of pagan darkness! we may yet be instrumental in converting it to a land of gospel light! Our sufferings will not continue alway. This is comforting to the people of God. However great may be their sufferings here, time is short; and when their pilgrimage on earth is ended, their pains and sorrows will for ever cease, and they will occupy a blissful seat in the mansions above.

Miss Weller to a friend in Bloomfield,

N. J.-Dec. 21, 1821.

You have probably, before this, received information of our safe arrival, favourable reception, sickness of the Family, &c. Since the date of your friend's letter, our distress has increased. Every member of the family, including the hired men, has been sick. Our physician was taken ill at a time when we most needed his assistance. Upon examining the box of medicine, it was found to contain but very little of the Bark; the only remedy found out for the disease of this country. We have suffered much from the want of attention, though we have not been left entirely destitute. I believe there has not been a day in which there has not been some one who was able to visit the different tents, and do something for the sick. Our exposure in tents during the rainy season, has, undoubtedly, increased our sickness. Should another Mission Family be sent to the West, would it not be policy to send two of the brethren forward, or direct some from this Station, or from Union, to look out a site, hire hands, and erect buildings for the reception of the Family against their arrival? By doing this, might not much expense be prevented, and some valuable lives saved?

Death, that "inexorable tyrant," has again been making his ravages among our little number. October 5th, Brother Seeley's dear babe was taken from us. Next, Sister Montgomery and her infant son, who were both interred in

one grave. This dear woman possessed, in an eminent degree, the requisite She qualifications of a Missionary.

was well skilled in domestic concerns, and blessed with a firm constitution. She was endowed with a strong mind, which was well improved, and stored with useful knowledge. She was kind and affectionate, and was never happier than when dispensing good to her fellow creatures. Her religion was not occasional, but habitual. She felt much for the perishing heathen, and was willing to make any sacrifice, or suffer any privation, that the work of evangelizing them might speedily commence. While we cannot but sincerely lament the loss of such a person, we would still confide in the wisdom of our God, and bow in humble submission to his sovereign will.

Next in succession, an infant of Dr. Belcher's; and then Father Dodge's youngest son. Could our united cries

have prevailed to stop the destroying angel, our dear friends had been still with us. To us the ways of providence are truly mysterious. Though clouds and darkness are round about him, we know that righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.

Brother Seeley had experienced several relapses of the fever and ague, and recovered from them in a degree. About the 11th of November, he was again taken down with the same complaint, accompanied with a pain in his side, which soon terminated in the pleurisy. Dr. B. was unable to attend him, or prescribe. Blisters were applied, and bleeding performed, with little or no effect. The pain still continued in his side, accompanied with a violent cough. On Monday, the 18th, he was removed from a tent to a cabin. On Wednesday and Thursday, he was better. On Friday morning, he was a little flighty; about 11 o'clock, A. M. it was obvious that he was failing fast. The difficulty of expectoration, which had attended him from the commencement of his sickness, increased. Every mean was resorted to for his re

lief, but in vain. At 4 o'clock, P. M. his spirit was released from its clayey tabernacle, and soared, we trust, to the mansions of the blessed. He possessed his usual strength of mind till the last day, notwithstanding his great distress. He manifested strong desires at first to recover, that he might do something for these perishing heathen. Several days previous to his death, he appeared to have no will of his own, but rejoiced to cast all his care and burden on the Lord, and wait his pleasure concerning him. He had endeared himself much to our little band by his amiable disposition, his ardent piety, and his devotedness to the cause of Christ, among these poor pagans. Long, long will he be held in affectionate remembrance by the members of this Family. Dear Sister Seeley, although she sensibly feels her loss, is tranquil and happy.

The health of the family is now improving. We hope in the course of two weeks to be able to receive the Indian children. Our prospects, with regard to our usefulness here, are favourable. We have a school for the children of the Family. One Indian, who has a family, comes constantly to learn his lesson, and several others attend occasionally. They manifest a desire to learn, and to give us their children when we are ready for them. The Indians have traditions respecting their origin, which are interesting. It is ascertained to be a fact, that the Osages worship the sun, moon, stars, and earth; and it is supposed that they worship certain animals as tutelar deities, the eagle, the panther, &c.

The unknown but obliging Correspondent, to whom we are indebted for a copy of the preceding letter, is informed, that the thoughts he has suggested will be laid before the Board of Managers, and will no doubt be attentively considered, before another Mission Family shall be sent out.

JOURNAL OF THE MISSION FROM ST. CHARLES TO THE MOUTH OF THE OSAGE.

Friendly attention of the Governor.

St. Charles, Wednesday, June 13th.The Legislature of Missouri are now in Session in St. Charles. His Excellency Governor McNair requested the official papers we had brought from the Missionary Society and from the General Government, for his own perusal, that he might fully understand the extent and object of our Mission. The request was readily granted, and when he had obtained them, he laid them before the Legislature for their consideration. The Governor manifested a disposition favourable to our Mission, and appeared solicitous that the Legislature should befriend the object. A Committee was appointed to examine the papers, and report their views respecting them. The result is not yet known. We received donations from the Governor and a number of the people of this place.

ure.

Departure from St. Charles.

This morning we gathered our things together, and prepared for our departAt 12 o'clock the Mission Family assembled in their boats, and the Governor of Missouri, with a number of the people of St. Charles, convened on the bank of the river, when the Rev. Mr. Robinson made a very appropriate address, and led us to the Throne of Grace in prayer; after which, the Mission Family sang a farewell Hymn, and proceeded on their voyage. Our business not being entirely finished, Brothers Dodge and Pixley remained behind a few hours. They proceeded this evening about six miles, and put up for the night.

Thursday, June 14th.-This morning went to Greensbottom, and visited a number of families. Received a firkin of butter, which was given by a few individuals in Conway Settlement. At Greensbottom we wait for the arrival of

preached to them in the afternoon. A little number attended, and appeared to hear with engagedness.

Arrival at the Mouth of the Gasconade. Monday, June 25th.-We moved slowly to the mouth of the Gasconade. In attempting to cross its mouth, the second boat just gained the point upon the other side, but the first boat was taken by the current and carried down nearly a mile before we could make the shore.

Tuesday, June 26th.-This day nothing new occurs; but Providence still favours us with a general state of health, and permits us to make some progress on our journey.

Wednesday, June 27th.--We move upon a very heavy current this morning, and we find it hard pushing up the stream. In the course of the day, the wind favoured us for a short season, and we sailed very pleasantly 4 or 5 miles; after which we had to return to the cordell and the warp.

Arrival at the Mouth of the Osage. Friday, June 29th.-This day as we passed along, we met with some French people who were destitute of the Bible. To one we gave a Bible, and to another a Testament and a few Tracts, which were repaid with a piece of venison, and many thanks. Arrived this night at the mouth of the Osage River. Perhaps at no one season since we left New-York, have the family enjoyed a better state of health, than at the present. May our hearts be filled with gratitude to God, for the blessings we are receiving at his hand.

[To be continued in our next.]

SENECA MISSION. The Rev. Mr. Harris, to the Domestic

Secretary, Feb. 8, 1822.

DEAR SIR,-Enclosed you have the Journal of the Mission from the first of January to the present date. Although it would be our "heart's desire" to send you encouraging accounts from

Seneca, yet we are constrained to think that all we have to communicate will not be very gratifying. Indeed, through the greater part of the month past, we have had much that is calculated to excite our faith and patience, and to render us humble in the work, to which we trust the Lord has called us. May his grace ever be proportioned to our necessities.

JOURNAL OF THE MISSION.

Tuesday, Jan. 1, 1822.-Another year has commenced with this Missionary Station. May the Great and Eternal God henceforth bless his own cause in

the midst of us, and make it abundantly to prosper. We would constantly cherish the belief, that He has opened the door for the display of His grace among this heathen people; but when that display will fully be made, is only known to Him, "whose ways are in the deep waters," and whose thoughts are as far above ours, 66 as the heavens are above the earth."

New-Year's Visit.

We were visited to-day by nearly two hundred of the Senecas; men, women, and children. They appeared exceedingly gratified with their cakes, which were previously prepared, as a new-year's present. We hope it may have some effect in conciliating the friendship of some who are nominally, and perhaps really, opposers of the Gospel. Jack'sTown is the largest of these three villages, and the strong hold of paganism on this reservation. There were to-day, however, a very considerable number from that village to see us, and to receive their little present. It is remarked by our family, that the pagans have shown of late, a greater disposition than formerly, to be friendly to our establishment. Jack Berry, one of the number, has promised to send his two girls to our school. I was permitted to-day to have a religious conversation with Snow, one of the Chiefs, who has lately been much afflicted with the loss of a child. It was perceived by one of

A Council of Chiefs.

Thursday, Jan. 10th.-To-day the Chiefs met in Council at the MissionHouse, professedly for the purpose of having a letter written to their agent, Captain Parish, but principally, I believe, with the object of giving us a scolding. When they called on us, on Christmas, for the purpose of expressing to us, and to each other, their friendly feelings, we proposed to them the following questions :-First-Whether they would consent to meet for public worship at the Mission-House, during the winter; as it was more central to their three villages than the CouncilHouse; as it would be more convenient to them especially in conducting their children to and from the Sunday School; and as it would be an accommodation to our Sisters, some of whom were in feeble health and not able to walk more than a mile through the wet and cold.Secondly-Whether they would assist in moving the old school-house, which stood near the building formerly occu pied by Mr. Hyde, for the purpose of a

convenient and capacious spinning and weaving shop for their females. They then said they would take it under consideration. This evening, they came prepared to answer. They rejected both propositions in terms calculated, not to manifest their gratitude for an accommodating offer, but to wound the feelings of the family, and particularly of the female members. Their chief speaker on the occasion observed, among other things, that they were unwilling to change their place of worship, because they had a house for the purpose, which was good enough for them, and which ought to be considered good enough for any of us; and as to our women, if they really wished to act a faithful part, and show a good example to the people, they could afford to walk a mile at all times for the sake of doing good. As to the removal of the school-house, they thought it a needless expense, and one which could easily be dispensed with. Their covetous disposition, manifested in matters which relate to their own benefit, is indeed trying. We were glad that some of the most regular and influential men in the nation were not present. May the God of all grace grant to them an understanding capable of discerning the Spirit of Christ, and give to us faith and patience to endure all things for Christ's sake.

Meeting for Improvement in
Singing.

Wednesday Jan. 16th.-A much larger number of the people met this evening, for the purpose of singing, than usual. We had informed them of our willingness to devote this evening of the week to this object. By the pains which the Chiefs have taken to collect their people, it appears, that they are desirous of making amends for the wound which their unchristian conduct on the 10th inst. had made upon our feelings. Our feelings have been distinctly, and decidedly expressed to them, and I believe they are now sorry for what they said on that occasion.