Location of the Mission.-The island population are Roman Catholics, who of Mackinaw, or as it has been written have a church and a resident priest. Michillimackinack, is situated in the The great importance of the place, and straits which connect lake Huron with perhaps the reason why it is inhabited at lake Michigan. The original name all, is derived from the fact that it has means Great Turtle, which, from its sin- been made the centre of all the fur trade gular conformation, it not a little resem- of the northwest. The principal agent bles. Its circumference is about seven of the American Fur Company has remiles, through nearly the whole of which sided here; and here all the gentlemen the island rises precipitously from the engaged in the trade among the Indian waters of the lake to the height of a tribes, from beyond the sources of the hundred or a hundred and fifty feet; Mississippi river to lake Superior and leaving generally only a few rods and in lake of the Woods, together with many some places not even that extent, of of their clerks and men, are congregated pebbly beach at its base. This is the ele- every summer, for the purpose of delivvation of the main body of the island; ering over their furs and obtaining artibut the central part is raised about a cles to enable them to carry on the trade hundred and fifty feet more, by a simi- during the ensuing winter. Many perlarly precipitous ascent, and presents on sons from various parts of the United its top a table of a few acres, elevated States are also brought here at the same about 300 feet above the surrounding period for trade or other purposes. Inlake. This is the highest land in the dians, also, from nearly every tribe on vicinity and is seen at a great distance the northwestern frontier, and between by the approaching voyager. The island the head waters of the Missouri to the is principally a mass of rock, and its sur- lake of the Woods, also resort hither or face is full of stones of all sizes with lit- pass this place in great numbers during tle earth between, and only small por- the summer, giving to the village a very tions of it are capable of successful cul- crowded and bustling appearance. Sometivation. Potatoes and garden vegeta- times not less than 1,500 or 2,000 may bles are raised on the arable portions in be seen encamped on the island; some great perfection. Most of the surface is of them sheltered by their canoes turned covered with small trees and shrubs. upside down, and others by tents of mats or skins; all of them nearly destitute of clothing, except their blankets, and exhibiting almost every mark of poverty and wretchedness, as well as of intellectual and moral degradation. Here may be seen the Indian in his native character, manners, and dress, as much as on the Rocky Mountains or at lake Winnepeg, wholly unchanged by any meliorating influence of Christianity or civilization, engaging in his dances and songs with all the wild and savage airs which characterized the inhabitants of these forests two centuries ago. The Christian feels himself to be in the midst of a heathen population of the very lowest character; one, too, which he sees exposed to great temptations from the community with which they are thus brought into contact; ready to barter all the little which they possess for intoxicating drinks.

On the southeast side of the island there is a small crescent-shaped indentation of the coast, which constitutes the harbor, and around which, on a narrow strip of land, gradually rising from the lake to the foot of the first bluff, is the village, embracing about a hundred buildings, and, including the men in the garrison, about 500 or 600 inhabitants. At the eastern extremity of the harbor, immediately at the foot of the bluff, is the mission-house and premises; a little west of it and near the water is the meetinghouse; near the centre of the curve bounding the harbor, are the house and gardens of the United States' Agent for Indian affairs; and on the brow of the bluff back of this, still further west, is the fort. The scenery presented on entering the harbor is altogether unique, and highly romantic and beautiful.

Population of Mackinaw. The population consists principally of Canadian French, and a mixed race descended from the French and Indians, nearly all of whom find employment in connection with the fur-trade and fishing. Besides these there are a few other families residing here connected with the fur trade, and others still who are engaged in commercial pursuits. A large portion of the

Though these Indians may be said to belong to some tract of country within which they spend most of their time, yet they have no fixed and permanent dwelling places, where they lay up for themselves the necessaries for their subsistence and comfort. They rove about from place to place, frequently suffering the extremest want, and often, during

In connection with this central station, the plan embraced small stations among the several bands of Indians in the interior, at which should reside a preacher, a farmer and mechanic, and a teacher, laboring for the improvement of the particular tribe where they were located. Around these, the youths who might leave the Mackinaw school, would be induced to settle; and while they would be watched over and preserved from relapsing into their former habits, they would aid by their example and otherwise, to introduce a knowledge of the arts of civilized life and of Christianity among their benighted countrymen.

the winters, perishing in great numbers central station, at which there should be
by starvation. They start on these long a large boarding-school, composed of
journies, often of from 1,000 to 2,000 children collected from all the north-
miles, by whole families or clans, men, western tribes, who, it was intended,
women, and children, travelling on the should remain under the care of the mis-
lakes and rivers in their canoes, depend- sion a length of time, not only sufficient
ing for subsistence almost entirely on to acquire a knowledge of the branches
what they may catch or beg on the way. of a common school education, but also
Commencement of the School.-Macki- of the various kinds of labor appropriate
naw had been entirely neglected by the to their situation. For this purpose
friends of Christianity and human im- mechanics' shops were erected and fur-
provement, till nearly the time when the nished, and land was obtained for culti-
mission-school was commenced. There vation, in connection with which the
was no school and no Protestant worship. boys were to labor a portion of the time;
The Sabbath was wholly disregarded in while the girls were to be instructed in
the course of business and amusement, the various household employments suit-
and was said not to have "travelled up so ed to their sex.
far." The first Protestant sermon ever
heard there, is said to have been preach-
ed by the Rev. Dr. Morse, who visited
the place in June 1820. Rev. Dr. Yates
visited the island and preached there the
following summer. These are believed
to be the only Protestant sermons preach-
ed on the island previous to the arrival
of the first missionary, Rev. William M.
Ferry, in June 1822. In consequence of
the statements of the gentlemen just
named, the Northern Missionary Society,
instituted in the State of New York, sent
Mr. Ferry into this important field. He
was very kindly received by the residents
and traders, and after making some pre-
liminary arrangements during the follow-
ing fall and winter, he returned to make
report of his labors and prospects; and
having been received under the patron-
age of the United Foreign Missionary
Society, he again proceeded to Macki-
naw with his wife in October 1823; and
commenced his school with twelve In-
dian children on the 3d of November.
Within a year the number was increased
to 50, most of whom were boarded in the
mission family, and might have been
much larger, if the accommodations had
been sufficient. In July 1824, the mis-
sion family and a small school which had
been sustained three or four years near
Fort Gratiot, at the southern extremity
of lake Huron, were removed to Macki-
naw and united with that mission.

Plan of the Mission.-Mackinaw, furnishing the means of intercourse and influence with the Indians all around the three great lakes, Huron, Michigan, Superior, and beyond, north and west, to Hudson's Bay and the Missouri, and being the place of their common annual rendezvous, children could be almost as easily obtained from a distance of many hundred miles, as from the immediate vicinity. It was therefore selected for a

On this plan the school continued to advance, securing the confidence of the residents at Mackinaw and the vicinity, and of the traders and Indians from remote parts of the continent, many of whom manifested much generosity in aiding to support it. Children were brought from the shores of lakes Huron, Michigan, and Superior, from the head waters of the Mississippi, and even from the Red river, lake Athabesco, and Hudson's Bay. Some were brought from tribes not less than 2,500 miles distant, embracing the Ottawas, Ojibwas, Pottawatomies, Winnebagoes, Menominies, Kinnistenas, Sacs and Foxes, and Sioux. The number of pupils rose sometimes as high as 170 or 180; of whom about 120 were clothed, fed, and lodged by the mission family. The others belonged on the island, or were taken care of by friends residing there. Most of those from abroad came in a most destitute state, covered with filth and rags, entirely unacquainted with the English language, and untutored in their manners. They were generally, however, easily subdued, became docile, and amiable, and made good proficiency in their studies, and in the various kinds of labor

斷

or sugar, sop my bread in the dish, and eat meat, rice, and lebben with my fingers. In all these accomplishments, however, I am far from being a proficient; and am still less perfect in their numberless compliments. It is not so difficult to learn all the forms, as to know how, when, and which of them to apply. In determining these weighty points, I frequently make lamentable, or rather laughable, mistakes. Eating or drink

Interesting Old Man-Customs of the ing, smoking the pipe or sipping coffee,

have seen.

Country.

rising up or sitting down, going out or coming in,-at all times, and on all occaMay 24, 1834. A very venerable old sions, you may be sure that there is an man made us a visit to-day. He is a appropriate or appropriated compliment, relative of the consul, and although besides an indefinite number sown all blind, appears to be better acquainted along the tract of conversation, like illuwith the Scriptures than any native Iminations in their sacred manuscripts. He would readily direct to I should feel but little objection to them, the various passages which he desired to if the name of God was not combined have read, and always listened with the with nearly all of them. Perhaps this greatest attention, stopping the reader to was one reason why our Savior forbid make his remarks, and correcting him, if his disciples to give or receive the saluhe made a mistake. Without any clear tations of the day, when he sent them to or evangelical views, he appeared to be preach. At least, it would be a good grave, and even devout; and having the reason now; because by means of these lamp of life in his hand, and much of it indispensable, ever-returning compliin his heart, I hope he has sought and ments, his "holy and reverend name” found the God of Abraham, Isaac, and dwells perpetually on unhallowed lips Jacob. I love to look upon those pa- and thoughtless tongues. Indeed the triarchal dwellers in Judah; their very people, even the most respectable, are appearance carries one back to olden awfully profane. times, when prophets and apostles walked the earth and taught the way of life. The long beard corresponds admirably with the flowing drapery of oriental dress, and when "silvered o'er with age," is truly the glory of the old.

I have of late become quite an Arab myself. I sit, or try to sit, cross-legged on the mat, smoke a pipe with a stem five feet long, sip coffee hot from the fire, in small china cups with brass or silver holders, and without either cream

VOL. XXXI.

Some of their customs are sufficiently strange. If a person leaves the room and returns twenty times an hour, the compliments of the day are given and returned each time. When a respectable person enters, all rise from the floor, and remain standing until the "compliments" are passed to each individual; then all take their seats, and the "compliments" are passed round again. I have seen this done several times before you engage in any conversation. Pipes,

11

sherbert, and coffee are brought, after || The child was presented by the godwhich, with a flourish of "sweet words," you may enter upon your business. I have often asked my dragoman why he could not talk plain words and right forward as we do? But he says it is impossible, "we must sweeten it a little." If you order a light in the evening, the person bringing it will never fail to bid you "good night," though he has not been absent one minute. The servant brings you a glass of water, and when you hand him back the glass, he kisses your hand, puts it to his forehead, and then to his lips again-the company all say "Anean," like "Health to you," to which you must reply "God give you health." People who know me, when we meet, kiss my hand, press it to their forehead, and return it again to their lips, as they do to their own priests; and a priest once objected to my dress, "because it is different in nothing from the common dress; how will the people know whether to kiss your hand or not?" It was a sufficient reply that we not only did not wish, but would not permit, the people to pay us that mark of reverence. Here, however, I have wearied myself in endeavoring to prevent it, and now generally yield my hand a passive recipient of their homage.

father and mother, and the priest at the proper place made the sign of the cross on its body three times, and breathed over it three times, saying, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost!" The god-mother then stripped the child naked, while the priest prepared the font, by chanting a service over it, smoking it with incense, making the sign of the cross and breathing over it as over the child. He immersed the body three times, stopping each time to repeat the form and make the cross. Previous to the immersion, the body was anointed with common oil, and immediately after with the holy oil, called chrism, a most precious part of the ceremony. It is put on in the shape of the cross in different parts of the body. The child is then dressed, the priest tying the girdle, after which it is brought again to the font and marched three times round it, with the smoking censer swung continually before it. The priest then comes round and offers incense to the whole company, when the ceremony is finished for the present. The child is now taken home and guarded with great care. As before his baptism he was not to be kissed, so now, he must not be touched for three days, nor by any means undressed, or washed. He has the holy Spent a considerable portion of this oil upon him. At the end of three days morning in a large soap factory, and saw the priest comes, unties the girdle, and the process of making it. They use gall-washes the child with great particularity; nuts, ashes, lime, salt, and olive-oil. It and the water is thrown into the sea, if is made hard, cut into blocks, and trans- near; if not, it is buried. ported in sacks to all parts of the coun- The Greeks, it will be observed, are try. This manufactory furnishes a mar- mostly trinitarians. They use three finket of consumption for the vast olive-gers in making the sign of the cross; yards around Ramla, and is the only trade of the place. Our consul has grown wealthy by it.

Baptism of a Greek Infant.

25. Sabbath. Invited to attend the baptism of a Greek child. Was first conducted to the house of the parent, where we had nuts, arreck, (a kind of spirit of which I did not partake,) pipes, and coffee handed round. After these ceremonies were duly gone through, we set out for the church, in an irregular procession, each one with a long wax candle in his hand. A choir appointed for the purpose chanted all the way, "Christ hath died and rose again," which was repeated as often as necessary with an ay-ay-ay-ayeay as a turning point. As soon as we reached the church, the priest in his appropriate robes began to chant the baptismal service, which he hurried over with all possible expedition.

three times the priest made that sign over the child; breathed over the child three times, over the holy oil three times, and over the water in the font three times; made the cross with the child's body over the font three times; three jars of water were poured into the font, and three lighted tapers stuck on it; thrice they carried the child round the font; thrice they stopped each round, and at each pause the priest waved the smoking censer in the child's face three times; after three days the child is to be undressed and washed.

This long ceremony would not be worth noticing, except to show where men will wander to, when they become vain in their imaginations, and daringly attempt to add to the perfect institutions of Christ. We should beware how we depart from gospel simplicity, even in small matters. The design of this simple and affecting institution is lost sight "of, in the midst of the bustle and pomp