CHAPTER XV.

Conference year commencing in 1825-The author and Rev. J. C. Brooke appointed missionaries-Twelve of the largest Indian boys sent to live among the whites-The author's exposure in lying out all night-His dangerous sickness—A good quarterly meeting— Conversion of Scionta, the high priest of the heathen party-Letter of the author-He and Between-the-logs, Mononcue, and others, set out to visit the eastern cities-Voyage to Buffalo-Religious exercises on the canal-Arrival at Schenectady-At Albany-At Newburgh-At New York-They lodge at Dr. Pitt's-Are disturbed with drays and carts passing before day-Mononcue's opinion of sea crabs-They are amused with the curiosities of the city-School of colored children-Museum-Gas lights-The chiefs speak in the congregation-Rev. H. B. Bascom's admirable missionary sermonMissionary meeting-Speech of Between-the-logs-Of MononcueOf Rev. J. P. Durbin-Letter from Bishop Soule-They visit Philadelphia-Occurrences there-Proceed to Baltimore-Received by Bishop Soule and others at the wharf-Lodged at his house-Kindness of his family-Bishop M'Kendree-Great curiosity to see the chiefs-Favorable impression made by their visit-The Baltimore camp meeting-Address of Between-the-logs-He addresses the congregation by signs-Good effects-The Severn camp meetingAnecdote of a German-Visit to Washington-The author and the chiefs return home-Their report to their people-Letter from Sarah B. Sargent-Reflection-Judge Leib's Report to the Secretary of War.

THE Conference, in 1825, appointed the Rev. John C. Brooke and wife, to take charge of the mission, farm, and family; and passed a resolution that twelve of the largest boys should be taken on to the circuits or stations, where provision could be made for them, and sent to school, that they might acquire fully the use of the English language; and that, if any of them should choose to become mechanics, they might have the opportunity.

According to this resolution, I started with them in a

wagon, sometime in December, 1825. The weather was cold; but without any difficulty, I arrived safe with them at Urbana, distant sixty-five miles, mostly through a wilderness. On my return, the weather grew extremely cold, and not being able to reach a house, I was obliged to lie out without any bed-clothes, except a thin quilt, and with very little fire. Here I was very near freezing to death, and it was with the utmost exertion that I saved my life. The next day I reached the mission; but such was the injury I received, that I never afterwards recovered my former state of health. I was taken suddenly ill, and the whole labor fell on my colleague. But God still prospered his own work, and every thing went on encouragingly. Our meetings were well attended, and some of the Pagan party were occasionally converted.

The failure of my health forbade my longer discharging the duties of Indian Sub-Agent. This fact I communicated to Gov. Cass; and in February, 1826, I received the following letter from the Indian office at Washington:

"TO THE REV. JAMES B. FINLEY.

"Department of War, Office of Indian Affairs, “February 6, 1826. "DEAR SIR:-The Secretary of War has learned, with regret, that you are not in good health; and supposing your duties, which have been gratuitously and very satisfactorily rendered, as Sub-Agent, may be oppressive, he has appointed Charles L. Cass to succeed and relieve you from the duties of that office.

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Wishing you a speedy relief from the affliction which has overtaken you, and much health and happiness, I am, reverend sir, your most obedient servant, "THO. L. M'KENNEY."

I had served the government from October 1st, 1824, until February 6th, 1826, about sixteen months. In May following, I received a communication from Gov. Cass, requesting me to take charge of, and conduct the affairs of the sub-agency, during the absence of his brother.

Our second quarterly meeting was held in our new stone church, in the month of April, 1826. At this meeting God poured out his Spirit on the people. Scionta, an old heathen, who was high priest of the heathen party, was converted. This man had served Deunquot, the head chief, in this office, and used to hold his meetings, and deliver long lectures on the Indian religion and traditions. He was a sober and respectable man, and was considered an honor to his profession and party. He had often been convinced of the truth, and much shaken in his heathenish belief; but his pride of character and office deterred him from yielding. At length the truth of the Gospel, conveyed to his heart by the blessed Spirit, was sharper than a two-edged sword. It found way to his soul, and he fell, with many others, to the floor, and called aloud for mercy. He then abjured his heathenism and its practices; saying, that he now would take Jesus Christ for his God, and his word for his guide, and follow him as long as he lived. He made an humble confession of his sins, and asked all to pray for him. This we all did heartily. The conversion of this man made a great stir in the heathen ranks, and brought many of them out to see what was done, and what was doing.

On the Sabbath evening we held our love feast; which was a time long to be remembered. The power of God filled the whole house, and many were struck down to the floor like Saul of Tarsus, and cried for mercy. Many

of them experienced the pardon of their sins; and among them was Scionta, the high priest. He shouted and praised God for redeeming grace and dying love; which convinced others that there was a divine reality in the work.

This man has been a pious, devoted saint ever since. I do not believe there has been one hour from that time to this, that he has not enjoyed the love and presence of God in his soul. I saw and worshiped with him in June, 1837, which was eleven years after his conversion; and he told me he was deeply afflicted in body, but his soul was still filled with the love of God, and that he expected soon to mount up on high, to see Jesus, and rest with him for ever.

God owned that house, and there gave peace to all who truly called upon him. Thirteen professed religion at this meeting, and joined the Church. The meeting lasted all night. Brother Brooke made an attempt, after midnight, to dismiss the meeting, but it could not be easily done. The holy fire was now kindled afresh in the hearts of many of the members.

The next morning sister Hicks, the wife of one of our chiefs, while preparing breakfast for those friends who had lodged with them during the quarterly meeting, was so filled with the love of God, that she broke out into raptures of praise, and the rest caught the flame. The work commenced in the old class house; and, with but little intermission, lasted all day.

I insert the following extract of a letter dated Upper Sandusky, April 21, 1826, which I wrote for the Magazine, and which was published in 1826, vol. ix, p. 275:

"For the encouragement of your most useful and benevolent society, I give the following brief account of

the progress and present state of the work of God among this people, taken from our Church records. In January, 1821, the first class was formed. Since that time two hundred and ninety-two have been received on trial, two hundred and fifty of whom now remain on our class papers-sixteen have died, I trust, in the Lord, and twentysix have been expelled, discontinued, and have moved away. The two hundred and fifty now in the Church are divided into ten classes, each having a leader of its own. There are four licensed exhorters, godly and zealous men, moving regularly in a circuit among their brethren, and doing much good. They all manifest a disposition to improve in the arts of civilized life; and as religion increases among them, so does industry, cleanliness, and all the fruits of good living. There are on our school list the names of sixty-five children, most of whom are now regular attendants, and are doing well-learning the English language, and other useful knowledge. Indeed, I have no doubt, if these people are not disturb→ ed by factions, but are left to pursue the course they have begun, 'the whole lump will be leavened.' Their improvement, in every respect, is very great."

This spring I received a letter from brother Bangs, of New York, inviting me, with two of the chiefs and an interpreter, to visit the eastern cities, and attend the anniversary of the Missionary Society. At first, such was the state of my health, that I doubted whether I should be able to perform such a journey. I consulted my friends, and we concluded that it might be beneficial both to my health and that of Between-the-logs, who was laboring under a pulmonary affection. After making it a matter of prayer, and it being considered advan