Religious Miscellany. No. 24. "Say ye to the daughter of Zion, behold, thy salvation cometh." UNITED F. MISSIONARY SOCIETY. Vol. II. ingenious and pertinent remark by a In the Missionary Register for the respectable old Indian, a laborer of the present month, is inserted letters and family, which will no doubt have due journals from the places and dates weight on the minds of the Indians. which follow. We have given a brief "My people, (said he) told me that if view of the most important facts con- I should work, I would become a wotained in them; our limits not permit-man; but look, I am a man still, and ting us to communicate the matter in can now cloathe my children hand full. UNION MISSION. " somely, while those who are lazy, are poor and vicious." The laborers at this station continue to exercise great patience and contentedness. Emigration to the South is becoming common, and it is impossible to calculate the extent to which it will be carried, in the course of a few years. The empire of Mexico it appears is the principal place of resort. Claimore, a chief, whose name has often been mentioned in our Mission A letter from the Superintendant of this station, to Domostic Secretary, New York, under date of Aug. 18, informs, that the Osage chiefs passed the mission establishment, on their way to Fort Smith, to deliver up a murderer to the commanding officer at that station; and to settle the existing differences with the Cherokees. The murder was committed last year about January, and after so long aary extracts, was astonished and time, they had agreed to give him up. pleased with the improvements made From another letter, dated the 26th on the missionary form. He encouraof the same month, we are informed of ges the missionaries to persevere. Hẹ the escape of the murderer about 50 rests under the hope that his children miles from the post. The Osage chiefs will learn and adopt civilized habits. are anxious to settle all difficulties, with the Cherokees, notwithstanding the Cherokees lately took from them 80 horses, and killed a man who attempted to regain his property: Forty of the houses have not been recovered. As we conceive some items in the There are 12 children in the care of this family. Eleven in school and one learning the blacksmith business. Families living near the station labor with them, and a number of native females are working at various branch Journal to be of considerable impor-es, connected with housewifery, &c. Very good prospects, truly. tance, we shall take a brief notice of those the most so. In the Journal of the above mission for May, under the head of 'Indian Laborers,' there is an In the Journal for July, we notice several particulars. Under date of July 4th, the Journal mentions the 370 United Foreign Missionary Society. scarcity of provisions in the Arkansas, particularly about fort Smith. Game is becoming very scaree in the bounds of the tribe. It is expec It will be recollected that a chiefted they will soon remove back to the named Maineh Persha had resolved to village near this station. The journadopt civilized habits, and, had ac-al observes, that if nothing else, starcordingly commenced learning to la-vation will drive them to the cultivabor. From the journals before us wetion of the ground, their prospects in perceive, that after the sincerity of hunting being very dull. his intentions was tried, he, together with his wife and children, were cloathed and taken to the table of the family. He wishes his wife taught, and offers to labor to pay her boarding till he is assisted in forming a settle ment. Purchasing a boat and having men to work it, has been found to be a saving to the society of about five hundred dollars yearly. In the commencement of this month a good deal of sickness was experienced in the family; but towards its close all were in a great measure restored to health. CATARAUGUS MISSION. On the 26th September, at which time the Journal commences, the school was visited by two gentlemen, ministers of the society of friends, who heard the children read and spelt. On the 21st, an addition of two was They were much pleased with the made to the school. The total eclipse proficiency they had made in the acof the moon on the 22d, was viewed quisition of the English language; exby the Indians, as ominous of an ap- pressed their approbation of the manproaching calamity. They were un-agement, and regulation of the school; der the impression the moon was distributed some small books among dead. the children & pursued their journey, GREAT OSAGE MISSION. The family, owing to the state of the river were unable to obtain any breadstuff from the 9th to the 12th of June, during which time they were necessitated to use boiled wheat as a substitute. The quarterly examination of the school took place on the 30 h; when many of the chiefs and parents were present, and looked on with pleasure, while their little offsprings performed their lessons. Both the teacher and the parents were well pleased at the An attempt has been made to trans- attainments of the pupils. After the late a few chapters of the Scriptures examination, the children were perinto the Osage language, by Mr. Wil-mitted to visit their parents for a few liams, the interpreter. How well he days. On the 4th of October, they may succeed is not known. were ready to enter upon their studies with renewed diligence. On the 10th July three, and on the 12th, two children were received into the care of the family. On the 10th the superintendant visited a sick Indian at the village. He United Foreign Missionary Society. 871 appeared to be submissive to the willed spouse, but was informed that she was eleven years old! He was 24. The only argument he could produce for the course he pursued in this matter, of the Great Spirit, and looked on his dealings towards him as coming from a wise disposer of the lives of his creatures. The superintendant gave him such instructions as he was able to understand. A counsel was held on the 19th at the instance of Red Jacket, a Seneca chief, violently opposed to civilization among them. The Christian party forward with strength, and came was custom. CEYLON. The labors of the missionaries, Messrs. Poor and Meigs, in Ceylon, have been blessed. There have been seventeen converted natives admitted to the church in that Island; three of gained a decision in favor of the edu-whom preach the Gospel. There are cation of their children. 22 free schools, containing 1500 scho On the 30th, an Allegheny chief,lars, which have been established by brought six promising children to be the missionnries; in which are a numplaced in the school. Three of the ber of pious persons not yet members number were his own. of the church. The education of the youth of this heathenish people, is the best means, which can be adopted, to ensure the success of the Gospel among them. Thereby the good seed. of it, is planted in their memories at least; God can make it strike the heart, and it will bring forth fruit to his glory. It is the only way to overcome, INDIA, WITHIN THE GANGES. A letter from India, written by Rev. J. A. Jetter, missionary in that place, gives some facts which bring to our knowledge a custom not generally known. One of the school pundits, (we presume teaches,) after obtain-effectually, the superstitions and cusing liberty to go home to get married, requested Mr. Jetter to give him some money. Mr. J. remarked, that he had lately received his salary, and counselled him to use economy, & not make his feast more costly than his means would admit of. Upon which he replied, 'I do not mean the money the marriage feast, but for the purchase of my wife." It appeared on further of these should have but half the zeal inquiry, that his friends had payed a || manifested by some of the first scholpart of the purchase money; that if ars in the boarding school of the mishe did not pay the remainder demand- sionaries, the Island will be overrun ed, he would lose both money and in a few years, with witheses of the bride. He had never seen his intend-cross. toms which have obtained amongst them, and also the only way, whereby they will be able to introduce the Scriptures to advantage among them. One thousand well instructed youth will be an army in the field of enlightened principles opposed to the superstitious rites of the ignorant and untaught community; and if one half From the New-York Observer. PITCAIRN'S ISLAND. Pitcain's Island. We have inserted below from the olent countenances, and all of them have the most marked English features. The principles of religion and morality, have been carefully instilled into their youthful minds by John Adams, and thus far they have been preserved perfectly chaste and free from all kinds of debauchery. The Sabbath is strictly observed, and prayers are offered up every morning & evening in the most simple & unaf fected manner. We are happy to find these accounts confirmed by the follow ing article from the Evangelical Magazine. "A professional gentleman, who visited the island in December last, communicated to the Directors of the London Missionary Society the following particulars:-1 London Evangelical Magazine for November, some late and interesting intelligence from Pitcairn's island. It is well known to most of our read ers, that the settlement on this island owes its origin to the mutineers of the British armed vessel the Bounty. In this year 1789, this vessel, while employed in the Pacific Ocean, was taken from her commander, Lieutenant William Bligh, by 25 of the crew, who put the Lieutenant and 18 of his men into the launch, which, after a passage of 1200 leagues, providentially arrived at a Dutch settlement, on the island of Timor. The mutineers proceeded with the vessel to Otaheite, where 16 of the 25 desired "At the above mentioned period, to be landed, and most of them were there were residing on the island 54 afterwards taken and sent to Great persons, of whom 49 were the offBritain for trial. The remaining 9 spring of the mutineers of the Bounty. after making a short stay at Otaheite, Seven of the young men were marriwhere they took wives and six mened, and had in all 27 children, of servants, proceeded to Pitcairn's Isl- whom 23 were under 10 years of age. and, which was at that time, unin-John Adams presides as a patriarch habited, and out of the common track over this interesting population. To of European vessels. Here they the utmost of his power, he has endestroyed the ship, and remained in deavored to train them up in the entire obscurity until the year 1808, principles of piety and virtue, and when they were accidentally discov- they appear to approach nearer to ered by Capt. Folger of Boston, who the state of primeval innocence and learnt that about six years after they simplicity than perhaps any other landed, their servants attacked and community. Their condition presents killed all the English, except one a delightful picture of social happivenerable old man, (who called him- ness. The Bible is their directory. self John Adams, but whose real Most of them, who are above ten name was Alexander Smith;) and years of age, can read it. A conthat the Otahetian widows arose the siderable part of their time is emsame night, and murdered all their ployed in offering up praises to the countrymen, leaving Adams, alone Almighty.-Nearly the whole of the with the widows and children. Since Sabbath is spent in prayer, singing, Capt Folger's visit several British and reading the Holy Scriptures. commanders have touched at the Every morning, at four o'clock, they island, and they agree in represent-assemble in their respective habitaing the state of the new colony as tions for family worship, when an remarkably happy and interesting. appropriate psalm is sung. At elevThe young men and women are en, all the families meet together on a beautifully formed, and open, berev-green, in the front of their dwellings, Narrative of the state of Religion. and portions of the Scriptures, and one or two psalms are sung. Before sunset, they thus assemble again. Afterwards, they have family prayer, sing the Evening Hymn, and retire when John Adams reads prayers, ple who thus require the intervention of the Society, do not fall within the recognized sphere of its operations, the directors cannot pledge themselves to contribute towards the expenses either of equipment or maintenance, on behalf of any person going out, as proposed under the sanction of the Society; but they engage to exert themselves to procure for such person, and for his wife, (if married,} a free passage to Pitcairn's Island. to rest. "This little island is extremely healthy, and produces with very little labor, all the necessaries of life, and some of its luxuries. The scenery, where this interesting portion of the human race have fixed their habitations, is described as peculiarly picturesque and beautiful. SYNOD OF PHILADELPHIA. peace, from God Narrative of the state of Religion. "From this remote, and in various respects, desirable spot, anxiety, how-churches under their care: praying The Synod of Philadelphia to the ever, is not excluded. The number of ships which touch at this island, both English and American, is now much greater than formerly. John Adams is apprehensive that this mayes that, through the goodness of God, lead to an intercourse between stran that grace mercy and The Synod congratulate the church towards them through another year, and to communicate to them a narrative of his merciful kindness towards that section of Zion embraced in their bounds. gers and his people, injurious to their they have been permitted to meet morals and happiness. Although pos-fairs, to hear of the dealings of God again to consult on their spiritual afsessing considerable physical strength, with the use of his faculties entire, he is sensible of his advancing age, and feels desirous as do the adult portion of his large family, that an individual of weight and excellence of character, to acquire over the people a personal influence, at once just and beneficial, should settle in the island during his life-time. The plans such an individual might form for promoting the education, religious improvement, and social welfare of the people, John Adams would second with all the influence which he Presbyteries, the Synod find reason From the reports received from the for praise and thanksgiving. They rejoice, and they would call on the tokens of mercy and of love, which churches to rejoice with them in the have been vouchsafed to them during the past year. Still it becomes them to rejoice with trembling. As in past himself derives from their comfirmed much to inspire them with renewed years, they find much to deplore, and attachment and affectionate venera-determinations to increased exertions, tion. "It is the desire of Mr. Adams, and his people, that the person who may settle on the island with those views, should be an Englishmen, a minister, and that he should be sent their perishing fellow men. These causes, as they have been briefly detail to the churches, entreatpresented to themselves, they would ing them to offer to God their warmest prayer for the prosperity of Zion. out under the sanction of the London Missionary Society. Amongst the causes of praise, the "As, however, the interesting peo-Synod would notice the increased at |