the midst of this affliction; blessed be the Lord the consolations afforded me were in a time of need, and were perhaps greater than I had experienced for several years before. If my illness was protracted it was probably for want of timely medical assistance, which could not be obtained short of twenty miles. The kind friends did what they could, in their circumstances, to render my situation comfortable, and their hospitality and kindness I shall always cherish in my remembrance with pleasure and gratitude. On my recovery Bro. G. who had come to my assistance, had been in the circuit about four weeks. We now formed our plan so as to extend our labours into several neighbourhoods not before visited; and we enlarged our Circuit so as to visit the new settlements of Albion and Nelson. In addition to our regular circuit we have penetrated into a small settlement about thirty miles north, but have not been able to repeat our visits to this settlement, nor to take in Caledon and Aramosa, on account of the snow, which has been much of the winter, the unusual depth of three feet.

"Throughout the year the congregations have been large, and the divine blessing has been manifested pretty generally. To most of the societies additions have been made; three new societies have been formed. The increase of the societies, about thirty-five, are mostly young converts. Among these, there are, some whose change has really been, from darkness unto light. One family who had been many years in the army are made partakers of great grace. First, the son was brought through the sorrows of repentance to rejoice in pardoning mercy; then the father was awakened. At a late meeting he spoke feelingly of his former sinful ways, and added, 'I have served my King faithfully these many years, and now I am resolved to serve the King of kings the remainder of my life,' and wished to be taken in among the Lord's people.

"In addition to the houses of worship erected last year, another is commenced 28 by 30 feet. In these efforts to obtain conveniences for the worship of God, the friends have shown a laudable zeal. A decent house 24 by 30 feet was erected principally at the expense of two brothers. Indeed there is a spirit of enterprize for the service of God and religion, such as I have not always seen in older settlements. Industry, economy, and religion, are marching hand in hand in the improvement of these new settlements generally. And what is likely to render the settlements more prosperous is, that very little ardent spirits is used among the people on any occasion; of course there is seldom a quarrel known. If there are instances where liquors are used freely, and where intoxications, cabals and fightings take place, they are exceptions, and are confined to one or two neighbourhoods. It might have been expected that where such variety of manners were associated in the same neighbourhood, that contentions might arise; but we are happy to witness that the English, the Scotch, the Irish, and American, are dwelling together in harmony, uninfluenced by national peculiarities, and they seem to endeavour to lay aside these distinctions, and to cultivate that Christian friendship and affection which the Gospel recommends.* This has a most happy influence on the manners of the youth, who are attentive to the public service; affectionate to each other, and kind to the Preachers of the Gospel. And a number of them have already been rewarded by the experience of grace. "As to the Sabbath Schools, they were doing well while the season was favourable, and the Bibles and Testaments which were sent us by the American Bible Society, have been very useful, as they were thankfully received. During the rains and snow, the Schools have been necessarily suspended, but will be revived again when the weather becomes settled. On the whole we have much reason to bless God for the prospects which are before us: the societies are lively in religion, and a number of souls, are now under awakening, and I have much reason to bless God for my appointment to the new settlements of Upper Canada.

"I have no more to add, but, to express an earnest hope, that the Mission may be continued, considering the present state, and the increasing population of this wilderness; and that my successor in this Mission may be more successful in building up the Kingdom of the Redeemer. KENNETH MCK. SMITH."

"Esquising, March 22, 1823."

"Were I to express an opinion in regard to the worldly advantages to be enjoyed, I would say that this new country is a most desirable portion to the European Emigrant. For a small fee they may obtain lands of an excellent quality, which they may call their own, free from tythes and burdensome taxation. The administration of the laws is mild, the climate good, the harvests have, as yet, been abundant, and the interests of religion prospering."

In surveying the happy results of this Mission, we may be strengthened in the persuasion, that the Gospel should commence with the first settlements of a new country, and that "dwelling houses and chapels should rise up together."

Of the Grand-River Mission we have to say, that considering the circumstances and manners of the people, the prospects may be considered encouraging. A foundation is laid for much good to a people too long neglected. Beside the Indians, there are probably about one thousand persons, most of whom have not heard a sermon for ten years or more. If we may take encouragement from appearances in so short a time, we are not without hope that the natives of the forest will yet receive the word of life, and become the worshippers of the true God in spirit and in truth. The following extract is taken from Brother Torry's letter, and the substance of what he has personally communicated to me.

"HAVING received my appointment," says bro. Torry, "by the Bishop to labour among the scattered and destitute inhabitants on the Grand River, I set off for my appointment and reached my station about the last of August. I commenced my labours among the whites at the mouth of the River, trusting in HIM who by his Spirit had impressed my mind to visit these insulated settlements. From this place I pursued my route up the River-now passing an Indian Town, then preaching to a few white families, till I reached the uppermost settlement of the whites, about 25 miles from the mouth of the River; thence west into the Townships of Rainham and Walpole, forming a route of about 140 miles, and ten appointments, to be performed once in two weeks. In every place, I found the inhabitants well disposed towards the Gospel, and doors were opened for preaching in every neighbourhood I visited. The Indian Reservation is a tract of twelve miles wide, embracing both sides of the river, and extends up the river a north-west course the length of about 60 miles. On this tract reside the Six Nations, inhabiting the towns throughout the whole extent, and numbering about 2000 souls. The only religious service performed among these Indians, I understand, is at the Mohawk Village, 50 miles from the mouth of the river. Here they have a Meeting-House, where Divine Service is performed occasionally, by a Minister of the Church of England, and where the church service is read in the Mohawk, by one of the natives every Sabbath day.

"The Delawares reside near the mouth of the river. Many of these can understand English. I have lately preached several times to them. The first time about 20 attended, at other times more. I am much encouraged in observing their great attention to the word, and especially when the tears run down their cheeks, and show that they feel the force of truth. After the service, they signified that they were pleased with preaching among them. I gave them two Testaments, and some tracts, as there are some among them who can read. Some of this Nation attend pretty regularly at one of my appointments among the whites. Others possess their prejudices, which appear to have been formed upon the immoral conduct of the white people. An Indian woman of some character and note in her tribe, was asked, if she would go to the preaching. Her reply was, that she would wait and see whether the preaching would make the bad Indians and whites any better. She was afterwards induced to attend, and was so well satisfied as to invite me to come and preach at her house.

"The Cayuga's and Onondaga's are the next nation above, and though they are far the most moral, and have the best regulated community, they are entirely unfriendly to the Gospel. Great pains are taken by their principal men to prevent polygamy, and the use of ardent spirits among these people; and if at any time, one happens to transgress by becoming intoxicated, they never cease what might be called churching him, till he is humbled for his crime, and performs certain humiliating ceremonies, expressive of his penitence before the whole congregation. I have it from gentlemen of undoubted veracity, and who have been acquainted with these Indians for many years, that this tribe has been known to hold counsels over an unfortunate offender for two weeks before he would be humbled for his offence. At length his stubborn heart is brought to yield to conviction, and the faithful labours of his brethren are crowned with abundant joy over the sinner converted from the error of his ways. In such cases he is seldom guilty of a second offence. They are opposed to the Gospel, for the Mohawks have the Gospel,' say they, yet rum causes them to commit wickedness.' They take im

This is designed to describe the parts of the lower settlements in the Reservation.
† As expressed by the Cayuga's ' Õhnakah ourewah wautalewbana sarachselau.'
30

VOL. VI.

mense pains to persuade their brethren of the other tribes to renounce liquors entirely, and not without some success.'

The most promising appearances at present, are in Rainham and Walpole. Considerable awakenings have taken place here. As an evidence of an awakened attention to religious subjects, there is a great and earnest call for the Bible. Besides what we had to spare of those sent us from the American Bible Society, Bro. T. has obtained a quantity from the Niagara Bible Society, auxiliary to the B. and F. B. S. These are now read with tears by many who heretofore have had but little taste for any thing better than vain and sinful amusements. Near two hundred tracts have been distributed. Several have been reformed by reading," The wrath to come," " A word to the Sabbath breaker,” “The swearer's prayer," &c. He has mentioned the want of more tracts. Can you send us more?

I close this communication with an extract from brother T.'s letter of the 22d of March. "I have been up the river as far as the Tuscarora tribe. Several expressed a wish for preaching. I go up to preach to them on Sabbath. Our success in building up the cause of God is more promising lately than I had anticipated. When I cast my eyes around me, and take into view the wicked and the destitute state of these people, I wish I could run a dozen ways at once and teach them every where the words of eternal life. The Lord prosper his good work here! I hope we have an interest in the prayers of the pious. Farewell.”

An account of the Mission in Jackson's Purchase, under the direction of the Tennessee Conference, in a letter to Bishop McKendree.

Rev. and dear Brother,

THE Mission to Jackson's Purchase, known among us as the Forkeddeer Mission, being no longer continued as such, it may be proper that some ac count of it should be given to the public. I, therefore, address the following sketch to you, for the purpose of having it communicated to the Missionary Society and to the Editors of our Magazine, that it may be known how we succeeded in our attempts to plant the Gospel in that section of our country.

It is necessary to observe, that the Mission has been denominated the North and South Mission. The North Mission included all that section of country lying north of the south fork of Obion, and extending as far south as the sectional line running east and west near Daugherty's Land Office, reaching east and west from the Tennessee to the Mississippi River, partly in the State of Tenessee, and partly in Kentucky.

The South Mission lay south of the sectional line before mentioned, extending to the south boundary line of the State of Tennessee, and from Tennessee River to the Mississippi, including the waters of Forked-deer, Hatchy and Beech rivers, and the head waters of Obion and Sandy.

That part of the North Mission included in Tennessee contained about -square miles, and perhaps there is one third as much in Kentucky. The South Mission contained about square miles: these, both together embraced a tract of country miles from east to west, and - from north to south.*

In October 1820, I was appointed and sent as a Missionary from the Tennessee Conference to this country, with instructions to consider myself attached to the Nashville District, and to apply to the Presiding Elder for assistance, if any should be necessary.

I began my work on Nov. 10th, and continued in it until October 1st following. In the course of the winter and spring, I formed a full four weeks circuit, of which I informed my Presiding Elder, who sent brother Andrew J. Crawford to my assistance in the spring. He was indeed a helper to me, and our labours and sufferings were rendered much more tolerable, by our mutual confidence, love, and fellowship.

* This tract of country is laid off in sections five miles square, a map of which, according to actual survey, was supposed to be in my possession, but is not at present; and by which the blanks in the report could have been filled up accurately, presenting the reader with a correct view of that truly Missionary country, which contains not less than ten thousand square miles. W. MCKENDREE.

Bro. Douglass, our Presiding Elder, accompanied by the Rev. John McGee, attended our second Quarterly Meeting, June the 9th and 10th at Needham's, on the north of Forked-deer, about three miles above Hogg's Land Office. We held our meeting at a stage in the woods. On Sabbath, it was supposed nearly six hundred persons attended, and after preaching, the sacrament of the Lord's Sup per was administered to thirty-two communicants. This, I suppose, was the first time that this sacred ordinance was ever administered in this State, west of Tennessee River.

My Circuit included what we called the South Mission, which we enlarged and formed into two Circuits; one we called Forked-deer, and the other Beech River, and in this condition returned them to Conference. They included 33 preaching places, and 155 members. I received for this year ninety-two dollars, collected by the Presiding Elder on the district; and brother Crawford received forty-six dollars, which was also collected by the Presiding Elder.

The Preachers stationed on Dover Circuit, and belonging to the Kentucky Conference, were likewise directed to visit the Purchase, which, accordingly, they did, each of them two or three times. Between them, they formed a circuit in what we called the North Mission, principally on the waters of Sandy River, and returned to Conference an account of one hundred and thirty-one members. At the Tennessee Conference held at Salem in 1821, a new district was laid off, to the charge of which I was appointed, and instructed also to superintend both these Missions.

Benjamin T. Crouch and Lewis Parker from Kentucky, were appointed to the North Mission, and Andrew J. Crawford, Jacob Hearn and Abraham Overall, were sent to the South Mission.

These brethren possessing the true Missionary Spirit, penetrated into every part of the bounds assigned to them, preaching wherever they could collect a few of the scattered inhabitants together. The Lord smiled on their pious undertaking; a blessed work commenced, both Missions were graciously visited from on high, and many of these hitherto destitute children of our fallen race were added to the Church.

We held a camp-meeting in the North Mission not far from Tennessee River, at which forty-four professed religion, thirty-three of whom joined Society. At the same time I baptized eight adults and ten children.

It is proper to remark here, that Bro. Crouch was prevented preaching by ill health, from the last of June until the term of his service expired, and had it not been for this circumstance, we doubt not, but that a still greater work would have been realized. Two Circuits were formed called Sandy River and Obion, containing thirty Societies and members.

In the fall, brothers Crouch and Parker, returned to Kentucky Conference. We held two camp-meetings in the South Mission, at which forty-seven souls professed to be happily converted to God.

It was not judged expedient for brother Overall to go to Hatchy as was contemplated, owing to the thinly settled state of the country, and the call being so great in other parts of the Mission. Brother Crawford however encountered all the difficulties that lay in his way, visited the settlements in Big Creek, a little above the Chickesaw-bluffs, and preached a few times with success.

In these trips, brother Crawford had to pass alone through a wilderness of nearly sixty miles extent, he had to swim several creeks and rivers, and such was the height of the waters one trip, that he had to procure a skiff in which he was conveyed fifteen miles.

I merely mention this circumstance, as a specimen, in some degree, of the diffi culties encountered by those who travelled and preached the Gospel in this section of country.

The inhabitants are much more numerous in this than in the North Mission. Owing to the peculiar advantages of the soil and situation of the country, some settlements, particularly on Forked-deer, are already quite populous. Several counties are organized, and the country generally is rapidly improving in popu. lation: but what is still more pleasing to the Missionary, the people are uncom monly willing to open their doors to receive the Ministers of the Gospel, and their hearts to receive the Word of God.

We experienced a blessed out-pouring of the Divine Spirit in this Mission, and the two Circuits returned to Conference included thirty-eight Societies and four hundred and thirty members.

During this year (i. e. 1822,) I received $100 29 1-2, from the people among

whom I laboured, and 70 1-2 from the Stewards of Conference out of the common fund for the supply of the deficiences of the Preachers. Brother Crawford received $27 from the people, and 3 from the Stewards of Conference: Jacob Hearn received $18 87 1-2 from the people and $11 12 1-2 from the Stewards of Conference: Abraham Overall received $16 from the people, and $14 from the Stewards of Conference.

Under these circumstances we have the opportunity of administering to our own necessities, as long as our private funds will enable us to do so; then we must desist: but our reward is with our Master. May He bless the people, with and for whom we have laboured, until their solitary places shall be glad, and their deserts rejoice and blossom as the rose.

I am, Rev. and Dear Brother,
Yours in the Gospel of Christ,

Rev. WILLIAM MCKENDREE.

March 27th, 1823.

LEWIS GARRET.

ANNIVERSARIES.

Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church within the bounds of the Philadelphia Conference-This Society held its second anniversary April 9, in Union Church, Philadelphia. The annual report, embracing a variety of topics on the subject of missions, was read; and several impressive and interesting addresses were delivered. After paying $500 to the Wyandot and Creek missions, and $42 32 for contingent expences, the Treasurer reports a balance in hand of $453.

Baltimore Conference Auxiliary Missionary Society-This Society celebrated its third annual meeting, Monday evening, April 21, when the annual report was read and addresses delivered on the importance and utility of Missionary enterprize. The increase of branch societies during the last year, is seven, making the whole number of branch societies, attached to that Auxiliary, to be fourteen. The amount of money collected since March 1822, including the balance then in hand, is $2057 26. The amount paid over to the Treasurer of the Parent Society, during the same period, is $1117 11, leaving a balance of $919 5 to be appropriated according to the Constitution of the Parent Institution."

Young Men's Auxiliary Missionary Society of New-York-On the evening of the 21st of April, this flourishing branch of the Parent Society, celebrated its fourth anniversary in John-street church. The report dwelt particularly upon the necessity of evangelizing the aborigines of our country, and made a pointed appeal to the American community for aid to accomplish this object. Several addresses were delivered by ministers of different denominations; and the following address was read from their absent president, the REV. JOHN SUMMERFIELD:

Marseilles, Feb. 20, 1823. ›

MY DEAR BRETHREN,-You are too well acquainted with the circumstances which prevent my filling the chair upon this pleasurable occasion, to require that I should dwell upon them; indeed it would be irrelevant to those important objects which have assembled you together: not private sympathies, but the public good, will be your present theme; and in this I realize my full share of joy with you, for although in a far distant land, and that a land of strangers, my affections point to those "whom I love in the truth," and with whom I glory to be in any wise associated in carrying on the cause of our common Lord!

Upon the occasion of an anniversary like yours, exhortation to renewed zeal might be deemed impertinent; the pulse of every heart beats too high on such an occasion, to anticipate any decay in your future exertions. This is rather a season of congratulation and rejoicing; and in commencing another year of labour and reward, I devoutly implore for you a continuance of that grace, which has enabled you to remain "steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord!"

In common with all who love the interests of the Redeemer's Kingdom, I rejoice at witnessing that increase of Missionary zeal, and Missionary means, which the past year lays open, not only in your auxiliary and its parent Society, but among other denominations of the Christian Church; in this you also joy and rejoice with me," for "whether Paul, Apollos, or Cephas, all are ours!"-so that in whatever part of the vineyard the work is wrought, we view it "not as the work