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who thought so much of the poor Indians as to send a preacher to them From all that he had heard, he "had little expectation of being permitted to preach to the Indians in this, which is the most populous settlement of the Senecas;" but he "met with a much more agreeable reception than he had anticipated. Accompanied by Mr. Hyde," he observes, "we visited some of the natives, particularly Young King and Capt Pollard, two of the most influential chiefs. The business of my mission was made known to them, and they expressed their approbation of the object Pollard said he was glad I had called on the chiefs so as to inform them of my wishes, that they might have opportunity to communicate them to their people It was their desire that the meeting might be on the Sabbath, to which I cheerfully agreed." Of the discourse to the Indians, at the time appointed, he, gives the following interesting "We met at the schoolhouse in the Seneca village, and It was filled with the tawny inhabitants, while a considerable number stood without at the door and windows Ten chiefs were present, of whom one was the noted Sō-gwē-ē. wau-tau, known by the name of Red Jacket, of whose shrewd remarks to missionaries, on some former occasions, you have probably been apprised. In my address I spake of the past and present state of the Indians, lamented the bad example too often set them, and the injustice not unfrequently done them by the unprincipled among their white brethren I spake of the excellence and infinite importance of the gospel, and the comfort, which many Indians had enjoyed on a death bed in trusting their souls to the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 descanted on the uncertainty of life, a judge ment to come, and an eternity to follow, the awful state of all men by nature, and the only method of escape from the wrath which awaits the impenitent and unbelieving, represent. ing that Jesus is the Son of God and the only Saviour of the world. I also spake of the wonderful exertions of the present day for spreading the gos.

Which literally means, Wide awake and keeps every one else awake.

pel to the unenlightened parts of the earth, of the prophetic declarations of scripture relative to a happy period, which is fast approaching, when poor Indians, and millions of the buman race, as ignorant as they would be brought to behold and to rejoice in the glorious light of the gospel, when every wicked practice would come to an end, and all the tribes of men would form one vast band of brethren. I mentioned that the good people of Boston and the vicinity, a distant place on this island, (adopting their language,) had sent me to preach to them, that they had no sinister motives for so doing, that they did not wish for their land, nor any thing they possessed; but, feeling the comforts of religion in their own hearts, they longed to see the Indians and all their fellow creatures blessed with the heart cheering hopes of the gospel of Jesus, and they considered it a duty to help those, who are unable to help themselves, as far as in their power, to a knowledge of such infinite moment to every human being; adding, that I should gladly hear any remarks they might see fit to make upon any thing I had offered. After a short consultation, Capt. Pollard rose, and in a very graceful and eloquent manner delivered an address. I regret that I cannot present it to you in full. Never did I behold a more solemn and interesting countenance Jameison said he could not interpret the whole, but would give me a sketch. It was nearly in these words :- Brother, the chiefs have agreed that I should speak to you in their name. We are happy to see you among us We are happy to hear about the Great Spirit. We are happy to hear the gospel We have understood almost every thing you have told us. We like it very much. We thank you for coming to talk to us. We thank the good people who have thought of us, and have sent you to us. We should be glad to have ministers come to see us again.' This is probably a very meagre as well as a greatly abridged version of a speech, in the pronouncing of which the chief was not less than 20 minutes, and displayed the talents of an orator absorbed in the magnitude of his subject."

Mr. Alden visited the Cataraugus village; but "many of the leading

characters were absent." Johnson, the interpreter, said he was persuaded it would be very agreeable to the chiefs and their people to hear the gospel, if they had been at home. Mr. Taylor, of the denomination of Friends in their vicinity, expressed his regret, that our missionary could not have an opportunity to preach to the Cataraugus Indians. "These are all Senecas, except about 6 families, who are Munsees. At the Seneca village on Buffalo Creek are about 700 Senecas, 16 Munsees, some Onondagas, some Cayugas, and a few Squaukes In the different reserves, the Senacas amount to something more than 2000. The language of the Munsees is radically different from that of the former. They are so called from the place where they formerly lived, on a branch of the Susquehannah, but are of the Delaware tribe."

In the review of the last year we see much to afford us pleasure and encouragement. Some of our missions have been unusually successful. Thirty years have now elapsed since the incorporation of the Society. That its endeavours to promote the religious improvement and final salvation of those, who have stood in the most need of assistance, have been, in some degree, effectual, there seems no room to doubt For this cause we bow our knees in devout thankfulness and praise to GOD, who hath "commanded the blessing." If the fruit of our labours be nat now always visible, it may appear hereafter. The promise is sure. If we sow bountifully, we shall reap also bountifully. "Let us not," therefore, brethren, "be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not

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By order of the Select Committee. A. HOLMES, Secretary.

CONSUMMATE BARBARITY.

As a perfect contrast to every thing humane, benevolent or Christian contained in the Disciple we have to record the following report of a barbarous ordinance of the city of Savannah, which has appeared in several Newspapers.

"The city of Savannah has passed an ordinance, by which any person that teaches any person of col

our, a slave or free, to read or write, or causes such persons to be so taught, is subjected to a fine of thirty dollars for each offence; and keep a school to teach reading or every person of colour who shall writing, is subject to a fine of thir ty dollars, or to be imprisoned ten days and whipped thirty-nine la-hes !"

Such is the News-paper account. If it be correct and founded on fact, the ordinance of Savannah is a reproach not only to that city but to the United States, and to the whole civilized world. It is an ordinance against which every Christian should feel and express the most perfect abhorrence.

dinance characteristic of all the If we could suppose such an orwhite people of Savannah, we should be compelled to assign them a rank in the scale of beings, even below the blacks whom they treat as beasts and property; and if the more righteous or less wicked blacks were removed from the city, we might justly fear that Savannah would share the fate of Sodom.

But we hope and believe that there are in the city, exclusive of the people of colour, more than ten righteous persons, who have been grieved with the "ungodly deeds" of those who passed the detestable ordinance.

It is an opinion founded on observation, that those who are experimental'y acquainted with the value of knowledge, virtue and religion, are disposed to diffuse these blessings among their fellow beings; and especially among those who are under their care. We may then very naturally infer, that those who made and sanctioned the ordinance for excluding the blacks from these privileges, were themselves strangers to the benefits of a virtuous education: They are people who have as strong claims on the compassion of Christians as the Hindoos or the Hottentots. We would therefore recommend their case to the consideration of all those benevo

lent Societies whose object is, to humanize and christianize the ignorant and barbarous tribes. Let it not for a moment be imagined that the perpetrators of the horrid deed were civilized men. While other parts of Christendom are alive with benevolent exertions, Savannah-if the report be true-is subject to the reign of barbarism; and by an infamous bull against instructing the blacks, has outraged every principle of humanity, and out done even Algerine slave holders.

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OBITUARY OF WILLIAM AMOS.

Departed this life, in Harford County, in this state, (Maryland,) on the 26th day of the 2d month, 1814, in the 97th year of his age, William Amos, a much revered member of the Society of Friends, and seventy-six years a minister thereof.

It was in the early part of his life, while exercising the functions of an officer in the militia, that it was revealed to him that the kingdom of Christ was a "peaceful kingdom," therefore conferring not with flesh and blood he was obedient to the heavenly vision-resigned his commission-and uniting 'himself in religious fellowship with the Society of Friends, hath ever since continued his exertions, successfully we believe, both by precepts and example, to turn men to righteousness. His own life was indeed an exemplification of meekness, piety, resignation, benevo lence and charity.

He was a great promoter of peace and justice, and was frequently called on by his fellow citizens to perform the Christian duty of mediator, and he had the satisfaction to find that his exertions to restore harmony were very generally crowned with success. In the year 1806, as many of his descendants as could be conveniently notified, were convened, at his particular request, in Friends Meeting-House in Lom. bard-street, Baltimore, to the num

ber of about one hundred and forty

when he very pathetically and af fectionately addressed them on the subject of their everlasting welfare. One of his great great grand-children was present on this occasion. This venerable patriarch was the father of a numerous progeny, amounting it is believed, to nearly 800. The following is a correct return of them as far as hath been ascertained-children, 16; grand children, 92; great grand children, 133; great, great grand children, 8-total, 249.

OBITUARY.

Died in Boston, Rev. Francis Jackson, pastor of a church at Darien, Georgia, aged 29, son of major D. Jackson of Watertown.

Mrs Mary, wife of Mr. Benjamin Greene, aged 40.

In Medford, Mrs. Elizabeth Cook, aged 78.

In Gloucester, Samuel Calder, Esq. aged 55, Surveyor of the district of Gloucester, and a Selectman of that town; formerly of Nantucket.

In Providence, William Goddard, Eq. aged 78; he was the first editor of the Providence Gazette, which he established in 1762.

In Jefferson County, Ken. Rev. Wm Kellar.

In Lexington, Ken. Rev. R. Fenley, president of the University in Georgia.

In Pendleton District, S. C. John Gil eland, aged 116.

In New-Orleans, Hon. C. C. Claibourne, late Governor of Louisiana.

In Dublin, N. H. Rev. Edward Sprague.

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THE

CHRISTIAN DISCIPLE.

No. 2.

FEBRUARY, 1818.

Vol. VI.

REVIEW of a Sermon, preached in the city of Hudson, Sept. 10, 1817, before the Auxiliary Bible Society of the county of Columbia. By Thomas Warner, A. M. New-York, J. Sey

mour.

We have perused this sermon with no ordinary pleasure. The subject itself, we conceive, is among those of the highest importance, which, at the present day, claim the interest of Christians. We look upon Bible Societies as constituting one of the noblest in stitutions, which have ever been designed. It is a scheme, which comprises facilities and means of spreading the knowledge and influence of christianity to an unlimited extent. It is built on the broad basis of universal benevolence, and is so constituted, that, in any of its operations, it cannot possibly promote any other end, than the best good and happiness of men. We were glad to find, in the discourse before us so able a defence of this admirable institution. The author's views of the subject are those of an enlightened and liberal mind. His sentiments are expressed in a tone of christian charity and benevolent feeling, which commands our respect and wins our as Vol. VI.-No. 2.

5

sent. His earnestness is not the misguided enthusiasm of sectarian zeal; it is the generous ardour of a mind embracing in its scope the eternal interests of men, considered as beings of a common origin and a common destiny, enlightened by reason and conscience, and equally the creatures of God, and the objects of his regard and mercy.

His discourse is divided into two parts. The first is occupied in considering some of the most important circumstances relating to the history of the Bible, and the signal providence of God in preserv ing it during the many ages since it has been written, notwithstanding the threatening dangers to which it has been exposed, and from which it would seem nothing could rescuc it but the arm of God. The second part is devoted to remarks on the importance and benefits of Bible Societies.

It is the fate of most of the productions of human wisdom, industry, and learning, that

they soon pass away and are forgotten. They serve to excite a momentary attention, and perhaps to touch the spring of slumbering thought, and draw forth a transient gleam of feeling and sentiment; but they hardly fix an impression on the tablets of the memory; the stream of oblivion passes silently over them; their name and their influence are alike forgotten, and they are, as if they never had been. A few have been more fortunate they have survived the rude shocks, and escaped the withering touches of time, they yet stand forth in their native maj. esty, venerable by the weight of years they sustain, and imposing by their real greatness. We look to them for instruction, and resort to them for amusement. We are astonished to hear the voice of wisdom speak in accents so profound, and filled with wonder at the force of intellect and the inspiration of genius, which we find in them. We are alternately charmed by the music of poetry, dazzled by the flashes of eloquence, and made thoughtful and serious, wise and profound, in the groves of philosophy. But the effects of all these are transient and unsatisfying. They may relieve the thirst of an ardent mind, they may employ the vacant thoughts of the indolent, and give a momentary pleasure to the votaries of taste, refinement and knowledge; but is not this all? Will they give consolation and strength to the soul, which is sinking under afflictions and distress; the

anguish of despair? Will they' speak peace to the troubled spirit, carry us beyond ourselves, and waft us on the wings of hope to the regions of brighter day? They want this power-they are the productions of men-they want the stamp of divinity, and the seal of inspiration. One book only there is, in which these are found; and this is the Bible, the holy word of God.

The history of its preserva tion, therefore, is a subject of no small interest, and Mr. Warner has made it as perspicuous and complete, as the nature of his subject and his narrow limits would allow. We give the following extract from this part of the sermon, as a specimen of the author's style and manner. It is an argument, in connexion with others, to show, that none of the books, which were deemed sacred at the time of the Babylonish captivity were lost amidst the series of disasters, which immediately preceded this event.

"Most of the inspired writers, both of the old Testament and new, frequently refer to the books of Moses, and those at least of the earlier prophets, as documents well known to exist, and of undoubted authenticity. at the times in which they wrote. And it is probable, that the notoriety of those documents was the reason, why none of these frequent allusions to them have assumed the shape of explicit attestations to that effect. There was no occasion to attest what every body knew, and nobody thought of disputing. The uniform silence, too, of all the inspired writers, from the first to the last, as to any loss of the implies a clear and strong presumpsacred books, or of any part of them, tion that there had been no such.

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