State of the Mission among the Cherokees.

203

its existence and its plan known, and will guide others in pursuing the same object.

The British and Foreign Bible Society has, with its accustomed promptitude and liberality, placed the sum of 500l. at the disposal of the Malta Bible Society; beside a large supply of the Scriptures in various languages.

CHROKEE MISSION.

We have seen a letter published from the Rev. Cyrus Kingsberry, a Missionary in the Cherokee nation. It contains an encouraging account of the prospect of succeeding in the object of the mission. Mr. Kingsbury, assisted by Messrs. Hall and Williams, it appears, have settled at a place in the nation called Chickamaugh. They have raised four cabins, and intend building more for school and dwelling houses, and are about to commence the building of a mill, and are burning brick and lime for the purpose of building chimnies, &c. They calculate on obtaining their principal resources from the cultivation of the land, raising stock, &c. They were then busy on their farm preparing for a crop. In the month of June they had 26 scholars, from four to eighteen years of age, some full blooded Cherokees, and some partly white. All except nine speak the English language. Six of the native children, who had been at school before, read the Scriptures, and have committed a considerable portion of the Catechism. The deportment of all the children surpasses the most sanguine expectation. They expected a considerable increase to their school in a few days. They had established a Sunday School, which also succeeded very well. Their preachings, which are on every Sunday, are very numerously attended. The congregation is respectable and increasing. [Rel. Remem.

SYNOD OF PITTSBURGH. Narrative of the State of Religion within the bounds of the Synod of Pittsburgh, (Pa.) Oct. 10, 1817.

The committee appointed to condense the Reports of the Presbyteries on the state of religion, reported.

That it appears from the several reports, that although vice and immorality in many places prevail, and that many are careless and unconcerned in things that belong to their eternal peace, yet there is reason to be grateful to the God of all grace, that he has not been provoked to take his Holy Spirit from the churches under their care; but that is convincing and converting sinners, and building up believers in their most holy faith.

In the Presbytery of Hartford, there is an increased attention to religion, and very evident tokens of the presence of God comforting and building up believers, and awakening the careless, in some of their congregations.

In the l'resbytery of Erie, there is a general, and in a few of their churches, an increased attention to the preaching of the Gospel; and bible classes have been formed in some, and the concert of prayer is observed in most of their churches.

204

Narrative of the Synod of Pittsburgh

In the Presbytery of Redstone, the concert of prayer has been observed; there has been a general and decent attention to the ordinances of the Gospel. In the city of Pittsburgh, and elsewhere, there are a number of praying societies, and Bible Classes have been formed in several of their congregations, and are well attended.

In the Presbytery of Grand River, the state of morals and society is gradually improving; their congregations manifest an increasing desire for the preaching of the Gospel. Some new societies have been formed, and the number of labourers in the vineyard increased; and considerable attention is paid to the education of pious young men, for the gospel ministry. Female charitable societies, auxiliary education and Bible Societies, and male and female praying societies, are multiplied; and in several places God has graciously poured out his Spirit, and numbers have hopefully been born into his kingdom. In other places individuals are inquiring, with anxious solicitude, what they shall do to be saved. The prospects are such as ought to animate, rather than discourage such as ought to fill their hearts with gratitude and praise to God, and inspire an animating hope, that God, in covenant faithfulness, will ere long, make the wilderness blossom as the rose.

In the presbytery of Ohio, there is an increasing attention to the means of grace. The monthly concert of prayer is well observed; Female Societies, auxiliary to the Western Missionary Society, have been formed in several of their congregations, who cheerfully engage to retrench their own personal expenses, that they may aid the cause of missions.

The number of praying societies is also increased; in four or five congregations, there are evidences of a work of the Spirit of God; the Spirit of grace and supplication has been poured out, many are awakened and anxiously inquiring what they shall do to be saved; some are rejoicing in hope, and exhibiting encouraging evidences that God has called them out of darkness into his marvellous light.

JUVENILE DEPARTMENT.

A SABBATH VISIT.

It was

Ir was on the last Sabbath morning in the year, after having heard an impressive discourse on the 16th verse of the 91st Psalm, "With long life I will satisfy him, and show him my salvation," that I turned my steps towards the chamber of affliction. a spot far hid from the public eye, but dear to my recollection as the scene where I had spent some happy moments in witnessing the efficacy of divine grace, in cheering and supporting a poor, tried, but patient disciple of the compassionate Jesús. My companion was young and in the bloom of health, and I hoped that when he had seen what Jesus can do for his afflicted ones, he too might be led to love him. We found the young woman in the room alone; she knew me, and her countenance indicated a lively satisfaction that we were permitted to meet each other again. She appeared,

if possible, more emaciated and reduced than when I saw her last. Her poor thin wrists were fastened by long strings to the bed-posts, to prevent the ill effects of her struggling during the fits to which she is liable. The sun shone brightly upon her bed. I said, "Tis a lovely sabbath-day: I cannot help thinking of that better sabbath which we shall spend in heaven." Her eyes spoke the language of earnest desire. She took her alphabet, (for Ellen is dumb,) and pointed out the following words: "I have been unable to take any thing but drink for four months; I have been very near death."-" And how did you feel then? Did you wish to be gone?"-"Sometimes I did."-" It is a comfort to know that there is one who feels for you, and that as soon as Jesus sees that you are prepared for heaven, he will come and receive you." She raised her finger in token of affirmation, and smiled; (I cannot describe how she looked.)" Does Satan still assail you as he used to do ?"-"Yes."-" How do you resist and conquer him? By pleading that you have done well?" She shook her head. "How then?"-After a little pause, " By looking to Christ."-L repeated the following verses:

She made no remark; but we had little difficulty in perceiving the sentiments of her mind. We were about to leave her after reading a part of the first chapter of the epistle to the Colossians, when she seemed to feel a new joy at hearing the well known footsteps of her mother, who entered the room, and was soon after followed by Jane, another daughter, both of them evidently very unwell. Poor Ellen's story was indeed true; for four months her jaw had been doubly locked, and though craving with hunger, nothing could be introduced to her mouth but a little liquid. has been confined in her bed for nine years, and they are very poor, yet she bears all patiently: one thing alone depresses her very much; she sometimes loses her reason; when she feels the approach of this calamity, her spirits sink low indeed. Still oppressed as her tender frame is by these accumulated ills, and cast

She

down as her mind often is by doubts and fears, she is not, and she will not be forsaken. And she told us that she would not, if she could, exchange her present condition for health and the enjoyment of temporal comforts, without a hope in Christ. We poured out our hearts together in prayer, and I trust enjoyed something like an antepast of that sweet communion which our spirits shall one day hold within the veil, when the inhabitants shall no more say I am sick, and where God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes. But we had not yet seen all the afflicted mem. bers of this interesting family; we had yet to visit Betsy who has kept her bed in a helpless state, by a complaint on the spine, for five years. "What an affliction, said my young friend, (as we walked towards her lodging,) must it be to one who loves the Sabbath and the house of God so well as Ellen does, that she is prevented enjoying them. The sun shone upon her bed, and there was one above, I think, who looked down upon her. How she seemed to feel at the name of Jesus!" Blessed be his name, his eye is ever fixed upon his people; when he afflicts them it is in love, nor will he suffer them to be tried above that which they are able to bear. We had but a few moments to enjoy with Betsy, and they were such moments as I hope never to forget. If she had not spoken, I should have supposed that her mind was the seat of almost uninterrupted tranquillity and peace. Disease had quenched the lively bloom of early youth; her eyes appeared sunk, but there was a silent expression, a calm serenity, a ray peace which nothing surely but religion could have imparted: yet Betsy is filled with doubts and fears. I will only note down a few of her remarks: "When I can say, my times are in thine hand, I am happy; but I am very unbelieving, and unbelief is so great a sin, it so dishonours God: this is all my hope, the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth from all sin.' If it were not for that one word all, I should sink; but as it is said all sin, I hope mine may be pardoned: I know that the best way to overcome unbelief is by looking to Jesus. If I were to be so employed, my faith would not be so weak as it is.

of

"And yet small as my hope is, I would not part with it; I would not give it up for the world. I don't wish to be well, Sir, I only wish to realize my interest in Christ. The ways of God are mysterious: when I hear of useful lives being taken away, I often wonder why my unprofitable life is spared; but we shall know all; all is wisely done." I told her that Mr. C. in the morning sermon had remarked, that those who say they are so poor, and insignificant, that they can do nothing for God, are mistaken; for if they can do nothing else, by a holy example they may recom mend the gospel to others. "I would not live to the world," said she, "but I should be afraid of myself, if I were restored to

bealth."

"Tis religion that can give

Solid pleasures while we live;

'Tis religion must supply
Real comfort when we die.

Anniversary of the Young men's Missionary Society. 207

We again knelt in prayer, and retired with hearts full, I trust, of sympathy for those children of poverty and distress, and of gratitude to God, for having invited us to receive that gospel whose discourses can support the mind in the lowest extremities, and administer consolation when earthly friends are removed, and temporal comforts destroyed. "How different," said my companion, "would it have been if we had gone this morning to visit wicked persons in such circumstances; we should have found them fretful, and impatient, and perhaps swearing!" Yes, and how would it have been if Betsy and Ellen bad put off the concerns of religion to the present hour! Could they now have borne the voice of an accusing conscience, if conscience had been permitted to awake? is it not more probable, that the load of their unpardoned guilt would have sunk them in everlasting despair, or have driven reason for ever from their agitated minds?

But they will join the company in heaven. Yes, I believe they will, and Ó how amazing will be the transition! How will surprise burst upon the happy spirit set free from the body of pain, and introduced to the regions of immortal health and peace! How will Jesus their sympathizing elder brother step from his throne to welcome them to his arms, and how gladly will they join in the universal acknowledgment-" He hath done all things well," Come, then, my dear young friends, leave the momentary pleasures of the ensnaring world. Let me this day summon you around a Saviour's cross. Come, gird on the whole armour of God, resist your growing sins, lean upon the strength of Christ, and when your. mortal strength shall fail, he will make your bed in your sickness, be will smooth your dying pillow, and we shall finally, I hope, enter on that sweet, that eternal sabbath, which remains for the people of God. [Youth's Mag.

(Communicated for the Christian Herald.)

THE YOUNG MEN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF NEW-YORK.

The Annual Meeting of this Institution was held on the Evening of the 8th inst. at the School-room in Rose-street.

The room, though very large, was entirely filled with members of the Society.

The annual Report of the Board of Directors, which will soon be published, was read, approved, and ordered to be printed.After several other motions, one was introduced to approve a plan which, from the Report, it appeared the Directors had in contemplation-to build, in the out skirts of the city, a spacious Mission-house, for the accommodation of the poor attending on the ministration of their Missionaries, who had warmly recommended such a measure as indispensably necessary to the success of their labours. This unexpected motion was aby advocated, and unanimously passed. At the instance of a number of the members, subscription papers were immediately put in circulation, and before the exercises of the meeting were over, there was subscribed towards this interesting and important object, the