had gone to the greatest lengths in sin, but now a most zealous minister of the gospel, who, knowing the heart of a sailor, has felt particularly interested for their salvation.

It may, perhaps, be agreeable, to be informed of a great work going on in England among sailors. I will endeavour to give you a short statement of it.

Early in the year 1817, having some business to transact at the London Dock, a pious friend who held a situation there, said he had heard that prayer meetings were held by sailors on board the colliers. I was surprised at the information, for if there was one set of men worse than another, the seamen in the colliers were thought to be that set. My business lying much upon the Thames, I determined to ascertain if the account was true, and one evening found them out.-The result of my visit you will find recorded in the tracts called "Bethel," of which you will find a few in the parcel. I attended several of their meetings with great pleasure, and encouraged them to go forward. Soon afterwards Mr. Smith came to London, when I immediately informed him of the good news, and he determined to visit them without delay-his account of his first visit to these interesting meetings you will find in the Tract called "the British Ark," which he wrote and widely circulated, with a view of calling the attention of the public to get a Floating Chapel on the Thames for seamen, where they might have the gospel preached to them on their own element-this has given rise to the "Port of London Society for promoting Religion among Seamen," whose noble chapel, a ship of 380 tons, lying near the London Docks, I am happy to say, is well attended by seamen every Sabbath, and much good is done there. I attended the Committee of that society last night, when it was resolved that the Secretary should write you by this conveyance, (the Venus) and send you an engraving of the Floating Chapel, with some other information. After the establishment of this society, it was thought proper to form a society for the friends of seamen, to encourage more extensively the itinerant prayer meetings from ship to ship, and endeavour to establish them in the other ports of this kingdom, and to extend them to sailors in foreign ports. In consequence of this, "The Bethel Seamen's Union Society, British and Foreign," has been formed under the most promising appearances. I must refer you to the Sailor's Magazine for particulars about this, and have to observe that recently captain Charles Allen, and lieut. T. G. Nichols, both of the royal uavy, have accepted the office of Secretaries. From the former you will receive a letter herewith. The Rev. A. Brown, formerly of the navy, and the writer hereof, are also Secretaries. Since the formation of the Bethel Seamen's Union, prayer meetings have been introduced on board ships at Greenwich, Leith, Gainsborough, Cardiff, Plymouth Dock, Sheerness, Portsmouth, Penryr, and other ports round the British coast, and it is astonishing the interest

that is now felt by people on shore for the welfare of seamen.

The prayer meetings are held now every night on the Thames, and some nights in several ships at the same time. In the Lower Pool it is not unusual to see from 100 to 150 sailors in one ship, and to hear from ten to twelve engage in prayer. In the Upper Pool, we have these meetings four nights in the week-two on the south, and two on the north shore, and it is one of the most gratifying sights I ever beheld, to see the seamen attend. The Rev. A. Brown, my brother Secretary, attends two or three nights in each week, and after from five to eight seamen have engaged in prayer, gives them a short address. We have latterly introduced a ship prayer meeting, on Sabbath evenings, in the vicinity of London Bridge, with a view of collecting the seamen and boys from the streets in a very bad neighbourhood, and I am happy to say they are very well attended. It is very generally remarked now, that there is not half so much swearing and drunkenness among seamen as there formerly was, and I do hope, that in a short time, seamen will be as remarkable for their piety as they have hereto. fore been for their profanity. It has rejoiced the hearts of the Committee of the Bethel Seamen's Union, to hear of the erection of the Mariners' Church at New-York-may the Lord bless the attempt to promote his glory: and I should be glad to hear of prayer meetings being established from ship to ship among you

there is this advantage attending it :-a depraved seaman will not find his way to your chapel, but by having the prayer meetings on board different ships, you get the whole of the ship's company where the meetings are held, under the influence of the captain, and a man is, by a gentle constraint, obliged to attend on the means of grace while his own ship is the church. We have had many instances of the most violent opposers, and persecutors, who have, from the meetings being held on board their own ships, become the warmest friends-of many it may be now said, "Behold they pray." The tract, "British Ark," is the only one I have left, but the whole of it, with a continuation, will be found in the Magazines. One set of the Sailor's Magazine I will thank you to present to the Seamen's Society at New-York, and the other retain for your own perusal, from the Committee of the Bethel Seamen's Union, under whose direction it is published.

You will find inclosed, a tract in six part parts, entitled "The Boatswain's Mate," written by my friend, G. C. Smith. In the character of James, he gives some account of himself while a poor thoughtless sailor, wandering far from God-also an account of his conversion. He will be happy to hear from you of the progress of the work of God among the seamen of America; and the Committee of the Bethel Seamen's Union will also rejoice in your correspondence upon the same subject. We have one object in view the glory of God, and the conversion of seamen. May the flame that has been kindled spread to every port in the world,

and the praises of the Redeemer resound from every ship, till "the abundance of the seas are converted to Him."

May the Lord bless you, my dear sir, in this noble work, and when that period shall arrive, when "the sea shall give up the dead which are in it," may we witness millions of seamen entering into the joy of their Lord. I request you will present my Christian respects to the gentlemen of the Seamen's Society in New-York, and remain, my dear sir, your's very sincerely, T. PHILLIPS.

Letter from Captain Charles Allen, R. N. to the Rev. Ward Stafford. London, July 10th, 1820. Sir-The interest which you have lately taken at New-York in behalf of the spiritual concerns of seamen, being known in London, through the Sailor's Magazine, the Committee of the Bethel Seamen's Society, British and Foreign, request me, as their Secretary, to write to you, stating the progress which through the blessing of God upon their endeavours, they have perceived in the great cause of piety in the hearts of sailors on the river Thames, and urging the necessity of using the same means abroad, by establishing prayer meetings and preaching on board merchant ships, as the chief instrument in the hand of God, of carrying on this great work, He has Himself been pleased to commence. The prayer meetings are become very general on the Thames, they are held every night on board some ship or other, and it is no uncommon thing to see, on some occasions, eight or ten signals for prayer flying in various parts of the river at the same time. The flag which is designed for the signal of prayer, is blue, with the word "Bethel" inscribed upon it, (the invention of the sailors themselves,) and is seen flying most of the day at the mast head of the vessel appointed for divine service. On Tuesdays and Fridays, a short but impressive exhortation is given by a minister appointed for that purpose, whose qualifications as a preacher to seamen, are augmented by the circumstance of his having served in the royal navy. I do not attempt to convey to you an adequate idea of the impression made upon those who attend these profitable services, the earnestness of their devotions, and genuine language of their hearts, never fail to excite in them a strong desire to attend more frequently. Many persons attend from the shore, both male and female, who seem, by their regular appearance, sensible of the profit they derive. Many of the real benefits derived from these means by the seamen, are to be found in the Sailor's Magazine, a publication which recommends itself to the seamen's friends of the lowest class, from the trifling expence of it, while it conveys such interesting and religious information as may be suitable to the inquiring sailor, and proves to the public, by reciting the effects produced by the institution, that

their efforts have not been in vain. The Committee are particularly anxious that I should request you to promote the sale of this useful Naval Miscellany at New-York, as much as possible.

It was considered as expedient to the cause, that auxiliaries to the Society should be formed, for the purpose of raising funds and establishing prayer meetings, in the different seaport towns on our coasts. Several of these branches having been instituted, the signal for prayer is to be seen in various ports, and the inhabitants of our shores and harbours have found, that that valuable part of the community called British Seamen, not long since proverbial for licentiousness, have, by the grace of God, turned their faces Zion ward, and are now seeking an interest in the alone merits of the Redeemer, by the use of his appointed means. To establish boarding houses, to be kept by pious and respectable persons, for the reception of sailors on their return from sea, has been thought of great consequence, as the means of drawing them from that society they have been in the habit of frequenting, at the risk of their property, health, and immortal interests, and has been strongly recommended by the friends of the society, as necessary to be formed in all seaport towns, at home and abroad. In fact the Bethel Seamen's Society has for its object, the promotion of the moral and religious welfare of sailors, in whatever way or shape it may present itself.

The Committee will be thankful for your reply, with such observations as may assist the cause in general, and what success attends the work among American seamen; they will be happy to unite with you, and other friends of seamen at New-York, who are disposed, under the blessing and assistance of God, to carry on this plan to his glory, and the everlasting welfare of seamen. I remain, Sir, your obedient servant,

CHARLES ALLEN.

UNITED STATES.

From the American Missionary Register.

LETTER FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF INDIAN TRADE.

DEAR SIR-I now write you, agreeably to promise, in relation to the Osages of the Missouri. I have delayed doing so till now, hoping to find a map of their country, and a historical sketch which I once had, but they have eluded my search, and I must proceed therefore, without them, trusting to my recollection, and to such incidental helps as I may be able to avail myself of as I go along.

The Osages of the Missouri, are so called to contradistinguish them from the Osages of the Arkansas. They are divided into two parts, one is called the Great, the other the Little Osages. But this distinction is nominal only, their habits and interests being the same. It may serve to gratify curiosity, however, to assign some reasons for this distinction of titles.

Upwards of a hundred years ago, (say one hundred and twenty years) this tribe constituted one band; but hoping to improve themselves, and to reach out after new settlements, it was agreed in general council, that a colony should move off in the direction of the Missouri. The movement was made accordingly; but of what number this colony was composed I have had no means of ascertaining. The emigrants were but a few years on their new domain, before, being pressed by their enemies, they returned, by permission of those from whom they had separated, and putting themselves under their protection, settled about six miles from the old establishment in the plains below. Perhaps at this period arose the distinction: and the colonists, if they may be so termed, conceiving of those from whom they had separated, as to consider their protection worth seeking, might have, and with some justice, perhaps, given them the title of "Great Brothers," or Great Osages; and it would be no difficult matter for the party thus addressed to return the compliment, by addressing these grateful people by the title of "Little Brothers," or Little Ösages. Nor is it reasonable to suppose, under the circumstances of the case, that any exception would be taken by those thus denominated "Little."

But another reason may be assigned for this distinction of titles, and that is, the great Osages have always been the most numerous. Putting the two together, there is some reason why one should be called Great, and the other Little, although the Little Osages are admitted to be more skilful and daring in war; and more dexterous and successful in the chase; and they are said to be finer looking men, generally speaking, and even superior in strength, and vigour of intellect, than their titled brothers, which sometimes happens to be the case in the orders of civilized society. This however by the way.

But there is another reason assigned for this distinction of titles ; and it is entitled to some respect, as it is derived from one of the Great Osage Deputation at Washington: and that is, the Great Osages having their village upon a height, from whence the prospect is fine and commanding, they are called "Great"-that is, their view is great-the great world appears spread out before them, and all the majesty of nature presents itself to the eye; whereas the Little Osages, living on level ground, they see but little, and therefore they are called Little. But however this reason may be the current one at this time of day, yet I think these titles were originally conferred for other and more suitable reasons. It is very certain that the Little Osages, with all their superiority of skill, and intellect, and form, occupy in the estimation of the Great Osages that level, in their relations of power and policy, which their name imports; for when Lieut. Pike, (since General Pike, whose death, during the late war occasioned to his country so much just cause for mourning,) returned to the Osages a number