ously situated for commercial intercourse, as well as for the exercise of moral power, it must be evident, I say, that a people so situated, is destined to exert an overwhelming influence on the destinies of a large portion of the human race."}

Of all the Australian colonies, New South Wales is undoubtedly most favorably situated for exerting a great influence; and, in the nature of things, it must for a long while have a predominance over the others; and thus it must, consequently, have an influence over millions and millions more of the human family in all future generations. Should we view it in a mere commercial point of view, it is one of the most important spots in the whole eastern world, a place so important that the enterprise of our merchants will not long suffer it to remain unoccupied by them. But when we look at it, not simply as a place of business, but as a place for the future | triumphs of the gospel-when we think of the teeming millions that shall, ere long, tread that soil, and who, through the grace of God, may be turned from darkness to light, the importance of planting and sustaining the gospel there rises beyond all calculation.

To this interesting and important country you are now, my dear sir, to direct

§ Moral and Religious Aspect of the Southern Hemisphere.

The following statement was made, not long since, in the British parliament, by the Bishop of Exeter, in relation to the commerce of New South Wales. The bishop said-" He had been always in the habit of regarding New South Wales as a flourishing colony; but he was astonished, upon examination, to find the extent to which the manufactures of England were introduced into that colony. By a return of the British and hish goods imported in one year into that colony, he found that to New South Wales alone, it was 1,173,440.; that was double the amount of what was exported to Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Prussia. There was no country in the world, considering its population, that maintained the manufactures and industry of England, by being a market for English produce, equal to New South Wales. It was about equal to China,

and half what was sent to Russia."

1

erto neglected sailors, and preach to them "the glorious gospel of the blessed God."

The ministry among sailors is somewhat peculiar, and will require the exercise of a sound discretion. It is by no means necessary to address sailors in the technical language of their professionit is even a hinderance to the gospel to attempt it-neither should the minister who preaches to them allow himself to philosophize in their hearing, or attempt to feed them with dry metaphysical speculations, while they are starving for the bread of life; but the obvious truths of revelation should be addressed to them, in plain and familiar language; and, doing this in an affectionate manner, we are very sure of a respectful hearing.

Much may be effected by the judicious labors of a chaplain in promoting temperance and good moral conduct among sailors. Very much of the recklessness of character for which they are proverbial, may be traced directly to intemperance, and hence every effort made to suppress this vice, or to promote its opposite, has an important bearing on the salvation of the soul. To this matter, therefore, you will do well to pay attention.

American and English sailors who visit New South Wales, being so far separated from the influence of their parents, and friends, and home, will be very likely to throw off restraint, and give loose to their sinful inclinations, more than in other circumstances. To prevent this, the interposition of your kind offices will be important, for while, by your kindnesses, you will secure the affection of the sailor, he will hearken to your counsels-you will be as a father and a friend to him—and, in the end, probably, save him from the commission of many a crime. How greatly it must relieve the anxiety of parents and friends when they remember that, in the far distant port, there stands a faithful minister, watching over the sailor for his good, and speaking to him the words of eternal life. We suppose it needless, at this time, to enter farther into detail. Such an im

ber of others drunk at Whitecloud's. At the old village quite a number assembled to be taught. The number of scholars has increased. The ticket system appears to be attractive. The school is succeeding beyond our expectations; two little boys have improved considerably. But the prospect of conveying instruc tion to their minds through the English is not very flattering, owing to their being constantly with the other Indians.

August 3. To-day as usual we had several visitors. Little Wolf came drunk and was impudent, wished to know whose land we were living on, threatened to kill our stock, and do as he pleased; seeming disposed to try to terrify us by his threats. Not succeeding he said he was one, and we were three; he would go and bring two more; he would bring two boys. I told him to bring the whole vil. lage. After threatening a while he left, in not a very good humour. He is very pleasant when sober, but quite the contrary when drunk.

4. To-day Little Wolf came back, quite ashamed of his conduct; he said he was drunk and foolish yesterday; and then asked for some medicine for his wife. Superstition of the Indians.-Otter Dance.

He

5. This morning I shot a weasel. Afterwards Caramonya, an ol Indian who often visits us, came down, and wished to see it; after I showed it to him, he commenced a long story about its sacredness and virtues, saying, that if it had not been shot, he could have taken the skin, and gone on a war party, and this would have kept him from being killed. showed his breast, which he said was marked with gunpowder, but the bullet did not touch him; that six persons had shot at him but could not hit him; his father had the medicinc on the top of his house. But if he were to take the skin of this weasel which had been shot, he would get killed; to make it good medicine it must be choked to death, adding, that "although the Bible said many things, this was true."

10. Yesterday Mr. Irvin and myself went over the river. I had made

an appointment two weeks since to preach. When we got over, a whiskey trader told us that a steamboat had gone up, and left two barrels of flour, and eight of whiskey. At the place of appoint ment quite a respectable number were present. Meeting was held at the house of one who belongs to the Methodist church, and who is, as far as I know, the only professor in the bottom, which is quite extensive. Made an appointment for next Sabbath, on the Bluffs, about eight miles further out.

As we passed the village on our return, we saw a large number of Ioways collected round a camp, within which they were celebrating the Otter Dance. The women were painted on the top of their heads where the hair parts; and some on each side of this again. Some had their cheeks painted blue, with a dark spot in the iniddle; others red, with a dark spot. Those who were able, had otter skins ornamented, which they held before them in their hands. Their dress was not uniform, but all I suppose had on the best they could obtain. One had for his sash an ornamented snake-skin, thrown over his shoulders; another, a long red coat, resembling a uniform. A widow who is always complaining of her poverty, was richly dressed, being ornamented with something resembling silver, from the bottom of which hung many bells. Round pieces of tin, lead, trinkets, &c., hung from the dresses of others. They told us they had been engaged in the service most of the day, but were at the time comparatively quiet. Soon, however, the drum commenced, followed by the voices of the men, while the women with their shrill voices occasionally united. The dancers then got down froin the seats, or beds as they may be called, and commenced their ceremony. Having danced a short time they commenced shaking their otter-skins in a peculiar manner, for the purpose of infusing the spirit of the otter into them, or into a bead placed in the mouth, when they would thrust the head of the skin at the face of some one, who would immediately drop upon his knees and arms,

with the face near the ground, and con. tinue there for a short time, when he or she would get up, and pursue the same course, towards some other. It is said they believe the spirit of the otter, in the shape of an arrow, caused them to fall, and they have professed to feel the effects of it some time after.

They did not, however, always fall, but would resist with their wn skins; in such cases they supposed the spirit was so powerful as to resist the effect designed to be produced by the one who first made the attack.

The scene was continued for some time, until two or three old persons became quite exhausted, and were compelled to sit down. Shortly after they all ceased, when some one said they were done. It appeared to attract a great deal of attention, and those engaged in it were full of enthusiasm. They were dancing most of the day.

Yesterday Dr. S. of the Nodoway country paid us a visit. His wife is low with the consumption, and wishes me to visit her and preach there on Sabbath next. To-day we accompanied the Doctor as far as the village, and took him to see some sick people. On our way home Walking Eagle overtook us, and told us a long story about war-parties, the number killed, manner of killing them, &c., in which he appeared to take much delight. Occasionally I expressed mydisa pprobation, to which he paid but little attention; but in conclusion said, that the God of the white people had a good disposition, as had also the whites, but the Indians' god and their disposition were bad. They were always fighting.

EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL OF

MR. S. M. IRVIN.

School-Sickness of the Indians-School disturbed by a Drunken Indian, August 22.—I have thought of reviewing my journal every Saturday evening, and giving you some of the most impor

tant occurrences of each week. As my business, teaching, is rather of a monotonous kind, I shall take a week in view at once; it cannot be expected that each day will furnish any thing new or interesting.

From the date of my last letter to the present time, I have been able to attend the school regularly except two days, on which I was compelled to stay at home, to get up some hay for the winter, not having it in my power to hire other help. The scholars have attended well; they have averaged about thirty per day. Their memories are attentive, and their organs of speech elastic, so that amidst all their disadvantages they can improve.

The weather has for some time been very warm, and the location of the village being low and unhealthy, the Indians are beginning to suffer from sickness, which most probably will grow worse until they abandon the village in the fall. There is scarcely a day now in which I am not called upon for medicine, and to go and see the sick. Their sickness is very much aggravated, too, by their miserable intemperance. Hardly a day passes without some becoming drunk, and often many.

29. Saturday. Four days of this week the school has been well attended; on the other two we were much interrupted, on one by the effects of liquor, on the other by what the Indians call "a great Buffalo dance." On Tuesday, while I was teaching, word came that a drunken Indian was coming. One of the scholars immediately left his place, and began to prepare for receiving the monster by hiding the gun, hoes, axes, &c. The Indian soon arrived, carrying in his hand a bottle, and at the side of his horse a large keg of whiskey. He alighted and came into the house, bringing his liquor with him. He had not been long in, when another came in, and soon two more, all intoxicated. I still attempted to proceed with my teaching, but found it useless. The children were afraid and uneasy. I could not keep their attention, and finally had to dismiss them and withdraw myself. I think there were present

more than thirty scholars, but in less than fifteen minutes they were all scattered.

Buffalo Dance.

A Buffalo dance was celebrated on the following morning in the largest house in the village. As it has interfered with the school more than any other of these festivals, I shall give you a brief account of what I witnessed on this occasion.

On approaching the door we were met by a friendly Indian, of whom we asked permission to enter. It was readily granted, and we were conducted in and seated in an eligible situation, where we had a fine view of all the proceedings. I suppose that there were more than one hundred persons present, who were taking an active part in the dance. It was a mixed inultitude, from the old man whose grey head was bowed with age, to the budding youth, of eight or ten years. They were seated round the house, and were painted in the oddest colours and fashions. Their dress, particularly that of the head, was most singular. It was the skin of a buffalo's head, retaining the horns, ears, &c. The neck, shoulders, breast, &c., of some was covered with a kind of a mat made of the long hair of the buffalo. I noticed particularly one boy, of perhaps not more than eight years old, who took an active part in the play, whose head and neck-dress was of the sort I have just described, and in addition to this he was wrapped in a Buffalo skin and was painted, appropriately I suppose for the occasion; during the performance, while he was in full action, it would have been impossible for a person to tell what it was, except the face could have been seen. Their dresses throughout were made to imitate the buffalo, as clossly as possible. Each one was provided with a long stick, on which was tied a multitude of the small hoofs of the buffalo and those of the antelope from the Rocky Mountains. Beside this, the males were mostly provided with a kind of shrill sounding whistle. At one side was a drum, a number of whistles, and a large quantity of sticks with hoofs and rattles.

On the ground near the centre of the building was a number of large water melons, I think forty-five, so laid as to form a fine circle, in the centre of which was placed several good ears of corn.

They seemed to have different performances, but it was a repetition of the same exercise. The first movement was the rattling of the drum, then the sounding of the whistles, the rattling of the sticks, when the whole company joined in a kind of a chanting song. After this had continued for some time, the leader of the play would take his place near the ring of melons, sound his whistle, shake his sticks, and commence jumping in imitation of the buffalo. He was then joined by perhaps twenty or thirty, of both sexes, who placed themselves in a circle and went through the same exercise. They then began to move in a circular direction with their heads low bowed, and capering as near as they could like the animal for which the dance was named. The rest of the company, who were seated round the house, continued their song, while the performers made a noise like that of the buffalo when travelling. This exercise would continue perhaps fifteen minutes, when there would be an interval of twice that length, which was taken up mainly in smoking. The large pipe was filled with tobacco and carried round by a man, holding the stem in advance, and placing the stem to the mouth of each of the males; each one would take a whiff or two, and generally blow the smoke upwards with some apparent sincerity, and pronounce some words indistinctly. After the pipe had passed round, it was taken, and the remaining contents emptied with some care in a clean place" in the centre of the ring of watermelons. We staid to see two performances, and was told that after several more they would eat the melons. But I cannot mention all the particulars, and it is utterly impossible to convey a correct idea of the whole scene. The house they occupy, the strange sounds they utter, their swarthy complexion, their sometimes naked and sometimes oddly covered bodies, their savage and wild ap