76 33; Scholars, 221-St. Lucie: 1822: W. Squire. Anguilla: John Hodge: Members; whites 7, blacks 213-Barbadoes: John Smedley : Members; whites 17, blacks 29-St. Eustatius: Joseph Parkin: Members; whites 8, blacks 219: Scholars, 160-St. Martin: John Felvus: Members; whites 14, blacks 103: Scholars, 108-Tobago: W.J. Shrewsbury, John Stephenson: Members; white 1, blacks 48: Scholars, 50. The Committee thus speak of the general state and prospects of the whole Mission: The Committee report, in reference to the Schools :- Sunday Schools for the Children of the Slaves now begin to be encouraged; those connected with our Missions contain near 5000 children, besides a considerable number who are regularly catechised by the Missionaries, on the Estates and in Towns, at early hours, on the mornings of week-days. . On the progress of the Schools, the Committee are happy to state, that the District Reports are generally favourable. This great work is in its infancy, and has therefore to struggle with difficulties; among which not the smallest is the want of competent and persevering Teachers, in many of the Stations. This, however, will gradually be removed by the diffusion of instruction; and by an increasing interest in the success of these institutions in the community, in the different colonies, of which we are happy to observe many high ly encouraging indications. The last year has been a year of success among the Pagan Slaves of the West-India Colonies; and, by the blessing of God upon the labours of His serIn so vants, in some places very eminently so. large a sphere of action as that which is formed by near Forty Stations, the number occupied in the West Indies; and in circumstances so greatly varied as those in which the Negroes and People of Colour are placed in so many colonies; and, we may add, differing as the dispositions of the influential classes of society do, in respect to Missionary Labours, in different islands-this extensive Mission must be expected to present a somewhat chequered appearance. The whole, however, affords encouraging indications of progress; and may be exhibited as an unanswerable proof of the efficacy and benefit of the persevering and extensive application of Christian Instruction, to exalt individual man, however degraded, and to benefit society at large. The total number of Members in the West India Islands and Demarara was, by the latest Returns, 24,699; being 880 whites, and 25,819 coloured and black. This is a decrease from the year preceding of 41 whites, but an increase upon it of 883 coloured and black; making an increase, in the whole, of 842 Members. North-American Indians. In the last Survey we printed a statement, by Dr. Morse, of the number of Indians in the Territories of the United States and east of the Rocky Mountains: his Official Report, addressed to the Secretary of War, has lately reached us: it occupies 96 pages, with an ample Appendix of 400. A more extended view of the American Indians is given in this document, and minute and elaborate Statistical Tables of the numbers and residence of the different tribes: from these Tables, which have the Author's last corrections, we shall form an abstract of the general results. The Indians may be considered as forming three grand divisions:- The details of this division are as follows:-Maine, 956-Massachus- Between the Mississippi and the Rocky Mountains Of this number, there are 33,150 west of the Mississippi and north of the West of the Rocky Mountains 120,625 179,592 171,200 Total 471,417 The whole number of Tribes and Branches dispersed over this vast tract of country, the names of which are given in the Tables, is about 260; of which, about 70 are in the first division, 90 in the second, and 100 in the third. Some of these Tribes or Branches are very small-one as low as 15 persons; while the Choctaws amount, as above stated, to 25,000. The average proportion of Warriors to the whole number of souls is about 1 to 5; except in the Tribes which dwell among the Whites, where the proportion is about 1 to 3. Where fish constitutes an article of food, the number in each family is about 6: where this food is wanting, the average number is about 5. Some Tables are given from the Sixth Volume of the Laws of the United States: from these we collect that the States have purchased from the Indians, at various times from 1784 to 1821, Jand amounting to 191,998,776 acres; and Annuities are now payable to the Indians by the States, in consideration of such land and under Treaties, to the amount of 154,275 dollars of this sum, 73,600 dollars are Annuities for different periods from 5 to 20 years, the last of which will terminate in 1834-650 dollars are for Life and 80,025 are permanent Annuities. A Table is added by Dr. Morse of the number of Schools for the Education of Indians, which amount to 31 and contain about 1100 Scholars. He concludes this Table, by remarking Many more Schools might be advantageously established, were funds provided for the purpose. The appeal is strong and urgent to the Government to furnish these funds, to all the extent in which they can be usefully employed. Most of these Schools are supported by Societies in the United States, with aid from the Government. At pp. 343-346 of our last Volume, we gave a brief account of such of these Societies as are engaged in Foreign Missions, or in Missions to the Aborigines of their country. These Societies are labouring, to the utmost of their means, to bring under the civilizing and converting influence of the Gospel the multitudes of Indians, who are either dwelling in the midst of them, or wander through the vast plains of the Western Wilderness. The sufferings which the Mission Families encounter, in settling among the tribes of the back country, are generally very severe; the fevers and agues of those wild and uncultivated regions carrying some of their Members to the grave, and occasionally weakening the strength of all: yet they are not discouraged, but, in the true spirit of a Missionary, bear up under the temporary difficulties of their labour, assured that they are fulfilling their Master's will. Of the number of the Aborigines of the North-American Continent who live to the southward of the Territory of the United States, and of those who range the boundless plains to the north and north-west, no estimate seems yet to have been formed. They furnish a wide field for the active benevolence of British Christians. As we entered, at large, in the last Survey, into the state of the Missions among the North-American Indians, we shall now confine ourselves to a general view of the proceedings among the principal Tribes. Osages. The United Foreign Missionary Society continues its labours among the Osage Indians under many difficulties. The war between the Osages and the Cherokees of the Arkansaw proved a serious obstacle to the progress of the infant Settlement at UNION, among the Little Osages the other Settlement, at HARMONY, among the Great Osages, 150 miles distant, was not affected by it: a Treaty of Peace was, however, happily signed on the 9th of August; in which it was agreed, that the due observance of its provisions shall be enforced, if necessary, by the Government of the United States. The sickness attendant on New Settlers, to which we have already alluded-the long and toilsome journeys necessary for procuring assistance the difficulties of a language not yet fixed the reluctance of many of the Indians to give up their Children for instruction-these and other circumstances have surrounded these exem plary Families, in their attempts to settle among the Natives, with peculiar difficulties. But, in the midst of all, they set an admirable example to other Missionary Communities: like their Brethren and Sisters among the Choctaws and Cherokees, they seek and acknowledge in every step the Almighty Arm on which they depend: under the pressure of trials or fears, they set apart Days of Humiliation, when the whole Family bows before the Lord with fasting and prayer: in times of mercy and deliverance, they praise Him on appointed Days of Thanksgiving. The establishment of the Mission Family at UNION, among the Little Osages, or Osages of the Arkansaw, in February 1821, was stated in the last Survey. By the end of October, the estimated value of the buildings, stock, produce, and other property of the Settlement was upward of 17,000 dollars. But, in the latter half of that year, disease had again attacked the Family, not one of them wholly escaping. The returning health of the Family enabled them to resume their labours at 1823.] Local Schools. Adults baptized. NORTH-AMERICAN INDIANS.-LABRADOR. There have been 23 At VALLEY TOWNS, in the south-west corner of South Carolina, the American Baptists have a flourishing School of 54 Cherokee Children, under the Rev. Humphrey Posey; and another of about 20 near it. Among the Cherokees of the Arkansaw (about 6000 in number) the Board of Missions, at their Station of DWIGHT, have had the same difficulties to encounter, as have been felt at the Stations among the Osages in this quarter. It was stated in the last Survey, that part of the Mission Family arrived at its destination in July 1820; and that the rest had reached Little Rock in the Arkansaw on the 2d of May 1821. This last party, by an unusually quick passage up the river, reached the Settlement on the 10th of May. Buildings have been erected, and about 20 acres of land cleared and enclosed. A School House for 100 Children has been prepared. We extract from the Journal of the Mission, under date of Aug. 7, 1821, some Resolutions passed by the Missionaries, which indicate exemplary devotedness to the cause in which they are engaged :- Resolved 1. That we hold ourselves consecrated to the work on which we have entered, for life. 4. That we neither expect nor receive any earthly 79 emolument whatever for our services, except what is necessarily expended for our support while under the patronage of the Board. 3. That we consider all the property committed to our care as sacred to the Lord, and ourselves bound to use it as such. 4. That we will endeavour, at all times, to consider ourselves as Brethren engaged in the same work, and to cultivate a spirit of union and peace among ourselves; that we may not retard a growth of grace in our own hearts, nor the progress of the Gospel among those with whoin we dwell. The Corresponding Secretary of the Board of Missions gives an encouraging account of the state of the Cherokees It is very evident, that they are improving more rapidly at present, than at any previous time. There are more instances of laborious industry among them, every returning year. There are more instances of serious inquiry after moral and religious truth. There is an increasing conviction, that many of the Whites sincerely wish to promote the welfare of the Indians. At several places in the Nation, is found an earnest desire to have Village Schools, with regular preaching. It is hoped that the present generation may have lights kindled in all their borders; and that generations to come may be saved from the darkness and wretchedness of their fathers. Of the Cherokees as a body, Dr. Morse draws a striking picture ; The character of the Cherokees for courage, fidelity, hospitality, and cleanliness, stands high. They are generally of a fine figure, polite in their manners, and fond of improvement in the arts. They are said universally to believe in the being of God; and call Him the Great Spirit, whose attributes are Goodness and Power: they never profane the name of God in their own language; they have no words to express such profanity! Labrador. UNITED BRETHREN. NAIN: 1771-OKKAK: 1776-HOPEDALE: 1782. Missionaries. Beck, Glitsch, Henn, Kmoch, Knaus, Koerner, Kohlmeister, Kunath, Lundberg, Meisner, Mentzel, Morhardt, Mueller, Schmidtman, Stock and Stuerman. The last accounts from Labrador are dated in July and August. Br. Morhardt was about to visit Europe: in his place, the Mission had obtained the aɛsistance of Br. Glitsch. Government have granted to the Mission the free use of the coast up to the 59th degree of North Latitude, that they may hereafter establish a Fourth Settlement. The Missionaries express their gratitude for this grant; which will have the further effect of securing them against the annoyance of stragglers, to which they have been occasionally exposed. We extract from the communications of the Missionaries, a report of the state of each Settlement at the above dates: Lord's Supper-5 were received into the Congregation-and one departed this life. The number of inhabitants is 18%.. The saving word of the Cross has approved itself throughout the year, to be the power of God. We cannot sufficiently admire and extol the work of His grace, when we see how the rough, untameable, wild Esquimaux are totally changed, and made new creatures, through the simple testimony of Jesus Christ, as the Saviour of the world, who came to seek His wandering sheep, and laid down His life for them. We spent last winter very comfortably with our Esquimaux, for we perceived that God was with them; and had especially awakened the youth of both sexes to life eternal, through the merits of Jesus Christ. Both the meetings at Church and the Schools were diligently attended, and that with an eager desire to be instructed. OKKAK. The Lord has been pleased to lay a special blessing on our labours. Our Saviour's grace and power have been made manifest in young and old; and the Word of His cross, sufferings, and death, performs the same miracles as in the earliest periods of Chris the end of the year. A School of promising Children had been begun. War: we shall extract the principal points of this Report : Elliot Prospects were never more promising thaa in August, when a distressing sickness interrupted our labours: health has now, in a good degree, been restored. We have gathered 1200 bushels of corn and 750 of potatoes. The property, including 70 acres of improved land, was valued, on the 1st of October, at 15,490 dollars. The Schools are flourishing: of 75 Scholars, descendants of Choctaws, improved land, is valued at 9305 dollars Mayhew-The property, including 65 acres of A School is about to be opened: it has been delayed by want of funds. Newell-A promising School of 15 Scholars has been established. From the Journal of the Mission, kept at Elliot, we extract the following grateful acknowledgment: Feb. 24, 1822, Sunday.-Some Choctaws and several black people were here: at noon, an ex. cellent opportunity was offered and improved for the Brethren and Sisters to take these ignorant, but precious souls, to their rooms, and teach them the way of life. It is, indeed, good to be here: some of our labourers and a few of our scholars, appear to be more thoughtful than they have been. The Lord is waiting, as we hope, in mercy and love. Far different is our present situation—in the enjoyment of health, surrounded with children, visited by the heathen, and smiled upon by heaven -from what it was last fall and summer, when our children were dispersed, and ourselves laid on beds of sickness. We are among the most favoured and happy, though most unworthy servants of the Lord. The Second Mission Family having arrived among the Great Osages, or Osages of the Missouri, in the beginning of August 1821, at the place which they have named HARMONY, a Council of about 70 Chiefs and Warriors was held on the 15th of that month, which presented the Mis-about 20 are full blooded. sion with a tract of land, containing by estimate about 15,000 acres, in a situation combining peculiar advantages. But sickness here also arrested the labours of the Settlers: heavy and incessant rain coming on before a single building could be erected, the tents under which they lived were found insufficient to prevent them from being continually wet and frequently drenched by the rain: agues and fevers followed: 8 of the Brethren and 12 of the Females were confined to their tents at the same time: on the 28th of October Mrs. Montgomery died, and on the 22d of November Mr. Seeley, both deeply regretted by their friends; and, in the same months, four infants were committed to the grave: scarcely a single person, including 16 hired men, escaped sickness. In the course of December, the surviving Members of the Family were sufficiently, recovered to enter on their respective duties: Christmas Day was, in consequence, set apart as a Day of special Thanksgiving and Prayer. In January, a School was opened, which had, at the latest dates, 11 children-sprightly, obedient, and easily managed: 6 had been taken away by their Mothers, who could not endure the separation. In April the Family consisted of 80 persons; and, at the latest dates, a number of buildings had been erected, and four acres of garden land with forty of arable were in cultivation. In August, the season was unusually sickly around them; but most of the Family were capable, except at a few intervals, of attending to their respective labours some in full health; but others weakened by the effects of the climate, or liable daily to some access of fever. The confidence of the Tribe seems to have been secured beyond expectation; many of them manifested a strong desire to cultivate the soil, and to live as white men. Choctaws. To the Settlements of ELLIOT and MAYHEW, formed by the American Board of Missions among the Choctaws, a third has been added, which is named NEWELL, after the late Missionary at Bombay. Mr. Kingsbury, the Superintendant of this Mission, made a Report of its state, on the 30th of January last, to the Secretary of Mrs. Kingsbury, a woman vigorous in understanding and in faith, died Sept. 15, 1822-an irreparable loss to her husband and children. In reference to the great body of the Choctaws, Mr. Kingsbury remarks in the Report above quoted— The wretchedness of this people is daily becoming more manifest; as is also the importance of extending, as speedily as possible, to the rising generation, the salutary influences of civilized and Christian education. On this rests the only hope of rescuing them from the avarice of unprincipled white people, and from the influence of their own ungoverned appetites and passions. It was stated to Dr. Morse, on respectable authority, that, in October 1821, the Choctaws, in Council, resolved on the establishment of Schools in all the populous parts of their country, and that ardent spirits should no longer be introduced among them. Cherokees. AT SPRING-PLACE and at OOCHGELOGY, the United Brethren have small communities of Christian Cherokees, and 21 promising Scholars. At BRAINERD, an establishment which has served as a model to others, and at the Local Schools connected with it, the Board of Missions prosecute their labours for the benefit of the Cherokees. Since the Spring of 1817, when the first School was opened. 29 Boys and 18 Girls, having learnt to read and write, had left: the present number is 100, with 38 in th tianity. By its divine power it breaks and melts hearts as hard as stone; and we can therefore rejoice to behold its blessed effects in our people, who become more and more grounded upon the only true foundation, which is Christ Jesus. Several persons have advanced in the privileges of the Church: 13 received baptism-7 became candidates for that holy ordinance-4 were re-admitted to the Congregation, and 3 received-15 children were born and baptized-6 persons departed this life-10 were made partakers of the Lord's Supper, and 7 became candidates for it: the number of our Communicants is 78. The Schools were held last winter in two divisions, and were attended with diligence and profit to the Scholars. HOPEDALE. The Lord hath done great things for us. Of the preaching of the Gospel of his Cross, we have seen, during this year also, the most encouraging fruits in the hearts and conduct of the members of this Congregation. He blesses our labour among them, and supplies all our deficiency by the inward teach ing of his Holy Spirit. The spirit of brotherly love and harmony has more than ever prevailed among our little flock," May the Lord preserve this jewel unto us; and defend them against all the various machinations of the Enemy of Souls, who is the author of discord and strife! Nine children have been born in this place-5 persons admitted candidates for baptism-2 adults bay. tized-3 became candidates for the Lord's Supperand 4 partakers of it-2 baptized as children, were received into the Congregation. The Equimaux Congregation consists of 56 communicants, 2 candidates, 21 baptized not yet communicants, 12 cans didates, and 73.baptizedchildren and 6 not yet bap tized-in all 170 persous; 19 more than last year. A widow and family have removed hither from Nain, and no one has departed this life. NEW HERRNHUT: 1733-LICHTENFELS: 1758-LICHTENAU : 1774, Missionaries. Albert, Eberle, Fleig, Grillich, Gorcke, Kleinschmidt, Lehman, Mehlhose, Moehne, Mueller, Popp, and Schur. The Brethren Popp and Schur lately arrived from Europe. Of one Labourer in this field, the following notice appears : Our venerable Brother Jacob Beck finished his course with joy at Lichtenau, being 82 years old. Fifty-three years of his useful life were spent in the service of the Mission, and the blessing of the Lord rested abundantly on his zealous and indefatigable exertions. tion. A great desire having existed for some time, to ascertain the practicability of establishing a fourth settlement among the Greenlanders,in the vicinity of Cape Farewell, Br.Kleinschmidt was commissioned by the Elders' Conference of the Unity, to undertake a reconnoitering voyage, southward from Lichtenau. Hle accordingly set out, on the 3d of July, 1821, accompanied by three Greenland Assistants, Benjamin, Shem, and Frederick; and made a coast ing voyage, as far as a day's sail beyond Cape Farewell. In every place where they landed, the Heathen received them with acclamations; and were almost beside themselves for joy at the thought of soon obtaining Teachers. On one occa siou, Br. Kleinschmidt addressed a company of 300 Greenlanders; who listened, with great attention, while he spoke to them of Jesus, the Saviour of sinners. The Heathen Population about Cape Farewell may be estimated at 500 persons. This dis samia," which signifies, "the dwellers in a plain." trict of country is called by the natives" NarkThe sea never entirely freezes on its coasts, so that there is a possibility of laying in a stock of provis In the last Survey, the number of the three Congregations in June 1821, was stated at 1278. They were thus divided -New Herrnhut 559, Lichtenfels 351, Lichtenau 588. At the close of that year, New Herrnhut had 362, of whom 168 were Communicants; and Lichtenfels had 328. Of Lichtenau, no further account has been received. The state of the Congregations was, at the last dates, highly encouraging. A Fourth Settlement is in contempla-sions in winter as well as in summer. CAN THESE BONES LIVE?O LORD GOD, THOU KNOWEST-COME FROM THE FOUR WINDS, O BREATH, AND BREATHE UPON THESE SLAIN, THAT THEY MAY LIVE! (EZEK. XXXIII. 3, 9.) |