Western Missionary Society.

349

the presence of the Lord would soon be experienced in that wicked village. It is the intention of the society, which employs Mr. Ferry, to establish a missionary station at Mackina. Materials for the building have been already provided.-The mission family, now at Fort Gratiat at the outlet of Lake Huron, will probably be increased, and removed to Mackina. Mr. Ferry, it is expected, will be superintendent. The object is a most important one. May the Head of the church crown it with his blessing!

"On the first of October I arrived at the Sault. The distance, by water, from Mackina is ninety miles; by land, we suppose not more than 40. No road has yet been opened.

"I left home on the 23d of August. On the 7th of September I reached Detroit. There I was detained until the 11th, when I commenced my voyage to the Sault, in one of the finest vessels belonging to the Lakes. Contrary winds prevailed very much; and on Huron Lake, we were nearly lost in a most violent storm. After fifteen days sailing, we arrived at Mackina. It is 350 miles from Detroit. The village is pleasant, and much larger than I expected. Shortly after I went on shore, I was seized by a most violent fit of the ague. It enfeebled me very much. Before the Sabbath, however, I thought myself able to preach; and accordingly notice was circulated. At the ringing of the bell, a large congregation assem- "I was cordially received by Chrisbled in the court house. The appear- tian friends at this post. They were ance of the people was genteel; and, glad to see the face of a minister of during the whole exercises, they man- Christ, who intended to spend some ifested a greater attentiveness than I months with them. As my health have usually had the pleasure of wit-had been bad for two weeks, it was nessing. My own feelings were very deemed proper, that I should devote much excited. When I rose to ad- a few days, in a particular manner, to dress them, as also during the intro-its improvement. A physician was ductory services, I could scarcely ut-called in, who administered some meter an entire sentence, with an un- dicine, which, by the blessing of God hesitating, unfaultering voice. For it has succeeded in checking my ague. occurred to me, that these people, On Sabbath the 5th, I thought I would so interesting in their appearance, attempt to go throught one service.were like sheep not having a shep- We met in the school room; which herd. The Rev. Mr. Ferry, who was very well filled. The commanwas sent out by the Northern Mis-ding officer, (Major Cutler, a gentlesionary Society at Albany,' spent a man whom I very much esteem,) and year at Mackina; and was instru- the rest generally attended. inental, I trust, in doing considerable congregation was solemn. good. He organized a church, which "Since the communications were consists of 8 members. He prevail-made to the Board, which led to my ed on the inhabitants generally to a-appointment, five or six professors of bandon secular employments on the religion in the Presbyterian church Sabbath, and come out to hear the have left the place. We feel the loss Gospel. He appears to be universal-sensibly. We have however, remainly beloved; and a strong wish for his ing two professors in our church, and return is expressed by every one. I perhaps 3 who would wish to make a hope he will return, because, from profession. Besides these, are two many circumstances I am led to be-members of the Methodist connexion, lieve that, through his instrumentality, and one lady who is a communicant a blessed season of refreshing from in the Episcopal church.--They u

The

nite with us with apparent cordiality. I am also informed, that some of the soldiers profess to be changed in heart. My design at present is to organize a church in the course of a month; and that transaction will probably bring to light some encouraging circumstances or facts, which have hitherto been unknown.

high in the estimation of the officers and men.

"On last Sabbath, 12th, I preached according to the new arrangement. The congregations were both large and attentive.

"I am decidedly in favor of a missionary station being established in the vicinity of this place. Every ju"According to an arrangement dicious man also, to whom I have which the commanding officer has spoken on the subject, is of the same made, I am to perform divine service opinion. Even, if the contemplated at half past ten on Sabbath morning school at Mackina should go into operin the school room, for the benefit ation, still I doubt not that a very of the officers and their families, and large one could be supported here. such citizens as may attend. At 2 The Chippeway tribe is one of the o'clock in the afternoon, I am to preach most considerable in North America. in the Quarters of the men, taking the The usual computation makes them companies in rotation. I also design more than twenty thousand in number. to have a meeting on the evening of Their language is spoken from Monthe first Monday of every month. It treal to the Rocky Mountains.-The shall likewise be my business as fre- Indian agent of this Post, who is a quently as possible, to visit, in their gentleman of much intelligence, has families, the inhabitants of each vil-made great researches in the language lage, and to preach to them. A large commodious building for public worship will be erected as soon as the

spring opens.

of the surrounding Indian tribe. He has formed a Dictionary and also a Grammar, which, I have reason to believe, are quite accurate. He has "The ladies of this place meet to- some thoughts of publishing both gether regularly on Sabbath evenings works before long; and he has assufor religious exercises. The one who || red me that if he should not, the manwas converted last May, through the uscripts would be at the service of instrumentality of brother Moore, ap- any missionary gentlemen, who might pears to be a growing Christian. desire to use them. What facilities would thus be afforded, at this place, of learning the Chippeway language!

"My situation here for the winter is likely to be pleasant. The commanding officer has given me two comfortable rooms in the camp. I find the officers generally to be moral and intelligent men. It would be impossible for me to say too much in praise of the worthy individual, whose communications were instrumental in bringing me hither. I board in his family; and pass many pleasant hours in his company. He is possessed of a good mind, which, taken in connexion with his ardent piety and his meekness of spirit, renders him very interesting. He is also the commissary of the detachment, and stands

For the Miscellany.

DIALOGUE
Between an Indian Convert & a Christian.

Ind. You have then determined to support the cause of missions no longer?

Ch. I have, inasmuch as I think it an object unworthy of support.

Ind. I regret very much, my friend, that one, so wealthy and influential as yourself, should be prejudiced against a work in itself so glorious.

Ch. I have never known any good

Dialogue.

results to flow, from all exertions that have been made.

Ind. Cast your eye over the world, and you cannot fail to see many striking evidences of its good effects.

351

where to be found, even where the full blaze of gospel light has shone for many years.

Ch. If such be the fact, I must acknowledge that my impressions were Ch. I am not in the habit of read-incorrect. I have yet a doubt, concerning your missionary accounts, and ing the judicious and proper applicatherefore do not know much myself tion of the money committed to the concerning the progress of christiani- charge of the Board of missions. ty among the heathen;-but I hear Ind. In what particular instance? many say that no good has been done. Ch. I am not aware of any myself, Ind. Ah! my friend, I see that but I hear many say that a satisfactoyou like many other charitable citi-ry account is not always given of the zens are influenced, too much, by the disposal of the

money.

hue and cry, that has been raised a- Ind. You have never then examgainst missionary efforts, by the ene-ined for yourself? mies of the cross. Ch. No.

Ind. Well, procure the regular Reports, and you will see a full and satisfactory account given of every cent received and disposed of.

Ch. Such may be the case. I am therefore open to conviction;-point out to me several instances, where good has been done and it shall in a great measure remove my prejudices. Ch. I now begin to see that my Ind. Instances are very numerous prejudices were unfounded; hence-I myself was once groping in heath- forth I shall give liberally, and I enish darkness. I had never heard know of many of my friends, who are of a dying Saviour's love; but spent also blinded as I was; my exertions the greater part of my life in worship-shall not be wanting to remove the ping logs and stones. This hand has scales. been imprued in the blood of my three Ind. I am rejoiced to hear you lovely children whom I slaughtered speak in this way, and hope that God to render my imaginary gods propiti-will bless your exertions. It has ofYes, this tongue has tasted often been a matter of astonishinent to me that the Christian world is not more alive to the vast importance of Missions. Could they but see what I have seen, they would take more interest in the welfare of the poor Heathen.-I could tell of the mother, who, deaf to the cries of the tender infant that hangs upon her breast, rushes from her hut and hastens to a river side, where she tears it from her bosom and plunges it into the deep

ous.

the blood of my affectionate wife, as it ran warm from the wound that had been inflicted in obedience to the rules of my country's religion. Methinks I hear the groams of my aged parents, which they uttered as I was engaged in strangling them, in accordance with the custom of a super stitious people. In this state I was, when first the friendly missionary visited my hut. Ch. You may be the only one pro-a sacrifice to her god, which never exbably who has been brought to a knowledge of the Saviour by these

means.

isted but in imagination. I could tell of the wife, who, forgetting her tender offsprings, resolves to perish on Ind. No. I could tell you of hun-her husbands funeral pile. With herodreds; yea, of thousands. I know of ic ardor she longs for the conflictsome islands, whose inhabitants man- the appointed time arrives-she bids ifest more real piety, than is any her surrounding friends a last fare

Poetry-Religious Visitor.

Religious Miscellany.

No. 23.

"Say ye to the daughter of Zion, behold, thy salvation cometh."

CARLISLE, DECEMBER 26, 1823.

EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE AME

Vol. II.

year, than the same time the preceding

RICAN EDUCATION SOCIETY, OCT. 1, one, And notwithstanding, this 1823, condensed.

statement has already been made known to the public, little has been

The remaining cause of solicitude is, the "increasing desolations of our country."

In presenting this report, the man-done to increase the funds. agers do it with mingled emotions of sorrow, solicitude, and encouragment. Of sorrow, in memory of the dead. Several of their Beneficiaries, have, In the narrative of the during the last year died, as well as state of Religion, of the General Asmany ministers of Christ; two of the sembly of the Presbyterian church, former and more than thirty of the it is stated, that in the Presbylatter. They do not sorrow, though tery of Niagara, there are only 7 for them, as those that have no hope. ministers and 31 churches; in that of The evidences given by those of Albany, there are 50,000 souls withthem, most connected with the Socie-out the adaquate means of grace; and ty were such as to convice their survi- in the extensive states of Mississippi ving friends, that they had fought the and Louisiana, there are not more good fight. than eight or ten ministers of this deThey have several causes of solici- nomination. The whole territory of tude. First-Relative to the Beneficia Florida, are yet missionary ground. ries; some of whom are of such dis-Michigan, together with East West position as to labor all their lives, rather than accept of any charitable assistance, and this it is feared, will lead to discouragment, not having any wealthy relations to aid them, and their parents being unable. Thus they are left after having commenced their studies, (in the language of the Report,) not only to the "discourage-seven towns destitute of Presbyterian, ment arising from the plague of their own hearts, the indiscreet conduct of their companions, and the reproaches of those who have no sympathy on them, but they soon find themselves involved in debt," which, instead of being able to pay, while they pursue their studies, are involved more and

more.

In the Baptist church there are, ac· cording to a statement of the managers of the General Convention of that church, 1035 vacant churches in the United States belonging to that body,

In the Episcopal Church there are many vacancies. In the state of Maine, are one hundred and twenty

Episcopal or Congregational Ministers. In New-Hampshire, many churches are in a decaying state. It is represented as having one hundred destitute churches in the state. In Vermont in 1821, 81 towns were represented as being destitute of a minister of any denomination. In Massachusetts there are 39 vacant churches. In Connecticut and N. Y. States, there are considerable exertions made by domestic missionaries.

2dly. With respect to their funds. This arises from the lukewarmness of some of their most important auxiliaries; from thea mount of subscriptions We give in the language of the Reyet unpaid; and consequently the di-port, the following facts, which canminished state of their receipts, which not be too much known.

are $3,500 less the first half of the last "Of all the other States, there is no