We have received much instruction and comfort from them. We cannot judge of the translation, because we speak but one language. But we know it is pure, strong Cherokee." The circulation of the Cherokee testament has in some cases disarmed prejudice, and opened the way to the oral dispensation of the gospel. "I have known aged Cherokees," says one," who would not go to hear the gospel preached until some friend had put the printed word into their hands. They have read and then come to hear, have invited the minister home with them, taken up their Cherokee testament, and asked the minister to explain to them. And the next time the cheering news would be, Behold, he prayeth."" Meetings for religious worship have generally been well attended, and with encouraging tokens of interest. The native preachers are often invited to new places, which they have not time to visit. Interesting meetings have been held on Illinois river, and there is an earnest desire to hear the gospel along the banks of the Arkansas, "a region of great spiritual destitution and darkness." On Grand river by urgent invitation a meeting was held, attended by Cherokees and Creeks, some of the latter from a distance of forty miles. "The hearts of the brethren were greatly rejoiced and strengthened by the interview, receiving explanations of many portions of Scripture, and instruction in the management of their church affairs. Many persons also came up for prayers, greatly affected with a view of the opposition of heart which they had cherished toward God." The native preachers, although a small band, are "holy and faithful men, bound together by cords of love, and therefore strong for the work of the Lord." The school taught by Mr. Upham, and chiefly supported by the nation, is in a flourishing condition. It holds rank with district schools in New England. Number of pupils, male and female, ninetysix. Some of the late pupils have been advanced to higher seminaries, and seven others are qualified to enter them. The Cherokees appreciate the advantages of education more and more, and the Educational Convention, formed by themselves and holding semiannual meetings at the seat of government (Tahlequah), is doing a good work. The mission speak of the prevalence of sickness the past year. A large number of native brethren and sisters have been called to their eternal rest, among others an early convert, the wife of Oganaya, whose closing scenes were filled with peace and joy. Our veteran br. Jones has experienced several severe attacks of illness, after an almost uninterrupted period of health of thirty years." Slaveholding separated from the Mission Churches.-It was stated in our last report, that correspondence had been opened with the mission in reference to its relations to slaveholding; four individuals, members of churches, being slaveholders. The last communication received, dated in March, announces that "slaveholding has been separated from all our churches." "I trust," adds Mr. Jones, "that our brethren will *The mission speak also, with deep feeling, of the decease of one of the early missionaries of the A. B. C. F. M., Rev. D. S. Buttrick, on the 8th of June, 1851. "Having been blessed," says Mr. Jones, "with his intimate acquaintance and witnessed his heavenly example for nearly thirty years, I cannot but mourn the loss I have sustained by his death; though it is a mourning mingled with the liveliest and most assured hope." It is gratifying to know that the measures adopted by the mission for the evangelization of the full Cherokees, met with his hearty approval. "No one was better acquainted with them, and few if any were better qualified to judge of their adaptedness and of their results." unite with us in thanksgiving for our deliverance from so great an evil. And I trust also that our more ardent friends will not make any vainglorious parade about it; for there is no glory due to any one but God, whose wise and gracious providence has brought the whole thing to pass." RECAPITULATION. The number of missions prosecuted under direction of the Board, not including the one to Ava, is eighteen, embracing eighty-three stations and one hundred and four outstations, besides three hundred and fifty places of stated preaching in Germany and France. Connected with the missions are fifty-seven missionaries, of whom fifty-two are preachers, and there are fifty-nine female assistants. Two missionaries and two female assistants have died, besides one missionary under appointment, and two female assistants have joined the missions. The number of native preachers and assistants is one hundred and ninetyseven; total of missionaries and assistants connected with the missions, three hundred and thirteen. Ten missionaries and female assistants are under appointment. There are one hundred and eighty churches, having a membership of 13,733, of whom were added by baptism the past year, 1,280. The number of schools is seventy-nine, including four for native preachers, one normal, and sixteen boarding schools; with about 1,700 pupils. The number of pages printed in three of the missions, Maulmain, Tavoy and Assam, was 4,392,300. Beside those of Rangoon district. † Including theol. and normal. Tab. view not rec'd. Including one Bur. church. 150 places for stated preaching. 292 places for sta. preachi'g. 180 1,280 13,733 20 594 58 946 79 1,684 4,392,300 REPORT OF THE TREASURER. EXPENDITURES OF THE UNION FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 1852. Passage of Mrs. Judson and family to this country, in part, 600 00 Outfit of Mr. Bixby,... do. 215 00 $17,989 26 Tavoy Mission. Remittances, drafts, and purchases, Arracan Missions. Remittances, drafts, and purchases,... Outfit and passage of Mr. Ingalls and family to Akyab, · Mission to Ava. Remittances and payments,. Remittances, drafts, and purchases, 10,380 39 6,660 52 ... 446 67 1,121 57 11,948 63 2,592 19 Assam Mission. 8,268 73 8,668 73 Expenses of Mrs. Barker in this country, Teloogoo Mission. Remittances and payments,.· Expenses of Mr. Van Husen and family in this country,· 2,351 47 2,641 47 Siam Mission. Remittances and drafts,.. Expense of the Foreign Secretary's visit to France, in part, 7,768 35 7,990 30 Drafts and purchases, (balance defrayed by U. S. appropriations,) Mission to the Ojibwas. Drafts, (balance defrayed by U. S. appropriations),....... Mission to the Ottawas, in Michigan. The expense of this mission is defrayed by U. S. appropriations.. 3,134 86 1,660 03 48 96 |