or any other peculiar habits con- In the Missionary meeting held at this place last November, this subject excited a lively interest, and the result of its discussion is contained in the following question and answer extracted from the minutes, viz. Q. What can the benevolent public do towards civilizing and christianizing the Pawnees, Iatans, Aarapah es, Crows, and other wandering tribes in the west ? meeting were unanimously of the opinion, that the Saviour requires an immediate and unremitted effort, to be made for the recovery of these lost sheep. They judged the abovementioned method to be indispensably necessary, for the following considerations. 1st. It would be vain to think of changing the habits or of improving the minds of a nation by transient interviews. But suppose the most advantageous situation in the country of these wanderers be adopted for a fixed residence, it would not be likely to be visited by the same people many days in succession, and it would be equally uncertain whether the same people would return to the same place every year, or once in ten years. Missionaries, therefore, must accompany them in all their wanderings. 2d. It seems to be equally necessary that they should be single men, unless suitable females could be found, whose constitutions have not been so much weakened by luxury, as to unfit them for such an employment. The coarse fare to which the missionaries would be confined, is such as is obtained by the hunter, the trapper, and the trader, who enjoy generally better health than those who feed upon the dainties of the States. There have been instances, however, in which white women have accompanied their husbands in these employments without detriment to their health. In journeys between this place and Harmony, and in the various emigrations from Missouri, the health of the women and children has appeared to be as little impaired as that of the males. And if a very small proportion of the pains were taken in female education, to increase bodily strength and firmness of nerve, which is bestowed to give a superficial enervating polish, multitudes The Brethren who composed the would be prepared, equally with A. The first step to be taken by the benevolent community for the civilization and salvation of these wandering Tribes, should be to send out two or three male missionaries into each Tribe-men trained for the purpose--able to live on Indian fare-prepared to endure hardships, privations, and perils --good soldiers of Jesus Christ -ready to follow them through all their wanderings, learn their languages, preach the Gospel, and influence them by every mean in their power, both to settle down in fixed places of residence, and to seek the sweets of civilization. When this is done, the way will be prepared for permanent establishments among them, and the universal diffusion of the truth. the men, to assist in the communication of the Gospel, in the most inhospitable regions, and God would be more extensively glorified in the salvation of the heathen. 3d. Two or three Missionaries, introducing themselves at first, would be less likely to excite jealousy than a larger number. Where Indians do not discover the most immoveable grounds for confidence, it becomes easy for them to change their minds with regard to propositions to which they have assented. It may be adopted as a maxim, with perfect safety, that a confidential brother may lead them by a thread, where the coercion or subtle reasoning of the most potent force would only excite jealousy and revolt. When their confidence is secured and their language acquired, much is done for their recovery. 4th. It will be more easy for two or three tried Missionaries to govern themselves in their deportment, so as to exhibit good examples of integrity and holiness, than for a large number, who from their youth have been accustomed to habits of education different from each other. It requires that unconquerable resolution, that indefatigable perseverance, and that comprehensive wisdom and skill, which are indispensable to make a man a good soldier, or enterprising in business, to qualify a Missionary for external duties:for the suffering of fatigue, hardship, and perplexity, without dishonour to the cause. Without the most ardent piety manifested by entire selfdevotement to the cause of Christ in the salvation of the heathen ; without a disposition to follow Christ through evil as well as good report, by denying every natural propensity which comes in competition with the spread of the Gospel; the Missionary will be unable to stand in the heart of Satan's kingdom, a bulwark for the exhibition and defence of the truth as it is in Jesus. Our spiritual foes are infinitely more treacherous, more dangerous, and more destructive in their operations, than any external enemies. They are traitors in the camp, and those who harbour them are not qualified to introduce the Gospel among the heathen. One or two indiscreet missionaries may counteract and effectually destroy the favourable impression made by the wisdom and piety of many. Hence the safety and importance of attempting to make the first impressions by a few. 5th. By the time the languages will be learned, and the confidence of the Indians secured, the enterprising spirit of our countrymen may lead them to give greater permanency and scope to their mercantile operations; transporting their goods in boats and wagons to such an extent that the Rocky Mountains will be no more of a barrier to a communication with the inhabitants on the shores of the Pacific, than the Allegany has been for 30 or 40 years past to the intercourse between the Atlantic states and the Mississippi. Numerous trading companies, of from 15 to 50 men each, have for two years past gone from the Missouri and the Arkansas to the Spanish settlements in the Rocky Mountains. They have visited many of the nations of Indians above described, and sometimes have wintered with them. If we reason from the past experience of our country, the rapid improvement just mentioned must be expected. It would then be comparatively easy to supply large families in almost any part of the Indian country with what they need. what they need. But previously to that period the Missionary must be contented with the food that the desert affords, and for the most part with the clothing. And when he reflects on the Saviour's sufferings . for his salvation and that of his fellow-men, he will be thankful to be as well furnished as his Master. But whether God should ever furnish him with the numerous comforts of civilized society in all the extent that they are enjoyed by us is a matter of small importance, in comparison with the salvation of the souls of our fellow-men who are beyond the reach of light and hope without our assistance. The promises, "Lo! I am with you alway, even to the end of the world". My grace is sufficient for thee," and my strength is made perfect in your weakness," are infinitely superior to all animal enjoyments, and sufficient to support him who has his treasure laid up in Heaven, and his hopes all centring there. So far from feeling solicitous about what he shall eat and what he shall drink, and wherewithal he shall be clothed, it will be the meat and drink of every legitimate child of God to do the will of his Heavenly Father, and finish his work. 7th. God allows no delay or disobedience to his commands for purposes of self-gratification. But he requires us not to count our own lives dear unto us, but to go into the highways and hedges, into all the world, and carry the blood of Jesus by which the souls of the polluted may be cleansed. Christians are already obliged to testify against themselves to their Almighty Judge, that they were unwilling to attempt to communicate his Gospel to these wandering nations, until those who are greedy of filthy lucre had led the way. And shall it any longer be recorded in the book of God's remembrance, that they are less anxious to gain those souls that are capable of eternal happiness and glory, in obedience to the divine command, than worldly men are to gain perishable property? Every successive moment of our delays the souls of these heathen are lost through our indolence and disobedient inattention, rising before God to bear witness against us. In view of this, let us prepare to meet our God. For if we continue to neglect these wandering nations to whom Christ has commanded us to go, they will certainly testify to our condemnation at the great day, by showing that we are not true children of God, inasmuch as we do not obey him or manifest that the same mind dwells in us which was also in Christ Jesus. Let us take heed that we do not by our neglect murder precious souls-that their blood be not found in our skirts. 8th. If we have more purity, knowledge, refinement, and spiritual and temporal enjoyment, God alone has made us to differ. We have nothing which we did not receive; and why should we glory, why feel as independent and unthankful as if we had not received it? It was undeserved, therefore gratitude to God as well as benevolence to our fellow-men renders us inexcusable if we do not freely extend these privileges to all the destitute, even as readily as we embrace them for ourselves and our children. Let it not be said that the funds of the Christian public are inadequate to the support of so many missions as this plan would embrace. God claims the property of the world, and gives us only the stewardship of it. But very little will be needed by these pioneer labour Neither should it be said that we must pass by those nations which, from their residence, are in a more favourable situation for improvement, if we would visit these roving bands. When we enlist in Christ's army at our conversion, do we not by that act acknowledge ourselves entirely at his disposal, and ready to be employed in whatever service He in his providence may require? But if we are thus enlisted, and judged, by those who are appointed to decide, to be suitable to show the heathen the way of life and salvation, can we, consistently with the name of good soldiers, begin with one consent to make excuse, and thus treat the Saviour's authority with contempt? Certainly not. If, therefore, many who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus should come forward with promptness to execute the divine command in the spread of the Gospel, might not a sufficient number be selected speedily to carry the precious treasure in the way proposed to every heathen nation in the western wilderness, and in due time to the whole world, and still leave enough behind to aid with their substance and their prayers? The Lord always has and always will bless most abundantly those places and individuals who come most cordially into his views, and run with the most readiness to execute his orders. Hence has always been witnessed in those places where most has been done for the spread of the Gospel, an immense increase of spiritual privileges and enjoyments. There is, therefore, nothing to fear, but every thing to hope for the upbuilding of the Churches in the most holy faith, by offering the firstlings of the spiritual flock a sacrifice unto the Lord for the recovery of their lost fellow-men. This will abundantly supply the demand for every western nation. Nor are any at liberty to say that properly qualified persons cannot be found. Christ requires that all should be qualified in heart. And if any find that they have not yet that faith which worketh by love sufficiently strong to enable them to attempt obedience to God, let them not leave the throne of grace until they prevail and obtain the blessing. If they really desire much grace and spiritual strength, God is ever ready to bestow it. He is waiting to be gracious. But if external circumstances should seem to disqualify, the judgment of others who are appointed or properly qualified to decide, is in most instances, if not all, better than that of any individual concerning himself. To strike off with one unqualified dash the female sex from the list of those who may carry the Gospel to distant and inhospitable regions, would be unhappy and absurd. The degraded and almost hopeless state of the heathen females imperiously requires the aid of Christian females to raise them to their appropriate grade, and to the enjoyment of intellectual, social, and spiritual blessings. It is to be lamented, however, that, while the tyrannical and absurd superstition of the heathen reduces their females nearly to a level with the brutes, the equally tyrannical and absurd taste of Christian nations impairs the health and enfeebles the constitution of their females, and thus renders them, notwithstanding their superior mental accomplishments, in a great measure unfit for Missionary duties. Let the system of female education embrace particular attention to the strength and vigour of the body, as well as to the improvement of the mind and of the heart, and the heathen in all parts of the world will probably be as well supplied with female as with male missionary aid. It should also be borne in mind, that the close ap plication of indefatigable students in our colleges and seminaries, by which their health is destroyed, too frequently disqualifies them for any beneficial employment, when their attainments would otherwise fit them for the most extensive usefulness. But when students become willing habitually to combine some degree of manual labour with their mental improvements, by which their health and strength may be secured and confirmed, the heathen will be supplied with able as well as skilful missionaries, and God's word will run to and fro and fill the whole world. Finally, let no one be dismayed by the trials to which he may be exposed. Trials are among the greatest privileges of the true missionary. They show how "Satan rages at his loss, And hates the doctrines of the Cross;" but the reflection that Jesus alone has trodden down his and our enemies, and died his garments in their blood, is sufficient encouragement for us to follow directly in his thorny road. What if the greatest trials may be expected by him who ministers to the necessities of the roving nations: when they are brought into the fold of Christ, the greater will be the victory and the glory to him who sitteth on the Throne, and to the Lamb for ever. JOURNAL FOR AUGUST, 1823. State of the School. Friday, August 1.-The Agent this day visited the School, and gave salutary advice to the children. He earnestly recommended to them to yield prompt obedience to their teachers, and to be diligent in their studies. Our two oldest boys read in the Testament, and the School is becoming more interesting to strangers Retrenchment of Expenses. Monday, August 4.-In consequence of the embarrassed state of the Board, and of the particular instructions of the Domestic Secretary, we have this day settled with our mason, who, with another labourer, has left us. The three men who came here sick last month, have taken their departure: As they had lost their horses, we sold them a yoke of oxen to take them to Missouri. We made the usual charge for their board and nursing; but in consequence of the calamity they had sustained, gave in the Physician's bill and provisions for their journey. Saturday, August 9.-The projected agricultural settlement, by a few of the Osages, is suspended for the present. Moineh-Persha, the young Chief who projected the enterprise, says, "there is a bush in the path"-alluding to the difficulties which still remain unsettled between the Osages and Cherokees. Indian Council. Thursday, August 14.-Brother Vaill, the Agent, and the Interpreter returned from a visit of three days to the village. The object of the visit was to receive an answer to the question-"Will you take the criminal to the Fort ?" To this they replied in the affirmative.Their usual manner of holding Council is as follows: Their Chiefs and Warriors are called together, and each one is particularly consulted, and all have an opportunity to speak. The tribe is then convened in final Council. The principal Chief makes a speech, and then sends a person, who seems to be the reporter, to speak privately to some of the principal men. They give the voice of the whole assembly, and their decision is pub |