has considerably embarrassed us in our business.

On the 15th, Waushingah-lagena, (or beautiful bird,) with his two brothers-in-law, Sesah-monia, and Apesincheb, with their families, came to join the settlement. In taking this step, they, as well as Pau-hunk-sha, have been subjected to the reproaches of some of their degenerate countrymen; but they appear firm. Pauhunk-sha's house having been previously finished, they conclude to defer the erection of theirs, till after their corn, cotton, &c. should be planted. Of the 24 acres which we design, with the Divine aid, to cultivate this season, we have appropriated 6 to ourselves, and the remaining 18 was divided between the five Indian families, including the Interpreter.

The houses are situated in the front of each man's field, on the bank of the river.

The soil is a mellow loam, of the richest quality, and the situation is so nearly in the neighbourhood of several salt licks, that the Indians easily supply themselves with meat, without material interruption to their labours. After measuring off the several lots on the 17th, we began with the Indians, to fell the trees, and clear the land. The women and children unite in labouring on the land this season, as there will not be sufficient domestic business to employ them, until their cotton-crops are gathered. They have laboured with surprising vigour and perseverance. We finished this branch of business on the 26th, and although much labour is requisite to remove the timber, &c. previously to ploughing, yet if we continue to experience the Divine favour, as we have done, we have reason to expect an abundant crop. In addition to the constancy of the Indians in labour, it is pleasing to observe the regularity of their deportment, but especially to see with what interest they listen to the Gospel, which has begun to be

communicated, by means of written sermons and prayers, without the continued interruptions of interpretation. It is also pleasing to notice their observance of the sabbath. We have, for some time previous to our settlement here, preached to the Indians as we have had opportunity, through the Interpreter. But since that time, we have preached regularly, on the sabbath, both in this manner and by previous preparation, and we trust not without effect.

In this we have been greatly assisted by Br. Montgomery, who has more exclusively devoted himself to this business. We trust his reward is in heaven. Our present situation, in connexion with the Indians, affords us much greater facilities, for the study of the language, than we have ever before enjoyed. We are obliged constantly to converse with the Indians concerning their business, and we daily spend a portion of time in translating discourses, prayers, &c. by the help of the Interpreter. In this way we are enabled to canvass words and sentences much more minutely, than we can do in the rapid enumeration of conversation. Thus highly are we favoured and blessed. May the Lord grant us strength and grace, according to our day. But who is sufficient to perform his great work! to bear the vessels of the Lord! God is our strength, our refuge, and defence. Thus much has his arm accomplished, however small it may appear in the world's estimation. Can any one withhold his patronage or his prayers? The Lord's arm is not shortened that he cannot save; neither is his ear heavy that he cannot hear. With strong desires for the prosperity of Zion, of the beloved Board, and your dear family, and our friends in New-York,

JOURNAL FOR FEBRUARY AND MARCH, 1824.

Lord's Day, Feb. 8th.-We have to record an event that has several times happened, and occasionally on the Sabbath; viz. exertion to pre

serve our fields from fire.

Immedi

ately after worship we were called forth to stop a fire which an Indian had just kindled, in the prairie grass, and which was spreading rapidly around a field. It was with difficulty that we saved the fence from destruction, although we continued till night.

Arrival of an Express.

Saturday, Feb. 14.-An express passed here from Missouri to Fort Smith, a week since, and returned today. He brought us several religious papers from the East. Have not fully ascertained the nature of his despatches, but conclude they are from Gen. Atkinson at Council Bluffs, concerning the late aggression committed by the Osages on the Whites. It is a subject of some anxiety what course this event will take.

Interview with Indians.

Lord's Day, Feb. 15.-Discourse concerning the law which the heathen "have written on their hearts," Rom. ii. 15.

Also encouraged in our feeble efforts by the consideration, that we are "labourers together with God," 1 Cor. iii. 8. At noon Br. Vaill spoke to the Indians on the subject of religion by the interpreter. An aged man inquired why we called together the young men and children, as it is common in their councils to speak to the aged. To this it was replied, "The rich and poor," the old and young, "meet together, the Lord is the maker of them all;" that in our assemblies, he saw persons of all ages; that God's word is spoken to all classes; that we desired them to enjoy the same instructions, as we had received, and therefore addressed all classes without distinction. At evening O-kitch-e-wak-ko, usually

called the Blind Chief, arrived on his way to the trading-house, with Cherokee horses, lately stolen, to be exchanged for Osage horses, taken in like manner by the Cherokees. This mischievous practice is still going on. How much do this people need a resident Agent! How much more the gracious agency of the Divine Spirit.

The blind Chief is a sensible Coun

sellor in the Nation, and much respected by all who know him. In conversation, he gave long details of the present inauspicious affairs of the Nation; at the same time he spoke respectfully of our officers. On religion, he was more engaged to give us the doctrines of their Sake-shing-aho, or the traditions of their old men, than to listen to the word of God.

Agricultural Settlement.

This

Tuesday, Feb. 17.-Pau-hunk-sha, a respectable Indian, who has been. of life, and wishing to settle, is for a year contemplating a change now ready to commence the business, and only waits the removal of the brethren to the settlement, to aid him in the new undertaking; therefore, in the regular meeting for business; Resolved, that Brethren Chapman and Wm. C. Requa, with their wives, move to the settlement, as soon as it is convenient. place is about four miles from Union, up the river, on the other side; and to express our hopes of its success, we call it Hopefield. The bottom land in which it is situated, is rich and well adapted to all the purposes of agriculture. Already two log cabins have been erected, one for the brethren, and one for the Interpreter. Pau-hunk-sha has a wife, and four children. His wife is a smart, active women, she has laboured some time in the service of the Mission, while her husband was employed on the farm. Two of the children were for a season members of the School, but were removed through the un

happy influence of the family connexions, while the father lay sick. May the Lord of the harvest bless our efforts, in this settlement, for the best good of the nations; to stop their pursuit of war; to terminate their chase over the desert, in quest of food; to reclaim them from idleness; and to recover them from sin and misery.

Removal of a Branch of the Mission to
Hopefield.

Feb. 19.-Brother and Sister Requa removed to Hopefield. Pauhunk-sha and his family followed with apparent satisfaction in having friends who are willing to assist them. Sister Chapman being too feeble to remove at present, continues with us a little longer, and requires much of Brother Chapman's attention.

Feb. 20.-Br. Chapman went to the settlement, and commenced the first dwelling-house for an Osage, built after the fashion of White people. Brother Montgomery has removed to the settlement to pursue the study of the language with the brethren and Interpreter.

Interview with the Interpreter. Feb. 23.-Had an interesting conversation with our Interpreter. He had it in view to take an Osage woman to live with him; and respectfully inquired whether it would be pleasing to us. We replied, that if he would marry her according to the Institution of God, we should not object to the measure. This being a step he was not prepared to take, he said he would dismiss the subject. But in the course of the day, after several interviews, in which we endeavoured to convince him of the sin of the practice of taking women for a season, and of the propriety of our determination not to have a woman enter the settlement in the way he proposed, he changed his mind, and requested that she might for the present live in Br. Requa's family, and in due time, if he was pleased, he VOL. V. 27

would marry her. To sanction the practice proposed by our Interpreter, would be to sanction one of the greatest sources of corruption to this or any other heathen people.

Various Notices.

Feb. 28.-Sister Fuller, who has been confined by ill health most of the past year, is made the mother of a Son. Her recovery is the object of our sincere desire. She is at present quite comfortable, and we would bless God, for his goodness this day manifested.

Tally's wife, has been here three days on a friendly visit with several of her little daughters. She departed this morning on foot, having lost her horses. When she spoke of her children as too young to walk so far, we reminded her, that if she would leave them, we would take good care of them to which she replied that Tally did not wish to have his daughters learn to read, but had determined on sending two sons in a short time.

:

Concerning the school, we have the pleasure of announcing, that it was never more pleasing than at this time. The children both learn and labour. The prejudice in the minds of the older children against labour is wearing away.

Letter from the Commandant of the
Garrison.

Lord's day, Feb. 29.-In the interval of worship our attention was arrested by the arrival of a letter from our friend Col. Arbuckle, commander at Fort Smith, stating that it had become necessary for him to make a final demand of seven or eight principal leaders in the late party against the Americans. He gave us no information, that was calculated to alarm our minds, and, therefore, as we place much confidence in his friendship, and assurance of seasonable aid in case of a rupture, we rest in quietness. Above all do we trust in that Almighty Being, who has made us to dwell in safety, and has kept us,

March 1.-Every month we find increasing cause for earnest prayer, and we trust the Lord has been in in the midst of us, while we have attempted to call on his name in the Monthly Concert.

Lord's day, 7th March.-"Say unto the cities of Judah; behold your God." Isaiah xi. 7. From these words Br. Montgomery preached a communion discourse, and the mission has once more enjoyed the presence of Israel's God and Redeemer at his table.

March 8.-Brother Chapman removed his wife to Hopefield.

Visit to the Trading-House. March, 15.-Brother Vaill with Br. Montgomery returned from Mr. Chauteau's. The object of their visit was to meet Major Cummings, who came from Fort Smith to demand of the Nation the leaders of the party against the whites. This is designed to be the final demand. None of the Indians were present except Clamore; who replied that he had not been able to collect his people, that most of them were scattered on their hunts, but that he would endeavour to send down the men in fifteen days. That he will be able to do this we considered doubtful. In case, however, of failure, the Major gave us to understand, that no decided measures would be taken till they had received orders from Washington. The above demand was made by the instructions of Gen. Atkinson, in compliance with the last treaty between the Osage Nation and the Government of the United States. The Major had orders to demand the Osages who killed a Cherokee more than a year ago. Accession to the School and to the Indian

Settlement.

March 19.-Br. Vaill with Br. Woodruff returned from the village. Brought home a little son of Tally, the second Chief. Two were offer

come, it was thought best to leave him. This child, we have named according to the instruction of the Domestic Secretary, William M. Phillips. He appears to be between four and five years of age. Br. Palmer rode to Hopefield, to visit the Sisters, who continue out of health. He reports that three other families have come and joined the settlement; and that the Indians are industriously employed in clearing their land,

Lord's day, March 21.-Br. Montgomery, whose time has been much occupied since his residence with us in writing and translating discourses, read a sermon and prayer to the Indians at Hopefield in their native language. The settlers all assembled, and gave good attention to the word preached.

Duty to the Heathen.

Lord's day, March 28.-Discourse to the family from the story of the good Samaritan. This may be considered as enforcing our duty to the Heathen. They are indeed our neighbours, and have fallen into the hands of the great enemy of souls, whọ has robbed them of their peace and happiness, and left them in a wretched condition. Long have Christians, like the priest and Levite, passed by on the other side. But the example of the good Samaritan, and the inthou likewise," when universally "Go and do junction of our Saviour, followed, will spread the heralds of mercy through every land that lieth in darkness.

March 27.-Philip Milledoler, the second of that name, who with his sister was taken away last August, has returned to the School. He is the oldest son of Pau-hunk-sha, the first Osage Settler at Hopefield; a sprightly youth of about twelve years. His sister is expected to return in a short time.

March 30.-Moineh-pershe returned from a long hunt. Although

he was among the first who wished to settle, yet his mind has become a little warped by the influence of his relations, who appear to be afraid of danger in case of a war.

But when we assured him that all the settlers as well as the children would be respected by the Government of the United States, his mind was relieved. He concluded to join the settlement, and immediately commenced making a field.

March 31.-On the whole, notwithstanding the calamities of the nation, the Mission was never in a more prosperous state than at the close of this month. The School increasing. God has smiled on the settlement, and blessed be his name.

GREAT OSAGE MISSION.

EXTRACTS OF LETTERS.

Rev. Messrs. Dodge and Pixley to the Domestic Sec'y-April 13, 1824.

Your kind letter of the 16th of January was received, a few days since, with much satisfaction. We were happy to learn that a blacksmith was coming to our assistance. May the God of Missions protect him on his way, and grant him in due time a safe arrival. We learn, that some supplies from New-York are on the way to our Station. They are probably now at St. Louis, and we expect that an opportunity will present to freight them up the Osage this spring. We have cause of gratitude to the Great Giver of all our blessings, that he is still causing our beloved Board, together with the religious public, to be mindful of our wants, and that he is thus so richly supplying us with food and raiment, notwithstanding our remote distance from all civilized Society.

Circumstances seem to forbid, that we should alter the names of a number of the children committed to our charge. We have, therefore, not been able to meet the desires of our patrons and friends, in giving all the names which have been sent on to children of our School; but we hope, in a short time, to be able to tell you that this has been done.

The Mission Family are in a good state of health, and, we hope, still feel the importance of the work for which they are set apart. O, then, pray for us, that the God of Missions may overshadow us with his love, and prepare us to do and to suffer all his will, and that we may be made the happy instruments of leading this people to his Heavenly kingdom. With fervent prayers for a blessing upon all your efforts, we subscribe ourselves, yours, in the bonds of the Gospel. Journal of Weather for February, 1824.

21

35

37

N.

Cloudy, with sn.

34

27

N.

23 21

33

Clear.

24 34

45 51

Do.

35

;

Cloudy, with sn.

26 24

25 25

Clear.