of whom we indulge hopes relative to effectively, ever has supported itself, or godly sorrow for sin. It is a solemn, weeping, joyful time with us; the best, I think, by ten times, that I ever before experienced in the desert. We try to preach, and talk, and pray, but all this amounts to but little. The Lord has done, and is doing the work; to Him be all the praise. ever will. The proportion of those who are to be supported and taught, will even be too great for that of those who can support and teach. When the savage becomes civilized, then our establishments will assume a different shape. You express some concern for the support of the mission. I am concerned too, Besides a sermon in English, I am in and would be more concerned, were there the habit on Lord's days, of delivering not such men as brother E. to help us ; one, sometimes two addresses to the In- were it not that the earth is the Lord's, dians in their own language. Usually I and the fullness thereof. When the Puspeak through an interpreter, though tawatomies shall find no friends in the sometimes I read a discourse written in eastern or western States,but Isaac M'Coy the Putawatomie language. Last Sabbath || and his better associates, then they must we sung twice, in one of our congrega- beg for bread, the bread of life too, and tion tunes, a hymn in the Putawatomie || die with hunger! Our worthy patrons, the tongue. Board of Missions, have not been able to afford us scarcely any relief for more than a year. This circumstance has thrown upon us an almost insupportable burden. I cannot repress my tears, when I tell you this. You have no idea how we have toiled, and actually suffered for food-how we have tugged and contrived; and blessed, O blessed be my God, the Mission was never in better condition in relation to supplies, than at this time; never so good. Our share of the appropriation of Congress, is yet rather small. Last winter we got it raised from 200 to $600 per an. I hope they will shortly allow us more. Our timely efforts for aid at the treaty of Chicago, has become the most fruitful source of relief. We are determined to follow up our rigidly frugal and economical course, and when our wants can no longer be borne, we will raise our cry for help, so that it shall be heard in New-England; and I am confident that there are in those regions many who will not not eat, while we are hungry, nor wear apparel, when we are naked. || You may rest assured, my brother, that the surrounding Indians are becoming more and more satisfied and pleased with our efforts for their relief. Our number of scholars is 66. You advise us to raise corn, &c. and so aid in the support of the || mission and to strengthen these remarks, you refer to the practice of other establishments. This is good advice, though I am happy to say, it is a little too late. I am not certain, that there is now, or ever was, a mission among the Indians, which manufactured more than we do. There has been manufactured on our loom, since last February, almost 300 yards of cloth. Last year we raised 900 bushels of corn. This year, besides 5 acres of oats, we raised about 1500 bushels of corn, 400 bushels of potatoes, 120 bushels of turnips, &c. Which of the mission stations, located 200 miles in the wilderness, did more than this, the second year after they struck the first stroke? Consider, too, that we have not half a competent number of missionaries. We are wearing out very fast, and sometimes fear we shall hardly last until we can be reinforced. If you say this savours of boasting, I reply, Brother E. has compelled me-We have not been able to build a mill, but hope to have one running in April next. Your hopes that we shall ultimately be able to support ourselves chiefly by our own industry, can never be realized. No station among savage Indians, operating Your affectionate brother, LETTER FROM REV. ISAAC M'COY, TO ONE Dear Brother, Carey, Dec. 30, 1824. WHEN I last wrote you, my health was declining, and soon afterwards, I was, to human appearance,brought near the grave. My protracted indisposition, shortly after || place, prepared for one among the Mia a long absence from home, caused business to so multiply on my hands, that I have not even until this time been able to get through, so as to keep along with it. Brother Lykins and Mrs. M'Coy had also severe attacks of fever last summer and fall. An infant daughter of ours died. Some others in our family were also very sick. mies, and another among the Ottawas, and for such had obtained the patronage of government, in a way that would secure to each of those places, a certain annual pecuniary relief of considerable amount. Our acquaintance with the Miamies was more extensive than with any others, and we had actually afforded them more aid and encouragement in the education of These things have greatly interrupted || their children, and the improvement of the labours most pleasing to us; the labour || their lands, then we had others. But for of imparting, directly, instruction to the want of missionary aid we were forced to natives. Nevertheless, the Lord, to show abandon one of those tribes, and for reathat the work, the power, and the glory, sons not necessary to detail here, we let are his, has not permitted the affairs of go the Miamies, but have ever since enthe Mission to retrograde, but on the con- deavoured to maintain a hold on the busitrary has multiplied his blessings upon it. ness begun among the Ottawas. Taught by many occurrences, whose voice could not be misunderstood, how little we could do in the work in which we had been privileged to engage, our private beggings for mercy, and select social prayer meetings, were esteemed blessed privleges indeed. While at the same time we endeavoured to improve every opportunity of imparting to the poor Indians, such instructions as their cases seemed to require. It is with gratitude to God, that I assure you, my dear brother, that for six months past our prospects have been brightening. The surrounding Indians have listened with more confidence than formerly, to our advice on all subjects. Topnibee, Koungee, and Koessun, chiefs, with their parties, and many others, have declared their determination to make houses and fences, the ensuing spring. Some of them will, in these things, no doubt, disappoint our hopes, chiefly in consequence of their great scarcity of food, which will oblige them to spend most of the time in seeking subsistence, and on account of their limited means. Yet still to us, who by daily observation have become so familiar with the wildness of these people, even their consenting to these things is considered auspicious. I believe you have understood that while the mission was located at Fort Wayne, in expectation that we would soon be amply reinforced with missionaries, we had in addition to the station at this These latter we found to be the most savage and suspicious of any of the natives with whom we have formed acquaintance. In consequence of these obstacles, of the want of missionaries, and of the means of support, we have hitherto been able to do very little for them. A cloud of dark, discouraging difficulties has hovered over the concern. But being favoured with an agency under our government in supplying those Indians, with a blacksmith, agriculturists, cattle, and farming utensils, we persevered in our limited, and unpromising efforts. On a tour I made among them, and another by Brother Polke, we found a considerable portion of them actually opposed to all our overtures; and on neither of these towns alluded to, could we prevail on them to meet in council and give us a hearing. Their jealousies and opposition having originated in occurrences unconnected with missionary concerns, were the more formidable. Last summer, a part of them began to come to their senses, and sent us a favourable message. Not being able to visit them at the time appointed, a man was sent hither to enquire the cause of delay. On the 24th ult. I set out for the place, 130 miles, N. E. of this. To our great satisfaction, I found the chiefs (in all nine) and other inhabitants of three villages, not only willing, but solicitous, that we should form, permanently, a mission establishment among them. For the inhabitants of one village, a direct application was made for assistance in the erection of eleven log houses, and the making of considerable fence for oxen and other cattle, for sheep and hogs, for ploughs, hoes, chains, and other farming atensels; they entreated that a blacksmith might be located near to them; that a school should be opened for the instruction of their children; and that their women might be taught domestic economy, and the arts of spinning, knitting, &c. and what was more interesting than all other requests, they solicited instruction in matters of religion. This last, as well as preceding requests, were accompanied by argument, and reference to their own condition. "I am an Indian," said the chief Noon-day; "nevertheless, I think of God and religious things, and had we a preacher among us, perhaps I could become good. I often reprove the vices of my children, grand children, and others; but they do not give attention to what I say. Possibly they would obey a preacher." He pointed out the bounds of a tract of land, say six or seven hundred acres, on which he wished us to locate the mission establishment. "This," said he, "I give to you, and if you will do for us as you have said, and do not deceive us, I and my children after me, will esteem you our friend and brother, and your kindness will never be forgotten by our people." Two children sent from those regions without our request, are now in our family and school. Notwithstanding there yet remains in that country a violent opposition, yet we esteem the opening there, the most ausauspicious of any that has ever presented itself to us in the Indian country. blacksmith and two laborers are now there at work. A There are now 67 native scholars belonging to our school at this, place, 45 males, and 22 females. 19 have advanced to the study of arithmetic, ten others to reading and writing, 16 are spelling, and 22 are yet in monosyllables and alphabet. Two of the girls are weavers, and there have been wove on our loom through the past year, 317 yards of cotton, flax, and woollen cloths. Two of the boys are apprentices to the blacksmith's business, and one to that of the shoemaker. Our farm at present incloses 81 acres, 26 acres of which is pasture. The product of the other, the past season, was, 150 bushels of oats, 1,600 bushels of corn, 400 bushels of potatoes, 120 bushels of turnips, 1000 cabbages, also peas, beans, &c. [The remainder of this letter, giving a particular account of the revival at the Station, must be deferred until our next, for want of room.] BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY LETTER FROM REV. J. M. PECK, TO THE OF MASS.-DATED Cherry Grove, (Illinois) Dec. 27, 1824. Rev. and dear Brother, PERHAPS I shall be censured, that I have made no more frequent and particular communications to the Society, the present year; but almost constant absence from home, and unusually pressing engagements of various descriptions must be my apology. Four months of my time has been in the service of the American Bible Society, and the remainder occupied in the multifarious concerns of Sunday School, missionary and other matters. The Bible cause is advancing much beyond my most sanguine expectations. Most of the Societies are now employed in distributing the Bibles received from the parent Society. The auxiliary in the county where I live, has more than 100 members, and every week is adding to the number. The following sketch will exhibit the progress made in Sunday Schools the past season, as nearly correct as partial reports from some Schools, and verbal intelligence from others, enable me to do. In Illinois, Sunday School labours commenced about 1820, and during each year since, one or more schools have been open in some part of the State. These were without any regular system,and depended upon the activity of a few individuals. I do not know of more than one instance where a school was continued in succession in the same place for two summers, till the past season. In 1823, two or perhaps three small schools were in existence a few months, the most successful of which was in Morgan County. The difficulties under which the system of Sunday School instruction laboured in Missouri and Illinois, were many, and some of no small magnitude. To most parents, the institution itself was a novelty, and but little encouragement at home was given the children to attend. and colourings of the human character, that distinguishes the middle and lower classes of the people in the southern and western States, (which form the basis of the population of Missouri and Illinois) from the population of New England, I cannot convey a clear and definite idea of the changes that must be produced, before any extensive good can be accomplished. Old and long confirmed habits must be eradicated, erroneous and false impressions extirpated, and the mind raised, refined, and enlightened, before any exten sive exertions will be made to promote religion and science either at home or abroad. Though an improvement is making amongst those who are upon the stage of active life, yet from the state of things here, it must proceed very gradually. I cannot fully convey how much difficulty is experienced, in conveying religious intelligence from abroad to this class, from their almost total ignorance of geography alone. And the same remark will apply to almost every subject of information. If my object and views were confined merely to preaching a given number of sermons in a year, or to building up churches, and the conversion of individ uals of the present generation alone, I But I might pursue a different course. Parents were not easily convinced of any peculiar advantages to be derived from this mode of instruction. Competent and faithful teachers were not readily obtained, or when engaged, circumstances trivial and unimportant,often induced them to relinquish a task, for the performance of which they received no pecuniary reward, and very often few expressions of grateful encouragement.—The state of society was fluctuating, removals were frequent, and some who bore the burden and heat of the day, were obliged to cease their labours, before any flattering prospect of harvest appeared. And even if a school was located, and any spirit of emulation excited in the scholars, the sickly season would approach, and blast all the fair prospect by a dispersion of the school. The entire want of the necessary furniture|| have long been in the habit of considering for a Sabbath school, as class papers, tick-myself as labouring for future ages; that ets, premiums, and books to promote sys- as the character of the population is now tem, excite industry, provoke emulation, formed, such will it continue to be for and induce habits of regular attendance, many generations; and that while I do were difficulties under which the schools not neglect to secure the present harvest, laboured, and for which no means within I may make provision for the growth of reach could afford a remedy. These rea future crop. No means appeared so marks apply equally to both States. The likely to gain both these ends as to bring vast importance of seizing hold of the about and keep up a complete system of young mind in these frontier settlements, Bible Societies and Sunday Schools in the induce habits of study and thinking, make two States. In this course, the hand of it acquainted with the scriptures, and Providence seemed distinctly to point. excite those liberal and enlarged feelings, The plan was matured more than a year that would tend to raise the general char- since. Connected with this, were some acter of society, and where the Spirit of systematic measures in the Missouri AsGod should stamp the divine image, pre-sociation, to promote itinerant or more pare the individual to take an active part properly circuit preaching, and to habitin the benevolent cxertions of the presentuate the Baptists here to contribute for day, had long pressed upon my mind. || preaching, a duty hitherto totally neglecUnacquainted as the Missionary Society ted, and generally so through all the western States. The success of this must necessarily be, of the various shades scheme you will learn from the Minutes || turned out to the furtherance of the gospel. of the Missouri Association. I am happy to add that this plan has been adopted and interwoven into the Constitution of the Cape Girardeau Association, formed last June in the lower part of Missouri. Upon the opening of last spring, direct and systematic attempts were made to awaken public spirit, to concentrate the energies of its friends of all denominations, to provide funds for the necessary expense, and to bring about the Sunday School systein in both States. Engagements with the Bible Society prevented the extensive operations at first contemplated, which must be reserved to another season. A printed outline of the origin, nature, and progress of Sunday Schools was extensively circulated, discourses were repeatedly delivered to large congregations on that subject, and every effort that could be, was made to bring schools into operation. The effect of these partial labours has been to awaken public spirit, and arouse public energy. Various circumstances, not necessary here to detail, had given me an extensive acquaintance with influential men in public and private life, many of whom readily lent their influence. To the congregations of every denomination I had free access, and was usually invited to preach on public occasions. The effect of these partial labours has been the establishment of Sunday Schools, in several counties in Missouri, and to an encouraging extent in Illinois. The Report of these must be reserved for another sheet. It was not to be expected that these diversified labours could be pursued without some opposition. Illinois was then shaken to its centre with the harassing and distressing question of the introduction of slavery. And though I had avoided mingling with the politics of the day, my sentiments on that question were well known. Concealment of sentiment would have been criminal. It was known I was travelling through the State. One of the public papers, (the editor, owner, and printer of which were concealed) made open and repeated attacks upon me and my objects. This like many other attacks against the Christian cause, MARCH, 1825. It did me no possible injury, but brought the objects of my labours directly before the people. Besides the above labours, portions of my time have been devoted to Rock-Spring, and St. Louis churches, besides attending five Associations in Missouri. The want of a constant preacher in St. Louis, will prevent any great increase there. In the African branch, there have been some very encouraging symptoms for many weeks. bids One of the members, a free man, fair to become a useful preacher. He thinks of emigrating to Hayti after spending some little time in study. Through Divine mercy my health has been good, and still continues firm. With sentiments of respect, I remain your unworthy missionary, THE following is a partial Report of the Sunday Schools in Illinois and Missouri for 1824. Societies for the purpose of establishing and encouraging schools in Illinois, have been formed in the counties of Sangamon, Morgan, Greene, Madison, and St. Clair. I. Greene County Society, originated the 2d Sabbath in April, and has had three schools connected with it.-1st school in Carrellton of 30 scholars, and continued 3 months and a half. 3000 verses from the Testament, and 500 verses of hymns, have been memorised and recited. Two young ladies recited each 24 chapters in Matth. including 957 verses.-2d school, 4 teachers, and 25 scholars. Verses recited from the Testament, 1296; verses of hymns, 108. One scholar recited 224, and anoth195 verses and 33 hymns.-3d school, 33 scholars. Verses from scripture, 1781. Verses of hymns, 1202. Questions in the Catechism, 215. This school made good progress, till sickness compelled the superintendent to relinquish his labours. 11. Madison County Society was organized the 2d Sabbath in May, and has had 12 |