Sidor som bilder
PDF
ePub
[blocks in formation]

FON DU LAC.-Edward F. Ely, Teacher and Catechist.

LEECH LAKE.-William T. Boutwell, Missionary, and wife.

Little information has been received from this mission the past year. The family at La Pointe were visited by severe sickness during the latter part of the fall and the early part of the winter.

The meetings on the Sabbath at all the stations have been small. Some of the Indians, as they learn more of the doctrines and precepts of Christianity, listen to it with augmented interest and appear to be in some measure affected by it; while others seem more attached to their superstitions than formerly, and more inclined to reject and oppose the light of the gospel. Much of the labor of imparting Christian instruction to these Indians must be done at their lodges, or when they call at the house of the missionary; and in the way of conversation, rather than by means of formal sermons. Their wandering mode of life prevents their coming regularly and permanently under the influence of the missionaries.

A church was organized at La Pointe, a year ago last August, embracing twelve persons, including the members of the several mission families who were there at that time.

Schools have been taught at La Pointe, Yellow Lake, and Sandy Lake, embracing in all about forty or forty-five pupils. A few have attended with a good degree of constancy, while the most of them have been very irregular in their attendance. The great obstacle in the way of introducing a system of schools which shall benefit the mass of the community, is the unsettled mode of life which prevails. Until there shall be a change in this respect, no system of

*Owing to the state of the water in the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, Dr. Williamson and Mr. Huggens were unable to proceed to their station the past fall.

[ocr errors]

schools, unless the pupils shall be boarded, can bring instruction within the reach of the people more than four or five months in the year; nor even this length of time, in one unbroken term, but only at intervals of a few weeks at a time.

More effort has been made at Yellow Lake, than at either of the other stations, to induce the Indians to abandon their wandering habits and cultivate the soil. Four families have opened small fields near the mission, and seem inclined to avail themselves of the advantages offered. Others oppose this movement as an infringement on the customs of the people, and stigmatize all who do these things as praying Indians.

MISSION SCHOOL AT MACKINAW.

William M. Ferry, Missionary; Lucius Geary, Superintendent of Seculer Affairs; and their wives: Mason Hearsey, Teacher; and Eunice O. Osmar, Elizabeth McFarland, Hannah Goodale, Persis Skinner, and Jane Leavitt, Teachers and Assistants.

The changes, which it was stated in the last report the Committee had deemed it expedient to make at this station, have been in progress and are nearly effected. Rev. Abel L. Barber, with his wife, and Miss Jane Leavitt, appointed to take charge of the female school, arrived at Mackinaw on the 11th of November. Mr. Barber was expected to spend the winter there in aiding Mr. Ferry and in acquiring a knowledge of the Ojibwa language, and proceed in the spring to commence a new station among some band of Indians in that quarter. His health, however, soon became so much impaired, as to render his removal to a separate station inexpedient; and in July he removed to the Stockbridge mission, where he would enjoy the advantage of being in a retired situation, and might aid in the labors of the mission, if his health should permit, during the temporary absence of Mr. Marsh. Mr. Lucius Geary, with his wife, arrived at Mackinaw on the 18th of May, and immediately entered on his labors as secular superintendent.

The number of boarding scholars attending the school has been somewhat diminished during the year, in conformity with the arrangement mentioned in the last report. Little information has been received during the year respecting the school or the church. They are supposed to be in nearly the same condition as they were a year ago.

Mr. Ferry and his wife have recently, at their request, been released from the further service of the Board, and have removed from the station.

MISSION TO THE STOCKBRIDGE

INDIANS.

Rev. Cutting Marsh and Abel L. Barber, Missiona ries; and Chauncey Hall, Teacher: Mrs. Barber and Mrs. Hall.

MISSION AT MAUMEE.

Isaac Van Tassel, Missionary; William Culver, Teacher and Mechanic; and their wives.

The plan of settling the Indians, residing near this station on the mission The reasons for Mr. Barber's removal lands, noticed in the last report, was A few famito this station were stated in the report of proposed to them last fall. the mission at Mackinaw. He is expected to erect houses and open fields the lies acceded to the proposal, and promised to enter some other field of labor as

soon as his health will permit. Some of the Christian Indians of this tribe have expressed a strong desire to aid in introducing the gospel, which has done so much for them, among some of their untutored red brethren of the more west

ern tribes. With this view they have meditated a visit to their grand children, as they call them, the Sac and Fox Indians, and a renewal of their covenant of peace with them. A delegation from the church was accordingly appointed last spring. Previous to the departure of the delegation, a meeting of the tribe was held, at which Metoxen, the head of the delegation, addressed his brethren with much feeling and eloquence, enumerating to them the blessings which they had derived from Christianity; portraying the deplorable condition of the remote tribes who had never enjoyed similar privileges; and exhibiting the duty incumbent on themselves to deavor to enlighten and save them. He parted from his people with manifestations of deep paternal feeling, assuring them of his affectionate regard for them, giving them faithful counsels, and praying for their spiritual prosperity.

en

The removal of the Indians, according to the treaty entered into between them and the United States, has been in progress, and is expected to be completed before next spring. The distance from

next spring. Some counteracting influ ence was, however, exerted by persons residing in the vicinity; shops for vending intoxicating liquors were multiplied around them; they became more dissipated and less inclined to labor, and when

the opening of the spring came on, no progress was made, and there seemed to be little prospect that any considerable number of families would avail themselves of the advantages offered. In the circumstances in which they then were, scattered, tempted, and desponding, there seemed to be little encouragement for continuing the school or any other therefore, the boarding-school, which had kind of missionary labor. In April, contained during the fall and winter about thirty pupils, was disbanded; and arrangements were soon after entered upon for disposing of the property of the Board at that station. This object has not yet been effected.

The meetings have been continued at the station by Mr. Van Tassel, and he to the Indians, whenever his circumhas communicated Christian knowledge stances permitted him to have access to them. Having disposed of all their land at their present residence, and refusing to remove west of the Mississippi river, left to them is poverty, misery, and exthe only inheritance which seems to be

tinction.

INDIANS.

TUSCARORA.-William Williams, Missionary; his wife; Elizabeth Stone, Teacher.

their old town to the new, which they MISSION TO THE NEW YORK call Stockbridge, is about twenty or twenty-five miles. Meetings have been maintained at the station and well attended. Those at the new town have held religious meetings statedly on the Sabbath, conducted by themselves. Temperance, morality generally, and good order have prevailed.

The school has been small, including about twenty-five regular pupils. Sabbath schools and Bible classes have been kept in successful operation.

There is a prospect that the number of Indians coming under the influence of this mission will be somewhat augmented by the settlement of some bands of Munsees or Delawares, on their lands.

VOL. XXXI.

SENECA Asher Wright, Missionary; and his wife; Asenath Bishop, Teacher.

CATTARAUGUS.-Asher Bliss, Missionary, and his

wife.

ALLEGHANY.-William Hall, Teacher, and his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Elliot were compelled by ill health to leave Tuscarora in October. Rev. Joel Wood, formerly a teacher among the Choctaws, having since pursued a course of theological studies and been ordained as an evangelist, was reappointed a missionary of the Board last autumn, and designated to this station, with the understanding, that, if his health should hereafter appear to be adequate,

4

he should be permitted to resume his la- || 1,958 members. Into these churches, bors among the Choctaws. He has ac- from the time of their establishment, cordingly recently left Tuscarora, and have been received about 2,360 converts. proceeded west of the Mississippi river. At the schools established through the Rev. William Williams has been ap- agency of persons sent forth by the pointed to Tuscarora. Board, and taught by them, or by persons to a greater or less extent under their direction, there are now about 40,000 scholars; and there have been instructed since the establishment of the schools, not far from 80,000 persons. Connected with the missions of the Board are seven printing_establishments, including 13 presses. To the amount heretofore reported as having been printed at the presses, is now to be added 21,735,463 pages, making a total from the commencement of their operations of about 88,000,000 of pages, in 16 different languages, seven of which have been reduced to writing by the missionaries of the Board.

CHURCHES.-At Tuscarora and Alleghany much harmony and mutual love, and regular attendance on the ordinances of the gospel, have prevailed through the year. Ten Indians have been received to the church at Tuscarora; some under discipline have been restored, and two excommunicated for immoral conduct, leaving the present number sixty-one. At Seneca and Cattaraugus the churches have been sorely tried by division of counsels respecting the expediency of selling their lands and removing to some distant territory. At Seneca two persons have been received to the church,|| and two have died. Forty-nine are in good standing. At Alleghany two have been added and one excluded, leaving fifty-five. The present number at Cattaraugus is about forty-five.

SCHOOLS. The district-school system has succeeded well. On the four reservations seven schools were taught during the winter, embracing together about 280 pupils. During the summer two of the schools were discontinued. The interest felt by the Indians in the education of their children is obviously increasing.

Mr. Wright and Mr. Bliss are still prosecuting the study of the Seneca language; the former of whom uses it with some freedom in his intercourse with the Indians; and has made considerable progress in the preparation of hymns, portions of the Scriptures, and tracts, for publication.

SUMMARY.

The Board have under their care 36 missions, and 66 stations. Connected with these missions and stations are 103 ordained missionaries, (seven of whom are regularly educated physicians, and seven others have prosecuted medical studies to such an extent as to render them useful in that capacity;) seven physicians not ordained; eight printers; 21 teachers and catechists; 11 farmers and mechanics; and 162 married and unmarried female assistants; making a total of 312 missionaries and assistant missionaries sent from this country. There are now five native preachers, and 39 other native assistants. There are 41 churches connected with the missions of the Board, containing at the last returns

CONCLUSION.

Let no one think, that the spirit of foreign missions has slumbered from the days of the apostles until now. In almost every age, the church has had its missions among the heathen. Most of the countries now nominally Christian were all pagan long after the missionary labors of the apostles ceased, and were converted to Christianity by means of foreign missions, which were prosecuted under the greatest disadvantages.

If the church has had missions among the heathen from age to age, when every thing in her circumstances was against such missions, she surely will not abandon them now, when every thing is favorable: for never had the church so much civil liberty as now; never so much intelligent piety; never such facilities for diffusing information and controlling public sentiment; never so much knowledge of the world; never such easy access to every part of it; never such means for sustaining missions and scattering light in all lands.

Particular missions may be abandoned; and there may be occasional refluxes in the tide of benevolence: but there will be no general retrocession in missions to the heathen. The time of redemption for the church from her centuries of bondage has come. There is an urgency of divine providence, and a gracious and increasing influence of the Holy Spirit, which ensure the onward movement of the church. "WHOSO IS WISE, AND WILL OBSERVE

THESE THINGS, EVEN THEY SHALL UN-
DERSTAND THE LOVING KINDNESS OF
THE LORD."

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

*In consequence of the influence exerted by the missionaries, and the books and other facilities furnished by them, some schools have been established among the Turks, embracing about 2000 pupils, and about thirty among the Greeks of Constantinople and the vicinity, containing about 2000 more.

Only those able to read in the New Testament are included.

More than a hundred Choctaws who were members of the mission churches before the removal of the tribe, have either not removed to the new country, or have not joined the churches there.

VARIOUS NOTICES.

DEPARTURE OF MISSIONARIES.

TWENTY missionaries and assistant missionaries, a portion of whom were destined to commence a mission in Southeastern Africa, and the remainder to reinforce the mission at the Sandwich Islands, assembled in Park-street church, Boston, Nov. 23d, when, besides appropriate devotional exercises, the Instructions of the Prudential Committee were read by one of the Secretaries of the Board, and the missionaries were addressed by the Rev. David Abeel, a missionary of the Board, recently returned from Southeastern Asia. The following persons constituted the company

Southeastern Africa.-Rev. Daniel Lindley, from North Carolina, and his wife from Virginia; Rev. Alexander E. Wilson, M. D., from North Carolina, and his wife from Virginia; Rev. Henry I. Venable, from Kentucky, and his wife from Indiana; are to pro- || ceed to Cape Town, and thence over land to the interior of the Zoolah country: Rev. Aldin Grout and his wife from Massachusetts; Rev. George Champion, from Connecticut, and his wife from Massachusetts; Newton Adams, M. D. from New York, and his wife from Ohio; proceed to Port Natal, on the Southeastern coast, where, or in the vicinity, they will attempt a mission among the maritime Zoolahs.-Both these companies embarked at Boston, on board the barque Burlington, capt. Evans, December 3d.

Sandwich Islands.-Rev. Titus Coan and his wife; Mr. Henry Dimond, bookbinder, and his wife; Mr. Edwin O. Hall, printer, and his wife; all from the State of New York; together with Miss Lydia Brown, from New Hampshire, and Miss Elizabeth M. Hitchcock, from Massachusetts; embarked at Boston, Decem. ber 5th, in the ship Hellespont, capt. Henry.

OBITUARIES.

Mrs. Ramsey.-Letters recently received bring intelligence that the wife of the Rev. William Ramsey, of the mission station at Bombay, was removed by death on the 11th of June last. Her disease was the spasmodic cholera; and she survived but about ten or twelve hours after the first attack. Mr. Ramscy, in consequence of his own ill health and the advice of physicians, embarked at Bombay, with his two children, on his return to this country, on the 5th of July. He was to pro

ceed by way of England, and arrived at St. Helena September 23d.

A more full account of the circumstances of Mrs. Ramsey's decease will be given in the next number.

Mrs. Thomson.-Letters from Syria announce the death of Mrs. ELIZA NELSON THOMSON, wife of Rev. William M. Thomson, at Jerusalem, on the 22d of July. Her disease appears to have been an inflammatory fever, which was occasioned, it would seem, by the exposures and excitements to which she had been subjected by earthquakes and war, during the six or eight previous weeks. The particulars were received too late for this number, but will form an article of deep and painful interest for the next.

Mrs. T. left one child, a few months old. Mr. T. had removed with it to Beyroot, and Mr. and Mrs. Whiting and Doct. and Mrs. Dodge were expected to proceed immediately to Jerusalem, which was regarded by all as a very important station.

ABEEL'S RESIDENCE IN CHINA.

A volume under this title has recently been

published by Leavitt, Lord, & Co. of New York, and Crocker & Brewster, of Boston; embracing the journal of the Rev. David Abeel in China and the neighboring countries, from 1829 to 1833. Mr. Abeel proceeded to China in company with Mr. Bridgman, the first American missionary to the Chinese, in the year 1829, being then under the patronage of the American Seamen's Friend Society, and appointed a missionary to the seamen in the port of Canton. Subsequently, according to an arrangement made previous to his embarkation, he became connected with the Board as one of its missionaries. The copious journals contained in this book, portions of which have been inserted in the previous volumes of the Missionary Herald, present a mass of facts and observations illustrative of the religion, the manners, the state of society, and the wants of the countries and islands of Southeastern Asia, which cannot fail to interest all who are concerned in propagating the gospel as the most effectual means of promot ing the intellectual and moral improvement of the whole human family. A brief account is also given of the introduction of Christianity into the islands of the Indian Archipelago, and of its present state.

« FöregåendeFortsätt »