Sunday School Society of New-Brunswick, N. J. 383 up in despair, and to cry out, "Is the mercy of the Lord clean gone for ever-will he be favourable no more? Hath the Lord forgotten to be gracious-hath he in anger shut up his tender mercy ?" Thus it continued till the beginning of last summer, when God showed himself to be indeed a hearer of prayer." The place where the small society usually met for prayer, was in a school house. Formerly a corner of the house would contain those who met; now it was filled to overflowing. A most solemn attention pervaded these meetings: and at public meetings, which they had every second Sabbath, the people heard as for eternity.

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“I shall only add, that on the communion occasion in the fall, three adults were baptized, and twelve or fourteen persons were admitted to the ordinance of the supper for the first time. The work is evidently progressing, and extending through other parts of the congregation, Praying societies have been established; and there is scarcely a night in the week in which there is not a meeting for prayer and praise in some part of the congregation." [ibid.

(FOR THE CHRISTIAN HERALD.)

SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

Report of the Managers of the Sunday School Society of the Reformed Dutch Church in the city of New-Brunswick, N. J.

To the Christian as well as to the philanthropist it is matter of delight to witness the prosperity of institutions calculated to meliorate the state of society, and especially of such as tend to improve, the situation of the more destitute classes of mankind. It is among the indigent, who from their condition are deprived not only of the comforts of life, but of its necessaries aud of the means of instruction, that vice makes its greatest inroads, Grime is most frequently the concomitant of ignorance; and hence the value and importance of disseminating useful instruction. To promote this object, and more especially to inculcate the truths of religion; to instil into the young and tender mind a suitable sense of the promises and rewards of the gospel; the institution of Sabbath Schools has, we humbly hope, in some good degree contributed. The little trembling mendicant, whose famished and tattered appearance bespeak his wretchedness, is taught that he may be decent and respected, though in the vale of poverty; and his desponding countenance is brightened by the cheering prospect which the proffered instruction in useful knowledge, and the consequent improvement of his condition, present to his view. In the discharge of their duty at this time, the board of managers of the Sabbath School Society of the Reformed Dutch Church in New-Brunswick, congratulate its patrons on the success which has thus far attended their exertions. The School was organized in the month of December, 1816, at a meeting of a number of ladies belonging to the Dutch Reformed Congregation in this

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Contributions to the American Bible Society.

city, and has been continued regularly to the present time. The scholars are composed principally of the children of the poor, who have not wherewith to procure instruction, and of blacks of any age. The number at present on the books of the managers is ninety-six. They are instructed in the alphabet, in spelling, in reading the Bible, and in committing to memory sacred hymns, the Helenbrook and Mother's Catechisms, and portions of Scripture. Some of these little wanderers who have been taken from the streets, and from a habitual profanation of the Sabbath, have exhibited in a few months marks of rapid improvement. There are instances of some of them, eight years of age, who when they entered the school knew not a letter of the alphabet, that now begin to read, and can repeat from recollection, a number of Watts' hymns, and the Mother's Catechism. Many people of colour have been so far instructed as to enable them to read for themselves those great truths which proclaim the glad tidings of salvation, and liberty to the captive.

The benefits already experienced from the institution, are, the managers confidently trust, a guarantee of its future support from its friends, and that these by their liberality, will continue to second its efforts. The effusions of many a grateful heart will hereafter constitute for the patrons of the needy a noble reward,

The Treasurer of the American Bible Society has acknowledged the receipt of the following contributions in February, 1818-viz.:

From the Rockland Bible Society, N. Y. 50 dollars; the Schenectady Fem. Aux. B. S. (N. Y.) 75 dollars; the Xenia Aux. B. S., Ohio, 200 dollars; the Fem. Aux. B. S. of Baltimore, Md., 250 dollars; the Pittsburgh B. S. (Pa.) 200 dollars; the Young Men's Western B. S. (Pa.) 100 dollars; the B. S. of Lexington, Virginia, 200 dollars; the Saratoga B. S. (N. Y.) 184 dollars; the Aux. B. S. of Bergen, N. J. 66 dollars; the Abingdon B. S. Va., 111 dollars; from the Ladies of the Brick Presbyterian Church, N. Y. to constitute the Rev. Gardiner Spring, a Director for life, 150 dollars; and thirty dollars each, to constitute the following Ministers Members for life, viz.: Rev. Dr. Ezra Ripley, by the Ladies in his congregation; Rev. W. M'Murray, by ladies of the Dutch Reformed Church at Rhinebeck, N. Y.; Rev. Bailey Loring, by ladies in Andover, Mass.; Rev. Joseph Hopkins, and Rev. Thomas Morril, by the Fem. Aux. B. S. of Middlebury, Vermont; Rev. John Ellis, by the females of the Congregation of Mechanicville, S. C.; Rev. Alex. Bullions, by the Cambridge Juvenile B. S., Washington co., N. Y.; Rev. Wm. Axtell, by a few friends in his congregation at Geneva, N.Y. Rev. Abel Flint, by a few individuals of the South Ecclesiastical Society in Hartford, Conn.; Rev. Dr. Nath. Emmons, by the ladies in Franklin, Mass.: also 30 dollars from Rev. Joseph Carr, of Alleghany co. Penn., and 30 dollars from Mathew Skilton, of Boston, to constitute themselves Members for life-Collections in St. Clair congregation 22 dollars; and collections in the 2d Ward of the city of New-York, 39 dollars.

New-York, 4th March, 1818.

**The Treasurer earnestly solicits those gentlemen in this city who still hold subscription lists and monies for the American Bible Society, to return them to him as soon as convenient, that they may be embraced in the account of receipts for the current year, now nearly expiring.

RICHARD VARICK, Treasurer.

THE CHRISTIAN HERALD.

VOL. IV.]

Saturday, March 14, 1818.

[No. 25.

CHEROKEE MISSION.

FROM THE PANOPLIST.

Extract of a Letter from Messrs. Kingsbury, Hall, and Williams, to the Rev. Dr. Worcester. Chickamaugah, Nov. 25, 1817.

REV. AND DEAR SIR,- -We are now able to tell you what the Lord is doing among us for the glory of his name. And though it be the day of small things, we know it will rejoice your hearts, as it has ours, when you hear that the Lord Jesus is bringing into his kingdom some of the sons and daughters of our western forests.

For some time past, we have had the satisfaction to witness a pleasing change in the external conduct of some of our neighbours, who on the Sabbath attended our religious worship. Two white men in our neighbourhood, who had been profane and immoral, became sober and serious. One Cherokee woman also, who had a tolerably good education, and who is married to a white nan, appeared to be under very serious impressions.

Such was the state of things, when brother Cornelius arrived at this station. His conversation and preaching excited an increased attention, both among the Cherokees and white people around us. Our assembly on the Sabbath was increased. On the last Sabbath that he preached, which was the first in November, a very solemn impression was made on the minds of several. One white man, one Cherokee man, the woman above mentioned, and a Cherokee girl who was attending our school, were much affected. The Cherokee man is a half breed, named Charles Reece, who speaks our language tolerably well. He was one of the three intrepid Cherokees, who, at the battle of the Horse-Shoes, swam the river in face of the enemy, and brought off their canoes in triumph. The President has lately presented him with an elegant rifle, as a reward for his bravery. It was interesting to see this undaunted warrior bowing before the influence of the Gospel. After public exercises, Mr. Cornelius conversed with him. He sunk upon his feet as if deprived of strength, said he knew not what to say; that he felt as he never did before. He felt that he was a sinner. This man has visited us repeatedly since, and says it is his fixed determination to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, and that it is his great desire to know, and to do the will of God.

The girl above mentioned, who is a member of our school, and who is the subject of serious impressions, is a daughter of half breed parents. Her name is Catharine Brown. She is about 18 years of age, genteel in her appearance, and amiable in her manners; spoke the English language well when she came to live with us, and could read indifferently in words of three letters. She has been attentive to her learning, industrious in her habits, and remarkably correct in all her deportment. She has attended school,

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Account of Missionary Labours

about ninety days and now reads well in the Bible, and writes a tolerably good hand. She says, that before she came into our family, she did not know that she was a sinner, but that now she knows and feels it. With tears in her eyes she often expresses her anxiety for her poor people, as she calls them, and wishes she could remain in our family and devote herself to their instruction, but is afraid her parents will not be willing.

There are traits in the religious experience of these persons which we think favourable. They do not appear to be influenced in any great degree by the fear of punishment. Their great anxiety is to know the will of God, and to do it; and are the more solicitous to be delivered from sin than from its consequences. In short, we would indulge the hope that a saving change has been wrought in the hearts of at least three or four. But we would wish not to be sanguine; our hopes may be disappointed.

On the last Sabbath in September a church was organized in this place, and we solemnly renewed our covenant with God, and with each other. We should have done this at an earlier period, but, hearing that brother Cornelius was on his way to this country, we were desirous that he should be present on this interesting occasion. At present, our church consists of only the missionary brethren and sisters; but we hope soon to be able to number some who have recently been brought into the kingdom of the dear Redeemer.

In compliance with that part of our instructions which recommended a division of labours, we have made the following distribution, viz.

1. The spiritual charge, and general superintendance of the mission.

2. The instruction of the school, and superintendance of the scholars in the exercises of husbandry, &c.

3. The particular management of the plantation, providing for the family, &c.

Soon after our last communication, the state of brother Hall's health was such as to require that he should be released from the confinement of the school; and brother Williams took the charge of that department. He succeeds well, and will probably continue in it, as he is well qualified to teach on the Lancasterian plan. Brother Hall's health is much improved. He has the oversight of the plantation, and the steward's department.

We have also agreed to the following resolution, to wit:

That as God in his Providence has called us to labour in the great and good work of building up his kingdom among the Aborigines of this country; a work peculiarly arduous, and which will be attended with much expense, and above all, considering that we have solemnly devoted ourselves, and all that we have, to the prosecution of this work, we declare it to be our cordial, deliberate, and fixed resolution, that so far as respects our future labours or any compensation for them, we will have no private interests distinct from the great interests of this institution. And, that if it meets

Among the Cherokee Indians.

387

the views of the Prudential Committee, we will receive no other compensation for our services, than a comfortable supply of food and clothing for ourselves and families; and such necessary ex1 penses as our peculiar circumstances may require observing at all times that frugality and economy, which our duty to the Christian public and the great head of the church demands. Provided, that the personal expenses of each one, board excepted, shall be rendered to the society annually. Our board will principally be the product of our own labour, and many articles of clothing may be manufactured in the family.

With regard to our school we have had much satisfaction, and could say much in its favour. But our limits require that we should be brief in our remarks at the present time. As to the capacity of our children to learn, we entertain no doubt. The greater number of them manifest an uncommon aptness. They are very obedient to our orders, and conduct with much decency and propriety. As soon as they enter our school, we put them to learning our language from the book. While they are doing this, their progress in learning to understand and speak it has been rapid, at least in many instances; and we have so far succeeded in removing their national bashfulness to speak our language, that they now manifest a forwardness to say all they can. In learning to write they excel. We find the Lancasterian method of teaching, and particularly of writing on slates, peculiarly beneficial. We will mention one or two instances of proficiency.

Catharine Brown, the girl before mentioned, began to read in words of three letters. In 60 days she could read intelligibly in the Bible, and in 90 days could read as well as most common people. After writing four sheets of paper, she could perform with accuracy and neatness, even without a copy. One little girl, who could not speak our language, learned her letters in two days. Mr. Williams, has just informed us, that a little boy, who came into our school to day, has learned eight of his letters this morning, and can print them very well in sand. We say these things not to raise expectations, or with a desire of boasting, but to encourage the friends of the mission.

We come now to speak of our plantation, buildings, &c. Here we have had much labour and much trouble. We before stated that our principal support might ultimately be derived from our plantation and our stock. But it must be obvious, that the advantage to be derived from these sources for one or two years must be small, when compared with what may be afterwards expected. The fences on the plantation were poor, and it was not in our pow er, the past season, to repair them sufficiently to secure our fields from damage The cultivation has also been much neglected in consequence of our attention to other business. But the crop which we have raised shows what a rich harvest may be expected, when we shall be able to secure our fields, and attend to their cultivation.

Our school-house is nearly completed, except the windows. It