and Miss Minerva Washburn, an unmarried female assistant, for the Arkansaw mission; described in the Report of last year, as having then, as was supposed, just set out from Rockaway, N. J. arrived at Brainerd on the 10th of November.

Their setting out was delayed by a heavy visitation of Providence. An epidemic prevailed at Rockaway, by which the families of Mr. Vail and Mr. Talmage were visited severely. Two sons of Mr. Vail were buried in one grave; and another, after the company had been detained about three weeks, the bereaved parents were constrained to leave behind, as too feeble to bear the journey. The affliction was deeply felt by them all; but appears to have been made, by divine grace, a means of promoting in them the feelings, suitable for all Christians, and especially for those who are devoted to the missionary work.

They left their houses, and their kindred and friends, with tender cheerfulness-went on their way rejoicing; and from Rockaway to Brainerd, a distance of more than 900 miles, had a prosperous journey, of only about six weeks. On their arrival, the hearts of the brethren and sisters of the mission, burdened as they had been with continually increasing labours and cares, were filled with gladness and thankfulness. "It is a time," say they in the journal, "It is a time of great rejoicing at Brainerd. We feel that the Lord has heard our prayers for help, and it is now our duty to render praise. O that we could be sufficiently thankful to our gracious Saviour, for the abundant mercies which we have experienced, and the sweet consolations now afforded us."

On the 3d of January, 1818, the Rev. Ard Hoyt, with his family, and the Rev. Daniel S. Butrick, arrived at the station; and the Rev. William Chamberlain, on the 10th of the ensuing

March.

About the last of May, of the same year, Mr. Kingsbury, with Mr. and Mrs. Williams, left this mission, for the purpose of commencing an establishment in the Choctaw nation; and your Committee regret to state, that about four months ago, Mr. Talmage, from some feelings of discontentment, retired from the mission.

There remains of the mission, Mr. Hoyt, superintendent, with his wife and children, four of whom are very useful assistants; Mr. Conger, with his wife and children, and an apprentice, George Halsey, about 20 years old, and a devoted helper of excellent promise; Mr. Vail, with his family; Mr. Butrick; Mr.. Hall, with his family; and Mr. Chamberlain, with his family.

Mr. Milo Hoyt, who served with his father in the work, as a true son, has lately been married to an amiable and distinguished native convert, Lydia Lowry. And as, by this marriage, he has become entitled to all the privileges of a native Chrokee, he thinks, that by occupying a situation near the establishment, or

in an eligible place for a local school, he can well support himself, and render as much service to the mission as if he were under the immediate direction of the Board.

The general plans and operations of the mission are so well known to the community, that we shall add but one or two extracts more from the Report of the visiting Committee.

To the farm, of which about 60 acres were in a state for cultivation when the Visiting Committee were there, large additions and improvements have been made, and are making. The design, indeed, is entered upon with spirit, to raise from the farm, as soon and as fast as possible, a large and increasing proportion of the corn, and other productions of the soil, necessary for the establishment.

The number of scholars in the two schools at Brainerd, has not been definitively stated in any recent communication; but the general representation has been, that the schools are full, and in a highly satisfactory state.

The gracious influences from on high, which have been so signally the glory of this mission, appear to be still continued. The young man, John Arch, of whom an interesting account is given by the Visiting Committee, has since been received to the church. Another hopeful convert also has been received, David Brown, a brother of Catharine. To your Committee, and to many others who have seen him, he appears to be a youth of great promise. He is now in our school at Cornwall.

The whole number gathered from the wilderness into this mission church, and thus made fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, including four or five black persons, is about twenty. A considerable number more, some at Brainerd, and some at other places in the nation, where our missionaries have bestowed attention, are made subjects of deep religious impressions; and several of them hopefully of renovating

grace.

At Springplace also-and it is with high and heartfelt pleasure that your Committee report and record the fact-at Springplace, where the Rev. John Gambold, the venerable Moravian missionary, with the excellent helper, his wife, has been for years labouring for the good of the Cherokees, with the spirit of humility, devotion, and perseverance, by which the Union of Brethren has been long and eminently distinguished,-the power of divine grace has lately been manifested; and three or four persons of consideration and influence, in that part of the nation, have come as believers to the ordinances of Christ; and others give serious attention to divine instruction.

In the Report of the last year, the design was submitted of establishing, at eligible places, in different parts of the nation, local schools, in connexion with the primary establishment at Brainerd; and it was stated, that for one school of this kind a place

had been selected, and preparations were in forwardness. This station, called Talony, was assigned to Mr. Moody Hall, who, in the infancy of the mission, bore, with the Rev. Mr. Kingsbury, and Mr. Williams, the burden and heat of the day. A house for his family, and a school house have been erected; and the school was opened on the ninth of May. In a letter, dated June 30th, Mr. Hall says--

"About 20 entered the school the first week, and it has gradually increased to 50. These, however, do not all attend constantly. A number probably entered from curiosity, not intending to learn. There are about 35 who regularly attend, and undoubtedly will continue their attendance, if the school is judiciously managed. The school I think very promising, and the natives generally appear highly satisfied.

"We have three orphan boys in our family, and we have engaged to take one or two more. I presume, if our circumstances would admit of it, and we had liberty, 15 or 20 boys and girls, who are real objects of charity, might be obtained immediately. Those we have give us great satisfaction, and are truly dear to

us.

"Since the school house has been in a situation to be occupi ed, meetings have been constantly held in it, and from 75 to 100 have attended.

"My labours are great, and constantly increasing. There is enough at this place on the sabbath, for two or three active servants of the Lord to do. I have generally taught a sabbath school for the blacks, and occasionally several adult Cherokees have been instructed on that day. I spend half an hour, both before and after meeting, with the children of the school."

This school at Talony was established in compliance with the earnest solicitations of the principal men of that village and the vicinity: solicitations, not less earnest, have been made from other considerable places in the nation; and particularly from the neighbourhood of Fort Armstrong in the south, near the Creeks, and distant from Brainerd about 60 miles; and from Creek Path, on the west side of the nation, about 100 miles dis

tant.

Early in December, such representations were made to the missionaries, of the dispositions and desires of the people near Fort Armstrong, as engaged very serious attention. These representations were afterwards repeated, and it was deemed advisable, that Mr. Chamberlain should make a visit to the place.

On his return it was resolved, that Mr. Milo Hoyt should go to Chatooga and commence a school without delay. Accordingly he left Brainerd for the purpose, on the 3d of April, taking with him his wife and younger brother Darius. In a letter dated June 9th, the Superintendent writes

"The number of scholars has been small-seldom or never

more than 17 or 18 at a time. Still we have great hope that it will increase, and much good be done. There are many things which render it desirable to maintain our position there, even should the number of children continue to be, small. That section of the country appears to be in greater darkness than almost any other part of the nation; if we except, perhaps, the mountains towards Carolina. It is in the neighbourhood of the Creeks, has considerable intercourse with them, and is remote from any settlement of whites. Several natives of influence reside there, who are very anxious to have the people instructed."

In the latter part of January, David and Catharine Brown went from Brainerd to Creek Path to visit their father, then sick.

Mr. Brown, the father, brought a letter, signed by himself and others, and in terms as follows:

"We, the headmen, chiefs of the Creek Path Town, Cherokee nation, have this day assembled ourselves together for the purpose of devising some plan for the education of our children. We daily witness the good effects arising from education, and therefore are extremely anxious to have a school in our neighbourhood, as the distance from this part of the nation to Chickamaugah is so great, as not to suit our convenience. We therefore solicit your aid in carrying our plan into execution. We can raise 20, or perhaps 25 children. You will please write us immediately on the receipt of this. Given under our hands, this 16th February, 1820."

It was resolved that Mr. Butrick should go to Creek Path. On the 11th March he left Brainerd, and took John Arch with him.

Speaking of the progress which the children have made in these few days, Mr. Butrick says-" About 14, who knew none of their letters, have learned them, and read in syllables of two letters and some in three."

The above appears to have been written on Saturday. Sabbath evening he adds-"To-day we had a large collection of people for this country; about 100 Cherokees and blacks."

Referring to this station, the Rev. Mr. Hoyt, June 9th, says"The first school being well filled with scholars to overflowing, they requested another. Catharine, by our approbation, of fered to teach a school of females, if they would prepare a house. The news was received with enthusiastic joy. In four days a great number collected to build the house.-With surprising despatch they finished one, of the same dimensions as the former, and within a few rods of it, and immediately sent a messenger for Catharine. She left us the last of May, with the expectation of commencing a school immediately on her arrival at Creek Path. Religious instruction appears also to be eagerly sought by all the people in that district. Hopes are entertained of the saving conversion of several; and brother Butrick has written for our aðice respecting the immediate formation of a church there."

These statements and representations show at once the spirit and operations of the mission, the dispositions of the Cherokee. chiefs and people, and the kindness of God our Saviour; and, in these several respects, were deemed by your Committee too interesting to be tedious, though particular, and in some instances minute.

Mr. Butrick has for a considerable time been giving what attention he could to the acquisition of the language, with a view to his being chiefly employed in visiting families and neighbourhoods, and preaching, without needing an interpreter, in the dif ferent parts of the nation. This has, from the first, been regarded as an important part of the general plan of operations; and its importance is continually more and more strongly perceived and felt. With all his other avocations, his proficiency in the language is such, that he converses and discourses in it with considerable facility; and, with the assistance of David Brown, he has composed a Cherokee Spelling Book, which has been printed for the use of the mission.

In the schools of the mission, there are now more than 200 pupils. In other places schools are wanted. Indeed, throughout the nation there is a general and strong impression in favour of having their children instructed in the learning and arts of civilized life; and were sufficient means supplied, the greater part of the children, of suitable age, might at once be brought under a system of instruction.

A disposition favourable to preaching, is also prevailing. As appears from what has now been cited, wherever the missionaries go, they find a welcome reception; and people readily come together to hear them. At several places, also, besides the places of the schools, they have regular opportunities for preaching.

In the great and beneficent design of bringing the Cherokees into the pale of christianized society, the Rev. Mr. Gambold is an inestimable worker. Springplace, where he resides, is only about 35 miles distant from Brainerd; and from the commencement of our mission there has been, between him and our missionaries, the most perfect good understanding, and affectionate intercourse and fellowship.

The sentiments of these proposals are worthy of the respected society from which they emanate; and perfectly accordant with them are the views and feelings, which, from the first, your Committee have been studious to cherish in their own minds, to inspire in the breasts of the missionaries, to infuse into the proceedings of this and our other missions, and to cultivate and promote in all their intercourse and transactions with other societies and connexions. And the representations here given of the altered state and disposition of the Cherokees must strike every mind with great force, and press home to every heart most powerful motives to seek their good.