heathen; his animating appeals to the liberality, and to the kind and generous feelings of the Christian public; his convincing representations of the ability of the American churches, to take a vi gorous and active part in the noblest of all charities; his earnest exhortations to the performance of acknowledged duties; and his easy and gentle, but complete, refutation of common objections, place him among the ablest and most successful advocates of missions. No man of discernment, who admits the Gospel to be a remedial system, intended for the salvation of mankind, can read the reports and addresses, which proceeded from his pen, without a full conviction, that the claims of the heathen world upon Christendom are irresistible. Your Committee cannot refrain from expressing their deep sense of the great and peculiar loss, which they have experienced by this painful bereavement. They had long enjoyed the most unreserved intimacy with the deceased. In numerous consultations, of a very solemn and sacred character, they had witnessed his uncommon industry, his superior judgment, and his fidelity in the service of his Divine Master. Uniformly kind, obliging, and respectful to his brethren of the Committee, he secured their cordial attachment; and, in the lapse of years, the affectionate interchange of thoughts and feelings ripened into the tenderest personal friendship. An intercourse thus formed, and thus cemented, could not be suddenly broken off, without tearing asunder some of the strongest ligaments, which bind the hearts of men together. The Committee doubt not they shall receive the condolence of their brethren on this severe affliction. Indeed many assurances of heartfelt sympathy have already been communicated, from respected friends of missions in different and remote parts of our country, who were not acquainted with the man whose memory they revere, except by his public character and his benevolent labours. The Committee in their turn, and in unison with the feelings of the Christian public generally, condole with the afflicted family, from which its earthly support, and counsellor, and guide, has been suddenly removed. But the family and all other survivors, have great and heavenly consolations, while they contemplate the bright example and the favoured exit of our departed friend and brother. He is not dead, but translated to a new and glorious life. As his earthly tabernacle was about to be dissolved, his love for the cause of Christ became more intense, his piety more elevated, his trust in God unshaken. He neither lived to himself nor died to himself. His life was a series of beneficent actions, begun from principle, pursued with ardour, and completed with holy triumph. His removal was in strict accordance with his progressive advancement in holiness, -a seemly continuation of the same uniform history ;-the links, which connect the heavenly state with this vale of tears, shining with peculiar lustre. Though our dull organs of sense will never again hear his voice, or see his revered form, yet he speaks to us from heaven, in language which cannot be misunderstood. He urges us to self-denial, to activity, to diligence, to resolution, to perseverance, in our exertions to make known the name of our Saviour among the heathen nations. He admonishes us, that few will be the years, in which we can enjoy the honour and the privilege of serving our Lord, by our humble agency in causing his Gospel to be proclaimed; that the necessities of a world groaning under the dominion of sin are imperious, and must not be deferred; and that the command of our ascended Redeemer cannot be treated with indifference, especially in this day of increased means, of powerful encouragements, of divine attestations to the efficacy of the Gospel among the most depraved and barbarous of our He assures us, that if, distrusting ourselves, and relying upon the all-sufficiency of God, we faithfully discharge our known duty, we cannot fail of an race. eventual triumph, and an eternal reward. Let us then, brethren, listen to this monitory voice. Let us gird ourselves for unwearied labour. Let us follow the banners of the great Captain of salvation; and, however feeble in our selves, let us expect ultimately to prevail through divine power, and to share, with all the marshalled hosts of the Lord, in that great victory over sin and Satan, which shall be celebrated in the regions of light, by songs of everlasting joy and praise. Home Proceedings; UNITED FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. SINCE our last publication, we have received Letters from the Superintendent of the Union Mission to the 28th of September, and a copy of the Journal from the 29th of May to the 1st of September, inclusive. Extracts of the former will be found in the present number; but as these communications were not received before the matter for this number was principally arranged, we are obliged to reserve the Journal for our next. Several of the family and a number of their hired men were attacked with fever, during the heat of summer. In consequence of their sickness, they have not made as great progress in their various improvements, as they had expected. Still, they have cut and stacked twenty tons of hay, erected a number of log buildings which were deemed indispensable, and made some preparations for the permanent Mission house. Among the buildings put up during the summer, they mention, a lodging room for their hired men, a storehouse, a kitchen, and a schoolhouse. The Journal mentions, that they had already received a few of the Indian children into the family and the school. The friends of the Mission will rejoice to learn, that hostilities between the Osages and Cherokee's are still suspended, and that there is ground to hope that the misunderstanding between the two nations may soon be amicably adjusted. The Letters announce the marriage of Mr. Fuller, of the Union Mission, to Miss Howell, of the Great Osage Mission. From the Great Osage Mission, we have received no official communications during the last three months. In the Boston Recorder of the 10th and 24th ult. we find Extracts of Letters from several members of the family, which will be inserted. A Letter from the Rev. Mr. Harris, of the Seneca Mission, announces his safe arrival at his station, after a pleasant journey of six days from this city. UNION MISSION. Rev. Mr. Vaill to the Domestic Sec't'y. Very Dear Sir, to write to the Board. From the Journal, you will perceive, that we have been visited, the summer past, with sickness. Doctor Palmer is now quite ill, and has been so, for a week or more. Of seven hired men, not more than three or four are able to help us, We have found the rest being unwell. Our business has, consequently, moved on with less rapidity. Were the Board on the ground, I think they would not hesitate to acknowledge, that we have hitherto, laboured under many embarrassments. The idea of erecting mills and permanent houses in a year, we find preposterous. We have to break cattle to the yoke, and to make other preparations. Brother Woodruff has not been able to work in the shop for more than two months. Mr. Ransom has had the necessary blacksmith work to do, and coal to burn. One building after another has been necessary. a lodging-room indispensable for the hands; then a school, a kitchen, a joiner's shop, &c. &c. Considering how far we have to go for logs, and puncheons, it cannot be expected that a log building can be finished in a week. The difficulty of finding sawyers, also retards the building of the large house contemplated, Suffice it to say, we have, at great labour, obtained the timber, and should have had enough for the boards, had we not lost some of the best, by a sudden rise in the river. We have dug the cellar, and drawn part of the stone. Mr. Ransom, our millwright, has had an invitation to a station in the Southern States; but he says he will not, at any rate, leave us the present year. We intend to commence our Mills this fall, but know not yet where to set them. Grand River is too rapid in high water, and in low water it will not answer the purpose. Besides, it is too wide for a mill-dam. The creeks have water but a small part of the year, except Spring Creek which is on the other side of the river, and very inconveniently situated. I freely make known to the Board these things, that they may know how to appreciate our progress. That we all feel an anxiety, and use our best endeavours, to hasten on the work, I hope the Board will never have occasion to doubt. With respect to the Females I only have to state, that no Missionary Sisters in any establishment could be more industrious. But their health is slender and they need assistance. We should have hired help, ere this, if we could have found it. The providential interposition in the marriage of brother Fuller with sister Howell of the Harmony Station, will no doubt afford relief. We believe the Board will sanction the measure, and transfer sister Fuller to this Station. Brother Chapman has not yet returned. Brother Fuller has reached here, and returned to his wife and company, who were left unwell about fifty miles distant. The war is not yet ended. Still our peace has not been invaded, for we have dwelt in safety. I shall not have room to detail the measures, that are now taking for peace. The Osages have set out on another hunt. They have agreed to suspend hostilities for the present. I hope the next time I write, I may be able to announce the restoration of peace. But, the Osages on the Arkansas greatly need an Agent. They think they have been neglected, and we believe they have reason think so. They are a numerous and powerful part of the Nation. No village is so large as this. By a late estimation, it contains more than twice the number of any other. We strongly hope that Congress will attend to their wants the next session. to We have received two letters from the Board, the last dated in July. Also the Missionary Register to the eleventh number inclusive. All the reports, which you have announced as forwarded, have been received. It would be as easy to send our journal once a month, as less frequently, if we had opportunity. Sometimes, however, more than three months pass, in which no letters can be sent away. We have not a sweeter pleasure than in communicating with the Board. But we live at a great distance from a Post-Office. Should a Mail be established through this Country, it would essentially alter our circumstances. In that case, letters might arrive in New-York, by the time they now reach the first Post-Of fice, for we have known them to lie at Fort Smith a month or six weeks. Dear Sir, We feel thankful to the God of all Grace, that we have been enabled to do our duty in such a manner as to enjoy "the continued and increasing confidence of the Board." We feel ourselves devoted to the work, and if we at any time err in our measures, it will be an error of judgment. Our resolution is unabated. We have no other work to do, than to fulfil the designs of the Board. And since these are the noblest possible, it is enough for us to inquire, What will they have us to do. While we bless God, for the grace given to us, we give him praise for all that he has enabled the Board to execute in fulfilling the revealed will of Christ. The God of mercy, be with the beloved Board, and with all the friends and helpers in the cause. May the work prosper till Christ shall reign from sea to sea. Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name for ever and ever; and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. September 9.-Brother Chapman and his companions, returned on Thursday, after a most fatiguing and distressing journey from Harmony. They were detained several days on their way, by sickness and by rain; and on the last night, they slept in the rain, on the cold ground, without fire or food. Brother September 28.-I would suggest the propriety of sending out to this station one or two families next spring-a farmer and a mason, with their wives. We need another farmer. This department is too extensive for one. Fuller needs help, and he needs a skilful, active, thorough farmer, like brother Newton, of Harmony. A good mason cannot be found in this country. By such an addition, our sisters will be relieved. They are too feeble for their work-do think of them. May God direct you, Dear Sir, and bless your endeavours to promote his glory. O, may the kingdom of Christ be built up in this land! 223 In behalf of the Mission Family, I Mr. Redfield to his friend in this city. Two of your letters, a few days ago, The Osages, during the most of the summer, have been absent from their town, following the chase. Game about home being scarce, they hunt at a distance. They move from home in a body, men, women, and children, leaving none behind. Wanderers, indeed, upon the mountains, without a shepherd. They know of no other way. They have never been taught. Hurry of business has prevented my paying a visit to the village till within a few weeks. On entering, I was conducted to Clamore's lodge. After skaking hands with the chief I was seated upon a bear's skin, and some refreshments were brought without delay. I had scarcely turned from eating, when I was invited to another lodge, and thus kept in motion most of the afternoon. In this way they show their hospitality to those whom they respect. In case you refuse to eat, they will be offended; yet the smallest quantity will satisfy them. I was awaked in the morning by the cries of the Osages, in every direction, to the Great Spirit. I walked out, with my interpreter, to see them and to know what they said. Their prayers appeared to be, that their enemies might be subdued, and that they might triumph over them. I was informed that they always pray for that which concerns them most at the time. In the midst of their prayers, they black their faces, but wash again before they eat. Miserable, pitiable people; merciless worshippers: they receive not, because they ask amiss. Let this, dear brother, lead us to prize the blessed privilege which we enjoy, of having a throne of grace to address, and a Saviour's merits to plead. The war between the Osages and Cherokees, has not yet terminated.Things are shaping favourably. Government is interfering, and we are greatly in hopes of peace soon. We have come far short of forwarding business agreeably to our calculations; but disappointments and trials are the common lot of missionaries. Since the first of August, it has been sickly among us. Part of the hands have been unable to labour from that time to the present. Most of the brethren have been down. I had a slight turn, and was kept from work about three weeks. The heat, during the months of August and September, has been excessive. The thermometer has generally stood from 95 to 100, and some days at 102. We feel that we have come far short of answering the expectations of the Board; and of the Christian public. Misfortunes have appeared in every direction, to mark our course. We have now, however, in addition to our five rooms, a schoolhouse 18 feet square; a warehouse 20 by 24; a room for the hired hands 18 by 20; and a kitchen 24 feet square. To three of these we have chimneys yet to build. We shall, probably, soon commence upon the mill. We trust that we are not cast down, nor do we faint under discouragements. We rejoice at the prosperity of the Board that the Christian world is becoming more and more awake to the interests of Zion. Surely the winter is fast passing away; the spring is making its appearance. The cause is the Lord's, and he is now saying to Christians "Take down thy long neglected harp, I can assure you, I feel more and more engaged in the glorious work. I feel more and more like spending and being spent. Oh! who can sleep in so great a harvest, where there are so few labourers. Christians have done much, but can they not render further aid? Thousands and thousands of souls, between us and the rocky mountains, are perishing without the light of the gospel. Pray-Oh pray for them-pray for the Union Mission. Pray for the heathen throughout the world. GREAT OSAGE MISSION. Mr. Sprague to his friends in Massachusells Communicated for the Recorder. Several interesting letters have been received from the members of the Great Osage Mission Family since their arrival. Mr. OTIS SPRAGUE has written to his friend in Leicester, under several dates, confirming not only the pleasing circumstance of their cordial reception among the Osages, but that appearances look favourable that schools will soon be established to instruct their children, in civil, moral, and religious duties. Their greatest affliction is, that the feverand-ague incapacitates the company from going on so rapidly in building their huts, work-shops, mill-seats, &c. as is desirable. In speaking of the work before them, Mr. Sprague observes :-- "Have I filled my time with usefulness? To remember to ask this question daily, yea, hourly, and to answer it properly, I ought to plead earnestly, and in the spirit. This is necessary, in order that a Missionary should enjoy the presence and influence of the Holy Spirit. It is painful to reflect on the condition of the Indians to whom we have come. The moon they call heaven, to which all are going at death. The sun they call the Great Spirit, which governs the moon and earth. When asked, "Where do the bad white men go?" they answer, "to the moon." Shall nothing be done for these poor sons of the forest? Christians plead for the upbuilding of Christ's kingdom. Should this be all? They also pray for seed time and harvest: But do they neglect to sow and reap? Then, if we pray for a thing, we ought, in some way, to put our hand to the work we desire should be accomplished. |