Those persons who make pretensions to the power of witchcraft, often boast of their ability to destroy those who offend them. This sometimes brings upon themselves merited punishment.* But it often happens, as in the case of the old woman mentioned above, that those who are proscribed as witches made no pretensions to the art, and are selected merely because they are obscure, and want friends to avenge their death. For though young and old appear to believe in the superstition; yet the friends, of the person killed, if powerful, would be disposed to avenge the murder.

The Choctaw doctors of both sexes, when likely to fail of performing a cure, have recourse to some artful expedient to preserve their reputation, and to prove that their patient is suffering under the effects of witchcraft. For this purpose, they secretly prepare bloody hair, pins, small sticks, &c. These they conceal in their mouth, and then applying their lips suck those parts of the diseased person which are most painful. After a while some bloody hair is spit out, then follow pins and sticks. The simple people do not suspect the deception, and are all convinced, that the unhappy person has been "witch-shotten."

The Indians suppose that half-breeds and white people eat so much salt, that the witch arrows will not stick in them.

22. The Lord is merciful, and we would speak his praises. This morning sister Williams was delivered of a fine son. Both are likely to do well. Removed as we are from human aid, in times of difficulty and danger we feel constrained to record the kindness of our covenant God. Surely those who trust in him shall never find his faithfulness to fail. But our faith is often tried. Broth

er Kingsbury has a renewed and more severe attack. It assumes the appearance of a continued bilious fever.

23. Brother Kingsbury continues very sick,-at times deranged. But the medicines have a favorable operation. Sister Williams and the little son are very comfortable. Sister Kanouse is unwell.

24. Sister Kanouse is better. Brother Kingsbury's symptoms are also more favorable.

Sabbath 25. We were gratified to day by the presence of a goodly number to unite with us in public worship. A portion of Scripture was read by the brethren, and observations made which were heard with attention. Brother K. was able to sit up an hour or two to-day,

29. A boat arrived from Natchez, which brought some flour and other provision for the mission. But we were much disappointed in not receiving some articles which we expected from the north, and which we greatly need. Brother K. is recovering, his fever has become a regular intermittent. Late rains have been excessively heavy. The creeks in every direction have overflowed their banks.

May 2. A half breed, who lives about seven miles distant, sent us word that his youngest child, one year old, was at the point of death. He wished brother Kingsbury, if able, to visit him; and if not, one of the other brethren. Brother / Williams went. The child was dead before he arrived. He tarried, attended the funeral, and was requested to perform religious exercises. Our neighbors are beginning to think it proper to send for the missionaries when they are in affliction.

3. We have occasion once more to record the mercies of our covenant God, in the remembrance of his gracious promise. This morning sister Jewell was safely delivered of a daughter, and both the mother and child are remarkably comfortable, considering the feeble health sister J. has lately experienced. In all our sickness our circumstances have been ordered in infinite mercy. The Lord has indeed been kind to us.

4. Have been informed that a half breed of some education, who has a store about two miles from us, has refused trading on the Sabbath. He has for some time been very attentive at our meetings, and shows a respect for religion. Yesterday a white man tendered him the money for some articles, but he refused

An Indian, named Na-tuk-in-che, who pretended to be a conjurer, was applied to, to designate the person who had killed another, as was supposed, by witchcraft. He soon marked out a man as the perpetrator of this deed. He was presented with a horse as the reward of his discovery. The horse he sold for whiskey, with which he got dunk, and in his fit of intoxication threatened to destroy by witchcraft two other Indians who had offended him. They took the alarm, and killed him on the spot. Thus the horse which he received as the price of innocent blood, purchased the whiskey which occasioned his own death.

to open his store. This is the more noticable, as there is another store within half a mile, kept by white men, who trade with all who come.

6. Sister Kingsbury is quite sick. Brother K. is able to walk out and ride a little, but is very weak; and every second day has a slight ague and fever.

8. Brother Á. V. Williams has for some time been feeble in health; to day he is very ill, and threatened with a fever. The Lord sees that it is necessary to try our faith by carrying us through the furnace of affliction. If it serves to break our attachment to this world, and engage us more entirely in our work we shall have occasion to rejoice.

Sabbath 9. Had religious exercises at the mission house, and also at Mr. F.'s, the merchant abovementioned. In a very affectionate manner he told us that his house was open, and that he should be glad to have the privilege of spending the Sabbath in a religious way.

10. How often have we occasion to adopt the language of the Psalmist, and say, Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. All the sick in our family are much better, and there is a favorable prospect of their recovery. 11. We have just learned, that a merchant from this neighborhood, who went to Natchez a short time since, has sold his boat, and will return by land. This is a great disappointment, as we expected many supplies by this boat, which we greatly need.

13. In the evening six drunken Indians came to the house, and wanted something to eat. Considering that they are so outrageous when intoxicated, we thought feeding them the shortest way to get rid of them, and gave them a dish of Tom-ful-lah, which they ate, and soon went off. They were distinctly told. that our house was no place for drunken Indians; and that we could never consider them as our friends.

14. God's ways are not as our ways. An addition has been made to our sick family, which we, poor short sighted creatures, thought already too large. The father of two of our scholars reached our house this evening, very sick with a pleurisy. This is the fourth day from his attack, and nothing has been done for his relief. It was with great difficulty he reached our house. His distress is extreme. The remedies prescribed in such cases were immediately applied, and by the blessing of God, with good effect.

15. The sick man is somewhat relieved, but is still exercised with much pain. Brother and sister Kingsbury still continue quite feeble.

Sabbath, 16. Not so many as usual attended public worship. Those present were attentive, and some of them solemn. We have great hopes that Mrs. P., the wife of the Chief of this district, has experienced a saving change of heart. She gives much satisfaction by her conduct and conversation. Brother K. was able to speak a short time to-day.

18. Sister Jewell has been feeble since her confinement. She has been exercised with severe pain in her head, and has been twice threatened with a fever; but timely application of medicine was instrumental in removing the dangerous symptoms. Brother A. V. Williams is laid by with severe pain in the head and inflammation of the eyes.

25. The sick man was able to ride to his friends, about seven miles distant. Our circumstances rendered it very inconvenient to receive him into our family; yet we rejoiced that he was able to reach our house; as it seemed the means in the hand of God of saving his life. He expressed much thankfulness that his lot had been cast with us during his sickness. Happy would it be, if he should derive any spiritual benefit from this season of affliction.

21. Have at present but one hired man, except occasional help from Choctaws, Another came to day and offered to hire, whom we accepted.

22. Brother Kingsbury had a more severe fit of the ague to-day than for some time before, which has reduced him very low. But, blessed be God, he supports us under our afflictions, and carries us through one week after another, when hope had almost failed us.

Sabbath, 23. A goodly number attended our meeting to-day, and were attentive. 26. Two more men came to-day, whom we employed to labor for a while. 28. Had the pleasure of receiving a small packet of letters, and the Panoplist for March. It is refreshing in this wilderness to hear from the busy world, particularly of the triumphs of Zion's King. Among the letters was a very interesting one from brother Chamberlain, giving a particular account of the school at Brainerd. We feel deeply interested in all that concerns those dear children.

June, 2. Of late we were depressed with anxiety that we had no more help to get our buildings forward. The interposition of Providence in this respect, has been remarkable. The three men whom we lately hired are very serviceable. This evening another man came, recommended by one of our friends.

Brother K. is much better, has had no return of the fever for several days. The rest of the family now enjoy tolerable health.

8. Brother Kingsbury was called to attend a wedding. It is very natural for these people, either from their good sense, or from the principle of imitation, to fall in with the customs of their more civilized neighbors. The bride was a half breed; her parents are wealthy. She was handsome in appearance,-modest and dignified in her deportment. A want of mental cultivation was all that rendered her inferior to young ladies of the first rank in our own society. She was married to a respectable white man.

10. Our family, particularly the scholars, have been much afflicted, of late, with sore eyes. The inflammation has been so great as to deprive the patient entirely of sleep, and to require the most efficient remedies, as topical bleeding and blistering, to give relief. Brother Kingsbury has been confined to his room three days by a very obstinate case of this disease.

16. Brother K. left home to-day on a journey of about 60 miles, in hopes that it might be beneficial to his health, and also for the purpose of procuring some cows for the use of the mission.

25. Sister Kingsbury was taken sick with the dysentery.

26. Brother Kingsbury returned, and brought seven cows and calves. The fatigues and exposures of the journey proved a temporary injury to his health Three more scholars, who had been waiting our permission, came with him to join the school.

During this journey brother K. conversed with some influential men in the nation, who appear much interested to have more ample means provided for extending the blessings of education to the numerous children in this tribe. It is probable, that there will be a council convened soon, to whom the subject will be submitted. July 1. The brethren Jewell and Kanouse set off on a journey of about 30 miles, after some cows and steers that we had purchased.

2. Brother Williams's little babe is sick. Its disease we do not well understand, should not be surprised if they should soon be called to resign the short loaned blessing. Brother and sister Kingsbury are better.

3. The brethren returned with three cows and calves, and three steers. Two of the latter we intend to break to the yoke; the other was a present from a half breed, who has a daughter in our school.

Sabbath 4. Agreeably to previous appointment, brother A. V. Williams and sister Chase were united in the solemn ordinance of marriage. The ceremony was performed in the presence of the congregation at the commencement of the morning exercise. In the afternoon, the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, which had been delayed on account of brother Kingsbury's ill health, was administered, and brother Jewell's babe was baptised. The transactions of the day were interesting, and we hope profitable.

The Lord is giving us new occasion to speak of his goodness. Brother Williams's babe was thought to be dying, but is now revived, and its symptoms are more favorable.

5. The man we last hired is a good cook, and we are so much pleased with his conduct, that we shall employ him for the present in the house. We were disappointed in obtaining a black girl as we expected, but our Heavenly Father has supplied our wants in a way we had not thought of.

6. The little babe is better, and there is a prospect of its recovery. May its life be spared, and may it yet become a chosen instrument of good to the poor heathen.

Sabbath 11. Brother Williams's babe was baptised. It has nearly recovered. 14. Brother Kanouse has been ill for several days. We were apprehensive he would have an attack of the fever; but now have hope that he will soon be restored to health. Of late he has been feeble.

July. 15. Our school at present consists of 20 scholars, who in aptness to learn, industry, and general deportment, are not inferior to those at Brainerd. We have no evidence that any of them are pious.

(To be continued.)

VOL. XV.

59

LETTER FROM THE MISSIONARIES AT BOMBAY TO THE REV. dr.

REVEREND AND DEAR SIR,

WORCESTER.

By the close of another year, and by the period for transmitting our joint communications to the Board, we are now called to the pleasing duty of addressing you, and through you our beloved patrons in our native land. A greater length of time than usual has now elapsed since we last addressed you, owing to the increase of our number, which renders it less convenient for us all to meet for consultation about our joint communications, and for executing them.

Our last letter to you was dated, July 13, 1318, and forwarded by Capt. Edes of the Cicero. In that communication we acknowledged the receipt of yours of Dec. 8, 1817, and one from Mr. Evarts, both sent by the Cicero, Capt. Edes. Since then we have received no communications from any member of the Board, with the exception of a letter from Mr. Evarts, written at New York, and forwarded by the Braganza, Capt. Newcomb. In August, we learned with much regret, that what was sent for us in the Dromo, (viz. three packets containing books, pamphlets, and a half vol. of Rees' Cyclopedia,) were lost, the vessel in which they were sent from Calcutta, being wrecked on her passage to Bombay.

Through divine mercy we are all well at present. But since the date of our last letter, we have been visited with sickness. Brother Nichols, in the latter part of October, had a severe bilicus attack, and was brought so low, that his life was almost despaired of. But it pleased God in his sovereign mercy to raise him up from the brink of the grave, and to restore him speedily to his accustomed health and strength, that, as we trust, he may live and accomplish the work of an evangelist among the heathen. May the God of all mercy grant, that our forfeited yet spared lives may be sacredly devoted to his service and glory.

While entering on the detail of our missionary operations, we cannot forbear expressing our regret, that the period since our last has furnished so few incidents worthy of any particular recital.

1. Our preaching. For some time past we have held no public exercises in English except at our own house on Sabbath morning, when a few persons usually attend with us.

We continue our method of daily going about among the heathen, for the purpose of preaching Christ to them in a manner more or less public, as we may have opportunity; at the same time distributing books to such as may seem desirous and able to read them.

It will no doubt, be grateful to the feelings of the Board to reflect, that five of their missionaries in the same region, and in the same language, are now daily and actively engaged in the use of means, both direct and indirect, for the conversion of the heathen.

The field of our labors has been enlarged in other respects. In October brother Newell visited Caranja, an island in the harbor of Bombay, containing about 10,000 inliabitants, mostly Hindoos. He visited the principal villages on the island, preached to numbers of the people, and distributed 100 books; and after his return as many more were sent thither for distribution.

In the same month brother Hall visited the district of Choule, a place situated on the coast, 25 or 30 miles to the south of Bombay. This was a place of great importance under the Portuguese government, and the stupendous ruins of their fortifications, their ecclesiastical and other public buildings, strikingly evince the opulence and power which that government once possessed there. But so complete has been their fall, that not so many as 200 catholics are now to be found in that region.

In the district of Choule, not more than six miles in length, there may be about 50,000 inhabitants. Brother Hall visited the principal towns and villages, preached to and conversed with large numbers of the people, and distributed about 200 books, and soon after his return sent more than 400 there for distribution. He found in Choule about 45 Jewish families, apparently in a state of extreme indigence and degradation. They have no synagogue, but perform their religious services in a private house.

About eight months ago this place was in the hands of the Mahiratta king; but is now an English possession, and may be considered as accessible to missionaries. How desirable that a missionary should be stationed there to impart the word of life, to the tens of thousands of heathens, who are all within five or six miles of the landing place.

About the same time brother Newell visited Bankote, an English possession about 60 miles to the south of Bombay. He also went into some of the neighboring towns, preached to the people, and distributed about 300 books.

During the present month brother Hall has visited Culliap, a large town on the continent, about 15 miles E. of Tanna; and also Basseen, another large town on the coast, about 30 miles to the north of Bombay. In these places he imparted instruction to a large number of people, and distributed more than 500 books.

Our experience of this mode of laboring has led us to estimate more highly the importance of itinerating extensively, for the double purpose of preaching, and distributing the Scriptures and tracts. And we indulge the pleasing hope, that He who has helped us thus far, will enable us to go on, extending our labors farther and farther; and we would rest assured that our labors will not be in vain in the Lord.

In expectation that remittances would soon be made for the purpose of providing a place for public worship, we have recently made further inquiries relative to the subject. Though there are difficulties in our way, we shall hope, when furnished with pecuniary means, to procure, in some way, a suitable building for this very desirable object.

2. Schools. These were eleven in number when we last wrote. We have now fourteen on the island of Bombay, and two at Choule, the place which brother Hall visited some time since.

For various reasons we thought it desirable to establish schools on the continent. Schools being fixed in the large towns there, the superintendence of them must open to us an extensive intercourse with the people, and afford new and important facilities for diffusing Christian knowledge in other ways in addition to what would be taught in the schools.

With respect to Choule, the circumstances were very favorable. At the time brother Hall visited the place, it was said there was not a single school in operation. The people, understanding that we contemplated establishing charity schools, favored the object, and several persons requested to be employed as teachers. The Jew, who has been employed as teacher of the Jewish school in Bombay, was from Choule, and was willing to return and teach a school there. We had found him to be a well qualified and faithful schoolmaster. Accordingly, about the middle of the last month, he was sent to Choule, with directions to open one school in the large town of Rawadunda, and to employ one man to teach another school in a neighboring village. The first school was expected to embrace the Jewish children, and more or less children of other descriptions, Forty boys have already joined the school, 30 of whom are Jews; and the number is increasing. The other school has twenty-five boys, which number is also increasing. Within the compas of five or six miles there are other populous villages where schools are equally needed, and where, as we are informed, there are boys in readiness for four more schools.

We some time since concluded to establish at least one school in the island of Caranja, visited some time since by brother Newell; but it has not yet been Commenced. We hope that before long we shall see flourishing schools both here and at Choule. But we should much more rejoice to see a missionary at each of those stations, to give greater effect to the school, and to teach the risen, as well as the rising generation, the words of eternal life. Each would have an ample field equal to his utmost exertions; and we cannot forbear to raise our supplicating voices in behalf of these still neglected perishing thousands, and to entreat, that ere long they may be furnished with spiritual teachers to guide them into the right way of the Lord.

The large towns of Cullian and Basseen, visited by brother Hall, present additional openings for the establishment of schools, and so do other towns less distant from Bombay. We cannot speak with precision, as to the extent to which the schools might be carried; but we are sure they might be very greatly extended, and we feel very desirous that this should be done. Yes, we more than eve