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(Continued from vol. xvii, p. 580.)

MISSION AMONG THE CHEROKEES.

IN turning to the exertions of the Board, among the Aborigines of our western wilderness, there is much to excite gratitude for the past, to inspire hope for the future, and to impel forward in an enterprise, which has received signal tokeps of the divine approbation. It is now the universally admitted duty of American Christians

to send the knowledge of Christianity

to the scattered tribes within our own

borders. The missions, already undertaken among them by this Board, have obtained favor with the government of the United States, with the Christian community, and with the people, for whose benefit they were primarily intended. Perseverance, an attentive observation of Providence, an unshaken reliance on the power and promises of God, and a careful eye to every practicable improvement in the system of operations, will not fail of the most desirable success and the most glorious

reward.

pleasure to the commencement of these benevolent labors. They set out on their journey about the first of November, and reached Brainerd the 10th of January. Nothing of importance befel them, other than the ordinary occurrences of travelling at an unpleas ant season of the year.

Station of Brainerd.

The various operations at Brainerd health of the missionaries, and the rehave been carried forward, as the ity. The school has continued, with as sources at their disposal, gave the abillittle variation in regard to numbers, as could reasonably be expected. In the beginning of last month, there were 87 Cherokee children, 57 boys, and 30 girls, actually in the school, beside the children belonging to the mission families. There were also 15 Cherokee children belonging to the school, who were then absent, for various causes. The pupils had regularly proceeded in their studies, passed the stated examinations with credit, and were advanCing to maturity with all those incitements to industry and virtue, which belong to a Christian and civilized counIn the course of the past year, the try. More assistants to carry on the mission among the Cherokees has been business of education, in its various strengthened by the arrival of the Rev. branches, to the best advantage, were William Potter, and Dr. Elizur Butler, urgently needed; particularly a young who have entered with zeal and ac- person of each sex, possessing vigorous tivity into the labors of their brethren.health, good judgment, and a love for Mr. Potter was ordained to the holy the work, to be employed in the superwork of an evangelist, soon after the intendence of the children, when out last annual meeting of the Board, by of school. This want, it is hoped, the the association of ministers in Wind- Committee may hereafter be able to ham county, Con., under whose auspic supply. These children, collected from es he had been previously licensed the wilderness, and placed under the to preach. Dr. Butler completed direction of Christian benevolence, are his medical education in Connecti- indeed a precious deposit. Every cut, not long before he entered upon thing should be done for their improvethe work, in which he is now employed.ment, which can possibly be effected. Soon they will be mingling with their countrymen, and imparting their acquired character to others, and

Both had been recently married to persons, who, as well as themselves, had for some time looked forward with VOL. XVIII.

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they to others still, in a wider and still wider range. No time is to be lost. The principal difficulty lies in selecting the best agents, which our Christian community is able to supply, for this labor of love. But if the Board, and its friends in every part of the country, look to him who has the resources of the universe at his disposal, there is reason to believe that He will provide such instruments, as will be acknowledged and honored by himself, in the communication of his mercy.

now probably on their way thither. They have small families, and are strongly recommended as qualified to discharge the various duties, which will there devolve upon them. Should they arrive in safety, it is probable that one will assist Mr. Hall at Taloney."

During the year past, there has been much sickness among the members of the mission families. Few have escaped; the greater part have suffered severely. Yet it should be mentioned with gratitude, that no adult connected with the mission has been removed by death, and that the children of the school have been remarkably healthy. The very arduous labors of all, but especially of the females, have doubtless produced much of the sickness, which they have endured. The Committee sincerely regret that so heavy a burden has fallen upon those public-spirited and devoted females, who have addict|ed themselves to this service of the saints. They have well nigh sunk under the various and distressing weight of care, which has continually rested upon them. As hired assistance could! not be obtained without difficulty, and when obtained was often worse than none, they determined to manage the domestic affairs, with the aid of the female pupils between the hours of school. Some estimate of the labor

Among the events, which particularly concern the school, it is to be noticed with gratitude, that several of the boys were uncommonly serious, at the date of the last intelligence; and that there was a general disposition to listen to religious instruction. A considerable number of boys and girls had been selected to be supported as beneficiaries, and had received names prescribed by their patrons. The little Osage captives, concerning whom the sympathy of many has been excited, were taken from the mission in the summer of 1820, by order of the government, to be restored to their tribe with other captives, as one mean of preserving peace between the Osages and the Cherokees of the Arkansaw. The negociation failed however; and the little girl, removed so many hundred miles, amidst the damps and exhala-performed may be made, when it is tions of autumn, sickened and died, not far from the mission established by the Board, on the Arkansaw. In the hours of sickness and languishing, she exem plified the sweetest submission; repeating the hymns, which she had learned at Brainerd; and, it is probably not too much to hope, that out of the mouth of this babe the Savior may have perfected praise.

[The Report then describes the labors of the year-the erection of mills, &c. and states that the "agricultural department has not yielded that profit, which was hoped and expected from it." The difficulty lies in several causes, the multiplicity of cares, the erection of buildings, the want of more assistant missionaries, &c. Some details of the farming business are then given from the journal, as published in the Herald for November, p. 338.]

In accomplishing the original design of the Committee, as well as with a view to relieve the brethren at the present exigency, two assistant missionaries, one from Vermont and the other from Ohio, have been directed to join the mission at Brainerd, and are

stated, that one of the female assistants, who was far from enjoying good health, had, as her charge, to iron for 120 persons, and to mend the clothes of more than 50 boys; and that another, who had a weakly child to nurse, superintended the washing, beside teaching the school for the girls. A worthy matron, who gratuitously spent three months in the labors of the missionfamily, writes as follows concerning them: "When we take into consideration the attention, which the sick required, the reception of company, cleaning of house, making of candles and soap, &c. I am astonished that so much could have been performed. It would be much for the cause, if some pious woman, a good manager, and in good health, could be sent to superintend the kitchen, and the mission table. O may no thoughtless, useless, inexperienced female ever add to the burden of the dear sisters at Brainerd."

Though the Visiting Committee could not conveniently attend the examination of the school, and inspect the concerns of the mission, as would have

been desirable, yet a considerable number of gentlemen of intelligence and respectability, both clergymen and layinen, in the course of every year, travel some distance out of their way to witness the moral process, which is here going on. The opinion formed by men of candor and benevolence has uniformly been, as your Committee have good reason to believe, highly favorable to the design here developed, and to the manner and spirit, in which this design is carried into execution.

Station of Taloney.

Mr. Hall has had the sole charge of the school and domestic concerns of this station, since his removal thither in May 1820. During the winter months, the average attendance of pupils was from 20 to 25. As the spring opened, the number increased; but the ill health of Mr. Hall and his wife was so frequent, and the difficulty of procuring hired labor so great, that the school suffered not a little embarrassment. It is greatly to be desired, that a faithful and laborious farmer should reside with the teacher, at each station where a local school is established. The farmer should be qualified to take the place of the teacher, in case any exigency should require it. With ordinary industry, food could easily be obtained for two small families from the produce of the farm, and the pasturage of the neighboring woods. Mr. Hall has four acres of cleared land, of which three are planted with corn. He keeps four cows, and has an excellent garden of culinary vegetables.

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Many of the natives have been inclined to meet on the Sabbath for religious instruction, whenever Mr. Hall has been well enough to read the Scrip- || tures, converse upon them, and lead in prayer. If ill health prevented these customary exercises, it appeared to excite deep regret, in the minds of those who commonly attended. But perhaps by no circumstance was the introduction of Christianity into a heathen neighborhood more marked in its effects, than by the change which it produced in the observation of Christmas. It may seem a solecism to speak of Christmas, as observed in a heathen neighborhood; but though a solecism in words, it is not inconsistent with the fact. The American Aborigines extensively, even those of them who know not that there is such a thing as sin, or

salvation, or that such a person as Jesus Christ ever appeared in the world, have learned by the pernicious examples of straggling whites, that there is a season, somewhere about the winter solstice, devoted to feasting, sports, brutal drunkenness, and quarrelling.

But to return from this short digression: Mr. Hall had given notice, that there would be a meeting for religious worship on Christmas, at the schoolhouse More than a hundred Cherokees assembled, and many Africans. "The transactions of this scason were more interesting to us," says Mr. Hall, "because last Christmas every man in the neighborhood was drunken; and many of them continued so for nearly a week. Now there was not one about our house, who did not conduct with propriety, except a white man. After meeting, about thirty Cherokees took supper with us. Although there is not a soul here, who gives evidence of being converted to God; yet I think there is a very visible improvement in the conduct of all classes, and I trust that God will ere long display his mighty power.

[The school at Chatooga was suspended for nt of a school-house, and an instructor.]

Station of Creekpath.

The very favorable prospects, with which a school was established at this place, and the glad sounds of the Gospel began to be proclaimed still continue. A little church has been formed; the saving operations of the Divine Spirit appear to have been experienced, and several late accounts unite in declaring, that the hopeful converts walk together in love, and enjoy the favor of God. Among the most remarkable displays of divine grace, which the history of missions furnishes, is to be reckoned the hopeful conversion of Mr. John Brown and so many members of his family. Five years ago, not an individual of this family knew any thing of the Gospel. In the heart of a heathen country, most of them knew nothing of the language, in which alone it seemed possible that they should hear the Gospel; and the father was ob stinately bent on removing several hundred miles into the wilderness beyond the Mississippi. Yet, at this day, behold both parents, two sons, three daughters, and a son's wife,-eight in the whole,-apparently the children of God, and heirs of immortality. In the

first instance, Catharine, a favorite child in the bloom of youth, is sent to an infant school, in an infant mission, at her own importunity, to acquire the rudiments of an education. While there it pleased the Sovereign Dispenser of spiritual favors to impress upon her mind the importance of religious truth, and to open her heart to the reception of the Gospel. Two years afterwards a younger brother comes to the school, and is religiously affected in consequence of the faithful exhortations of the sister. They visit the paternal home together; and the worship of God is commenced where heathenism had reigned without a rival. The parents begin to awake, and to inquire; salvation is proclaimed by the missionaries; and the result has been stated. Well may it be said, "Salvation has come to this house." Well may we exclaim, if such are the triumphs of the cross, let its heralds be sent to every heathen neighborhood upon the face of the globe.

In October last the chiefs at Creekpath wrote a letter to the missionaries at Brainerd, expressing their thanks for the school, which had then been in operation about six months, and bearing testimony to the fidelity of Mr. Butrick, during his residence among them.

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sionary cause, committed his departing spirit to his Savior and his God.

In looking at the general results of the mission among the Cherokees, the Committee would gratefully advert to the progress, which these people are now evidently making in civilization; a progress, which bears a true proportion to their knowledge of the Gospel. In the autumn of last year they resolved, in a national council, that if parents placed their children in the schools of the mission, they should not be taken away, till they had obtained a good common education. The council also took measures to encourage the learning of mechanical trades, by promising a set of tools, at the public expense, to apprentices, who should have learned trades, and were ready to commence business for themselves. And what evinces a greater advance still, the country has lately been divided into eight districts, in each of which a courthouse is to be erected by the people, where justice is to be administered by persons designated to that office. One of these new court-houses is already erected within 11 miles of Brainerd, and is now used for public worship.

[The following tribute is paid to the memory of Mrs. Gambold.]

The excellent Moravian missionary, Mr. Gambold, having been strengthened by the arrival of a fellow-laborer from North Carolina, has removed to a new station, at a place called Ooghgeelogy, where his labors have been remarkably blessed. In the course of last winter he experienced a severe bereavement in the death of Mrs. Gambold, who, for sixteen years, had exhib

Soon after Mr. Potter's arrival at Brainerd, he was assigned to take the oversight of the little church at Creekpath, and to superintend the school. He immediately went thither, and Mrs. Potter joined him in March. Catharine Brown has assiduously attended to the duties of an instructress of the female pupils; thus freely imparting to others, what she had freely received from the Christian community. The little flock was anxiously expect-ited a most admirable example of the ing to be refreshed by the affectionate counsels and paternal benediction of Dr. Worcester, as he passed at no great distance, on his way from Huntsville to Brainerd; but his strength was too much exhausted to admit of any deviation from the most direct course. Brainerd he greatly desired to reach. There it seemed proper to Infinite Wisdom that his remains should be deposited. There it will long be remembered, that a holy man, on an errand of mercy to the forsaken and the lost, having invoked upon the lambs of the flock the care of the great Shepherd, encouraged faithful laborers in their work, and borne his dying testimony to the excellence and glory of the mis-Savior; and, beyond, a doubt, no sacrifi

true missionary character. She left refined society, and a state of competence, or even independence, to labor with unremitting assiduity in the wilderness, for the benefit of the heathen. By the variety of her useful acquirements, she commanded the respect of all who knew her; and by the amiableness of her deportment, and the disinterestedness of her services, she conciliated the affections of an untutored people. She exhibited the kindness of a mother to the missionaries sent by this Board; and it would be ungrateful not to render this passing tribute to her memory. But she looked above human approbation; her heart was fixed upon her

ces made for him will remain unnoticed or unrewarded.

[The account of the Cherokee mission is closed by several notices of preaching, and of the temporal concerns of the establishment, which need not be inserted here, as they have been published more at large from the journals.]

MISSION AMONG THE CHOCTAWS.

It was mentioned in the last Report that Mr. Joel Wood and his wife, on their way to Elliot as assistant missionaries, were detained by sickness, at a little distance from the Walnut Hills. After suffering extremely from pain and weariness, and being repeatedly brought near the grave, they were so far restored, as to resume their journey in September; and were enabled to reach Elliot, on the 24th of that month, having been detained about twelve weeks. They have rendered valuable services to the mission, though Mr. Wood has experienced several relapses; and has thus been obliged occasionally to suspend his labors.

In December the Rev. Alfred Wright joined the mission, having been longer in making his circuitous journey, than was expected. His arrival was a very timely relief to Mr. Kingsbury, who had so long stood alone as an authorized spiritual teacher, with his mind exposed to great perplexity by the immense variety of secular concerns, which belong to the rising establishments herein operation. After the assignment of Mr. Byington to Elliot, it was thought best that Mr. Wright should reside at the other station with Mr. Kingsbury, whois necessarily much absent, on journies to promote the general interests of

the mission.

The reinforcement which set out from Goshen, Mass. just before the last annual meeting, designed to strengthen both the stations among the Choctaws, proceeded on the route prescribed as far as Pittsburgh. Beside Messrs. Smith, Cushman, and Bardwell, and their families, of Goshen, and Mr. Hooper of Berwick, Me. the company was increased by the accession of Miss Frisselle, of Peru, Mass. and Miss Thacher, of Luzerne county, Penn. young women of approved character and qualifications, who had offered their services as teachers, superintendents of domestic economy, or to be employed in any department, where their labors should be

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most needed. Mr. Cyrus Byington, of Stockbridge, who had completed his theological studies at Andover in September 1819,and had, for several years, considered himself as devoted to the work of missions under the direction of this Board, and who had been sent forth as an agent to make known the claims of the heathen, and collect donations for their relief, was requested to accompany this large family, for several hundred miles at least; and, if his aid should be needed, to proceed with them to Elliot. It was supposed he might add much to the comfort and expedition of the journey, and obtain considerable donations for the mission, by frequently going in advance of the company, making provision for their reception at the principal towns, and preaching at places, where previous appointments could conveniently be made. All this and more he was enabled to do, with great cheerfulness and alacrity; and his presence seemed so necessary, that he thought not of stopping, till his feet should stand on missionary ground.

The Committee had directed, that these brethren should perform their journey by land, passing near Pittsburgh, Lexington, and Nashville, and crossing the Tennessee at the foot of the Muscle Shoals. When they arrived at Pittsburgh, however, having experienced the inconveniences of a long journey in waggons, and being strongly urged by friends to alter their plan, they concluded to pass down the Ohio and the Mississippi, in one of those large flat-bottomed boats called arks, great numbers of which annually descend these rivers. Neither they, nor their advisers, were at all aware of the difficulties, and expense of a winter's journey from the Walnut Hills to Elliot. Though they left the prescribed course from the best motives, and for reasons which appeared valid, the alteration proved a most serious delay to them. Had they continued in waggons, with ordinary diligence and success, they might have reached one of the stations in December; whereas, in fact, they did not land at the Walnut Hills till the 27th of January; and to find means of conveyance thence to the places of their future labor, was much the most arduous part of their undertaking. By coming down the rivers, however, they had obtained many donations in money, and more in various articles of agricultural produce and do

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