you will seek comfort; and if it be, I am sure you will never be solitary nor low spirited, however much you may be left destitute of earthly friends and comforters.

Preparations for a Bear-Hunt. December 21.-I received your let ter last week, and was much gratified with the self-denial and submission you seemed willing to exercise, rather than interfere with any arrangement that to me might appear to be duty in lengthening the time of my absence. I have determined to start to-morrow morning with the Indians on a bear-hunt, for twenty or thirty days. They went through with their ceremony this evening, to secure a successful hunt. They first chanted their monody, which they say is the same as our praying. And then, taking some of the food which was prepared for the feast, they cast a part of it into the fire, and placed other parts around the fire at the four cardinal points. They seem to make every thing which their appetites crave useful in their devotions. Thus when they smoke, they often speak of the Great Spirit as delighting to have them do it, and as being, in consequence of their doing it, more likely to give them success in all their expeditions. It is their common and almost universal practice, when they take their pipes to smoke, to say "Nannehu nannehu, wah hun dah, woh chus tuh, koom bra, pawnee tzeh, koom bra;" viz. they want to have God take notice that they are about to smoke, and they desire him to grant their wish to find game, or kill the Pawnees. At such times they generally breathe forth their prevailing wishes or desires; sometimes for the health and welfare of their families, and at other times that they may steal and kill. Their example, in this particular, however carnal may be their religion, or to whomsoever their prayers may be addressed, may well

put professed Christians to the blush, and lead them to inquire whether they,with all their advantages, cherish as high a sense of dependence on a supreme power for all the good they enjoy, and whether they acknowledge it as often as these poor degraded heathen. In all their disappointments, and in all their objects of pursuit, their cries or their songs are raised for relief and success, perhaps "to an unknown God," who has not yet been declared unto them.

Sometimes I almost feel the full force of your suggestion" the impossibility of learning this language." Although I hope I am making some advances, yet the difficulties seem not in the least to be diminished; for no sooner have I surmounted one, than another starts up in its place; and methinks the perseverance and the prayers of an Elliott are only equal to the work. It caused a big tear to steal down my cheek when Br. Requa told me how constantly, in the family prayers at Harmony, I was had in remembrance. I am truly unworthy of them. Yet who can tell but through these prayers I shall be preserved, and helped to the accomplishment of this arduous task? I may be much slower in this work than others, or slower than the Family or the Board may have expected, but I feel a desire to muster and put in requisition for this object all the energies both of my body and mind. Brother Chapman went home to-day, and I shall of course be alone with the Indians on the hunt. May the Lord be my company and my defence.

Unpropitious commencement of the hunting expedition.

Sabbath morning, Dec. 22.-We started yesterday morning about noon, for the Bear hunt, in the midst of a heavy fall of hail and rain, which continued through the day and some part of the night. I might draw a picture of our last night's situation, appalling

to those who never saw or experienced such things, without any high colouring of the truth. But I will only say, that, as the ground was covered with ice, to make fire and provide a comparatively comfortable place for sleeping, was a work of no easy attainment. Still with one blanket spread over me to keep off the hail and rain, and two to sleep in, I should have had a tolerable night's rest, had it not been for the dogs, who contended for their share of the fire and blankets with a zeal not to be controlled. They were continually walking over me, or lying upon me, and no whipping would drive them from their purpose. The young men are gone out to hunt this morning, and are to return back, as they told me, to this place. I cannot therefore, but hope, that, as the weather is yet stormy, they will not move forward to-day, but remain in camp, that it may seem to me a little more like a sabbath.

Monday, Dec. 23.-According to my wishes, the Indians remained in camp all day yesterday, and indeed they could not well do otherwise, the weather was so stormy. The way was, therefore, prepared for me the better to improve my sabbath. Wild turkeys, together with a little corn, is our principal food. This morning we are about to go forward again, and shall probably advance eight or ten miles as we did on Saturday, and then encamp. I will say nothing at present of this mode of living, and this exposure to the weather, destitute of every thing that might be called comforts, only that I endure it with much more ease, than I expected, and cannot but hope that whatever I may sacrifice from a sense of duty, will be more than made up to me in the enjoyment of my own mind.

Tuesday, Dec. 24.-Still in camp at the place where we stopped on Saturday. While any thing can be

found to eat, the Indians seem in no great haste to go forward. One place is as much their home as another. They did not find their horses yesterday till late, and I should not be surprised if the same thing take place again to-day, for the poor creatures at this time wander far about to get something to eat-every thing being so frozen and covered with hail and ice. The sun appeared a little yesterday, but the sky is now again overcast, and appearances indicate a long storm of snow. I should be much rejoiced to see and feel more comfortable weather, not only that the poor Indians may have a prosperous hunt, but that no evil surmizing from the bad state of the weather might arise on my account.

Day of Thanksgiving.

Wednesday, Dec. 25-I am well aware, my Dear, that this is the day set apart by both Mission families to be observed as a day of Thanksgiving. And no doubt were I present at either place, it would be more pleasant to us all; but especially were I present with you and my little Harriet, mine would be a feast of fat things. Even now a tear of gratitude starts into my eye, by the mere imagination of what I might enjoy in such a case.

But I feel by no means unpleasantly on account of this deprivation. And for this I ought to be thankful, as well as for health and strength which enable me literally to live an Indian life with as much mental contentment and peace as I have ever found before. My house every night is simply the canopy of heaven, my bed, two or three blankets, and my food, boiled meat without bread, excepting once in a day or two we have a little boiled corn. We encamped here last evening a little before sunset. This morning, we start again to go I know not where.

TOUR OF THE REV. MR. BUTRICK.

[From the Missionary Herald.] During the last winter, Mr. Butrick penetrated further into the northeast parts of the Cherokee nation, than he had ever been before. We shall now give several extracts from the Journal, which he kept during this tour, in which there are some interesting descriptions of the country and its inhabitants.

Tuesday, Feb. 4, 1823. Left Taloney in company with brother Thomas Bassel, interpreter, and brother David Sanders, who is our guide to Mountain Town, where we have an appointment for meeting. Rode over a mountainous region fifteen or twenty miles, and called at the Rabbit's. He is the head chief of Mountain Town and brother to the Creek interpreter. He received us with peculiar kindness and attention. Spent the evening in singing Cherokee hymns, conversing on the great concerns of religion, &c. Brother Thomas prayed in his own language. A number of the neighbours came, and spent the evening with us. The chief thinks they would all believe, if they could have the Gospel explained to their understanding.

At Ta-go-i, where Thomas had many relatives, they spent two or three days. During this time, they had much pleasing intercourse with the people.

The following incident is related.

Sabbath, 9. The chiefs desired me to read a letter from Mr. Hicks relative to their land. I took the opportunity of explaining the nature and design of the Holy Sabbath, and requested them to wait till evening, which they agreed to do. Brother Thomas, when speaking of the Sabbath, told them, that Christians dressed in clean clothes on that day. The old chief, (he is VOL. V.

probably eighty or ninety years old) replied that he would dress himself. He accordingly went out and soon returned with a clean white hunting frock, a hat with a large silver band round it,-wide silver bands round his arms, a large silver crescent in his bosom, and below it a silver medal, given him by the President, &c. saluting us as a chief from a great distance.

Monday, 10. The Rising Fawn and our guide from Board Town came. The Rising Fawn is a principal chief in this part of the country, and a distinguished speaker in the national council. He seems determined to follow the directions of the Bible. He wished me to state some time when we would come again, promising to accompany us from Turnip Town. In this place are many inhabitants, full Cherokees; and none, that I know of, able to speak or understand English. O will the Lord remember them, and by some means bring them to a knowledge of his great salvation. After breakfast, in company with brother Thomas's uncle, and our friend from Board Town, we set out for the mission station in the Valley Towns, where we arrived a little after dark, having passed through a most mountainous region. A little before sunset, being surrounding country; the sublimity, the on high land, we had a clear view of the grandeur, the beauty of the scene I can never express. Before, behind, and on either side, were mountains above mountains, peak above peak, rising almost to the clouds.

The mission here mentioned is under the care of the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions; and by the members of it Mr. B. was received with great kindness and cordiality. At their request he visited the schools, and both he and Thomas Bassel addressed the pupils. Messrs. Roberts and Jones are the mis

sionaries. They advised Mr. Butrick to proceed still further toward the northeast, for the purpose of visiting some secluded villages, and requested one of their pupils to go as a companion and guide. The youth cheerfully consented. His name was Soti. The first day the travellers went about twenty miles to Long Town, where they staid over night. The following is an account of their next day's journey.

Tuesday, 18. Soon in the morning we set off for Otter Town where Soti's father lives. We left an appointment, however, to be here again on Thursday. We soon began to ascend a most difficult mountain. We were about two hours ascending it, and much of the time were climbing a very steep ascent. Sometimes to get round a peak on the ridge, we were obliged to go on the side, where it seemed impossible for a horse to stand. I found it enough for me to take care of myself, and committed the little pony to the care of Soti. I went forward with trembling steps, sometimes crawling on my hands and feet, afraid to look to the right-hand or to the left, or think much of our situation. When I looked forward I was alarmed again and again, by mountains above mountains rising to an astonishing height, which we had still to pass over. thought of going back, but the text for the day came to my mind, viz: "Thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee; and whatsoever I command thee, thou shalt speak." And further I thought it impossible for the horses to turn about where we then were. At last the Lord brought us in safety, and with joy, to the top of the mountain. Here I had anticipated the pleasure of finding a little resting place, to view the surrounding region, which I had not ventured to do by the way, lest the extraordinary height, and the dismal steeps, frequently on both sides, should render me incapable of ascending the peaks still before me; but on the top, found no rest for the soles of my feet. I durst not stop to take a fair survey of the country.

We therefore hastened our way down through the snow, perhaps a foot deep, though at the bottom on the south side the ground was warm and dry; and, in about three hours from the time we first came to the mountain, through the kindness of God we found ourselves safe at the bottom, in a region where the Gospel had doubtless been for ever unknown.

We called on the chief, and proposed a meeting. He appointed it to-morrow about noon at the council house. We then rode about six miles to Soti's father's, having travelled about twenty miles. Some of the neighbours came and spent the evening with

us.

We improved the time in singing,

prayer, and conversation on the great doctrines of religion.

Wednesday, 19. Spent the morning in conversation with Soti's father, a very old man. After breakfast we all kneeled before our common Lord, to implore his blessing, and then set off for the council house about six miles distant. The road being bad, and our horses fatigued, we concluded to walk, being accompanied by our dear Cherokee friends. About fifty men, besides some women and children, assembled. After prayer and singing, brother Thomas gave them a short account of the Christians at the north, their method of raising money, making clothes, &c. for the support of schools, &c. He also stated the contents of a letter from Mr. Hicks. After this I spoke of the Bible, as being the only light to guide us in safety through this world. I dwelt particularly on the way of salvation, pointed out in the Bible, through our divine Lord and Saviour.

I told them of his coming into the world, his character, miracles, sufferings, death, resurrection, ascension, invitation to sinners, &c. and of his ability and willingness to save all who come to him. After this we sung, and prayed, and took our leave of the they wished to know when we would come assembly. Before we left them, however, again, stating that they needed some one to tell them often of these great truths, and expressed much gratitude for our present visit. We returned to Soti's father's, and spent the evening in conversation, singing, &c. We attended prayer as usual, but Soti, who appears really serious, and inquiring after God, wished us to pray again. O how dear these poor people seemed to me. I often wept at the thought of leaving them

exposed to all the wiles of Satan, with no one to guide them to the fold of Jesus.

This town lies near the line of North Carolina; is almost entirely surrounded by mountains; contains from one to two hundred families, and but one individual, that breakfast, and after commending this dear I know of, able to speak English. After family and people to God by prayer, we set off for Long Town. We returned a different way from that we came, in order to visit J. Arch's friends, and also to cross the mountain at a place where it is not so high, though steeper for a short distance. About 10 o'clock we arrived at brother J. Arch's mother's, where we found his brother, uncles, sisters, &c. assembled to meet us according to previous arrangement. Here we had a precious interview with these dear people; and after dinner, having spent about two hours with them, we set out for Long Town. The mountain, and the path generally, were

very bad, so that we did not arrive at the place where we had appointed a meeting, until near sunset. Many of the people had returned home. The chiefs and a few others were yet waiting. I told the chiefs I would meet them the next morning. Some of the people, however, thought the meeting was to be that night; and a numerous assembly met at the council house, and about 9 o'clock sent for me. I told them, that by an arrangement with the chiefs, I was to meet them the next morning. Brother Thomas and Soti went with them, and spent a good part of the night in talking, &c.

In the morning before sunrise, they sent again for me to come. I accordingly went, and found perhaps 200 people assembled, and fifteen or twenty young women or girls engaged in a dance. Their appearance was neat, their dress good; but what a difference would religion make, in all their feelings

and behaviour. Soon their music ceased and all was still.

After singing and prayer, I spoke to them in substance, nearly as yesterday, at Otter Town. They heard with the utmost attention; and were endeared to me more and more. After an address of perhaps an hour and a half, and commending them again to God, we took an affectionate leave. The men and boys, and many of the women and girls, came and shook hands with us: after which the old chief, with a distinguishing dress and appearance, arose and spoke at some length, thanking us for our kindness in visiting them. He then shook hands, and thus we took our leave of this dear people.

Friday, 21.-Rode down the river ten or twelve miles to Tellico; called on the chief and proposed a meeting. He appointed this evening at the council house, and immediately sent messengers to give information. About dark we went to the place appointed. The people continued coming, till after 9 o'clock. We then commenced meeting, having, I should judge, near 200 hearers. As they were ignorant of the first principles of religion, I thought best to go over nearly the same ground as in Otter and Long Towns. They seemed attentive to all I said. Our meeting continued about an hour and a half. We then took leave a little before 11 o'clock, and returned to the chief's.

Saturday, 22.-Soon in the morning returned to our dear brethren in the mission. During this tour I have seen hundreds of Indians, and but two who could talk English; and those were partly educated in white families. Spent the afternoon and evening with our Christian friends and the children of the schools.

The following description of eligible places for the establishment of local schools was drawn by Mr. Butrick, in the course of the year past, after a better acquaintance with all parts of the Cherokee country, than any other of the missionaries has been able to gain.

As I was riding from High-tower to Taloney, I reflected on the most suitable places for local schools.

My feelings would lead me to place Tsi-yo-he, or Otter Town, first. This town is about 100 miles N. E. from Taloney; joining North Carolina. It is fenced in by almost impassable mountains; but contains a beautiful tract of land, sufficient to support a great number of inhabitants. It contains, I think, between one and two hundred families. These dear people, in general full Cherokees, and ignorant of the English language, are in a very destitute and affecting situation. Their white neighbours, in North-Carolina,

are hostile to them. And further, the old chief expressed a public and earnest desire to have some one teach them constantly the great things of religion. This town is thirty or forty miles N. E. from the Baptist mission. Almost all the relatives of our dear brother John Arch live in that place. One or two large towns over the moun tain might also be benefited by the instruction.

2. Ta-go-i, twenty-five or thirty miles this side of the Baptist Mission, and about forty miles N. E. from Taloney. Here are two large towns, Ta-go-i, and Hemptown, so situated that both might be accommodated by one school. These poor people are in a miserable situation. They have no blacksmith nearer, I believe, than Taloney, or the Baptist Mission; unless the settlements in Georgia may be a little nearer. A poor man, while, we were there, broke his axe, and went with us on foot to the Baptist mission to get it mended. This town lies on a most beautiful river of the same name; but called Amoyi after it passes through the mountain to its junction with the Hiwassee, a little above the Agency. This, I think, is about the darkest part of the Cherokee nation.

3. Turnip-Mine-Town, about eighteen miles N. E. from Taloney. Within a short distance of this town, are several others, which might all be benefited by a school and religious instruction here.

4. Pinelog, about half way between Taloney and High-tower. This town, on a creek of the same name, contains many inhabitants, and a beautiful tract of land.

5. Beaver-dam, ten or twelve miles from Turnip Mountain, south of the Coosa river; or Cedar Creek town, twelve miles south of Beaver-dam. This fast-mentioned