Newspaper Page Text
No. 46.- Yol. 11.
FROM THE S. EVANGELICAL INTELLIGENCER.
It is with feelings in which we (rust not
a few of our readers will share, that we
find ouryelves called to give place in our
columns to the First Annual Report of the
Missionary Society of the Synod of South
CaVoliria and Georgia.
It is pleasant enough to see a solitary in
dividual now and ilien awakened to a sense
of his duty in'any point ; but to see a body
of men suddenly roused to a feeling of their
obligation to God, in reference to a point
of such deep and extreme moment as the
one before us—emerging from the dark
ness, and shaking off the slumber of many
generations, and putting forth their facul
ties and means in so great and glorious a
cause as that of the redemption of millions
from the guilt, and degradation, and eternal
ruin of sin, is a spectacle which neither man
nor angel may look upon without kindling
emotions of exultation and of praise.
We hail as the clear opening of a bright
and glorious day upon these long benighted
States, the rise and first movements of this
infant Society ; and we would loudly sum
mon to it, the attention and the aid of all,
at least, who are in immediate connexion
with the ecclesiastical body by which it is
founded and directed. Its first great under
taking is unfolded in the Report ; the
amount of (he means already collected for
the prosecution of it, is also stated ; the de
ficit is obvious. Our appeal'on tfie occa
sion is to the hundreds of us who are able
to make it up ; and who have formally
sworn themselves into the stewardship of
Christ; our prayer on their behalf—and
we offer it up as well on their own ac
count, as on account of the common cause,
is, that they may have laid down upon
their hearts, at this critical moment a deep
and affectionate sense of their obligations in
the cause.
FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
Os the Board of Managers of the Domcstick
and Foreign Missionary Society of the
Synod of South Carolina and Georgia. —
JVov. li, 1820.
The Board of Managers, in compliance
with the sth arrtcle of the constitution,
would present to the society this their an
nual report. It could not he expected,that
during the first year of the society’s exis
tence, much more would be done than funds
collected and arrangements made for future
operations. No missionaries have there
fore been employed in the interiour during
the past year. In order to our making a
Biicc.es.,fui effort towards the civilization
and religions instruction of the aborigines
on our borders,*it appeared absolutely ne
cessary that suitable persons should first be
employed to explore the country, gain the
consent of the Indians to the proposed
measure of benevolence, and look out suit
able sites tor missionary stations. Accord
ingly. Thomas C. Stewart and David Hum
phreys, Licentiates of the of
South Carolina, were employed for that
purpose. Notice vva given to the Secre
tary at War, of the existence of our Socie
ty and our views towards the Indians on our
borders, and letters were obtained from
him, introducing our missionaries to the
agents of the several tribes, and requiring
the influence of said agents in their favour.
After a tour of more than three months,
these gentlemen returned. They have
rendered in their report, end for the satis
faction of the society, the Board would pre
sent it entire, which was as follows :
To the Board, of Managers cf the Domestick
and Foreign .Missionary Society of the Syn
oil of ‘S'. Carolina and Georgia.
Pursuant to a commission, received frpm
your committee to itinerate as missionaries
amongst the aborigines on our south-wes
tern frontier, we left South Carolina on the
28!b of April, and proceeded by way of
Athens, Watkinsville and Madison, lo Mon
ticello, on tiie frontiers of Georgia. As we
passed on, our hearts were encouraged by
the kindness and attention of Christian
fiiends, and the interest manifested for our
safety and the success of our mission. We
preach* 1 occasionally to audiences of res
pectable size, amongst whom we found a
goodly number of friends to the project of
Missions to the heathen. May their num
ber daily increase, and may they evince
their attachment to the cause by .such vig
orous, active, and unwearied exertions to
promote its success as the importance of
the work demands.
At Monticello we met with one of the
(Chiefs f the. Creek Nation, who was friend
ly to our views and promised us his assis
tance. He informed us that a council con
sisting of all the chiefs of the nation was to
convene the 20th of May at Broken Arrow
Village on the Chatahoochie. We were
advised by Dr. Brown to remain near the
frontier until near the time of the meeting
of the council. We accordingly did so, and
spent the intervening time at Morllicello,
iliHedgevilleand Katonton, preaching as
often as opportunity offered, and collecting
information respecting the disposition of
the Indians, the geography of their coun
try, and the way in which we would be
most likely to succeed with them. We al
so visited Gen. Mitchell, (the agent for the
Creek Nation) who at thattime was at his
plantation on (lie Oconee. He received.
V politely, and promised to use bis intlu-
THE MISSIONARY.
GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD, AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE. Jesps Christ.
ence with the Indians od our behalf. He
stated to us that it would not he convenient
for him to attend the council, but he would
write thetn on the subject. Matters being
thus arranged, we left Monticello on Tues
day the 18th of May, and proceeded to
Broken Arrow, where we arrived on the
20th, and found a great concourse of Indi
ans. When we beheld these.tawny chil
dren of the forest, the ancient proprietors
of the soil—when we reflected upon their
situation, that they were enveloped in hea
thenish darkness, destitute of the true
knowledge of God—that they were igno
rant of their deplorable condition by the
fall, and of that provision which has been
made for man’s salvation by the blood of
Christ—that they were unapprised of the
awful realities of the invisible world, and
unacquainted with all those arts of civilized
life which contribute much to the happi
ness of man—our hearts were moved with
compassion for them, and our anxiety to
effect the desired object greatly increased.
The council did not commence business
till the 21st, when it was opened with the
usual ceremony of partaking of the black
drink , (a tea made of the Yopon leaves) to
which they attach a superstitious efficacy ;
alleging that it brightens their ideas, and
enables them to form more oprrect and just
decisions upon any subject that may come
before them. On inquiry we were inform
ed that we could not have a hearing until
after the affairs of the nation were attend
ed to, which was not until the 24th. On
this day we laid our papers before them,
explained the whole plan, and endeavoured
to convince them of the advantages which
might arise from their acceding to the pro
posed measures of benevolence. After a
short consultation on the subject, the pre
siding chief, in the name of the council,gave
us to know that our proposal could not be
accepted. He observed that the laws, the
religion, and the. government of the white
people did not suit their situation; that they
had hitherto been a separate and distinct
people, and they wished to remain such ;
to enjoy their own privileges, be governed
by (heir Own laws, and retain the. manners
and customs of their forefathers.* It was
observed as an answer to this objection,
that it had been the custom of their forefa
thers to procurp a subsistence by hunting,
which, through necessity, they must soon
relinquish, as their hunting ground was now
lessened and game be come scarce. To this
he replied with some warmth, that their
hnuting ground would not have been les
sened had not the white people taken it
from them. Another objection was, that
they did not understand our language,which
he considered a very great obstacle to their
obtaining an education from ns. He ob
served further, that there were men of
their own nation and language capable of
teaching their children, which men they
would employ when they thought proper
to do so, without our assistance. Thee
and such *like objections were brought for
ward, which we in vain endeavoured to ob
viate.
The door of entrance into the Creek
nation as permanent missionaries appeared
to he shut against ns by an overruling Prov
idence. Os all the chiefs who attended the
council, only two were friendly to us.—
These two, in consequence of their intem
perance (to which all are sadly addicted)
were debarred from a seat in council on
the day that we made our proposal to them.
It appeared to be the general impression
that we were designing men wno had no
other object but to deceive (hem.
Finding that we could do nothing amongst
them, and they were not yet
ripe for missionary establishments, we de
termined to visit the Cbickasaws, and for
that purpose left Fort .Mitchell on the eve
ning of the 24th, and proceeded by the way
of Fort Jackson, and the falls of Cababa to
Rtlssell’s settlement in the Alaham i, which J
place we. reached the first day of June.—j
Being somewhat fatigued, we concluded to 1
spend a while in this and other settlements
on the Black Warriour, which were desti
tute of the. stated means of grace. We
preached frequently during our stay to
large and attentive congregations. On
Monday the 12th we resumed our journey,
and passing by Columbus and the Cotton
Gin Port, entered the Chickesaw Nation
on the evening of the 17th.
[A description of the Chickasaw country, and
an account of the friendly reception which these
gentlemen experienced from the pfltives, togeth
er with the articles of agreement entered into
with the chiefs, by which they consented to ap
propriate As ranch land ;is would he necessary for
a Missionary Establishment, bavins; for its object
tjie education of their children and young men,
are omitted—they having appeared in the Mis
sionary of the 2d March.]
Before we proceeded to explore the
country, we spent a week at Elliot, in the.
Choctaw nation. The school at this es
tablishment consists of 70 Indian children,
whose progress in learning exceeds the
most sanguine expectations of their instruc
ted. Many of them learn to read and
write before they acquire a knowledge of
the English language. Tlie missionaries
have not yet had the satisfaction of seeing
any of them impressed with a sense of their
lost and undone situation, and anxiously in
quiring what they should do to be saved.—
This is a source of much grief to them.—
MOUNT ZION, (HANCOCK CO. GA.> FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 1821.
Brethren—We shall rely on your kind
ness and friendship in furthering our impnr
tant object among you, and in aiding the
brothers, (as far as convenient) who may.
undertake the task of instruction.
We should be happy at all times to hear
from you. We would diligently attend to
any wishes you may express, or any sugges
tions you may think proper to make on
this subject.
We remain your friends aud brothers.
Mr. S. is willing to become a permanent
missionary to the Chickasaw Indians, ve
quring nothing more from our society, than
a comfortable support. He is highly re
Thky are, however, not discouraged. They j
are willing to wait the Lord’s own time,
when he will make bare his arm for the
salvation of those benighted children of the
forest.
On Wednesday, the 28th, we left Elliot,
and proceeded to Ooktibbeha. Thence np
the Tombecbee, exploring the country for
the purpose of selecting a site for the es
tablishment. After travelling about 40
miles up the river, we were informed of a
place which it was thought might answer
our purpose. Having procured a pilot, we
proceeded to the spot for the purpose of
examining it. At this place we found a
spring which affords a plenty of water at all
seasons of the year. It runs out from a
high bluff, east of which, and at the dis
tance of about 50 yards is a pleasant situa
tion for building. Ou the westside of the
bluff, about 80 or 100 yards distant is anoth
er site, which is high and pleasant. On the
opposite side of a creek which runs near to
the spring is a body of excellent low land.
Os this there are about 40 acres which is
subject to be overflown by the creek when
full. the bottom, and proceeding
south-easterly, we entered a tract of up
land of about 100 acres, which is very lev
el and tolerably good. This is about a
quarter of a mile from the spring. About
500 yards from the spring and on the same
side of the creek, is another body of very
good upland. Os this there are about 80
acres. The low grounds of the creek af
ford plenty of timber suitable for rails,
boards, &c. The upland will furnish tim
ber for houses, plank, shingles, and other
purposes. The Tombecbee which is uav
igable to this placs for boats of 25 tons, is
about two miles and a half distant. Avery
good road may he made from the river to
the establishment,*without much labour.—
We were of opinion that the place would
be sickly, as there are many marshes both
on the creek and river. We therefore left
the Tombecbee, and weuton to the Natch
ez trace, where we examined another place
which we concluded a much better one
than that on the river. This is about two
and a half miles east of the above-men
tioned road, 27 miles west of the Cotton
Gin Port, and 4 mile* N. E. of the Chick
asaw agency. There are about 150 acres
of very good land, which is well timbered,
attached to the place. There is no spring
convenient to a suitable site for building,
but. we are of opinion that good water may
be had by digging 20 or 25 feet. The sur
rounding country is pleasant, and promises
health, being free from swamps and stag
nant water.
During our stay in this nation, (which
was nearly three weeks) we had hut one op
portunity of preaching to them, as few un
derstood our language, and we had no io
tei prefer. We made one appointment,
and preached to about 70 persons, most of
whom understood English.. The congre
gation was orderly and attentive.
On Monday, the lOlh.of July, we turned
our faces homeward, and passing by Hunts
ville, in the Alabama, and Brainerd, Spring
Place, and Taloney, in the Cherokee Na
tion, arrived home the 31st, after an ab
sence of 8 months and 3 days.
Thomas C. Stuart.
David Humphreys.
A letter was received from the Chiefs or
Head Men of the Chickasaw Nation, stating
that they had seen the brethren sent out
by our Society, and that they are much
pleased with them ; they wish them to re
turn and teach ‘heir children ; and desire to
know whether they will send them back in
the course of the winter.
To this letter, (he following answer was
returned.
Maj James Colbert , Chickasaw Nation.
Brother—We hove ju.*t received your
letter of the sth July, for which accept our
thanks. We take the liberty of replying
through you, to the Ile.ad Men of your Na
tion, who have expressed their desires for
the establishment ofschools among you.
Brethren—lt is our earnest desire to
promote the advantagesofeducation, among
those who have hitherto been destitute of
them. We are happy that you understood
and so justly appreciated our friendly views.
We shall make it our study to advance the
interest of yourchildren as far as lies in our
power, and we shall make every exertion
to meet your wishes.
Brethren—One or both of the brothers,
who were with you, will return in the
course of the ensuing winter. Probably
early in that season. We assure you that
we shall make as early arrangements as
possible, in order to answer your expecta
tions.
commended by his own Presbytery, and by
all acquainted with him; and arrangements
have been made for his ordination, provid
ed he be appointed tq that important sta
tion. A number of labourers are also to be
obtained for one year; and should the
measures be approved by the Society, they
will, as soon as possible be transported to
the place selected fora missionaryestablish- ‘
ment in the Chickasaw Nation. Could inis
family be fitted out immediately, it is be
lieved that some land might be cleared
ready for a crop in the spring; and that
many of the necessary buildings might be
erected before the meeting of the Society
next fall. The general government, pur
suing a humane and enlightened policy,
highly honourable to us as a nation, propo
ses to defray three-fourths of the expense
of the buildings; but the other expenses
incurred in making such an establishment
will, at the commencement, be very heavy.
A wagon and team must be purchased, pro
visions obtained, and implement* of husban
dry and articles of domestick economy, will
be indispensably necessary.
It appears from the Report of the Treas
urer, that, comparatively, but little has
been received by him during the last year.
What monies may be received during the
present meeting of the Society, is yet un
known to your Board. It is feared that we
shall not be able to go forward immediately
with an establishment in the Chickasaw
Nation, unless we borrow money to a con
siderable amount. But delay in the pre
sent case would prove ruinous. By it, we
would lose the confidence of the Indians,
and blast onr prospects of usefulness
ainoDgst them forever. We hope that the
friends of the Society, that the friends of
missions, that the friends of man, that the
friends of religion and good order in civil
society, will not suffer us to be cramped and
fettered in our operations for want of funds.
Trusting in God, and iu the liberality of
our people, we shall venture to go forward
with our work.
Upper Longcane , Abbeville.
MISSION AMONG THE CHOCTAWS.
Extracts from the Journal kept at Elliot.
(Continued from page 170.)
Opening of a Road , 60 miles.
June 10,1820. The men, who have been
opening the road, returned in good health.
Wagon* can now come from, the Pigeon
Roost to Elliot without difficulty. This
road has cost us about 65 days labour, be
sides what was done by Capt. Folsom.
Brother Fisk returned to-day.
13 Meeting for business. Resolved,
that Mr. Jewell collect the remainder of
the cattle subscribed last August, for the
benefit of the schoel; and that a joint let
ter be forwarded to the Beard, as soon as
circumstances will admit.
14. A four-horse-wagon arrived at Elli
ot ; the first, which was ever in this part of
the country. It came from Tennessee, by
the way of the Pigeon Roost and the new
cut road, and brought/or a merchant in this
place about 2,000 yards of homespun cotton
cloth, an article much needed by the na
tives. Some of them manufacture consid
erable cloth; but there is by no means a
supply made for the inhabitants.
Judgment of a Tennessee Wagoner.
17. The person, who brought the cloth,
has been with us two days, for the purpose
of getting the wagon repaired at our shop.
When the brethren Kingsbury and Williams
were on their way to Yalo-Busha, in 1818,
they had an interview with the same man.
He had for many years been acquainted
with the Indians, and had not the least con
fidence in our undertaking. But now after
observing minutely for two days the con
duct and improvement of the scholars, he
could not forbear letting us know the
change of his opinion’on this subject. He
is now as much surprised at the results, as
he was at us in the fitst instance, for un
dertaking the work. He made presents to
the children, in small articles, to the amount
of about 15 dollars. * *
Rad example of White Traders.
18. There are several white men in the
neighbourhood, who have come to trade
with the natives in cattle, &c. They show
no regard for (lie Sabbath, or religious in
struction. Their example and conversa
tion have great influence with the natives.
How long shall those, who are educated in
Christian lands, bring scandal upon that
holy name, by which they are called.
19. A part of our supplies, which could
not he brought in our own boat, were
about the last of May put on board a boat
bound for this place. The owner arrived j
at Elliot to-day, having left the boat a con- |
siderable distance below ; there not being
sufficient water to britig it up. We have
hopes, that (here will yet he a rise in the
river. Generally we cannot calculate on
receiving supplies by water, after the Ist
of June.
Violent Thunder Storm.
This evening expet ionerd a violent thun
der storm, attended by one of those destruc
tive winds, which so often desolate this
country. Its effects, however, were com
paratively harmless, when estimated by
those, which have been frequently experi
enced. Several large trees were prostrat
ed near the house, aud considerable damage
Prior 5 $3,50 P r - w* ll * or i t
’ ( $3,00 in advance. >
was donfr to the corn, it came on ve
suddenly. The family were abroad in d*l
ferent directions; but through the kiodJ
providence of God, no one was injured,!
though some were nearly surrounded by!
the falling trees. The occasion furnished!
a good opportunity for impressing the minds 1
,of our childrenyvith the idea of the mighty 1
power of God.
20. Dr. Pride left home, with a boy and
two pack horses, to bring some articles |
from the boat, and secure the remainder..
All haDds were employed in repairing tlie
fences which were broken down by the
falling trees, in removing the scattered I
limbs from off the corn, and m setting up ,
that, which was blown down.
22. Dr. Pride returned with some arti
cles, which were much needed, from the
boat.
23. The mission ha 9 for some time ex- i
perienced very serious embarrassment for J
want of help; particularly some person to I
work with the boys, when out of school. I
Brother Williams has lately been feeble, i
and unable to attend to this part of the bn-1
siness. We have long expected the arrival I
of brother and sister Wood, and the breth-1
ren Howes and Dyer ; but as yet we get nol
intelligence of their approach.
Visit o f Messrs. Stewart and Humphreys.
25. Mr. Thomas C. Stewart and Mr.
David Humphreys, licensed preachers,
visited us to-day. They are ng°ots from
the Missionary Society of the Synod of
Georgia and South Carolina, to explore the
Indian tribes in the southwestern part of
the U. States. They have obtained leave
of ihe Chickasaw* to establish a school and
mission in ti at tribe. We were refreshed
by their labours of love, as they arrived in
seasdn to preach for us on both parts of the
day. This is a dry and thirsty land, where
there is no water. Oh that the Lord would
pour upon us the influences of his Holy
Spirit.
26. Special meeting for business; Re
solved., that a joint communication be for
warded to the Prudential Committee, in
quiring whether a large establishment, or
a local school, shall be commenced in the
Six-Towns.
27. Brother Jewell left Elliot for the
purpose of collecting the cattle mentioned
in a preceding resolution. They will be
taken to the new establishment. This eve
ning heard that brother and sister Wood,
and the other brethren, whom we have so
long expected, were at the. Walnut Hills,
and are probably now on their way to this
place.
28 Brother Williams went with a boy
and horses to meet our brethren and sister,
and guide them on their way to E! ! it.
Our dear brethren Stewart and Humphreys
took their leave of us this morning to re
turn to South Carolina.
Arrival of Messrs. Howes and Dyer.
July 1. Were rejoiced tortay by the a*
rival of Mr. Zechaiiah Howes, and Mr.
Anson Dyer in good health. They had a
long passage on the river, but were kindly
preserved amidst many dangers. Mr.
Wood was taken sick about 120 miles from
Elliot; and, with his wife, remained be
hind. Brother Williams went to their as
sistance. We have long expected these
brethren, and are greatly strengthened by
their arrival.
Sabbath 2. Had publick worship as usual.
We greatly need another missionary. If
the Prudential Committee and Christian
publick knew our situation in this respect,
they would heartily pity us. We are not
weary of the work; but we exceedingly
need some person, who can have leisurr to
attend to our spiritual concerns, and to the
souls of the dear people around us.
. 4. Meeting for business: Resolved, that
brethren Howes and Dyer direct the labour
of the boys in the corn field, and on the
piece of ground now clearing.
. Difficulties of Missionary T^abour.
5. Sent our herdsman and a boy to assist
brother Jewell in collecting and driving
cattle. There are now three brethren,
two boys, a hired man, and seven hoftes,
gone from Elliot on necessary business.
Another brother ought, if possible, to go in
a few days to the new establishment. Peo
ple who live in a civilized land, wher“ sup
plies can be obtained within a few miles ;
where they have the advantages of good
roads and accommodations while on jour
nies ; and where business can be conven
ient ly transacted ti rough the medium of
post offices ; —can have little idea of the
difficulty and labour attending the transac
tions of extensive business in the midt of
[the wilderness. Our supplies must be ob
tained, money procured, remittances made,
help hired, and almost all business perform
ed a* a distance of from 100 to 1,500 miles
from EIII4 ; while our letters are. lodged
at post-offices *lb, 100, and 150 miles dis
tant.
Brother Williams returned in the eve
ning with the boy, who went to m *et him.
His own health is much improved by the
journey ; but he found brother and sister
Wood very feeble and unable to ride.
They are at the bouse of a white man, who
is kind to (hem according to his ability;
but the accommodations are very poor for
sick’ people.
12. Mr. Howes has for several days beef*