LETTERS FROM THE AMERICAN MISSIONARIES.

Letter from the Rev. Messrs. Hall, Newell, and Bardwell, to the Rev. Dr. Worcester.

REV. AND DEAR SIR, Bombay, April 18, 1817. OUR present communications are intended to go by Captain Haskell, of the Saco. We have the pleasure of acknowledging the receipt of your communications, and also of letters and parcels from some of our friends by the same ship. They reached us in January last, about six months after date. We also received on the 7th instant, your letter of October, 1816, and one from Mr. Ralston by way of Bengal. Our last communications to you were forwarded Feb. 4th by Captain Orne, of the ship Malabar, bound to Boston. A duplicate of our pecuniary account, was forwarded a few days afterward, by a ship belonging to Baltimore, Captain Lancaster.

Since our last letters, nothing of special importance has occurred. We have been unexpectedly delayed in the business of printing the Gospel of Matthew, owing to some defect in our types, and the numerous articles which we had to procure in order to complete our printing establishment. On this subject Mr. Bardwell will write at large to Mr. Evarts. But though we have been disappointed of the pleasure of sending you a copy of the Gospel, as the first fruits of the mission press, we have the satisfaction of presenting to you a Scripture tract in the Mahratta language, of which we lately struck off 15,000 copies. After so many discouragements as our mission has experienced, you will, we doubt not, rejoice with us in our being enabled, at length, through a divine goodness, to commence the delightful work of printing the word of God in the language of a numerous heathen people. We expect to put the Gospel of Matthew to the press in a few days, but shall not probably have it ready for distribution in less than three months.

Our press, we hope, will soon enable us to introduce improvements into the native schools. Hitherto they have not been supplied with books, except a few lessons prepared for them in manuscript. The tract, which we have just printed, has already been introduced into the schools; and it is pleasing to hear the name of Jehovah pronounced, without scruple or fear, by hundreds of pagan children. We would not convey the idea, that the children have abandoned their own religion. Far from it. They still carry on their foreheads the marks of idolatry, and are taught by their parents to worship the gods of the heathen. Still, we think there is abundant encouragement for endeavoring to imbue their tender minds with the principles of a purer religion. The seed thus sown, though it should lie buried, and apparently fruitless for a time, may yet spring up at some future period, and bring forth an abundant harvest.

A knowledge of the holy Scriptures must necessarily precede the general prevalence of religion among any people; and the establishment of schools, in which the Scriptures are used as a school-book, seems to be one of the most promising methods of disseminating a knowledge of them. In this point of view we consider the native schools as a very promising part of our missionary establishment. We shall carry our plans of education to the full extent of our means. We rejoice to hear by your last letter, that we may expect shortly to receive remittances for this object. Had our funds been sufficient, we should before this time have increased the number of schools..

We wish also, as soon as possible, to erect one or more buildings, which may answer the double purpose of school-houses, and places of public religious instruction for the heathen. This we think may be done at a moderate expense. Since our family has been enlarged, we have had public worship in English, as formerly, at our own house on the Sabbath. A few persons in the neighborhood usually assemble with us. We celebrate the Lord's Supper regularly once

a month.

We rejoice to hear that more missionaries from home may shortly be expected in this part of the world. We doubt not that Providence will open a door for them. With respect to the destination of future missionaries, we will write more particularly in our next communications. In regard to those whom we are now expecting, any thing we might suggest would arrive too late to be of any service.

We are pleased to learn that Mr. is desirous of supporting a native preacher. It would afford us much gratification to receive and apply his charity. But, at present, we are not acquainted with any native who is qualified for the work of preaching the Gospel. We hope and trust,however, that the Lord of the harvest will raise up laborers here, as he has done in other parts of the world, to assist us in our work. We shall do all we can to encourage every converted native, of competent talents and knowledge, to engage in the work of spreading the Gospel among his countrymen.

Agreeably to the communications of the Prudential Committee, we have revised the plan of polity which was forwarded to you in Dec. 1814; and we have, with perfect unanimity, adopted the Rules and Regulations, of which a copy is enclosed.

On the subject of our domestic affairs at large, we hope to be more particular in our next communications.

By the present opportunity we shall forward the continuation of our journal to the present time, and also our pecuniary accounts. We hope the present communications will reach you before the next annual meeting of the Board.

We trust, dear sir, that we always have a remembrance in your prayers. The Confidence that our beloved patrons at home take a lively interest in all our concerns in this distant heathen land, and that they bear us continually on their hearts at the throne of grace, affords us much comfort and encouragement in our work.

We remain, Rev. and Dear Sir, affectionately yours,

G. HALL,
S. NEWELL,
H. BARDWELL,

Extracts of another letter from Rev. Messrs. Hall, Newell, and Bardwell, to the Corresponding Secretary.

REV. AND DEAR SIR, Bombay, May 20, 1817. THOUGH We have recently forwarded communications by the American ship Saco, which left this port for Boston, the 21st of April, yet we cannot neglect an opportunity so direct as the present. This letter we commit to the care of Mr. Ashburner, a respectable English gentleman, who has resided many years in this part of India. Mr. Ashburner has taken passage in the Alexander, bound to Salem. We are happy to introduce this gentleman to you, as a friend to us, and as a man of respectability and information. He expects to settle with his family in some part of America.

In our last letter we suggested that we should soon give a more particular statement of our domestic affairs. It will perhaps be sufficient to say, that we are unanimously proceeding on the common stock system. For some time past we have eaten at two tables, though we consider ourselves as one family. With respect to the manner of receiving our support from the common stock, we have unanimously agreed, that each brother shall draw monthly, from the common stock, a sum sufficient to meet his necessary expenses, and that the account of such drafts be communicated to the committee,

The state of the printing department is much the same as when we last wrote. After waiting more than a month for the supply of little articles for the press, we began to strike off the first sheet of Matthew, about the middle of this month; but we immediately saw, that, owing to the bad state of the types, the impression could not be made legible. For a time, we were in doubts whether the types could ever be made to answer the purpose. But we at length concluded, as an experiment, to trim the irregular types with our pen knives. This laborious process we have gone through in the two first forms, and have struck off 700 sheets. The edition we have fixed at 1500. We now feel much encouraged in the business. A similar process must be gone through in the next form, and so on, till we trim nearly the whole fount. By this statement, you will at once see that our progress for a considerable time must be very slow, and attended with much labor. But to accomplish an object of such magnitude as that of printing. the word of God in the language of the heathen, we almost forget the labor and fatigue, and rejoice that it falls to our lot to be thus employed.

From your last communication, we hope soon to be supplied with another press, and an assortment of English types. We think that English types would be very useful to this establishment. Besides being necessary in printing school books, which we hope to do in Mahratta and English, for the benefit of natives who wish to learn English, we shall probably have opportunities of doing little jobs for Europeans in this Presidency. Indeed, we have already been applied to by the Rev. Mr. Davis, one of the Chaplains, to print a sermon and some other small articles, which we should have done, if we had had types.

The present state of our schools is as favorable as we can reasonably expect. We have no assistant in our English school, though we hope soon to procure one. The whole number of boys in our Hindoo schools is more than 200. We have recently established a school exclusively of Jewish children. The teacher is a Jew of considerable information, lately come from the coast. This school at present consists of about 40 children. They speak the Mahratta language, and it is in fact, a Mahratta school. The teacher reads Hebrew, and teaches the children to read and write Hebrew. We think this an interesting school, and cannot but hope that it will be the means of doing something towards bringing these ignorant, wandering Israelites to the fold of Christ.

In our last letter, we mentioned that we had in contemplation the subject of erecting one or more buildings for the accommodation of schools, and the stated religious instruction of the natives. This continues to be a subject of much consideration and inquiry. We much need some place, where we can regularly appoint seasons for instructing the natives, and can have proper accommodations. On this subject we should be pleased to have the sentiments of the Board. To what extent in expense, shall we be justified in erecting such buildings as be. fore mentioned.

The brethren Hall and Newell continue to go out among the people every day, as usual, and preach to them the words of life. Though we are not yet permitted to relate to you any instances of conversion among the heathen,yet we are by no means discouraged. In due time, we believe God will bless the preaching of his word to these deluded heathen, and that multitudes will eventually be brought home to Christ, through the instrumentality of this mission.

We soon hope for the arrival of more Missionaries from America. Many are needed in this place. We are very desirous of establishing one or two stations on the island of Salsette, as soon as practicable. Many considerations, which we cannot now mention, conspire to render this very desirable.

The translation and printing of the Scriptures, in which we are now engaged, will afford many facilities to new missionaries who may come to this place. And a loss will be sustained by this Board, if more missionaries are not sent to avail themselves of the facilities of this printing establishment. We have, however, the utmost confidence in the Board with respect to the destination of their missionaries. The great head of the church will direct all the affairs of his kingdom in the best manner.

We have heard nothing very recently from the brethren in Ceylon. The last information was favorable. Every thing is made ready to their hands, and there is every reason to conclude that the Lord will soon bless their labors.

Our hearts are much rejoiced in hearing of the favorable state of religion in our native land. We hope and pray, that this good work may increase abundantly, till America and every land shall be filled with the glory of God. We remain, Dear Sir, with respect and affection,

Yours, in the Gospel of Christ, G. HALL, S. NEWELL, H. BARDWELL.

MISSION TO THE AMERICAN ABORIGINES.

THE REV. Mr. Cornelius, as an agent of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, has visited the Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Choctaw nations, and had an audience at a council of the Creeks. His tour has been performed with great fatigue, diligence, and good effect. The way is open for communicating, particularly in the Choctaw and Chickasaw nations, establishments similar to that which has been made among the Cherokees. In pursuance of this design, the Rev. Messrs. Ard Hoyt, Daniel S. Butrick, and William Chamberlain, are now on their way to the Indian country.

VOL. XIV.

6.

THE LITTLE OSAGE CAPTIVE.

Extract from a letter of Rev. E. Cornelius to the Corresponding Secretary of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, bearing date Choctaw Agency, Dec. 2, 1817.

On my way to the Chickasaw nation, I met several Cherokees returning from the Arkansas country, whither they had been on an exploring tour. They were returning with the design of taking their families to that country. I improved the opportunity which the occasion afforded, of ascertaining their disposition on the subject of establishing schools in their new country, similar to those they were about to leave in the Cherokee nation. After some consultation among themselves, the interpreter answered, "they say they want schools badly." I have given you his own words, as expressing better perhaps than I could, their earnestness on the subject.

The state of the country they said was more quiet than it had been; they observed they had had several trifling engagements with the Osages, who had now left the country. They had numerous trophies of successful contest with them; but none which so much affected my heart, as a small female child, apparently not more than five years of age, whom they had taken from the Osage Indians, and were carrying as a prisoner. If ever I felt the emotion compassion, it was when I beheld this innocent babe. I inquired for its parents, when, (shocking to relate,) they presented me, with savage joy and complacency, the scalps of its father and mother. The little child had already travelled with its new owner for more than 500 miles, and had yet to travel about 200 more.

I immediately negotiated with the Cherokee who owned the child, for the privilege of having it educated in the missionary family at Chickamaugah. I assured him that it should be free of all expense to him, and represented, as well as I could how desirable it would be to resign it into the hands of those good men and women, who were at Chickamaugah, and who would prove the best of fathers and mothers to it. To my great joy, he most cheerfully consented; and promised me he would take the child to Chickamaugah soon after his return to his family, who resided within 30 miles of that place. Understanding that he had given a horse for the child, and had offered to sell it again, I suggested to him that probably Mr. Kingsbury would give him his price, which was, I think, not more than 100 dollars. At the same time I wrote to Mr. Kingsbury, recommending that he would redeem the outcast orphan, and thus render its continuance under his protecting care forever certain. I knew, indeed, that his means were inadequate to such a purchase, consistently with attention to other demands; but I could not doubt but that some of our worthy friends at the north would replace the ransom. Are there none, whose maternal or parental feelings would prompt them to commiserate this poor orphan babe, and induce them to pay the price of its redemption? Where are the mothers and daughters of Israel? Are their resources exhausted? For myself I can say, and I think I speak according to the revelation of God, I had rather deserve the honor of having parted with my last dollar, to ransom this child, and give it a Christian father and mother, than wear the brightest meed of praise that military prowess ever won. Should Mr. Kingsbury receive the child and apprize you of the fact, I hope the appeal will be made; and should any one feel disposed to meet it, let such an one be entitled to give the child a Christian name. Of one thing I am confident; that none but an heart of adamant could resist the effect, which a personal observation of what I have related was calculated to excite.

Extract of a letter from Messrs. Kingsbury, Hall and Williams, to the Rev. Dr. Worcester.

REV. AND DEAR SIR,

Chickamaugah, Nov. 25, 1817. WE are now able to tell you what the Lord is doing among us for the glory of his name. And though it be the day of small things, we know it will rejoice your hearts, as it has ours, when you hear that the Lord Jesus is bringing into his kingdom some of the sons and daughters of our western forests.

For some time past, we have had the satisfaction to witness a pleasing change in the external conduct of some of our neighbors, who on the Sabbath attended our religious worship. Two white men in our neighborhood, who had been profane and immoral, became sober and serious. One Cherokee woman also, who had a tolerably good education, and who is married to a white man, appeared to be under very serious impressions.

Such was the state of things, when brother Cornelius arrived at this station. His conversation and preaching excited an increased attention, both among the Cherokees and white people around us. Our assembly on the Sabbath was increased. On the last Sabbath that he preached, which was the first in November, a very solemn impression was made on the minds of several. One white man, one Cherokee man, the woman above mentioned, and a Cherokee girl, who was attending our school, were much affected. The Cherokee man is a half breed, named Charles Reece, who speaks our language tolerably well. He was one of the three intrepid Cherokees, who, at the battle of the Horse Shoe, swam the river in face of the enemy, and brought off their canoes in triumph. The President has lately presented him with an elegant rifle, as a reward for his bravery. It was interesting to see this undaunted warrior bowing before the influence of the Gospel. After public exercises, Mr. Cornelius conversed with him. He sunk upon his feet as if deprived of strength, said he knew not what to say; that he felt as he never did before. He felt that he was a sinner. This man has visited us repeatedly since, and says it is his fixed determination to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, and that it is his great desire to know, and to do the will of God.

The girl above mentioned, who is a member of our school, and who is the subject of serious impressions, is a daughter of half breed parents. Her name is Catharine Brown. She is about 18 years of age, genteel in her appearance, and amiable in her manners; spoke the English language well when she came to live with us, and could read indifferently in words of three letters. She has been attentive to her learning, industrious in her habits, and remarkably correct in all her deportment. She has attended school about 90 days, and now reads well in the Bible, and writes a tolerably good hand. She says, that before she came into our family, she did not know that she was a sinner, but that now she knows and feels it. With tears in her eyes she often expresses her anxiety for her poor people, as she calls them, and wishes she could remain in our family and devote herself to their instruction, but is afraid her parents will not be willing.

There are traits in the religious experience of these persons which we think favorable. They do not appear to be influenced in any great degree by the fear of punishment. Their great anxiety is to know the will of God, and to do it; and are more solicitous to be delivered from sin, than from its consequences. In short, we would indulge the hope that a saving change has been wrought in the hearts of, at least, three or four. But we would wish not to be sanguine; our hopes may be disappointed.

On the last Sabbath in September a church was organized in this place, and we solemnly renewed our covenant with God, and with each other. We should have done this at an earlier period, but, hearing that brother Cornelius was on his way to this country, we were desirous that he should be present on this interesting occasion. At present, our church consists of only the missionary brethren and sisters; but we hope soon to be able to number some who have recently been brought into the kingdom of the dear Redeemer.

In compliance with that part of our instructions which recommended a division of labor, we have made the following distribution, viz.

1. The spiritual charge, and general superintendence of the mission.

2. The instruction of the school, and superintendence of the scholars in the exercises of husbandry, &c.

3. The particular management of the plantation, providing for the family &c. Soon after our last communication the state of brother Hall's health was such as to require that he should be released from the confinement of the school; and brother Williams took the charge of that department. He succeeds well, and will probably continue in it, as he is well qualified to teach on the Lancastrian plan. Brother Hall's health is much improved. He has the oversight of the plantation, and the steward's department,

We have also agreed to the following resolution, to wit:~~