34 Fiew of Indian Tribes in the West. edly considered, this method appears || livened their own souls in so powerfu the most rational; but, when reduc-a manner, that they could address the ed to practice, it was found wholly in-heathen with uncommon liberty and effectual. For five years the Mission-fervor, and were often astonished at aries had labored in this way, and each other's power of utterance. In could scarcely obtain a patient hear short, the happiest results have ating from the savages. Now, therefore, tended this practice, not only at first, they determined, in the literal sense and in Greenland, but in every other of the words, to preach Christ and country where the brethren have since Him Crucified, without first "laying labored for the conversion of the heathe foundation of repentance from then. dead works and faith towards God." er. In our next number we shall present the account of the missions of the Brethren to North America and South Africa. VIEW OF INDIAN TRIBES IN THE WEST. January. We have long looked with peculiar interest on the forlorn conditiou of the western Tribes of Indians; and have endeavored to embrace every opportunity to ascertain their real condition, as well as the most suitable means of introducing among them the blessings of civilization and of the Gospel. Those that are entirely vagrant are apparently in the most hopeless condition. In the following remarks, therefore, an attempt will be made particularly to plead their No sooner did they declare unto the Greenlanders the "word of reconcilation" in its native simplicity, than they beheld its converting and saving powThis reached the hearts of their From the American Missionary Register, for audience, and produced the most astonishing effects. An impression was made which opened a way to their conSciences and illuminated their understandings. They remained no longer the stupid and brutish creatures they had once been; they felt they were sinners, and trembled at their danger; they rejoiced in the Saviour, and were rendered capable of sublimer pleasures than those arising from plenty of seals, and the low gratification of sensual appetites. A sure foundation being thus laid in the knowledge of a crucified Redeemer, the Missionaries soon found that this supplied their The Kanzas, Ottoes, Ponkas, the young converts with a powerful mo-several Tribes of the Pawnee Nation, tive to the abhorrence of sin, and the the Mandan, the Rickera, &c. live performance of every moral duty to- in fixed towns. Most or all of them wards God and their neighbor; taught speak dialects of the Osage language, them to live soberly, righteously, and and cultivate the land to about the godly in this present world; animated same extent as the Osages. They them with the glorious hope of life and are undoubtedly in a much better immortality; and gave them the light situation for improvement, than they of the knowledge of the glory of God, can be when the corruptions of the as the Creator, Preserver and Moral whites shall have gained a firmer Governor of the world, in a manner footing among them. But these imfar more correct and influential than provements should be introduced in a they could have attained, had they way that would comport with their persevered in the first mode of inpresent state of ignorance, jealousy, struction. The Missionaries them & prejudice. In view of the civiliza cause. selves derived benefit from this new tion and salvation of all the Indian me hod of preaching. The doctrines Tribes to the west of us; the estabof the cross of Christ warmed and en-ishment of permanant missions on so View of Indian Tribes in the West. 35 primitive languages in the western country They are represented to be remarkably friendly and fond of our countrymen. Each of the numerous bands contains an immense number of individuals. They remove but a few large a scale as to be able soon to support themselves in those Tribes, that are near our frontiers, is undoubtedly a measure of the most essential importance. They form a rendezvous from which the pioneers might emanate with the greatest ad-miles at a time; but so frequently as vantage to the more wild and remote to be always in the neighborhood of nations; where infant missions may the buffalo, on whose flesh they demost conveniently be furnished with pend for food, and on whose skins many of their outfits; and where by neatly dressed and beautifully ornanecessary habits of discipline they mented they depend for clothing." may be prepared for their future em- Their houses consist of small poles 30 ployment. But to send a mission or 40 feet long set up in the form of a family directly into every settled pyramid, and covered with dressed Tribe without any previous steps to skins, which furnish comfortable shelsecure their confidence, would proba-ter where dews for the most part supbly be unwise. For notwithstanding ply the place of rain. These are conthey are stationary, and in circum-veyed by horses or dogs.--All the stances much more favorable for civ- Indians in the western wilderness ilization than the wandering tribes, are very attentive to their religious yet before they could have time from rites, many of which more nearly long acquaintance to repose a suffici-resemble those of the ancient people ent degree of confidence in those who of God, than those that are noticed propose a change, or before they are by the Star in the West. prepared to appreciate the benefit of such an untried measure, some unfavorable event or some unfriendly adviser might induce them to change their minds, reject the offered blessings, and dash in a moment the rising hopes of a mission, sent an immense distance, at great expense. But much more is it necessary to take precautionary steps among those whose residence is as unconfined as the animals on which they feed. The principal nations of this description are the Sioux, the Iatans, the Arapahoes, and the Shoshonees or Snakes. Some however of the Sioux and Snakes have fixed abodes. From the best information in our possession it would appear that these four general divisions of the wandering Indians embrace a much larger number of individuals than any other similar divisions on the Continent. Their languages appear to be stocks from which others are derived, and it appears probable that there are but few The Christian can find no exception of Nations, of wandering habits, or any other peculiar habits contained in the mandate "Disciple of all nations." We find the present state of these Nations described in the prophecies, and their restoration promised. And if we are not slow of heart to believe all that the scriptures have spoken, we shall come forward with as much earnestness to obey God with regard to these vagabonds as others. He says, "Go ye into all the world;" wheresoever human beings. of whatever character or habits can be found, there preach the Gospel. If our Lord and Master therefore require that they have the Gospel in order to salvation, the only question is, what mode of introducing it does their peculiar situation demand?. Aphorism.-Diligence alone is good patrimony: but neglect will waste the fairest fortune. One preserves and gathers: while the other is the dissolution of all. our knees in prayer to God; you, in the providence of God, being our inmate; will I hope feel no objection to unite with us, particularly now, as you must feel grateful to Him who has preserved your life in the storm." After one of the Bethel meetings in Liver pool, a gentleman present, entered into con versation with the captain of a vessel, which plies regularly between Liverpool and one of the ports in the United States. In the course of it he gave the following account of his pro-As a matter of courtesy,' said the vidential escape from shipwreck. We copy Captain, I answered that I would it from the Notices of the proceedings of the Liverpool Seamen's Friend Society, forward- wait during the religious duties he ened to us by the Meteor.-N. Y. Observer. gaged in, but I candidly confessed "The captain was bound on a voythat I never troubled my head about age from America to England. A few these matters. He looked at me when days previous to his reaching his des- saying this, and sighed: something tined haven, he fell in with a severe within me felt that sigh: the good man and destructive storm, and although read from the Scriptures, and on closdeath and destruction, stood before ing the book, the whole establishment him yet he felt unmoved, and fearless- bowed down on their knees; observly dared the worst, for his heart was ing all upon their knees but myself, I as hard as the rocks he was aphad some conflict within me, whether proaching. The vessel, after receiv- I should kneel or keep my seat; howing considerable damage, was driven ever I followed the example before upón a reef of rocks on the northern me, and knelt down. The farmer becoast of Scotland; himself and most gan in the most solemn and fervent of his crew reached the shore in a manner, to return thanks to the God boat: he saved his papers and some of providence for the blessings of the clothes: it was in the afternoon of the past day; he then implored the parday; the coast was very rocky and don of all their sins, &c.; this I condesolate, and he had to walk a consid-sidered very well: he did not stop erable distance before he came to a here: after particularizing his family, dwelling: this was a large farm house: he, in the most affectionate language he entered, and related his misfor- and manner, offered up his suptune and situation: the kind host and plications for the poor mariner, his wife made every arrangement for who had sought shelter under his his accommodation, until he could roof. Having, from previous conforward a letter, and receive a return versation, discovered I was a poor from his agent or consignee. Not- dark and ignorant sinner, he spread withstanding he was much exhausted my case before the throne of God, with fatigue and anxiety, he was in- and appeared to know the secrets of duced, by the kind attention of these my heart better than I knew them myfriends and their intelligent conver-self; in short, he prayed most heartily sation, to sit and converse the evening away; after a plain but welcome repast, preparations were made for all hands to retire to rest, when on a sig-fects of the storm. When we arose nal given, the domestics entered the from our knees I looked at the man room: the worthy farmer, turning to with astonishment, wondering what me said, 'Captain, I invariably make could induce him to pray so ferventit my custom, before retiring to sleep, ly for a stranger, or by what means he to call my domestics and family a- became acquainted with my sinful haround, read to them a chapter froin bits of life. I retired to the neat litthe Old or New Testament, and bendtle room they had fitted up for me to and sincerely for my poor soul's salvation, and most feelingly thanked God for my preservation from the ef Africans rescued from a Slave-ship, in Baltimore. 37 give some vent to the crowd of thought into the harbor of Baltimore, which, which harrassed my spirits. I walked from various circumstances, was fore and aft: the consideration of the thought to have negroes unlawfully farmer praying with so much fervency detained on board. So strong was for me, and thanking God for my res-the ground of suspicion, that a few incue from death during the storm, for- dividuals took on themselves the rescibly affected my mind; I began to see ponsibility of searching the vessel, and that sin was of more consequence, aw- they found concealed eleven negroes, fully so, than I before was sensible of, who were foreigners, incapable of particularly the sin of ingratitude. speaking or understanding the EngWhile ruminating upon these matters lish language. A prosecution was acI observed a book lying upon a small cordingly entered against the captain, dressing table: my spirits being great- as being concerned in the slave trade; ly agitated, I opened the book, with but as he affirmed, that the negroes a view of reading to compose myself were his own property, lawfully acfor sleep, it was a Bible; on reading quired, and no proof to the contrary I came to these words, from Jeremiah; could be adduced, he was acquitted. "It is of the Lord's mercies that we The law demands, that in all doubtful are not consumed, because his com- claims to the property of slaves, the passions fail not."-These words labor of proof shall rest on the claimwere the singular expression the far-ant, and as the captain could produce mer used in his prayer, which more no such proof, the negroes were detainthan other struck me with ingra- ed by the court, although he was perany titude. I read on, and forgot the fa-mitted to escape. Through the hutigue of my body until my light expir-manity of some of the active members ed: I then threw myself on the bed, of the Colonization Society, these neand for the first time in my life heav- groes were provided for, by being dised a penitential sigh. The Lord was tributed among several families in pleased by his Spirit to show me I was the neighborhood of Baltimore, to rea great sinner; I sought for mercy, main till they should learn the lanand the Lord heard my supplications. guage, and be able to express their -I continued a few days with this af- wishes in regard to their future destifectionate family, and when I left my nation. hospitable and christian host, I could bear testimony to the truth of the promises of God in Christ Jesus, having his spirit, whereby we cry Abba, Father. "For God who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sin, hath quickened us together with Christ;" "By grace we are saved." INTERESTING ACCOUNT OF ELEVEN AF- SHIP, IN BALTIMORE. The following account will be read with interest by the friends of humanity. It is taken from the North American Review for Jan. Fortunately, about this time, a young African by the name of Wilkinson, a native of the Susoo country on the Rio Pongas, arrived in Baltimore. Some years ago a chief of the Susoos intrusted two of his sons to vessel trading in the Rio Pongas, who the care of the captain of a French promised to take them to the West Indies, have them educated, and return them at the end of four years. When the stipulated time had gone by, and nothing was heard of the boys, Wilkinson was despatched to the West Indies to search them out. He succeeded in finding them, but had the mortification to learn, that the Several months ago, a vessel came treacherous captain had not been true 38 Africans rescued from a Slave-ship. to his word; he had deserted the boys, and they were turned over to work with the slaves. Wilkinson recovered them, however, without difficulty, sent them to their father, and came himself to Baltimore to take passage home in the colonization packet. He had already been in England, and spoke our language with fluency. present, and took an account of the proceedings in writing. The general question was put to them severally, whether they wished to remain in this country as freemen, or be sent to Mesurado, and thence, if practicable, to their homes? Dowrey was the first, who was called to answer. He was a chief in his own country, of whom Wilkinson had some knowledge. He replied, 'I wish to go home, I wish to see my father, my wife, and children, I have been at Mesurado, I live but three day's walk from that place.' Barterou answered, Let me go home, I have a wife. I have two children, I live a mornings" walk from Dowrey.' The next person called was Mousah, the son of a highy respectable chief, with whom Wilkinson was personally acquainted. He had been living with general Harper, and when asked if he was not disposed to remain, and be instructed,' and go home hereafter and teach his countrymen, he replied, 'Gen. Harper is a good man, he will give me clothes and food, and be kind to me, but he cannot give me my wife and children.' When the general ques Soon after his arrival he visited some of the recaptured Africans just mentioned, and discovered that they came from the region bordering on his own country, and spoke a dialect, which he well understood, although it was not his native Susoo tongue. They were overjoyed at seeing a person with whom they could converse, but were incredulous when he told them, that they were free, and might return home if they chose. They said he was deceiving them, that they knew they were slaves, and should never again see their native land, their relatives, and friends. So thoroughly were they impressed with the melancholy conviction of being in slavery, that no protestations on his part could make them believe in his entire sincerity. They exclaimed with raptures at the thought of free-tion was put to Cubangerie, he replidom, and of going back to Africa, but would not hope that such a dream could ever be realized. navy ed, Why do you ask me over and over? Do you not know that nothing is so dear as a man's home? I am so re joiced at the thought of returning, that I want words to express my thanks." Mazzey said; 'My mother is living, my father is living, I have two sisters, I shall be grateful to those who send me to my family and friends.' The answer of Fanghah was, I shall be joyful to go home, I have a father, mother, wife, sister, & three children, to meet me in my own country.' Corree said, that all he desired was to be landed in Africa, and The situation of these persons was made known by the Colonization Society to the President of the United States, who said, that if proper certificates were given of their desire to return, the government would pay the expense of transportation. The agent at Baltimore was ordered to have them examined. They were brought together for this purpose, and as the examination could only be carried on through Wilkinson as interpreter, he gave his testimony un-he der oath, We shall speak of this interesting examination nearly in the words of Mr. Coale, Secretary of the Baltimore Auxiliary Society, who was # would soon find his way home. Banhah made nearly the same reply. After these eight persons were examined, they expressed great anxiety to be joined by two of their compan |