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subject; and, at the same time, they urge continued and even greater regard to the gratuitous supply of the wants of those who are without the Scriptures, and who are really unable to pay any thing for

them.

Biblical Library.

The Appendix will show that the Biblical Library increases; but by no means so rapidly as the Board have wished and hoped. They gratefully acknowledge a small yet valuable addition presented by the Russian Bible Society; and measures have been adopted, which will, probably, in a short time, render the Library considerably more extensive and important.

Those who have works which are suitable for this Library, and especially rare copies of the Scriptures, are respectfully

this western section of our land, the American Bible Society would have it in its power speedily to furnish the Oracles of GOD, if sufficient funds were poured into its treasury. New fields of usefulness are now open or opening before the Society in the West Indies, and in the Spanish parts of North and South America. The Spanish Bible, in the version approved by the Roman Catholics, is preparing; and so soon as the stereotype plates are finished, considerable sums will become requisite to pay for them, and for tures from them. It is confidently believed the publication of editions of the Scripthat many copies may be immediately circulated in many places among the clergy and the laity, and among those of every rank and condition. Thus the American

Bible Society may and does ask to be

supported, and to be furnished with larger funds, on the ground of the benefits

solicited to bestow them on the National Institution. Claims on the continued liberality of the of which it is the instrument to the needy

community.

The American Bible Society at the close of its seventh year, has very strong reasons to urge with the pious and with the benevolent, for continued support, and even for more numerous and liberal gifts. The auxiliaries referred to in former reports, as needing the assistance of the Parent Institution, still require such aid, and to a great extent. Many new auxiliaries have been formed during the past year, which have opened opportunities of imparting inestimable benefits to thousands of our fellow-citizens who have not yet been furnished with the Scriptures. The condition of much of the western section of our country, as to moral and religious knowledge, and the means of instruction, is such as ought to affect most deeply every compassionate heart, and call forth the most active exertions. There, hundreds and thousands are far from churches, from ministers, from the privileges of public worship. They are scarcely aware of the return of Sabbaths. They grow up, they live, and it is to be feared that many die, ignorant of the Holy Scriptures, neither taught their truths, nor guided by their directions, nor cheered by their promises and consolations. To a very large part of

districts of our country. It asks this in the name, and for the present advantage, and for the everlasting good, of hundreds and thousands in the west, who are awfully destitute; and of thousands and of millions in Mexico, in the West Indies, and in South America, to whom the attention of the Society is directed, and among whom it has the prospect of most extensive usefulness. And to the American Bible Society are submitted the necessities of many millions of Heathen; the calls for aid are addressed to it; and it depends on the contributions of the liberal and the pious to enable it to join with large and important gifts in the scheme and the efforts to furnish the Bible to all the inhabitants of the world. The Managers submit these claims of the Society to their fellow-citizens. They appeal to their benevolence, their compassion, their charity. And they rely confidently on the liberality and the piety of the community, and on the interposition and favour of Him, who disposes the hearts of men at his pleasure, and who never fails to prosper the honest effort for his glory.

Foreign Bible Societies.

About twelve pages are devoted to the progress of the Bible cause in foreign countries. We pass

over this part of the report, as more recent accounts are soon expected in the late report of the British and Foreign Bible Society.

Conclusion.

In the conclusion of their Report, the Board of Managers repeat their expressions of gratitude to the FATHER OF MERCIES, for "that Book which has GoD for its Author, the salvation of men for its object, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter;" and they desire thankfully to give to Him the glory of all the success with which the efforts to circulate the Bible have been crowned.

They earnestly wish always to remember, and that their coadjutors may always remember the sole object of the Bible Society, and be ever and deeply sensible of the results which their labours may be expected to produce under the Divine blessing.

The SOLE OBJECT is "to promote a wider circulation of the Holy Scriptures without note or comment." This is the avowed design; and there is no room for deception in this case, or for schemes different from the declared purpose. As the proceedings are public, it is impossible to wander from the object of the Institution without its being known; and such a departure, when known, would be a death blow to the Society. The utmost security then exists that no other than the promotion of a wider circulation of the Holy Scriptures, without note or comment, will be pursued as the object of the Bible Society.

And this object is most noble and most excellent. It is intimately connected with the glory of GoD and the good of mankind. Labours for this object may justly be expected to result in extensive and essential benefits. The experience of seven years in this country, and of nineteen years on the other side of the Atlantic, has demonstrated the Bible Societies to be the means of removing sectarian prejudices and jealousies, of promoting brotherly affection and mutual confidence, and of doing high honour to religion, by showing" how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity," and by giving frequent occasion for the repetition of that striking exclamation of

the Heathen, “See, how these Christians love one another." The labours of the Bible Societies are calculated to add to domestic and social happiness, by rendering men better acquainted with their relative duties, by inculcating the principles of virtue and piety, and diffusing moral and religious instruction, and by thus leading men to the discharge of all which is incumbent on them towards their families, and in their various stations in civil society. The efforts of the Bible Societies are calculated, by means of the Holy Scriptures which they circulate, to produce inestimable advantages to the careless, the ignorant, the vicious; to prevent men from building their fabric of hope on no firmer foundation than the foam of the

waters; to teach them to seek for happiness, not light as the summer's dust, but solid, perfect, and eternal; to reclaim many a wanderer from the ways of folly, and crime, and shame, and destruction; to show them how to escape from the iron grasp of sin, and to overcome its gigantic strength; to render them acquainted with a Saviour who has boundless love and power; and to guide them in that path where the excellent of the earth will be their companions; and the LORD GOD will be their Father and their Friend. The exertions of the Bible Societies are calculated to be of boundless value-to the poor, as giving them that Volume in which true contentment is taught, and the way to obtain incorrupti ble riches, and a satisfying and everlasting portion, is made known; to the bereaved, the sick, the troubled, as placing in their hands that Book which alone

teaches the real nature and design of affliction. and how the storm of wo may be converted into a shower of blessing; to the dying, as cheering their hours of agony with the unfailing consolations contained in the Bible, and by its truths, dispelling the gloom of the grave, and filling the soul at its departure with the triumphant hope of heavenly glory and bliss. The toils of the Bible Societies are calculated to prove thus beneficial, wherever by their means a single copy of the Scriptures is circulated: what then may be expected from hundreds, thousands,

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UNION MISSION.

JOURNAL FOR THE MONTHS OF JANUARY

AND FEBRUARY, 1823.

Wednesday, Jan. 1, 1823.-Prayed earnestly that before this year shall close we may see some fruit of our labour.

Return of Dr. Palmer. Thursday, Jan. 2.-Dr. Palmer arrived this evening with a number of hands, most of whom are engaged for a year. To collect these, he has travelled as far as the river Missouri, three hundred miles. This is the second tour of this distance which we have taken into the state of Missouri in pursuit of hands.

Lord's Day, Jan. 5.-" So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom," are the words that have guided our meditations this newyear's Sabbath. Sister Cleaver set down to the table of our Lord for the first time since we arrived in this country. She has of late, by turns, enjoyed her reason better than formerly, and by turns been more indisposed.

Distribution of Bibles and Tracts. Monday, Jan. 6.-A hired man left us who lives on the Mississippi, in the state of Missouri. He has become quite serious, and entertains some hope of his conversion. We gave him a Bible and fifty Tracts to read and distribute. Since we came into this country we have distributed between two and three thousand VOL. IV.

Tracts, and have given to the destitute a number of Bibles and other books. We regret to say that no Bibles were given us for public distribution. Fifty Testaments were presented by Robert Ralston, Esq. of Philadelphia, which we distributed on the way according to his instructions. We have this day forwarded the Journal for December, having sent on the Journal for October and November two weeks before. Sent also an order to New-Orleans for iron and other necessary articles; likewise a letter to Mr. Lewis on the state of the Indians. In the monthly concert enjoyed more than usual freedom at the Throne of Grace.

26

Various Notices.

Tuesday, Jan. 7.-The weather is now mild and favourable for business. It is our custom to rise at five o'clock, attend the devotions of the morning, and take breakfast so early as to be enabled to enter on the labours of the day by sunrise. In this country nearly as much may be done in the winter season as in the hot summer months. Three young Indians came in with a request from Clamore, that we would come and see him, and attend a council concerning the murder of a Cherokee, by a young man of Whitehair's town.

Wednesday, Jan. 8.-A gentleman arrived, belonging to Missouri, who had been on an exploring tour through Texas, with a view of moving his family thither.

It is remarkable that the tide of emigra- ascertained that Tally has withdrawn his tion seems to be setting into the Spanish son from the school. This is painful to dominions. Held a talk with Moi-nehper-sha, a young chief, who is about settling near us, and changing his habits. He has often, of his own accord, spoken to us on this subject; but time will determine his sincerity.

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Friday, Jan. 10.-Brother Chapman, with the interpreter, set out for the village. Mr. Alsoff, the millwright, is very low with the typhus fever; his case is doubtful. Saturday, Jan. 11.-Brother Pixley came in this morning from a tour among the Indians. He has enjoyed good health, and been kept from suffering, though the

cold has been severe.

Lord's Day, Jan. 12.-A woman and child brought in badly burnt by the explosion of gunpowder. They request the assistance of our physician.

Tuesday, Jan. 14.-Sister Requa having a few days since wounded one of her fingers, has taken cold, and is exceedingly distressed. Clamore has renewed his request, to have us attend the council, as he says he desires to have all his white friends present.

Friday, Jan. 17.-Brother Vaill, who with brother Pixley, went to the village on Wednesday, returned to-day. They find an unhappy reluctance about giving up the murderer, and in the absence of the agent, can do nothing to help the Indians in their trouble except at their request to write a letter to Fort Smith. Brother Chapman engaged to stay and write it.

Substance of the Indian Letter. Saturday, Jan. 13.—Brother Chapman and the interpreter returned from the village. The Indians being somewhat intimidated, requested us to convey the letter to the fort. It states their grievances in having been attacked, and two of their party killed, in going to the fort last September. At the same time acknowledges the wrong they have done in killing the Cherokee; and requests that justice may be done them, even as they are willing to do justice to those they have injured. Two of the Indian Children withdrawn from School.

In the course of his visit, Mr. Chapman

our feelings; for though he pleads that he wants his son to aid him in hunting, which betokens no ill-will to the Mission, yet to see this promising youth, on whom the light of the gospel had begun to shine, turning back to the darkness of paganism, must be painful to every benevolent mind, and we hope will excite the special prayers of the church. Yoh-Shingah deserted us this morning, having been with us seven months, and apparently contented. We ascribe this desertion to the bad advice of his relations, who lately visited the Mission. Sister Vaill has been attacked with the pleurisy, and is considerably distressed.

Departure of Mr. Pixley.

Monday, Jan. 20.-Brother Pixley left us this morning for Harmony. May he be conducted in safety to his friends, and visit them in peace.

Wednesday, Jan. 22.-In compliance with a resolution of last evening, brother G. Requa set off for Fort Smith, taking with him a letter from the Osages to the commanding officer.

Spirit of religious inquiry among the

Indians.

Thursday, Jan. 23.-From some questions about God, put to us this evening by Moi-neh-per-she, and some other Indians of late, we plainly perceive that a spirit of religious inquiry is in some measure existing among them.

Saturday, Jan. 25.—The inflammation in Sister Requa's arm is very high, and attended with general fever, by which she is much reduced, and exposed to danger. May she and her partner be supported in their sorrow, and find it good to bear this affliction. Sister Vaill is recovering from her illness. Let God be praised for his goodness.

Tuesday, Jan. 28.-Sister Requa's illness begins to abate, for which we would be thankful to the Father of mercies.

Thursday, Jan. 30.-Brother G. Requa, after an absence of nine days, returned from Fort Smith. Delivered the letter to Col. Arbuckle, and transacted some business for the Mission, but obtained no letters or Missionary Registers, for which

disappointment we are not able to account. The last Register received from New-York was for August; the last letter dated in July. This evening all the Brethren and Sisters of the family, except the sick, assembled to hear the regulation according to a former vote. These regulations comprise all the instructions communicated to us from the Board, and all the rules formed among ourselves, which have been approved by the Board. Engaged to observe these regulations as God shall give us grace. 1

Friday, Jan. 31. —An indian girl about sixteen, troubled with a scrofulous humour, was given us to-day. She is the same person alluded to in the Journal of last summer. Her father then took her away, but now says, "she shall tarry 'till cured." She is a pleasant child, and as her general health is sufficient, we shall do all in our power to teach her to work, and to read.

Sunday School.

Lord's Day, Feb. 2.-Meditated on the story of the woman who was a sinner. In the evening our hired men gave close attention to a discourse on the duty of immediate repentance. Besides our Sabbath School for the hired men, Sister Fuller keeps one for the children. They have made good proficiency in McDowell's Catechism. This day closed her third quarter, and she presented her premiums.

Tuesday, Feb. 4.—Brother Chapman, with Charles Donne, the Interpreter, Robert Munroe, and Richard S. Vaill, went to the village. As Yoh-Shingah was ad vised by his friends to leave us, we feel a little apprehensive that Robert also may be enticed away. Truly the greatest patience is requisite to fulfil the duties of a Missionary.

Thursday, Feb. 6.-Sister Vaill is again reduced by sickness. Owing to the feeble health of the sisters, we are obliged to employ the help of men in the kitchen.

Severity of the Season.

Saturday, Feb. 8.-Thermometer below cypher. The week past our work has been considerably interrupted by severe weather.

Lord's Day, Feb. 9.-Discourse to-day on the deceitfulness of sin. May each one know the plague of his own heart.

Increase of the School.

Monday, Feb. 10.-Brother Chapman, and those who accompanied him to the village, have returned. Much pleased to see Robert so cheerfully return to his studies. Brother Chapman has also brought home a little girl, whom the relations of Yoh-Shingah have committed to our care, and they say that he shall return soon. For having advised him to leave us they gave some frivolous reasons, and appeared to be ashamed of their conduct. This girl is of the age of eight and has received the name of Ruth Titus. We have the promise also of soon receiving her twin sister.

years,

Friday, Feb. 14.-Clamore has committed to our care an adopted son. Have washed and clad our new pupil, and named him Zechariah Lewis. He is about fourteen years of age, has a good degree of boldness, and appears much at home. We would give thanks to God for the brightening prospect.

Saturday, Feb. 15.-The weather still severe. The winter, thus far, has proved much harder than any since our arrival.

Tuesday, Feb. 18.-Brethren Chapman and George Requa go to the village. The weather pleasant, and business proceeds with animation and success.

Tuesday, Feb. 20.-The change of weather since last Saturday has been great. The mercury, which then stood below cypher, now ranges between 750 and 800. Engaged in making a road on the opposite side of Grand River to the Pine Grove, four miles distant. This became necessary, in order to obtain the timber for the frame of our mill.

Preservation of an Osage infant. Saturday, Feb. 22.-Brother Chapman has taken an Osage infant. This child was born six weeks since, and was cast into the open prairie to perish, by its mother, a wild young woman. Brother Chapman told the relations, if they were willing, he would take pity on the child, and raise it. They have now brought it over, and

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