text the following words, from Psalm cvii. 7.-" And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation."

At 7 o'clock the society assembled at the City Hotel, where they partook of a supper, which was served up in a style of elegance and taste.

Major General Stevens, the President of the society, presided at the table. Among the guests were the Rev. Bishop Brownell, Rev. Doctors Romeyn and Spring, Rev. Mr. Wainright, Commodore Chauncey, and Col. House. Upon announcing the volunteer toasts, Zechariah Lewis, Joseph W. Brackett, and Thomas Fessenden, Esquires, delivered appropriate and impressive speeches.

THE SEVENTH WARD BIBLE ASSOCIATION

Held their second annual meeting on the 21st December, in the Market-street Church. JOHN WITHINGTON, Esq. President, took the chair, and commenced the exercises of the evening by reading a portion of the Holy Scriptures, and the Rev. Mr. McClelland engaged in prayer. The Report of the Board of Managers, which gave a pleasing account of their labours, was read by the Rev. Mr. Gray. Appropriate addresses were delivered by the Rev. Mr. McMurray and the Rev. Mr. Patten, to a very numerous, respectable, and attentive assembly. Messrs. Allen and Sage led in the music, which was judiciously selected and skilfully performed.

It was much regretted that the Board of Managers of the Parent Society (N. Y. Bible Society,) were not present to witness this interesting anniversary, and participate in its sacred pleasures. We have been furnished with a copy of the Report, which shall have due attention.

SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF PAUPERISM IN THE CITY OF NEW-YORK.

The fourth annual general meeting of this institution was held on Wednesday evening last, at the City Hotel. His honour the MAYOR, president of the society, presided. After the reading of the Annual Report, the Rev. J. M. Matthews, David B. Ogden, Esq. C. G. Haines, Esq. and the Rev. C. Jones, addressed the meeting.

Notwithstanding the weather was exceedingly unpropitious, a large and most respectable number, both of ladies and gentlemen, assembled to witness the highly interesting proceedings of the evening. We must defer a more full account of this meeting for a future number.

BURMAH MISSION.

By the arrival of the ship Juno, on the 11th inst. from Calcutta, whence she sailed on the 15th of August, we learn that the Rev. Mr. Judson, with his family, had arrived at Calcutta from

Rangoon, which place he was obliged to leave on account of a war being about to take place between the king of Pegu and the Siamese.

It is not stated whether Mr. Judson would proceed to Chittagong, as proposed in his journal, concluded in this number of the Herald, but most probably he has joined Mr. Colman at that place before this time. We have all along looked upon this mission as one of uncommon interest, and have devoted a large number of our pages to the journal, sure that no one will rise from the perusal of it, without being solemnly and deeply impressed with the awful state of benighted Burmah-who has formally and peremptorily refused the offers of mercy.

But this repulse of the missionaries from the Burman empire, ought not to be considered as an entire and final defeat. For aught we know, it may be the forerunner of the most glorious triumphs of the Prince of Peace over that barbarous people. How often, in the progress of his kingdom, has he triumphed over opposition, and laid the basis of his power upon its ruins!—、 thus teaching his disciples to hope, to pray, and to labour, when outward circumstances would, were it not for confidence in Him, fill them with despair. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth him out of them all! Many and bold are the enemies of the kingdom of Immanuel; but it shall spread, and reluctant Burmah shall soon stretch out her hands to welcome and receive him as her Lord and King.

In the midst of the discouragements which we have been pained to record, it is most gratifying to perceive the sure indication of a present divine blessing in the conversion of several natives'

their apparent determination to persevere, amid the terrors of persecution-their design to uphold the ordinances of religion, even after the example of the missionaries, are indications of the presence of Him whom Burmah cannot expel-and whom she inust willingly receive in the approaching day of his power.

Ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence, and give Him no rest, till he extend and establish the work which he has thus manifestly begun.

TO READERS AND CORRESPONDENTS.

Our Correspondent who calls upon Christians to pray for a revival in a distant Uaiversity, seems to have overlooked the fact, that there are several other institutions of learning in our country from which that blessing has been withheld, Had he chosen, for instance, Columbia College, which has not, as far as we know, been peculiarly favoured, we should have considered that as more proper to be singled out for special prayer in the pages of the CHRISTIAN HERALD. This we say from no disrespect to that institution, but from the belief, that a spirit of prayer will naturally begin at home. May the blessing of Heaven descend upon the beloved institution which educates the sons of our own city, as well as upon "Harvard University."

The Twentieth Quarterly Meeting of the New-York Sunday School Union, was held on Thursday evening last, a more particular account of which will be given in our next. The second page of this number should have been 546 instead of 556, consequently the following six pages are wrong. The error is corrected at the eighth page, and the remaining folios are right.

VOL. VII.]

Saturday, February 3, 1821.

[No. XIX.

Miscellany.

For the Christian Herald.

BIOGRAPHY OF THE REV. DAVID ZEISBERGER, Sen.

For sixty-two years a faithful Missionary among the North American Indians.

(Continued from p. 553.)

THE Indians on the Ohio began their murderous enterprises again in the spring of 1763, and the missionary plan was thereby thwarted; before, however, these commotions had obtained a general spread, Zeisberger paid two visits to the Indians at Machwihilusing, which proved a great blessing to them. There he convinced the singular Indian teacher, Papunhank, of his errors in doctrine, and won him to the faith in Jesus. The happy stir which was occasioned by Zeisberger's discourses in this place, was universal. Many wept day and night for the forgiveness of their sins. The heads of families at last agreed solemnly to request the brethren at Bethlehem to send them a teacher, who should live with them and preach the gospel to them. With this commission Zeisberger returned delighted to Bethlehem with his companion, where, after mature consideration, it was thought most advisable that he should again repair to Machwihilusing, and for the present, reside there as a missionary. He soon set out upon his journey, with joy.

One day, when he was going to fasten his hut for the night, he cut his foot, and fainted away. An Indian assistant who accompanied him, immediately procured an herb, well known to him, applied it to the wound, and Zeisberger not only recovered from the swoon, but the wound itself healed with an inconceivable rapidity. After a tedious journey, amid rain and snow, thundergusts and storms, through swamps and swollen rivulets, through almost impenetrable forests, they arrived safely at Machwihilusing-were heartily welcomed by Papunhank and the rest, and Zeisberger found the people still hungering as much for that word which declares the love of God, as when he had left them. In a short time, the word of the cross reached Papunhank's heart in such a powerful manner, that he humbly and urgently begged to be baptized. Zeisberger baptized these first fruits of Machwihilusing with the tenderest emotions of his heart, and under such an overpowering sense of the presence of God, that the whole assembly were quite overcome by it. But he could not 4 D VOL. VII.

long continue his labours here. Every where the peaceable Indians were oppressed by those of their countrymen who had sided with the enemies of the British government, and therefore were compelled to look for an asylum among the white people. But among the latter there were many who, from a blind zeal against the Indian nations in general, were so resolutely bent upon their destruction, that government had to take effective measures for their safety. Thus it happened that almost the whole Indian congregation was under the protection of government for two years, upon an island in the Delaware, and afterwards in the barracks at Philadelphia. Under these circumstances Zeisberger every where lent them his most faithful assistance.*

The peace with the Indians being again restored, and Zeisberger having at that time no regular vocation, he moved with the Indian congregation and their labourer to the Susquehannah, where the town of Friedenshûtten (peace-cabins) was begun. The tediousness of this journey may be gathered from the following circumstances. Full five weeks were required to travel that route, which in later years could be done in four days; for frequently they had to cut their way through the woods a great distance; in a swampy forest they found the water two feet deep, and on the hills lay a snow eighteen inches in depth. Trees were cut down in order to erect a temporary bridge across high water creeks, and that often at several places, in hopes of succeeding at one or the other. The strong current, however, carried the trees along with it, and at last the travellers were compelled to work a canoe out of a large tree, by means of which the people, horses, and baggage, were by degrees, with much ado, got over. Frequently, after a troublesome day's journey, there was not a sufficient stock of provisions left, and some of the brethren had first to try and procure some game.

Shortly after their arrival at their new station, Zeisberger went on two different expeditions on business, for the Indian congrega tion. The great council of the Six Nations did not like to see the establishment of the Christian Indians at Friedenshûtten, but intended to draw them to Cayuga Lake, having all the while the dissolution of the Indian congregation in view. The first journey he undertook to Cayuga in April, and the second in October 1766, to Onondago. They both had a successful termination, and brother Zeisberger's remonstrances had such a good effect, that the brethren obtained lawful permission to preach the gospel in what is properly called the Indian country. During the same year, Zeisberger had the happiness to baptize the first fruits of the Nanticoke nation, at Friedenshûtten. In the autumn of the following year, he undertook a journey to the Ohio in the neighbourhood of which, Indians that were anxious to hear the gospel,

* See Loskiel's History of the Missions of the United Brethren in North America. 1763-65.

were reported to be living. On this journey he had to cross, with his companions, long prairies, which were overgrown with grass and weeds, higher than the head of a rider. Whenever this happened to be wet with the rain or dew, our travellers were completely drenched; and of such prairies they met a great number. They also came into such parts, where, according to the assertions of the Indians, no white man had ever been seen. The farther they proceeded, the more dreary they found the wilderness, through which they dragged themselves with incredible labour, and after a march of four days through such a country, they found the first hut in the woods, in which they took up their night's lodging; for, so far, they had always slept in the open air, wrapped themselves up in their blankets, and suffered a great deal from almost incessant rains.

Hereupon entering a Seneca village, the appearance of a white man, to which the inhabitants had been unaccustomed before, created much surprise. A Seneca man immediately mounted his horse and gallopped off into the next largest village, about 30 miles distant, in order to apprize the chief there of the news. Zeisberger accordingly expected a singular reception there; and, indeed, upon his arrival at the village, he was received by the chief rather in a surly manner. His friendly behaviour, however, prevailed so far, that the chief led him into his house and gave him something to eat. A conversation of two hours then ensued, in which the chief testified his surprize at his arrival, as no white man had ever come that way, and would precisely learn the object of his journey. The missionary embraced the favourable opportunity to preach the gospel to him; but the chief strenuously maintained that such a word of God did not suit at all for the Indians. To that Zeisberger made such an emphatic reply, that the chief at last gave way, became quite sociable, and confessed that he had taken him to be a spy of the white people, and for that reason had at first spoken so harshly; but now, being convinced of the rectitude of his intentions, he would not hinder the further prosecution of his journey to Goshgoshûnk, but cautioned him rather anxiously, not to trust the inhabitants of that place, since they were reported not to have their equals in iniquity and murderous devices. Zeisberger declared to him that these people, if such were their case, had the greater need of hearing the word of their Redeemer; and that, at all events, he feared them not, because without the will of God they could do him no harm.

At Goshgoshûnk, a Delaware town, much to his surprise, he and his companions were welcomed in an affectionate manner, and hospitably entertained by a relation of the national assistant, John Papunhank, who was one of the party. Zeisberger now got the inhabitants of the town, which consisted of three villages, to assemble together, because he had to tell them "some words."