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Frotn the Missionary Herald for September. CHEROKEE MISSION. Extract! flam the Journal kept at Brainerd. Nov. 24, 1820. Richard Fields came and brought us letter* from Creek Path. The brethren and sisters are all well at that place and appear to be growing in grace. Dec. 1. Our millwright, having finished the saw-mill, left us to return to his family in Georgia. We would gladly have re tained him to put up (be grist-mill; but he thinks his duty calls him away. He is a precious man, and with reluctance and grief we part with him. 3. This day Mr. Joba McPhersou was received to the communion of the church. He h a white man, who has a Cherokee family. Experience of a Cherokee. The father of the boy who was named after the Treasurer of the Board, having spent the Sabbath with us, staid today to have some further conversation. He ap pears thoroughly convinced of the truth and excellency of our most holy religion, and of the great advantages of civilized life. He says be sees a very great and pleasing change among his people, since the missionaries came : and is sure, from these good effects, that the whole is from God. He speaks very feelingly of the de plorable state he was in before he receiv ed instruction; and expresses a great de sire that hi* own children and others should be trained np in a different wav from what he ha* been. He often speaks to bis neighbours of these things and against their bad conduct. Many of them laugh - at him, and tell him he cannot know any thiog about religion, because he cannot un derstand English. But he does not care for that. He knows God can understand him in his own language; and he shall continue to pray for them. 25. Throngh the mercy of God, we are permitted to see another Christmas, and a table spread for our refreshment with such provisions as our kind and indulgent Father has provided. One hundred and thirty three sat down at the first table, and twenty at the second ; making 153 in the whole. O that all these dear souls were prepared to sit down at the marriage supper of the Lamb. 30. Received hy way of Augusta seven boxes and one trunk containing articles for the inision. Arrival of Mr. Potter and Dr. Butler. Jan. 10, 1821. This afternoon we were permitted to welcome, as fellow-labourers in this field, the Rev. Win. Potter, and Dr. Elizur Butler, with their wives. 11. Resolved that brother Potter take charge of the school at Creek Path, and that brother Butler remain here. 15. Brother Potter left us for Creek Path, in company with a Cherokee boy from that place, to make arrangements for bi removal. 25. God still remembers us in mercy. This day we received SSO collected bv Rev. E. Smith, in Frankfort, Ken. and SSO from the Transylvania Society, Ken. ! Feb. 2. Brother Butler went to the warehouse yesterday to purchase floor for the mission. Before he accomplished his 1 business it was dark. He endeavoured to j return, but found it impracticable, as he could not see the road himself, and his ! hor-e would not keep it. Finding himself j lost in a wet and swampy place, where it was not convenient either to sit or lie on the ground, he sat on his horse during the whole night; and this morning, finding the road some distance from him, returned; J having been permitted, so soon after his 1 arrival, to witness the loving kindness and ! protecting power of God, in preserving his children through perils in the wilderness. 5. , Sister Co.'ger was delivered of three 1 children, two daughters and a son. The 1 son scarcely entered on this stage of life, 1 before he was called into eternity. Resolved that sister Catharine Brown be * reqoeeted to teach the girls’ school at Creek Path, till the other teacher goes to ! that place ; and that she he supported as a ‘ missionary while thus employed. 9. Received by way of Angu=fa, 17 * Jioxes and one tierce, containing articles ‘ or the mission. 16. This day received 11 boxes con taining articles for the mission. All these precious goods have arrived 1 safe. From whence? From a far distant land. We look at them—we recognize 1 the features of our dear fathers and moth- * ers, brothers and sisters and friends, whom we had bidden farewell, expecting to see them no more in this world. We do not see them, but blessed be the name of onr God, we see the work of their kind and be neficent hands ; and say, do onr dear friends remember us still ? Do they see our tears ? Do they hear our groans ? Do they bear us and the dear heathen in their hearts before God? And what can we do for them? How can we repay this kindness, this uneiuect- i ed attention to all our wants? We can do nothing. We are indigent beggars before God and men. We fear grieving the Holy Spirit, through the depravity of our hearts. We fear erring from the path of duty, “through the blindness of our minds. We fear the children of God will grow weary and impatient;—let their hands hang down, and leave us to stumble and fall alone, with this heavy weight of responsibility upon -us. It was not oiir love or attention that opened their hearts and unlocked their treasures. No: it was a zeal for the glory of God; —a desire to do good;—a love for immortal souls. As long, then, as God continues to be that fountain of excellence ; as long as their hearts glow with benevo lent and grateful sensations; as long as heathens can be found on the footstool of God ; so long will his children remember and ardently pray for /those whom they send as heralds of salvation to a benighted world. Yes, denr pleads, with confidenoe we cast ourselves at your feet, believing, knowing, that your sympathetick tears will not cease to flow, nor your hands be shot when we cry for help. You will not cease to pray, that he who took up the frag -1 meats that nothing should be lost, will ena * ble us to make the best possible improve * ment of all the tokens of your remem brance of us,-—your love to God, and the ’ dear, though beoighted heathen. Them 1 you will always carry io your hearts before God. But a few years since, not a star : glimmered in all this dark region. Now, * more than thirty disciples of Christ are dif ‘ fusing their light, and guiding immortal souls to Jesus. These dear Cherokee and ’ African converts you will not, you cannot forget. They are your treasure. They 1 will be your crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus. 26. Mr. Chamberlain returned from | Creek Path. He and Mr. Potter found the ’ disciples of Christ in that place walking in ’ the fear of God. They administered the communion, and baptized one Cherokee 1 woman. The other candidates for baptism J generally appear well. ! March 5. Received 11 boxes of cloth -1 ing for the mission. * [The boxes of articles here mentioned, as well > as those under date of Feb. 9 and 16, and Dec. 1 30, are donations from societies aud individuals . in Pennsylvania, New Vork, and most of the New England states.] FROM THE BOSTON RECORDER. ! Extract of a letter from the Rev. Mr. Bying ton, Missionary at Elliot, in ansvser to one ‘ enclosed in a box of clothing, furnished by the Hopkinton Dorcas Society. Elliot, June 17, 1821. To Misses M. J. Howe, JY. Fitch, M. C. Buxklin. Dear Friends, —Your letter dated Sept. 24th 1820. was received here only a short time since, together with your kind and generous donation to this mission. By this pledge of your love, our heart are re freshed. My dear Friend*, let me freely say to you, the cause is far from appearing less precious by coming here and visiting these habitations of want, degradation ami sin. , Could you ride through this nation, as I have been permitted to do—see here . young", dirty, ragged, naked, ignorant and perishing children; could you then visit this place, and here see them healthy, well clothed and fed, learning how to read, write and cypher, learning our language and our customs; could you see how ready i they are to work for us, how much they do, and how many more wish to come here ; 1 you would not be sorry, that you had given I them a little coat, a hat, a blanket, a bed- i tick, or a pair of shoes. Your hearts would all burn with joy to see these chi’- < dren. No higher joy, 1 can freely say, I have I ever known, than since F have been i here. In the arrangements of our various 1 1 duties, 18 or 20 little boys are committed ! i to my care, when out of school. j ( May I now tell you what these boys do? I At sun rise I blow a whistle, they rise to- ( i gether, 1 call the school, inquire of them | about their hats, and if they have washed, j &c. They then take their axes and go . into the woods, to clear land—most of our j timber is oak. These boys work (ill a horn | blows for breakfast. After breakfast they go! out again to chop, and after school at night. . More active and willing boys to work, 1 have rarely seen. If any one is inclined to bo lazy, 1 send him up to the house, as not ‘ fit to be in our company, and the next time 1 he never fails to work well. At night our i children sleep ou a blanket, laid upon a", board or on the floor. We have no hedticks f or beds for them. The girls we are ob liged to let sleep much in the same way. ‘ \\ are sorry to do so. It is not the fault of our friends, that we are obliged to treat i our children in this way. They send us , clothing enough and of some kinds more! than we want We have a supply of small j garments. We are in want of hedticks for; 1 our girls and boys. We should be glad of I sheets, pillow cases, blankets, shoes, hats, garments for men and women, and let them all be plain. We do not want a single jinc garment. Strong aud plain cloatbes, we choose to wear ourselves, and rt is what we 1 want for our children. Should you send any thing further to thi* mission, pray send , the things we most need, if it should be convenient for you. Perhaps you can let other friends in neighbouring towns know what kind of clothing to send. Two thirds of our chil dren went barefoot last winter. In behalf of our family, 1 subscribe myself your much obliged friend, CYRUS BVINGTON. —~*k)zo:k:ozo** — From the Middlebury {Ft.) Standard of Sept. 4. MISSION TO JERUSALEM. A letter has been recently received, by a gentleman in this village, froir. the Rev. Mr. Fiske, one of the missionaries to Jeru salem, dated Smyrna, May 22, 1821, in which is stated, that “ The Greeks are now making a vigor ous struggle to regain their liberty and in dependence.—The revolt commenced in Moldavia and Wallachia. It has now ex tended to the Morea, and several of the islands in the Archipelago. The war be tween the revolters, and their former ru lers is likely to be of a very bloody charac ter. It is said, that hitherto, they give no quarter on either side. What the result will he, it is not easy to conjecture. “ These disturbances prevent me from travelling, and render it necessary, as a matter of prudence, that I should refrain from the distribution of books, for the pre sent. This is exceedingly trying, yet it is i only such a trial as is to be occasionally * expected in such a country as this. I am | consoled with the thought, that God, who loves the church infinitely better than wxj do, governs all these events, and tyill over rule them all for the advancement of his truths. „ , l Mr. Parsons sailed from Cyprus for Jaffa, t Feb. 7, in good health. I have not heard i from him since, but expect letters daily. I • trust he has found full employment for - tome time past, in the distribution of the • scriptures and tracts, among the pilgrims, - who are found at Jerusalem in great nutn i bers, every year at Easter. There is i something very pleasing in the thought of > furnishing these pilgrims with something to • carry horn* with them better than crosses, , relicks, beads and trinkets. I hope there - will he somebody there to carry on this I work every Easter., By this means our I books may be sent over all western Asia, t 1 trust a blessing will be secured on this r distribution of divine truths, by the prayers r of our Christian friends. It was alter the Apostles had 1 continued with one accord i in prayer and supplication,’ that Peters ■ preaching was so wonderfully blessed, i Similar prayers might again procure a sim s ilar blessing, at the season of the year, > when people from every natioQ go to Je i rusalem to worship.” In a postscript, dated 30th May, is the . following sentence : “ I received letters, a few days ago, from brother Parsons, dated March 13. He had then been about a month at Jerusalem.” Extract of a Letter from a gentleman in Sa vannah, Geo. to his friend in New-Haven, dated August Ith, 1821. “The revival of Religion which had commenced before you left this, is progres sing with a degree of rapidity that was nev er before known in the southern Slates. Since February last, one hundred and thir ty members have joined the Methodist Church, and several have been added to the other churches. At our last love feast, twenty-one joined at once, chiefly young men and women; three joined in Class last evening. Notwithstanding our population is very thin, our meetings a crowded with serious and attentive hearers. Surely God is at work among is in SavanDah, as well as in other parts of the country.” — False Tenderness to Children. An eminent historian, speaking of that diabolical custom which so long prevailed amongst the old Carthaginians, of offering their children to a detestable idol (which was formed in such a mauner, that an infant put into its hands, which were stretched out to receive it, would immediately fall into a gulf of fire) adds a circumstance,! which one cannot mention without horrour: j That the mothers, who, with tbeir own; hands, presented the little innocents, tlio’t! it an unfortunate omen that the victim j should be offered weeping; and, therefore,! used a great many fond artifices to divert it, 1 that, soothed by the kisses and caresses of a parent, it might smile in that dreadful mo ment in which it was to be given up to the idol. Pardon me, my friends, such is your concern for the present ease and prosperi ty of your children, while their souls are neglected,—a fond solicitude that they may pass smiling into the hands of the destroyer. [Dr. Doddridge in kis Sermons on the Relig. Education of Children, p. 117, 118. FOR THE MISSIONARY. Messrs. Editors, A* your paper appears to be open to the discussion of every subject which interests the present prosperity or future felicity of your readers, allow me to introduce to their view a subject which, to my mind at least, seems to involve the moral interests and character of onr State. Profane swearing has long been consid ered in all Christian countries a* an open violation of the law of God, as clearly re vealed both in the Old and New Testa ments. On this account, no doubt, it has been prohibited, as far as I can learn, by the civil law of every country in which Christianity has been professed as the re ligion of the land. It is expressly forbid den in a law of this State, enacted in 1786. Yet every man who mingles much with society beyond the limits of his own family circle, must know that this law is very lit tle, if at all, regarded by any of those who are disposed to indulge in profanity. Many persons who are impressed with a suitable reverence for the law of God, are exposed to have their feelings wounded severely by this unbecoming and unprofitable prac tice, whenever they go abroad on business of indispensable necessity. They also fear, and justly too, to allow their sons during non-age to visit assemblies of a lawful nature, lest they should be injured by the contagion of an example so disgusting, dis graceful and pernicious. Too often are they mortified to hear execrations and pro fane expressions escape from the lips of those who are legally appointed toee that the laws are respected and obeyed. Mag istrates, from theirsolemn and honourable office, are designed, as well as in duty bound to be, “ a terror to evil-doers but this useful and important purpose can never be 1 answered by a civil officer who openly and frequently, if wet habitually, violates the law himself. The moral character of Georgia has suf fered much in other states on account of > the frequency of the practice of profane ! swearing, noticed by travellers who obser ved and have reported the connivance with which it is tolerated. Now, I am sure there are many serious and pious charac ters in Georgia, who, O’ ool the best princi 66 , | pies, disapprove, detest, and ulslaiu from i this criminal and unnatural vice. All real * ly considerate and judicious citizens are [ sensible of its pernicious effects, and lament its prevalence. Many hav# asked, “ Why - is there not a law to prevent and suppress s it ?” The reply has often been made, that * “ There is a law against it, and a penalty * annexed to its violation.” It is then asked, > “Why i9 not the law enforced?” The an * swer is, “ Because there is no method pre scribed by which it can be enforced. j There is no way pointed out by which the i fine annexed can be recovered; nor any : purpose to which it shall be appropriated.” I The consequence, therefore, is that there is no existing efficient law on the subject in this state at present, except when a man swears profanely in the presence and in contempt of a civil officer acting in a judi cial capacity. The law which now exists on the subject, is in every other case, a mere brutum fuhnen, a vox et preterea nihil; mere words or sound, and nothing else. Believing firmly that “ these things ought not so to be”—that a state as respectable as Georgia is and might be in every other respect, should not .be without an efficient law on this subject, and that morality is es sential to the credit and happiness of civil society, I have felt a 9trong desire to see this degrading vice discountenanced and Suppressed. I have, therefore deemed it a duty, through the medium of your paper, to bring this subject before the publick, and invite our future legislators to attend to it with that degree of seriousness which its importance justly merits. Each member elect of the ensuing Legis lature, is modestly requested to examine whether any law does now exist in the Civil or Penal Code of our State, of sufficient ef ficacy to prohibit or punish the crime of Profane Swearing. If such a law exist at present, several respectable Jurists disclaim i their knowledge of it. If such a law do j not exist, it is certainly a defect which re- ’ quires a speedy remedy. Such a law, it is ’ ! believed, exits in every other state in the Union. If its existence be considered as expedient and necessary to the publick: good in them, why should this state be with- i out one ? This is no party question. The author of these suggestions belongs to no party but the community. He earnestly hopes that some member of the Legislature, during its approaching session, will have sufficient; zeal and confidence in the cause of virtue and morality, to bring the subject before , the collected political wisdom of the State, j in order more effectually to secure the mo ral character and interests of the Common wealth. A CITIZEN. THE MISSIONARY. MOUNT ZION, MONDAY, OCTOBER 1. A great diversity of sentiment stl'l exists in ‘ the Christian world respecting the utility of mis sions to the heathen. While many are too igno rant of the instructive page which the present! period of the Church exhibits, in order to be ade- j quate judges on this subject, still greater numbers having imbibed prejudices against the Christian system, are ready to condemn without examina tion every.enterprise which has for its object the I general diffusion of the Gospel. Thus the want of information in some and of piety in others, has arrayed a formidable band in hostility to the great plans for evaßgelizing the nations, which distin guish the present age of the world. But this op position cannot shake the faith, or extinguish the seal of enlightened and established Christians. While they pity the ignorance and prejudice of those who content against the purposes of Heav en and the renovation of the world, they confide in the sure pledges which they have received, that their labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. It is not our intention, in this place, to enter the wide field of controversy between the Chris tian and the infidel. Most of the important points in dispute in relation to their respective and conflicting systems, have long since, in our estimation, been settled by facts and principles which can never be shaken. By the prosecution of this controversy a sensible effect has certainly been produced upon society at large. If infidels have not been convinced and brought to bow to the supremacy of Christian truth, they have at least been silenced, and are now compelled from respect to publick opinion, to entertain in secret those principles which they once proclaimed upon the house-top. But taking it for granted, as we have a right to do in the present case, that the Bible contains a revelation from Heaven, and that this revelation was given for the instruction and benefit of man, it will be an easy matter to prove, that the cause i missions rests upon a solid basis. Every thing which the Christian publick have done for the in sfruction and salvation of the various tribes and nations of the earth—and the still more enlarged ! plana of beneficence which are now projected, and which are destined to be the objects of vig . orous prosecution and of ultimate accomplish * ment, are not only authorized, but commanded by the sacred volume. The promises of the Bible, that the Gospel of ! Christ shall be universally published and believed, are explicit and abundant. These promises are 1 identified with the truth of the Scriptures. If the Bible be an inspired volume, then Christ must ■ triumph ; and tbo most barbarous nations must acknowledge hi* power, and feel his grace. In confirmation of tfiese remarks, we might easily multiply quotations from the oracles of truth. Most of the prophecies both of the Oldjjnd New Tesfamertls point to this grand consolation— the victories of Christ over a subjugated world. He came into the world so be a light to the Geu tiles, and salvation to the house of Israelall na tions are purchase and he is to reign till all enemies ore put under his feet. The command to propagate the Gospel, is not less explicit than the promise. Upon the church of the present age, rests the solemn injunction to cause the Gospel to he published to every crea ture ; and the day of reckoning will come when the professors of religion must render an account for this talent entrusted to their care. But the facts which are every day transpiring in the world, ought to seal the lips of those who have heretofore condemned the missionary sys tem. It is only to read the pages of any religious publication, to be convinced, that Missions are attended by the smile of Heaven. If the great scheme for converting the nations of the earth to Christ, might once appear preposterous, it ht now received the sanction of experience; Enough has already been effected to animate our hopes and silence our unbelief. Let those who pronounce the attempt to evangelize the heathen a vain attempt, read the letter of the Rev. Mr. Ward, printed in the last number of our paper. They may possibly find information there which will enlighten the head, if it do not affect the heart, by the Baptist Mission in India, as this letter informs us, more than a thousand have been admitted to the Church, and more than six hun dred of these were formerly idolaters or Mahome tans. And surely it is an encouraging fact in relation to this Mission, that about fifty of these Asiaticks and heathen converts are now employ ! ed in various descriptions of missionary labour. From other missions, the intelligence is notless encouraging. A few years more, and not. a tongue will move against the sacred cause of nit sions. Infidelity, if infidelity exist in the world, shall be silenced, and the devout multitudes which throng the temples of the living God, shall cry with exalted rapture, “Thy kingdom come.” It seems that our remarks, a few weeks since, on “ Theatrical Exhibitions,” have made no “mail ! stir among the admirers of these little entertain ; merits. This fact we have learned from various ’ sources. Though we have been threatened with • “ an able and learned” answer, yet it would seem, that those who feel themselves injured by these strictures, intend to rest contented with the dig nifed revenge of writing insulting letters and ! charging us with the postage. As it is a maxim • with us to give every one his due, we must say, iu | justice to the authors of these anonymous letters, that in this business they have discovered some genius —as they have done the very best thing > they could perform. We have received from a certain quarter, one letter of a different character, from which we publish a few extracts. t ! “ To.any one, who has it so completely in his power to place himself in a neutral position be tween the friends and enemies’ to religious and ! moral reformation, as I have, it is really not a lit- I tie amusing to witness the contrariety of senti ment upon the subject of your late editorial ob servations concerning theatrical exhibitions. By having it in my power to assume an indifferent station, I do not mean to be understood that 1 feel careless and supine upou the occasion. Oil the contrary, I am proud to assert, that I am alive to every principle and sentiment urged by you in favour of a publick moral reformation. Indeed, 6ir,’ it is but too perceptible, that our moral at mosphere has become so deeply impregnated with corrupt and vicious matter, as to portend the most baleful consequences. We are rushing with the most frantick precipitancy to the precipice of destruction, and if a faithful and friendly monitor shall, in the most sy mpathetick manner, attempt j to caution us against the certain ruin into which | we are about to plunge ; and importune us to con sider our own safety and happiness by wisely re tracing our steps ; we treat him with either indif ference, contempt or contumely. But those who are influenced by the dictates of virtue, wisdom and prudence, will, with fortitude, breast the ctK rupt torrent of opposition, and admire the bener olent temerity of that spirit, who, fearless of con sequences, proclaims in the face of noon, the sickening and desolating results of corruption aud immorality. You need not be surprised when 1 tell you, that I have of late repeatedly heard it asserted, that it is descending from the dignity of a Divine, to interfere with such matters, and that any one who will do it must expect to incur the censure and odium of society. I apprehend that you will be disposed to admire the sapience of such beardless and brainless philosophers, as little as i do. Their wisdom is the perfection of folly, and their prudence the height of simplicity. They have no talent for persuading or convincing any but those, who, like themselves, are predisposed to be persuaded and convinced by arguments founded in fallacy and sophism. They say that your remarks shall be replied to in an able .nd learned manner. But let them spend their strength and dart their envenomed shafts—sheltered and covered as you are by the impenetrable bulwark of Religion and Morals, you may laugh at their as saults, and smile in conscious safety, while theji alternately rage and despair under the disap* pointment they experience.” The remarks on the subject of Profane Swear ing, to be found in this paper, came to us bearing the Athens post-mark. The subject is important, and we hope our readers will derive benefit from their perusal. To our obliging correspondent we return our thanks, with the assurance, that we shall ever be happy to hear from him on any sub ject connected with the morals and happiness of society. The Presbytery of .Harmony will meet at Au gusta, on Friday, the 2d day of November next. The Synod of South Carolina will meet at ’Wash ington, (Geo.) on Wednesday, the 7th of the same month. ’ I Notice. ALL persons are herebv cautioned against tra ding for a NOTE ‘OF FMND given by • myself and Robert Mitchel to'the administrators of the estate of Jonathan Davis, deceased, and . made payable to them on or about the 25th of December next, for the sum of one hundred and , thirty dollars, or thereabouts, as the said note . was given for the hire of a negro fellow who has recently been tuken from my service by virtue of an execution aguinst said administrators. S. D. REID. :{ Sept. 1,1*21, 2wlS