spent a Sabbath (Aug. 18.) in Aurora, eight miles east of Hamburgh. Here I found a few Baptist brethren. The place is destitute of preaching, except the labours of a Presbyterian minister a part of the time. Several months previous to my visit, a few had been awakened by the dying words of a young man. Of these, two had obtained hope; but the others had relapsed towards their former carelessness. I preached twice to a full and attentive audience, with unusual freedom, and under a deep impression that the Holy Spirit was present to heal. In the evening I preached at the house of one of the converts. It was crowded to overflowing. The power of the Highest overshadowed us! Some cried aloud, What shall we do? At their request prayer was offered without ceasing for them. The Lord heard and answered. Two were joyfully delivered from fear of the wrath to come, before the people October 1st. I preached for brother Metcalf at Sardinia, where is the best opportunity for maintaining an efficient church in all that region. I broke bread to eighty-seven-loving disciples. Receiving an urgent request to visit Springville, I did so, and preached, and baptized three persons. By a gentleman from the place I have since learned, that good was done, and that six or eight have obtained hope, and many others are anxious. I spent the next Sabbath at Franklinville. Here is a small church of valuable members, connected with a pleasant society, gathered by the labours of brother Eliab Going. I attended the Holland Purchase Association at Rushford. The season was considered the most interesting ever enjoyed by that body. They are well engaged in the cause of missions, and Indian reform. They have commenced a school among a branch of the Seneoas, at Squawhey Hill on the Genesee River, consisting of twenty or thirty children, with a prospect of success. I afterwards attended the New York State Convention at Mentz. The session was interesting; after spending a Sabbath at Utica, and supplying the people of brother Willey, who was sick, I directed my course eastwardly. Thus I have spent in the service of the society 48 weeks, principally in four towns, preached 175 times, attended 24 covenant meetings, broke bread 18 times, baptized 24 persons, and had 6 baptized for me, when unable to do it, Rev and dear Sir, Dec. 5, 1826. Having accomplished for the Board of Foreign Missions, a tour of eleven months, in Maine and the eastern sections of New Hampshire and Massachusetts, it becomes necessary for me, in addition to former communications, to give you the final result of my agency. During the term of my engagement, I travelled more than 3300 miles, and originated one hundred and thirty-seven Primary, and eleven Auxiliary Societies; besides re-organizing, strengthening, and combining with Auxiliaries many small Societies which were found existing. The whole number of Primaries which have been connected with Auxiliary Societies, is one hundred and sixtytwo. These have already raised and paid over to the Board about $700. The remaining subscriptions, amounting to more than a thousand dollars, may be expected in a few months. It being the object of the Board in employing an agent, to lay a broad foundation for the regular and constant increase of funds, by the establishment of small and large Societies, it was found that considerable time and labor were requi site for its attainment With this object in view, an effort was made to render the Societies as permanent as possible, and to inculcate upon the people the necessity of systematick and combined exertions for the promotion of missions. Feeling the high responsibilities of one engaged in a work of infinite importance, it was my constant aim, in opening new sources of charity, to accomplish something worthy the expense, and acceptable to the great Lord of missions. The system of benevolence which has been put in operation, from its simplicity and adaptedness to motion, is happily calculated for continued and increasing efficiency. But, then, it should be remembered, that no system, however wisely constructed, can preserve a Society from destruction, without a principle of practical godliness, deeply rooted in the hearts of its members. After the most judicious means have been employed, our whole dependance must be on God. If he sends the showers of divine grace upon the head springs of benevolence, their salubrious waters, like those of the prophet's vision, will widen and deepen as they roll onward to every nation and tribe under heaven. My tour, though arduous and protracted, was attended with many encouraging circumstances The respectful attention which my propositions obtained; the cordiality and almost universal kindness with which I was received; the numerous kind offices, and prompt services of friends; the hospitality, peace, plenty, and contentment, that smiled around the cottage fire-side, and always bade me welcome, deserve very grateful acknowledgment. These, along with the consideration of being engaged in the enterprise of heaven, the sacred cause of philanthropy, of piety, of God; and that my exertions were to command an influence on the present and everlasting prospects of men, were connected with so much sublimity, and excellence, and glory, as to smooth down every asperity, and raise the soul above discouragement and danger. With regard to our churches in Maine, there are 178; which are connected with six Associations, and comprise 11,179 members, and 135 preachers. Some of the ministers are missionaries at their own expense, and though without the advantages of a liberal education, they preach in demonstration of the spirit and with power. Finally, it may be hoped, as the millennial light is shining brighter and brighter, and the vast importance of missions is becoming more generally felt and acknowledged, that the Societies, which have been instituted in Maine,* will by proper attention and encouragement, be carried forward vigorously; and that the amount of their payments will be annually augmented. With every consideration of respect and esteem, I am yours, dear Sir, in the kingdom of the great Prince of peace. IRA M. ALLEN. Rev. Dr. Bolles. NOTICE. The Baptist Board of Foreign Missions avail themselves of the present occasion to give notice to all their Auxiliaries in the State of Maine, that they have requested Mr. Ira M. Allen to attend their several Anniversary Meetings, which occur will in the months of January, February, and March, next ensuing, and that he may be expected accordingly to be present. * A continued list of these Societies, deferred for want of room, will be published in our next Number. Ed. |