tember number. In our last, we gave several extracts of letters, from other members of the Mission, as late as the 15th of September; and we have now before us another private letter of the 27th of the same month. Several interesting communications from the TUSCARORA and SENECA MISSIONS have been received during the last month. In the course of the last month, a deputation from six of the Indian tribes, in the vicinity of Council-Bluffs, arrived in this city. During their short visit, the Committee of Missions, and most of the other Managers of the United Foreign Missionary Society, had an interview with them, which, it is hoped, may lead eventually to the introduction of Civilization and Christianity among the tribes to which they belong. An extract from the Minutes of the Committee of Missions, embracing a brief account of the interview, follows: INDIAN DEPUTATION. We have alluded above to the arrival of a deputation from several of the Indian tribes in the vicinity of Council Bluffs. Of this deputation, consisting of fifteen persons, three belong to the Grand Pawnees, three to the Pawnees Republic, three to the Pawnees Loups, one to the Omahaws, two to the Kansas, and three to the Ottoes. The names of the Chiefs and Warriors, so far as we could collect them from the Interpreter, are as follows: ست Grand Pawnees, Sarretarish, (head man of his nation) his brother, and young Kiskie. Pawnees Republic, Ishkatapie, and Teragouteraheki. Pawnees Loups, Terrekatawaha, Larawhakou, and Ashoukout. Omahaws, Big Elk. Kansas, White Plume, and Eagle. Ottoes, Alleton. Missouri Tribe, Scheshowinye. In spelling these names, we have followed the sound, as given by the Interpreter. The three sections of the Pawnees speak the same language, have their towns situated within three or four miles of each other, comprise a population of 10,000, and reside about one hundred and thirty miles Southwest of Council Bluffs. The Omahaws live about forty miles North of Council Bluffs, and have a population of 3,500. The Kansas live upon the margin of the Kansas River, and are about equal to the Omahaws in numbers. The Ottoes live not far distant from the Kansas, and have about half the number of souls. Two of the Missouri Tribe accompanied the deputation to Washington, and were left there in consequence of indisposition. Extract from the Minutes of the Committee of Missions. Saturday, Dec. 15, 1821. The Committee met at half past 1 o'clock, P. M. by the call of the Secretary. Present, the Rev. Dr. Milledoler, Chairman, Mr. Lewis, Secretary, the Rev. Dr. Spring, the Rev. Mr. Knox, Mr. Forsyth, and Mr. Heyer. The following members of the Board of Managers were present by invitation:-The Rev. Dr. Romeyn, the Rev. Mr. Strong, Doctor Wilson, Mr. William Wilson, Mr. Havens, Mr. Schoonmaker, and Mr. Lockwood. The Secretary stated, that a Deputation from six of the Indian tribes in the vicinity of Council Bluffs, consisting isting of fourteen chiefs and warriors and one female, had arrived in this city under the care of Major O'Fallon, Agent of the Government of the United States; that the Agent had brought to him a letter of introduction from the Rev. Messrs. Leslie and Giddings, the Commissioners appointed by the Board to visit the tribes to which these chiefs and warriors belong: that, on an interview between the Agent and himself, it was agreed that the Committee, and as many of the other members of the Board as could attend, should hold a council with the Indians at their lodgings at 2 o'clock this day; and that he had prepared a Talk for the occasion, which he would then submit for the consideration of the Committee. The Talk was then read and adopted; and, after prayer by the Chairman, the Committee, accompanied by the other members of the Board, proceeded to the City-Hotel in Broadway. Having been introduced to the Agent, they were conducted to the Council Chamber. The Agent, addressing himself to the Chiefs, then said "These are the men who sent the Missionaries to the Osages. They have come to deliver a Talk to you. I wish you to listen to it attentively; and when you have considered it, reply to it according to the honest feelings of your hearts." The following talk was then delivered: "Brothers. About four years ago, many good men in this city formed a Society for the purpose of teaching good things to their red brethren. "Brothers. We belong to this good Society; and we are glad to see, and shake your hands. We thank the Great Spirit for preserving your lives through your long journey, and for bringing you to this city in health; and we pray that the Great Spirit may carry you home in safety to your wives and children, and to your own council fires. "Brothers. We have sent some of our good brothers and sisters to live among the Osages on Grand River, and others to live among the Osages on the Osage River. Our brothers will teach the Osage men how to cultivate the ground, and raise cattle and all kinds of grain for food, and how to build mills to grind their corn. They will also teach the Osage people the mind of the Great Spirit from the good book which he has given. Our sisters will teach the Osage women to make and mend clothes, and prepare food for their families. They will also teach the Osage children to read, and write, and keep accounts; and live like white people. "Brothers. We love you and your tribes as much as we do the Osages; and, if it is agreeable to your minds, we will send some of our good brothers and sisters to live among your people, and to teach them many things which will make them comfortable and happy. "Brothers. This is the Talk which we wished to make to you. We do not want your lands. We hope you will believe that we are your friends, and that all we wish to do for your people, is for their good. Your Great Father, the President of the United States, and the great War Chief, and your Father, Major O'Fallon, who conducted you here, all know us, and love all that we do for the good of our red brethren." After some consultation among the Chiefs, WHITE PLUME, the principal Chief of the Kansas Tribe, came forward, took the Secretary by the hand, in token of friendship, and addressed the Committee as follows : "Brothers. We are Chiefs and Warriors of different tribes. I will speak for the whole. "Brothers. We have long since been told, that the red men would one day live like white men, and have houses and food like them. "Brothers. These things are long coming to pass. I wish it was so. I am now growing old, and have not seen it. "Brothers. We like your Talk. We must consult our Chiefs and Brothers at home. We cannot now act for them. We will tell them your Talk, and send you word. "Brothers. We came to Washington to see our Grand Father, the President, and he told us to come on to this place. We thank you for praying that the Great Spirit may preserve us on our long journey home." The Secretary replied in behalf of the Committee "Brothers. We are satisfied with your Talk. We wish you to consult your Chiefs and Brothers at home." White Plume again came forward and said "Brothers. We thank you once more for praying to the Great Spirit that we may be preserved and carried home in safety to our wives and children." The Committee and the other members of the Board shook hands with all the Chiefs and Warriors, and then retired.-American Missionary Register. New-York Bethel Union. The first anniversary of this praise-worthy institution, designed to communicate the glad tidings of salvation to Seamen, was held in the Brick Church, in Beekman-street, Dec. 31, 1821, when the Report was read, and several appropriate addresses delivered, shewing the importance of evangelizing this useful class of our fellow citizens. On New-Year's day, The Thirteenth Monthly Union Prayer-Meeting was held in the Mariners Church. The Church was filled, and many came who could not find room. "The Board" says the Report, "cannot forbear to remark, that it is by no means an unimportant circumstance, that the six great denominations of Christians in our city, have most harmoniously combined their influence in this glorious work, and delight to gather around the mercy-seat, and pour out their united supplications to our common Redeemer. Seamen's Magazine. Courtlandt Circuit. A letter from REV. JOHN J. MATHIAS, authorizes us to say, that God has favoured that circuit with a gracious revival, and that about thirty souls have been added to the church. Obituary. SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE DEATH OF MRS. SPICY MEEK. DIED, July 4, 1821, Mrs. Spicy door towards the garden; and while my Meek, consort of James Meek, Esq. of M inquiring mind was held in suspense, she Washington County, Virginia. reached out her feeble arm, and with She embraced religion when about her finger pointed to a young poplar in eight according to her the garden, and spoke thus to her weepown acknowledgment on her death-bed, ing husband and children: "There she soon lost the witness of her adop- there is the place I was when God partion; and though she maintained the ex- doned all my sins, while on my knees I terior character of religion, she lived implored for mercy. There God spoke destitute of its inward consolations. At peace to my soul. That young poplar length, at a camp-meeting, she was pow- was the place of my private devotion. erfully wrought upon by the Holy Spir- I request you, said she to her husband, it, and rested not until enabled to rejoice never to suffer the children to cut down in God her Saviour; and she immediately joined the Methodist Society. On the 29th day of June 1821, being confined to her bed by sickness, her physician believing her irrecoverable, and that it was his duty to apprize her of her approaching dissolution, very reluctant ly addressed her in the following lan guage, "Madam, you must prepare for death?" To his great surprise, she looked at him in the most expressive manner, while a glow of holy cheerfulness animated her countenance, and said; "Sir, I am prepared." Her Christian affection was not restricted to one denomination of Chris tians: hence she enjoyed the society that little poplar, nor break any of its limbs-let it remain-and I want you to promise me that you will go there and pray in private twice a day. There is the place where my blessed Jesus came to me and converted my soul. O beauty! beauty! beauty! Now don't forget it. I want my children never to forget it and when I am gone, there you must pray!" Such, indeed, was the fervency of her devotion, and her earnestness for the salvation of others, that she expressed a desire to live one or two days longer, that she might warn them of the danger of sin, and beseech them to return unto God. Even her physician, on beholding and united in the prayers of her Presby- her countenance and hearing her words, terian brethren, as well as with those of said, to use his own phrase, "My infiher own communion. The Rev. Joseph delity is thunder struck! and I am fully Pendleton, under whose ministry she had convinced there is a reality in the relibeen profited, visited her during her last gion of Jesus Christ." illness. "When I went," he observes, Previous to her departure, she request"I soon discovered that she was piously ed all her children to be called in, and endeavouring to give up her all to God among whom were many of the neighher Creator. Prayer was often made bours and acquaintances, who came to for her, and though in the agonies of witness the last triumph of the dying death, she was continually praying or saint. She delivered her dying message exhorting others to pray. She was nev- to them all, in the mean time expressing er heard to complain of her misery, sel- her unshaken confidence in God, and dom mentioning it, except when we re- full hope of immortality. She especially quested it, that we might know where it exhorted her husband, who, though he principally was, so as to avoid increasing had been a kind husband, had not made it. She requested us to move the bed a profession of religion, to seek the Lord on which she lay with the foot to the in earnest-to pray in his family-and never to rest without a satisfactory as- took a location and removed into this surance of an interest in Jesus Christ. town, where he lived and continued to labour as a local preacher, four years. He then resumed the travelling connection; but after travelling five years; in After a suitable exhortation to each of her children, reminding them of the necessity of living in love one with another, of being obedient to their father, consequence of bodily infirmity he ap and of dedicating themselves to God, she closed her eyes in death; and we have no doubt she is entered into the joy of her God. May her surviving relatives and acquaintance remember and imitate her examplary virtues, and thus prepare to meet her in a better world. From the Homer (N. Y.) Paper. plied for and again obtained a location, in which relation he continued until he was summoned away by death. During the last eight years of his life, he suffered much with rheumatism. In the spring of 1820 he was attacked with distressing spasms, which, notwithstanding every exertion was made to remove them, continued to increase with additional violence until he expired in death. On Tuesday morning, the 18th of Dec. he had symptoms of approaching dissolution, and was exercised with extreme pain all that day and the succeeding DIED-In this town on the 19th of December, 1821, Rev. ELIJAH BACHELOR, Minister of the Gospel in the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the 49th year night. Early on Wednesday morning of his age. He has left a wife, six chil- he spoke with calmness on death and dren, and a numerous circle of connections, to mourn his loss. eternity. Being asked the state of his mind, he answered, I am happy, and said but little more. About 2 o'clock, while his family and others were standing around his bed, in solemn silence, his happy spirit took its flight, from the church militant, to the church triumphant. Thus ended the life, toils, and sufferings of the Rev. Mr. Bachelor, Mr. Bachelor was a native of Sturbridge, Mass. born of pious parents, who early taught him to fear God and keep his commandments. When in early life, he maintained a reputable character. At the age of sixteen, he became the happy subject of a revival of religion, which took place in that vicinity. He after wards became remiss in duty, gradualły declined, lost his enjoyment, and continued in this situation about four years. He then viewing himself, pensively fell at the feet of the cross, giving up all to God; and there continued until pardon was sealed, and sorrow gave place to joy. He soon after joined himself to the church, of which he became a Minister. In 1798 he was received into the itinerant connection, and travelled for six years in New-England, where he was the happy instrument of bringing many it, that they may rest from their labours; unto the Saviour of sinners. He then and their works do follow them" With the strictest propriety it may be said, he was a man of moral and religious integrity. As a husband he was kind and attentive; as a father, strict and benevolent; as a neighbour, friendly and indulgent; as a Christian, pious and devout; and as a minister, laborious and spiritual, aiming at the heart, and the promotion of piety. But he is gone, we trust, to reap the reward of the faithful. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth; yea, saith the spir Poetry. ON A PRINTING-HOUSE. The world's a printing-house our words, our The Levites are correctors: Heaven revises, Death is the common press, from whence being driven, We're gathered sheet by sheet, and bound for heaven. ON PRAYING TO SAINTS. "Not pray to Saints!-Is not the warrant ample, Did not that swelt'ring Dives make complaint Imperial Magazine. THE Methodist Magazine, FOR MARCH, 1822. ---000 Divinity. A SERMON ON CHRISTIAN PERFECTION. "Let us go on unto Perfection." Heb. vi. 1. In every scheme of Religion there is one principal position, which, like the foundation of an edifice, supports the whole system; and there is generally some doctrine, which, like the topstone, gives a finish to the fabric. In Christianity, the former of these is the doctrine of human depravity, or the total degeneracy of mankind; and the latter, the perfection of the Soul in divine love; or the being filled with all the fulness of God. I am well aware that this doctrine of perfection has been totally denied by some, and warmly controverted by others; and subjects of controversy it is said should never be introduced into the pulpit; but I know of no truth within the whole compass of Christianity which some have not controverted; and if you were to hear nothing from the pulpit but what is self-evident, or indisputably certain, the various topics of our ministry must be abandoned, and the Ambassadors of Christ be left without an embassy. Atheists deny the existence of God; Deists the authenticity of the Scriptures; Pelagians the Degeneracy of Man; Socinians the Atonement of Christę Fatalists the free agency of human beings; Materialists the immortality of the Soul; Universalists, the eternity of hell's torments; and so on, in reference to all the doctrines that compose the Christian system. But the pure gold of Truth can sustain no injury by the fires of controversy, through which it is made to pass; its value can be appreciated only in proportion as it is known, and its lustre best discovered by exposure. The subject before us is highly important in its nature, and most interesting in VOL. V. 11 |