was in April last, but I was prevented by unavoidable circumstances from entering on the business until after the 20th of August. Since that time I have been almost continually interrupted by sickness. The three summers that I have spent in this country, I have been so severely afflicted with the fever, that my constitution seems to be considerably impaired. My last attack was on the great prairie about seventy or eighty miles from inhabitants, where I lay several days exposed most of the time to the scorching sun or drenching rains. Since, the principal relief from distress and weakness has been derived from travelling. My progress thus far in the language, has been necessarily very slow. My prospects of future health and consequent progress in study are dark, especially if I do not recover my usual tone of stomach before the debilitating beat of summer shall arrive. But the reflection that we are in the hands of God, affords abundant consolation and support under trials. His grace is sufficient for us, and his strength will be made perfect in our weakness. I hope that I may be willing to wait patiently and faithfully all the days of my appointed time, until my change come, and then be enabled to rejoice in the event.

The difficulties attendant on the study of the Osage language to such an extent as to be qualified to preach in that tongue, are many and great. There are no adequate interpreters; the most skilful are ignorant of it, except so far as relates to trade and common domestic business. Nothing, or very little, that relates to their devotion or superstitious notions and practices is understood by the interpreters, or even by most of the chiefs, warriors, and common people. This knowledge is confined to two or three old men in each village. These preserve and communi. cate part of their doctrines of religion, and traditions from time to time to those who can pay sums proportioned to the

importance of their lessons, after they have performed such a number of exploits as will entitle them to this privilege. The language which the interpreters have acquired is generally such as is used by women and the most degraded of the community with whom they have associated, and theirs is a different dialect from that which is used by the majority, and the most respectable part of the nation. I have never been able by the help of an interpreter to communicate divine instruction. The following is a literal translation of the Osage words used in translating a sentence or two of the Lord's prayer, given as a specimen of the barrenness of the Osage language, viz. “thy kingdom come," "all mankind, thou shalt govern for ever," "forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors," "we are bad, hurt us not as other bad men we hurl not." We could find no other Osage words to come nearer to the true sense, than those, the translation of which is here given. They appear scarcely to have any idea of right and wrong in itself considered; but instead of regarding the moral character of actions, they value only the pleasure or displeasure of those concerned. They cannot therefore be expected to have words by which to communicate moral sentiments. We have been able to discover but one conjunction, no article, no participle, and very few prepositions or adverbs. To translate an English verb, participle, noun and adjective of similar radical meaning, the same Osage word is very frequently used, and the difference of signification distinguished by a peculiar motion of the hand, or fea tures, or by a difference of connexion. More particular statements will be given in future, concerning this subject, if it should be thought expedient; but at present, I would only add, that although the language is so remarkable for its poverty, yet in the grandeur of most of its sounds, I think it is not surpassed even by the Greek. By the grace of

God all the difficulties experienced in the study of it may be overcome. We have no reason to be discouraged so long as we faithfully follow the steps of our Divine Master; although the present distracted state of the nation covers our prospects with an awful gloom. Even since we have been in this country, war has effectually prevented our usefulness, while each successive opening scene is still more awfully dark and gloomy. There is no prospect of peace at present, the enmity of the Cherokees is fixed. Nothing short of every drop of Osage blood will satisfy them. But if peace can be brought about, it will not probably last a year, while they are allowed to fight each other.

What then shall we do? Shall we continue to incur expense without effecting any benefit to the Indians. The work is a glorious and delightful one, but it cannot be pursued in this nation in time of war. Peace cannot be secured between these nations by the present system. But we have this consolation yet left, "the Lord reigneth." We are likewise comforted by the reflection that Christians are praying for us, as well as using every effort for the benefit of the Indians. They cannot be too much in earnest. Satan's legions both fight and tremble, but we have not yet been devoured by the prowling monsters, because the arm of our God is omnipotent.

GREAT OSAGE MISSION, Mrs. Sprague to a Friend in this City. March 18, 1822.

When I bring to mind the time that we spent in your family, I can scarcely refrain from tears. Those pleasant hours can never be recalled. But I do not wish them back; nor would I murmur. Although in a savage wilderness, secluded from society, which I once enjoyed, my mind is at ease; and, wishing cheerfully to obey my Master's call, and to fill up my time

with usefulness, I am contented and happy.

The Family enjoy a tolerable degree of health; but it is not the health we enjoyed before our sickness. We are not so strong and rugged as formerly; nor have we reason to expect it immediately, as the fever and ague generally leaves a person in a weak state for some time. I hope we may ever be resigned to the dispensations of God, whether merciful or afflictive, knowing that he does all things well.

The Indians continue to treat us with respect and attention. We are favoured with eighteen of their children at School, who are attentive to their books, and appear to learn with facility. While we are teaching them the arts of civilized life, and the things relating to their temporal welfare, we hope that we may not forget how much more important it is to point them to Christ, "the way, the truth, and the life." We hope that our time may be employed to the best advantage; and that we may not be deficient in the discharge of our duty. It is an animating thought, that Christians, in every part of our country, are engaged at the throne of grace for this Mission, and the heathen, to whom we are sent.

Since our arrival here, we have followed an Indian woman to the grave. We were accompanied by three of the natives only, who were to commit the sleeping dust to its mother earth. The corpse was conveyed on a sled, drawn by a yoke of oxen.

The face of the woman, after her death, was painted, according to the custom of her nation, with red and a dark muddy colour. The object of this ceremony is to tell her the right road to the eternal world, and to introduce her among the same tribe to which she belonged on earth! Do not this people need to be taught "the truth as it is in Jesus ;" and may we not do much good, if God shall bless the means. He is

pleased, many times, to make use of the weakest instruments; and we, although of ourselves we are nothing, may say with Paul, "we can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth us."

Mr. Newton to his friend-Jan. 20, 1822.

After my repeated declarations of the cold of this country, you will probably think it strange that we are now ploughing in the middle of January. There is something in the soil as well as the atmosphere of this country unlike what you can see and feel in Connecticut. The earth is now frozen from 12 to 14 inches in depth, yet it is thawed for three or four inches on the surface, so true and dry that we have ploughed with convenience and precision. We need, however, as much, or even more wool, to shield us from the cold by day and by night, than is needed in Connecticut. This is a fact which I wish all benevolent associations who furnish Western Missionaries with clothing would remember. Notwithstanding the cold has been so severe, we have not fed our cows and young cattle this winter; yet they are in much better condition than the cattle in the Eastern States when daily fed.

Jan. 26.-Our ploughing has been stopt for three days. Winter with his chilling powers again binds the earth in frosty chains.

We can purchase turkeys, sufficient for a dinner for our whole family of 60 persons for seventy-five cents; Prairie Fowls, for one dollar; and Venison for sixty-two cents. These articles are purchased of the Indians, and at the prices they ask.

As respects our past sickness, none have escaped. We do not attribute it to the climate, but to the repeated floods, perhaps without a parallel, of the past season. But why mention past sickness. Health now predominates, cheerfulness assumes her sway, contentment rules,

and Missionary perseverance is felt by all. In our numerous family of sixty members, all are able to receive their regular meals in the common` dining room except two, and these are not very seriously indisposed.

The School calls for our gratitude That we should be permitted to open an Indian School, so soon after our severe affliction, demands indeed special praise to a kind Providence.

Twelve Indian Youth formally committed into our hands for education and adoption! This is wonderful in our view, after witnessing the utter ignorance of the Osages relative to our objects in coming among them. They could not for a long time credit our declaration that we had come to do them good, without the expectation or intention of receiving any compensation for our trouble. They are, as you may well suppose, total strangers to Chris. tian benevolence.

JOURNAL OF THE MISSION. [Continued from page 406.] Thursday, Aug. 9th-This morning Brothers Newton and Bright took their departure for the Missouri to purchase horses, oxen, and cows. To-day we plant potatoes.

Arrival of Indian Chiefs. Saturday, Aug. 11th.-After labouring until towards night we returned to our boats, where we found the Chiefs of the Osages assembled together, with near seventy of their people, anxious to attend immediately to the business of our establishment. But as the night was coming on, and the Sabbath approaching, we gave them to understand that they must wait until Monday; for we professed to regard the Sabbath as holy time, and we could not attend to any worldly business on that day. They then stated that they could stay until Monday, but that they were destitute of provisions. We then turned them out provisions for their support. This was

an interesting season for our family, to see these tawny sons of the forest approaching in their warlike attitude, and seating themselves at their fires within a few yards of our boats.

Lord's Day, Aug. 12th.-This morning the Indians thought of moving up the River a few miles near our proposed station, as we had agreed to hold our council at that place; but we invited them to remain with us through the Sabbath, to which they very readily agreed. We went on shore, and held public worship among the Indians; and although they could not understand our speech, yet they could form some idea of the propriety of our worship. Brother Pixley preached in the morning, and Brother Dodge in the afternoon.

After our exercises were through, we brought our children out to attend to our Sabbath School lessons in the presence of the Indians. May a blessing attend the performance of this day. Had a talk this evening with the big soldier. He asked us how long we expected to remain with them. We replied, "C as long as we live." He said, he now saw us we are men, and had the appearance of good men; but he wanted to see us next year, and the year after, and in about three years he could judge better whether we were good men. He said that when he was off on his bunt after Buffaloes, he heard that the Missionaries were coming to them, and on his return he met a man who told him that the Missionaries had come, but, said he, they have bad hearts, but he was now convinced, as far as he had become acquainted, that what that man had told him was false. We tried to turn his attention to the education of his children, but to this he had many objections, yet he thought it full likely he should be one of the first to send children to school when we are ready to receive them. Things seem to wear as favourable an aspect among this people as we could reasonably expect. May God direct us in the path of duty,

Indian Council.

Monday, Aug. 13th.-After breakfast we assembled our family, old and young, on the deck of our boats, and the Indian Chiefs came on board, and in token of friendship shook hands with the whole. We then immediately repaired to the spot in which we propose to erect our establishment, in order to hold our council. Previously to entering on business, we invoked the gracious benedic→ tion of heaven to rest upon us in our deliberations. After reading all the papers necessary from the Missionary Society, and from the General Government, and expressed something with regard to our site, the Chiefs expressed perfect satisfaction, and pointed out the bounds of a certain tract of land for our accommodation. On this tract we have the best mill-seat without doubt in this part of the country; a large quantity of excellent timber; several creeks of water; quantities of limestone and coal, and a great abundance of as good prairie land as we could ask for. This site is bounded south by the main branch of the Osage River, immediately on the bank of which we have a most beautiful spot on which to erect our buildings. In this grant there is perhaps 15000 acres of land. A deed of this is to be given when we can get time to survey it.

Tuesday, August 14.-We now engage in good earnest to prepare, for business, having the spot for our establishment fixed.

We have a fine field before us for making hay. Some of the family employ themselves in that business, and others engage in fixing tents, tools, &c.

Thursday, August 16.-Our boats are 7 or 8 miles down the stream, and cannot at present be moved nearer. We keep three hands constantly employed in running the skiff to fetch up such things as are immediately necessary, and to move up our females, and the feeble part of the family.

Lord's Day, August 19.-To-day we hold public worship at our station, under the shade of some oak-trees. Brothers Dodge and Pixley preached here, and Brother Montgomery at the boats. Several men who are employed at the Government buildings attended with us. Arrival of Messrs. Chapman and Fuller.

Monday, August 20.-We were much gratified this day by the arrival of Brothers Chapman and Fuller, of the Union Mission.

Tuesday, August 21.-This day several of the members of our family, and three of our hired men, are attacked with the ague and fever, and other disorders. We are in the bands of God, and whatever he does will be well.

Saturday, August 25.-This day we finish unlading our boats. It has been a heavy job, as we had to raise our goods up a very steep bank. We have them now secured under shelter. The family have all left the boats, and arrived at the station. We are now all

dwelling in tents. May the God of Israel overshadow us, and cause that our tents may be the tents of Zion, where the Lord God Omnipotent may delight to dwell.

Lord's Day, August 26.-This morning we have the pleasure of hearing the word dispensed by Brother Chapman; and Brother Dodge preached in the afternoon. At the close of the exercises, we were visited by a number of Indians.

Monday, August 27.-The chastisements of the Lord are upon us. Α number of our family are in a state of debility; but, as yet, there is no case very alarming.

Visit from Sans Nerf.

Friday, August 31.-To-day held a talk with Sans Nerf; in which he expressed a wish, that we would aid him in preparing a communication for the Government, requesting that all white men, who have not been suitably autho.

rized, might be kept from trading with his people. Such irregular traders, he observed, are the cause of the young men being so bad. Government, he said, told him that there should be bat one road to the Osage nation; but he found that there were two, that is, one by the Family here, and another on the Arkansas. In reply, he was told, that, although there were two roads, or families; yet they led in one direction. They were sent out by one Society to accomplish one and the same object, which is to do them good as a nation. He was also informed, that, in respect to helping the Chiefs by advice, or any other way, to guard against any depredations of bad traders, we would do all in our power. We held a long talk upon the concerns of his nation, and of our Mission, in which he manifested many things which were very important. After this talk, Sans Nerf, while partaking of some roots and nuts, said, "you see the diet upon which we principally live." He was told to set his blacksmith to work in making ploughshares and hoes against next spring, then to plough and plant the ground, and he would soon have a better living. This evening received a visit from Major Graham, the principal Agent among the Osage Indians.

Saturday, September 1.-Brothers Newton and Bright returned from the Missouri, with a pair of horses, four oxen, and seven cows, with their calves. They have brought with them a number of letters; among which there is one from the Secretary of the Board, bearing date the 8th July, which we received with gladness. Our whole family are now collected together at our station for the first time. Brothers Chapman and Fuller, from the Union Mission, are still with us. Sister Howell is about to leave us; and although we have no Church organized, yet we conclude to hold a communion season at the table of our Lord to-morrow.