AUTHOR OF A JOURNAL OF A MISSION TO THE NORTH WEST PUBLISHED BY L. B. SEELEY AND SON, FLEET STREET, LONDON. MDCCCXXVII. PREFACE THE many encouraging testimonies which the Author met with in the publication of a Journal of his Travels among the North West American Indians, during the years 1820-1-2 and 3, as Chaplain to the Hon. Hudson's Bay Company, induce him to lay before the Public an additional Journal of a Mission to the Indians of the British Provinces of New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, and the Mohawks on the Ouse or Grand River, Upper Canada, during the years 1825 and 1826. The Author has written openly, candidly, from the heart, and under a weight of responsibility, in making known the destitute state of thousands not only among the Aborigines of "The North Country," but also of European Settlers in the more remote parts of the aforesaid British Provinces, who have no one to proclaim to them the divine message of mercy, and administer to them in the dry and barren wilderness the cup of salvation. In testifying of what he has seen and known in fact and observation, he can truly say that his sole and simple object has been to do good in exciting a further Christian sympathy, and a more active exertion in the supply of their spiritual wants. Commerce has traversed the desert, and Colonies have been planted in "the waste places," which are preparing a way, through Divine Providence, for the conversion of "the uttermost parts of the earth." It challenges therefore a deep consideration, whether in holding of Provinces, and widely extensive territories, efforts are made to diffuse Scriptural light and knowledge correspondent with the means possessed; and whether Missionaries are going forth from among us under a right impulse, labouring in their arduous engagements, in simplicity of faith, and with earnest piety for the furtherance of the Redeemer's kingdom. Enlightened by the Divine Spirit, may numbers give themselves to this consecrated work, and may the Gospel be propagated, "not in word only, but also in power," throughout the destitute Settlements, and among our Red Brethren in the wilderness, who are "fast melting away," to use their own beautiful metaphor, "like snow before the sun," as the whites advance, and colonize their native soil. The Author has added his remarks upon the climate, country, and population, which fell under his own immediate observation, which he trusts (with the map prefixed) will afford accurate information, and prove interesting to the Reader. May, 1827. |