labors, I have no doubt, will, eventually, be crowned with success. Surely we have reason to take courage from what God has already done for them. Do pray much for the Holy Spirit."

Miss Huntington, with the countenance of several of her Christian friends among whom was the lady addressed in the last letter had also a plan for the benefit of a remnant of the Pequod tribe of Indians.

From the extracts which follow, it appears that she had the satisfaction of seeing an advance of the importance of the Mohegan enterprise in the minds of others. "Your interesting communication was particularly acceptable, and I thank you for commencing the correspondence. In the little interview which we enjoyed, I felt a peculiar sympathy with you, which has been heightened by bearing you upon my heart, as I have since done, before God. You cannot tell how much satisfaction it gives me to reflect, that in that spot, where once I could scarcely find one who would feel with me for the poor Indians, there are now those who love to devise plans for the benefit of that once degraded community. Your plan I highly approve, and shall rejoice to aid in its accomplishment; and I think it will be well to have it put in operation without any delay.

"I have just been perusing, in my closet, the 6th chapter of Galatians, to the 9th verse of which I would refer you and all who labor at Mohegan. Should your plan succeed, I will try to visit you some day when you are assembled. In accomplishing objects of this kind, I have usually found them to succeed better if I undertake them with an expectation of success in my own mind, and an apparent courage in the view of others. Earnestness and confidence go a great way in gaining the coöperation of friends; and when exercised in dependence upon God, and gentleness towards our fellow-beings, is perfectly right. Excuse my liberty in giving advice. I know you were sincere in asking it, and 1 should do wrong in withholding it. I beg your earnest

126

MEMOIR OF MRS. SMITH,

prayers that we may be directed in selecting a child from the Pequods. He will be an interesting object to us, as we hope the Lord will convert and sanctify him as a chosen vessel. Let us pray that we may be so evidently guided in our choice, that the Spirit may whisper to us, Arise and anoint him, for this is he.' And like David, who was taken from the sheep-cote, may he prove a blessing to his nation."

It is proper here to remark that Miss Huntington's interest in this object knew no decrease, in the midst of her foreign missionary labors. Writing from Syria, to her first associate in labors among the Mohegans, she says

"Miss Williams and I often talk of Mohegan; and we have received many interesting letters from Mr. Gleason. I shall not forget the scenes in old Lucy's kitchen, and beneath the hay-stack, in which you and I mingled. I trust we shall talk of them in heaven."

It may gratify the reader to know the present state of this little mission. The following extract of a letter re cently received from Rev. Anson Gleason, the pastor and teacher stationed at Mohegan, answers inquiry on this point After giving an account of the organization of the church, he observes "Since then, from time to time, others have been hopefully converted and united to our little fold; till upwards of forty have been enrolled — thirteen of whom are natives, three males and ten females. One native female has been excommunicated; two have departed this life in peace; two white sisters have also died. Our members generally are spiritual and active, both natives and whites, and live in much harmony and good feeling. Thus, dear brother, you see that the precious seed your sister sowed in tears, here on this hard soil, has come up and yielded a glorious harvest. The little school she left is very prosperous. There are now twenty native children who attend school, and are making good progress in useful studies. One little Indian girl is making rapid progress in the Latin Reader."

* * *

CHAPTER VII.

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HER

FATHER AND FRIENDS

RE

SPECTING THE FOREIGN MISSION SERVICE ENGAGEMENT TO MR. SMITH -MARRIAGE EMBARKATION.

THE time had now arrived, in which Miss Huntington was to have the gratification of her long-cherished wishes to serve her divine Lord, and promote the salvation of a dying world, by engaging in the foreign mission service. It appeared the design of Providence, that through the Rev. ELI SMITH, of the American Mission at Beyroot, Syria, should be brought before her mind the subject of entering upon that good work, as the wife of a missionary. As it is instructive and interesting to see the movements of the mind and heart of a Christian like Miss Huntington, in contemplating such an important step, extracts will be given from her correspondence with her father and other friends on the subject.

"MARCH, 1833.

"My honored and beloved Father: -I have taken my pen to address you on a subject which could not at present be discussed, in personal conversation, either by you or me, with sufficient composure. It is one so momentous in its nature, that I almost tremble while I write; and I would most tenderly and respectfully request you to suspend your judgment, and strive to control the strong affections of your heart, until you have deliberately and prayerfully considered the whole matter.

"You know, my dear father, that I have long regarded the missionary cause with deep interest; but how deep,

no being but the God of missions, has known. My suncerity is now put to the test; and the question is to be decided, whether I will forsake home and country, to dwell as a laborer in that land which was the cradle of Christianity' is contiguous to the scene of our Saviour's sufferings — and where he promised peculiar blessings upon those who should be made partakers of the same. I have not now to decide upon the single question, Am I willing to become a Missionary? That has been long settled in my own mind. But it involves another-Will I go in the way which Providence now seems to point out? This last depends upon the course which my feelings shall take towards the individual who has presented the inquiry,—in case your approbation be obtained.

"I could cover many pages in recording the circum stances which have contributed to inspire me with what I hope is a missionary spirit; but can only glance at the most prominent, to convince you, that at the age of thirty, and after twelve years' training in the school of Christ, my resolution is not hastily formed.

"From the first year of my Christian life, I began to feel the importance of sacrifices, to promote the cause of missions, on the part of those who remain at home. Supposing myself unqualified, by education and habits, for active service abroad, the continually deepening views which I received were confined to labors at home; until the time that Rev. Mr. Temple addressed our auxiliary, more than three years since; when they assumed a definite form. Never shall I forget the impression made upon me by his appeals! I seemed pressed down with such a weight of obligation, and sense of past delinquency, that I almost wished the dust might cover me, and oblivion throw its veil over my unpardonable indifference. It was an epoch in my Christian course. I consecrated myself anew to my Saviour's cause, and I hope was accepted in so doing.

"It was not long after this that the Valley of the Mississippi became an object of interest; and to this field, 1

devoted myself in heart, by regulating my expenses and habits, in view of a residence there for two years as a teacher. These arrangements were providentially diverted from their original design, and were brought into requisition at Mohegan, where were reflected in miniature, some of the lights and shades of more extended missionary operations.

"But there is still another period to which I look back with feelings of intense and sacred interest. The desires which I had cherished were like a smothered flame in my breast, which every missionary meeting, and every monthly concert, seemed to rekindle and cause to rise higher and higher. Often have I returned from the concert of prayer completely exhausted with the exercises of my soul, and burning with desire, to lay myself upon the altar of sacrifice, as the only assurance that I was doing all which I could do, for that cause which brought the Saviour from his throne. The period to which I refer was the last missionary meeting but one, which was held at Dr. Strong's church; when with perfect calmness I made, and after reaching home, recorded, a solemn resolution, to this effect; that whenever my parents could spare me, if 1 were as much at liberty as then, I would devote myself to the work of a foreign missionary, and hold myself ready to go forth in such capacity as Providence should point out. From that time, until recently, I have felt almost assured that I should find my grave in a distant land. During my illness last summer, my hopes received a check; and fearing that my constitution was injured, I almost relinquished the expectations which I had indulged. I was cast into the valley of humiliation, too, where I felt that God regarded me as he did his servant David, when he accepted the desire which prompted him to build a temple to his honor; but chose another thus to perpetuate his glory. The sudden death of my brother had a tendency to deepen my humility — if, through grace, I may give it that appellation — and this winter I have had such exercises