ment in any thing that is good. We find much more difficulty, generally, in Managing such scholars, than those who have lived wholly among the Choctaws. Spent a season of religious worship preparatory to the solemnities of the approaching Sabbath. 30. Two lads joined the school, one about 16, the other about 14 years old. Received an interesting packet of letters, among which was one from the Treasurer:-also one from Mr. William Slocumb, Marietta, Ohio, and two from females in Charleston, S. C., containing the most encouraging information relative to the interest excited in behalf of this mission, and the willingness of many to contribute to its support. We daily experience the truth of that gracious promise of our Lord, “Lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." In the season of our greatest discouragements, we experience the most precious consolations. May our friends and benefactors ever pray, that our faith fail not. 31. Had the privilege of cotning around the table of our Lord, to commemorate his dying love. It gave us cordial pleasure to meet in this land of darkness even a solitary disciple of the Lord Jesus. This was a black man, formerly a member of the Baptist church in Savannah, Geo. under the care of the Rev. George Sweet. The Indians and blacks all say, he must be a good man. We could not but admire this testimony of heathens to the excellence of Christianity. Indeed, he carries evidence, wherever he goes, that he is a child of God. He has been sold from place to place, and is now owned by a half-breed, about two miles from us. 3. A lad of about seventeen joined the school. Sabbath 7. Read the third of Williston's sermons on the Sabbath. The people were attentive. O that we felt more of the power of divine truth. 9. Business meeting. Resolved, that the report written by brother Kingsbury be forwarded to the Secretary of War. Resolved, that we buy a boat, or half of one, as soon as practicable. 11. Two of our large scholars were at play, when one of them gave the other a severe blow with his foot on the stomach. The effects which followed were alarming. Warm fomentations were immediately applied, and by the blessing of God the alarming symptoms were soon removed. The blow was evidently not the result of anger, but of carelessness. We have more than fifty children in our school and family, who eat and sleep together, work together and play together, and yet we have never witnessed a quarrel among them; and very seldom even an angry word, or any difficulty, which required our interference. 12. Four more children were brought for admission into the school. Such applications had become frequent of late, and we considered it our duty to resolve on taking no more, except those to whom we had given previous encouragement. Some of those brought to-day were not of that number; but parents, in one or two instances, whose children we had engaged to take, proposed to keep them back awhile, if we would take these. O, could some of the dear people of God know how much we need their help here, and could some, who have more than heart can wish, know our wants, we should not be necessitated to turn away so many of these benighted children, who are crying to us for instruction. 13. Forwarded a letter to the Treasurer, and another to Mr. Slocumb, Marietta, accompanied by an account of the present state and future prospects of this mission, and an address to the pious and benevolent in that vicinity, requesting them to aid us in our work, by sending supplies of provisions, which we have been induced to believe they would cheerfully do, if a feasible plan were proposed. Sabbath 14. About an hundred, including the scholars and our own family, usually attend public worship. Finished reading Williston's discourses on the Sabbath. Have found them plain, practical, and instructive, and hope the reading of them will be followed by a divine blessing. 15. Had an opportunity of proving the attachment of one of the scholars to the school. A girl of nineteen, or twenty, has lately received the attentions of a young Indian, with whose conduct we were by no means pleased, and whom we thought very unsuitable for her partner. Her parents are our neighbors, but at the present are absent from home. We have been informed that they were not in favor of the connexion. In such a case, we deemed it our duty to interfere, and state plainly to her, that it was improper for the female scholars, while at school, to receive the attentions of any person, particularly one of his character, that, if she persisted, she must leave school. She replied, that she could not think of leaving the school; that she would discard him wholly; and to make i the more effectual, she would not go home on Saturday, as formerly. 17. This morning one of our dogs showed signs of madness, and bit several hogs and another dog. We immediately shot it, and also the other, that was bitten. We regret the loss of these animals, as they are very serviceable in keeping the wolves and other wild beasts from destroying our stock. It is remarkable, that canine madness has prevailed of late, so far as we have heard, in all parts of the United States. Mad dogs have been as common in the Choctaw nation this season, as in Philadelphia or New York. Meeting for business. Resolved, that the resolution, in regard to taking no more scholars than were then on the list, passed Oct. 26th, be rescinded, and that we take the two girls brought to day. 18. A caravan of seventeen half breeds, besides a number of women and children, arrived and encamped near the mission. Their intention is, to form a settlement near the Yazoo, above its junction with the Yalo Busha, and about 15 or 20 miles north of this place. There are yet no settlements in that part of the country. They have with them about thirty horses, nearly half of them packed with provisions, kettles, farming tools, &c. It is interesting to see these people, removing into the wilderness, for the purpose of engaging in agricultural pursuits. They stopped to get their tools repaired at our smith's shop. The Indians say, they do not know what they should do, if brother Fisk should go away. In the evening had an exhibition of the school, at which all our visitors were present. The children sung several hymns, and the opportunity was seized to make such remarks to the children, and those present, as were fitted to be useful. The spacious school room, hung round with Lancasterian lessons, was well lighted up, which, with the order and decorum of the scholars and the melody of their voices, produced the most pleasing emotions, and led us for a moment to forget that we were in a heathen land. A recollection of the contrast, between the present situation of these children, and what it was six months ago, called forth our liveliest gratitude to Him, who caused the light to shine out of darkness, and who is now, through the instrumentality of the Gospel, causing the wilderness and solitary place to bud and blossom as the rose. One of our Indian visitors observed, that he should not be tired of sitting there all night. 19. This morning the Indians are preparing to move on their journey. A sprightly half-breed girl about thirteen, earnestly requested that she might be received into the school. When we told her that we could take no more than we had, and some who were engaged; she wept much. Her friends, to pacify her, told her that she had no suitable clothes, and therefore could not stay. She replied, that she had one cow, which her father had given her, and she would sell that, and get some, if we would take her. Her intreaties affected our hearts. We had already enlarged our school beyond our means of support: our female help was feeble,—and we had resolved to take no more scholars: but when we see children so anxious to come where they can receive an education, and enjoy religious instruction, we believe the Lord will enable us to provide for them. We resolved to take the girl, and to keep her till we were under the necessity of sending her home. Her uncle, a half-breed, said, we might charge to him the clothes and blankets we got for her, and he would pay for them. Friends of man and the Redeemer! have you no bowels of mercies for this people? Will you hear them plead for help and not help them? Two other girls, who joined the school a few days since, cried at the same time to go with some of their people who were in the company, but their friends would not permit them. These are the first children who have exhibited even a wish to leave the school, and they will no doubt become attached to it in a few days more. 22. A half-breed Chief, who has a son in our school, tarried with us all night. We questioned him to ascertain what were his ideas respecting the creation of the world, and several other truths recorded in the Bible. He said the red peo ple knew nothing about these things, and then told us what he had understood from the whites; said he had been an orphan from a small boy; that his father who was a white man, would perhaps have taught him, had he lived;—that he now wished to learn these things, and had therefore sent his son to school. We asked him, if this part of the nation would make an annual appropriation of two thousand dollars for the benefit of this school, as the lower towns had done, for one in their district. He said he had been trying all summer to do something for the school; that there was a council appointed some time since for settling the business, but that the whiskey kegs spoiled it. He had hopes that something would be done in the course of the winter. Received an interesting letter from Dr. Worcester, and another from Father Hoyt. 23. Brother Kingsbury left Elliot to day, for the purpose of making arrangements, relative to the establishments about to be formed in the lower towns. December 3. A laborer, whom we hired a few days since, cut his knee badly with an axe. He will probably be unable to labor during several weeks. 4. Some of our larger scholars have of late manifested some discontent with the regulations of the school, particularly in respect to labor. But it is a great satisfaction to us, that they receive no support from their parents, or the people generally; and their complaints do not appear to excite any discontent among the other scholars. 7. Brother K. returned in good health. In the northeast district or lower towns, he met Capt. Folsom, who was authorized by the chiefs to make arrangements relative to establishing a school in that district. The result of this interview was communicated in a letter to the Corresponding Secretary, dated Dec. 4th. It has inspired us with fresh courage, hope, and zeal. Two thousand dollars a year, for seventeen years, has been put at the disposal of the Board by the natives to aid in establishing the new school; and encouragement has been given of more aid hereafter. We deeply lament, that we are obliged, by want of help, to postpone for the present, commencing the new establishment. Brother K. preached three times during his absence. The audiences were small, but generally attentive. The people, every where appeared anxious to have their children instructed. Some, who were well informed, said, there were a thousand children in the nation ready to come to school, if they could be received; and that many of their parents would contribute towards their support. During this journey brother K. met with the chief of the Chickasaw Haytown, one of the most distant parts of the nation. He was on his way to Elliot with a little boy of mixed blood, belonging to his town, whom he wished to place in the school. In answer to some remarks, designed to show the importance of the Indians' becoming civilized and industrious, he replied, that his part of the nation had been in great ignorance; that it was not until lately, that they had received any good advice on these subjects; but that now he should use his exertions to have them change their mode of living. Dec. 8. As there is no prospect of a conveyance by water soon to this place, we this morning sent two packhorses to the Walnut Hills, for the purpose of bringing some articles we have ordered to be sent there from Natchez, and also a box of clothing which had been forwarded from Marietta, for the use of this school. 11. A full blooded Choctaw lad 14 years old arrived to-day. He had come about 250 miles for the purpose of attending school. He is an interesting youth; previous to coming he had expressed his entire willingness to submit to the du ties and discipline of the school and family. 12. One of our laborers left us several days since, and another to-day. Our faith is much tried on account of help. The weather is fine for business, but we can make no preparations for other buildings, or for next year's crop, for want of help. The natives generally expect that the school will be considerably enlarged in the spring. We will still trust in the Lord, who does all things well. We would acknowledge his gracious providence in the many mercies we enjoy. Our numerous family have for some time past enjoyed remarkably good health. 14. Meeting for business, Resolved, that brother Jewell take a journey to the road to obtain the loan of some money:-that we unite with our neighbors in paying two dollars a head for wolves killed in the neighborhood:-that the brethren and sisters, under whose care the scholars are placed keep regular bills of the manner in which they perform their work, and of their general conduct: that these bills be examined on Wednesday evening: and that a ticket worth 124 cents be given to the one in each class, who is most deserving, and that other tickets worth six cents, and three cents be given to others as they respectively deserve. Resolved, that we have plank sawn, and other preparations made, for the new establishment. VOL. XVI. 41 18. The man, who for several months has been employed much to our satisfaction in the kitchen, quit work to go on a journey of business to Ohio. The question has often been asked in the family, how the heavy work in the kitchen would be done during his absence, and we have been afraid to enlarge our school on this account; but the event has shown, that our fears were unnecessary. Sister A. V. Williams, who has been for some time feeble, is now able to render important aid in this business, and the female scholars make up the deficiency of hired help. There are thirteen girls belonging to the school. These are divided into two companies, each of which alternately assist, while out of school, in the dining room and kitchen. They perform their duties with despatch and neatness which are truly pleasing. The two companies are emulous to excel. Some idea of the labor in our kitchen may be formed from the following schedule of articles cooked in one week, and which may be considered a fair specimen of every week's work. Five hundred pounds of beef, 14 bushels of potatoes, 40 large loaves of bread or puddings to make up the deficiency, 200 gallons of tomfullah,* 60 gallons of weak coffee, three pecks of beans and peas besides other small articles. One company of the girls when out of school, and not engaged in the kitchen, assist in washing for the family; in sewing, knitting, spinning, &c. Friends of Indian civilization have great reason for being encouraged by their improvement. Sabbath 19. Worship as usual. But few present besides our family. 20. Brother Jewell left Elliot to go on a journey of sixty or eighty miles for the purpose of borrowing some money. 22. We were much interested with the report of the good conduct and labor of the boys the past week. They are divided into companies according to their strength and ability to labor. The cases of industry, good conduct, and application to study, were far more numerous than those in which they had been faulty. 24. The man, who went to the Walnut Hills with our horses, has returned without the articles for which he went; a fruitless journey of about 300 miles out and in, for a few articles of clothing and other necessaries. This is one instance among many, of the disappointments and difficulties attending a new establishment in this country, and shows the importance of having a regular supply of those articles which are necessary in so large a family. Many of the children are very destitute of clothes, and it is impossible to procure them in this country. The weather is now cold and uncomfortable. Many of the parents would be glad to purchase shoes for their children, but they are not to be had at any price. 25. This has been a broken week with respect to business and the school. Christmas is a great day among the Choctaws. They visit their friends, have frolics, and get drunk. All this they have learned by their intercourse with the civilized part of the world. Had religious worship. Explained some of the reagons we have to rejoice on this day, and the manner in which this joy should be expressed. A black man in this neighborhood gives reason to hope, that he has been brought to love the Lord Jesus Christ, and to choose him for his everlasting portion. 26. Three more scholars came to-day. These make our number sixty. We 27. We find our situation much improved this winter beyond that of the last, with respect to provisions. Our plantation was then entirely a wilderness; but it has yielded us a rich harvest. Besides several hundred bushels of corn and potatoes, we have gathered about thirty bushels of peas, and twelve or fifteen of white beans. These last contribute not less to health than to comfort. have no doubt, that the feeble health of our family last winter was occasioned by a deficiency of vegetable diet. We would recommend this subject particularly to the consideration of missionaries going into the western country, and refer them to the very able and excellent report made to the Secretary of War, by the Surgeon General of the army of the United States, respecting the component parts of the soldiers' rations. The subject applies, in all its force, to missionaries in uncivilized countries. With respect to the peas, we find them an excellent substitute for coffee, when united with it in equal parts. On this account they are a great saving of expense to the mission. A nutritious and pleasant broth, or porridge, made of pounded corn, which constitutes the supper of most of the mission family, and a part of the breakfast for the children. See National Intelligencer of Oct, 23. 28. Brother Jewell returned, and brought the joyful intelligence, that the brethren and sisters with their little ones, who were on their way to the Arkansaw, were within a few days journey of Elliot, all in good health. Brother J. succeeded in obtaining the money for a short time, that we particularly needed. As brother J. was under the necessity of returning immediately, he left one of our hired men to assist the brethren and conduct them through the wilderness. We regard it as a favorable providence that he was on a journey at this time, in a direction to meet them, and to render them important assistance during the remainder of the journey. 29. Brother Williams, with a hired man and one of the scholars started this morning to meet the brethren, and to assist them on their journey. The weather is very cold, their waggons are heavily laden, and the way is very bad. We apprehend they will find much difficulty in reaching Elliot. 30. Yesterday proved very stormy. Began with rain and ended with snow, which is nearly four inches deep and very cold. The thermometer at 19°. A sled would run well here to day. We feel much for our brethren and sisters with their little ones, who will be obliged to lodge in the wilderness. The school, which was commenced in April last with 10 scholars, now consists of 60. Sixteen can read with a good degree of correctness in the Bible. Others are in various stages of improvement, from the syllables of two letters to easy reading lessons. Two, who six months ago began the alphabet, and were ignorant of our language, are now among the number who read in the Bible. The improvement of all the scholars is very encouraging. DONATIONS TO THE MASSACHUSETTS MISSIONARY SOCIETY, from June 21, 1819, to June 13, 1820. Braintree, Contribution in the Rev. R. S. Storrs's society, May 30, 1820, Abington, a contribution in 3d parish, by the Rev. Samuel Colburn, $9 17 Abington and Bridgewater, part of a contribution in the Rev. Daniel Thomas's soc. 20 78 25 72. Beverly, Collection in 3d congreg. society, by the Rev. D. Oliphant, 17 43 70 20 00 16 36 Contribution in the Rev. Dr. Parish's congregation, Danvers, (South parish,) Contribution, by the Rev. Samuel Walker, Female Benevolent Society, Byfield, Female Cent Society, Carlisle, Contribution (in part) in the Rev. Paul Litchfield's congregation, Franklin, Female Cent Society, A contribution, transmitted by Rev. Mr. Ide, Holliston, Female Charitable Society, by Rev. J. Wheaton, Middleborough, Contribution from the 1st parish, 6 00-14 00 Newburyport, Contribution in the Rev. Mr. Dimmick's congreg. by S. Tenney, Esq. 47 33 North Bridgewater, Daniel Howard, Esq. Phillipston, Part of a legacy bequeathed by the late Mrs. Mary. Osborn, paid by J. Estabrook and Stephen Batchelder, jun. Esqrs. Executors, Putnam, (Me.) Individuals, by the Rev. Daniel Lovejoy, Randolph, Mr. Thomas Wales, Reading, Mr. John Damon, 70 00 10 00 5.00 700 00 9.00 5.00 7.00 |