Toward the close of the year 1814, understanding that the National System of Education was well calculated to promote the instruction of the Heathen, a tender concern for their souls led her to engage to learn that System in the Central School in York; and to undertake to instruct a Girls' School in that city, taught on the same plan, in order that, if it should please Providence to open a way for her to go to the Heathen World, she might be prepared to labour among them.

On the 6th of April, 1816, we were married; she having been about a year at her School. We immediately left our beloved country and friends for the East Indies, in company with her brother Benjamin, under the patronage of that Society, to which we have unitedly felt constant and great gratitude for all that support which they have

continued to render to us during a long period of affliction.

The foundation of Mrs. Dawson's

charging, with whatever remuneration she might receive, the expenses of a Native Girls' school. Her plan was on the point of being put into execution, some notice of it having been given to the inhabitants, when He, who ordereth all things according to the counsel of his own will, saw good to put us to the very great and painful trial of leaving our interesting and encouraging Station, by rendering it necessary for us to return to England, as, humanly speaking, the only means likely to preserve our lives: yet it was not expected by our medical attendant that we should live till the vessel reached the Cape. Our departure took place when we had been only about eighteen months in the country, and had been fixed at Cochin but about ten.

Though disappointed thus of her desired object of labouring among the Heathen, Mrs. Dawson retained to the last her love to that work in

Mr. Dawson writes

:

Yet to labour among the Heathen lay near her heart her whole soul was anxious

to be actively engaged in it, and nothing

seemed to discourage her. Her love and concern for the souls of Heathen Children, especially those of her own sex, being so great, she was, on our arrival in India, exceedingly grieved to observe that attempts to educate female children were very much discouraged. All spoke of the impossibility of success attending any efforts to raise their character and promote their well-being. You, my Dear Sir, will probably recollect her just remark to yourself, when noticing to her the objections urged against endeavours to promote this object, she observed, "There is too much CASTE on both sides, Sir."

After we were fixed at Cochin, where we found several children, descendants of European parents, who were well able to pay for their education, but were much in want of some one to conduct it, she projected, in order to save as much as possible the public money, the plan of taking charge of the education of these children; and of dis

I need not say how much her heart was frequently rejoiced, on her death-bed, on hearing of the efforts now making in India, for the benefit of her own sex, and of the success attending them.

After lingering several years in a state of great debility, Mrs. Dawson became, at length, unable to leave her bed. Of her long and painful confinement there of nearly thirtytwo weeks, and of the scene which closed her sufferings, her Husband gives the following affecting and in

structive account:

She had very restless nights for a long time before her death; in which it was her custom to employ her time, as much as possible, in communion with her God. After one of these seasons, she said to me, "I would not be without my restless nights for a great deal: they are the best of my time." At another time, admiring the compassion of God to His wandering sheep, she said, "How great must be the mercy of God, that, when we have sinned and strayed from Him so much, AFTER ALL, EVEN AFTER ALL, HE WILL RECEIVE US!"

Oct. 19, 1823.--After recovering a little from a severe paroxysm of coughing, and great consequent exhaustion, during which she was quite unable to speak, she said, "I shall not be long before I am at home!" I asked her how she felt her mind, when she replied Unspeakably happy!" Having seen her weep much during her great exhaustion, I inquired why she had been

66

weeping. She said, "They were tears of joy." Her mind had been filled with a sense of the love of God to her soul. I then noticed a little occurrence that had just transpired, which I said I was afraid had hurt her mind: she replied, "If you felt what I do, you would not be so troubled about these little things."

I was once speaking to her of her great sufferings, when raising her eyes toward heaven, she said, "I wish to suffer his will in all things." She was, indeed, remarkably patient under very severe pain; always looking forward to the time of her departure, with great composure and fervent desire for its arrival.

Dec. 21, 1823.-I was prepared for Church; but my beloved wife became so ill, that it appeared my duty not to leave her: besides, I remembered that saying, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice. When she was a little relieved, I made a few remarks on our Saviour's promise, Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end: afterward, also, on the words, He is altogether lovely, and the chief among ten thousand: she seemed much revived by this conversation; and, feeling the comfort of such a Saviour said "The Lord is all to me that I need."

Dec. 22.-My dear wife was very feverish and restless in the afternoon; when she said, "I have been thinking what a mercy it is that I can find rest in Christ. I have no rest, but I can rest in him."

Her medical attendant came; and when he was gone, she, as usual, asked what he had said respecting her. I told her, that he said, unless the symptoms abated, she could not continue long. "That is good news; is it not?" was her reply-adding, “I have derived comfort from that passage, Let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me." Is. xxvii. 5. I remarked that Christ was the strength of God, against the law, sin, the flesh, and the devil: she said, He is the end of the Law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

I asked her if she repented of having gone to India. "Oh, no, no," said she:

it would be the first thing that I should think of doing, were I to get well. Had I a thousand lives, I should wish to spend THEM ALL in the work."

Dec. 23.-In the evening the fever returned, when she again became very restless, suffering also a great deal from spasms. She said, "I hope it will soon be over." I answered, "Well, my dear, you must look to the Lord for strength; you know His grace is sufficient for you." She replied "Oh yes, it is sufficient! I find it sufficient! but I long to be with Jesus: I long to leave this world of sin and death!" On my go

ing to her bed-side, after a little while she said, "I am very poorly." I replied, "I hope the Lord will give you strength according to your day." She then spoke in a manner that strikingly expressed her feelings-"He will! I do not distrust Him in the least. I have proved Him again and again does He not give me strength ?" Looking on me with a smile, she added, "Oh, if you felt what I feel, you would long to be in the full enjoyment of God." When I took leave of her for the night, she wished me to pray that God would give her patience; and observed that, being in great pain, she was very much afraid of being impatient. I remarked to her that the Apostle says, He giveth more grace: how much soever we have been indebted to Him, we have not exhausted his goodness.

Dec. 24.-In much pain she said, "I hope the Lord will give me patience!--Ah, if I had to seek Him now, how short I should come! It is a time to exercise grace, and not to seek it."

Dec. 25.-About seven in the evening she became delirious; but it was easy to discover where her mind was fixed, her eyes being often raised toward heaven, while she whispered something in the way of prayer. About eight o'clock, she was much better, and spoke to me of the love of God in a manner in which I do not recollect to have heard any one speak. Laying her hand upon her heart, she said, " It is Christ that is here! Oh, He hath loved me-He hath loved me with an everlasting love! Oh, how great is His love! it is unfathomable : nay, Angels cannot fathom it! It is unspeakable! Oh, that I could preach it to all!" After expatiating thus on the love of God, and noticing the value of a single soul, she spoke most feelingly of the numbers that are constantly sacrificing themselves in India; and then said, "If I had a thousand lives, and could spend them all in a day, I would spend them all in that work."

After taking a little refreshment, all her converse was respecting the love and preciousness of Christ. "The Lord knows that I love Him," with other expressions of like nature, dropped from her lips, followed with very uncommon bursts of praise and ecstasies of holy joy, through the whole evening. Sometimes she repeated texts of Scripture; and, at others, verses of favourite Hymns;

as,

Tis Jesus, the first and the last;
His Spirit will guide us safe home, &c.---
and,

Jesus, lover of my soul !

Let me to thy bosom fly, &c.

Dec. 30.-In extreme pain, she said, as near as I could collect, "It will soon be over." At another time she said, "It is painful; but it will cease before long."

When at any time I asked her the state of her mind, her answer always was, " Very happy." In the afternoon, from great pain she again became uncollected, yet her mind was on Jesus: once I heard her repeat

Thou brightest, sweetest, fairest one,
That eyes have seen or angels known!-

and then say, 66 I shall have done with this body of sin: I long to be free--I long to be with Jesus.

Jan. 7, 1824.-She was perfectly sensible, and evidently dying. I spoke to her on such portions of Scripture and of such things as seemed to me suitable; to which she always answered affirmatively. I remarked that Christ was a precious Saviour now, &c. "Yes," was her reply. I observed that the morning was very likely to be the morning of eternity to her; at which I supposed she rejoiced, when she bowed her head, meaning "Yes." She said to her Mother, "I go

shouting victory, victory, victory, through the blood of the Lamb!"-After a short prayer with her, she said, "I AM HAPPY NOW," which were the last words that she spoke-then she stretched herself out, closed her eyes, placed her right-hand on her breast, and, smiling most sweetly, slept in Jesus about half-past twelve on the morning of Jan. 8, 1824, being two months short of completing her thirtieth year. Thus triumphant was the closing scene of my beloved wife's Christian warfare. Oh that my last end may be like hers!

Her death was improved by the Rev. John Mitchell, in her native Parish Church, on Sunday the 25th of January, from 1 Cor. xv. 57, when a very numerous congregation seemed much affected with the account which the Preacher gave, chiefly from his own observation, of the influence of the grace of God on the soul of the deceased.

UNION MISSION.

In our last report, it was stated, that the war with the Cherokees which had threatened the destruction of the Osage Tribe, and the ruin of your mission, was happily terminated through the intervention of the National Government. It was with reluctance that the Osages acceded to the treaty. They were not satisfied with the terms of the compact, and were urged to submission only by their necessities. Under such circumstances, there was reason to apprehend a recurrence of difficulties, whenever they should feel themselves sufficiently recovered from the effects of the war. Some

aggressions have since been committed by both parties, which appear to have resulted from individual animosities, and which were not sanctioned by the authorities of either tribe. The chiefs are evidently solicitous to avoid a war with the Cherokees. They are willing to submit to unrighteous exactions for the purpose of maintaining peace; and it is confidently believed, that through the humane and prompt interference of the Agents and Officers of the General Government, hostilities will yet be prevented.

While many here are apparently discouraged by the unsettled state of the Indians, your Missionaries, who

are sustaining these trials of their patience, are pursuing their object without depression or dismay; and every Journal they write affords increasing evidence of co-operation on the part of the public authorities in that region, in their benevolent exertions, and of confidence in their ultimate success. The events which have interrupted the progress of this Mission, instead of diminishing, should augment our efforts. They should increase our commiseration, and urge us to more vigorous exertions to civilize and christianize a people, whose career to ruin has been accelerated by the avarice and prosperity of our countrymen.

Notwithstanding the difficulties with which they had to struggle, your Missionaries proceeded to the erection of their mills. The frame was raised on the 1st and 2d of July, and by the 24th of November, both the grist-mill and the sawmill were completed, agreeably to contract, and accepted at the hand of the millwright. In the correctness and facility of their operations, they surpass the expectation which had been formed; and although the expense has been comparatively great, yet they were considered as essentially important to the Mission, and they will, in future, it is believed, diminish to a considerable amount the expenditures expenditures which would otherwise have been required for its support.

During the last year, the labours of this family have been greatly interrupted by sickness. Several of the members, although not dangerously ill, were reduced for months to a very feeble state of health. One of their hired men was disabled for nearly half the year, and another sunk under the weight of his disease. In allusion to this case, the Journal of the 21st of August, says" He, died about 11 o'clock last night and was decently interred this day in the Union burying-ground. This is the

first death by sickness since our arrival. All the Indians present followed the procession, and witnessed, with apparent interest, a Christian burial.'

The local fevers which prevail in all uncultivated regions, are not generally fatal; nor are they to be regarded as an evil to which our Mission families will always be exposed. When they become accustomed to the climate, and to the change in their habits and diet, diseases of this kind, it is believed, will be neither frequent nor protracted.

The Managers are happy to discover, that the instructions and the example of your Missionaries have produced, in a temporal view, a more salutary influence upon the Osage people, than, in their disturbed situation, could have reasonably been anticipated. A number of the tribe were induced to abandon the chase, and to resort to the cultivation of the soil for their subsistence. At their earnest solicitation, they were employed during the last summer, as labourers on the mission farm; and in the course of the season, they projected, and with the aid of the Missionaries, commenced an agricultural settlement of their own. Some of their women, also, evinced a determination to relinquish their former mode of living, and to adopt the habits and customs of civilized life. With this view, they sought and obtained instruction in various branches of household economy.

The Annual Missionary Convention was held at Dwight from the 4th to the 7th of November. The Delegates from our stations were the Rev. Messrs. Vaill and Montgomery, and Mr. William C. Requa. From the questions discussed, and the resolutions adopted, it is evident, that they who are living among the Indians, and familiar with the difficulties which obstruct the progress of your enterprise, are not discouraged by

their number or their magnitude. They are pressing forward in the cause, and indulging the hope of success from their own experience and the state of the Indians, as well as the promised presence and aid of the Master, under whose banners they have enlisted.

It was mentioned in our last Report, that the school at this station embraced seven native children. The number has since been increased to fourteen. The whole are represented as making good improvement in their studies, and a few as having exceeded the anticipation of their teachers.

One of the number who had made good proficiency in school, was placed as an apprentice under the care of the blacksmith. In speaking of this youth, the Superintendent remarks "He is very ingenious in the smith's shop; nails, hinges, and even small knives, he makes with ease. No American youth would make a more active or promising apprentice."

On

For want of a competent knowledge of the language, the Missionaries have pursued their various objects under very serious embarrassments. this topic, it was stated in the last Report, that the assistant and the first teacher were assiduous in their appropriate study, and expected, at no very distant period, to be able to address the Indians without the intervention of an interpreter. The expectation, we have now the pleasure to add, has, in some degree, been realized. They already converse, on ordinary subjects, with considerable facility. Mr. Chapman has also begun to communicate religious instruction, and the day has at length arrived, when the poor benighted Osage can hear in his own tongue, "the wonderful works of God."

It has been the object of your Missionaries to "do good unto all as they have had opportunity." Among the interesting incidents of the year, the deliverance of two Osage infants

from death, and their adoption into the Mission family, deserve to be particularly mentioned. They are calculated to awaken our sympathies, and to urge us to unremitted exertions in behalf of the many thousands, who, on the borders of the Arkansas and the Missouri, are 66 sitting in the shadow of death," and "dwelling in the habitations of cruelty."

In reviewing the progress of this Mission during the last year, we discover in the interpositions of Providence for the protection and support of the family, in the extension of their influence among the Indians, in their continued and increasing confidence in the ultimate success of their efforts, in their pressing solicitations for an interest in the prayers of the Board, and especially in their frequent reference to the last and unambiguous injunction of the Son of God --considerations which forbid hesitation, and urge us onward in the prosecution of our enterprise.

GREAT OSAGE MISSION.

The operations and prospect of this Mission correspond, in so many particulars, with those of the family at Union, that a detailed account is deemed unnecessary. A summary view only will, therefore, now be given.

In our last Annual Report, the history of this Mission was brought down to the close of February, 1823. From that period to the 3d of March, the date of our latest advices, the progress of the Mission in all its departments, has been, in some measure, encouraging. Inured in a considerable degree to the peculiarities of situation and climate, the missionaries have not been so severely visited with sickness, nor so frequently interrupted in their labours as in the preceding year. The preparatory operations in which they have been hitherto engaged, have already afforded many facilities for more immediate intercourse with the Indians, for ex