would have been, if the communications now published had been received before these arrangements were made. MISSION IN CEYLON. EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL OF DR. July 5, 1820. To-day I commenced the pleasing work of recommending the Savior to the perishing heathen of Panditeripo. Have been visited by the head man of the parish, and some others. Mr. Hooper, I went last evening, in company with Mooyart, and Mr. Knight, to the great heathen temple at Nellore, and witnessed some of the abominations of paganism. The idols had been carried from place to place before the temple, during, the former part of the evening; but as it was late before we reached the place, we saw nothing of the procession. But we saw enough to sicken the heart;-enough to make us retire and weep, on account of the desolations which sin has made. Behind the idols were a number of poor deluded creatures prostrate on the ground, who had, a short time before, been rolling after the cars, as they moved from place to place. But one of the most disgusting 10. Yesterday morning preached at sights presented to our view, was a number Panditeripo, for the first time. There of dancing girls, performing some of the cerwere present 30 men, beside a number of emonies of their religion. An opinion is children. After service, I went to Tilli- prevalent among many in Christian counpally, and united with the brethren in the tries, that the heathen are fit subjects for observance of the Lord's supper. In the the kingdom of heaven, even though they afternoon, preached by the wayside to never embrace the Gospel. But the word numbers, who were flocking to one of their of God will allow us to indulge no such celebrated temples. This is the time of the opinion. It declares to us, that whoremonyear in which the great adversary of souls gers, idolaters, liars, thieves, and the workendeavors, in a peculiar manner, to strength-ers of every abomination, have no part in en his kingdom; but we trust the day is the kingdom of heaven. not far distant, when this people will bow their knees to Jesus, and own him Lord of 7. This morning commenced prayer with the coolies, and other workmen. all. In the course of the last month, I was enabled to engage, as an interpreter, a young man of one of the first heathen families in the district. He came to study English with Mr. Poor, three years ago, with the express intention of becoming hereafter an interpreter to government. He was then of a proud spirit, and was a bigotted heath en. Within the last year, his attention has been particularly directed to divine things. He seemed very anxious to become my interpreter, urging, that if he went away from us, he was fearful he should forget what he had already learned concerning the great plan of salvation through a crucified Redeemer. 12. This morning was visited by several Catholics. My interpreter read to them the account of the birth, crucifixion, and resurrection of our Lord. When they left me, they expressed a strong desire to hear more of the Savior. 14. This morning very early, went to Jaffnapatam, to visit W. H. Hooper, Esq. collector of the district. He was very ill for a few hours, but is now better. Heathen worship at Nellore. 18. In consequence of having been detained at Jaffnapatam, by the illness of * Porters, or carriers. The degradation of this people is so great, Establishment of the mission family at 22. The room, which is designed eventually for a medicine room, being finished, Mrs. Scudder removed from Tillipally to this place. We have much reason to remember the kindness of Mr. and Mrs. Poor to us; and we take our leave of that station with the full assurance, that the great Head of the church will continue to bless them in that work, in which they are so devotedly engaged. We consider our situation as peculiarly solemn, when we reflect that the immortal souls of a whole parish* are committed to our charge; and that, if we be unfaithful, their blood will be required at our hands. This consideration, we trust, will induce the followers of the Divine Redeemer to be earnest in their intercession at the throne of grace for us. * This part of Ceylon was formerly divided into parishes, and churches were erected. Unhappily these buildings are gone to decay, and the institutions of Christianity are for gotten. Funeral of a Catholic. hear his precious name. Many females come for medical advice, and thus are ob prayer.* Visit of Mr. Mooyart. 26. I have just been witnessing a Cath-liged, at least once, to attend the house of lic funeral. The corpse was brought to this place, and interred upon the church ground. The ceremonies at the grave were very solemn. I could understand but little of their service, but observed that they often mentioned the name of the ever blessed Jesus. I took the opportunity, both before and after the interment, to recommend the Savior to their acceptance, and endeavored to point out to them that narrow way, which leads to eternal life through him. We have much reason to fear, that most of them know but little experimentally of that religion, which they profess. Arrival of Mr. Garrett. Aug. 9. Went in company with Mr. Poor to Point Pedro, to meet Mr. Garrett. We were much delighted to hear, that the cause of the Redeemer continued to flourish in our native land. 12. This morning we had between sixty and seventy at morning prayers. A number of them were sick. We think it a large congregation when we can assemble so many, independent of the boys in our schools. If we should sit down at our ease at home, and preach two or three times a week, we should see but few people. This renders it absolutely necessary for the missionary of the cross to go out into the highways and hedges, to visit from house to house, warning and exhorting the people to flee from the wrath to come. To labor in this manner is often a trying duty; owing, in part, to the awful stupidity of the people, to the relaxed state of our bodies from the heat of the climate, and doubtless much more to that deadness and dulness in divine things, under which we have to groan from day to day. But we believe, if we do not thus labor, we are unfit for our high and holy calling. We believe, that we are in the places of more faithful men; and, what is beyond conception dreadful, the blood of this people will be found in the skirts of our garments, at that day when we must render an account of our stewardship. I prescribe for the sick at an early hour every morning, and have prayers and conversation with them before I administer to their wants. I find it an excellent time to compare their situation with what it will be in eternity, if they do not accept of the only sacrifice for sin. I hope that proper support will be given to our hospital, and medicines largely furnished, that I may not be prevented from recommending the Savior to many who come from a distance, and who would otherwise, perhaps, never 14. J. N. Mooyart, Esq. the true friend of all who love our Lord Jesus Christ, spent the Sabbath with us yesterday. He appeared to be deeply sensible that a wide door is opened, by the use of medicine, to spread the Gospel among the people. I mention this circumstance with the hope, that hereafter missionaries will devote a portion of their time, if circumstances admit, to the study of medicine, but particularly of surgery. The performance of surgical operations make a strong impression upon the minds of the natives; as very little operative surgery is known among them. 23. Prescribed medicine to more than fifty persons this morning. 27. This morning had a congregation of more than 100 persons. Between ten and twenty women were present. Commencement of the Boarding School at 30. Removed to this place nine of the heathen children, to whom I had given names while at Tillipally; the rest were unwilling to come. I shall immediately take others, to make up the number which are to be supported under my care, through the kindness of American friends. Superstitious Fears of the Natives. occa Sept. 2. One of the rooms of the house being nearly finished, we removed into it this afternoon. This morning some of the people in the hospital were very much terrified in consequence of having heard a noise in the night. This noise was sioned by my endeavoring to drive away a rat, which was eating the ollas of the roof. They supposed that the devil was really here. I mention this as one of the instances of the superstition of this people. They are much afraid of the devil; and, as they believe that he resides in the banyan tree, they erect temples under these trees, in I have lately been distributing tracts to such as can read, among those who come for medical advice. By this means the Gospel will reach many places, where the voice of the missionary is never heard. As I have no printed tracts, I am obliged to use those which are written on the Olla. And in many instances they are preferable. They cost about eight or nine cents a dozen. 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 in 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 Gospel to the Indians on Martha's 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 circuinstances, 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 scason," 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 uistinctly, 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 parents' 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 nonth 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 suffer. || ed 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. 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. || to 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 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, to [The Report of this mission closes with the affectionate tribute of Mr. Kingsbury to the character of Dr. Worcester, as published in At New Orleans, Dr. Worcester in-wards heaven.” MISSION AMONG THE CHEROKEES ON THE 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. There 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 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. |