1

[1818] Cuttack, the capital of Orissa, about 220 miles S. W. of Calcutta. Missionary: Stephen Sutton.

The mission at Balasore in Orissa having been suspended, Mr. Sutton, who arrived, as has been stated, at Calcutta March 20, 1818, was preparing, by the study of the language at Serampore, to resume the Orissa mission at Cuttack, which appears to be a more eligible station for the purpose.

Agra, Goamalty, and Balasore appear in our list for 1818, as stations occupied within this division of the survey. Agra, which was at first entered on in 1811, which has been given up under the expectation that the Church Missionary Society will provide for its immediate necessities. Of the two Missionaries formerly settled there, Mr. Macintosh, as has been seen, is at Allahabad, and Mr. Peacock was about to proceed to Chittagong.

The Mission at Goamalty, begun in 1808, has been removed to English Bazar, near Malda, where Krishna now labors, as has been stated.

(To be continued.)

JOURNAL OF THE MISSION AT BRAINERD.

(Continued from p. 327.)

Feb. 6, 1819. Brother Chamberlain went out this afternoon to meet the appointment for preaching at brother Hicks's to-morrow. Our regular appointments there have been once interrupted two weeks; at this time the appointment was adjourned to the third week, on account of the sacrament.

Sabbath, 7. Very few attended preaching at brother Hicks's. Some, who saw brother Chamberlain when on his way, on Saturday, said they did not understand the time when he was to come again; and not expecting preaching on this Sabbath, they had appointed a dance, to which they were then going. They were not willing to abstain from their diversion, for the sake of hearing the Gospel.

11. Received a letter, said to be written at the request, and in behalf, of all the people of the district called Battle Creek, requesting us to send them a schoolmaster to teach their children. This district lies on and near the Tennessee, on its north side, about 40 miles below Brainerd.

12. Agreeably to previous appointment, this day was observed as a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer, with a particular reference to the state of this people, and their delegation to the General Government. It was a wet day, and some of the church members did not attend. We believe they were detained by sickness. We think all who did attend, experienced seasonable refreshment from the presence of the Lord, and found it a good day.

The family being assembled at the usual hour of prayer in the morning, the duty, nature, and design of fasting, were explained and inculcated, and the manner in which a fast day ought to be kept plainly stated. Orders had been previously given that no cooking should be done, until towards evening; all labor of the workmen was suspended, and the children who did not choose to keep a fast strictly, were permitted to take a piece of such food as had been before prepared. Some of the children abstained entirely; others took a piece. A special meeting for player was commenced soon after family prayer closed, and the children permitted, but not required, to attend. During prayer meeting, which continued till about 10 o'clock, we were joined by some of the church members, who came to spend the day with us. From ten, to one, the time was spent in conference with these brethren, except a short season allotted to secret prayer. At one o'clock public service was attended. The time appeared short, and it was indeed a good day to our souls, and we hope beneficial to others.

"Wait on the Lord, ye trembling saints,
And keep your courage up;

He'll raise your spirit when it faints,
And far exceed your hope."

Having opportunity this evening to send directly to Battle Creek, and fearing the natives would not well understand us, if we attempted to describe particular circumstances, we sent them a short friendly letter, and told them they might expect a visit from one of us, within two or three weeks; and we would then conlt with them concerning what was to be done respecting their school.

13. Brother Butrick mounted a horse, and rode a few rods for the first time, after a confinement of more than three weeks by an inflammatory rheumatism. There is now a prospect of his speedy recovery.

Every individual, of the mission family at Brainerd, has suffered more or less by sickness this winter, which has been uncommonly warm. At one time, the three sisters were all confined at once. But the Lord has been our most gracious helper; and while He has lessened our numbers, and weakened our strength, he has carried on his own work prosperously-thus showing that he needs no help from man. Through his goodness we can now say, that we are all able to move about again, and the most feeble, to do a little.

Sabbath, 21. Brother Chamberlain fulfilled the appointment for preaching at brother Hicks's to-day. He was well received, but not so many people attended meeting as before; they lost the time, on account of its being delayed one week for the sacrament.

22. Brother Hall set out on his return to Knoxville. It is not expected sister Hall will be able to return soon; but as she has partially recovered, Milo Hoyt was sent to accompany his sister Sarah home.

25. Having heard that our corn was on the way, we have waited for it until we have borrowed nearly all that our neighbors have to spare. We now conclude that the report concerning its being on the way, must have been incorrect; and that it is expedient for one of us to go immediately to the man who contracted to bring the corn, and, if he is not about to bring it, to look for it elsewhere. Father Hoyt, though in poor health, set out for this purpose.

27. Father Hoyt returned, having travelled about 20 miles the first day, and found himself unable to proceed. With much pain and difficulty he got back on the third day. Had heard nothing of any corn for us; but was informed that several corn boats were coming down on the river, and it was expected that some of them would stop for the purpose of selling in this neighborhood. We immediately sent to the river, in hope of being able to purchase for our present necessity. In this we were disappointed. The boats had all passed without calling. While in this suspense respecting our daily bread, not knowing what to do, or what way the Lord would provide, our spirits were animated by the reception of the annual report of the A. B. C. F. M. and some reviving missionary sermons. The charge, &c. given at the late ordination of the four missionaries, we considered as coming directly from our fathers to us,-felt disposed to renew our ordination vows, "thanked God, and took courage."

March 1. One of our neighbors having a quantity of corn brought to him down the Tennessee, we made application, and he cheerfully offered to lend us 100 bushels. This will last us about three weeks; and as we had not money sufficient to pay for corn, if one of us should go to the settlements after it, we Concluded to wait the return of Milo Hoyt from Knoxville, as he is expected to bring money, and we look for him in a day or two.

Articles of kitchen furniture, shoes, &c. forwarded by the Treasurer last September, and a box of clothing from females in Otsego and the vicinity, N. Y.* arrived in safety. Our Heavenly Father knew we had need of all these things, and he has sent them to us. He knows also, that we have need of our daily bread from day to day, and we trust he will provide. This box of clothing is in itself valuable, and at this time peculiarly suited to our circumstances and

wants.

A boatman called this morning, and offered corn for sale. His price was 75 cents at the boat, and when it shall be brought here, it will have cost nearly twice as much as we expected to pay for corn; but as this is now the common market price, we could not complain. Having brought away but 30 bushels of the 100 we had lately borrowed, we purchased 130, paid this debt, and expected the remainder would last till we could obtain a full supply.

Brother C. set out this morning to go to Battle Creek to talk with the people about commencing a school there. Milo Hoyt returned from Knoxville with his sister Sarah, both in good health. They brought us more money to purchase corn; but not enough to obtain a supply for the season, if we are obliged to buy at the present price. We hear nothing from the man who engaged to furnish it

for us.

VOL. XV.

Sec Pan. vol. xiv, p. 571.

47

6. Brother C. returned. The people at Battle Creek, though still anxious to have a school, consented to wait until the return of the Delegates. We had two reasons for advising to this measure. 1. We could not tell what changes might take place respecting their land. If they did not agree to an entire exchange of country, that part contemplated for the school might be given up as the portion of the emigrants, and this might render it advisable to have the school in another place. Secondly; We had no one but brother Butrick, who could now take charge of the school, and we were unwilling to hinder him from studying the language, except from necessity.

Brother Butrick went to meet the stated appointment for preaching at brother Hicks's tomorrow.

23. The man, who had contracted to deliver our corn, together with wheat and rye, at the mission house, came, and stated that he had brought the grain down to the mouth of the creek, (which is by water 12 or 15 miles from the mission house,) but that it was impossible for him to bring it up the creek, having, as he said, from necessity engaged to discharge his hands, as soon as they got the boat into the creek. The contractor tells of many difficulties, labors and hindrances; says he has done every thing in his power; and if we should give him the price agreed upon for the grain delivered here, and now take it at the boat, where it now is, he should be a great loser by the bargain. He states, also, that he forwarded for us 200 bushels of corn to relieve us in our distress, by a boat that was going further down the river, with a letter stating his difficulties and prospects; and that he supposed we had received this, till, when on his way down, he heard that the boat containing 200 bushels had unintentionally passed us in the night, and did not discover the mistake till it was too late to leave the corn within our reach. In consequence of this failure the quantity he has brought will fall 200 bushels sort of what he engaged to furnish. He pleads, that we will excuse him from bringing the grain up the creek on account of his many past difficulties, and present embarrassments;-alleging, that he had no conception of the difficulty of ascending the creek with the grain, until since his arrival; and that he could have sold it at the price we were to give, without removing it from

the crib.

We also could plead difficulties and losses in consequence of his failure. But still he thought he ought to be excused, as his failure was owing entirely to the uncommon drought, and its consequences. We did not know what duty or expedience would require, in respect to an abatement from the contract; but the grain we must have, whoever paid the expense of getting it up the creek. There was no alternative, but to see it brought up ourselves. On the whole, to make every thing easy, we agreed to pay the stipulated price, and take the grain where it is, he giving us the boat. To bring the grain up the creek will cost about & days' work to every hundred bushels. There are 800 of corn, and nearly 300 of wheat and rye. Eighty-eight days work to be performed in this country, where help is so scarce, and just at the moment of putting in our spring crop, will be to us a very serious inconvenience, and we fear a great loss to the institution in our next crop; but necessity is laid upon us.

Catharine Brown's father brought her again, and committed her to our care, till her education should be completed, intending to remove with the remainder of his family to the Arkansaw, immediately on his return. She can assign no external cause for this change in her father's mind and conduct concerning her; but ascribes it to the special providence of God, and in answer to fervent believ ing prayer. The time for their departure drew near, and she felt, that it would not be for the best that she should go; and that God could change the minds of her parents, and make them willing to leave her. That their minds might be thus changed was the subject of her prayer. She had a confidence, particularly one evening, that the Lord would grant her request, and she rose from her knees with a degree of assurance, that she should be sent back to Brainerd. Returning to the house, and entering the room where her father and mother were sitting by themselves, he addressed her to the following effect. "We know you feel very bad about leaving the missionaries, and going with us to the Arkansaw. We have been talking about it: we pity you, and have concluded that you may go back."

How unsearchable are the ways of God! We thought it a very afflicting providence that this lamb should be snatched from the fold of Christ, to go, as we

thought, where she would be exposed to be devoured by wolves; and were ready to say in our hearts, not so, when her father required her to go with him. But in this very way God has given her an opportunity to set an example of filial obedience, by submitting to the authority of a father in the most pamful requisition, and of manifesting her love to the Savior, in her willingness to forsake all for him; and, at the same time, has granted her the object of her pious and fervent desire.

April 2. Brother and sister Hall returned. They came by water. Sister H. thinks her health rather improved than otherwise by the journey.

12. Brother Hicks, having a few days since returned from the seat of government, made us a visit. This brother, as might be expected, is much engaged for the instruction of his people. While an entire change of country was thought of, as a measure they might be pressed to adopt, his spirit was often greatly borne down with discouragement; but since they have succeeded in having part of their country guaranteed to them anew, and so many Christian people are engaged for their instruction, that hope, which was almost expiring, is raised to confidentexpectation. His heart is overflowing with joy, gratitude, and praise to God, whom he is ever ready to acknowledge as the "Giver of every good and perfect gift."

In addition to the design of introducing pious school-masters, to the exclusion of all irreligious and immoral men of that profession, he is much engaged to introduce pious mechanics, such as blacksmiths, tanners, wheelwrights, &c. Men of this description, well acquainted with their business, on being recommended to the chiefs by some missionary society, in which they have confidence, might be admitted under circumstances very favorable. The absolute necessity of blacksmiths in particular, has induced them to permit some of this trade to come in, who are much more expert at the whiskey bottle than the anvil, and who seldom or never speak of the true God and Savior without profaning his name. These, brother Hicks says, are a public nuisance; but, unless they can obtain better men in their places, they cannot clear the country of them, for the people must have blacksmiths. Almost all the men of influence in the nation, perhaps we might say all, are pressing the people to attend more to agriculture, assuring them that this is the only way they can live and keep their country. As this business increases, there will be a necessity of increasing the number of mechanics, particularly of blacksmiths. Brother Hicks hopes their friends, who are doing so much for them by sending religious teachers, will be made acquainted with their want of mechanics, and send them help of this kind also.*

17. Brother Butrick went down to brother Hicks's to fulfil the appointment for preaching there tomorrow. While there, the beast on which he rode, one of our most valuable horses, died.

19. From brother Hicks's brother B. went to Spring-place, to visit our dear friends there, and to attend to certain proposals for a school at Yoo ki-lo-gee.

The Board have been duly aware, that the establishment of good mechanics in the Indian tribes is of the greatest importance to the success of the cause of Christianity and civilization. The Committee have recently accepted the offer of a man, who is to take the superintendence of the agricultural department at Brainerd, and, at the same time, to promote several mechanical employments. He and his family, with assistants, will commence their journey from New Jersey, with the permission of Providence, in September next. From the labors of this energetic and pious superintendent, the Committee have great hopes.

It is proper to say, that a man may be a useful and respectable mechanic in an old country, without the qualifications requisite to the successful prosecution of his business among a hea then people. Much more than ordinary attainments are necessary to enable a person to discharge the duties of an assistant missionary. A mechanic, who shall aid in the civilization of our Indian brethren, ought to possess unquestioned piety, active benevolence, a sound mind, a sober judgment, unconquerable love of labor, a habit of economy, contentment with plain food, plain clothes, and a humble mode of life, a total renunciation of separate property, and of all hope of property or cessation from labor in this world, a disposition to bear with the infirmities of others, to yield kindly in points not essential, and to pursue firmly, though cooly, the great interests of the establishment, unceasing watchfulness and activity, and unshaken resolution and perseverance. As the man, who possesses these high qualifications, will not be the most forward to suppose that he possesses them, other friends of the good cause, who are competent judges in such a case, should fix their eyes and hearts upon the proper persons to be selected for such an enterprise. The farmers and mechanics, who are sent among the Indians, should be among the first which our country produces, in point of health, zeal, energy, skill, diligence, economy, and courage, and of moral and religious excellence generally.

Learning that a Cherokee in that settlement was expected soon to join the church at Spring-place, he thought the United Brethren might wish to establish a school there. This he mentioned to father Gambold, and concluded to wait till the arrival of the United Brethren, who are expected soon to the assistance of father Gambold, before making any preparations for a school at Yoo-ki-lo-gee 22. In a meeting of the brethren for business, resolved, that we receive no scholar dismissed from a school of the United Brethren for improper conduct, unless by a written request from the directors of that school; and that this resolution be made known to the chiefs at the next council.

Sabbath, 25. The Rev. Messrs. Saunders and Madderwall, missionaries from the General Assembly, and Mr. Scott, a lay brother from Georgia, called this morning, and kept Sabbath with us. Mr. Saunders preached in the morning, Mr. Madderwall lectured in the evening. We have occasion to thank the Lord for the edifying discourses of these brethren, and for their refreshing company and conversation. We trust the scene will be gratefully remembered in eternity. 26. Our visiting brethren, being in haste to pursue their journey, left us early this morning, leaving many tokens of their brotherly love and warm attachment to the cause of missions. May the Lord make them the instruments of much good wherever they may be, as they have been here, and give us grateful hearts for this, and the many other like precious seasons of communion and fellowship with his servants, which he is granting us in this wilderness.

May 4. Got up the last of our grain from the boat. In consequence of the unsteady state of the creek, it being sometimes too high, and soon too low, and the expense of keeping one man so long taking care of the boat, it has cost more to bring up this grain, than was at first expected.

7. The Cherokee woman, mentioned in our journal of Dec. 12th, as somewhat affected under preaching at the house of Catharine Brown's father, came to us, from a distance of 120 miles, to hear, as she says, more about the Savior. It appears, that soon after her first impressions, she sent for Catharine to read and explain the Bible to her, and to pray with her; and before Catharine came away she told her she intended to come hither for further instruction, as soon as she could. May 11. By appointment of the brethren, father Hoyt attended the national talk and Council. This talk was for the purpose of making known to the people what the delegates had done at Washington, &c. The success of this delegation has raised the hopes of the nation. They feel, more than ever anxious to make improvement; and are convinced that the instruction of their children is very important for this end. The missionary is received, and treated, as an old tried friend.

Dr. Worcester's parting address to the Delegates when at Washington was read in open council, and interpreted as read. All appeared much pleased with the address. As the way of their improvement was pointed out, and the blessings that would follow described, all seemed to say, "we will follow this advice, and shall experience this good." They want mechanics and school masters, and wish to have them come from one of the two societies, which have already begun to help them; as they say, they are acquainted with these, and can trust the men whom they will send.

Application was made for local schools in several places; but, as we can estabJish but one at present, it was thought best that this should be somewhere in Etowee district, and that some of us should go and select the place.

12. On receiving a letter from the Rev. D. A. Sherman, father Hoyt went to Knoxville without delay, to attend to some business, which was advised by the brethren at a special meeting.

20. Father Hoyt returned from Knoxville. On his return he visited the agent, Col. Meigs, whom he found more than ever engaged for the instruction of the natives.

The agent had received instructions to pay the balance of one account for expense in building, so far as it had been rendered; and he did not doubt that other accounts for necessary expense in building, either in addition to the present establishment, or for a local school, would be allowed when presented; out, did not think his instructions authorized him to put up more buildings, without irst consulting the Secretary of War. He advised, however, that if, on visitog the people in Etow ee, we should think it best to commence building immedi