camp, which had taken possession of it, having driven the men, women and children out, and he heard them saying that they would send for Puc-Puggy (for that was the name which they had given me, signifying the Flower Hunter) to kill him or take him out of their camp. I answered, that I desired to have nothing to do with him, apprehending some disagreeable consequences; and desired that the Indians might be acquainted that I was engaged in business that required application and quiet, and was determined to avoid it if possible. My old friend turned about to carry my answer to the Indians. I presently heard them approaching and calling for Puc-Puggy. Starting up to escape from their sight by a back door, a party consisting of three young fellows, richly dressed and ornamented, stepped in, and with a countenance and action of noble simplicity, amity, and complaisance, requested me to accompany them to their encampment. I desired them to excuse me at this time; they pleaded and entreated me to go with them, in order to free them from a great rattle snake which had entered their camp; that none of them had freedom or courage to expel him: and understanding that it was my pleasure to collect all their animals and other natural productions of their land, desired that 1 would come with them and take him away, that I was welcome to him. I at length consented and attended on them at their encampment, where I behold the Indians greatly disturbed indeed. The men with sticks and tomahawks, and the women and children collected together at a distance in affright and trepidation, whilst the dreaded and revered serpent leisurely traversed their camp, visiting the fire places from one to another, picking up fragments of their provisions and licking their platters. The men gathered around me, exciting me to remove him; being armed with a lightwood knot, I approached the reptile, who instantly collected himself in a vast coil (their attitude of defence); I cast my missile weapon at him, which, luckily taking his head, dispatched him instantly, and laid him trembling at my feet. I took out my knife, severed his head from his body, then turning about, the Indians complimented me with every demonstration of satisfaction and approbation for my heroism, and friendship for them. I carried off the head of the serpent bleeding in my hand as a trophy of victory; and taking out the mortal fangs, deposited them carefully amongst my collections. I had not been long retired to my apartment, before I was again roused from it by a tumult in the yard, and hearing Puc-Puggy called on, I started up; when instantly the old interpreter met me again, and told me the Indians were approaching in order to scratch me. I asked him for what? he answered, for killing the rattle snake within their camp. Before I could make any reply or effect my escape, three young fellows singing, arm in arm, came up to me. I observed one of the three was a young prince who had, on my first interview with him, declared himself my friend and protector, when he told me that if ever occasion should offer in his presence, he would risk his life to defend mine or my property. This young champion stood by his two associates, one on each side of him: the two affecting a countenance and air of displeasure and importance, instantly presenting their scratching instruments, and flourishing them spoke boldly, and said that I was too heroic and violent, that it would be good for me to lose some of my blood to make me more mild and tame, and for that purpose they were come to scratch me. They gave me no time to expostulate or reply, but attempted to lay hold on me, which I resisted; and my friend, the young prince, interposed and pushed them off, saying that I was a brave warrior and his friend; that they should not insult me; when instantly they altered their countenance and behaviour; they all whooped in chorus, took me friendly by the hand, clapped me on the shoulder, and laid their hands on their breasts in tokens of sincere friendship, and laughing aloud, said I was a sincere friend to the Siminoles, a worthy and brave warrior, and that no one should hereafter attempt to injure me. They then all three joined arm in arm again and went off, shouting and proclaiming PucPuggy was their friend, &c. Thus it seemed that the whole was a ludicrous farce to satisfy their people and appease the manes* of the dead rattle snake. The next day was employed by the Indians in preparations for their departure, such as taking up their goods from the trading house, collecting together their horses, making up their packs, &c: and the evening joyfully spent in songs and dances. The succeeding morning after exhibiting the war farce they decamped, proceeding on their expedition against their enemy. * Its departed spirit. These people never kill the rattle snake or any other serpent, saying if they do so, the spirit of the killed snake will excite or influence his living kindred or relatives to revenge the injury or violence done to him when alive. Be quick to forgive your neighbour, slow to forgive yourGUESSES AT TRUTH. self. "IN DULL UNTHINKING LISTLESSNESS." IN dull, unthinking listlessness And they whose hearts are taught by God, In which by them who look aright Look round thee on a summer day: Millions and millions are the leaves Millions and millions !-Happy things! Ye know not the presumptuous heart, All creatures on the earth, but one, All creatures, but the first and best- Oh! pray that grace and power divine In hope along thy measured line E 50 A CHURCH AS IT SHOULD, AND AS IT SHOULD NOT BE. A CHURCH AS IT SHOULD, AND AS IT SHOULD NOT BE. (From St. Clement's Ep. to the Corinthians.) THE Church of God which sojourneth at Rome to the Church of God which sojourneth at Corinth, to the called, to the sanctified by the will of God through our Lord Jesus Christ : grace and peace be multiplied unto you from God Almighty through Jesus Christ. Brethren, we think that, by reason of the frequent calamities and mischances that have come upon us one after another, we have been too long in turning our minds to the things enquired of us by you; and to that impious and unholy sedition, foreign and unbecoming to the elect of God, which a few hasty and self-willed persons have inflamed to such a pitch of madness, that your venerable and renowned name, worthy to be loved by all men, has thereby much evil spoken of it. For who that hath sojourned among you, did not approve of your sound faith, set off with all virtues? and admire your temperate and gentle piety in Christ? and publish abroad your magnificent spirit of hospitality? and think you happy in your perfect and sure knowledge? For ye did all things without respect of persons, and walked in the laws of God, being obedient to those who had the rule over you, and paying to the elders amongst you the honour which is due. And the young men ye commanded to be moderate and grave in their minds; and the women ye enjoined to perform all things with a blameless, grave, and pure conscience, loving their own husbands, as is right and ye taught them, being in the rule of obedience, to order the affairs of their houses honestly, with all sobriety. : And ye were all humble-minded, boasting in nothing, liking better to be ruled than to rule, and to give than to receive : being content with God's provision, and hearkening diligently to his word, ye were enlarged in your bowels, and his sufferings were always before your eyes. Thus a deep and fruitful peace was given to you all; and an insatiable desire of welldoing; and a plentiful pouring out of the Holy Spirit was upon you all. And being full of holy counsel, ye did with proper alacrity stretch forth your hands in pious assurance to the Almighty God, beseeching him to be merciful, if in any thing ye had unwillingly sinned. Ye had a contest day and night for the whole brotherhood, that the number of his elect might be saved with mercy and a good conscience. Ye were sincere and pure, not remembering evil one against another. All sedition and all schism was an abomination unto you; ye mourned over the transgressions of your neighbours, ye looked upon their defects as your own. In all well-doing ye were without repentance; ready to every good work. Being adorned with all virtuous and holy conversation, ye did all things in His fear; the commandments of the Lord were written upon the tables of your hearts. 66 All honour and enlargement was given unto you, and (then) was fulfilled that which is written, my beloved did eat and drink, he was enlarged and waxed fat, and kicked." "* From this sprung envy, and strife, and sedition, persecution and confusion, war and captivity. Thus they that were of no renown rose up against the honourable, those that were of no reputation against those that were famous; the foolish against the wise, the young against the elders. For this cause righteousness and peace are far from you, whilst every man is forsaking the fear of God, and has lost his clear-sightedness in the faith, walking not in the rule of His commandments, nor living according to that which becometh Christ: but every man walketh after his own wicked lusts, having taken up unjust and wicked envy, by which even death entered into the world. A VILLAGE SKETCH. In that low cottage lives poor Mary Scott: Poor Mary! I remember her a child, A sweet, light-hearted thing that always smiled. She lies bed-ridden in the prime of life. No more to feel the freshening breeze, to see |