my associates embarked, and to render any in wet clothes, during the dreadful stormy little assistance that was in my power.-night which succeeded. The other cause of Poor Brother Reed! our paths in life have thankfulness was that the gale did not come long been side by side, but now they have on during the night, as in that case every taken different directions, under widely thing would have been lost, and probably different circumstances: may they be again our lives also. The gale was very general, united in a better world! It has been to and occasioned great loss of property, and them a trial of no ordinary severity; but I the loss of many lives. I hope to recover think the grace of the Savior has been, and the greater part of my pecuniary loss from will be, sufficient for them-and we have the Insurance Office. always the consolation of knowing that "the Lord is righteous in all his ways."

The travelling on this river is, almost at every season of the year, attended with Thus far I have met with but few inci- danger. The boats, even those for the acdents worth communicating. The most commodation of English people, as Budg. important, at least that which was attended erows and Pinnaces, are awkwardly built with most danger, was a severe gale on the on a more awkward model, (at least the 3d August, about a week after I left Calcut. former)-the boatmen are unskilful and ta. We were moored just below the junc- reckless-during the rains, though you tion of the Bhagirathi and Jellinghy rivers, have usually a fine wind, yet you must which form the Hoogley-several native stem a strong current, at other times you boats, another Budgerow, which had over- are in danger from north-westers, &c. &c. taken mine, and one Cook Boat.. The Every year many boats are lost. I have wind had been unfavorable for two or three heard of two Budgerows being entirely lost days previous, but on Sunday it increased since I left, and I have several times seen to a violent gale, and it soon became evi- that it was the almost direct power of the dent that we should have difficulty to save Lord that saved mine from the same fate, the boats from being wrecked. In the other when rapid currents, contrary wind, sails. Budgerow were a gentleman, his wife, and miserably managed, and inefficient boattheir children. The lady becoming alarm- men seemed almost to make certain such a ed, insisted on leaving the boat, and it was result. Yet this is the great highway to the well they did so, for it sunk under the fury upper provinces, though it is becoming of the waves in a few minutes after they more common, but not less expensive, to left it. Several native vessels, and my cook make the journey by land, especially since boat, in which were several large boxes of tolerably good roads have been made. Inthings, shared the same fate. I had most deed. I am almost prepared to prefer that of the valuable articles taken out of the mode to this, except that in a boat you can Budgerow, and, with great difficulty it was improve the time in. reading, &c. As to just saved; but as the rain was pouring the danger,. if you can swim, you may down in torrents, and the wind was very hope to escape being drowned. But as to high, the books were much injured, the danger, we need care little about it, if we other articles also damaged more or less, are in the path of duty.. And I am very and I got, of course, after three hours hard grateful that during the storm, and since, F work in the rain, completely tired and wet. have been favored with peace of mind and A kind English family happened to re- good spirits, and a thankful heart.. I do side in the neighborhood, who received us not recollect, just now, any other incident kindly, and provided dry clothing, &c. of the extra kind, in the part of the voyage This was one of two special circumstances, already made, which is worthy of writing deserving sincere gratitude; the prejudices about, when there are so many other things of the natives prevent their receiving fo- claiming attention. Bishop Heber's Jourreigners into their houses, and there are nal is the best book I know of to give infor very few English families in that section of mation about the places of interest on this the country-not one in twenty miles. The river, and in general it serves as a good exposure might have proved injurious, if it itinerary to the traveller, though deficient had been necessary to remain unsheltered, in the smaller details.. The "burra Gunga,"

or great Ganges, is an immense body of man, amount to 20 Ministers of the Goswater during the rainy season, frequently pel. "The laborers are few." Altogether from 3 to 5 miles wide, and, with the hun- they do not number more than 40 or 45 dreds of native vessels of all sorts and sizes persons, among 60 or 70 millions, and even which they sail on it, forms a very singu- all of these, owing to various causes, are lar, as in itself it is a noble object of view. not effective missionaries. Yet its first appearance, though so eagerly In the Mofupil their plan of operation is anticipated, did not awaken near so affect- substantially the same. They usually reing thoughts as the sight of the Rajmal side at English stations, which are comHills, stretching along to the South. There monly near a large native population, and I saw at the same time, the first elevation every day they go out into the Bazars, or of any kind (for all Bengal is a flat, level market places, to talk with, or preach to, as plain) I had seen since I came to India, and circumstances render expedient, all who will the sight of them, resembling very much hear, and usually they distribute some tracts some of the lower ranges of the Allegheny or parts of Sacred Scriptures at the close of Mountains, almost led me to think myself their service. Their congregations present in our own beloved land, in the midst of its a curious aspect to one accustomed to the lovely hills and vales. How much superior grave and waiting assembly of an Ameriin beauty and interest is a hilly country can church. The missionary stands under over a level plain, such as Bengal, and such the shade of a tree, or at the side of a street, as Hindoostan proper! and begins to read a tract, or to talk with I have been a good deal interested in ma- the first person passing by. Others stop king the acquaintance of the Missionaries to see what is going on, and perhaps stay a and pious Chaplains, on my journey. The few minutes, and then proceed on their former belong to the Church, the London, way. Few stay all the time, yet few go and the Baptist Societies, and in general away without hearing some of the words of appear to be a body of good men, respect- life. Usually they are respectful and atable in talents and in acquirements, and tentive, and the missionaries all say they pretty actively employed. It may afford notice an increasing seriousness; particularyou some satisfaction to hear how the small ly was this remark made at Beuares, the missionary force in the Mofupil (or country Athens and Jerusalem of India, a city part, as distinguished from Calcutta,) of this Presidency is disposed of. At Burdwan, 60 miles from Calcutta, are two or three Church Missionaries, and at Chinsurah, 25 miles, is one London Missionary. Them I have not seen, all the others I have, and have been greatly indebted for their Chris- 100,000 to 400,000 and 500,000 people tian kindness. The others are at Cutwa, are collected; and they have also, the great35 miles, Ser. Baptist, one; at Buhampore, er part of them, elementary schools, but 100 miles, 2 London Missionaries; at Mon- they do not feel much encouraged by these. ghir, 275 miles, 2 Baptist Missionaries; at The children are taken away as soon as Patna and Digah, (one continued city al- they learn to read and to keep accounts: in most)2 Baptist, and 1 Independent; at Be- the mean time, as they are taught by hea nares, 8 Church, 3 London, and 1 Ser. then teachers, little impression is made, and Baptist; at Chunar, 18 miles from Benares, it is feared that little is soon lost. The 2 Church. There are two Ser. Baptists success of schools of this kind depends alfarther up the country, and these, with most entirely on the efficiency of the su some Church Catechists, form the mission-pervision which the missionary exercises ary force of nearly all the Bengal Presi- over them. This cannot be very satisfacdency. The other missionaries, not enu- tory, where the children are so little under merated above, are found at Calcutta and his eye, and so soon removed from his invicinity, and do not, including Serampore, fluence, and where the teachers have so where there are now two besides Dr. Marsh-little regard for his object. On the whole,

whose immense population may with literal truth be described as "wholly given to Idolatry." There have not been many converts, yet there are a few native churches. In addition, the missionaries generally visit the large Melas, or fairs, where often from

1

come, and earnestly contended that people had a right to drown themselves. if they pleased. The magistrate was firm, and while he did not directly oppose the cus. tom, he informed all concerned that he should punish with death, any who should, in any way, be accessary to the drowning of such persons. This simple measure brought the custom to an end. This occurred but a few years ago. I could not but feel sad at heart while sailing over the place where many of our fellow creatures "rushed unbidden" into the presence of their final Judge, hoping to secure his favor by an act of sin, assured of heaven while on the way to a widely different destiny. And though the practice no longer exists, yet the creed does in all its blighting influence. Oh soon may the knowledge of the true

I am more confirmed in the conclusion that we shall do well in establishing a school of the higher order, and in aiming at a higher object than these elementary schools afford much prospect of accomplishing-the training up of young men who shall be competent to preach the Gospel to their countrymen. It is obvious that in both kinds of school, the grace of God is, of course, essential to success; but for this we should pray, and this we should expect. Both classes of schools, however, may and should receive attention. They afford different spheres of usefulness, and if properly conducted, may both be of great advantage to the cause of Christ, while they need not prevent other kinds of missionary labor. But 1 fear you will be quite tired with this long speculation. If the Lord please, I hope some day to send you facts, not opin-way of happiness be spread amongst this ions merely.

people! Incidents like these sacrifices, and like the swinging by hooks inserted in the muscles of the back, (of which I saw an example last spring,) would seem to show that the promptings of natural conscience are very strong, even where great ignorance exists. However, much may be ascribed to motives of vain glory in the ap

pifying doses of opium; yet the foundation of these customs lies much deeper. Their origin and continued existence shows that the witness, which God has created in the bosom of every man, (see Acts 14: 17, compared with Rom. 1:20,) still performs its duty. Such proofs of the power of natural conscience, I am inclined to think, should encourage missionaries in their addresses to the heathen to make pointed appeals to it-in the same way that ministers do in American congregations.

Above Allahabad, Sept. 24th.-The junction of the Ganges and Jumna, you know, is regarded by the Hindoos as one of the most holy places in the sacred river. As the Jumna is not, I believe, an object of worship, I hardly know how the opinion has originated that the God Gunga, or Ganges, should derive an accession of holi.plause of men, and to the influence of stuness from the union with that river. Nor is there any thing in the natural scenery of the place peculiarly impressive. The country is level on both sides, though not so flat as in Bengal, and the two rivers unite without occasioning, even at this season when both are much swollen, any great noise or large waves. The mind always takes an interest in seeing two large rivers flowing into one, but apart from that, there is not so much to excite ideas of power in the junction of these rivers as of the Allegheny and Monongahela. Till a few years ago, it was quite common for the deluded worshippers, many of them, to drown themselves at this place, supposing that thereby the possession of heaven was rendered certain. The boat in which they were accustomed to go to the proper place to take their "departure, came at last into the possession of an old woman, some time before the English authorities interfered to put a stop to the custom, and she "by that craft had Oher wealth." Of course, she did not relish a change which would take away her in

Sept. 26th.-My Dear Brother:—I am still in sight of the Allahabad, the wind having been so unfavorable that we have made but little progress the two last days. As the westerly winds are beginning to prevail, it may be two or three weeks before I reach Cawnpore. I am very anxious to get there, as I hope to find letters by the Star, of whose arrival I have heard. I think it best to despatch this letter from this place, lest it should not be at Calcutta in time for the return voyage of the Star, if I should wait till I get to Cawnpore. I have

Monday morning, Oct. 6th.-I am now at Harmony Mission. I left home on Friday morning with the intention of attending a Missionary Convention at Union. I travelled that day about 45 miles, slept at night on the Prairie, and came to Harmony early on Saturday. Here I had the priMISSION TO THE WESTERN INDIANS.vilege of meeting again those dear brothers KingsExtract of a Letter from the Rev. Joseph Kerr, to the Cor. Secretary, dated, Wea Mission, Dec 4,

Oct. 16th.-General Clark, our Agent, yesterday, | are, generally, very large and muscular. Our Insent me a polite request to attend to soine agency dians are small, and have less prominent features business for him in relation to our Indians re- than the Osages. In regard to moral worth they ceiving their annuities. We sent word to the dif- are almost on a level, both being without the Gos ferent villages, that we wanted them to come and pel, and of consequence left to the leadings of their see about getting their money; and it seemed like own corrupt minds without any counteracting or blowing the trumpet in the camp of Israel; all redeeming influence. There is one particular moved simultaneously, and it was but a short time which places our Indians on a little higher ground before our house was crowded with Indians. I than they. The Weas will not steal, and the was struck with the promptness with which they Osages are universally thieves. We could not now came together, compared with other occasions understand any thing this man said; but, from his when we had endeavored to collect them in order gestures, thought he wanted a needle. Mary Ann to hear the Gospel. In this, however, they occupy gave him one, for which he seemed very thankful. common ground with the great mass of the human family; for it is humiliatingly true, that the coin of earth has more of the attractive in the estimation of multitudes, than the "true riches." The object was to take the names and number of each family. And they came with little bundles of sticks neatly done up, for the purpose of counting. The principal men spread themselves on the floor, and were an hour employed in arranging their sticks and grains of corn, so as to give each a proper number. Ignorance is extremely inconvenient. It was a late hour of the night before they were done, but I thought the opportunity a good one to direct their minds, for a little season, to some Gospel truth. We also sung before they left us two hymns, which we have prepared in the Wea dan

guage.

October 21st.-At this season of the year, it is a little unpleasant to travel, in consequence of smoke occasioned by the burning of Prairie. Yesterday, Miss Henderson, Mary Ann and I, visited a settlement seven miles distant. After we had passed through some burning woods, we left our horses on the opposite side of the creek from the Indian scamps, in a place where we thought they would be secure from the fire. While there among the Indians, the wind changed; and when we returned, the fire was driving up within eight or ten yards of our horses. In the woods, however, it does not run rapidly. The Indians bum the Prairie, in order to discover the game more readily. For some weeks, the atmosphere has been almost constantly loaded with smoke. When the fire on the 'Prairie is fanned by wind it very frequently is driven into the bottoms, and in this way large quantities of timber are yearly destroyed. I find it is a common opinion that the ranges of prairie were once not near so large as now, and I think there is reason for this conclusion; for along every line of timber for some hundred yards on each side are seen large quantities of shrub bushes, which seem to have been struggling for a growth, 'but have been kept under by the fire. We were only able to defend our premises about the station by catching a favorable current of air and burning a circle all around us.

Nov, 6th-To-day, the black girl living with us, came running into the room where Mary Ann and I were, a good deal frightened, to tell us that a large Indian was at the door. He was an Osage, and truly a giant-looking fellow, probably six feet three inches high, and to appearance having musele enough to crush a common man. The Osages

Friday morning, Nov. 21.-Last evening, a few Osages camped near us, and knowing their predatory habits, we secured under lock every thing they might be induced to take. One of them was present with us at family worship, and when we knelt in prayer, he reclined his head upon his knees. He seemed pleased with the singing. Providentially, there was lodging with us at the same time, a pious Frenchman, a Mr. Trudel, who is married to an Osage woman; also Charles Mogre, a young man of the Osage nation, who was educated at Harmony, and spent some time at the Mission School at Cornwell, Con. After worship, we had Charles to explain to him, what we were engaged in, and why we worshiped. Charles then went with me to their camp. They immediately spread a piece of buffalo robe, and beckoned to us to be seated this no sooner done, than they placed before us a handsomely roasted side of venison. I ate of the venison, then sang Watchman, and gave them a talk. A part of the time from this until ⚫ ten o'clock was taken up in listening to Mr. Trudel's narrative of his conversion from Roman Ca tholic belief. He talks very broken English, which circumstance gave additional simplicity to his narrative. He seems to be established in the Protestant belief, and is a living specimen of the power of divine grace. Until three years ago when he became acquainted with the missionaries, he was a Catholic, but thinks he never was a good one, as some things had always appeared to him absurd. He is now a member of the church at Harmony. This morning, before day, we heard an unusual noise, and soon found it was from the camp of the Osages. They were performing their morning worship. The noise consisted principally of loud shouts and crying. Their prayer was to the Great Spirit, and we learned from Mr. Trudel that the objects of prayer varied according to their circumstances; if in pursuit of game, that they might obtain it; if aiming to steal, that they might have skill, and be directed to the object; if engaged in war, that they might be the victors. If they have no definite object, their prayer is that they may have success in any thing they undertake. Oh that they were brought to plead for mercy through the atoning blood of Jesus! During these exercises, which are kept up for about an hour, each one places inud on the head. If a man, the mud is placed on the face; it a woman, on the crown of the head. Their habit is not to eat until it be washed off; and they would take it very unkind should any one offer them victuals until they had