men and women, or whether they are all adepts in it. In such a case, they put mud upon their faces and heads, which, as I understand, they do not wash off till their desire is in some measure answered. Thus, you will often see men, women, and children, bedaubed with black mud. But this is more especially the case when they are going off upon an expedition to shoot game, or to fight their enemies, or when they hear some bad news, or have lost some friend or relative. In warm weather, the men go quite in a state of nature, except a cloak around their waists. Many, and indeed most of their little children, are seen going abroad naked, even at this cold season of the year, notwithstanding the thermometer has sometimes stood below sero, and the ground is frozen six or eight inches deep. Their villages are nothing more than what they can remove on the shortest notice, one horse being capable of carrying house, household furniture, and children, all at one load. From this period of the year to the time of planting their corn, they generally reside together at one place, which they call their village. The rest part of the time, they separate into parties, and stay but a few days in a place, in proportion to the abundance or scarcity of the game where they happen to set up their lodges.

But I must hasten to tell you, notwithstanding all these things, as well as the war, and the jealousies among themselves, that we are not without encouragement in our work. The commands of God, and his promise of success, that seed shall not be sown in vain, ought to be sufficient encouragement: But we have more than this. Our school went into operation about two weeks since; and we have now twelve children from the natives, of both sexes, and of all sizes; five of the full blooded, and seven half breed. But so variable and deceptive are this people in their feelings and actions, that we have from time to time the

most ample scope for imaginary joy and sorrow, as appearances are before us prosperous or adverse; for we are little able to-day to tell what to-morrow may bring forth. But, through your prayers, I hope we shall rest on the promises of God, and not faint or fail; for surely we have seen much of his wonderful works! We are now all turning our attention to the more particular business of our designation; and mine is the laborious undertaking of becoming master of the Indian language. It is not, however, that which I dread. Strange as it may seem, never did I enter upon the Latin or Greek with more desire than I do upon this language; and the thought of being able to speak to them fluently in their own tongue, makes no sacrifice or privation appear great or difficult to compass such an object: And when this is gained, I am not certain but that a translation of some part of the Scriptures, and readers sent out from the school as soon as they should be prepared, would be a most valuable method of advancing the mass of the nation in knowledge, and of improving their morals. Why our communications heretofore have been less frequent, you have doubtless learned before this. We hope the like necessity will not again overtake us. Accept, therefore, our highest love; and believe us still most ready to serve you, and to suffer in the work of the Gospel.

Rev. B. Pixley to the Rev. E. P. Swift, January 17, 1822.

[From the Pittsburgh Recorder.] DEAR SIR-You have doubtless before this time been informed of the trials we have been called to experience in sickness, and the death of some of our family. At present, we are comfortably accommodated with houses, and enjoy so good a state of health that we are all able to appear at the table, and generally make a tolerable meal of salt meat and bread, without vegetables of any kind. And here, I

cannot forbear to mention how highly acceptable and useful was the dried fruit which came from the Rev. M. Law's people, while it lasted.-Dried fruit, beans, and some flour, are articles for which we shall be dependent on the good people along the Ohio. Meat of every kind can be obtained here in great abundance. Flour is very high at the Missouri, where we must get our provisions; and beans cannot be obtained at all. But corn and hogs are abundant and cheap. We hope, when we get our mill erected, and our farming land under cultivation, beans, corn, wheat, and vegetables in great variety, will supply our tables, without our being dependent on our friends for them.

But our family is large, and, through the blessing of God, there is a prospect of its being much larger. A little more than two weeks since, we gave notice that we were ready to receive children; and we have now twelve or thirteen under our care, of both sexes, and of different ages from full-grown persons down to the child of four years old. These children are certainly as interesting and active as the generality of children among the whites, and I have sometimes thought they are more so: and the Lancasterian method of instruction is peculiarly calculated to interest them; so that we have much satisfaction in the midst of our fears. If you ask what fears, when the prospect so brightens before us, I answer, fears that we shall not be found worthy or fit instruments in the great and responsible work before us; and that, for a chastisement, we shall be left to see no fruit of our labours, and the world get occasion to speak reproachfully; or the natives themselves, through the natural jealousy of their minds, withdraw from us their confidence, being no more in friendship with us than with one another.

I would just inform you, that there is a great field for missionary labour about Franklin on the Missouri, and along up the river to Fort Osage, or what was

In my

formerly called Fort Clark. view, the condition of the inhabitants is far more deplorable than that of the Indians, in that they exhibit the depravity of their natures in the worst and most odious forms. Surely these advanced posts of the United States are more important to be secured in their allegiance to the King of kings, than many of those insulated spots in the interior which are so much under the influence and awe of places around them, that they cannot, like these, if they would, leave a generation involved in darkness and despair.

But, to return from this digression, I would inform you, that we are in no way discouraged in our work. Though we have many things to fear, we have more to quicken and animate. And, for myself, there is something so charming, so approving to conscience, and so agreeable to the word of God, in this work, that I doubt whether I should feel comfortable, or at home, in any such place as I left in civilized society, were I permitted to return: and, without doubt, my sentiments and feelings in this respect are reciprocated by most, if not all, of the family. The cross of being Missionaries at so great a distance from our Christian friends is quite supportable, when buoyed up by hope, and the promise of God, with an approving conscience. For our sufferings and privations, we need not your commiseration, though we would rejoice in those tokens of love which should be sent to relieve them. But we need the continued prayers of our Christian brethren, lest our strong tower of defence and our hiding place in time of trouble should leave us to something worse than a famine of bread or a thirst for water.

Miss Comstock to her Friend in Connec

ticut. January 17, 1822.

DEAR MADAM,-Our journey and passage on the rivers were pleasant and prosperous. We were, in all places, received and entertained with

the utmost kindness. Our boats stopped about six miles from our station, 1 arand we came up in skiffs. rived on the 20th of August, and met Brothers Chapman and Fuller from Union the same evening. The next day, I was taken ill with a fever, which eventually assumed the intermittent form, with which I was confined to my tent, which was covered with blankets, for nearly three months. Soon after I was taken sick, more of the family were seized, until twelve sisters and eight of the brethren were confined to their tents. But, during this trial of our faith, we were not forsaken by our divine Master. He who said, "Lo, I am with you alway," completely verified his promise. Yes, madam, he was my refuge, my comfort, and my support. My heart trusted in him, and I was helped. Most of the time I was blessed with a contented, comfortable frame of mind, so far that, under the most severe afflictions, I could rejoice that my Master had granted me the privilege of thus devoting myself to his service. In the midst of our sickness, our little stock of bark failed, which was our only remedy. This was a season of severe trial. The brethren, and all the hired men, sick; the weather becoming quite cold; and no provision made for the houses: but here, again, we had cause of gratitude. Brother Newton's health was so far reco vered, that he was able to go t Fort Osage, where he obtained a sufficient number of labourers to erect our buildings, and a boy to cook for them, as all the sisters were still confined to their tents, or at least not able to labour. But at no one time have all been so sick, but that one or two were able to provide a little nourishment for those who were the most feeble. Thus, you see, though we have been so severely afflicted by sickness, and the death of some of our most valuable members; yet goodness and mercy have followed us up to the present time.

The health of the family is so far

She has only been but she has learned

He

We receive visits from the natives almost daily. Sans Neuf was present last Sabbath during our worship expressed much satisfaction, that he could see so many children with us. How frequently do I weep over their moral blindness, and pray that Christians may do much to remove it; and, by their prayers, strengthen our hands, and encourage our hearts. This is an arduous, self-denying work, but the most interesting in which I was ever engaged.

The Journal of this Mission, and our communications from the Tuscarora and Seneca Missions, are unavoidably deferred to our next number.

AMERICAN BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

From the Boston Missionary Herald.

MISSION AMONG THE
CHOCTAWS.

EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL KEPT
AT MAYHEW.

October 1, 1821.-A general council, which has been sitting since the 27th ultimo, closed their session this day. They have organized, in the North

east District, a small company of ten men, to act as a patrol, for the purpose of punishing offenders, collecting debts, &c. This is the first instance of the organization of a civil power among the Choctaws to execute the laws. Provision was made in the late treaty, by which they are to receive $20 annually per man.

Nov. 13. We have now a house finished, 17 feet by 22, with a brick chimney, for the accommodation of travellers. We have suffered much inconvenience from not having sufficient room for them; fifteen or twenty sometimes calling at once to tarry over night.

Last evening enjoyed a pleasant season of conversation, singing, and prayer, with several guests from Mississippi and Pennsylvania.

Circular from the War Department.

Received by mail from the War Department, by order of the Secretary of War, the Lancasterian system of education, with improvements. It was accompanied by a circular, recommending the adoption of the system in the schools established for the instruction of Indian children. The parental care which the general government exercises over these schools demands our liveliest gratitude.

29. Four young gentlemen tarried with us last night and a part of this day. Three of them are from New-York, and are professors of religion. Their visit has been very pleasant. They are teachers of penmanship. They made a donation of $10 to the school.

Dec. 3. A pious gentleman of the Methodist denomination from Tennessee, visited us to-day. He left $5 for the school. In the evening united in the monthly concert of prayer.

6. This evening received, to our great joy, the letter from Mr. Slocomb, containing the donation of $100 from Gen. Putnam, which we supposed was lost. The letter was mailed in July last.

Sab. 9. Not knowing when the Sabbath comes, the Choctaws frequently bring articles for sale on that day. In such cases, we give them the privilege of storing their articles till Monday. This evening two Choctaw men and one woman came from a village, about fifteen miles distant, with potatoes. Through our friend Capt. Folsom, providentially with us to-day, we held a talk with them. They stated, that there are four families in the neighbourhood in which they reside; that they have concluded to work; that they do not purchase whisky, and bring it into their neighbourhood, as many Choctaws do; that their head man, called the Red Switch, never drinks to intoxication; and that he advises them to bring what they have to sell to the missionaries, to purchase clothes with.

The moral condition of this people is truly deplorable, and must cause every benevolent heart to weep. Surely darkness hath covered the land, and gross darkness the people. They say, that "the Choctaws talk about the great Father above; but they do not know who he is, or what he wishes them to do. They think, that if missionaries should come among them, and talk with them, it would do good."

Arduous Labours.

12. Started a five-horse wagon for Elliot. It takes over a quantity of lime and tar for that establishment, and will bring back flour, and some articles of clothing. Those who have had no experience in a similar situation, can form no just conception of the extent and variety of labour in these establish

ments.

The hauling of provisions, and other supplies, from Elliot, and of lumber for buildings, in addition to our farming business, obliges us to keep heavy teams of oxen and horses; and we find it very difficult in this country to obtain experienced and faithful teamsters.

Excessive Cold.

15. After two days of sunshine, the

ice is still hanging to the trees and bushes, and even to the grass and weeds in the open prairie, which froze on them during a rain, 48 hours ago. The thermometer, at sunrise this morning, stood at 11°.

17. Hired a man and his wife this morning, from the settlements in Alabama, for one year. He is an industrious farmer, and his wife a good seamstress.

24. Our wagon arrived from Elliot, with flour, clothing, &c., and brought letters from several of the brethren there.

26. The weather is excessively cold for this climate. Thermometer this morning, at sunrise, stood at 8°, which is three degrees lower than it had been since we have been in this nation.

29. In the evening Brother Williams arrived, accompanied by the Rev. G. Hollenbeck.

16. The scholar above mentioned attended school to-day. When his class took their places to read, he reluctantly sat down with them, and read; but would not spell, though repeatedly required to do so. Mr. Chamberlain conversed with him respecting his conduct. He wept, and soon left the house. Mr. Chamberlain followed him to his cabin, went with him to father Hoyt's room, and spent some time in conversation with him alone. He did not appear angry, but much distressed. He said he wished to leave this country, and go to war against the Osages. Mr. Chamberlain inquired, why he violated the rules of the school, by going out as he did? why he did not ask permission? He said he thought of it; but his heart was so bad, he could not. Mr. Chamberlain, after pointing out the danger of attempting to run away from God, told him he might go or stay, as he chose.

17. The scholar mentioned yesterday told us this morning he had made up his mind to leave the school, and go to the Arkansas. When Mr. Chamberlain gave him his clothes, he said he wished to ask forgiveness for his conduct. When Mr. C. replied, that he would freely forgive him, he immediately burst into tears, and wept some time, and went away much affected. He is now gone, and our opportunities for instructing him are probably for ever past. After leaving us, he met Brother Butler, and told him he was very sorry he had left the school, and would go back, but feared he could not be received. As Brother Butler knew not what he might have done to occasion his leaving the school, he did not urge him to return.

Death of John Rackley.

18. This evening John Rackley, a scholar of about 14 years of age, was taken with a pain in his head, and vomiting.

20. The sick boy was removed into