licly declared by the Chief as the decision of the whole. In the present case, they decided, first, to take the man to the Fort, and secondly, to start in three days.

Accession to the School.

Wah-ho-bek-keh, the fourth Chief, has sent a son to the School, about ten years of age, whom we have named Samuel Miller. The lad was brought at his own request, "to live with the Missionaries." He is a lovely child, and we hope the father may be willing to continue him in the way of gaining instruction.

The Osages have recently lost one man and seventy or eighty horses in a skirmish with some Chero

kees from Red River.

Visit from the Chiefs and Warriors.

Lord's Day, August 17.-The Chiefs and Warriors, amounting to 200, arrived with the criminal, on their way to the Fort. All of the Chiefs and several of the principal Warriors ate at our table. To the rest we gave a few bushels of corn. All have behaved well. This evening the young men sing and dance

a painful contrast between this exercise and the Sabbath evening conference usually attended by Christians, where Jesus is in the midst.

Monday, August 18.--The Indians, accompanied by Brother Chapman, moved forward on their journey to the Fort. The young man, who has caused this trouble, is as free from bonds as any of the tribe. They depend entirely on his word. We pity them, that they should undertake to settle so great a matter at such uncertainty. such is their inefficiency, that the Chiefs have no authority to confine or punish any criminal.

But

Death of a hired man.

Thursday, August 21.-Robert Blake, a labourer from Ohio, who has been for some time very low with the intermittent fever, died about eleven o'clock last night, and was decently interred this day in the Union burying-ground. This is the first death by sickness since our arrival. All the Indians present followed the procession, and witnessed, with apparent interest, a Christian burial.

Escape of the Prisoner.

Friday, August 22.-Tally and other Chiefs returned this way, and informed us that the prisoner had escaped, and that they had relinquished the idea of going to the Fort. Brother Chapman, having business for the Mission, concluded to proceed. It seems that the company had encamped for the night on Greenleaf Creek, about half way to the Fort, when the criminal mounted his horse and left them. Thus our hopes, which had been a little raised, are again blighted. May the arm of the Lord be stretched out still.

Marriage of Dr. Palmer.

Lord's Day, Aug. 24.-Brother Palmer and Sister Johnson were, this evening, united in marriage. The ceremony was performed, at the close of our Sabbath evening Conference, in the presence of the family, and labourers, and a number of the Indians, who manifested great interest in seeing a Christian marriage.

Monday, Aug. 25.--One of the Indians called to-day, and took away his two children, Philip and Margaret. Stephen, who is a connexion of the same family, has put on his blanket and leggins again,

and left us. Such is the dark cloud, that has passed over the Mission today. But as the sun still shines above the clouds, so the Lord still reigns.

Friday, Aug.29.-Brother Chapman has returned, and brought with him a number of letters, and several numbers of the Register, and other periodical religious works. He informs us, that there is a pleasing attention to religion in Billingsley's settlement, and that he preached to them on the last Sabbath. They need faithful Missionaries to break to them the bread of life.

Proposition from the Quappaw Tribe. Saturday, Aug.30.-A messenger arrived to-day, with a friendly letter from the Quappaws to the Osages, expressing a wish to come up and hold a talk about settling near the Osage Village. The Quappaws formerly belonged to the Osage tribe, and their language is still nearly the same.

Should they remove to this country, it may result in their benefit, as they will be less exposed to intemperance, and as they will be likely to receive the benefit of the Osage Mission.

46

Lord's Day, Aug. 31.-Discourse from Romans xiii. 11, 12.— May we know the time, that now it is high time to wake," &c. Although we have had some clouds of late, yet God has manifested his mercy. A young man, George Douglass, who conducted our boats up the Arkansaw, has lately been hopefully converted. He appears to be truly a child of God. change has indeed been great. Let God have the glory.

The

years have now elapsed since that period. Whatever has been done to prepare the way, yet very little has been effected in removing the dark cloud of superstition and idolatry, which hangs over the minds of this pagan people. May we be directed by unerring wisdom to the adoption of those measures, and to those vigorous exertions, which shall be blessed to the recovery of this perishing tribe. We have this day received a package of letters and papers, among which are the Register for June, and the sixth Annual Report of the United Foreign Missionary Society.

Monday, Aug. 11.-Received another child, a fine boy about four years old. This boy's father is a half breed,and his mother an Osage. They have been living near us, and occasionally labouring for us, for some time past. They have five children, of whom four are now in our school, and are all very promising.

Indian Council.

Tuesday, Aug. 19.-The Indians having come to this neighbourhood to receive their annuities, we invited the Sub-Agent, Mr. Shouteau, together with the principal Chiefs, Warriors, and Counsellors of the tribe, to hold a Council at our residence upon the concerns of our Mission. When they had assembled, Mr. Shouteau addressed them upon the importance of their availing themselves of the advantages of the Missionary establishment. Brothers Dodge, Pixley, Montgomery, and Belcher, severally addressed them on the subject, and were answered by a number of the leading men of the nation. They wished us to be patient, and said they thought we should eventually succeed. They acknowledged, that what we said was good, and promised to talk to their people about it.

What this people will finally do, time only can unfold.

Wednesday, Aug. 20.-The Indians assembled to-day to hear the talk of the Agent and to receive their annuities. In this talk, the Agent requested them to decide whether they would live at Neosho, or at the Osage River, that he might know where to build houses for his

interpreter and blacksmith. They finally determined to remain at Neosho.

A traveller from the Arkansaw informed us that he had left four men, not far behind, with a wagon and a yoke of oxen. They found it difficult to proceed on their journey on account of the high stage of the rivers. Three of the men are sick, and the whole have had for several days no other kind of food than a little honey. Brother Pixley took a sufficient supply of provisions, and went to their relief. Thursday, Aug. 21.-The Indians took their departure this morning, and Brother Pixley accompanied them for the purpose of prosecuting the study of their language.

Irregular Conduct of some of their
hired men.

Lord's Day, Aug. 24.-Some of our labourers being disposed to indulge themselves in the neglect of public worship, and one of them in the use of profane language, it was thought advisable to read to them the standing rules of the Mission. They were accordingly read at the dinner table on Friday last. The individual above alluded to was greatly offended, and after retiring declared with a volley of oaths, that he would not be present at our worship, and that he would swear when he pleased. Nicholas, pious coloured man living with us, undertook to persuade him that his

a

conduct was highly improper, that the regulations of the Missionaries were right, and that they were wishing him well and praying for him even when he was cursing and swearing. On his replying that he wanted none of their prayers, Nicholas told him that the day might come when he would be thankful for the prayers of Christians. He repeated with an oath, that he would never ask the prayers of any one. To-day he absented himself from public worship. In the afternoon, he was taken ill, retired to his bed, and fell asleep. His slumbers were disturbed by an alarming dream, and he soon awoke in great distress of mind. He sent immediately for Nicholas to pray with him; and at our evening conference, we received from him a message, requesting us to pray for him as a poor, lost, and ruined sin

ner.

After the exercises were

closed, several of the brethren conversed and prayed with him. He appeared to be deeply impressed with a sense of the depravity of his heart, and the impiety of his life.

Wednesday, Aug. 27.--A wagon. which had brought us a load of grain from the Missouri, being about to return, the labourer mentioned above, concluded to take a seat in it, in consequence of his indisposition. His serious impressions still continue. May the Lord follow him with his mercy and his grace.

Health of the Family.

Lord's Day, August 31.-God is still merciful in regard to our health. Although some few are feeble, and others visited with the fever and ague, yet there is no case among us of severe illness. Another month is past, and another summer ended; may we notice, with suitable returns of gratitude, the goodness of

God, in preserving our lives, in continuing to us our present measure of health and strength, and in bestowing upon us the many blessings which we now enjoy.

SENECA MISSION.

Rev. Mr. Harris to the Domestic Secreta ry.-Dec. 24, 1823.

DEAR SIR,

Such has been the multiplicity of my cares and engagements for some time, that I have found it almost impossible to keep a regular journal of the Mission. I think it my duty, however, to acquaint the Board by letter, of the general prospects of the Mission.

It is now nearly two months since Brother Young left this station. On his departure, a number of the Chiefs and young men met at the Mission House, to take a formal leave of their old teacher. Almost all the children wept freely during Mr. Young's exhortation to them individually, while the tears of sympathy were silently wiped from the face of some of the Chiefs. It was truly an affecting scene.

ap

Our meetings on the Sabbath pear much as formerly; and, although we have no such good news to communicate as that of a special work of grace among us, yet we are encouraged to believe that God has not left himself without a witness in the case of a few who appear not to "forget God."

For particular information respecting the School, I refer you to the Report to the War Department, a copy of which is enclosed herewith. A very interesting lad, about 9 years old, we have named Samuel H. Cox; and an active little girl, of about the same age, we call Elizabeth Nitchie. Judging from present appearances, we shall, without doubt, have a family of forty children in the Spring. In that case,

we shall certainly need an additional Sister which will of course be furnished, if the Board send us a teacher who is a married man.

P. S. We are greatly surprised and thankful at the kindness of Divine Providence, in sending us as sistance so seasonably. Brother Bradley has just arrived, in good health and spirits, and appears very agreeably disappointed in the flattering prospects of the Mission, especially of the School. May he prove an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile.

Annual Report to the Secretary of War. Seneca Mission, Dec. 1, 1823.

RESPECTED SIR,

In making out a report to your department, in relation to the progress and probable prospects of this Station, I have to say in the general, that, so far as we can see, our connexion with this interesting people is quite as encouraging as we had any rational ground to expect.

I would remark more particularly, that our prospects in the School department are brighter than on the preceding year; and what is to us a very great inducement to persevere, in addition to the increase of scholars, is, that the Establishment seems to acquire more and more the confidence of the people.

The School at present numbers thirty children, who are clothed and fed at the expense of the Mission; being ten more than the number reported last year. Of these, 22 are boys and 8 girls. The first class consists of ten, who read fluently in the New Testament, and write handsomely. class consists of five, who read in easy readings, and spell in words of three and four syllables. The third class, consists of three, who spell well in two and three syllables. The remainder have been recently admitted to the privileges of the

The second

School, but since their entrance have made good improvement.Their ages are from 7 to 15.

The girls have made, we think, desirable proficiency in the knowledge of domestic economy; performing, with considerable facility, the ordinary functions of the kitchen; and a few have made excellent progress in some of the branches of needlework. We have only to regret that more of this sex are not placed more immediately within the scope of our instruction.

The boys, during the last summer, consisting then of about eleven in number, cut, split, and corded 35 or 40 cords of wood; and with the assistance of the Superintendent cleared off three acres of land, which is now broken up for the benefit of the Mission.

The number of worshippers on the Sabbath, who attend statedly on the preaching of the Gospel, consists ordinarily of about 115 or 120 souls. It is perhaps sufficient here

to remark, that their attention and desire for instruction in Bible truth is such, as in our judgment would argue a criminal omission of duty in those of their teachers who would overlook or but slightly esteem ex ertions of this sort among the adults. As a proof of this, I would mention the punctual attendance which is paid by the Christian party generally to the observance of the Sabbath. In this respect, it ought to be added, they are far more correct and exemplary than many of their white neighbours.

The current expenses of the Mission, since the 1st of Nov. 1822, including $35 for a barn and stable. are $2486 76.

Hoping that, by a reliance on Divine Providence, we may yet be enabled to fulfil the expectations of our Christian friends and the wishes of the Government, I remain, with sentiments of profound respect, Your humble serv't.

T. S. HARRIS.

The length of our abstract of the Nineteenth Report of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and of other articles in the preceding pages, compels us to omit the head of Foreign Intelligence. We hope to pay due attention to the Foreign and Miscellaneous Departments in our future numbers.

WESTERN MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

In the course of the last Summer, the Rev. Robt. M. Laird was appointed a missionary by this Society, with instructions to proceed to the Falls of St. Mary, at the outlet of Lake Superior. Mr. L. commenced his journey on the 23d of August, and reached Detroit on the 7th of September, Mackinaw on the 25th of the same month, and the place of his destination on the 1st of October. A letter giving some account of his journey, and of his reception at the Falls of the St. Mary, has been transmitted to his patrons, and published in the Pittsburgh Recorder. From this letter, we select the following notice of Mackinaw, and of the former labours of the Rev. Mr. Ferry, who has since re

turned to that Island, and opened a missionary" School for Indian Children, under the care of the United Foreign Missionary Society.

The village is pleasant, and much larger than I expected. At the ringing of the bell, a large congregation assembled in the court-house. The appearance of the people was geuteel; and during the whole exercises, they manifested a greater at tentiveness than I have usually had the pleasure of witnessing. The Rev. Mr. Ferry spent a year at Mackinaw; and was instrumental, I trust, in doing considerable good. He organized a church, which consists of eight members. He prevailed on the inhabitants generally to abandon secular employ ments on the sabbath, and come out to hear the Gospel. He appears to be universally beloved; and a strong wish for his return is expressed by every one. I hope he will return, because from many circumstances, I am led to believe, that through his instrumentality, a blessed season of refreshing from the presence of the Lord would soon be experienced in that wicked village. It is the intention of the society which employs Mr. Ferry, to establish a missionary station at Mackinaw. Materials for the building have been already provided. Mr. Ferry, it is expected, will be superintendent. The object is a most import ant one. May the Head of the church crown it with his blessing!