ture patronage and support. The government of the United States, pursuing at the same time a just and philanthropic policy towards the Indians, offering and promptly affording aid to all such Benevolent Institutions as should heartily engage in the work of their civilization, the directors were encouraged to proceed. In entering upon this arduous undertaking, they did not so miscalculate as to suppose that at the bare approach of their Missionaries, every object would be accomplished. To attain those objects, they knew that instruction must be conveyedthe mind enlightened-prejudices vanquished-habits changed-and the whole savage heart renewed by the power of Divine Grace. So many and so serious were the obstacles to be encountered, that had they been left to the suggestions of their own carnal reason, they are confidently persuaded that they would never have embarked in the enterprise. But all objections were silenced by the will of the Master, and the history of his faithfulness was the guarantee of their success. Aware, however, that this work must be attended with difficulties requiring wisdom, energy, patience, perseverance, and much prayer, they resolved to renounce their own strength, to cast their burdens on the Lord, to act by faith, and to go forward. For more than six years has this concern been diligently prosecuted, and the Society now numbers two Missionary Establishments among the Osages, one at Tuscarora, one at Seneca, one at Cataraugus, one at Fort Gratiot, and a seventh now commencing at Mackinaw. In all these establishments, the education of youth, withdrawing them from former pursuits, and training them to discipline and labour, are great and primary objects. VOL. V. 3 Nor has the labour of their Missionaries been unattended with success. On the contrary, that success has been as great as, under existing circumstances, could perhaps have been expected, and the prospects of the Board, so far as the Indians are concerned, are certainly encouraging. The great difficulty with which the Directors have to contend, is the want of pecuniary means, and that difficulty has at length assumed a very serious aspect. In necessary disbursements, they have incurred a debt to their Treasurer, amounting to the sunf of $6000, and expect additional and inevitable drafts to be made upon them shortly to the amount of $3000 more. To liquidate that debt they have no resource under Heaven, but in the friends of the Missionary cause, and especially in the ministers and people of our churches. The Government of the Unit ed States has redeemed, and will, no doubt, in future redeem, all its engagements to this society. Many of the Churches too have come forward, and have set examples worthy of imitation. But it is a fact not to be concealed, that the Churches, on a large scale, have never so patronized the institution, either in disseminating the Missionary Register, now published for its exclusive benefit, or by public contributions, as to enable it to operate to advantage. In many parts of the Church, no Auxiliaries have been organized, and when they have been organized, we are sorry to say, they have not generally moved with that alertness which had been anticipated. And now, brethren, in the name of our common Lord, we inquire whether you are prepared to abandon this Institution? Shall our labour be lost-our prospects blasted-our Missionaries disbanded-the Indians left to perish-and the property heretofore accumulated by this Board, sold to pay its debts? We assure you, dear brethren, that, if prompt and efficient relief is not afforded, we see no way at present of avoiding that result. We know that frequent appeals are made to your charity, but who among you all is the poorer for its exercise? How long has the Church of God been praying, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven;" and now, when God is answering that prayer,when through human agency, under the influence of his Holy Spirit, he is introducing and multiplying means for the accomplishment of these very ends, shall we now, and under these circumstances, become weary in well doing? Are there any among us who can possibly think they have already done enough, or too much for him, who has done so much for them? If we deliberately sit down and calculate our means, and see how large a proportion of our daily living is expended in perishable and temporal objects, and how small a proportion is dedicated to such as are imperishable and eternal, will there be much room for self-gratulation? We believe, in most instances, there will not: and if the plans now pursuing in favour of the Red Men of the forest, shall fall through, what is to become of them, and what will become of future Missionary operations in their behalf. These whole embodied tribes are that Lazarus who now lies at our door, the perfect child of helplessness and misery, and shall we, or can we, consent to shut up from him our bowels of compassion? We are sometimes told, that charity must begin at home: but if the Apostles had tarried in Judea till every unconverted Jew had been brought to a knowledge of the truth, what had become of us Gentiles? The Apostles of the Lord did not so judge. They knew that exertion abroad would produce reaction at home. At all events, they preferred simple obedience to Heaven to all human reasoning. They had received a banner, to be displayed in the cause of truth; they did display it, and it proved to be the wisdom of God, and the power of God to the salvation of many, very many precious and immortal souls. Humbly following in their steps, and unworthy as we are of such distinguished honour, we nevertheless hope for similar results. Having spread this application before you, brethren, we wait to see how the Lord will dispose of it. And in the mean time remain, and with very great respect, your affectionate fellow-labourers in the bonds of the Gospel. In behalf of the Board of Managers, PHILIP MILLedoler. W. W. PHILIPS, STEPHEN VAN RENSSELAER, COMMITTEE. New-York, Jan. 1, 1824. RESPECTED AND DEAR SIR, As the Domestic Secretary of the United Foreign Missionary Society, I am directed to address to you the preceding Circular. In performing this duty, I take the liberty to suggest for your consideration, the following modes of raising funds; and you will permit me respectfully to solicit your influence and your efforts, within the town or village in which you reside, to carry them into prompt and efficient operation: OCCASIONAL MODES. 1. Congregational Collections. 3. Donations to the amount of thirty dollars from any number of males or females in each congregation, to constitute their Pastor a Life Member of our Society. 4. Donations from Individuals of thirty dollars each, to constitute themselves Life Members. PERMANENT MODES. 5. Collections at every Monthly Concert of Prayer. 6. Auxiliary Societies, or Associations. 7. Donations of twelve dollars a year, for four successive years, from individual or association of individuals, for educating, with the privilege of naming, a heathen child. any 8. Avails of Missionary Fields, Missionary Boxes, &c. &c. The first four modes here suggested, if promptly attended to in all our Churches, would afford us an adequate relief in our present emergency; and the last four would enable us to prosecute our labour of love with unremitted exertion, and, accompanied by the smiles of Heaven, with incalculable benefit to the poor and perishing heathen. In relation to some of the permanent modes, perhaps a remark or two may not be thought impertinent, nor prove unacceptable. The measure of contributing to our funds at the Monthly Concert of Prayer has been repeatedly and earnestly recommended to their respective congregations by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, and the General Synod of the Reformed Dutch Church. This is, indeed, a measure which can scarcely fail to recommend itself to every individual in the community. It is the professed object of that Concert, that Christians may have the opportunity to address their united prayer to the GOD OF GRACE for a blessing upon Missionary efforts. It would therefore seem peculiarly appropriate, to take up collections on the occasion, and devote the amount expressly to the promotion of the Missionary cause. Our alms would then ascend with our petitions, as a combined memorial of our sincerity and zeal. The formation of vigorous and active Auxiliary Societies or Associations, in all their churches, is also a measure earnestly recommended by the Judicatories already mentioned. It is a measure as practicable as it is desirable. One or two influential and efficient men in each congregation, could easily accomplish it. There are very few fami lies or adult individuals, in any part of our country, who are not able to contribute annually, and without inconvenience, a small sum for the great object of civilizing and christianizing the Indians, on whose soil they now live. Let, then, each congregation be divided into suitable districts; let a collector be appointed for each, who shall call on every person in his district, for eight and a half cents a month, twenty-five cents a quarter, or one dollar a year; and let a treasurer be selected to receive the money from the collectors, and transmit the amount to the Treasurer of the Parent Society in New-York. There is, Sir, another topic to which I would also respectfully solicit your attention. The American Missionary Register is published at the expense, and for the exclusive benefit of the UNITED FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. The Managers are very desirous that it should be widely circulated. It is published at the moderate price of one dollar and a half a volume; and at this price, it can yield very little profit, unless it should receive an extensive patronage. Should you not be able to pay suitable attention to the subject yourself, perhaps it will be in your power to engage some other pious and responsible person in your vicinity to procure subscribers, and to remit to me the avails, on the terms mentioned in the Prospectus accompanying this letter. Own And now, Sir, I am aware, that this communication presents a draft of considerable magnitude upon the time and the efforts of the gentlemen to whom it is addressed. If, in your view, it need an apology, I must request you to remember, that we are not attempting to press business upon the hands of the clergy or other Christians, for our benefit. I beg you to recollect, that the Society, whose concerns we have the laborious, and often painful duty to manage, was formed at the urgent request, and under the stipulated patronage of the high Ecclesiastical Judicatories which are united in the enterprise. All the churches under the care of those Judicatories, are implicitly pledged to contribute to its funds. therefore, merely the agents of the Churches; and to the Churches we now appeal with confidence, not only for relief in the present emergency, but also for the permanent and necessary means to enable us to carry forward the work of faith, which they have committed to our -charge. I am, Sir, We are, Very respectfully, Z. LEWIS. New-York, Jan. 1, 1824. MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE. From the Union and Great Osage Mis ¿sions, we have no advices later than those mentioned in our last number. We have, however, the Journals of both for the month of August; and we shall avail ourselves of this opportunity to insert one or two communications from both, which have been on hand for some time, and deferred for want of room. A letter just received from the Rev. Mr. Harris, of the Seneca Mission, announces the pleasing intelligence, that the number of children in the School, under his care, has recently been increased to thirty. An extract of this letter, together with Mr. Harris's Annual Report to the Secretary of War, will be inserted in a subsequent page. Mr. HANOVER BRADLEY, of NewHaven, Conn. has recently been appointed Assistant Teacher for the Cataraugus Mission, with instructions to aid in the management of the Seneca School, until another Teacher shall arrive. Mr. Bradley reached this city on the 11th of the last month, and proceeded on his journey to Seneca on the succeeding day. Since the departure of Mr. Bradley, the Managers have appointed Mr. GILMAN CLARK, of Hancock, N. H. to the office of Principal Teacher for the Seneca Mission. Mr. Clark will probably repair to his destined station in the course of a few weeks. UNION MISSION. VIEW OF INDIAN TRIBES IN THE WEST. The Superintendent and Assistant to the Domestic Secretary. We have long looked with peculiar interest on the forlorn condition of the western Tribes of Indians, and have endeavoured to embrace every opportunity to ascertain their real condition, as well as the most suitable means of introducing among them the blessings of civilization and of the Gospel. Those that are entirely vagrant are apparently in the most hopeless condition. In the fol lowing remarks, therefore, an attempt will be made more particularly to plead their cause. The Kanzas, Ottoes, Ponkas, the several Tribes of the Pawnee Nation, the Mandan, the Rickera, &c. live in fixed towns. Most or all of them speak dialects of the Osage language, and cultivate the land to about the same extent as the Osages. They are undoubtedly in a much better situation for improvement, than they can be when the corruptions of the whites shall have gained a firmer footing among them. But these improvements should be introduced in a way that would comport with their present state of ignorance, jealousy, and prejudice. In view of the civilization and salvation of all the Indian Tribes to the west of us; the establishment of permanent missions on so large a scale as to be able soon to support themselves in those Tribes, that are near our frontiers, is undoubtedly a measure of the most essential importance. They form a rendezvous from which the pioneers might emanate with the greatest advantage to the more wild and remote nations ; where infant missions may most conveniently be furnished with many of their outfits; and where by necessary habits of discipline they may be prepared for their future employment. But to send a mission family directly into every settled Tribe without any previous steps to secure their confidence, would probably be unwise. For notwithstanding they are stationary, and in circumstances much more favourable for civilization than the wandering tribes, yet before they could have time from long acquaintance to repose a sufficient degree of confidence in those who propose a change, or before they are prepared to appreciate the benefit of such an untried measure, some unfavourable event or some unfriendly advi ser might induce them to change their minds, reject the offered blessings, and dash in a moment the rising hopes of a mission, sent an immense distance, at great expense. But much more is it necessary to take precautionary steps among those whose residence is as unconfined as the animals on which they feed. The principal nations of this description are the Sioux, the latans, the Arapahoes, and the Shoshonees or Snakes. Some however of the Sioux and Snakes have fixed abodes. From the best information in our possession it would appear that these four general divisions of the wandering Indians embrace a much larger number of individuals than any other similar divisions on the Continent. Their languages appear to be stocks from which others are derived,and it appears probable that there are but few primitive languages in the western country They are represented to be remarkably friendly and fond of our countrymen. Each of the numerous bands contains an immense number of individuals. They remove but a few miles at a time; but so frequently as to be always in the neighbourhood of the buffalo, on whose flesh they depend for food, and on whose skins neatly dressed and beautifully ornamented they de pend for clothing. Their houses consist of small poles 30 or 40 feet long set up in the form of a pyramid, and covered with dressed skins, which furnish comfortable shelter where dews for the most part supply the place of rain. These are conveyed by horses or dogs.All the Indians in the western wilderness are very attentive to their religious rites, many of which more nearly resemble those of the ancient people of God, than those that are noticed by the Star in the West. The Christian can find no exception of Nations of wandering habits, |