we have followed so long, that it has become like second nature. Or it is some evil, which is more particularly incident to our situation in life, or to our company,, or to our employment. Whatever this sin may be, it must be laid aside, "every weight and every besetting sin." Whether it be pride or passion, covetousness or sensuality, whether it be sloth or intemperance, whether it be unbelief or impenitence, or self-righteousness, or self-dependance, we must lay it aside, and never imagine that we can carry it with us in the Christian race. Whatever object stands in our way, whatever tends to divert us from the path of duty, whatever is calculated to embarrass our minds, or divide our attention, or destroy our diligence, must be given up, if we would "so run as to obtain the prize."

2. And we must not only renounce every unnecessary incumbrance, and every besetting sin, but we must direct our eyes to Jesus Christ. "Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despis ing the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Jesus is here proposed to our view, both as a successful Pattern, and an almighty Friend. The course he had to run was more arduous and difficult than was ever appointed to any other person. No other could have persevered in it and come off with success. The cross and agony which he bore, were infinitely heavier than we can conceive. He sustained the sins of an offending world. He suffered the most painful and the most ignominious death; but he did not shrink in the severest conflict; "he endured the cross, and despised, or disregarded, the shame." He was animated in his race by "the joy that was set before him," the joy of glorifying the divine attributes, the joy of delivering sinful and wretched souls, the joy of being for ever acknowledged as the Author of their salvation. In

the prospect of fulfilling this glorious work, and bringing about these desirable objects, he disregarded all his trials and difficulties. At one time it is intimated, that he even longed to accomplish his bloody baptism; he continued his course with unabated resolution, till he could say, "It is finished," the law is fulfilled, and a fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness. Indeed he did not stop here, but arose in order to raise his people, and is exalted "to the right hand of the throne of God." What a glorious pattern of patience and perseverance! And how ought we to be encouraged by his success! It is true his powers were greater than our own; but he had so much the more to endure. If we are encouraged by his example, if we look continually unto him, and endure as seeing him who is invisible, if, for the joy that is set before us, we press on diligently in the Christian race, we shall be finally compensated for all our toils, and be exalted with him to the kingdom of heaven.

But the apostle also exhorts us to look unto Jesus as our almighty Friend. It is he that marked out the course for us to run. It is he that girded us with strength, and called us forth to the race. It is he that holds out the prize to our view, and, with a great cloud of witnesses, looks on to behold our diligence. It is he that sits as judge, to award the prize to every one that wins it, and will bestow it with his own hand. He is "the Author and Finisher of our faith." He is the great object of faith; by the power of his grace he enables us to believe; he puts into our minds good desires, gives us that faith whereby we are stimulated to engage in the Christian race; he increases our faith by helping us forward, and finishes it by bringing us triumphantly to the end, and crowning us with glory at his right hand. Let us then look unto Jesus as our Redeemer and Saviour. Let us behold him as the propitiation for our sins. Let us meditate

upon the extent of his atonement, and the power of his grace; consider how sufficient he is to renew our strength and help us forward, and how faithful he will be to prosper our exertions and give us the final reward.

us.

There is a peculiarity in this direction, which we must not omit to notice. The apostle's words imply, not merely that we should look unto Jesus, but that we should look away from other objects unto him. We are apt to look to our own strength, when we ought to be looking entirely to him to strengthen Sometimes we look to our own weakness, or at the length and difficulties of the way, and are discouraged at our undertaking, when we ought to be strong in him and in the power of his might. Often we are inclined to look at the stumbling blocks that lie in our way, or at the opposers that are endeavouring to hinder us, or to any thing that tends to keep us back. But we should look off from all these, and keep our eyes steadily fixed on Jesus as our Redeemer, our Example, and our Friend; and then our difficulties will appear as nothing; we shall proceed on with cheerfulness and satisfaction; we shall so run, not as uncertainly, but in sure confidence of obtaining the prize.

This subject may afford much consolation and encouragement to those who are resolutely running the Christian race. Doubtless they sometimes feel ready to faint by the way; there are so many obstacles before them, and so many hindrances on every side, that they can hardly pursue their course. But, my Christian friends, look at that cloud of witnesses, who have gained the reward before you, and are now beholding your trials. They have overcome through faith; and they know that you can overcome by the same means. Look especially at Jesus, that bright example of all righteousness, and that gracious helper of all his followers. Look also at the prize, the joy that is set before you, and have respect unto

the recompense of the reward. How abundantly will the celestial crown repay your persevering exertions! Methinks you have advanced, at least some of you, within a short distance of the goal, and are just ready to join the general assembly and church of the first born in heaven. Press on, then, à little longer, "forgetting the things that are behind, and reaching forward to those things which are before." So shall you finish your course with joy, and receive a crown of righteousness from the hand of Jesus, your righteous Judge.

run

Our subject may also afford a word of admonition to any who are halting or turning aside out of the course: there are many, who " well" for a season, but, after all, are hindered from pressing forward to the prize. Inquire, my brethren, whence it is, that you are relapsing, and falling from your own steadfastness. Have you found any object in the things of the world that will compensate for the loss of heaven? It would surely be better to think less of worldly objects, to lay aside every weight, and every incumbrance, whether riches, honours, or pleasures, rather than be diverted from the Christian course, or kept back from the great salvation. He that puts his hand to the plough, and looks back, he that halts in the race, will never reach the mark or obtain the crown. If any are thus turning back, may God enable them to resume their labours. May he once more awaken them, and move them, that they may return to the paths of his flock, and become diligent and faithful in his service. Let them be assured, that if they will become "steadfast and immoveable in the work of the Lord, their labour will not be in vain in the Lord."

And, finally, a word of exhortation may be drawn from our subject, for those who never began the Christian race. Could it be optional with them, whether they will be any way interested in the race, we might well

leave them to their own choice. But the truth is, the task is appointed to all men; and must be to them that neglect it. They are all entered upon the lists, whether they will or not. And unless they so run as to obtain the prize,, they must have all the shame and misery of failure. They will fail of the crown: they will come short of heaven; and this is not all; they will be judged not only unworthy of hea ven, but worthy of hell. If they have been thus negligent and slothful, the doom of the slothful servant will be assigned them. Consider, then, my bearers, how much time you have lost since it was your duty to enter upon the Christian race. Consider, that Jesus, who superintends the race, is still calling you to enter upon the great undertaking. Consider, that it is an arduous work, and that you have but little time remaining to perform it. Soon your day will be gone; the race will be lost; you will fail of the crown, and incur a dreadful retribution. Begin, then, immediately the heavenly race. The prize is now in view; Jesus is ready to assist your feeble efforts; you are called, entreated, and commanded to repent, and turn from your careless ways, and embrace the gospel. Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.

To the Editor of the Gospel Advocate.

three hundred acres of corn, ripe for harvesting, exclusive of a great quantity of old corn, potatoes, turnips, cabbages, &c. were now lost to them: together with books, that were burnt, many of which were for the instruction of the youth. Here, indeed, was patience required, and a hope that the Lord would be with them and grant them further strength and fortitude, to overcome all difficulties and dangers."

Very different was their condition at Upper Sandusky, where they arrived on the 11th of October. "Every day now brought us new troubles. The cattle finding no good pasture, were continually attempting to return, and therefore had to be watched. The milch cows failed for want of proper feed; and, owing to this, many families, and especially those who had small children, suffered. Provisions of all kinds were wanting, and when the women went into the woods, or on the river banks, to look for, and dig roots as a substitute, they either could not find what they were in search of, or the ground was too hard frozen to get at them. Corn was very scarce through. out the country, and those who had the article, asked a dollar for three or four quarts. Even the timber for building was far off, for all the country, to a great distance, was a barren prairie, with the exception of here and there a few scattered trees. The pinching cold was severely felt by all those who were

THE SAVAGE CHARACTER.

(Continued from page 243.) FINDING resistance vain, measures were taken in the three towns for removal, and on the 11th of September, 1781, they commenced their march.

"Never," says Mr. H. "did the Christian Indians leave a country with .more regret. The three beautiful settlements, Gnadenhutten, Shonbrun, and Salem, were now to be forsaken, together with many of their young cattle, that were in the woods, with some hundred head of hogs, and at least

this was particularly the case with us,

"Under the pressure of sufferings, we were ridiculed and laughed at.'Look! (said the Monsey chief to a Wyandot,) look at these praying (Christian) Indians; who but the other day were living in affluence, how they now creep about in the bushes, looking for roots and berries to keep themselves from starving. Well! they are served right; for why should some live better than others! we have now brought them on a level with us!' Yet such sayings were not the worst, but both

captain Pipe and the half king boasted, that they now had it in their power to compel the Christian Indians to go to war with them, whenever they chose to command them.""

During the winter they suffered all the miseries arising from famine, cold, and nakedness. Their cattle perished with hunger. They were often obliged to live on the carcases of these starved animals, and, in a few instances, children at the breast perished for want of nutriment. "The famine daily increasing and the children crying for victuals, was more than the parents could endure. These could not afford to pay at the rate of a dollar for two or three quarts of corn, which was the price now asked by those who had any. Therefore, consulting with one another on measures to be taken for their relief, their deliberations closed with a resolution, to look to no other quarter for corn, but to their forsaken towns and the plan being agreed upon, they informed the half king of their intention, leaving it at his option, whether or not he chose to send a guard with them to keep them from running away!' which, however, he declined doing. They next made their plan known to the missionaries, namely: that they would proceed to their towns, and leave their families some distance behind them, to whom they would bring the corn from the fields, and who were to bury it in holes* made in the ground for the purpose; and from which place they would fetch it, as it would be wanted. The plan being approved of, they were desired to conform thereto, as it was natural to suppose that the people from the American side would now and then take a look at the old towns, to see if any warriours harboured there. Having taken an affectionate leave, they set out in

* These holes are made round, about three feet deep, narrower at the top than at bot

tom, after the hole is dug, it is burnt out set with bark, and well covered after the

corn is in.

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several divisions, of about one hundred and fifty in number, men, women, and children; each division intending to work upon the corn which they had raised."

While they were thus engaged, in the beginning of April 1782, they were surprised by a party of Virginians, who murdered more than ninety of them in cold blood. The horrid catastrophe is thus related by Mr. Heckewelder :

"On the day our Indians were bundling up their packs, intending to set off on the next morning; a party, of between one and two hundred white people, from the Ohio settlements, made their appearance at Gnadenhutten. They had already, when within a mile of the place, met with Joseph Shabosh, son of our brother Shabosh, (while he was catching his horses,) and murdered him in a most cruel manner, notwithstanding his telling them who he was, and that he was a white man's son, and begging them to spare his life. Jacob, brother-in-law to young Shabosh, whilst tying up his corn sacks, on the bank, at the sweat-house, and about one hundred and fifty yards from the town, and thirty from the river; was the first person who saw the party coming on, between himself and the river, and so near him, that (as he expressed himself) he might have seen the black in their eyes, had they look. ed in the direction where he was standing. He even knew some of the men of the party, to be the same who had taken the Christian Indians from Shonbrun in the last fall, among whom both he and young Shabosh were, and believing the good captain Biggs to be again with them, he was about hailing them, when, to his astonishment, they at that instant, shot at one of the brethren, who was just crossing the river in a canoe, to go to the corn-field, and who dropping down at the shot, Jacob supposed him to be killed. Seeing this act of theirs, he fled precipitately, and before they had turned their faces the way he was, he was out of sight.

Jacob might have been the means of saving many lives, especially at Salem, where his old father was; but not having the presence of mind, he ran several miles the contrary way, and hid himself for a day and a night.

"The murdering party, seeing most of the Indians scattered over the cornfield at work, (or preparing for the journey,) hailed them, as their friends and brothers, who had purposely come out to relieve them, from the distress brought on them by the enemy, on ac-, count of their being friends to the American people.' The Christian Indians, not in the least doubting their sincerity, walked up to them, and thanked them for being so kind, while the whites again gave assurances that they would meet with good treatment from them. They then advised them to discontinue their work, and cross over to the town, in order to make the necessary arrangements for the journey, as they intended taking them out of the reach of their enemies, and where they would be supplied abundantly with all they stood in need of all which was pleasing to them to hear.

During these transactions at Gnadenhutten, the national assistant, John Martin, and his son, were not yet returned from the woods, from where they were taking corn, to deposit it at some distance; but on their return that day to the field, they were not a little surprised, at seeing so many tracks of shodden horses, and not a single person remaining in the field, where they had left them the day before, busily employed. Not knowing the cause of this, he repaired to an eminence from where he had a full view of the town, on the opposite side of the river; and there, seeing the Indians and white people together, apparently very sociable, some walking about, and others as if engaged in friendly conversation, he sent his son across to them, while he went to Salem, to inform the brethren and sisters there, of what had taken place at Gnadenhutten; giving it

as his opinion, that perhaps God had or dained it so, that they should not perish in the barrens of Sandusky, and that these people were sent to relieve them. After having held a consultation with the brethren at that place, they united with him in opinion, and sent the two brethren, Adam and Henry, with him to Gnadenhutten, for the purpose of learning the true cause of the white people coming out, concluding that, if it turned out as they expected and wished, they would also join them. They finding every thing agreeable, they were not only satisfied with what the white people had told them, but were also urged by the brethren at this place, to join them in going into the settlements of the white people, where the brethren at Bethlehem, on a proper representation being made, would cheerfully supply them with teachers. The whites, encouraging them in these hopes, now appointed a body out of their number, to go with the messengers to Salem, to assist in bringing the inhabitants, with their effects, to Gnadenhutten.

"The language of the white people, being the same at Salem, as at Gnadenhutten; the brethren and sisters were easily persuaded to go with them; especially, as many of them professed to be very religious, admiring their fine and spacious place of worship, and discoursing constantly on religion, both here and on the way to Gnadenhutten; frequently saying to the Indians: you are indeed good Christians!' and made use of the same language to one another in their hearing. Some of them, on leaving Salem, set fire to the houses and church, which was disapproved of by our Indians; they, however, pretended that they meant no harm, but had merely done it to deprive the enemy of a harbouring place.

Arriving at the river bank opposite Gnadenhutten, their eyes began to open; but it was now too late. They discovered a spot in the sand, where