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After a short intermission, the exercises of public worship were resumed, and a discourse was delivered by Mr. Finney preparatory to the celebration of the Lord's supper on the next Sabbath. May the blessing of our covenant God attend us, and may we have occasion long to remember, with gratitude and joy, the transactions of this day.

14. Enjoyed, for the first time in this wilderness, the high privilege of sitting together at the table of our common Lord. The exercises and privileges of the day were very pleasant and refreshing to our hearts, and we trust reviving to our languid graces. A goodly number of spectators were present, many of whom had never witnessed such a scene. A discourse was delivered, and the ordinance adminis tered by Mr. Washburn.

22. This morning we were visited by the father of some of the scholars. He was in a violent passion. Yesterday he had sent to us to have his daughter and sisters come home to visit a brother just arrived from the old nation. This request came to us not as from him, but from the girls themselves. After stating to them the extent of the fourth Commandment, and the effect their example would have on the other scholars, it was left optional with them whether to go or stay; and they promptly replied that they had rather wait till morning. Had not the man been under the influence of ardent spirits, he would not have suffered himself to fall into such a violent rage. However, when the circumstances were fully stated, he appeared ashamed of his conduct, and said he was fully satisfied. Whiskey is a great engine in the support of the empire of darkness among this people; yet, in defiance of law and shame, it is brought here and sold in open day.

24. Last evening information was brought that the Osages, Kickapoos, Sacks, and Foxes, were on their way to the Cherokees, and orders were given by the chiefs and head-men, for every Cherokee able to bear arms to be ready in two days to meet the invaders. This information has produced very considerable alarm, and the whites in the nation are removing their effects to a place of safety, as fast as possible. The department of the U. S. Factory on the Illinois, is thought to be unsafe, and the sub-factor brought the goods to us, as it is believed the Osages will not molest us. Indeed, we need have no apprehension of personal danger, though some of our stock may be stolen. The Cherokees think their children perfectly safe with us. The war has, however, a very bad influence here, and is almost an effectual barrier to the progress of the mission among the Osages. Without the direct and authoritative inter

ference of the U. S. government, there is little prospect of a reconciliation between these tribes. Such an interference would obviously be for the interest of both parties,

The Osages propose a Peace.

26. The U. S. sub-agent from the Osages arrived with a "Peace Talk" from the head-men and warriors of that tribe. It is devoutly to be wished, that a treaty of peace may be effected; though the prospect of such an event is not favorable. Should the parties agree, as some of the influential Cherokees wish, to refer the difficulties to Gov. Miller, justice to each would be done, and a permanent peace might be expected; but no settlement made among themselves would be likely to continue long satisfactory.

27. A number of chiefs called on us, on their way to the "Peace Talk." They are very suspicious of the messenger from the Osages, and wished some of us to be present "to keep him strait." In the afternoon, Messrs. Finney and Washburn rode to the council. The absence of some of the chiefs, who are detained by the late rains, prevented the talk to-day.

28. One of the scholars, whose health had been declining for some time, was taken home to receive medicine. Very little confidence is placed by this people in the medical prescriptions of white people,

29. Two chiefs, with their wives, visited the school. They were highly pleased and gave the children a "good talk." From them we learn, that the council of yesterday engaged to give a decisive answer to. the messenger from the Osages in eight days. It is the general opinion of the Cherokees that peace will be restored. They are bringing their ploughs and other tools in great numbers to be repaired at our shop, and are generally turning their attention from the implements and pursuits of war to those of peace.

Arrival of Provisions from Ohio.

May 6. Heard that the boat, loaded with provisions for this mission from Ohio, was in the Arkansas. If this information be correct, it will probably arrive here before many days. We are in much need of these supplies, as our last year's stock is all expended, and we are obliged to purchase at a high price.In the evening, joined in the Concert of prayer. Our prayers were quickened by a consideration of the necessity of divine influence to render any efforts for the salvation of men effectual. 14.

About the boat from Ohio arnoon, rived. The goods were all in good order, and the hands in good health. A late rain we consider as a signally kind providence

as it enabled us to bring the boat up the Illinois to our landing. Previous to this rain, the creek had been, for several weeks, too low for navigation. We desire to be grateful for this seasonable supply, and feel our renewed obligations to be entirely devoted to the service of our Redeemer.

21. One of the largest boys in the school, whose conduct in all things had been such as to merit our decided approbation till this morning, without cause, and without mentioning his intention to any one, ran away. On his account we regret this very much, as he was a promising boy, and will now be left to grow up in ignorance and vice.-He will not be received to the school again, without the most unequivocal evidence of repentance.

Necessity of Divine Agency.

22. It has been thought expedient to have a meeting on Wednesday, immediately after noon, for expounding the word of God. Mr. Finney led in this exercise to-day;-the subject was the parable of the sower. Something more than ordinary has been manifest in the attention of the congregation, particularly among the laborers and larger scholars. O for a season of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, such as is experienced in many places in New England, and such as we learn is going on in Randolph, Ver. the former residence of most of the mission family. We believe the Lord has a blessing in store for us in this wilderness, and that he will cause it to descend in his own time, and in such a way that the excellency of the power shall be of himself, and we be constrained to glory only in the Lord.

We very

26. Mr. Finney preached from Job xvi, 22. None of the natives from abroad were present; as they are all gone to spend the Sabbath at a great "ball play." much regret, that several of our scholars, who had permission yesterday to visit their parents and friends, have not returned this morning as usual,but have gone with the rest to spend the day in idleness, vice, and profligacy. If parents take their children to such places on the Sabbath, while members of the school, they will not be allowed hereafter to visit their homes. There are very few, if any of the natives, who are ignorant of the Sabbath, and who do not know, that it is sinful to spend the day in pleasure, or attention to business; and it is lamentable that half-breeds and white people, who ought to set an example for others, take the lead in this shocking profanation. The more we are acquainted with this people, the more do we see them immersed in every kind of vice, and the more we are sensible, that all efforts to christianize them will be ineffectual, without a divine influence.

28.

Another of the larger boys, who was corrected this morning, ran away. If children are allowed thus to leave us, whenever they take a dislike to our regulations, we must labor under serious difficulties, which their parents might easily remove. In future we shall make it an indispensable requisition of parents, immediately to bring back their children who run away, and to break off this practice by suitable correction. Children, whose parents will not comply with this rule, will not be received.

June 3. The boy above mentioned returned. He stated to his parents, that he was corrected without deserving correction, and his mother was highly incensed. She immediately sent for his clothes, and said he should return to us no more. We however refused to let his clothing be taken away till we could see his parents. His father said he had confidence in us, and did not believe we had corrected the boy without sufficient cause. He therefore sent him into the field, and obliged him to work till he should be willing to return to school. This discipline was as good, perhaps, as he could have adopted. The boy was soon made to prefer his situation here, where he had to labor but a small part of the time. When he returned he said, "he had rather be corrected when he deserved it, here at school, than to be made a slave at home." 5.

Rode out to examine a neighboring creek with a view to ascertain whether a suitable place can be found on it for the erection of mills. The result of the examination was highly satisfactory. Mills, which would run the greatest part of the year, might be built very cheap. A sawmill would more than pay for itself in two years, besides sawing all that we need for our own use; and till a grist-mill is gotten into operation, we must depend almost entirely upon flour from Ohio to make all our bread.

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would be impossible to shew any substantial reasons, why this should be the case with the natives of this continent, more than with the inhabitants of Asia or Africa. We trust this is not the opinion of the American Board of Foreign Missions. That such a belief if erroneous, is incontrovertibly manifest from the labors of Elliot, the Mayhews, Brainerd, the United Brethren, and the missionaries in the old Cherokee nation. If there be, then, in fact, no foundation for such an opinion, it cannot be right to neglect making immediate and great efforts for the salvation of the perishing thousands of adult Indians.

With much esteem and respect we are, dear Sir, your unworthy fellow laborers. ALFRED FINNEY,

CEPHAS WASHBURN.

MISSION IN CEYLON.

MANEPY.

Extracts from Mr. Spaulding's Journal.

(Continued from p. 350.)

Oct. 22, 1821. When we came to Manepy there were two parties in the place, who were very hostile to each other. This division among the principal men in the village here, was occasioned by the removal of a temple; and the two rival and offended parties, though they would not speak with each other, were very forward in coming to us with their complaints. I have often found myself very unpleasantly situated, as the least offence to either, would prove fatal to the reconciliation, which seems to be necessary, both for their own happiness and for the cause of Christ. I asked one of them, a Moodliar, to-day, if the Tamul religion taught them to hate each other, and to quarrel? He answered, "No.""What, then, will become of you, if you continue to disobey both the Tamul God, and the Christian's God?" "I don't know." "Can you hope to go to heaven?" "No, I cannot."-"Are you willing to live and to die, without a hope of going to heaven." -"No, I would rather go to heaven." I then told him what the Christian religion required of him,--that he should forgive and pray for his enemies. He acknowledged that it was all very good-very true -very necessary;" but after all, he will not feel, until compelled by the Spirit of God.

24. I have spent most of the day in going from house to house. I have found that nearly one fourth of the men, I have seen to-day can read on the ola;--but it should be stated, that I have been among the higher and more learned class, and that

there are more who can read in this village, than in any other that I have seen in the district of Jaffna. Take the population in general, and if we include females and children, I think not more than one in thirty can read intelligibly. In this statement, I do not include our school boys.

29.

Cruelty of Heathen Mothers.

Have had an opportunity to-day, of witnessing the great indifference which the people often pay to the sick. But a little distance from our house, lies a little child, about six years old, that is so far reduced by sickness, (something like the cholera,) that it is now but little more than a skeleton. This was its situation, when first made known to us. We have done what we could for the child, but apparently to little purpose. When Mrs. Spaulding called to-day, she found the child alone, crying most piteously. Its mother came in sight. It immediately expressed a great desire to be taken from its mat, and to be carried; but the unfeeling mother turned away, and was going off. Mrs. Spaulding called her back, and told her to take the child. But it was with much difficulty that she was persuaded to take any notice of it. As this is the season for fevers, as well as for the cholera, we have been often called to witness, as we visited the people, similar instances of criminal indifference. I never before felt so much the force of the Apostle's testimony, that the heathen are without natural affection.

Nov. 1. To-day, brother Poor preached at the school bungalow in the village to a considerable congregation, among whom were ten Brahmins. This was a rare circumstance. They were passing in the road, and brother Poor compelled them to come in. They heard the Gospel, and some of them seemed to tremble at the naked absurdities of their own fables, when exposed to the light of eternal truth.

2. Our quarterly meeting for free conversation, prayer, and the administration of the Lord's supper, was held to-day. All our number, excepting brother Woodward, and sister Meigs, were present. Our joys and sorrows, hopes and fears, passed before us; the mercies of God were

re

counted; the recompense of reward was seen at but a little distance; and a still small voice whispered,-"This is the way, walk ye in it."

Female Improvement.

3. Have had a little more encouragement than is usual. We find more inclination among the females, to converse with and visit us. They talk of letting their girls come and learn to sew. One of the

Moodliars brought his little daughter to see us. This is the first circumstance of the kind, since we came here. If this degrading, demoralizing custom of keeping the females in perpetual ignorance, were once destroyed, this part of the world would have great occasion to rejoice. No idea of it can be conceived by children, or parents, in a Christian land. This little girl, about eight years old, the daughter of the most influential man in Manepy, is very sprightly and engaging in her manners, has a very interesting countenance, and is richly adorned with bracelets upon her arms, rings on her feet, and gold chains about her neck. But, alas! all that is interesting or lovely in the mind, or the heart, is sacrificed upon the altar of cruel customs. Could the female youth in a Christian land, see these children, I am persuaded they would more than ever, prize their own privileges, and pray that the day, when the female children of this land shall be redeemed from their present bondage, may be speedily hastened.

13. As was above stated, at a little distance before our house, are the ruins of an old house which overlook the extensive paddy fields to the south-west. Through the middle of these fields, which now promise a very abundant harvest, winds the large channel for water which now overflows its banks. While standing on these ruins, an awful monument of Christian efforts abandoned!--viewing the prospect before me, which was interrupted at a distance by a thick growth of cocoa-nut and palmyra trees, which skirted the green helds; and admiring the twilight, as reflected in faded crimson from the surface of the still water, the sound of a bell, in a village at a little distance, forcibly reminded me of home; and for a moment, I seemed to be near the great congregation. But when recollection broke the charm, how altered were my feelings! I stood on the ruins of a house, whose inhabitants had, for half a century, been silent in the grave. The fields before me, fraught with bounty from the hand of the "unknown God," were about to bestow his harvest upon the surrounding population, whose idolatrous and cruel customs lead down to the chambers of death;--and the sound I heard, instead of proclaiming the sabbath, or the worship of Jehovah, was only the signal for prostration to wood and stone.

Increased regard of the Natives to the

Christian Scriptures.

15. This evening, at candle lighting, went to a loodliar's house, to read the Scriptures to some, who had asked to be favored with the loan of an Old Testament.

As I have but one copy, and often

want that, I proposed to read one evening in each week to those who wished to hear. I was pleased to see nine men of the first class, listen with much attention to the first three chapters of Genesis. May God bless his word, that it may not return void.

17. To-day, went to Mallagum, to witness the formation of a Tamul Bible Association in this part of the district. Besides some of the Europeans, who feel deeply interested in this object, all the American missionaries, and a great number of the most respectable natives within the limits of the mission, were present. Subscriptions, to the amount of between four or five hundred rix dollars, annually, were entered into, almost all of which was subscribed by heathens themselves. This is the third association of the kind, which has been formed among the heathen of the Jaffna district. This has certainly been a year, long to be remembered by all who feel interested in the spread of the word of God.

The Taliput Tree.

19. To-day, after attending the Bible Society at Jaffna, I walked out with some others, to see two taliput trees in blossom. They are, perhaps, the only trees of the kind in this part of the island; and, as it is said, they live to the age of 70 or 100 years, and then blossom and die, I felt a curiosity to see them. In appearance, the taliput much resembles the palmyra. The trunk, or shaft, with a rough outside, not in the least resembling bark, is almost a foot in diameter, and extends up, with a very little taper, fifty or sixty feet. At the top, like the palmyra, is a tuft of large spreading leaves. From this top, the large stem of the blossom, shoots up, beginning at the leaves, as large as the trunk of the tree, and at the height of about twenty or twentyfive feet, tapers to a point. From this shaft, projects many limbs in every direction, whose length is about eight feet, and whose gentle bend, and numerous twigs and leaves, reminded me of the weeping willow. The appearance was most beautiful, and can be compared to nothing which will convey more exactly an idea of it, than the top of the stalk of Indian corn when in blossom. The whole formed a cone, about fifteen feet in diameter, and twenty feet in height.

Evidences of a Christian Influence.

23. About eighteen men attended today, to hear the Scriptures read. The story was the conclusion of the history of the flood, and the blessing and curse of Noah upon his sons. I endeavored to shew how these predictions are now fulfilling. They were much interested, as the de

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scendants of each of Noah's sons, were in the island, and their condition, which is well known to many of them, is a striking fulfilment of the prophecy. One said, "This is true, for we see it." Another said, "What we see proves the truth of the history;"--and all agreed in expressing their pleasure in hearing the book read. When I returned from Copay, I heard that the two offended parties had become friends, and interchanged visits. Every day confirms this report; and I have now heard it stated by themselves, and feel that we have great cause for gratitude to God, in whose hands are the hearts of all this people.

26. While our cook was walking across the field, he overheard the Pandarum, who officiates at the temple near, talking very earnestly with another man, saying, "What shall we do? This Padre preaches at his bungalow,-his house,--at his school bungalow, and at other houses-and talks to the people. What shall we do? I think we had better write to the Collector, and let him know what he is about." This is a very good illustration of the feelings of many towards those who preach the Gospel here. "He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh."

30. Three days have passed, since it began to rain, and there are no signs of fair weather. For a few nights we have been disturbed by a wild cat, which has kept round our house. Its cry is loud and frightful, and its track the size of a very large dog. We are in no danger, however, from wild creatures here; for, though there are many in the jungle, they seldom come so far, as to any of our stations. Hares, jackals, wild dogs and cats, are sometimes found.

Dec. 3. To-day, the monthly prayer meeting, at which all the missionaries in Jaffna generally attend, was here. The season was solemn and interesting. Prospects seem to brighten at almost every station.

Superstitious Notion.

8. While out, this afternoon, I saw the people making small wicks and dipping them in oil. Asking them what these were for, they answered, "This is the day, when the great giant, called Mavete Vanum, who bears up the world, turns from one side to the other; and on this account, we illuminate our houses, gardens, stalls, gates, streets and temples." They also sprinkle their houses and doors with meal, mixed with water, and during a fast of three days they eat but twice. Being asked, what the great giant lay on, while bearing up the world, they answered, "A serpent." "But what holds up the serpent?" "A

VOL. XVIII.

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a phy. on Sab.

Aurora, O. Fr. of Miss. 3; do. 1, by Rev. John
Seward,

Bainbridge, N. Y. Mon. con. in north So. 3;
Rev. J. Chapin, part of mar. fee, 2; Mr. J. S.
Fitch, 1, by Rev. Dr. Porter,
Ballston, N. Y. A few indiv. by Mr. C. Eddy,
Mr. Doolittle, by do.
Barnet, Vt. A friend,

Bellair, Md. Miss S. P. Jones, Cor. Sec. in part for Geo. Morrison and Sarah Hamilton, Richardson,

Berlin, Ms. Fem. Cent So. by Mrs. Z. Fay, Tr. Beverly, Ms. Mrs. Ober, Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Lov

ett, and Mrs. Oliphant, 2 ea.; Indiv. in sums of 1, and less, 7,20, by Mr. A. D. Eddy, A lady, for the ed. of a hea. chil. at Elliot, to be named Levi Parsons Oliphant, For Sand. Isl. Miss.

Boston, Ms. S. T. Armstrong,

Wm. Ropes, Esq. for a child in Ceylon,
A young lady, by Mr. A. D. Eddy,
Col. in a Mis. box kept by Miss E. B. W. for
Pal. mis.

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A friend for do. by Dea. Proctor, An indiv. who has prev.remitted 62,05,towards a mission to South America; Dona.fr. Mr. R. Nutting, Randolph, Vt. 10; coll. by Mrs. S. Chamberlain, Sharon. Ct. 3,66; L. P. H. 5; part prof. of "The Retrospect," 10, A friend, for Sand. Isl. miss. Do. for do. by L. Chamberlain, Boylston, Ms. Fem. Cent So. for Choc. Miss. by E. Andrews, Tr.

Brainerd. Dona. by Robt. Flurnoy, Esq. (near Sav. Geo.)

Braintree, Ms. A friend, for a chapel in Bombay,

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