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CONVERSION OF A BOOTCHUANA
WOMAN.
Cemmunicated by the Rev. Dr. Phillip.
Roselle, who was of the Bootchuana na
tion, (South Africa,) wa9 taken from her
parents when an infant, anil brought up by
n farmer on the borders of the colony.
Her master accompanied Dr. Cowan in his
attempt to penetrate into the interiour, and
this circumstance was the occasion of her
liberation from colonial servitude.
The following is the account which this
woman gave of her conversion ; and it is sta
ted in her own simple language, without any
attempt to improve or embellish it.
After the departure of her master into
the interiour, one of the servants belonging
to the farmer, used to call the slaves and
Hottentots together on the Sabbath eve
ning, when he read the Scriptures and pray
ed with them. ‘ When the scriptures were
read, 1 was struck,’ said she, ‘ to find that
they unfolded my heart; and 1 said that book
must be true that tells me my tho’ts.’ At
thi9 time she discovered so much of her sin
fulness, that she thought her salvation im
possible. ; God,’ she said, ‘might save lit
tle sinners, but his grace could not save her.’
She was now anxious for serious conversa
tion ; but could meet with no person who
could talk with her. From some person
who was travelling that way, she heard of
a missionary station, and became very anx
ious to visit it, but without being then able
to see how her wishes could he accomplish
ed. At this period she was often tilled with
admiration at the goodness and long suffer
ing of God, in sparing such a creature. She
one day w-ent to the brink of a precipice,
with the intention of throwing herself down
but was mercifully prevented. Her views
■were at that time very imperfect; her only
consolation was derived from what she had
heard of the love of God in giving his Son
to die for the world. In meditating on this
subject she began to receive great comfort;
she now began to think she was fit to die :
but after she went to the Missionary station
at the Great River, she found that she was
still very imperfectly acquainted with the
deceilfulness of her own heart, and that she
had yet much to learn. She now thinks
that her comfortable feeling o at that time
arose from her own fancy, and that she was
then unfit for the kingdom of God.
On her first coming under the preaching
of the missionaries, she had such discoveries
of her own unworthioess, as deprived her
of much of her pleasure ; but it made her
acquainted with her true condition, shewed
her the necessity of a Mediator, and ltd her
to a simple dopendance on the merits of
Christ. The first thing that raised her
from this desponding condition, was the dis
covery she had of the grace of God. She
saw that he wa able to pardon all her sins,
and that he could be just while he justified
the ungodly sinner. Her satisfaction and
happiness were now placed on a scriptural
foundation, kept pace with the increase of
her knowledge, and every new discovery
enlarged her views, and added to her peace
and comfort. She now fell great respect
for the people of God, for her teacher, and
for the ordinances of religion. She still
feels that she is not perfect. In her Chris
tian course she ha many painful struggles,
but she finds in the Scriptures an all-suffi
cient remedy ; they are the stay of her
mind, they prevent her from wandering
from God, and they are the delight of her
heart.
She now admires the providence which
separated her from her parents in early
life, and furnished her with the opportuni
ty of knowing the truth of God. Previous
to her knowledge of God, *he used to feel
enraged at those who had taken her from
her parents ; and cursed them in her heart ,
(this expression she mentioned several
times.) Now she sav°, she feels grateful:
to them for having taken her from her own
country; she is thankful to God for it and will i
be so through eternity.
She has much peace, but she finds it ne
cessary to be diligent in the use of means.
‘ He that continuelh to the end shall be
saved,’ is an expression which dwells
much upon her mind. For her spiritual
instructed she is peculiarly grateful. In
speaking of her confidence in the care of
God, she u°ed the following illustration.
When a child is laid down to sleep, it doe
not ak the parent to take care of it: when
l had no care for myself, no idea, how I wa
preserved. God cared for me: he awaked
me from the sleep of death, and it is by his
preservation that 1 am kept alive in the di
vine life. Comparing her former and pres
ent state, she says, ‘That she sinned with
out knowing what sin was, and she took
pleasure in sin; but now sin grieves her;
it is her great burden ; fjom this she desires
deliverance, and without this she thinks
heaven could not be a place of happiness,
were sin admitted into it.’
Roselle is, I suppose, about 33 or 34 years
of age, her features and complexion are
Bootchuana, but she has a very mild and
prepossessing countenance. She has been
between 11 and 12 years at our Missionary
station at t 1 Great River, and during ail
the time, 1 am told by her worthy teacher,
Mr. Anderson, that she has borne a blame
less character, that the whole of her con
versation has been ornamental to the Gos
pel, and that her chief happiness is in ser
ving God, in promoting the peace of the
church and in making others happy.
[Lun. Mag.
Melancholy Event at Hurd-war Fair , India ; j
in consequence of the superstitious zeal of
the. Natives.
On the 11th of April, 1820, a vast nnm- ■
ber of pilgrims repaired to Hurdwar, to
bathe in the sacred water, the descent to
which was by a steep flight of steps about
ten feet broad, A little before break of
day, a great multitude were assembled at
the top of these stairs, where guards were
plrced to prevent too sudden a rush. But/
two parties (the Sunvassees and the Byra°
gees) having contended for the preceden
cy, made a violent effort to gain the stairs,
when the unfortunate sepoys, and all (he
, multitude who were descending, were car
ried down with such violence, that they
were jammed in near the bottom,in a small
angular space, from which they could not
I hyvau&efforts extricate themselves, their
. entwined together. The most
! vigorous endeavours were made to relieve
i them, hut in vain. At length a great num
d>er of the dead were pulled out. About
tO o'clock the living who were below were
extricated, but they were in a most horrid
, state, their limbs blistered, inflamed, and in
. j a state of putrefaction ; the number of the
| living did not exceed 30, while that of the
dead amounted to 430. The dead bodies
were thrown into the Ganges.
[A/iinraj Gov. Gaz.
MISSION AMONG THE CHEROKEES.
Extracts from the Journal kept at Brainerd.
(Continued from page 153.)
Sept. 4, 1820. Received £3 2 from the
Rardstown baptist Missionary Society,
(Kentucky,) remitted to us through the
agency of the Rev. Mr. F.agleton. We
think we fee! thankful that our brethren.
. from different parts of the country, are al
fording us such seasonable aid. And we
are the mere thankful, as we have reason
to believe we have qlie prayers of those
J societies and individuals, who are assisting
I in the pecuniary concerns of this institution.
] 0. Brother Chamberlain went out for
i the purpose of preaching to-morrow, where
j we have an appointment once in four weeks,
| about fourteen miles up the Tennessee.
Sabbath 10. Brother C. returned this
evening. Had more than an ordinary num
ber of hearers, several of whom appeared
seriously impressed.
16. Brother C. went to Mr. Hicks’s to
spend the Sabbath. We formerly had an
■appointment there, once in two weeks :
hut since brother Butrick left us we have
not been able to go thither, oftener than
or.ee in four weeks ; and some of our sta
tions for preaching we have been obliged
to abandon altogether.
17. Brother C. returned, having had a
pleasant meeting with that dear people,
in that neighbourhood appear to re
joice in the blessings of the Gospel
20. A Cherokee woman called, and left
two girls in the school. They were very
unwilling to stay. They clung fast to their
mother, w ho, seeing she could not well gi t
i rid of them, desired Mrs. Hoyt to take them
| away out of sight. The children screamed
I and cried very much ; but the mother put
I on the fortitude to leave thenj in that situ
ation. When we consider how much pa
rents indulge their children in this country,
we are surprised, that they appear so desir
ous of leaving them at school, in those cas
es where the children are unwilling to
stay.
22. Sister Ann returned from Creek
Path, accompanied by Susan Brown, a sis
ter ofCatharine. She has lately obtained
a hope in Christ. God grant, that he may
adorn her profession as her sister has done.
Sister Ann informs us, that the work of
grace appears to he going on, at Creek
Path. She also informs u°, that she saw
our dear little Lydia on her wav to the
Osages. Lydia told her she wished she
could write to her father and mother.
Sister A. told her, she would write for her,
if she could tel! what she wanted to say.
She appeared pleased with this and began,
but was able to say only a few words, be
fore he became so much affected, that °he
could not proceed. She said, she wanted
her fattier and mother to come to the Osagp
country and take her.
Better from Creek Path.
Oct. 12. O how sweet it is to meet with
Christian friends in a heathen land. Our
I heart o were made to rejoice bv the arrival
of our dear brothers Butrick, John Brown,
sen. John Brown, jun. his wife, and sister
Catharine.
13. Meeting for business. A letter was
received from the chiefs, at Creek Path,
handed by John Blown, sen. Its contents
were as follows:
“ Friends and brothers,
“ We are glad to inform you, that we
are well pleased with Mr. Butrick, who ha°
come forward as a teacher to instruct our
people. We believe he does discharge his
duty ; and wr hope hi° coming will he of
great advantage to our people. Our wish
is, that you may prosper throughout our
nation, in your laudable undertaking. It is
out of our power to see you, in any short
time, on account or fheNationalConnc.il,
.and other business we are obliged to attend
;at this time, it is our wish the school
j should continue at this place. Mr. John
j Brown, sen. will deliver this, who will pre
| sent you cur hands in friendship. We hope
jwe shall see each other before long. We
i are glad to see our children advancing so
j well. We conclude with our best re
| --pects.”
Wau-sac-sey, Bear meat , Speaker.
1 Resolved , that Mr. Chamberlain be di~
! rented to answer the above letter.
: 15. Had a precious season in commem
orating the death of our blessed Immanuel.
0 how merciful is our heavenly Father, in
furnishing such a table in the wilderness.
16. Were disappointed in not seeing
any of the examining Committee ; but had
the pleasure of meeting several of our
Cherokee friends. We proceeded to ex
amine the schools, as if the Committee had
j attended. All, who were present, express
■ ed the highest satisfaction in the improve
! merit of the children. One of the little
girls got very badly burned. Her clothes
caught fire, and nearly consumed on her
back. We are thankful that both her pa
’ rents were here, and that the burn was not
so bad as to prevent their carrying her
home with safety.
I 17. Brother Hall arrived The stray
178
ing of his horse prevented his comin*asf]
week. The school under his care is dotn|e
well. About thirty-six attended constantly,;
and make good improvement.
Regulations of the Schools, fa.
Meeting for business: that the
principal teachers of the schools at this,
place have charge of all the clothing, books, j
&c. seni out for the use ot the mission ;,
thal nil applications for any ot the said ar-,
tides, by any member of the mission tamily,,
either at Bramerd, or any ot the local j
schools, he male to one ot them ; that they
lu’ep an accurate account ot all articles
given out, in a hook reserved solely tor
that purpose ; nnd that a copy -ot the ac
count of articles sold, or given out, to aoy
member of the mission family, or to the
local schools, bp given to the Treasurer ol
this mission to go up to the Treasurer ol
the Board, with our regular account.
Resolved , that we deem it important, j
that a female teacher be provided for the
school at Taloney to lake charge ot the
girls.
Resolved, that at each general meeting,
the teachers of the local schools shall re
port, at the same time, the general state
and prospects of religion and civilization,
at his station.
Resolved , that our general meelings be
held semi annually, viz. on the Saturdays
after the second Wednesdays of October
and April, anil that the order ot said meet
ings shall be as follows :
Ist. Preparatory iecture on Saturday.
2d. Sermon and communion on the Sab
bath. 3d. Examination of the schools in
this place on Monday. 4th. Meeting for j
business conducted as follows : First, read)
all communications, relative to the con-j
cerns of the missions, from the Cor. Secre-j
tary and Treasurer of the. Board, which
may have been received since the last gen-1
oral mseting, and all resolutions passed in :
the meeting o , for business at Brainerd.
Secondly : The teachers ot the local j
schools make their reports. Thirdly :;
The business of each local school in alpha-j
betical order. Fourthly: General busi-1
ness of the mission. j
Resolved , that, with the approbation of
the Prudential Committee, there be a semi- 1
annual vacation of three weeks, to com
mence at the local schools, on the Satur
days after the first Wednesdays in October
and April, and at this place the day after
examination.
18. Our dear brothers and sisters from
Creek Path left us to return. We have
had a delightful season with them, and part- j
ing was painful. How delightful will be:
the time when all the children of God shall j
meet in their Father's kingdom to part no;
more.
19. Brother Hall left us to return to
Taloney. i
20. We have just heard of the death of i
onr dear sister Crutchfield, at Springplace.
She. was the first fruit which the Lord
granted to our dear father and mother Gam- j
bold, and she is the first which He has ta- j
ken to Himself.
24. Brother and sister Chamberlain set’
out for father Gambold’s, where she ex
pects to remain while her husband goes to;
the Council, and to Taloney. *
Advances of the Cherokees in Civilization. \
Jfov. 1. Brother and sister C. returned.
He left sisterC. at father Gambold’s while
he attended the council. At the council
he took lodgings at Muj. Ridge’s, where he
had an opportunity of preaching to a large
number of our Cherokee brethren. The
Ridge says, he can never be thankful
enough to the missionaries for providing a
way for his son to receive an education.
He says, he wishes him to stay at Cornwall
until he gets a great education ; and he
hopes the Lord will give him a good heart,
so that when he comes home, he may he
very useful to his nation.
The Council have made a law to compel
parents to keep their children at school,
when once entered, until they have finish
ed their education, or to pay all expense
for clothing, board, and tuition. They
have also given the superintendents of
each mission authority to take out of their
schools such children, as they shall think
proper, and, with the consent of their pa
rents, put them to such trades asiare attach
ed to their missions; and when such chil
dren have learned a trade, they are to he
furnished with a set of tools at the expense
of the nation.
They have also divided their country in
to eight districts, or counties; laid a tax on
the people to build a court-house, in each
of these counties ; and appointed four cir
cuit judges. The Cherokees are rapidly
adopting the laws and manners of the
whites. They appear to advance in civili
zation, just in proportion to their knowl
edge of the Gdspel. !t therefore becomes
all, who desire the civilization of the Indi
ans, to do what they car. to send the Gospel
among them.
Brother Chamberlain, after leaving the
Council, went to Taloney, where he spent
the Sabbath. The people there, were
very attentive to preaching; some shed
tears ; one black man appeared to be a
subject of pungent conviction. Most of the
children of the school attended meeting.
They were very neatly clad. They ap
pear to be very intelligent, and we hope
°ome will be raised up there to be orna
ments to their nation.
4. Brother John Arch returned from a
visit to his father’s. During his absence,
he has attended a meeting of the Presbyte
ry and Missionary Society of North Caro
lina. He had an opportunity of sitting
down, at the table of our Lord, with above
five hundred brethren. The good people
there gave him clothing of the value of
more than SSO; and made hint a member
for life of the Missionary Society.
18. Brother Chamberlain’s little daugh
ter got some arsenide, which was mixed
with butter for the purpose of destroying
rats. We know not how much she had
jeatHr; rfiinrnPf
quantity was considerable. It produced a
Wiling thirst; and she had one severe
spasm. We administered a large quantity
of sweet oil, which, in a few minutes, coun
teracted the effects of the poison. After
this we gave her antimonial wine, which
operated as an einetick. But we have no
doubt it was the sweet oil, which, under
God, saved the child’s life. It might be
well if this remedy for poison were more
generally known.
We have now eleven boys and six girls in
the schools, supported in whole, or in part,
by different associations. All these are
premising children, and may hereafter, by
a divine blessing, do honour to the societies
and individuals by whom they are now sup
ported.
Weshould have mentioned in our journal
of Feb. last, that Dr. Joseph C. Strong ol
Knoxville, Ten. very generously vaccinat
ed a large number of our children; and
gave instructions for vaccinating the remain
der, should (be operation he successful in
these, by which means the whole school
have received the sure preventive of the
small pox. We did not notice this omission,
until we saw that part of our journal in
print.
-
MISSION TO THE OSAGES OF THE
MISSOURI.
New York, March 10.
j # . 1
i This interesting family, consisting ol 41
souls, has been collected from seven differ
ent states, and what is not less pleasing,
from the three different sections of the
! Christian Church, who have s.) harrooni
; ouslv combined their exertions in the work
|of evangelizing the heathen. On Monday
i evening last, they were publickly set apart
• to their office, in the Associate Reformed
; Church in Murray-street, where, after a
|short introductory prayer bv the Rev. Dr.
Moscn. and a well adapted piece of musick
i bv a select choir —the throne of grace was
| addressed by the Rev. Dr. Milledoler.
The charge to the missionaries was de
j liverfcd by the Rev. Dr. Romeyn.
| An Address was also delivered by the
’ Rev. Mr. Dodge, the superintendent, and
the Rev. Mr. Pexley, the assistant to the
mission, and
The exercises were concluded by a pray
er from the Rev. Dr. Proudfit.
On the evening religious ex
ercises were attended in the middle Dutch
j Church, when, after au introductory pray
jerby the Rev. Mr. Haight, of Wilton, and
i reading the general commission by the
: Rev. Dr. Spring,
The instructions to the missionaries were
: read by the Rev. Mr. Rowan,
i Addresses were delivered by the Rev. Dr.
Gunn, of Bloomingdale, the Rev. Isaac
’ Lewis, of Greenwich, the Rev. Dr. Mc
-1 Dowell of Elizabethtown, the Rev. Mr.
Knox of this city, and the Rev. Mr. Allen of
| Woodbridge.
And tne concluding prayer was offered
I up by the Rev. Dr. Hyliier, of Orange.
On both these occasions the churches
’ were crowded to overflowing, and collec
tions for the benefit of the mission were re
ceived, amounting to more thaD six hun
dred dollars.
! On Wednesday, the Board of Directors
held a meeting, for the last time, with the
Missionaries, in the Consistory Room in
Garden Street It was truly an affecting
I scene. After the formal delivery of the
Commission and Instructions, the audience
united in singing a very appropriate hvmn.
The family were commended to God, in a
prayer offered by the Rev. Dr. Griffin. A
parting hymn was sung by the Missionary
Family. The benediction was pronounced
by the Rev. Dr. Proudfit, and the Missiona
ries were accompanied to the steam-boat
Atalanta, where thy embarked amid the
tears and prayers of multitudes of our citi
zens, cheerfully setting their faces toward
the wilderness, for the love they bore to
the heathen. Com. Adv.
The President’s Inaugural Address.
From the N. Y. Commercial Advertiser.
This document, embracing a variety of
subjects which afford ample cause of felici
tation among the American people, we
consider as too valuable to be dismissed with
the passing notice only which we gave it
yesterday. The message of Mr. Monroe,
at the opening of the session of Congress,
was not distinguished for elegance of lan
guage, or for the clearness with which he
expressed bis views ; but the style of this
document is at least unexceptionable; and
as an expose, of the situation of our country
at home ; of onr growing strength and re
sources ; and of our relations with foreign
powers, it cannot fail to be read with emo
tions of proud satisfaction by every Ameri
can. It will also tell well abroad. While
(he crowned heads of Europe are assem
bling time after time to devise means of
securing their tottering thrones from the
shocks of revolutions, and to prevent the
dissemination of that moral and political in
telligence among their subjects which may
one day elevate them to the rank of free
men, they will doubtless look upon us, and
wonder at the spectacle afforded by a na
linn, great and powerful, and governing it
self in every particular—the people se
curely reposing under mild and equitable
laws—and the government secure in the
affections of the people. What a lesson
w’ill the transactions ofMonday afford them!
The chief of a mighty nation, quietly walk
ing to the Capitol to take upon himself the
: solemn oaths, and to assume the impor
tant duties, of his exalted trust—no splen
did parade—no pomp and show—no flour
ish of trumpets—nor a legion of bayonets
bristling in the air for the protection of his
sacred person against the insults of the mob
or the dagger ol the assassin. They may
perhaps sneer at our republican simplicity,
land afloat to desyi-e our institutions ; but
the pleasant and en
viable lof of aWWierican President, for
the thorny pillow of a monarch, or the out
ward splendour of a throne ?
After alluding in a mode9t and unassum
ing manner to the unexampled unanimity
with which he has been re-elected, the
President briefly reviews the principal
measures which have thus far marked his
administration ; and we are happy to find
an assurance that the same policy, internal
and external, is hereafter to be pursued.—
Our fortifications and other means of de
fence upon the land and the wave, which
will always afford the best security against
foreign aggression and war, are not to be
abandoned. This is the sound policy
adopted by the fathers of the revolution,
and abandoned to our co9t by the successor
of Mr. Adams.
The stand which Mr. Monroe early took
with regard to the controversy between
Spain and her colonies, notwithstanding
the opposite views entertained, and the
measures repeatedly proposed, by some of
the leading representatives in Congress
from the Southern and Western sections of >;
the Union, while it evinced the foresight
of the Executive, lias redounded to the hon
our and character of the nation. This line
of conduct, we also observe with pleasure,
is not to be departed from. As it respects
the question between Spain and her colo
nies, there is probably but one feeling in
the nation. We all w ish them success anil
independence, whenever they shall evince
a disposition to establish regular and libe
ral governments, and settle down under
them like good citizens. But their conduct
hitherto has not been such as to emitle
them to any peculiar marks of favour ; and
it would be the greatest folly in the world,
for us rashly to hazard our present amica
ble relations with Europe, by departing
from our neutrality, and declaring in their
favour. \
The course the executive has pursued ”
in relation to the numerous pirates who
have been taken and condemned by our
courts to atone for their crinv s with their
lives, was the dictate of humanity, if not of
correct policy. It is always praiseworthy
for those in authority, to lean to the side
of Mercy, when they can do it consistent
ly with the demands of Justice. But we.
must confess we have sometimes doubted
whether Mr. Monroe has not carried his
clemency too far.
Our financial prospects, taking every
thing into consideration, are not discoura
ging. It is true we are labouring under
pecuniary difficulties at the present mo
ment, and there is a deficiency, temporary
we hope, in the national revenue. But
our resources are abundant for every ordi
nary emergency. The people are told,
however, in pretty plain terms, that a re
sort must be had next year to internal tax
es. We do not complain of this, for we
have ever thought it an errour in judgment
in Mr. Monroe, to recommend the repeal
of these taxes in 1817. The amount was
by no means oppressive ; and had they
been continued, the loans of the last year
and the one just authorized by Congress,
would have been unnecessary. “Money,”
says Hamilton, “ is, with propriety, consid
ered a* the vital principle of the body poli
tick ; as that which sustains its life and mo
tion, and enables it, to perform its most es
sential functions.” Discerning statesmen
have ever considered a just, libpral and
permanent system of taxation necessary.—■
And the v>o!ent shocks which our publick
credit at one lime sustained, and the neces
sity of loans in the present time of peace,
demonstrate conclusively the soundness of
this position. “ A complete power, there
fore, to procure a regular and adequate
supply of revenue, as far as the resources
of the community will permit, may be re
garded as an indispensable ingredient to
any government.”
The humane suggestions of the Presi-J,
deni, in relation to the Indian tribes, are
entitled to great consideration. This na
tion owes a vast debt to that wild, though
noble spirited-race, who were the primi
tive lords of onr soil. We have not re
flected much upon the course suggested in
this speech ; but the first great step .that
ought long since to have been taken, should
have been the education of their children,
and their instruction in the arts ofhusband-.
ty —the very plan recently adopted by our
valuable missionary institutions; and we
arc) favourably inclined to the project of
extinguishing their sovereignty, and per
mitting them to hold as individuals, a por
tion of that land which was the hereditary
possession of their ancestors. The Indians
have sustained great injustice and countless
injuries from the whites ; and the system
we have hitherto pursued towards them, j
has constantly and rapidly’ been reducing”
to nothing, a race of men whose valour,
magnanimity, and hospitality we might
well imitate.
Mr. Monroe anticipates a general war in
Europe ; although from our most recent
advices, we are inclined to believe such an
event not very probable at present. Eve
ry thing in the old world seems lo baffle
the calculations of (lie most sagacious poli
ticians. Tlip evrnls oflast summer seem
ed to portend a general explosion, and ev
ery arrival for some time strengthened our
belief, that the discontents in Germany, or
the combustible materials of Fiance, would
light up n flame which would spread far and
wide. But in France, every thing has set
tled into a profound calm. And the meet
ing of the Congress at Laybach, to delibe
rate upon the affairs of Naples, affords now
the only prospect ofthe interruption of the
universal repose of the continent. But be
the result as it may, in imitation of the il
lustrious Washington, the President has al
ready issued his proclamation of neutrality
i hi° has our most hearty approbation.
The concluding part of the speech, nf
ter a happy commentary upon the superi
our excellencies of our political institutions.
