But the work went on rapidly. They labored hard during four weeks, early and late, frequently till 10 o'clock at night, by the light of the moon or large fires; in which time they had nearly completed a large dwelling house, divided into five apartments, besides a hall 16 feet wide, a piazza in front, and one 44 feet long in the rear, the whole covered by a cabin roof 90 feet by 40.-They also put up a meat house, and another small cabin for a cook. The buildings were not entirely finished, but they were so that we thought best to remove into them on the 6th of December. The school commenced at the new place on the 11th, after a suspension of one week. The value of these buildings is something more than $300.-They have not cost the Board more than $50 exclusive of my own labor. Four persons have borne the principal part of the expense,as much as 9-10ths of the 250 dollars. It may be well for me to state further || respecting the people in this vicinity, and the prospects for usefulness. There are within 30 miles of this place (which is considered as one neighborhood) twelve white settlers, who have Indian families. Almost every individual in these families understands and speaks both the Indian and || English languages more or less. Several of these men are old settlers, and have considerable influence with the natives. They also own a considerable number of slaves, most of whom speak both tongues. By this it would appear, that a missionary can have access to a great many people understanding the English; and should he be able to preach in the language of the natives, not only they, but nearly the whole population, could hear. There are a great many people within a day's ride from this place groping in darkness. This station as a deposit for Bibles, tracts, &c. is of some importance, being on a public road that takes the travel through the Chickasaws, and also that by the way of Mayhew. Many families emigrating from the states to the new purchase, are destitute of Bibles and other books; and among the white settlers of this neighborhood only three or four Bibles and one Testament could be found when I first visited them.Some old men who could read and write well had not owned a Bible for nearly 40 years. I have distributed several Bibles, and a great many tracts, to travellers and residents, and have found the people in some instances very grateful for them. Indeed I cannot but think the way is preparing for doing good to many who are ready to perish. I have ever been treated with kindness and apparent respect by all ranks, and there have been usually 40 to 50 persons collected at my house on the Sabbath for religious worship. My VOL. XVIII. heart feels for them. Some appear truly desirous to hear. But "how shall they hear without a preacher." That there is need of Gospel instruction here, cannot be doubted by any one acquainted with the shocking wickedness of this people. The examples of such as do know better have poisoned the minds and corrupted the morals of the Indians, so that the whole, with very few exceptions, are sunk exceedingly low in every species of vice. In such a case I should almost despair, were it not that the Lord Jehovah reigns. I know he is able to employ feeble instruments, and make their labors effectual to the pulling down of the strong holds of Satan. There are now 15 scholars in the school, two of whom are supported at the expense of the Treasury, and one, a girl about 14, works for her board and attends school part of the time. Nine of this number attended the school at Elliot, a few months previous to last vacation. These can read the Bible and other books distinctly, and write a plain legible hand. Two of them are excellent readers, and can write very well. They have also lately begun Arithmetic. Six out of the 15 never went to school before. They are generally very diligent in study, and their progress conéequently is good. And I can say, with strict propriety, that they excel in industry. The larger boys seem to be very desirous to save the expense of their parents, by raising some corn and potatoes next season with their own hands. And I have frequently seen the smaller boys choose their axes rather than their play, and fell pretty large trees, and cut them up for fire wood, in the hours allotted them for play. Mrs. Williams has taught the school hitherto, and my time has been wholly occupied in hard labor, or on business abroad. I have just returned from Mayhew, and I hope my visit there will be to the furtherance of the cause in which we are engaged. Brother Kingsbury has encouraged me to expect some aid as to hired men, team, tools, &c. This school is established 4 miles south of the Upper French Camp. This part of the country is high, and I think as healthy as any other part of the nation, being the dividing land between the waters of Pearl river, and Big Black, and it is 8 or 10 miles from any swamp worth mentioning. The buildings are pleasantly situated on a considerable rise of ground 50 rods west of the public road. There are several springs of good water within 40 or 50 rods. The land contiguous is of a middle quality. Timber for buildings and stone for necessary purposes are very convenient. My dear Sir, the above is written in much weariness of the flesh, a few lines at a time after a hard day's labor. I 11 need no further apology for its imperfec- || mitted to them the conditions on which tions. I concluded it was as short a way as any of sending you the substance of my journal. In haste, I subscribe myself Your unworthy servant in Jesus Christ, LORING S. WILLIAMS. EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL KEPT AT MAYHEW. (Continued from vol. xvii, p. 345.) July 13, 1821. Mr. Kingsbury returned from his tour to Natchez and the low country. During a long journey, at this unfavorable season, the Lord graciously preserved him from the pestilence that walketh in darkness, and the destruction that wasteth at noon day. Difficulties of the mission. 14. Our way appears to be hedged up. Without immediate aid we cannot fulfil our engagements, proceed in our work, or answer the expectations of the natives. The mission is in debt, some part of which must soon be paid; and we know not whence the money is to come to pay it. The Treasury of the Board, which has urgent calls for all its resources, cannot afford the necessary relief. Of the expected aid from government, and the appropriations of the natives, we have received no information. On the other hand, the natives, perishing for lack of knowledge, are looking to us for help;-are expecting a school in the fall; and our word is pledged to put it in In view of these operation at that time. circumstances, we deeply felt that help could come only from the Lord; and, blessed be his name, we would confide in Him, whose cause it is, and who has under his control all the means necessary for carrying it on. Sabbath, 15. Mr. K. preached to the family, and Mr. Wright at the house of Major Pitchlynn in the morning, and at Columbus in the afternoon. 18. The season continues unusually wet. Heavy showers of rain fall almost daily, which, filling the swamps and low ground with water, produce an unhealthy state of the atmosphere. Intermittent and remittent fevers begin to prevail through the country. The health of several members of our family, and of some of our hired men, is impaired. he would consent to engage with them. These conditions he expects will be acceded to. Letters were received from the War Department, which greatly relieved our anxious minds. 24. Dr. Pride returned from Elliot, accompanied by Mr. Wisner, who is to be attached to the mission at Mayhew. This dear brother, who has devoted his life to the service of his Redeemer among the heathen, is from Granville, Ohio. He came to the Walnut Hills in the boat, which Α brought our supplies from that state. boy from the school at Elliot, who is to act as interpreter, came with them. 24. Our teams arrived from Elliot with supplies, and with clothing, &c. belonging to several members of the mission family. Several boxes of clothing, the fruits of female industry, and charity, were also received. By these pledges of love to our blessed Redeemer, and of attachment to his cause, we feel our hearts encouraged and our hands strengthened. The Lord reward the kind benefactors of these perishing people an hundred fold, and make us the faithful stewards of the sacred treasure committed to our charge. 20. Mr. Jewell returned from the Six Towns. The people whom he there visited are desirous to have a school. He sub-l nieated. The residence at the Pigeon Roost, that he will visit Mayhew as often as every other Sabbath, if convenient. Various Labors of the mission. of them had heard but one sermon before, || and assist them if necessary, and during his since they lived in the country. whole territory bordering upon the Choctaw nation is very inadequately supplied || with the means of religious instruction. The Methodists, who have ever, with becoming zeal, attended to the new and destitute settlements, have established several || circuits through the country, which are regularly supplied by their circuit preachers. But the number of these is too small to furnish any supply for the population. There is but one Presbyterian minister within 80 or 100 miles, and but four or five within the whole state of Alabama. This whole extent of territory is missionary ground, and affords an ample field for the benevolent exertions of Missionary Societies. [Those who patronize the missions and schools among the Indians are not aware how much good they are doing, in reference to the settlements, which will soon be made by our countrymen in all the neighboring regions. It will be found, if the blessing of God confinues to attend these missions, that they will all be lights for the surrounding country; and that their schools, libraries, and religious ordinances, will be resorted to by multitudes, who will carry the good influence from them into many towns and villages, which would otherwise have been destitute of the Gospel.] Sept. 1. munion having returned, the members of The stated season for our com our little church held a conference in the evening, preparatory to the solemn exercises of the approaching Sabbath. Sabbath, 2. Another holy Sabbath, sweet earnest of a season of everlasting rest, has shed on us its reviving light. Good is the Lord in permitting us to enjoy the ordinances of his house in this heathen land. Truly a "little flock," we sat down, eight in number, to commemorate the dying love of our blessed Redeemer. O, when shall this vine fill the land? When shall it send forth its boughs unto the sea, and its branches unto the river, and the hills be covered with the shadow of it? Designation of Mr. Wright. 11. Mr. Wright has, for some time past, been attending to the Choctaw language. To-day it was agreed by the brethren, that he should spend some time with our friend, Captain Folsom, who has very kindly invited him to reside in his family, where Mr. Wright will possess greater advantages for acquiring the language. It is, however, understood, that he will first visit the afflicted family at Elliot,--carry some medicine, || 20. We yesterday finished setting our brick kiln, which contains about 90,000 brick. This morning, put fire in it. Have six men engaged in preparing timber for three houses, which we hope soon to put up; and two teams employed in hauling plank, shingles, &c. from Columbus, a distance of about fifteen miles. The weather, though excessively hot,is dry; and the roads, which, in a wet season, are almost impassable, are good. We can now do more business in one month, with the same number of hands, than we could in two, the former part of the season. 21. We have had fears that we should not find water convenient to the buildings, at this place; the spring being at too great a distance for convenient use. About a year since we sunk a well 47 feet, without any appearance of water. The greater part of this distance was through a soft rock resembling what is called soap stone, in which were imbedded sea-shells, lime, sulphur, and various mineral substances. Last winter we commenced a second well, about 30 rods distant from the first, and after digging about 20 feet, found water. The season being wet, we feared it would not be lasting; but in attempting lately to deepen the well, we found an abundance o water, which proves to be good. It calls for devout gratitude, that a kind Providence has thus removed one of the greatest difficulties we feared, in settling at this place. tion of the Apostle. Phil. ii, 5. Sabbath, 23. Considered the exhorta Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Dr. W. and lady from Gibson Port,spent a part of the day with us, and attended public worship. We have frequent opportunities for distributing extensively missionary pamphlets, and religious tracts, by means of those who call for refreshment. [We regret that our limits will not permit our bringing down this journal to the close of the year.] Albany, N. Y. Deposited in the Mech. and Farmers' Bank, by Mr. S. J. Rider, for the Choctaw mission, Amherst, N. H. Mr. Ainsworth E. Blunt, for the Brainerd mission, Andover, Ms. (N. par.) A friend, by Mr. B. F. Clark, "Juvenis," a birth day's gift, (S. par.) J. W. G., B. D., and 28 50 94 00 50 50 1.00 2 50 1 50 Ashford, Ct. A friend, for the miss. in India, av. of a quarter of an acre, by the Rev. R. Torrey, 5.00 15 00 Athens, Ga. Rev. Moses Waddell, D.D. Athol and Royalston, Ms. Miss. Soc. towards support of a child in Mr. Thurston's family at S. Isl. Attleborough, Ms. Fem. Benev. So. by the Rev. John Wilder, Contrib. on thanksgiving day, Augusta Co. Va. Male Benev. So. by Mr. Dean, remitted by the Rev. D. A. Sherman, Maj. Samuel Bell, by W. Clarke, Esq. Austinburgh, O. Mr. Eliphalet Austin, Avon, N. Y. Mon. Con. towards support of a child at the Sand. Isl. to be called JOHN WHITTLESEY, Barre, Vt. Hea. Sch. Soc. by Mr. Cyrus Barber, Treasurer, Fem. Hea Sch. Soc. by Mary Paddock, Treasurer, 1 25 30 00 8 35 7 00 5 00 200 8 00 1 31 6 56 11 14 75 100 16 13 Bath, N. Y. Steub. Co. Soc. of ladies, for the miss. at Brainerd, by the Rev. A. Townsend, 800 7 75 Do. by Miss S. Brush, Norwich, N.Y. Char. box of Miss E. 200 Children of Sabbath school in School Street, for JOSIAH VINTON, Chil. of Mason Street Sab. school, for educating heathen children, Chil, in Miss Perry's school, for heathen children, United Monthly Concert, By Mr. Willis, from subscrib. to the Recorder, a bal after paying for that paper, viz. David Hanford, Camden, Me. Danl. Parmele, N. Killingworth, Ct. G. N. Fletcher, Ludlow, Vt. C. S. Crane, Parsippany, N. J. 50 cts each, 5 26 12 00 200 84 30 50 1 00 6.00 1 00 11.00 18.00 5 00 Collec. by Miss Sarah Curtis, Hanover, N. H. Do. by beneficiaries in Hamilton Col. 25 from a gent. in Williamsburgh, Ms. 5 00 Char. box of a little girl in Catskill, George Coan, avails of miss. books sold at and near Lexington, N. Y. 3 00 Miss Lucy Buell, Mrs. A. M. Macmullen, Fairfield, Proceeds of wheat, from Dea. Benj. From do. avails of a lamb, Sundry collec. made by Mrs. Eliza Mrs. Elizab. Jenkins, Windsor, Lanc. Co. Pa. collec. in the village and By a gentleman at Forks of the Inclosed in a billet from a gentle 54 5 00 800 8.00 20.00 Miss M, K. Baskerville, J. Waddle, W. Miller, J. Miller, G. 4 00 1 50 18 00 W. Irwin, N. Sawyer, W. H. Doug- Samuel, a little boy," Other individuals, Mary Stacy, semi-ann. payment 16 00 1.00 06 2.00 1 18 11th do. by Mr. Harvey Ladd, Elmira, N. Y. (Newtown village) Fem. A collec. by the Rev. I. Bird, 38 00 8 17 2 00 18 00 256 35.00 18 25 32 00-70 00 1 00 Do. do. of mis. garden, Foxborough, Ms. contrib. by benevo- Female Charitable Society, Franconia, N. H. A subscriber to the Frankfort, Me. Mon. con. by Mr. B. Franklin, Ct. Choctaw and Cher. Soc. 7 38 Glastenbury, Ct. Aux. For. Mis. Soc. Do. aun paym. for JOHN WHITE, The church, for Indian missions, by the Rev. Dr. Ripley, 12 00 16.00 A female, by the Rev. Mr. Bardwell, deus Taylor, Mr. John Barrett, Great Barrington, Ms. Fem. Benev. So. Mon. con. by the Rev. Mr. Marsh, 125 87 12 50 8.50 9 00 40 75 29 00 700 50 00 50 12 00 5 00 20 00 200 13 00 4 00 1 00 5 00 3 00 Do. do. by Austin H. Wright, 75-12 00 12 00 15 00 Herkimer, N. Y. Fem. For. Mis. Soc. 13.00 Hillsboro' County, N. H. Bib. and Char. 700 (N. par.) Men's Benev. Soc. Young Men's Aux. For. Mis. Soc. 17 13 14.00 Fem. Benev. Society, Mis. fields, viz. Alexander Vining's, 1st District, by Joshua Eaton, 3d do. by Caleb Potwine, for mission to Atooi, 24 00 Huntington, Ct. (Ripton par.) Collec. by the Rev. I. Bird, Mon. concert, 16.14 12.00 Jamaica, Vt. Nathl. Cheney, Esq. 1 00 50 |