walk round the circle to him. The conversation was immediately stopped. Brother Hicks gave me his hand without rising; and then introduced me to the king and to those of the chiefs, with whom I had not been previously acquainted; each in his turn giving me his hand without rising. A chair was then placed for me in the circle. As soon as I had taken my seat, the king inquired after the health of the missionaries, the children, &c. They then resumed their conversation in their own language, continued it a short time, and closed. We were next informed, that supper was waiting. The king and chiefs filled the table, except the place which was assigned to me. The strictest order was observed at table, no one moving a hand until a blessing was asked, nor withdrawing until thanks were returned. The same order was observed at every meal afterward.

"The evening was spent in social conversation, which was carried on with the utmost freedom, Mr. Hicks being our interpreter. The king and chiefs expressed great satisfaction in the school, and many thanks to those who are engaged for the instruction of their children and people. The king observed, it was evidence of great love to be willing to teach and feed so many children without pay; and he did not doubt it would be greatly to the benefit of the nation; for though bad men could do more mischief when learned, the good would be much more useful; and he knew we taught the children to be good, and hoped many of them would follow our instructions.

"Notwithstanding the number of people collected, there was not the least disorder or tumult, all retired to rest at an early hour, and perfect stillness prevailed the whole night. The council was not formed until late the next day. It was opened by a formal speech, delivered with animation, and heard with great solemnity. I was told that opening the council in this manner is an ancient religious rite, and considered as an appeal or prayer to the Good Spirit; though few, if any, now understand the meaning of the words used. Several letters were read in council by brother Hicks, respecting the exchange of country, but nothing of importance was done. The council adjourned a little before sunset, and the same order was observed the second night as the first.

"The next morning, being the second after my arrival, I mentioned to brother Hicks my desire to give them a talk, at some convenient time, while the council was sitting, if he thought it would be agreeable to the king and chiefs. He said, it would, no doubt, be agreeable to them, and he would prepare the way by mentioning it as soon as the council met. The king and chiefs being seated in the council house, and the people gathered around, brother Hicks told them I had something to say, if they were willing to hear, and informed me that they would then attend to what I had to say.

"I immediately entered the council house, so called, which is merely a spacious roof, supported by posts set in the ground, and left open on all sides; except that it has a railing which extends round the whole building, leaving only an opening on one side about the width of a common door. Next the railing on the inside are benches round the whole building, on which the king, old men, and chiefs, are seated; the rest of the people stand on the outside of the railing. I stood a little below the centre of the house facing the king, with Mr. Hicks on my right as interpreter, my audience surrounding me on every side.

"After a short introduction, in which I expressed my thanks, that the Good Spirit had permitted me to meet them; that they had received me as a friend and brother; and were now giving me an opportunity to speak to them, I endeavored to exhibit the character of the true God, as a being of unbounded benevolence, and brought to view the evidences of this from the works of creation and providence;-told them the good book, which contained the principles of our religion, asserted and confirmed these facts, and also taught us, that to be happy we must be good; that to be truly good was to be like the Good Spirit; that He was displeased with sin, and well pleased only with that which was good, and those who did good;-yet He did good to all, and would have all men told what they must do in order to be happy. This was found in the good book, and the Good Spirit would have all men made acquainted with it. I endeavored to show them, that the plan for missions and schools among them must have been devised solely for their good; nothing was asked from them; not a foot of their land, or any thing else.

"I then gave a brief statement of the feelings of the missionaries before they came out, and of others in our own country; particularly their ardent desire, that their red brethren might enjoy the same privileges they did; enumerated some of these, particularly the education of our children and its advantages; and observed, that they need not think it strange we were willing to do all we were doing for them without pay, as we found our own happiness in seeking to do them good; that we loved the children committed to our care, and found ourselves well paid for all we did for them, in the satisfaction the Good Spirit gave us in our work;that the best way to secure our own happiness was to do what we could to make others happy; and concluded by mentioning what had been said to us respecting small schools, where the children could chiefly live at home;-wished them to communicate their desires freely and fully on this subject; and though we might not be able to do all that we and they could wish, we would do what we could. "I was heard with the most fixed attention, and have reason to believe, from the starting tear on every side, that the warm feelings of brother Hicks imparted an affecting pathos to the interpretation, which was given sentence by sentence as I spoke. I continued my discourse much longer than was at first intended; being encouraged to do so from my own feelings, and the appearance of the audience.

"When I had taken my seat, a few words passed between the king and the chiefs, in their own language; after which the king said, they thanked me for the good talk I had given them, and were all well pleased with the whole of it. They knew, as he had told me the evening before, that nothing but a desire to do good, could induce us to instruct and feed so many children without pay. It was further observed, that they must now attend to business of great national importance, and, as soon as that was finished, they would attend to what I had said about other schools, and communicate freely according to my requests. I then observed, that I must leave them and return to the school; but, if agreeable, I would first take the king by the hand, in token of our mutual love and friendship, and of the mutual love and friendship that subsisted between his people, and all concerned in the mission. The king most cordially gave his hand, as a token and seal of this, while 1 implored the divine blessing upon him and his people. This being done, the chiefs all rose from their seats, came up to me, one by one, and each gave his hand in a most affectionate manner. This closing scene was to me truly impressive, and I think will not soon be forgotten.

"Brother Hicks left the council, and accompanied me a short distance on my way. While by ourselves he assured me, there was no dissimulation in what I had seen; that all were highly pleased, and he thought much good would result from the interview."

Brother Hall returned from Knoxville alone. He brings the heavy tidings that our afflicted sister, for whose health the journey was undertaken, so far from gaining by the ride, was rather worse, and on that account he had left her in Knoxville. Sister Sarah remained with her as a companion. The Lord has various ways to try his people. May we ever say from the heart, "Thy will be done."

Nov. 4. The parents of Catharine Brown called on us. They are on their way to the agency. The old grey-headed man, with tears in his eyes, said he must go over the Mississippi. The white people would not suffer him to live here. They had stolen his cattle, horses, and hogs, until he had very little left. He expected to return from the agency in about 10 days, and should then want Catharine to go home, and prepare to go with him to the Arkansas. We requested him to leave his daughter with us yet a little while, and go to the Arkansas without her; and we would soon send her to him, with much more knowledge than she now has. To this he would not consent; but signified a desire, that some of us would go along with him. It is a great trial to think of sending this dear sister away with only one year's tuition; but we fear she must go. The Lord can and will order otherwise, if, on the whole, it is for the best.

6. Brother Chamberlain went out to make a visiting tour, and meet our ap pointment for preaching on the Sabbath. As he will go by brother Hicks's and father Gambold's, he took Catharine and another hopeful convert along with him. Catharine expects this to be her last visit in that quarter.

9. Brother C. returned. He brings intelligence, that the natives at Yu-kaloo-za are very anxious to have one of us reside with them, preach on the Sab

bath, and teach a few children, who will be boarded by their parents. This place is about 60 miles south by east from Brainerd. Brother Butrick spent some time there on his tour last September. It appears that his preaching and conversation has, by the divine blessing, excited the attention of the natives. In a joint meeting of the brethren, it was thought best to pay particular attention to this place; and, if it should hereafter be thought advisable, brother Butrick may perhaps collect a small school there, preach on the Sabbath, and still pursue the study of the language, as he may probably board in a family where they speak only Cherokee.

14. A poor Cherokee woman, whose husband has taken another wife, and left the first with a daughter about 8 years old, expressed a strong desire to put this chud into the school, if she could find some way to furnish it with clothes. Ascertaining that the woman was really poor, we proposed to take the girl and clothe her as our own, if the mother would let her stay with us constantly, until she had acquired a good education. She readily accepted the proposal, promising to let us keep the girl as long as we thought necessary; that she would come here when she wanted to see her, and not take her away at all.

19. We had this evening a melancholy proof of man's proneness to degenerate into the savage state, and lose the knowledge of the truth as it is revealed in the Scriptures. A mother advanced in life, and a son apparently about 25 years old, who would not be suspected to have a drop of Indian blood in their veins, tarried with us for the night. They said they were part Cherokee; though the son could not speak the language at all, and the mother but poorly. They conversed freely, and manifested almost a total ignorance of every thing relating to religion, or a future state, and differed in nothing, but color and speech, from the sons of the forest.

20. We had a very affecting scene, in the departure of our sister Catharine Her father and mother, returning from the agency to go to the Arkansas, stopped yesterday for the purpose of taking her along with them. She knew that she needed more information to be prepared to go alone into the wilderness; and intreated them to leave her with us a little longer. She is their only daughter; and they would not consent on any terms. The struggle was very severe. She wept and prayed, and promised to come to them, as soon as she had finished her literary education, and acquired some further knowledge of the Christian religion. We engaged that she should be provided for while here, and assisted in going to them. Her mother said, she could not live if Catharine would not now go with them. Catharine replied, that to her it would be more bitter than death to leave us, and go where there were no missionaries. Her father became impatient, and told her, if she would not mind him, and go with them now, he would disown her forever; but if she would now go, as soon as missionaries came to the Arkansas, (and he expected they would be there soon,) she might go and live with them as long as she pleased. He wished her to have more tearning.

Never before had this precious convert so severe a trial; and never, perhaps, did her graces shine so bright. She sought for nothing but to know her duty, and asked for a few minutes to be by herself undisturbed. She returned and said she would go. After she had collected and put up her clothing, the family were assembled, a parting hymn was sung, and a prayer offered. With mingled emotions of joy and grief, we commended her to the grace of God, and they departed.

Precious babe in Christ; a few months ago brought out of the dark wilder ness; here illuminated by the word and Spirit of God; and now to be sent back to the dark and chilling shades of the forest, without one fellow traveller, with whom she can say, "Our Father!" O ye, who with delight sit under the droppings of the sanctuary, and enjoy the communion of saints, remember Catharine in your prayers.

22. The woman, who left her daughter on the 14th, with the promise that she should stay with us as long as she pleased, came to take her away. She had heard, that the child cried for her mother, which was true. We told her the child would be contented, after she had been here a short time; that several of the children, who were now unwilling to leave us, were more discontented at first, than her daughter. But the poor, unenlightened mother, knowing nothing but the feelings of nature, could not be persuaded to leave her. We were very sorry to part with this child, and see her taken back to the regions of darkness, perhaps never more to see the light of life; but were obliged to submit.

23. Sister Chamberlain continues very unwell. Mother Hoyt's feeble health is almost exhausted, and sister Anna's health is breaking under the double charge and labor, which devolve upon her. Some of the poor children, whom we agreed to clothe, are becoming ragged; and we fear the uninformed natives will think we are not careful to do by them as we have promised. The clothing, so long since forwarded for our relief, and which at this time would be of most essential service, does not arrive. We have heard that boxes directed to us have been some time in Augusta; but no team could be found to bring them. We have need of patience. "Lord, increase our faith."

24. Our friends from Athens, mentioned on the 15th ult., called on their return. One of them, Mr. J. Newton, gave five dollars for the benefit of the institution. 25. A white man, who has a Cherokee family, and is himself about as ignorant as most of the Cherokees, brought back his son, who has been home on a visit. The father said he was greatly discouraged about trying to give his son an education,and did not know what to do about bringing him back; as he thought the white people were determined to have the country, and it was likely he should be obliged to remove over the Mississippi before his son could learn enough to do him any good. He said many of the Cherokees were discouraged, and keeping their children at home on the same account. We told him, this need not make any difference in regard to sending their children to school; for in the event of the removal of the nation, the children would be removed also; and what was lacking in the education of children admitted to school here, should be finished there. He seemed much pleased with this; and said, he did not before expect we would be willing to go so far. He should never go, unless he was obliged to do so.

These people consider the offer of taking reserves, and becoming citizens of the United States as of no service to them. They know they are not to be admitted to the rights of freemen, or the privilege of their oath, and say, no Cherokee, or white man with a Cherokee family, can possibly live among such white people, as will first settle their country.

28. The great talk, for which the people began to assemble on the 20th of October, was closed yesterday. The United States commissioners proposed to the Cherokees an entire change of country, except such as chose to take reserves, and come under the government of the United States. This proposition they unanimously rejected, and continued to reject, as often as repeated, urging that the late treaty might be closed as soon as possible. Nothing was done.

(To be continued.)

REVIVAL OF RELIGION IN BELCHERTOWN.

THIS town enjoyed a considerable attention to religion, in the years 1812 and 1813. A large number of persons made a public profession of their faith, and of their allegiance to Christ, of which most of their lives have since exhibited the sincerity. The good effects of those truths, of which they then declared their belief, have been apparent. But religion itself was not without its enemies; nor its humblest disciples without their sufferings. The haters of all serious piety are never ashamed of using an old argument, whose falsehood has been proved a hundred times; nor will they blush to propagate a scandal, which they know has not the least foundation in fact; provided, by so doing, they can injure the characters of Christians, and heap reproach on that cause, which, above all other things they wish to see extirpated from the earth. It always irritates such people to witness any consistent representation of Christianity; and the more its prominent features are exhibited, and the more fully its humbling doctrines are illustrated, so much the more determined and persevering is their hostility. At the time above mentioned themes of reproach were not wanting. Some, who had professed their renunciation of the world, and acknowledged their allegiance to the Savior of sinners, were guilty of irregularities, which dishonored his cause, gave occasion of sorrow to their friends, and of triumph to their enemies. Others became cold in their devotions, and negligent of duties.

Of the great majority coldness and apathy seemed to be the characteristics; they were as most Christians are, too indifferent to the salvation of their perishing fellow-men, and appeared to forget the dates which they owed to souls perishing in sin, the claims of compassion, and the encouragements to faithfulness, given in the word of God.

In this state the church, and the people at large, continued, till September last. No unusual occurrence was then known to excite the public attention to religion. The pastor of the congregational church, the Rev. Mr. Porter, attended the services of the Sabbath as usual, without noticing any other symptom of the general awakening of sinners, than a good degree of attention to religious wor ship, and a somewhat uncommon seriousness on the countenances of the audience. The next day, being in several distant parts of the town, he found the minds of many directed to the inquiry, "What must we do to be saved?" From that moment the work spread in every direction; the demand for instruction increased so greatly, that one man could not attend all the lectures and religious conferences which were held; and Mr. Porter was obliged to call in the neighboring clergy to his assistance. They have labored with him much; and no doubt many souls will be found, at the last day, who will bless God, for the faithful attention, and plain, pungent preaching, both of their pastor, and others, on these occasions.

Among the subjects of this awakening are persons of almost all descriptions, and of every age, from childhood to the period of 70 or 80 years. Several, who had formerly lulled themselves to security with the notions of Universalism, have been brought to serious reflection, to trembling and repentance over their folly; have seen the great error of their former belief; been made to renounce the delusion, in which they were trusting, and to repent of those sins, which they once imagined needed no repentance. Instances have occurred in families, which have been established nearly twenty years, where no acknowledgment was ever before made, nor any thanks rendered, for the daily mercies of God. In these, the parents have erected the family altar, and notes of praise and thanksgiving are heard within those walls, whose inhabitants were formerly thankless as pagans, living, and encouraging others to live, like atheists in the world.

By those best acquainted with the town and its inhabitants, and who have witnessed the extraordinary effects of this work from its beginning till now, it is judged, that one thousand persons have been seriously impressed, concerning their salvation. How many have given evidence of a renovation of heart, is not known. Among such numbers, it is not to be expected that every one will continue steadfast to the end. Some will remain serious during a temporary alarm; but, after a while, will probably forget their danger, mingle with the thoughtless and vicious, and become more hardened in sin than before. Tares spring up and grow with the wheat, and are not to be separated till the final harvest. The Baptist society in the place has shared in the blessings of the revival, and a considerable number have been admitted to its communion. Persons of all descriptions have bowed to the humbling doctrines of the Gospel, and opposition is silent, if it exist at all.

DECLARATION OF THE ALLIED SOVEREIGNS.

AT the close of the late congress at Aix-la-Chapelle, the five great powers pubfished to the world a brief exposition of the principles, by which they are hereafter to be governed. It may seem odd to insert these, in a work professedly devoted to missionary intelligence; but we are fully convinced, that no documents, of modern times have a more important bearing on the future progress of religion, than these solemn declarations of Austria, France, Great Britain, Prussia, and Russia. These declarations expressly recognize and confirm the Holy Alliance, which was promulgated about three years ago. After stating that the work of peace had been consolidated by the convention of the 9th of October last, the parties proceed to declare, that

"The intimate union established among the Monarchs, who are joint parties of this system by their own principles, no less than by the interests of their people, offers to Europe the most sacred pledge of its future tranquillity. The object of this union is as simple as it is great and salutary. It does not tend to any new political combination-to any change in the relations sanctioned by existing treaties. Calm and consistent in its proceedings, it has no other object than the maintenance of peace, and the security of those transactions on which the peace was founded and consolidated. The Sovereigns, in forming this august union,