that he had no poison, but that he was possessed of an evil spirit, by which he was enabled to destroy other Indians. This verdict was what they wished for; they now seized all these poor innocent people, and watched them strictly, as condemned criminals. We knew nothing of these horrible events, until the evening of the 16th, when a message was brought, that the savages had burnt an old woman alive, called Caritas, who was baptized by the Brethren in former times, and had frequently visited Bethlehem; and also that our poor Joshua was kept close prisoner. Words are not able to express our horror and grief on hearing this account. Though we were told, that perhaps Joshua would not be killed, we were seized with such terror, that we could neither eat, drink, or sleep, and by day and night were overwhelmed with grief; for we could not trust the superstitious and enraged Indians, and well knew the violence of their hatred against all believers.

On the 17th, our distress and fear concerning the fate of our poor Joshua rose still higher. We were stunned with horror, when on that day, quite unexpectedly, we saw ten of the most savage Indians, with faces painted black, arrive in our settlement (some on foot and some on horseback), conducting poor old Tettepachsit. Soon after, these murderous wretches kindled a large fire close to our place, and, having given the aged chief a blow on the head with a war-hatchet, they threw him alive into the flames, and diverted themselves with the miserable cries and convulsions of the poor dying man. The flames communicated to the grass and wood near the settlement, by which all our dwellings were filled with smoke. How shall we describe our feelings! We considered ourselves in the midst of a gang of murderers, without the least human help; above all, the probable fate of our dear Joshua tormented our minds.

After the commission of this most horrible murder, the savages came boldly into our house, boasted of their atrocious deed, and, assuming a hypocritical mien, demanded bread and tobacco, which we were obliged to give them. We took courage to ask them, what would be the fate of our poor Joshua. They immediately began to accuse him of their superstitions, saying, that there was good reason for detaining him a prisoner, for they well knew, that he understood the black art, and could destroy the Indians, his faith in our doctrines being a mere pretence. We endeavored, indeed, to convince them of the untruth of these assertions, but all in vain. They, however, pretended to set our minds at rest, by saying, that they should not kill him. We therefore charged them to tell their captains, that they ought well to consider what they were doing; that Joshua had long been a believer, and never had had any concern with the things of which they accused him, as he was a servant of God, and had renounced the devil and all his works; that he was also of

the Mahican tribe, and no Delaware, and had accompanied us as interpreter. We therefore requested, that they would immediately release him, for we should consider all they did unto him, as done unto ourselves, &c. On this occasion was made manifest the diabolical hypocrisy of these savages, for though they knew, that Joshua was to be murdered that very day, they promised to deliver our words to the captains. We perceived, however, that our defence of Joshua had displeased them, and they left our place in a riotous manner.

As soon as we were again left alone, such a weight of grief overpowered us, that we all burst into loud weeping, and, falling on our knees before our Lord and Saviour, we cried for help and strength, and for resignation to His divine will. We commended ourselves and our poor Joshua to His protection, and our souls into His hands, that if He thought fit to permit this our Brother and ourselves to become a prey to the fury of the savages, He would support us by His almighty grace, that we might praise Him, and remain faithful to Him, even in torments and death. None of us can or will ever forget what our sensations were on this awful occasion.

Now though we had been informed that the savages suspected us and all teachers of the believing Indians; that, as soon as Indians are converted, we require them to deliver up their poison, and keep it for the purpose of making those Indians sick, who will not do as we direct them, or even of killing them; and we did not know to what lengths the devil might instigate them to carry their fury, nor what our fate might be, especially as they had threatened to attack every one who objected to their proceedings; yet we felt constrained, in this extremity, to go with a speech to their assembly, and try what we could yet do for the preservation of our dear Joshua, or at least give him comfort and advice, should we even suffer for it. But as my wife and children could not be left alone in so dreadful a situation, Brother Luckenbach took courage to go alone, intending to seek some trader on the road to accompany him.

On the 18th, early, he left us on horseback, but had hardly proceeded half way, before he met an Indian, who informed him that Joshua had become a victim to their cruelty on the foregoing day. They gave him two cuts in his head with a hatchet, and then threw him into the fire.

With these dreadful tidings Brother Luckenbach returned to us in the afternoon. This was the heaviest stroke we had yet met with. Dread and terror took from us all power of speech and reflection, and we could do nothing but utter cries of lamentation and woe.

Having recovered ourselves, in some measure, our first thought was to sell all our goods, and to fly as expeditiously as possible towards Goshen. We were making preparations to put this resolution into execution,

when, on a sudden, the weather turning very cold, we were prevented, on account of the children, from departing so soon as first intended.

Some days after, we were informed, that Joshua had spoken a great deal, at the place where he was murdered, in a language not understood by the Indians, which led us to suppose, that he had directed his prayers to the Lord in the German language, which he spoke well. When the savages forced him from us, he was in a very comfortable state of mind, and seemed well prepared to meet his Saviour as a reconciled sinner. We likewise heard, that his murderers had thrown him into a very large fire, to which they continually added more fuel, but finding, that after having been two hours in the flames, his body was only scorched, they grew more enraged, and kept up a terrible fire all night, by which the body was burnt to ashes in the morning. In the following days, more Indians were accused, and shared the same fate.

We do not doubt, dear Brethren, but you will sympathize with our most distressing situation, especially when you consider that we are here alone among an unbridled, furious race of beings, who murder and burn their own countrymen, and admit of no remonstrance against their diabolical proceedings. We spend our days in dread and terror, by which our strength of mind and body is impaired, nor do we know which way to turn. My poor wife is much to be pitied, as her mind has received such a shock by the horrible events that have happened here, that she has no rest day nor night, and I am greatly alarmed for the consequences.

We have, however, resolved to remain here, till we receive an answer from you respecting our future proceedings, though we conceive ourselves in the most imminent danger. For we know now for certain that all the Indians of the lower towns have determined to come into this neighborhood, and to build their town about five English miles from us. All the old chiefs have been murdered, and the savages have informed us, that the promises made formerly by them respecting our abode here, are no longer binding, as the old men have no more any authority, but the young people bear the sway, and do as they please. The majority carries every measure proposed; but the majority are sworn enemies to us and the gospel, and openly declare, that whoever is baptized by us, makes a covenant with the devil; our doctrine being false, and their doctrine alone from God; that they therefore knew well how to live without our teaching. We have, consequently, to expect no protection from them, but every malicious persecutor may do with us what he pleases.

Before these dreadful events took place, we had resolved to follow our Brethren's advice, and to change our place of abode, but, after much trouble, could not find any suitable situation on this river. We, therefore, had some thoughts of settling within the Indian territory, at least for the present; but since no Delaware would follow us into a country

inhabited by another tribe, nor indeed would it be permitted, according to the present regulations, we have no other prospect before us, but that of quitting this place altogether.

In hopes of soon receiving your answer, we commend ourselves to your compassion and love, and to the prayers of all our Brethren and Sisters and friends, that in this dangerous and distressing situation, the Lord our Saviour would comfort and strengthen us, and grant unto us His peace, even in the midst of tribulation.

We remain ever, &c.

It is almost needless to say that on receipt of this letter the Church authorities consented to the abandonment of the mission. Under date of September 16, 1806, the diary contains this entry:

The pack-horses were loaded and on the 16th, toward noon, we left the White River. Before doing so, however, we once more recalled the many proofs of the gracious assistance and protection of our dear Lord and Saviour which we enjoyed here during the 5 years and 4 months of our stay in this place. We had much to be grateful for in many respects, and with a feeling of shame and sadness in our hearts, we thanked Him for all His help and commended our seed-time of tears to Him. With this our mission here came to a close.

ARTHUR W. BRADY

ANDERSON, INDIANA

THE USE, THE ABUSE, AND THE WRITING OF TEXTBOOKS IN AMERICAN HISTORY

A successful course in history comprehends three things: a capable teacher, a more or less intelligent pupil, and an adequate text. Other equipment, such as maps and pictures, is helpful, but it does not rank in importance with the triumvirate first named. I have been asked to discuss the text, and I want to sound the key-note of my position by emphasizing the dignity and importance of the text-book. I do this because there has been a tendency at times to speak of "text-book courses" in a tone of contempt - as though text-books were "poor, weak things," quite beneath the consideration of an "up-to-date" and forward looking teacher, who would of course lay most emphasis on collateral reading, source-books, and current literature, and would condemn along with text-books such obsolete and unnecessary things as dates and facts and history other than recent history. In advocating text-book courses, I am not of course attempting to defend the old memoriter method where the pupil attempted to memorize the lesson and the teacher heard him recite it. If that method is not yet dead it ought to be, for it has been annually ridiculed at teachers' meetings for a generation or more. I am attacking the reaction against that method which has often been carried too far and has condemned a good thing, the text, because it has been abused.

Much of my work as a college teacher of history has been devoted to freshman classes. For several years, I dispensed with a text and based the work upon a syllabus and collateral reading. The result was not very satsfactory. The students had practical difficulties in getting the books at the library and wasted time. But more important than this: having read topically in several books, they came to class without a clear idea of the evolution of things. The time in class had to be taken up in giving them the story-isn't that just what a good text-book does? The time of the class was devoted to the narrative which might just as well have been gained from a text before coming to class. Now I