teresting conference. This day seem> ed to be reviving to a number of our family, and we trust that it will not be entirely lost to those who assembled with us. Several of these persons appeared to be solemn, and inclined to give heed to Bible instruction. Some of them could not read, and we learned that the country around was surprisingly destitute of Bibles and of all kinds of religious Books. We gave them two Testaments and a quantity of Religious Tracts. In the afternoon, some of our Brethren walked some distance, in order, if possible, to form a Sabbath School. They found a num ber of persons, who were willing to engage in the work. May God have mercy on this people, and send means to enlighten them ere they perish.

This day must be recorded as the, beginning of days to one in our Mission Family. Between the hours of 9 and 10 o'clock this morning, Sister Newton became the mother of a fine daughter, and every thing with regard to the mother and the child appears to be very favourable. May God make us all thankful for this renewed token of his favour to the Mission Family.

Monday, April 30.-This morning, we em bark under favourable circumstances. Our Family are all in comfortable health, and in good spirits. We glide down the current with great speed. Having passed more than 70 miles, we again land to enjoy the peaceful walks of the forest. Sister Newton, notwithstanding she has been transported 70 miles this day, is remarkably comfortable.-This evening we attended a Meeting for prayer and praise. Having understood by a letter from Princeton, that the Students of the Theological Seminary hold a special prayer Meeting of half an hour, on our account, on every Monday evening, we have resolved to hold a similar meeting statedly on the same evenings.

Tuesday, May 1.-Another pleasant day. The land we pass to-day is low, and the current less rapid. At night, we hauled ashore at a pleasant place 'July, 1821.

3

on the Kentucky side, and found ourselves. 140 miles from Louisville, having run, in the last two days, 125 miles. This evening we held a Meeting for business, and resolved that a business Meeting should be held on every Tuesday evening. Brothers Pixley and Jones were appointed a Committee to report, at the next meeting, a system of rules in relation to the proper use and distribution of the property intrusted

to our care.

Wednesday, May 2.-We pass this day rather slowly, there being less current in the river. The banks are very low, and inundated to a great distance. We appear to be passing through a wide and extensive swamp, and find no verdant fields, nor little settlements to diversify and enrich our prospect. Sister Newton is this evening not so well. The scale of Providence is, apparently, about to turn. We deserve, and we must expect to receive chastisement. It is a blessed thing, that we know not what a day may bring forth. It is allimportant, however, that we should always be in readiness to meet God in whatever way, he shall see cause to pass before us. Came this day 40 miles.

Thursday, May 3.-Alas, how soon may the fairest prospects be overshadowed and darkened with clouds of the most threatening aspect.

The rising morning can't ensure
That we shall end the day,

For death stands ready at the door
To snatch our lives away.

This was a pleasant morning, and after making round a short turn in the river, we had the wind in our favour, so that we run at a good rate. But about 11 o'clock, while thus under sail, one of our Boatmen, John W. Patterson, fell overboard. At this crisis, both of the skiffs happened to be gone; and as, from some cause, he was not able to keep above water but a few moments, he soon sunk to rise no more. We have also at this time another unexpected trial. Sister Newton appears worse, and in a situation quite alarming. She lies in a sleeping posture,

from which we are not able to rouse her. The infant also has had several fits, and appears to be wasting away. But What is before us, we know not. afflictions, if we are the children of God, we must not expect to escape; and if they will prepare us the better for our work, we should not wish to escape them. As to Patterson, who is gone, we believe he has made a change for the better. He was a professor of religion, and took his turn with the male members of the Family in leading our daily religious exercises; and the last time he prayed, he was remarkably solemn and fervent. The Lord grant, that his sudden death may be the life and quickening of us all, that we also may be ready. This evening, Sister Newton and her infant appeared to be a little more comfortable, and the babe was dedicated to God in baptism; but our alarm concerning them has not subsided. At the request of Sister Newton, we have resolved, should she live till to-morrow, to observe the day as a season of humiliation, fasting, and prayer; and not to leave the shore where we now are.

Friday May 4-Brother Newton's babe died about 3 o'clock this morning. Most of the forenoon was devoted to religious exercises, agreeably to the resolution of yesterday. In the afternoon, arrangements were made to inter the infant in the neighbouring burying ground-Mount Vernon, Indiana. Brother Dodge preached a sermon, in reference to the two instances of mortality, from the words-Be ye also ready. Truely this has been a solemn, and we hope it may be added, a profitable day. Sister Newton grows worse this evening, and hopes of her recovery have greatly diminished. Her severe sickness may doubtless be ascribed to her being so well at first as to think it unnecessary to be very careful about her diet, or as cautious in other respects as she would have been under a greater sense of weakness. Our Physician gave, in season, the necessary caution, but it was not properly heeded; and now,

too late it is feared, we must lament the error.

Saturday, May 5.-Sister Newton is about the same as last evening. Her situation is extremely critical; but her soul walks at liberty, rejoicing in God her Saviour. She seems ready to leave all, without a lingering wish behind. Thus our afflictions are mingled with the best of consolations. We arrived at Shawneetown this afternoon, and Sister Newton was conveyed on shore to an airy and commodious apartment; and our Physician obtained the counsel, and the measures he had pursued received the approbation, of a respectable Physican in this place.

Sabbath, May 6.-At 3 o'clock this morning, Sister Newton resigned her spirit into the hands of Him who gave it. In her death there was consolation, although the dispensation was very afflictive. She left behind her the evidences of a faith and hope which raised her above the fear of death, and led her to speak cheerfully about her departure, which she considered to be at hand, and to manifest no anxiety except for the cause of Christ, and for those who she thought were not prepared to die. Her remains were interred in this place this afternoon, it being considered, from the state of the corpse, unsafe to keep it longer. The funeral sermon, was delivered by Brother Pixley from these words-Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. Brother Newton spoke at the grave to the following purport:-" Friends and Strangers, we leave with you a sacred deposit, the remains of one who was near and dear to us. Will you protect this grave, and not suffer it to be obliterated or injured; and if a monument should be here erected, will you preserve it, so that if any relative of the deceas ed should pass this way, you may con> duct them to the spot, and give them the mournful satisfaction of dropping a tear on the grave of their departed friend."-We had a very interesting conference in the evening, and we cannot but hope that the solemn religious

exercises of this day, will not be in vain to us, or to the people of this place.

[The Journal from Shawneetown to St. Charles on the Missouri, will be given in our next number.]

The following notice of the

the Indians of our forest; and by the blessings of Divine Providence, we believe that the time is not far distant when the wilderness shall bud and blossom as the rose.

"When they left us they were accom

a paper printed at St. Charles, on the Missouri, under date of the 20th of June:

"On Wednesday last, the Mission Family left this town for their place of destination among the Osage Indians.

"Our village has never been honoured with such an interesting and happy little band of christian philanthropists. There were forty in number; and though from nine different states, it was peculiarly gratifying to see the harmony and genuine affection which existed among them. Though highly intelligent and enterprising, they appeared to be clothed with humility, and to breathe the spirit of love and good will toward all men. We have been apprised of the eventful day in which we live, and have frequenty heard of missionary exertions, but never before witnessed such a pleasing sight. Judging from our short acquaintance, we do not hesitate to say, that this family are admirably calculated to carry the arts of husbandry, civilization, and the gospel, to

citizens to the bank of the Missouri. Their two boats lay side by side, and the interesting little family assembled upon the top of them, at which time our minister addressed the throne of grace-then the Rev. Mr. Dodge, the superintendent, returned thanks for the kind attention and liberality which they had received from the people here. They then took their affectionate leave of us, by singing a sweet and animating farewell anthem, which drew tears from almost every eye upon the shore.

"They received from the people in St. Charles, in money and other necesssary articles, the amount of one hundred dollars.

"May their success be commensurate with their self-denial and benevolence --and may they not only be the instruments of changing savage barbarity and ignorance into that friendship and intelligence which is the result of civilization, and the happy influence of Gospel principles, but abundantly rejoice the heart of every christian, patriot, and friend of humanity."

Dear Sir,

As the Tuscarora Station has rerecently been taken under the care of the United Foreign Missionary Society, I consider it my duty to present to the Board a statement of facts relative to the present state of the tribe; and to advert, in this statement, to events which have transpired since the date of the last annual report of the New-York Missionary Society, that the Board may

have a correct view of this establishment, as now under their direction.

Perhaps you are not aware that at the time when my last annual communication was transmitted, we were emerging from a state of distraction and danger. The prospects of the Church and nation were alarming, and led many to anticipate not only the destruction of the Church, but the extinction of the tribe. The worst feelings and passions, which

superstition and ignorance can originate, had been excited; and the most settled hostility to the Saviour's cause and people, had been manifested. The well known Chief, Longboard, was always secretly opposed to the gospel; and finding that it continued to gain ground, notwithstanding all his efforts to oppose it, he urged others to open hostility. His plan was most ingeniously contrived, and was calculated to make as deep an impression upon the members of the Church, as upon others. He appeared to be very sick. Assured his followers that his sickness was produced by poison and witchcraft. The conjurer at Tonawanta was consulted, and he designated the persons in the tribe who had done the mischief. Four old women in the tribe were apprehended, placed under a guard of young men, and tortured. They were promised liberty and safety if they would confess that they had poisoned and bewitched Longboard, but threatened with a cruel death if they did not.

Two acknowledged themselves guilty, and stated that they acted as agents for the others who did not confess. By this time the whole nation was in confusion. A kind of phrenzy appeared to prevail; and many were thirsting for blood. These proceedings took a firm hold of the members of the Church, as far as they had any of the vestiges of paganism remaining in them. They yielded to fear. I trembled myself. I preached, and conversed, and entreated, but without success. Longboard was determined to revere the customs of his forefathers, and give them an ascendancy in the tribe, or destroy the nation. I attempted to reason with him, and other leaders; but they were the infuriated victims of high-wrought feelings. I almost gave up the tribe as doomed to destruction. I called the Christians together, and told them that they must either oppose firmly such proceedings, or renounce Christianity; and that if they would not go with me and talk to Longboard, and oppose his measures, I would no longer consider them

followers of Christ. This was the hour of extremity. The Christians complied, but their opposition only added fuel to the wrath of the pagans. The members of the Church persevered, and I believe they began to lift up their eyes to the Lord for help; and suddenly, unexpectedly, and entirely, was paganism confounded; the Church and nation saved; and Christianity more firmly established than before. It was the Lord's doing, and wonderful in its mercy as well as its sovereignty and power. The divine interposition was so necessary, that even now, when all feeling has subsided, I cannot imagine any means that could have prevented the threatened ruin. The work was complete. We know now, what we did not know then, viz. that the pagans made their most desperate, because they intended it for their last effort. They were so effectually disappointed and defeated, that they determined to separate from us, and settle where they can enjoy their feasts and pow-wows, unmolested by the reproofs which Christianity constantly threw in their way. Accordingly they left us last spring, "choosing darkness rather than light"-accounting us, (I mean the Christian Indians) their enemies, and the enemies of the nation. But O that they knew with what anguish of heart we deplored their rejection of the only Saviour! with what tears prayers are still offered to God for them with what gladness we would receive them back again, if they would return to befriend, not to oppose, the gospel!

But, my dear sir, in all this we now see the good hand of our God, leading us "by a way that we knew not." He has now "made darkness light, before us, and crooked things straight." This struggle had long been an object of my most earnest desire; and "I knew it not." I had long desired and prayed for the effects which it produced; but the Lord chose the means. It has given a more decided character to my dear people. It has often grieved me to see

that their love of peace led them to connive at many things which they knew to be wrong. They would sometimes shun the path of duty, to avoid offending the pagans. Now there are no feasts, or dances, or frolics, countenanced. All are promptly and openly opposed. This conflict has also disclosed the feelings of the whole tribe relative to the gospel. We now know where to place confidence, and where to withhold it. The departure of the pagans, has left the Indians under the most favourable circumstances for missionary labour. I do not know that there are any party feelings in the tribe. Unanimity and peace prevail in all their councils. And although there are many without God and without hope, I know of none, who are not willing to receive Christian instruction, and anxious to have it continued in the nation. It is easy to perceive, that there is not only a sentiment of approbation generally with regard to the gospel; but also that a disposition to encourage it, by their presence on the sabbath, is almost universal among the heads of families. And even now, among the few who do not attend, there are none who express or evince any opposition. While, therefore, we cannot but commiserate those who have chosen their delusions and darkness in preference to the light, and regret their departure from the appointed means of salvation, we believe that the Lord meant it for good, and that we are now enjoying the happy results. Thus at the commencement of the year, superstition and enmity, threatened the church and nation with ruin : now strife and division are not known; and every circumstance promises peace to the nation, prosperity to our little Zion, and success to the gospel. At the commencement of the year, we were filled with the most painful apprehensions for the dear people of our charge; now we labour with the most animating hopes and prospects of winning Souls for Christ; and we can, and we Do bless our God and Saviour, that we were born to sustain the conflicts, and

the trials of missionary labour, and that the longer we live among the heathen, the more we feel as we believe missionaries ought to feel. O that an increasing and fervent spirit of prayer may prevail in the Board, that we, as their servants for Jesus' sake, may be faithful unto death!

It will be recollected that Longboard and his followers left us under the influence of high-wrought passion; and that such a state of feeling was calculated to mislead them. Since their departure, we have had many reasons to weep over them "in secret places," and beg of God to turn them back by the way they went. I will mention one or two. We have had good reason to believe that when their excitement subsided, many were deeply sensible that they had taken an improper step in removing. Some have returned already and several families have determined to come back this spring. And I think that I may safely say, that nearly all wish to return, and would if shame did not prevent them.

:

They have also been visited with apparently signal tokens of the displeasure of God. They are not much more than half as numerous in Canada as here; yet on that side, they have lost twenty by death, while at Tuscarora we have not buried any, during the past year.

God has also shown them what they can and will do without the restraints of Gospel light. Two of those who left us through opposition, have been murdered! and murdered by some of the leaders of opposition to the gospel! O that they would hear the admonition of these dispensations, and be constrained to return within the reach of gospel truth! I believe that nearly all of this tribe would give them a cordial reception, and I know that the Christians sincerely pity them, and wish them to

return.

It is probable then, that we shall have an accesion of families this spring; and we have reason to hope, that those who return will be careful not to disturb the peace of the tribe, and that they will be