Newspaper Page Text
JOSEPH S. BAKER— Editoh.
VOL. XIV.
PER ANNUM.
“ShT* The Christian Index, publish
p.u on Friday in each week, (except two
in tho yoar), will be furnished to each sub
scriber at $2 50 cents, in advance; tr S3
if not paid within the year.
Every Agent, (and all Baptist Ministers
are particularly solicited to become agents,)
who will procure and pay for five copies of
tho Index, shall he entitled to a sixth, as a
compensation for his trouble.
Letters on business, oronmmnnicatipns
must be ad Iressed to the Editor, post
paid.
Advertisements may be inserted otwjput
,-,l terms, at the discretion of tbo Einter.
——l—l——
For the Christina Index.
Columbia, Ilrnrv County, Ala., )
Feb. sth, 181(5. $
Dear Brother , —l wish yon to publish
the following items in the Christian Index!
My object in this communication, is to
say to the ministers and churches of the
Bethel Association, to set their fares against
their ministers or their members, uniting
themselves with the Masonic Lodge, fur
that lias 1 een a cause of much perplexity
in the Baptist churches, ever since l have
been a member of the Baptist church. At
this time; nearly fifty-seven years, l have
known of two of our ministersexcomninni- 1
rated for Uniting themselves with the Ma- I
sonic Lodge, who never relumed any more.;
The occasion which has led ine to 1
make this reluctant communication is, that
two of our aide and respectable minister*
have gone over to die Free Masons, and
united with them, and are now members of
that body. On that occasion lam so trou
bled in heait 1 cannot forbear speaking out
to my dear brethren ; for the cause of my
blessed Jesus is suffering, which is nearer
io me than life. Tbeiinitiv of the churches
is my principal object of my communica
tion and the well being of the churches,
otherwise 1 would have been silent. 1
could s\iy much nior 1 ’ on this perplexing
subject; bm 1 forbear. 1 wi<li not to aflliet
the heart of any brother or sister.
Now, in accojdanre to what I have
written above, 1 will make an extract from
The Minutes ofthr* 44c-motgn As*<*-n mmc;
taken in the year of our Lord, eighteen
hundred and uventy-one, which reads as
f illows :
••Took tip the ipieries foin the church
at Eli in, viz—lst, Is it consistent with
the gospel of Christ, fur a member of the
Baptist church to unite liirns If with the
M asonic Lodge ?
.ins. No.
2nd. What shall he done with a member
that e*s thus ?
Jtns. Let him be dealt with as an offen
der, according to the discipline ff the
gospel.
Now, bro. Baker. I submit the ‘above to
you for you to give it a place in the Index.
I am truly yours. May the Lord prosper
your labors is inv prayer.
EDMUND TALBOT,
For the Christian Index.
To Christian Professors,
There is, iny dear brethren, laid in Z on
a precious corner alone —a sure foundation
upon which the Church of God is immova
bly established. It is a foundation which
affliction, persecution and death, iti all iheir
most formidable terrors, cannot shake
which the malice of earth and hell cannot
undermine. Since its establishment, it has
weathered the blast and storms of a long se
ries of winter years ; and still it continues
firmer than the pillars of the universe, and
durable as eternity itself. This is the
rock; and its stability shall appear to admi
ring friends and ruined enemies, when
earthly sceptres, and crowns, and thrones,
and kingdoms—when this beautifully varie
gated globe, and all the sparkling lumina
ries of heaven, shall be hurled into promis
cuous ruin, When the angel’s trump shall
sound, and, as if seven thunders uttered
their voices, penetrate the receptacles of
the dead, and call the sleeping nations to
the dread tribunal—when those who have
built on tliis rock shall meet in triumph at
the right hand of their Judge, and those
who have neglected and rejected it on tire
left—then shall appeal the superlative ex
cellency and preciousness of this glorious
foundation’ Is it not valuable ?
No mention shall be made of coral or of
pearls. The brilliant topaz of Ethiopia
shall not equal it. Nay, its price is im
mensely above all the luxuriant delights
and glittering baubles that earth can afford.
Happy the soul fixed on this basis. Ru
in, inevitable ruin, awaits all besides; and,
when the rain and storm descend and beat
upon the house built upon the sand, it shall
tremendously fall, and its infatuated builder
with it, into the abyss of wo.
How important, then, my dear Christian I
M 3*
friends, that we know on what ground we
stand 1 How important- that we buthl up
on the rock, upon which millions have
built, who now sing in triumphant strains
its worth and gloiy !
I do long to feel the attraction of that
Cross, where God my Savior loved ami
died, and have my whole soul assimilated
to him, who went about doing good.
How much might we do to benefit those
around m soul and body ! And what sweet
felicity vibrates in the philanthropic breasts
Who that lias entered the unheeded hut of
poverty, and poured the illuminating rays
; of divine wvfcb Jtohrfewfc •
witnessed their anxious tears, and heard
their plaintive, inquiring moans, as they
tenderly listen to something wonderously
new ; who. that lias supplied the wants of
penury, and cheered the heart throbbing
with misery; who, that lias smoothed the
sufferer’s aching pillow, and taught him to
seek durable riches and righteousness, and
aspire after a crown unfading m.d eternal in
that world, when sickness, sortow and
death, shall he known no more ; who, that
lias tasted of the divine luxury, accompany
ing a sincere and unostentatious discharge
of these duties; would relinquish it for
seats of royally and crowns of gold ? Does
it not grieve you, mv dearehristian fiiends,
to hear some sav, in answer to inquiry, “ I
cannot go to meeting for want of decent
••lollies—l have nothing to wear.” Ah.
what shall he done? Must they bid adieu
to the house of prayer, where God often
meets with sinner;, ami makes-them in
raniest foi the one thing needful ? But if
they took delight in the worship of the
Mint High, would they not be willing io
appear in his earthly courts, though in
mean and homely apparel? ] have some
times thought, () that my ability were
commensurate with mv wishes ! hut I check
myself by reflecting tlmf, if I bad wealth at
my disposal, 1 might spend it on tny lusts.
Oh, for a spirit of weaneiinese from the
world, and devotion to God! Why do 1
sit still in slothful apathy, and spend my
precious time in vain—a useless ettmberer
of the ground ? Wi re I not awfully sunk
, in stupiiKiy, inv terns would bedew this pa
| per and m x u ith this ink. Oil, that my
■ hem. were waters, and mine eves a fountain
j of tears, that 1 might weep over this conta
gious lukewarmness and sottishness, which
has not only overspread me, but is mani
fest in many around me, who have little
more of religion than the name, whose
tongues fluently cvnvcrse on worldly to
pics. Hut let the character of Jehovah,
the charms of Jesus, ihe sublime realities
of eternity, the ineffable v alue of the soul,
the ilelig.itfnl interest of Zion, the exercise
and experience of true Christians, and the
vast importance of retaining not only the
form hi t the power of godliness ; let tlipse
be tint introduced, anil they arc tacit, ami
perhaps surprise am’ chegrin arc depicted in
iheir aspect. When 1 have spent whole
afternoons in the company of prof ssors,
aid have thus seen their voluliiliiy on secu
lar subjects, and on any subjects but the
best and the sweetest; and if any one had
courage to advance this in li t most inoffen
sive and conciliating manner, no one would
kindly second it, but ail seemed eager, the
first favorable moment, to give it a widely
different turn. O, 1 have painfully reitera
ted mentally, “ Are these Christians ? have
they lasted that die Lord is gracious? have
they learnt the sweet language of Canaan?
and are they travelling the road to Zion?
Do tell me, my dearly beloved friends of
Christ, what you think of such characters?
Can religion dwell in our hearts, and yet
never be heard from our lips? True, all
have not equal freedom in disclosing their
feelings, and conversing on tilings pertain
ing to the kingdom of God ; yet if we have
one spark of grace, shall >ve not drop a few
words, and talk as much on this as on other
themes ?
A FRIEND.
YOUTH’S IJEIM RTTI SENT.
A Series of Instructive Lessons for
Youth, from which those of riper
years may cull something profitable,
arranged in alphabetical order. lit/
U.vci.k Thomas.
No. IV.
Dear Young Headers, —“ Do unto oth
ers as you would they should do to you,”
is an appropriate sentence for the beginning
of our fourth lesson; and who of you ean
say, Jdo? Have you the courage now to
confess your fault in this matter, and to
amend your ways ? May a kind Provi
dence. who has wisely and graciously laid
this injunction or command upon you, as
sist you so to fulfil it as to bring peace to
your own souls and honor to Him, the
great Lawgiver!
The discharge of an incessant round of
Duties is the business of this life; and he
who acts his part most faithfully enjoys the
FOR THE BAPTIST CONVENTION CI tfe STATE OF GEORGIA',-.
PENKIELD, G*U FffitiiMttf 37, 1846.
most real pleasure. What encouragement,
then, is this for each one to he Diligent in
bis sphere of anion I Husband your time
well ; for every moment lost detracts some
thing from the amount of pleasure which i*
is your privilege ami duly to enjoy. In
your Demeanor towards others, be genJjfDr
civil, urbane, consistent. If w-itli
feriors, make no di.-pl.iv,of •Hpfiriority : let
others discover i: for “you, and they will not
fail to award you due praise. If with your*
equals, be not assuming or vainly desirous
of notice; your good qualities will he dis
covered, y out-bad ones are not worth show
ing. And if with your superiors, acknow
ledge your inferiority by seeking informa
tion of tlvctn prudently and modiyilv.
Disobedience to parents, and those wniv
tide over tis, is the fruitful source of much
crime and misery ; and it is to he hoped
but few of iny readers are ttninstructcd on
ibis subject. Take heed, therefore, to your
instructions; thus honor your father and
mother, in which you shall he blessed.
Ever be Diffident of your own abilities
and talents, taking knowledge of the weak
ness and fallibility of vour nature. This
will not prevent you from cultivating?! hab
it of Decision foreign from rashness am!
self-confidence, on which many arc wreck
ed in the voyage of human life. The great
est men of every age have been noted for
decision of character, not without prudence,
caution, diffidence.
Let your Desires be moderate and chaste,
that your disappointments in ay he tolera
ble.
Forget not your state of Dcpmdance for
every blessing and privilege, not one being
inherently your own, but all the gracious
bounties of the Author of our being.
Finally, think o( Death. Many young
er than you have died, and are constantly
dying; those older, as well as yourself, ran,
at most, live but little longer. “Life is
llte time to serve the Lord”—to prepare for
eternity. Death is lull the gate to endless
life—of bliss or misery. Aie you prepared
to pass the portals? What are your hopes
beyond die grave ? Answer these ques
tions faithfully ; it will he time writ spent.
INDIAN MISSIONS.
AM N UAL MEETING
Os the American Indian Mission Asso
ciation.
The minutes of the third annual meeting
of the Association have just issued IVnfci die
press', the publication having been delayed
by the unavoidable absence of the Corres
ponding Secretary. Our limits vv ill not ad
mit of their insertion entire, and vve can do
no more than furnish the following synop
sis. The meeting was one oftmsual inter
est, on which account we the more deeply
regret that we cannot insert the whole of
the minutes, including the annual report of
the Hoard.
The meeting was held in the city of
Louisville, Ivy., on the 30tli and Hist days
nl Oct., and the Ist and 2d,days of Nov.—
Eighty-three members were present, from
the Slates of Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky,
Tennessee ami Georgia. The whole num
ber this year who, according to the charter,
compose the Association, is 284 : and thev
are in Ohio, Indiana. Kentucky, Illinois,
Missouri, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, New
Yoik, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia,
South Carolina, (North Carolina, District
of Colombia, and Maryland. The Con
stitution was so amended as to admit of life
memberships, by the payment at one time
of thirty dollars; and five life members are
reported. „
Rev. W C Buck, of Ky„ was elected
President; Rev. S II Cone, D 1)., N. Y-,
Hon. Thus Stocks, Ga., Rev. S W Lynd,
I) I)., Ohio, and Thomas G Blevvett, .Miss.,
Vice Presidents, Rev. T S iMal.com, Re
cording Secretary; J lev Isaac McCoy,
Corresponding Secretary, and C. Van Ihis
kirk, Treasurer.
The annual sermon was preached bv Dr.
Lynd, of Cincinnati. The Committee of
Agency in Madisiori, Georgia, wusoonlinii
ed. Two missionaries, viz ; II W Jones
and P P Brown, were publicly recognized
by appropriate religious exercises, which
were of thrilling interest.
It was decided to be expedient to contin
ue semi-annual meetings, and the Board was
directed to fix the time and place for the
next. It will he held in Columbus, Miss.,
commencing on Thursday the lfltli day of
April next.
The next annual meeting is to be held in
Louisville, Ky., to commence on the 29th
day of October; Rev .1 M Pendleton is to
preach the annual sermon, and in case of
failure, Rev. A D Sears.
The meeting was interSpercd with reso
lutions and addresses deeply interesting;
and on the Sabbath, twenty-two sermons
ere preached in the city by members of
ihe Association.
The whole amount of receipts, including
the amount in the treasury at the beginning
of the year, was $9,216 23. The whole
amount of expenditures was $7,993 75
leaving a balance in the treasury ofsl,-
222 49. Os this balance, S6OO were for
a specific object, which left a balance in
the treasury, applicable to general purposes,
of 56?2 48.
’The annual report of the Board covers
morethan twenty octavo pages, It is divi
ded into sections.
The. first expresses gratitude to God for
his blessings bestowed open the operations
of the institution ; and it declares that “the
calls for help from th'’ Indians’ land have
conyfogv wafted touuer, and.become mope
imp/ The evidences of qlti
riMrsnuccexs m the work of Ijjdihn reform
:,rir JC*’ Us, and lltfv rrorovement h£ he
so encouraging, that-they
‘->Cive date io u new era in the history
of I‘(San affairs.
Fjtion second recommends the continu
ant 1 vs semi-annual meetings.
-* yftion third speaks of business with the
gorAnvnem of the United Smtes, and shows
tho# is the duty ofthe Aosociction to keep
itsel Lilly informed ol matters relating to
they dinns, and to be prepared at all times
inqs* ') a respectful notice of whatever may
wo l ’isodviinlngeoualy.for them".
d<.NScribes 4 the boundaries
amt character of the Indian” Territory!—
Twenty-three tribes reside therein, with a
population of 94.840. Ten of these are in
digenoud to that county, and are. unimprov
ed in the\r condition. Seven tribes which,
n few yckrs ago, when missionaries first
went arming them, were really tribes vs
hunters, ale now far advanced in civiliza
tion. Fivb.ofthc immigrant tribes, embra
cing a population of more thnn 70,000,
may be cltssed with civilized man.
Section'fifth relates to tho establishment
of n second Indian Territory, /vest ofthe
Rocky Mountains, Great importance is
attached to this design.
aectwn sixth continues to hold up to
view the importance of polishing, ns soon
as practicable, n faithful history of the In
dians.
Section seventh relates to the publication
of the monthly reports.
Section eighth reports the condition of
the department of agencies.
Section ninth speaks of the condition of
the treasury.
Section tenth reports the condition of the
subject of a transfer oflndian missions from
he Boston Board to this Association.
Section eleventh relates ta schools.—
Three schools are in operation, two ofthem
upon the manual-labor system, and ihe oth
er is soon to be made the same.
Section twelfth speaks of the superior
excellencies of the new system of writing
and printing, and learning to read, as up-j
plicahle to nations destitute of a written lan-1
gunge. _
Section 13f/t furnishes tne names of the j
missionaries There ate, white male mis
sionaries, eight ; white female seven, (now
eight;) native preachers, two —in all, six
l,M Another is under appointment, ex
pecting to go out in the next spring.
Section 14/A gives an interesting ac
count of the labors of the missionaries in
ifie northern section of the field. They]
have suffered much with sickness the past j
summer. ‘They have borne iheir alllic- j
turns with Christian patience, and with char- j
ncteristic perseverance, have resumed their .
respective labors as soon as they were!
able,
Section i nth shows (hat religious affairs
in i,ht* southern section are even more pros
perous than in the nothern.
Section 10/A contains interesting extracts
from communications from the native
preacher, Joseph Islands.
Section ntli informs that five churches
nr” in connection with the Association,em
bracing 323 members,
Section 18/A is headed “Number y ami
condition ol ttie Aborigines geuwf'[ iin
North America,”
Section 19 Ih relates to.f'^-Ane subject
as it regards South America. The number
in North America is supposed to be about
4,500,000, and in South America 6,500,-
000—in all, 11,000,000.
Section 20/A concludes the report, and
exhibits in a brief manner, yet with irre
sistible force, the superior claims of the ab
original race upon Christians of America,
for the blessings of the gospel.
“WATCH.MAM, WHAT UF THE
NIGHT ?”
Wc hail with much satisfaction the in
dications of “a clear sky” to the forlorn
Aborigines of our country, (to use a figure
ot their own.) afierthe long season of cloud
iness which itas hovered over them. A
tnotig these indications wc not only remark
an,increase of sympathy in their favor, and
of a disposition to do them justice; but an
enlargement ofcurreci views and just sen
timents respecting their condition, and the
proper modes afunpioving it. Nor is it a
mong the less encouraging considerations,
that christians of different denominations
now discover that they may all go to work
in good earnest for those people, without
longer pausing for the settlement of dispu
ted points in relation to modes, and places
of residence ; and that they are disposed
to labor in ill is .department with a degree
of harmony creditable to the Christian, and
which Will doubtless receite the approba
tion of our common Lord.
The immediate occasion of these remarks
is a liberal notice of the American Indian
Mission Association, in the November
number of “The Spirit ol Missions,” pub
lished liy the Board of'Missions of the Pro
testant Episcopal Church in the U-S., N.
York, A lengthy extract in that work,
from the semi-annual report of the Associa
tion, is prefaced as follows:
“INDIANS.
“The project of anew State, made up of
the more civilized of the tribes within the
Indian Territory, is being/ agitated in some
of the secular prints. The most intelli
gent and experienced 1 as to their condition
and affairs, with whom wc meet, appear to
consider some such measure as this absc-1
lately rifecessary to ssvo this pqnp!?, rw! as I
ytitg, legitimate frui* of tjie advanctl* they
b e-already made in
- painful, and {remaps, useless, to dwell up
on the many obstacles thrown in their wuy
by interested while men. The Lord, <vo
trust, will touch the hearts of many among
our rulers wiili a generous, sympathy for a
feeble race, to nourish and cherish this
small remnant, tiil they are worthy of a
name and a place in a confederacy ofohri -
tian Slates. When this proud day ccimcs,
we may perhaps ask ourselves—W lint has
the church done to produce-this blessed re- ‘
stilt? Will not boasting then ho excluded?
luMooking at the territory, we see influen-
k. •’ ** i’- 1 •
for our common Christianity the honor of
achieving very much of what has been done
there inlaying the foundation of a Christian
State. Gladly would we ascribe it to the
church <?f our affections, if we could. This
very plan, which is begi tiling to appear
feasible, was long ago sketched by a Bap
tist clergyman, and the incipient steps ta
ken to prepare the way for it, which led,
in President Monroe's time, to the appro
priation of a territory west ofthe Missis
sippi as tocir Home. For years he was
single-handed and alone in his far-sighted
plans for their benefit; but keeping before
bis mind llic single idea of benefitting the
race, be has, in the course of a long life ol
devotion to it, seen difficulties vanish and
fiiends secured, which, to anv but an eye
of faith, would have seemed impossible.—
He is now the Corresponding Secretary ol
the American Indian Mission Association,
a copy of whoso late proceedings, at their
meeting in Georgia, has been kindly fur
nished us, from which we make extracts.”
HINDRANCE.
Our company of missionaries to the
Choctaws, who took passage in a steam
boat on the 19th ultimo, wire obstructed
by ice in the river and ret timed to the city
ol Louisville
The liver having again become naviga
ble, they again took leave of ns on the 6th
I inst. tn the steamer “Milwavkic ;” all in
good health, and anxious to enter the field |
lof labot to which they have consecrated, 1
! the remainder of their lives. We trust that]
J Israel’s God, and guide, and defence, will
Ihe theirs; and that they will, ere long, re
ceive the hearty welcome which we are
I confident is awaiting them at the Armstiong
i Academy.
After our article on the “Condition of
j Affairs” was in type, the following commit
! locations were received Irom brethren
i Bolts, Lykins and Skiggel:
] EXTRAC T OF A LETTER FROM
REV. R. D. BUTTS.
i
j Aiimstboxc. Acadkmv, Choc. Nation, £
I femnber 20, 1845.
My Dear Brother , —l have sat down in
my school house, surrounded by some ol
my buys warming themselves, whilst oth
ers are out at work, hoping that l may be
able, in my press of business, to complete
my letter.
I commenced my school the 2d Lust.,
amidst many discouragements in conse
quence of tin? work on tuy buildings, not
having been completed agreeably to eon
tract. 1 have been very much dishearten
ed, when I have suffered myself to think of
the time lost to the Indians; but to remedy
this, in some measure, 1 began whilst they
were, as they still are, at work on the build
ings. It has, and siiii does, pul nte to ntn
nv inconveniences; but if I can do a little
good by putting up with these things, I am
willing to do it.
I concluded to take in th it ty-five boys for
a begint.ing; how I will get through, isun
olh ir thing—living being high, anil my crop
having partly failed. But I trust by econo
mizing 1 shall get through,
1 cannot find lime to write you as fully
as l wish, having the whole establishment
mi my shoulders, from tile kitchen to the
pulpit, rnv pool wife not being able to assist
me any. You, who are acquainted by ex
perience with the work done in managing
such :m establishment, know wnut my la
bor is ; and when yon add teaching the
school, and keeping the hoys at work when
out, it is something of a task which I have
to perform.
I cannot describe to you my feelings
when I read your last letter, apprising me
of the fact that missionaries had been ap
pointed to ibis place. Seldom has it fallen
to the lot of a missionary to labor as i have
done. Eleven years have passed since 1
came to the Choctaws; and shat length of
time I have labored alone, amidst many dis
couragements. About eight years of the
time iny dear wife has been afflicted, so as
to be incapable of doing any thing. For
weeks at a lime 1 have watched at her bed
side alone, expecting every moment to see
her breathe her last. 1 had none to comfort
me hut God, and that was enough. ’Though
earthly friends deserted tne, God was with
me. These were only a part of my trials ;
but thanks be to God for his goodness, 1
have lived through them all, and now have
the joyful news that help is at hand.* My
brethren, I do thank you from inv heart,
that you have remembered the lonely mis
sionary in his secluded home in the forest.
I will return thanks unto God. iny Savior,
for his goodness. Oh, that 1 may hence
forth live more for him and his cause !
Pray that I may. Ido rejoice that Indian
missions are taking deep hold upon the
hearts of God’s dear people. ’ <
i presume ere this our brethren and si -
PuntTSHER—BENJ. BRANTKY
jters are on their way. Y shall Took for
| thorn about the first of January. Tin y
wn VC r> wide fold in Which to exercise
’in.it heucvwletice. ’ iiit.’Ker Brown will
have n school of about 40 or 50. We notv
have 2J in the family, besides two which I
support myself, and there are six more to
come ill. Five attend u .j, o |. t p ar( j ~t { lruiie>
P.nd after Jan nary first five or six-other day
scholars will come in. Sister Chenowet'li
will.find enough to do. in looking after, or,
in other words, managing household affairs.
Brother Jones will have a very important
part to th>. In all the different brandies
’ they will find opportunity to tell of Jesus.
VVr want a Sabbath .School Libtary.
Who will donate one, with some other
■r: : . - • 1 y ; -vy ■ —r-rrrmv? ii *-ytr, -
who wiii send lissome of Brother Buck's
Hymn Books? We cannot get along
without thescrrhmgs. | would affertion
atrly as|; mv bretfiren and sisters in the
West and South, if they will not send us
these books as a donation ? They know
not the amount of good such a donation
would do.
Most of my hoys had English names. I
have named one William Buck, one Robert
HoV-ell, and one Howard Malcom, Pliev
are three fine boys, and God grant that they
may become as eminent f..r piety, if not for
talents, as those after whom they are nam
ed !
Affectionately, yours in C!nit
it A MSA Y D. POTTS,
Rev. Isaac McCoy, Cor. See.
EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM
REV. DAVID LVEINS.
Siiawanoe, Indian Territory, )
January 6, 1846. $
Rev. Isaac McCoy, Cor. See. <fcc.
Dear Bro!her —lnclosed f send you the
journal of brother flenty Skigget, (Stock
bridge.) He has been licensed by the
church to preach, and continues Ins labors.
Several considerations encourage the hope
his usefulness will increase. He is as good
a prpnehor. (with some exceptions m lan
guage) as we commonly find-
The last meeting of which he speaks
; was truly interesting. A (fairs here are as-
I snming a more favorable aspect; and I do
; hope, that under the blessing of God, a
j brighter day will soon dawn upon this peo
i pie. Another Shawanoe, besides the one
j alluded to by brother Skigget, professes to
have obtained a hope in Christ.
I Brother Skigget lias seatcely clothes e-
I iiongii to keep him warm, and by no
; means enough to make him appear decent,
lie is needy—l have nothing to give him!
Pray for me and our people.
Affectionately vours,
DAVID LYIvINS.
Exhort from the Journal of Henry Skig
grt, a Stock-bridge Indian , who is a
Licensed Preacher.
Lord’s Day, Nov. 2, 1815. I preached
to the Kickapeos, ftotn John, 14th chapter
and 15tli verse; “'it ye love me, keep my
commandments.” [From this to the 7th
December, he preached frequently. On
that day he became sick, and was unable to
preach til! the 22d, of which lime lie say s f]
December 22.—0n Lord’s day, I once
more ha., the privilege of preaching to my
people. The house was crowded.
January 2, 1816. I left home to attend
a church meeting among tier Shawanoes.
Saturday. January 3.—lt was pretty lato
in the afternoon before I arrived at the
Shawanoe meeting-place. The exercises
had commenced before 1 got there. I
merely had lime to make a few remarks irs
the meeting.
Jannniy 4.—Brother J. Lykins preach
ed, and brother D. Lykins made some re
marks.
Tuesday, January 6.—Brother D. Ly
ktns and myself lelt Ins house on purpose
to attend appointments. It was quite a
long ride. I was called on by brother Ly
kins to preach. I took my place to address
the congregation, alter singing and prayer,
from John 14th and 27th—“ Peace I leave
with you; mv peace I give unto you,
&c.” I wished to impress these words
particularly upon those who belonged to
Christ, and [show] what effect this peace
had on the minds of those who had found
it. After I had gone through with what I
had to say, brother Lykins took his turn in
preaching. Afterwards a door of reception
was opened to any one who wished to join
the church. One came forward and was
received. This was a great, a glorious
meeting. I thought others must feel as I
felt. In fact I saw some of them in tears.
I hope this meeting will he long remember
ed by all that were present. There seems
to he much encouragement among these
poor Shawanoes, and among us who labor
in these fields.
*lt should be borne in mind that this same
devoted missionary, R. D. Potts, has sup
ported himself without cost to the charita
ble, the whole of his eleven years’ labor,
and, also, has applied all his surplus earn
ings under a commission from Government,
amounting to many hundreds of dollars, to
the promotion of the cause ol missions.—
We have the satisfaction of knowing sev
eral others who have done likewise. Dr.
J. Lykins, and Mr. R. SimerweJJ, are both
at this time, supporting themselves wiih
ont cost to the Board.
There are notv in the United States
about 70.000 Welch emigrants and their
children.
NO. -9.