usual occupations. They are daily consuming their provisions, without being able to replenish their stock. Since the war commenced, many families have been robbed of almost everything by those natives who professedly came to fight for the colonists. These natives, taking advantage of the consternation which has prevailed in the colony, have done almost as they pleased. The colonists, for fear of creating new enemies, have suffered their goods to be taken away before their eyes. war. Nov. 6. Yesterday, the body of br. Thomas, member of the Methodist church, was carried from the missionhouse to the grave. I found him in the street the day after the war commenced, sick, and without a home. The house in which he resided at Básá Cove, had been burned the day before by the savages, and he was compelled to flee for his life. This is the second death that has occurred in our family since the The other was a child about six months old, whose mother, with some others, fled to us for safety when the natives got into the town of Básá Cove. This war has considerably multiplied the objects of charity in this colony, and we have felt ourselves bound to lend some aid in alleviating their wants. The alarm of the colonists has evidently been much greater than their actual danger would warrant. Most of them have lost their crops of rice, being afraid to go to their farms. Our mission-house is a little out of the settlement, so that we do not derive direct benefit from the guard. But the Lord has guarded us, and we have reposed in quiet during the war, not having lost one night's rest. Sante Will's Place - · Sabbath services Forms of Judicial Process. 17. Came up to this place, in company with br. Clarke, on the 14th inst. As the dry season is coming on, we deemed it our duty to come and make preparation for the future residence of some of us here. The house, which the natives have long been about, remains -unfinished. I therefore concluded to stay and urge them forward with it, for they can be depended on no longer than they are in sight. Br. C. has gone down the river to-day. The more I become acquainted with the natives, the more sensible I am of the strength of their superstitions, and of the inefficiency of all human power in removing them. God alone can effect this mighty work. May he give me grace to do my duty faithfully to them, and to leave the issue with him. 18. Sabbath. This morning I called the people together to hear God's word. Several of them had commenced working; but going to the head man upon the subject, he gave orders for them to desist. This was not done from any conviction of its sinfulness, probably, but to please me. The head man, with several others, came to meeting. I made some remarks on several of the precepts in the 6th chapter of Matthew, and spoke to them also about observing the Sabbath. They admitted that what I said was true, but Sante Will said that "they were too old to be told of these things; they would do for the native children who attended our school, but it was too late for them." They evidently considered religion in the light of a new science which they were required to learn. Of its absolute necessity, in order to their eternal wellbeing, they are extremely ignorant. But since the meeting they have been more wickedly employed than if they had been at work. Sante Will having to-day received an accession to his numerous wives, they have celebrated the event by singing, dancing, drumming, firing guns, &c. Sante Will brought me just now the leg of a sheep or goat, which he had killed on the occasion. I declined accepting it, on the ground of its having been killed on the Sabbath. 26. Yesterday was the Sabbath. Few people came to meeting, not more than five or six. I went out and invited the people in, but they were engaged in talking a palaver. My health was not good, and I felt cast down at their indifference. But the time will come when they will say, "I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord." Dec. 3. Last Saturday I witnessed the trial of a number of Sante Will's wives. The object seems to have been to ascertain whether any of them had been unfaithful to him. The process of the trial is this. A grigri man places two small pots, containing water, about fifteen or twenty feet apart. The woman who is to be tried, has one man to plead for her, and another to plead against her. The grigri man puts, or pretends to put, a stone, of about the size of a small bullet, into one of the pots. The woman is then required to put her hand in, in order to take out the stone. If she finds it, she is declared innocent; if she does not, the palaver is said to have caught her. If she still persists in declaring her innocence, she is required to renew her efforts to find the stone; and this may be done fifteen or twenty times. And if, after all, she neither finds the stone, nor confesses herself guilty, she is put off for further trial. If the case seems to require it, this process may be repeated three times. The power of clearing or convicting her, is thus entirely in the hands of the grigri man. For, by putting his hand into the water, he can take out or leave the stone without her knowledge. And being a shrewd man, after carrying her through this ordeal, he is able to form Jan. 6, 1839. Sab. The greater part a tolerably correct opinion as to her of the people being absent, the town guilt or innocence, and makes his ar- has been very quiet to-day. Very little rangements accordingly. The natives work has been done, except in the have various other modes of trial, blacksmith's shop. But those who rewhich are very severe. In some cases, mained seemed indisposed to attend they put one or two small stones, pre- public worship. My feelings were exviously steeped in some corrosive sub-ceedingly tried this morning with the stance, into the eye, which, they say, will not fall out, if the person is guilty, till the guilt is confessed. These stones produce much pain for several days, even when the stone soon falls out. In other cases, the accused is required to put his or her hand into boiling oil. Sometimes red hot iron is applied to the skin; at others, a decoction of saucy wood is given, which, if not vomited up, will produce death in a short time. The excessive superstition of this people serves, perhaps, as a check upon their vices; and without it, in the absence of gospel restraints, they would probably be licentious to the last degree. | of the most painful, and in others one of the the most pleasant, days of the week. I feel much condemned on account of my want of faithfulness in the best of causes; but I hope, through the mercy of God in Christ, to be accepted at last, and to be admitted to those realms where all, with one heart and soul, praise their great Redeemer. Feel encouraged in having a degree of health, which enables me to attend pretty constantly to the study of the native language, and, with the assistance of an interpreter, to the translation of God's word. I hope to see, at some future time, the natives reading in their own language the wonderful works of God. 10. Yesterday was the Sabbath. A few were present to hear the word of life, but many were at work as on other days; and at night there was much drumming, dancing and singing. The almost total indifference of the natives in regard to spiritual things, is very painful. But I found comfort yesterday in looking forward to what may be the ultimate results of the efforts now making in this land for the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom. In this "region of the shadow of death, light shall spring up." The light of the glorious gospel shall disperse the shades which now enshroud this people, and they shall yet "offer incense and a pure offering" to the Lord. 23. To-day being the Sabbath, had a meeting, but only six were present. The Sabbath is in some respects one indifference of the natives in relation He this thing. I told him that was a reaon why I wanted them to hear what had to say that a man who was asleep in a house on fire, could not be expected to escape, till he was waked up. I feel very desirous that the head man of this town may become a Christian. He was the first native who ventured to let us have any children to be instructed; and two of his sons still remain with us, one of whom is a talented and a very interesting boy. Visit to Edina and John's River-Mis sion School. 18. Edina. Hearing that an American vessel was expected at this place some days ago, I came down, after having been at Sante Will's Place about two months. My health, during most of my stay in the country, was very good; and if Providence permit, I expect to return in a few days. Feb. 15. On the 12th inst. Capt. Lawlin arrived at this port, in the ship Emperor, bringing letters, packages, and goods from America. In waiting for this vessel, I have been detained at Edina longer than I anticipated. During the interval, br. C. and myself have visited some head men on John's river, where we never visited before. Our object was to increase the number of Lur scholars. We succeeded in getting some, and have the promise of more. We are desirous of obtaining as many as possible of the children of head nen. It will be safer for the boys themselves. The natives, who are very envious, and exceedingly jealous of any superiority on the part of those whom they deem their equals, will be likely to tolerate this in sons of their chiefs. It will also be adapted to extend the influence of our school. These children, when they are grown up, will have the power, and we hope be disposed, to extend the light of science and of the gospel among their countrymen. The war has lessened our school. The parents living in the country, have in some instances been afraid to let their children remain here. But more have remained than we could have expected. 25. Sante Will's Place. Came up hither on Saturday, the 23d inst. Yesterday, being the Sabbath, br. Clarke addressed the people through an interpreter. We came hither for the purpose of attending to the study of the language, as the facilities are greater here than at the colony. March 3. Sab. Called the people together to-day. Sante Will came with a few others. Attempted to show them that "all had gone out of the way," and to point out the way of acceptance with God, through Christ. They listened with some apparent interest. 10. A day or two since, br. Clarke, who had been with me nearly a fortnight, returned to Edina. Had but three natives at worship to-day. A dead body, in a town about two miles off, is about to be put into the ground. On such occasions, drumming, dancing, firing of guns and singing are usual. The head man and many of the people went to attend the ceremony. Sante Will came in just now to salute me. His question, as he came to the door, was, "You live well to-day?" Without answering his question, I said, "You have not lived well to-day, going off, as you have done, to play on the Sabbath." I then gave some vent to my feelings, which had been very much tried by the entire indifference of the people in relation to their eternal interests. As I condemned his entire neglect of God's commands in somewhat severe language, I thought he would retort in anger. But he did not. He made some attempt at an apology. His excuse was, that he had been called there in case a palaver should arise, as it so happens sometimes on such occasions. He afterwards told my interpreter, that if he had not gone, they would have called him a " God man," and forsaken him. He has yet to feel that such a sacrifice, if necessary, must be made, or he can never enter heaven. O that God would send an arrow of conviction into his soul, which would not suffer him to rest, day nor night, till he had given his heart to God! 19. Had several paroxysms of fever within a few days. Day before yesterday, being Sabbath, I felt it my duty to call the people together to worship; but being feeble, from the effects of fever, and knowing the unwillingness of the natives to attend, I was reluctant to make the attempt. I resolved, however, to try, in the strength of God, to do something for their eternal welfare, and sent out. The head man, with several others came, and I was enabled to speak to them in a way that seemed to interest their feelings. The head man stopped after meeting. he loved me. He said that were new to his people. not understand them, an would call them togethe 1 said them. May the Lord send his Spirit into their hearts, and make them feel their need of religious instruction! 20. Yesterday there was such a scene of confusion in town as I never before witnessed. A quarrel took place between natives belonging to two different head men, and for a while there was a prospect that blood would be shed. The parties were much enraged, drew their knives and cocked their guns, and took aim at each other. As they were running round among the houses, we sometimes came within the range of their aim. The head man of this town used his utmost efforts to prevent the effusion of blood, and at length persuaded the parties to hold a palaver. Conversation with a head man-Grigri superstition. 23. Had some conversation with the head man to-day, on the vanity of his grigris. But he is very much under the power of superstition. He said that his god and our God were different; that his grigri was in the place of God to him. I told him that his grigri was nothing but a stick, and could do nothing; that if he looked to God for help, God would help him; but if he looked to his grigri, God would be angry. He was much displeased with the conversation, and intimated that a number of people had died at his town, and that his house, which was burned some time ago, was burned on account of my being there, and being friendly to him. He would have me understand that these people and his house were bewitched by persons jealous of this connection between himself and me. I told him that it was more probable that God suffered his house to be burned because he had so much slave money in it. that if he should see me doing any thing of the kind, he would tell me to stop. I told him that in my country people expressed themselves freely on religious subjects, and that I should tell them what lived in my heart on this subject, if they had a pistol at my breast; that I did not expect to tear down their grigris, but I must tell them wherein they were wrong; if I did not, God would be angry with me, for he sent me for that purpose. He said that he had been drinking so much palm wine that morning that his head was not clear, and he should not come into meeting. The true reason probably was, that he did not like my sentiments, and he is, no doubt, afraid to appear too friendly, lest some ill consequences should accrue to him. The superstitious veneration of the natives for their grigris and grigri men, is very great; and when these are spoken of lightly, it seems to produce in them an involuntary shuddering. If the head man were to say what I say about them, it would probably cost him a large sum of money, or his life. Had a few at meeting to-day, among whom was a grigri man. He sat very easy till I told them it was wrong for them to look to their grigris for help, instead of looking to God, and that God was angry with them for it. This made him a little restless, but he said nothing. I am a little encouraged to hope that the gospel will yet get a lodgement in their hearts, and produce its legitimate effects there. Oh, it is a consolation to reflect that we are not left to depend solely upon the influence of moral suasion, to bring these heathen to the light of truth. Were it so, we might forever despair. Their superstitions are too deeply rooted to be reached by mere human reason. Arguments do not touch them. And if their mouths are stopped by "demonstration strong as proof from holy 24. Sabbath. The head man came in this morning, just before meeting-writ," they remain the same. The alltime. The conversation of yesterday was resumed, and, as I still persisted in asserting my disbelief in witches and grigris, he became much excited, and said, with much earnestness and positiveness, that it was so in his country, though it was not in America; and that if any body said it was not, he told a lie; and that if I should live here ten years, I would say it was true. He said, "If you do any thing to break country laws, they, (meaning, probably, the grigri men,) will make grigri for you and kill you." He said, also, powerful energy of the Holy Spirit April 1. Yesterday being the Sabbath, br. Clarke, who came here last week, made an address to the natives. They remarked, that they were igno- EXTRACTS rant, and must learn these things as a man would learn the alphabet, one letter at a time. 7. Sabbath. One of our number at meeting to-day was a kind of Simon Magus, who, within a few days, has come to town, "giving out that he is some great one." He professes to have the power of killing any body with his arts with the utmost facility. He called the man who is the highest man in Little Básá, his slave; and because he was employed by another head man to kill him, and spared him, he requires him to pay a handsome sum of money. He came around our house, and seemed much vexed because he could not inspire us with a fear of his arts. When I saw him boasting of his wonderful powers, and endeavoring to infuse a superstitious dread of himself into the minds of the people, I felt disposed to say, "Thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness." But after conversing with him, and finding that he had never heard of God's word, and hearing him confess that he did not know where men went when they died, my anger turned into pity. To-day I invited him to come and hear about "God's palaver." He came, but made no remarks. 11. Br. Clarke has started for Edina. His health, most of the time during his stay, has been good; but within two or three days he has been affected by the fever. 16. Edina. Hearing that a vessel had arrived from America, and was to sail in a few days, I came down on Saturday, the 14th instant, after a visit of seven weeks among the natives. The return of Mr. Buchanan to these colonies, as Governor General, is hailed with joy by the colonists. From our intimate acquaintance with the man, we feel a great confidence in his ability to discharge the duties of his station. May 5. Sabbath. Preached twice to-day, at Edina. Br. Clarke went today with an interpreter to King Joe Harris's town, to preach to the natives. His reception was pleasant. May the Lord bless his efforts. Spent several days last week with Governor Buchanan, who has been brought very low with fever. He seems now to be better, and we hope his very valuable life will be spared. Creeks. FROM A LETTER OF REV. JOHN DAVIS, NATIVE PREACHER, DATED NORTH FORK, CREEK NATION, MARCH 12, 1839. I received at last your letter on the 4th day of Jan., which had long been looked for; and at the same time I received a letter from Mr. Kellam, stating that the mission premises were occupied by other persons, and he and his family were in a bad situation. By the same letter I was requested to attend the council, which was to be held on the 15th day of Jan. My friends and I went to the council, with the determination of urging our agent to give us a school at this North Fork. And there we laid the subject before the agent, and he promised to give us a school. Since then, Mr. Kellam and his wife have moved, and are placed within half a mile from my place. But the school will not be put into operation until the school-house is built. Prejudice against preaching exists among the people; but I believe preaching will be attended by the people, after a while, if regular schools are established in the settlements where the people desire to have schools, and if preaching is commenced among the Indians in each station where the people have not so much prejudice against preaching. However, the people say nothing against my preaching any where; but I suppose it is because I am one of the natives. It appears the anxiety of the people for schools is increasing. Two school teachers are now called for, besides three government teachers, who are already appointed. One of those teachers is likely to be a government teacher, and be placed on Canadian river; and the other, we hope and pray, will be Mr. Mason, the missionary; for he is invited by the natives to come into the nation and teach. His place will be about twelve miles above the old missionary station on the Arkansas; and in that settlement the people proposed to build a school-house and dwelling-house for Mr. Mason, if he would come. Since August last the small-pox has been raging through the whole nation, and there have been a great many deaths; but, though other sickness has visited my family, yet, by the kind providence of God, I and my children have been safe from that dreadful dis |