were agreeably surprised with the voice of one of our hired men in our family prayers, and in the evening the satisfaction was increased, when another, in the state of whose mind we have felt a lively interest, consented to pray, for the first time in so large a company. Besides the improvement and establishment of the individuals themselves, we consider these events as interesting, on account of their probable influence on the sentiments and conduct of the hired men at this place. Tuesday, December 10.-The pleasant weather affords a very favourable opportunity for various kinds of labour. The thermometer now ranges at about 30°.

Monday, Dec. 16.-A wagon arrived yesterday with a load of salt, the first which it has been necessary to purchase in this country. The cost at the works, near Franklin, was 75 cents per bushel, and the carriage $1 50 per bushel. Today we have been obliged to order certain Indian women, who for some weeks have lived in our yard, to remove their tent to a greater distance, in consequence of the pernicious influence which they were beginning to exert on our oldest boys.

Tuesday, Dec. 17.-In view of the contemplated departure of Brother Montgomery to the Osage encampments, Br. Jones was appointed to the superintendence of the Indian boys during the whole of the time. We are much pressed with blacksmith work for wagoners from the Missouri. Application also for work in that department has been made for the ensuing year.

Corn ground for the Indians. The first corn for an Osage was ground at our mill to-day. Soon may this important engine of civilized man be the means of relieving the Osage females from the fatigueing task of making their corn soft by means of manual labour. That it will greatly promote their civilization we have great reason to hope. In his astonishment at the form and the rapid motion of the machinery, an Indian pronounced it Woh-cur-do-ka, supernatural or divine. On being informed of this instance of extravagance, one of our elder

Osage boys, with a correctness of thought remarkable in a heathen youth, observed, that Mr. Austin made the mill, and the water turned it, therefore it is not divine.

Friday, Dec. 20.-Brother Montgomery set out for the Indian encampment with the intention of spending the winter in acquiring the language.

Arrival of Supplies.

Saturday, Dec. 21.-Last evening Br. Bright, with Sister Weller, who is quite ill, arrived with a wagon which was loaded in part with the goods forwarded from New-York, and arrived at Franklin. Br. Dodge being unsuccessful in negociating a draft at Franklin, was left with the expectation of going to St. Louis to be accommodated.

Monday, December 23.-Several, Osage amount of ten or twelve bushels. The women brought corn to our mill, to the, pond is well supplied with water, and the mills perform to our full satisfaction. The grist mill will grind six bushels per hour.

Day of Thanksgiving.

Wednesday, Dec. 25.-This day being set apart as a day of thanksgiving and prayer, no labour was attended to. The hired men were present at our exercises, and gave good attention. A Frenchman and an Indian boy, one who has been in our school several months, and had been forced away by his mother some months since, arrived with an order from Mr. Choteau, an Indian trader, for corn meal. The boy appeared much pleased to see us, and says he shall return to live with us in the spring.

Departure of Doctor Palmer.

Thursday, Dec. 26.-Dr. Palmer, with a number of hired men, left this for Union. Mr. Stafford, a man who has been in our employ as a labourer since July last, on leaving us to go Arkansas on business, made a donation to the Mission of $5. The Frenchman and Indian boy left us to-day. The boy had become so attached to us that he left us with tears.

Return of Mr. Dodge.

Brother Dodge arrived to-day, having performed a journey to St. Charles, to

Friday, Dec. 27.-Sister Weller is better, though the Doctor still has his fears that her complaint may terminate in consumption.

Tuesday, Dec. 31.-Heard from Br. Montgomery. He had arrived at the Indian encampment. He states, that one of the chiefs (Billa Ossean) is desirous to have a school established at his village. He promises one child, and his influence among his people in our behalf. He says if we come to his village, we shall not want for children.

Wednesday, Jan. 1, 1823.—Arose this morning to behold the commencement of a new year. One year more of our lives is numbered, and we are so much nearer the end of our labours on earth and our eternal home.

Friday, Jan. 3.—Attended a preparatory lecture this afternoon in view of the communion season to be observed next Sabbath. May all feel the importance of a due preparation of heart for the attendance on so solemn and so interesting a duty.

Communion Sabbath.

Sabbath, Jan. 5.-Enjoyed another op. portunity of coming around the table of our Lord. We trust it was a refreshing season. Four of our labourers, and Cap tain Dunlap, the United States' blacksmith among the Osages, requested occasional communion. Sister Belcher not being able to attend at the organization of the church, requested to be admitted to-day. This request was readily granted.

Increase of the School.

Monday, Jan. 6.-This morning brother Jones commences his first quarter of the school for the present year. Nicholas, a man of colour, before mentioned, and

United in concert with the millions of our brethren who are this evening lifting their desires at the Throne of Grace for the effusion of the Holy Spirit to descend upon our guilty world.

Jan. 10 & 11-The weather is quite moderate, and it is a fine time to perform various kinds of business; but we are at present weak-handed, and do but little; but we calculate soon to obtain more la

bourers, and endeavour to progress in the

business of our establishment.

Visit from White Hair.

Sabbath, Jan. 12.-Worship as usual, morning and evening. Attended a conference at candle lighting. White Hair, the principal chief, and two other Indians, came to our establishment to get some things which they left in our possession last summer. We persuaded him to wait until to-morrow before he takes them.

Tuesday, Jan. 14.-Sister Weller is a little more comfortable, although very weak; not able to set up but little. The rest of the family are in good health.

Information from Union.

Wednesday, Jan. 15.-A gentleman arrived this evening from the Spanish country. On his way he called at Union. By him we understand that the family there are enjoying good health.

Friday, Jan. 17.-Our wagon started for Nero-sho river to carry a load of Indian goods. The distance is between sixty and seventy miles. Our two oldest Indian boys set out with the wagon on a visit to see their parents and friends. Brother Jones attended them.

Saturday, Jan. 18.—A very heavy rain the last night. The river and creeks are rising. Brother Jones and our Osage boys

returned with the horses, leaving the wagoner to take care of the load until the water falls, which will probably detain them several days, as the water is now rising very rapidly.

Labour performed by the Female School. Tuesday, Jan. 21.-Sister Etris reported the work done by her girls since Oct. 22, viz. Sally Dodge, 8 yards of seams, and 21 days in the kitchen. Susan Larawe, 63 yards do. and 3 days in the kitchen. Eunice Pike, 48 yards do. and 7 days in the kitchen. Maria Seward, 38 yards do. and 7 days in the kitchen. Mary Williams, 28 yards do. and 2 days in the kitchen. Jane Rennick, 24 yards do. and 1 day in the kitchen. Rebecca Williams. 18 yards do. Mary Ludlow, 15 yards do. Saturday, Jan. 25.-Brother Jones set out again to accompany the boys on their visit. Sister Weller still continues in a feeble state.

Discovery of Coal.

Wednesday, Jan. 29.-We have lately discovered a bed of coal about six miles distant. To-day we have brought home a load of it, and our blacksmith pronounces it of a good quality. Three men came in from the Missouri to assist us in our labours. Held a conference this evening. Friday, Jan. 31.—This day closes the first month in the year, and our little band are yet spared in life, and we have thus far been surrounded by the rich mercies of God. May we ever view them with grateful hearts, and be strengthened by them to perform the work to which we are called.

SENECA MISSION. JOURNAL FROM MARCH 27 TO APLIL 14, 1823.

Addition to the School. Wednesday, March 27.-An intelligent lad, of sixteen years of age, was brought to the school this morning by one of the young men of the tribe, who says that he is a connexion of the Mohawks on Grand River, in Upper Canada. He states, that while at Grand River, during the winter, the father and the aged grand-mother, (his own mother being dead,) placed the youth under his care, with a particular charge to have him educated, if possible.

Having received such a charge, he has brought the lad to be placed entirely under our control. The youth speaks correct English, and is able to spell in words of three or four syllables. On these two accounts, and in consideration of his being a connexion of this tribe, and of the importance of having an interpreter in the school, we esteem it a privilege to receive him, notwithstanding his age a little exceeds that prescribed by the Board. With him came also a very promising boy, who was received, with others, at the opening of the school in July, and who, we understand, was induced to leave us through affection for his mother, who was then lying dangerously ill of a fever. His excuse, thus rendered by his mother, has been sustained, under the promise that he remain steadfast in future.

Indian Hymn Books.

They

At the close of the singing school this evening, we had the satisfaction to state to the natives present, that the Indian Hymn Books, prepared by the teacher, Mr. Young, for the use of the school and the congregation, were now printed and bound. It was also stated, that the printing and binding of five hundred copies had cost about forty dollars; that twenty dollars had been contributed to this object by one or two benevolent christians; and that we hoped they would be willing to aid in defraying the expense. might agree to pay the remaining sum, or pay a small price for the books as they wanted to use them; neither of which were they requested to promise until those who could read best had examined the work to their entire satisfaction. One or two of the hymns were then read and sung. They appeared exceedingly pleased, pronounced it "very good," and said they should cheerfully defray a part of the expense. They supposed, however, that as the books would be equally useful to their brethren on the other four reservations, it would be proper that the expense should be divided among the whole. They, therefore, advised that the teacher should keep the books in his possession until the approaching June Council, when the necessary expense should be defrayed out of the annuity.

Conversation with some of the pious Chiefs. Sabbath, March 30.-An opportunity was offered before preaching this morning, to consult the feelings of four of the natives, more particularly, in regard to their uniting themselves with the Church of Christ. In addition to the frequent opportunities which have been presented for catechising these persons for more than a year past, it has been made a special object of attention by the minister to visit them at their own dwellings, and to spend the greater part of a day in conversing with them expressly on this subject, with one exception. Unexpected circumstances have occurred, from time to time, so as to prevent any direct conversation with him on the duty of covenanting with God and his people. It was thought best to begin

with him first alone. He said "it was true that hindrances had been thrown in the way of my speaking to him directly on that subject, and he had frequently thought that perhaps this was an indication from God, that he was not worthy of so great a privilege. He felt it was just in God to reject him, for he knew he was an unworthy and sinful creature, and should he be left to perish in his sins, God

would still be just." On thus saying, he wept freely. He afterwards said that his whole trust was in depending on the mercy of God, through Christ Jesus; and if I thought, as one appointed to direct the ignorant and strengthen the weak, that his union with the Church of Christ might be attended with good, he should raise no objections. The others were then called forward, and questioned with respect to their determination of giving themselves wholly up to the Lord, if it were his will. They all expressed their unworthiness, but still desired to acquiesce in the will of God, whatever that might be. Next Sabbath week was appointed for their haptism, and for entering into solemn covenant with God, and a meeting appointed for the candidates on Wednesday next, at the Mission house, for further conversation on this important business.

Wednesday, April 2.-The candidates for baptism came according to promise. The meeting commenced with prayer, after which a plain and friendly conversation was held with them on the impor

tant nature of that warfare on which they were about to enter, and the peculiar obligation which would devolve on them to be the Lord's. They expressed the liveliest gratitude for what they learned; and it is, perhaps, sufficient to say that their whole conversation and deportment was highly gratifying.

A Church Organized.

for baptism, with a number of the people, Saturday, April 12.-The candidates met for religious worship this afternoon, and for the purpose of entering into church covenant with the members of the Mission family. Oh, that they may not only covenant in name, but in deed, and in truth! And may it please God to interest them in the covenant of his love, and prepare them all for the enjoyment of himself in glory everlasting! Brother Crane, of Tuscarora, and brother Squier, of Buffalo, were expected to have been present at this time. After waiting till duty to proceed to the formation of the late for their arrival, we thought it our

Mission church. To-morrow the candi

dates are to be baptized, and the sacra

ment to be administered in the council

house, our usual place of worship on the

Sabbath.

First Communion Sabbath. Sabbath, April 13.-A delightful spring morning-truly emblematical of that Sabbath of joy and rest which remains for the people of God; when saints shall no more drink of the fruit of the vine here, but when Jesus shall drink it new with them in his Father's kingdom.' We enjoyed a precious season of prayer this morning, in view of the solemn duties of the day now before us. Truly, God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart;' 'O! Lord God, purge us with hyssop, and we shall be clean; wash us, and we shall be whiter than snow,'