William Ladd, Esq. for a child in Ceylon named WILLIAM Tappan Ladd, Total. 2d payment, 12.00 Nelson, N. Y. A charity box, by the Rev. Gad Newell, 256 Newark, N. Jer. Sabbath School Teachers, for JAMES RICHARDS, and Vewburyport, Ms. Part of a legacy, left by Archibald Sinclair, a sailor, paid by Joseph S. Pike, Executor, 175 00 The Fem. Benf. Society, for SAMUEL SPRING, in the school at Brainerd, 2d payment, by Susan Howard, Treasurer, 30 00 101 83 The following individuals, by Mr. C. Byington: viz. $10 00 Miss S. Rand, for the Jerusalem mission, Friend to missions, $10; Mrs. E. Woodbury, $2, The Misses Hodges, SS; Mrs. A. Thompson, $1, Newport, N. H. Ladies' Association, by Jane M. Allister, Vorfolk, Vir. Mr. Travis Tucker, by W. Maxwell, Esq. for the school Richmond, Ms. The congregational church, by the Rev. E. W. Dwight, 40 00 Small collect. for heathen children, Rochester, N. Y. Elisha Ely, for a child to be ed. in Ceylon, and named 25 12.00 owley, Ms. (W. par.) Gent. Assoc. for ed. hea. chil. by Mr. John Platts, 8 50 Ladies' Assoc. (W. parish.) by Sarah Palmer, loyalton, Ver. Hea. school Soc. for MARTIN TULLAR, 3d payment, acket's Harbor, N. Y. From an aged widow, for the Palestine mission, Albans, Ver. Mr. Noah B. Wells, for support of schools in the alem, Ms. Juven. Benev. Soe. for THOMAS SPENCER, 3d payment, by Amelia P. Curtis, Secretary, 5 00-30 00 A charity box kept in Miss Curtis's Academy, for the Cherokee mission, 3 00 9, Ms. Contribution in the Rev. Mr. Newell's society, for the Amer. Indians, by Mr. C. Byington, 16 55 urbridge, Fem. Reading Society, by C. Upham, Treasurer, Young females of the age of twelve years, by the Rev. Dr. Burton, non, Con. Monthly concert for the miss. to Jerusalem, by H. Belknap, ndell, Ms. Benev. Society of young ladies, by the Rev. H. Wilbur, for educ. heathen children, etford, Ms. Contribution in Rev. Mr. Blake's society, for the Am. Ind. by Mr. C. Byington, arminster, Ver. (W. parish.) Fem. Char. Soc. by Mr. Elijah Ramsey, ton, Ms. A lady, for Am. Indians, by Mr. C. Byington, Mrs. Young's school, for the mission at Brainerd, mington, Ms. Mrs. S. J. by the Rev. F. Reynolds, for the mission at Elliot, the Rev. F. Reynolds, for Am. Indians, remitted by Mr. C. Byington, 801 burn, Ms. Contribu. in the Rev. Mr. Chickering's society, for American Indians, by Mr. C. Byington, 27 47 The residence of the following is unknown. Feb. 3. A stranger, who made the donation in consequence of having read the memoirs of Mrs. Newell;-remitted by Mrs. Atwood, Amount of donations in February, $2,198 91. 2.00 Donations in clothing &c. for the Indian missions, have been received from the following places, which were acknowledged in the Missionary Herald for February, viz. from Conway Ms. a lady in Roxbury, Ms. North Yarmouth, Me. New Ipswich, N. H. Hardwick, Ver Townsend, Mass. from the Ladies' Charitable Society of Bridport, Ver. by Emma Rice containing articles valued at $30. The following have been received since our last number. A box from the Female Alms Society, Benson, Ver. containing 83 small garments, for the mission at Brainerd A box from the Young Ladies' Beneficent Society, of Newburyport, Ms. for the mission at Brainerd. Likewise, some other small articles. From a friend of missions in Ashfield, 4 copies of the New Testament, and six copies o Burritt's Arithmetic. MISSION AND SCHOOL AT BRAINERD. ' [Our readers have been informed, that the Prudential Committee of the A. B. C. F. M in order to secure the most satisfactory and authentic accounts of the mission among the Cherokees, and thus to sustain the confidence of the Christian public in the plan of operations there commenced, at an early period appointed a Visiting Committee from among highly respectable individuals in the state of Tennessee. The second Report of this Committee is now subjoined. The first was made in May, 1818, and an extract from it was published in our volume for that year.] "Brainerd, December 13, 1819. "THE Visiting Committee have not been able to make arrangements to visit this missionary station a second time before the present date; and but two of their number have had it in their power to attend even now. The Rev. William Eagleton of Kingston, (Tenn.) has been obliging enough to come with us, and will sign this Report as a spectator and witness of the examination of the state of the mission. "Since the date of the last Report, there have been considerable improve ments made. Four cabins have been built for the accommodation of the pupils besides a large cabin house, in which the girls are taught. There is also the frame of a barn raised and covered, which will be commodious and useful, whe finished. The whole farm is inclosed by excellent fences, and about thirtee acres of fresh land have been cleared; eight of which, we are informed, hay been done by the labor of boys in the school, in the morning and evening. T last season the farm was cultivated as follows: six acres in wheat, five in ry and thirty in corn, besides potatoes, turnips, and a large garden. The live stock belonging to the station, was reported to us as being pretty m merous; and what we saw was in good condition. There are ten horses, seven horned cattle, thirty sheep, and hogs of all sizes about one hundred and fift There belongs to the station some other property, as a cart, three waggons yoke of oxen, farming utensils, &c. Since your Committee last visited this station the school has been divided, an the girls and boys are now taught in separate houses. The Rev. Willi Chamberlain teaches the boys and directs them when out of school. M Sarah Hoyt teaches the girls, and directs their employment when out of scho The number of boys in the school is 42; the number of the girls 25. A few m arc, as we are informed, entered in each school, who are now absent; some visits to their parents, and some on account of sickness and for fear of it. T pupils are under the age of fifteen, except two males, who may be twenty upwards, and two females, who may be about eighteen or nineteen. A gre many of them have entered since our last visit, and some of them have be here but a short time. The great majority are making very pleasing progre both in their studies, and in learning to speak the English language. The order and good conduct of these children in school, at the table, and the church, are truly exemplary. Their cheerfulness in yielding obedience all that is required of them, either in or out of school, is rarely exceeded by best managed children among ourselves. The facility with which they learn to write has often been remarked: the specimens which we have seen of the writing of the present scholars confirm the fact. Their progress in spelling and reading is encouraging, considering the difficulty they have to encounter in speaking and pronouncing our language. Many of them have committed to memory a part of the Assembly's Catechism, and some chapters of the New Testament, which they repeated with ease. The instructors have adopted a method of treating the scholars which meets our most cordial approbation, and must have the happiest effect. After supper, they are all collected in the girl's school house, and are seated in order on the right and left, and in front. A hymn is sung by memory, in which all join; then questions are proposed by Mr. Chamberlain on the first principles of the Christian religion, which all answer. Then the reasons for the answer which has been given, are demanded. They answer again in the language of Holy Writ. After questioning them in this manner awhile, another hymn is sung; then questions are proposed again in the same manner, thus alternating questions and singing an hour or two. The exercises are closed by prayer. Perhaps no expedient could be chosen, better calculated to have the children rooted and grounded in the first principles of our holy religion, than this. Your Committee witnessed with peculiar sensations, the effect produced on some of them. They were attentive, solemn, and tender, even to tears. An excellence in the management of this missionary station is, that the pupils are not only taught reading, writing, and arithmetic, with the principles and worship inculcated in the word of God,-but they are instructed in the most useful arts of civilized life. The boys learn the use of the hoe and the axe, while the girls learn the use of the spinning wheel and the needle. The instructress of the girls informed us, that since the 16th of March last, the girls had made eighty garments, such as shirts, pantaloons, &c. without including smaller articles; that they had pieced thirteen bedquilts, and quilted nine. We examined a part of this work, and it appeared to be well done. Your Committee, on their first visit, were not more affected by any thing relating to the whole mission, than by the infant church here planted in the wilderness. We are happy to find, that it has increased, by the addition of such as we hope shall be saved. Four of the natives have made a public profession of religion and two blacks, since our last visit. We have also seen or heard of five or six, who are under strong impressions from the Spirit of God; some of whom give evidence of being the hopeful subjects of a saving change of heart. All, with whom we have met, converse with great freedom, concerning their lost and helpless state, as sinners, their views and feelings respecting the Savior, and with an artless simplicity not easily described.. Among the various circumstances, that must interest the feelings of any Christian friend of man, who may visit this station, a short detail of one or two will not be unacceptable to the Board. Last Christmas, a young man called John Arch, who had been born and bred in the mountains near the confines of South Carolina, happened to be at Knoxville, where he met with Mr. Hall, who informed him, that there was a school in the nation. As soon as he went home, he took his gun and wandered off in search of the place, which, we hope, has proved to him the house of God and the gate of heaven. After travelling one hundred and fifty miles, he arrived at the missionary station; told the missionaries he had come to attend school, and offered them his gun, his only property, for clothes. His appearance was so wild and forbidding, the missionaries said they hesitated to receive him, inasmuch as he was upwards of 20 years of age. He would not be put off. They took him on trial. In a short time, he discovered a thoughtful concern about his soul, and now gives the most satisfactory evidence of a gracious change of heart. His thirst for knowledge is great. He has learned to read and write well; though he has not been more than ten months at school. Sometime after he became serious, he was accused of having done some improper act; he was conscious of innocence, and could not well brook the false charge. That evening he was missing, and the next morning the conclusion was, that he had gone off. But about nine o'clock he came in. Upon being questioned respecting his absence, he gave the following account."I felt angry, and knew that it was wicked, but I could not suppress it; and I went to seek the Savior, that he might reconcile my heart." It appeared that he had been praying and wrestling with God all night. He says "he often feels strongly inclined to tell the Indians about God and the Savior, but he knows so little, he thinks it would not please God." He desires to obtain an education, that he may preach. The history of this young man, and the account he gives of himself are so pleasing, that brother Eagleton, with the advice and consent of the missionaries, has agreed to take him home with him, to superintend his course of preparation for the Gospel ministry. The writer of the Apocalypse, beheld a great multitude of all nations and kindred and people and tongues standing before the throne and before the Lamb, who cried with a loud voice, "saying, salvation to our God who sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb." We cannot but regard, among other things, the following fact as a fulfilment in part of this prophetic vision. Two of the most advanced female scholars, members of the church, have put into verse, in the Cherokee language, a number of hymns, and composed one entirely. These hymns we heard sung with great interest. We send you one of them with its translation. That this people and their language should be employed in hymning the praises of heaven, is among the strange events of the day. Are not the wilderness and the solitary place beginning to be glad, and the desart to rejoice and blosom as the rose? Here the ransomed of the Lord are returning and coming to Zion with songs-literally with songs, and everlasting joy; they have obtained joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing have fled away. It is enough to warm a heart of ice and dissolve a heart of stone, to see and hear from these late savages of the forest, the evidence of all conquering grace on their hearts. Has not the Board-has not the Christian public-already received an ample reward for all the toil and expense, to which they have submitted, even if another immortal being should not be gathered into the fold of the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls? On the whole, your Committee are more and more convinced of the practicability of civilizing and christianizing this long neglected people. They are capable of every noble feeling of our nature to a high degree: of the warmest affection, tenderness, and gratitude. The children are sprightly, and sagacious, and, on many subjects, discover an excellent judgment. The sacrament of the Lord's supper was administered the day after we arrived, it being the Sabbath. The congregation contained more than one hundred; they behaved with great decorum. Father Hoyt presented the little Osage captive, whom he has adopted, for baptism. He was called John Osage Ross. ISAAC ANDERSON, MATTHEW DONALD, WILLIAM EAGLETON. ADDRESS OF THE PRUDENTIAL COMMITTEE OF THE AMERICAN BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS. To all Societies of every name, Auxiliary to the Board, and all Patrons, Benefactors, and Friends. RESPECTED AND BELOVED, Two years have passed away, since last we had the pleasure of addressing you. It has not however been a vacant interval; nor has there been a suspension of reciprocal communications, serving, we trust, to quicken affectionate remembran-· ces, and to strengthen and freshen a union as important in its object, as it is sacred in its principle and benignant in its influence. We have been in the course of receiving from you most cheering proofs of your Christian confidence-in the means continually supplied to us for prosecuting the great design so dear both to your hearts and ours; and you have been receiving from us, in official notes and in our stated and occasional publications, such returns as we have been able to make for your liberality, and such accounts as we have been able to give, of what we have done or attempted, and with what success, for the fulfilment of your benevolent desires, and the promotion of the momentous work, in which benevolence on earth is united with the mercy of Heaven. We are happy in the persuasion, that the connexion has not abated in strength, nor declined in cordiality. On our part-though amid the constantly recurring and perpetually multiplying cares and labors with which our minds and hands are filled, we may seem to be wanting in particular attention-yet our hearts tell us that we have reasons of inexpressible interest and tenderness and sacredness never to be forgetful of the auxiliaries and friends of the Board, without whose aid its extended operations must stop and its brightening prospects be covered with darkness. And most gladly do we avail ourselves of this opportunity to express, as we are authorized to do, that the Board has a profound sense of the candor, confidence and liberality which it has experienced from the general body of Christians of different denominations, and from the community extensively in its various classes; and anew to present in its behalf most sincere thanks to the officers and meinbers of its auxiliary Societies, male and female, adult and juvenile, of every sort and name, to Ministers, churches and Congregations,-to the Teachers of schools and their Pupils,-to all our Friends and Helpers, associated and unassociated, for the donations, contributions and benefactions received from them, and for their friendly exertions and influence by which our hands have been strengthened and our hearts encouraged. It is indeed a joint concern of unspeakable interest. It is a community of feeling and of action for an object, with which no other on earth can be compared; a community in which the mind perceives its connexion with a world and with a universe of beings, and the heart expands with desires for the good of millions. Andto every one engaged in it, or seeking its prosperity, we would devoutly say, The Lord that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion. If two years ago, Beloved Friends, we had many reasons for mutual congratulation and united thankfulness,we have now many more. Then, in the eighth year of its existence, the Board could number about three hundred Societies of different orders and names, engaged for its support in annual contributions for its various objects; now, in its tenth year, it has more than five hundred. Then we had twelve missionary men and ten women engaged in the service for life, and sent out to several stations in unevangelized lands-five at Bombay and five on their way thither-seven at Ceylon-and five in the Cherokee Nation:-now we have thirty eight men and thirty three women-ten at Bombay-fourteen in Ceylon*-fourteen in the Cherokee Nation-nine in the Choctaw Nation-five on their way to the Arkansaw-seventeen to the Sandwich Islands-and two to Palestine: and several more under our direction waiting to be sent out. Then we had nine or ten schools in India, for the education of Heathen and Jewish youth and children, comprising three or four hundred pupils; and one school in the Cherokee Nation consisting of about twenty five. Now we have in India more than forty schools, with from two to three thousand pupils in the Cherokee Nation one school of about eighty, and another just commencing-and in the Choctaw Nation one of about sixty pupils. Then our Foreign Mission School in Connecticut, for educating Heathen Youths from various nations, to be employed in the work of civilizing and evangelizing the people of their respective countries, was in its infancy: now four of its once heathen pupils are returning with the Mission to their native Sandwich Islands, and twenty eight more are receiving the benefits of its secular and sacred instructions. At the several stations actually occupied, our missionaries have an open door; have obtained confidence and favor with the rulers and the people; are continually advancing in their work and extending their operations. At Bombay they have made progress in translating the Scriptures into a language spoken by as many millions of people as are comprised in our American Union; have put their press into active operation; have printed large editions of portions of the Scriptures and several other books and tracts; and are in the course of making excursions and circuits for visiting their schools and establishing new ones, dispersing extensively the products of their press by gratuitous distributions, and testifying If those who went out last June have arrived there, and none besides the lamented Mr. Warren have been removed by death. |