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In most instances, on a profession of religion, the Indians have renounced intoxication, though frequently solicited by white pagans, who have felt it their interest to draw them aside into their former vices. Some time since an effort of this kind was said to be made at a certain store: the Indians drank, but declined a second glass: they were urged and pressed:-they were "welcome to drink freely what they pleased:-a little more surely will do you no harm." Having learned something of the devices of Satan, they perceived the design, and with native sagacity and thought, inquired, "Have you Bible?" "Yes, we have Bibles," and handed them down. The Indian opened one, and exclaimed, "O, much Gospel, very good. Much whiskey, no good!" On this bint that they had embraced the Gospel, and this was better than rum, they desisted from any farther attempts to make the Indians drunk.

In these Indians there is nothing artful, no studied affectation: all is simple and natural,-giving vent to their feelings in artless expressions of sincere devotion.-When the penitents are brought to feel their unworthiness and just deservings, they become earnest in their supplications that the Great Good Spirit will have mercy on them, and, for the sake of his beloved Son, forgive all their sins. Nor do they long mourn in sorrow. They listen with eagerness to hear of the sufferings of Jesus; and believing that he is now able and willing to save, their trouble is removed, their spirit is revived, the Comforter is come, the love of God is shed abroad in their hearts, giving them assurance that God is reconciled, when they rejoice with joy unspeakable.

The changes wrought in the outward deportment of these Indians are as extraordinary as their devotions are sincere; and they are manifest among the most respectable, as well as in those of abandone lives. Two

instances out of many I here give you. Among the respectable is Jacob, a Mohawk, of good disposition and amiable manners. His industry in his way of farming had raised him in his worldly circumstances to a more civilized and comfortable mode of living; and he seldom allowed himself to be intoxicated. Such was the character of Jacob, that he was much esteemed, and thought to be a good and very happy man: and so did Jacob think of himself, till he heard the truths of the Gospel in power. He then saw himself a sinner: his heart had never been changed, had never loved God,— never worshipped him in spirit and in truth. Atthe camp-meeting Jacob found peace, and returned to his home a happy Christian, and soon after rejoiced in the conversion of his wife and two fine daughters. Jacob is now much alive to the welfare of his people. Before his conversion he looked with indifference on the degrading practices of his nation; but he now goes from cabin to cabin, among his neighbours, saying, "Oh, my brethren, do not these abominable things. The Great Spirit is angry. You must die. Now consider where the wicked man must go." Jacob urges the new birth,-tells his people, "We must be born new meu. Our heart new. His Spirit make us new heart. Then, O! much peace, much joy." Jacob too is much concerned for the rising and future generations of his people, and is very importunate for a school in his neighbourhood.

The other I shall name is a man who was so given to drunkenness that he would part with any thing to gratify his thirst for whiskey. On one occasion he offered to sell the only bullock he had to obtain whiskey; and because his neighbour would not purchase it, he attempted, in a rage, to destroy the creature. At another time, when he had sold all his clothes that were worth any thing, he stole away from his wife the few traces of seed-corn which she had carefully reserved for planting.

ample of the blessed effects of such an application of the means supplied by the benevolent friends of the cause of Missions, I would here refer to that extensive section of country in the State of Georgia, situate west of the Oakmulgee river, and extending to the eastern boundaries of the Creek and Cherokee nations of Indians, and skirting on both the Floridas. It is well known that but a few years ago almost the whole of this country was in the possession of Savage men; but since by treaty it became subject to the jurisdiction of the State of Georgia, the white population has extended over it with unusual rapidity. This tide of emigration was followed by the Missionaries, and in a very short time the following Circuits, as the fruit of their labours, were enrolled in our regular plan of Stations: Gwinnett, Yellow River, Fayette, Monroe, Houston, Appling, Early, Chatahoochee, Satilla, and St. Mary's. These Circuits, though so recently formed, embrace between three and four thousand Members, and afford support to the Preachers appointed to labour on them. I pray, Sir, that it may not be forgotten that these Circuits were formed by Missionaries, and their very names shall remain in our history as monuments of Missionary zeal. I shall not pretend to detain you and this listening assembly, Sir, with a view of the privations, and sacrifices, and sufferings inseparable from a Missionary life in newly-settled countries, and especially among the Indians suffice it to say that they are not worthy to be mentioned in comparison with the "glory" of the work in which the "ambassadors of Christ " are engaged. It remains to furnish a brief outline of the Stations at present occupied as Missionary ground and I regret, Sir, that time and circumstances will not admit of that detail which I am certain would be highly interesting. It must also be observed that I shall notice only that part of the work which has come under my own immediate observation: but it affords me much pleasure to hear from one of my worthy colleagues the "joyful news" of the success of the Missionary cause in that department to which his labours have been chiefly confined.

New Orleans. Although several attempts were made some years ago to effect an establishment in this city, and at very considerable expense, nothing appeared to realize our hopes till the last year. At the Conference at Tuscaloosa, (Dec., 1824,) such representations were made as appeared to justify the appointment of a Missionary.

It was accordingly done; and if we may judge by the fruits, it was an auspicious event. In the course of the year an eligible lot of ground was purchased and paid for, and a convenient chapel erected, and nearly finished. A considerable part of the funds necessarily expended in this work was supplied by the liberal donations of the citizens of New Orleans, and was obtained by the Superintendent and Missionary, in visiting from door to door! Be not weary in well-doing, for in due time ye shall reap, if ye faint not. A large and attentive congregation has been collected,_the_infant Society has been strengthened, comforted, and increased,-and from good authority it is believed that the state of public morals has experienced the beneficial effects.

Mobile and Pensacola.—I cannot mention this Station, Sir, without pecnliar sensibility. Here the amiable, the zealous, the indefatigable Cook, of most precious memory, finished his course the last year. But he died as he lived, like a Christian Missionary: neither danger nor death could drive him from his post. He was not afraid to die; but he was afraid to forsake the work evidently assigned him by the providence of God. But although H. P. Cook be dead, he yet speaketh. The language of his honourable example says to every Minister, and especially to every Missionary, "Go thou, and do likewise." He still lives, not only in the affectionate remembrance of his numerous friends, on whose hearts the character of his Christian and Ministerial worth has made the deepest impression; but also in several Missionary Societies formed by his exertions, which now stand, and I pray to God may remain, the monuments of his zeal in his Master's cause. "Let me die the death of the faithful Missionary, and let my last end be like his." This Station is still retained as a Mission, but with the fairest prospect of its becoming a regular charge, with sufficient strength to support a Preacher the ensuing year.

The South Carolina Conference embraces the greatest extent of Missionary labours.

Tallahassee Mission derives its name from an inland but flourishing town in West Florida, and includes both the town and adjacent country. Here a convenient chapel has been built, and a Society formed of upwards of seventy members. This is justly considered as a most important Station, with reference to the whole territory of West Florida,

furnished, without expense on our part. An opening so apparently providential, and at the same time so promising, we did not feel ourselves at liberty to neglect. Francis A. Owen was accordingly appointed to the Station, to open a School, and preach to the Indians of the town and surrounding country. Perhaps we have never sent a Missionary among the Indians under circumstances more apparently auspicious. But we know that success depends, after all our efforts, upon the blessing of Him who has promised to give the Son' the heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for a possession.' We had previously a flourishing Station at Gunter's, about forty or fifty miles from Newtown, the place just mentioned, where a fine School was in successful operation, and a considerable Society formed. This Station is still preserved, under the care of Ambrose F. Driskill, who teaches the School, and preaches extensively to the surrounding settlements. In addition to the Stations, a regular four weeks' Circuit has been formed, embracing a considerable portion of the nation, and about twenty appointments, at most of which Societies have been raised. There is general attention to preaching, the congregation large and solemn, and conviction and conversion frequent. There are nearly three hundred in Society in this nation, most of whom exhibit evidences of genuine piety. This great and blessed work,-for such I may truly call it,-is entirely supported the present year by the funds of this Society; and, Sir, with this view of it, imperfect as it is, will any one pretend to say, that the funds have been improperly applied? or will any one refuse to aid in the promotion of such a cause? Reference has been made, Sir, in the course of the evening, to the removal of the Indians within our limits to the west of the Mississippi. As regards this, I have only to say, If they are removed, we must be prepared to remove with them; and if they remain, we must remain with them. The con

version of these nations of Indians is our object; and whether on this or on the other side of the Mississippi, I trust in God we shall never relinquish our design or abate our zeal till it is accom plished. We have only begun the work; but the commencement is full of promise. We hope, Sir, and if there is suitable exertion on the part of those who profess to love our Lord Jesus Christ, and the souls which he has purchased with his blood, our hope shall not be in vain; we hope, I say, to see the standard of our glorious Redeemer unfurled over the Rocky mountains, and waving triumphantly along the coast of the North Pacific Ocean. Yes, Sir, I have followed the, wide range of your Report, not in the vain and chimerical flight of imagination, but in the light of that divine commission which our Lord gave to his disciples, Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature ;'-and I have been strengthened in the expectation of seeing the active operations of our Missionary system in all those parts of this vast continent where Christ has not been preached, by that blessed assurance, Lo! I am with you always.' I am aware, Sir, of the various representations which have been made of the condition of the natives of our forests; and I am equally apprised of the imperfections of those representations. To be well acquainted with the Indians, we must visit them. Yes, Sir, my visits among them have produced views, and convictions, and feelings, to which I was a stranger before; and could I take this assembly, and seat them at Sandusky, or in the centre of the Cherokee, Choctaw, or Creek nation, where they could witness the mighty contrast between the Indian in his state of native ignorance and wretchedness, and the Indian under the experimental and practical intiuence of the Gospel, I am sure that the scene would awaken new sympathies, and inspire more ardent zeal for their salvation."