Home Proceedings. UNITED FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. DURING the last Month, we have received Communications from the whole of our Missionary Stations. From the Union Mission, we have the Journal for the Month of December. Nothing new had occurred in relation to the Indian war; but the Missionaries indulged a hope that peace might be restored without any farther bloodshed by either party. The health of the family was still improving. From the Great Osage Mission, we have several letters, and the Journal for December and January, which we shall publish as soon as our limits will permit. The health of the family was restored, and they had a School opened of twelve Indian children. They were in good spirits, and their prospects of usefulness were very flattering. It was mentioned in our March number, that the Board of Managers had been disappointed in their expectations, of sending Mr. Thayer as a Teacher, to Tonewanta. A door has since been providentially opened for him on the Cataraugus Reservation; and he and his family are on their way to the field of their future labours. UNION MISSION. JOURNAL OF THE UNION MISSION, FOR Dr. Palmer's Health Restored. Saturday, December 1.-Dr. Palmer has so far recovered his health, that he thinks he shall be able to accompany Brother Redfield to the boat. Though he has set off in good spirits, yet, it being quite rainy, we fear how it will turn with him. In a family situated like this, how important that a physi cian should have good health. The brethren took a discourse with them, expecting to hold meeting to-morrow with the hands. May they be in the spirit on the Lord's day. Monday, December 3.-Awakened this evening by the return of the monthly concert. Never did a mission in any country have greater need of help water; but the river is so low as not to admit of our bringing it up at pre sent. New settlers arrive. Several families arrived in wagons from Missouri. They came by way of Harmony, and met Brothers Chapman and Requa pursuing their journey in good health and spirits. These people have been expecting to settle on this side the Arkansaw, between this place and Fort Smith; but the late official orders for white people to leave this part of the country wholly disconcerts their plans. They have encamped for a few days near this establishment. Loss sustained by the settlers. Friday, December 7.-The Missouri people have lost nine horses, stolen by the Little Osages. We would acknow. ledge the good hand of God towards this mission, in preserving our horses and cattle, while hundreds have been stolen from our neighbours. Lord's Day, December 9.-Two men arrived, who state that they passed by Harmony on their journey from Missouri, and that Messrs. Chapman and Requa had reached that station in health. We have felt more anxious for Brother Chapman, in consequence of the sickness which overtook him, and his company, in crossing the country last autumn. Several strangers present in our worship to-day. Monday, December 10.-Two of our hired men have left us, and one from Harmony has offered himself. Captain Pryor came in from the Osage hunt, and confirms the report of their having been defeated. Here follows a particular account of the calamity which had befallen the Osages; the amount of which was given in Mr. Vaill's letter, published in our last number. Departure of the Settlers. Wednesday, December 12.-Part of the Missouri people have moved for ward; yet they know not which way to go, nor where to settle, for it is not yet decided how much of the territory is to be ceded to the Choctaws. Let us not complain of missionary hardships, when new settlers, for the sake of the world, endure so much greater. Purchase of Cattle. In meeting for business last evening, resolved, that Brothers Redfield and George Requa be appointed to go down to the settlement below, and purchase cattle for the mission. Thursday, December 13.-The brethren, whose duty it was to purchase cattle, set off this morning. They expect to have assistance in driving the cattle from one of our hired men. Snow fell last night three inches deep. The weather very cold. The brethren have a cold season for their business; but this does not discourage them. Monday, December 17.-Br. Wood ruff left us this morning for the Osage village. It is our practice to visit them as often as we can; and this is all we can do for them at present. To tell them of a Saviour's love, to pour the balm of heaven into their hearts, to point them to an overruling Providence, to exhort them to submission to the will of God, or even to teach their children the rudiments of learning, is beyond our power. We have as yet no medium of access-no one to interpret the language of the gospel. Brother Chapman is assiduously, and we hope successfully, applying his mind to this object. Saturday, December 22.-The past week, we have provided fencing timber, and materials for a horse stable, and nearly finished the carpenter's shop. Situation of the Osages. Brother Woodruff reached here this evening. He found the Osages divided into several parties, along the Verdigris, above the old village, building their huts for the winter. He visited three of their new villages in the course of his tour. Their object in thus dividing and pitching near the river is to provide themselves with wood and water, and winter range. Brother Woodruff found them in a poor and wretched state. He repaired some of their guns, which much pleased them. The Brethren arrive with Cattle. Monday, December 24.-The brethren who went after cattle, purchased 26 head, and reached home with 24. They lost a cow and calf by the way. While passing through a narrow path, in a cane brake on the other side of Grand River, they were met by a hunting party, whose dogs fell on the cattle and scattered them in a moment; and it was four days before they could find and collect them again. This cane bottom is several miles wide, and so thick that you cannot see a rod before you. The cold has been excessive. Brother Redfield found one of his feet injured by the frost; and, on the whole, they have suffered considerably. After all the disasters that have taken place, we would bless the providence of God that they have arrived in safety. Wednesday, December 26.-Butchered six fat oxen. We are more than ever convinced, that this country is most excellent for raising stock. Friday, December 28.-Find that we have not salt enough for our winter's use; and that it must be packed on horses from Bean's saline, sixty miles. Brother George Requa set off on this expedition this morning, with one man to assist him. They are to take the wagon part of the way. Weather is mild. Saturday, December 29.-Br. Vaill, who accompanied the wagon to the trading house, returned to-day. He obtained several letters, which have been a long while on the way; also three numbers of the American Missionary Register. We have received all to the third number of the second volume. We have had scarcely any intelligence for several months before. "As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." Captain Pryor has been particularly requested to-day, not to treat the Osages with whisky when they visit the trading house. He acknowledged the propriety of the admonition, and said he would endeavour to prevent the practice. Major Bradford has recently been down to the Cherokees; but, as he has returned to the garrison, and as we have received a line from the surgeon there, which makes no mention of favourable news, we conclude that nothing has been effected towards a peace. Never did the guards, at night, watch the dawn of day with more desire than we do the dawn of peace. Lord's Day, December 30.-Captain Pryor left us early this morning for the village, to invite the Indians to go down for the purpose of trading. Held a solemn conference this evening with our hired men. Some confessed they were under serious concern for their souls. One is a professor. That we have laboured for their good our consciences testify. May we not labour in vain. Our Sabbath evening conference among the brethren and sisters is attended with increasing interest. Reflections on the close of the year. Monday, December 31.-The year closes to-day; the year which opened upon us while we were labouring to pass the shoals of the Arkansaw; the year in which we first entered on missionary ground. Another year of trouble has swiftly passed. How speedily will all the troubles of life be over. We have seen but little of the missionary's trials; but we have seen enough to convince us, that time is not a burden to the devoted servant of Christ, though he should spend his days" in some vast wilderness." Great has been the kindness of God in the past year. Our lives have been spared; our wants supplied; our health restored; our habitations defended. O that we had been more faithful stewards, more active soldiers, more useful missionaries! GREAT OSAGE MISSION. EXTRACTS OF LETTERS. Rev. Mr. Dodge to the Domestic Secretary. January 17, 1822. We shall need some supplies of provisions from the Ohio River next season. The prospect is that our family will be larger the next season than it now is, as we must have a number of labourers, and as we hope to have a larger number of Indian children. We have already twelve children, which are given to us for instruction. We shall want no meat kind brought from that quarter, as it can be obtained at our station undoubtedly much cheaper than it can be transported from thence. Flour, dried fruit, and beans, would be quite a convenience. We have written to a number of agents on the Ohio on this subject. Such supplies as you deem necessary for us to be procured from New-York, and such as may be sent on for our use from the Christian public in that vicinity, we presume you will not hesitate to send when convenient. We have not as yet built a school house, but, at present, occupy one of our houses for the use of the school. We calculate to build accommodations for the school as fast as they are needed, so as not to reject one Indian child that may be offered for our instruction. As our family is now large, and we have the prospect of a numerous school, we think it would promote the interests of the mission if the Board were to send us a carpenter and joiner, a thorough workman at tanning and shoemaking, an additional farmer, and a man acquainted with brickmaking and bricklaying. Some, or all of these, would be very useful at this station immediately. have several hands employed in assisting us in erecting some necessary outbuildings, preparing us a well, splitting and hauling rails to fence our field, &c. We calculate to commence building a saw-mill and grist-mill early this spring, with the hope of having them finished in the fall. We have fitted up a room, which will probably hold forty scholars; and our school is now in operation under as favourable circumstances as we could expect. Brother Montgomery has given up the charge of the school to Brother Jones, who, with Sister Comstock, are set apart to the pleasing work of instructing the heathen children, together with our own. We find much difficulty in persuading the natives to give up their children, and in keeping them after they have been given up. Brother Sprague is doing very well® in the blacksmith department; but he very much needs an assistant, which we wish you would procure for us, one who is a real, substantial workman; for we have not only our own work to do, which we find must be considerable, but the Indians are determined to come here for their work also, although they have a blacksmith under pay from the United States. Some of the principal men among the Osages have manifested a wish that government would establish their blacksmith at our station; but this we shall leave for the government to decide. We calculate to get along with our school without much expense for a building until another year, when we wish to build one that may be commodious and substantial. The mode of building in this country, if it is ever settled, will undoubtedly be with brick, as there is abundance of the best of clay to make them, and of lime-stone for lime; and there is but little timber, the country being principally open prairie. If economy is used in this country with the timber, there may be enough to finish brick buildings, and no more. We have concluded, if we ever erect permanent buildings in this place, they must be of brick. We wish the Board would decide, whether we shall build a brick school house, and report to us immediately, as, in that case, it would be important to have the brick made in the present year. We also wish the Board to consider with regard to the mechanics and the farmer mentioned before, and the blacksmith mentioned now; and, if they think expedient, to send them on immediately. Let them come with their wives; and, if there can be a young female, who is d good tailoress, well acquainted with cutting and making garments, it would be a very great acquisition to the mission. We find a great want of female assistance. Two of our most able sisters have been taken from us by death, and one is married into the Union Mission. The rest are all feeble; and they find themselves unable to accomplish the business of their department. You will see the necessity of sending us a shoemaker, as Brother Jones is now occupied in the school; and must continue there, Providence permitting, probably for a length of time. The shoemaker should be acquainted also with the tanning business. As it respects supplies, we hope it may be convenient to send us a boat from the Ohio River, in the course of the season, with flour and other necessaries that our patrons and agents may think proper to send. And now, Dear Sir, we are here a little band in the wilderness, the subjects of Christian prayers and charities, destined to a solemn and most glorious work, in the midst of enemies without and enemies within; but, thanks be to God, we hope we have a Friend, that sticketh closer than a brother. O continue your prayers for us, that our hearts and our hands may cheerfully go to the work of rescuing these benighted immortals from their present degradation and misery, and of bringing them into the glorious liberty of the sons of God! May grace, mercy, and peace, be multiplied to you, and to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Rev. Mr. Pixley to the Domestic Secretary. January 17, 1822. DEAR SIR,-Previous to our coming out to this distant country, the public mind had been prepared, by the communications from Washington and elsewhere, to suppose these a very different people from what they are; and to believe, that, almost without an effort, or a single self-denial, except that of parting with our friends, and coming here, the work of evangelizing and civilizing the natives would go on rapidly and successfully. We were told of their dignity; of their stationary settlements, or villages; how desirous they were of learning to read, and to become like good white people; and, in fine, we had almost forgotten, that depraved nature is depraved nature still wherever it may be found; and that changes, such as we wished to be the instruments in producing, were not to be effected, even among those who are called civilized people, without a long and patient waiting for it upon God. But, however things may have been presented to our minds about the condition and desires of this people, a better knowledge of their case from actual observation does not less excite our pity, nor make us wish we had not come out for their instruction. They pray, indeed, if it may be called prayer, as we were told; and even now, as the day dawns, whilst I am writing in my house, I can hear them at their orgies, where their lodges are set up more than a mile from me. They begin very high, in a sing-song note, as loud as they can halloo, and then run their voice, as long as they can carry breath, to the lowest key. Thus they continue the strain, until they are wrought to a pitch, wherein you will hear them sob and cry as though their hearts would break. I have not yet learned, whether it be some particular individuals who make this their business, as mourning |