family and Miss Frisselle by land: They travelled on horseback, and reached Elliot on the 14th of May, eight months after leaving Goshen. This accession of strength, though so unexpectedly delayed, has already been of great service to the mission. Mr. Byington bears the most decided testimony to the excellent spirit and ten per, which prevailed among the members of this large family, during the slow and tedious passage by land and water. Mr. Kingsbury is highly gratified with the aid, derived to the establishment under his particular and immediate superintendence. During the severity of their trials, Mr. Smith and his family bore the chastisements of their Heav enly Father with exemplary resignation, confidence and hope; and devoted themselves with renewed zeal to the self-denying labors of their high vocation. While writing these paragraphs, intelligence has arrived, that Mr. Cushman has also been called to mourning. Within less than a month his eldest son was followed to the tomb by his youngest; both having fallen victims to the bilious fever, which is the common disease of that climate during the months of summer and au tumn. mestic manufacture, for the use of the mission. The zeal of many friends of missions had been excited; much missionary information had been communicated; and a remarkable kindness and willingness to aid the good work, had been manifested by clergymen, and private members of the churches, through all the inhabited parts of the route. On arriving at the Walnut Hills, it was found necessary to divide the company, and convey different members of it to the places of their destination, by different ways. Mr. Cushman and his family, with Mr. Hooper. passed through the wilderness in a waggon, leaving Elliot on the left, and reaching the new station March 3d, after a journey of 18 days. Mr. Smith with his family, and Miss Thacher, proceeded up the Yazoo in a batteau, aided by Mr. Dyer, who had been sent down to meet them. This family had buried the youngest child at Bedford, Penn. and was now called to a severer trial. The eldest son, a promising boy of fifteen, assisted at the oar, in the beginning of the toilsome voyage. After three weeks he was taken ill, and neither the prayers, nor the grief, of his parents, could save him from an early grave, on the banks of an unfrequented river, far from any human habitation. After struggling against the current for six weeks, the females taking their turn at the helm, and Mr. Smith having been once remarkably preserved from drowning, they arrived at Elliot on the 20th of March, where it may readily be imag-reign Disposer of events, however, to ined, they were received with peculiar joy. Mr. Byington, hearing of Dr. Worcester's expected arrival at Natchez, proceeded down the Mississippi to that place, where he was usefully employed for a few days, in obtaining donations to the Indian missions; and whence he accompanied his revered friend and father, with true filial sedulity and kindness, in his wearisome journey through the Choctaw wilderness. Mr. Bardwell remained at the Walnut Hills to take charge of the property of the Board, which, to a large amount in donations and purchases, was deposited there, waiting for the means of conveyance up the Yazoo. As the season advanced, however, before the expected opportunity arrived, it became dangerous to pass up the river; and Mr. Bardwell having secured the remaining property in the best manner he was able, set out with his Station of Elliot. In the preceding narrative it has appeared, that strength has been added to this station, by the arrival of new assistants. It has pleased the Sove weaken the mission by the removal of an excellent and very valuable member. Mr. Fisk died on the 19th of September, after suffering more than a fortnight from a violent and distressing fever. He was calm and collected in view of death, and had not a wish to live, except for the sake of doing good. Rarely has there been so useful an exhibition of missionary zeal, prudence, mildness, and persevering industry, harmoniously blended in one person. In consequence of his uncommon maturity of judgment, gravity and universal benevolence, Mr. Fisk was early chosen a deacon of the church in Holden, Mass. where he belonged. By his industry, and skill as a mechanic, he soon found himself in very eligible worldly circumstances. But the world had no charms for him, when put in competition with the cause of Christ. He made a cheerful offering of himself, The boys are employed, when out of school, in the business of the farm or the family. The girls are in two divisions, and are occupied, alternately, in the more laborious or the more delicate branches of domestic economy, when not engaged in their studies. Miss Thacher has the care of the girls in the school. The education of females is justly considered as very important, in reference to the advancing civilization of the natives. and of all that he had, to the work of evangelizing the heathen. Though possessed of good mental endowments, and capable of teaching school, he shrunk not from continual bodily labor as a blacksmith. In this employment he promised great usefulness to the mission and the natives, having taken two boys as apprentices, and being himself a specimen of vigorous industry. In the year, which he spent at Elliot, he not only performed the smith work of the station, which was a great saving of money, but his labor for the natives and the government brought more than two hundred dollars into the Treasury of the mission. But no excellence of character can secure from death. This good man, after giving proof of sincerity in his Master's cause, and showing what can be done by a willing mind under the direction of Christian benevolence, was removed from care and toil, to a better country. As the establishment on the Ook-tib-morning, by sunrise, or a little after, be-ha peculiarly needed the presence you might see a company of boys goof the superintendent, Mr. Kingsburying to the cornfield with their hoes, and removed his family thither about the another to the woods with their axes.' middle of November. Dr. Pride had been previously assigned to the same station; and Mr. Wright came to reside there also, after the division of labors and duties had been fixed, in the pres-ple, by circulating mischievous reports, ence of Dr. Worcester. The school at Elliot has continued to flourish, though its indefatigable teach. er, Mr. Williams, was obliged by ill health to suspend his labors, early in the spring. It is now in charge of Mr. Wood. When the annual Report was furnished to the Department of War last December, the number of children in the school was 74, and six others were considered as belonging to it, being temporarily absent on a visit to their homes. Three quarters of the whole number were males. All board in the mission family, and are entirely under the control and superintendence of the missionaries. Fifty of the children could speak no English, when they joined the school. Several can now speak our language fluently; and others can read it correctly, and will soon acquire the spoken language. Of the sixty-five, who began with the alphabet, twenty eight, at the date of the Report, could read with facility in the New Testament. All write on slates; and thirty nine write a plain hand without a copy. Ten have made some progress in arithmetic; and two have commenced grammar and gcography. About the last of June, Mr. Byington gave the following account of the progress of education. "In our schools we see many proofs of the goodness of God. The scholars are making good improvement in their studies. The number of boys is 51, and of girls 14; several children having been recently sent for by their parents. The children are docile, obedient, and ready to perform any kind of labor. They are active and very useful. Every As the reputation and influence of the schools increase, it may be expected that dissolute whites will practise upon the credulity of an ignorant peo with respect to the treatment of the children, and the designs of the missionaries. This has already been done among the Choctaws, as well as among the Cherokees. In several instances, however, when parents have been disturbed by stories of this sort, and have repaired to the school for information, they have become perfectly satisfied. Nor is it known that a single individual, who has taken the pains to see for himself, is unfriendly to the school, or the mission. In one of the cases related in the journal, three men and a woman, who had children in the school, came ninety miles to examine for themselves into the foundation of some unfavorable reports which had reached their ears. Though prejudiced at first, in consequence of what they had heard, they became entirely satisfied, after a free conversation with the missionaries, and went away highly pleased. The woman ber self anxiously sought the privilege of staying at the school, and of being instructed with the children. She declared herself willing to aid in the labors of the family, and wept when informed that she could not be received. A more recent instance is mentioned in the journal, under date of May 27th, as follows: "Sabbath: Our exercises were this day as usual. Several neigh. bors, and several of the parents of our scholars attended our meeting. The parents came to visit the school. They had heard many reports concerning the school, some which were injurious to its character. Since they have been here, they have repeatedly declared themselves to be well pleased. One man who came about seventy miles, and who attended our Sabbath school, said, after meeting, in his own language, which was interpreted to us; "I have heard many reports concerning the school, some for it and some against it. I have now seen it with my own eyes, and am rejoiced at the sight. If it please the Lord to take me away, I shall die in peace." [Some facts of an interesting nature, which relate to the school and the seriousness among the boys, are recapitulated fin this connexion. They have heretofore appeared in the Herald.] Station of Mayhew. On the 20th of November, Mr. Kingsbury took up his residence at the new establishment on the Ooktibbeha, having removed his family thither in order more conveniently to superintend the buildings which were erecting, and the other operations preparatory to the opening of a school. The place has since been named Mayhew, in memory of the excellent and devoted men who so successfully preached the Martha's Gospel to the Indians on vineyard, and consecrated their lives to this self-denying service, at an early period in the settlement of our country. It has already been mentioned, that Messrs. Wright, Cushman, and Hooper are assigned to this station. Dr. Pride commenced his residence here a month before Mr. Kingsbury's removal, and acts as steward and accountant, beside doing whatever may be in his power, in any department of labor. The pecuniary embarrassments, which the Board experienced last winter and spring, have borne with peculiar weight upon this establishment. It was supposed by the Committee, that if any mission could bear to have its drafts on the Treasury restrained, it certainly was this mission; as the annuity of the Choctaws was pledged to its various branches, and a consider able sum was due from the government of the United States, as a reimbursement of monies expended in the erection of buildings. The expected relief has not been obtained, however, from either of these sources. The resignation of the former agent, and the appointment of-a new one, occasioned an unexpected delay, in the reception of the money;-a delay, which had not ceased to exist, at the date of the last intelligence. A very satisfactory letter had been received, however, from the Secretary of War, containing precise stipulations, as to what would be ultimately paid by the government for the buildings at each station. If the annuity were paid up to the present time, and the monies expended on the buildings, as authorized by government were refunded, the mission would be able, from these sources to discharge all its debts. Mr. Kingsbury has been informed, by a letter which probably reached him some weeks ago, that he may draw on the Treasury of the Board for five hundred dollars a month, till he receives other directions. This will afford him some relief from the anxiety to meet his engagements, which has greatly oppressed him for the last six months. When Dr. Worcester left Mayhew, he advised Mr. Kingsbury to visit Natchez, and its neighborhood immediately, for the sake of obtaining donations, in this perplexing emergency. The advice was followed; but the season of the year proved unpropitious; and Mr. Kingsbury, after communicating information, and preparing the way for a future agency, returned to Mayhew as expeditiously as possible, where he arrived on the 13th of July. The former part of summer was excessively wet, so that the crop of corn probably would not be more than a third as great, as it was expected to be when planted. The labors of the mission were also greatly impeded by the long continued rains,and by the sickness, which they were the means of producing. The making of brick had been quite impracticable;-a business for which considerable preparation had been made;-and some of the hired men, discouraged by sickness, and other unfavorable circumstances, had left their employment. At the last date, August 14th,* the weather had become dry, and prospects were more It will be remembered, that this Report was written in September. favorable. Mr. Kingsbury, though he had himself been ill, was about to visit Elliot, at the request of Mrs. A. V. Williams, who was apprehended to be dangerously sick. "We are now pa-sing the ordeal of the season," he observes, "who wil survive it is known only to Him, who has the springs of life in his hand." Projected Station at the Six Towns. In the course of last winter, Mr. Jewell was deputed by his brethren to visit a part of the Choctaw nation called the six towns, and to make arrangements for opening a school there, according to encouragements, which had been held out to the natives. He commenced his journey; but was called back by intelligence, that the assistant missionaries, then on their way, had taken a different route from the one contemplated, which so altered the immediate prospects of the mission, that he could not be spared from Elliot. More recently, it has been deemed expedient to enter anew upon the undertaking; and Mr. Jewell has again been despatched upon the business, and is probably now engaged in making preparations for a local school. Projected Station at the French Camps. Mr. Williams, being obliged to suspend his labors in the school, was advised by the brethren to travel on horseback for his health, and to take in his course such parts of the Choctaw nation as would be most likely to aid cheerfully and zealously in the establishment and support of local schools. In accomplishing this object, he visited the French Camps, a settlement on the Natchez road, further south than the other stations. He found the people there very desirous of having a local school established for their benefit. He told them distinctly, that the Board could do little more than furnish a teacher, and provide him and his family with clothing and furniture, and perhaps afford books and stationary for the school. The principal persous of this neighborhood, or scattering settlement, as it may more properly be called, are whites with Indian families, old settlers;-some of them, it would seen, of French descent. They propose the following plan, and have engaged to carry it into execution; viz To select a suitable spot of land for VOL. XVIII. the use of the teacher's family;-to put up the necessary buildings at their own expense; to furnish comfortable food for the teacher's family, and for such Indian children, belonging to this settlement, as cannot eat at their par ents' houses, on account of the distance; to supply the necessary domestic help. for the family; and to clear land for a garden, cornfield, and other necessary purposes. When these proposals were reported to the brethren, they took very judicious measures to satisfy the wishes of the natives; and to make an experiment, by commencing a school as soon as possible. Mr. Williams was designated to be the teacher. It was deemed most prudent to begin the school on a small scale, at a house already erected, and belonging to one of the patrons of the school, whose name is Le Fleur. It was contemplated, that Mr. Williams would remove from Elliot in the month of August, to enter upon the duties of his new station, if no unforeseen occurrence should prevent. As a people, the Choctaws, like most other uncivilized tribes, are in total darkness on moral and religious subjects; exposed to various and im aginary terrors from supposed witchcraft and other causes; addicted to the intemperate use of ardent spirits; in short, ignorant, degraded, and miserable. But they are awaking to some just sense of their condition; they are desirous that their children should see better days than themselves have ever seen; they are importunately asking the charity of a great Christian community. Can this charity be withheld? Shall this interesting people be suffered to relapse into their former stupidity? The Committee cannot but hope, that the indications of Providence are of a very different character; and that the sensibility, which is felt for these wanderers of the desert, will become more and more lively, and prompt to greater exertions to promote their present comfort, and their everlasting welfare. It would be ungrateful to close the account of this mission, without a suitable notice of the very useful visit, which it enjoyed from our beloved and lamented Corresponding Secretary. Here, though his body was weakened by disease, his powerful mind exerted its full vigor, and his heart displayed its noblest attributes,-zeal for God and benevolence to man. 2 When the voyage and journey of Dr. Worcester were first planned, it was hoped that a passage to New Orleans would so improve his health, that leisurely travelling to the north would contribute greatly to his entire restoration. On many accounts it was important, that an agent of the Board, well acquainted with all its measures, having its interests greatly at heart, and possessing the respect and confidence of the missionaries, should visit the stations among the south western Indians. Such a commission was in accordance with the feelings of the Corresponding Secretary, and he entered upon the discharge of it, with pleasing anticipations. To secure proper aid, in regard to the various objects of his journey, he had written to Mr. Byington, requesting him to be at New Orleans early in February. The letter not reaching Mr. Byington in season, its request could not be complied with. But Dr. Pride, happening to visit New Orleans just at this time, on business relative to the Choctaw and Arkansaw missions, was able to render his personal and professional services, and to be able to attend his friend and patron through the Choctaw nation, till detained by his own sickness, at Russellville in Alabama, about the middle of May. At New Orleans, Dr. Worcester inserted in the newspapers an appeal to the inhabitants of Louisiana, in behalf of missions to the Indian tribes, written with his accustomed ability, and judgment. Both there and at Natchez, he obtained donations in money, and various articles for the use of the missions. This was done, in a great measure, by the kind aid of friends, as his own health did not permit him to be much abroad, or to see much company. At the latter place, Mr. Washburn met him by appointment, having left Elliot to re turn to his station on the Arkansaw. An intercourse of three days was doubtless of great benefit to a young missionary, just entering upon the arduous duties of a new establishment. While passing through the Choctaw nation, Dr. Worcester was taken severely ill, at the house of a chief, who is an ardent friend to missions. Thert it seemed probable, for several days, that his mortal course would be ended He was partially resto: ed, however; and, as his sick bed was attended by several missionaries, that no time might be lost, he proposed to Mr. Hoyt and Mr. Kingsbury eighteen questions, rel ative to the concerns of the missions under their care. These questions, which show how intently the mind of the proposer was fixed upon the object of his journey, will be printed in the Appendix, with the answers to them. From the same sick bed he dictated a letter to the brethren at Elliot, after he had been compelled to abandon the long cherished hope of visiting that place;-a letter, fraught with apostolical tenderness and dignity, which has been read by thousands with mingled emotions of grief and admiration. By the kindness of Providence being enabled to resume his journey, he arrived at Mayhew much exhausted, on the 25th of April. The thirteen days of his stay there, he spent in strengthening the missionaries, and exhorting them to fidelity and perseverance. On the first Sabbath he addressed them from Philip. ii, 1-18; on the other, he assisted in the solemn act of forming a mission-church, and administering the sacrament;-labors well becoming such a man, at the closing scene of life. The next morning he left Mayhew, "certainly one of the most delightful spots," he observes, "which my eyes ever beheld;" and set his face, as he subjoins, "towards Brainerd, towards Salem, and, I hope, towards heaven." [The Report of this mission closes with the affectionate tribute of Mr. Kingsbury to the character of Dr. Worcester, as published in the Herald for November.] MISSION AMONG THE CHEROKEES ON THE ARKANSAW. When the Report of last year was prepared, no intelligence had been received from Messrs. Finney and Washburn, after they lef Elliot for the Arkansaw country, in the May preceding; nor from their assistants, Messrs. Hitchcock and Orr, who entered the mouth of the river Arkansaw, not long after. No communications from them reached the Committee till last February; nor did they receive any directions or advice from the Committee, till Mr. Washburn met Dr. Worcester at Natchez. So long an interruption of correspondence was painful and embarrassing on both sides; but it was peculiarly distressing to the missionaries, *See Appendix to the Report. |