CAREY STATION. We insert rather out of its usual place for missionary intelligence, the following LETTER FROM REV. J. M'COY TO ONE OF THE EDITORS, as it contains the latest accounts of the Carey Station. Carey, 100 miles north west of Fort Wayne, Indiana,-July 14, 1824. Dear Brother, AFTER leaving Boston, I proceeded by way of New-York to Albany, where I purchased some articles for the Mission which were needed, in addition to those 1 had previously obtained. These, with the remainder of our goods, and 30 bushels of seed wheat, I shipped at Buffalo on board the schooner Neptune on the 25th of May, and on the same evening the vessel sailed. Storm on the Lake. On the night of the 28th and morning of the 29th we experienced a pretty severe storm. A storm, you will understand, is considered more dangerous on these lakes than upon the ocean. Myself and most of the company were extremely sick. Amidst thoughts in relation to myself during the time, I had many respecting the peculiar situation of the mission. Here I have with me donations from hundreds of kind friends, sent to the relief of the wretched and the needy. The Mission is now in great want, and must suffer distressingly, unless supplies can very shortly reach them-and must all be swallowed up in these waves?' The Lord took hold on the winds. He commanded, and the winds and the sea obeyed. Passage to Carey. but as I could reach Carey much sooner by land than by water, and as I had been absent much longer than had been contemplated at my leaving the station, and as I was confident from many weighty considerations that I ought to get home as soon as possible, I saw the vessel depart from Detroit, and took a pilot, travelled on horseback through the wilderness, and, travelling more rapid than usual in this country, reached Carey in less than five days. Arrival home. On the 11th of June, after a tour of between five and six months, I was allowed to embrace, at their lowly abode, my family and fellow missionaries, and the very children (native scholars in our family,) for whom I had lately been allowed to plead within reach of many a generous hand. While I rejoiced in the providence that had mercifully hovered over the mission, and felt that the obligation of gratitude on that account was peculiar. I perceived the situation of my beloved Inissionaries to be truly pitiable. Their number had not been proportioned to the burthen of labours and cares which their peculiar circumstances required them to bear; and the effort to take care of every department of the mission, had been made at the expense of no inconsiderable portion of health and comfort. The contemplation of these things deeply affect my heart, and seldom fail to wet my cheeks with tears. The zeal of my associates makes me feel little in their presence. Wants of the Station. About five miles from home, my pleasant anticipations of shaking hands were sadly interrupted by intelligence of scarcity of bread-stuff at the mission. We sent two of our Indian youth to the direct the vessel to the proper landing, Lake to hold out a signal that should and to take out a little flour immediate A tedious voyage up Lake Erie brought us to Port Lawrence on the 2d of June. Here I found the 100 barrels of flour that I had previously contract. ed for, which we took on board, and on the night of the 3d anchored at De-ly on its arrival, and bring to us on troit. horseback. All our flour, except a few pounds for the small children, and the sick, had been consumed; and on the 18th June, we found we had no more day. None was so uneasy as myself, corn than would last us the following because all expected the arrival of the vessel sooner than I did, and I was afraid to disclose the extent of my fears. But, happily for us, on the evening of this day, one of our boys arrived with a beast loaded with flour taken from the vessel. All the donations, &c. to the mission, together with the greater part of our flour and salt, we have received at this place, having brought it up the St. Joseph river (25 miles) in periogues (large canoes,) one of which will carry 20 barrels of flour, and is propelled against the stream by the strength of four men, with poles instead of oars. It had been thought that the state of things had not admitted of an increase of the family in my absence; only one native scholar had, therefore, been received. Disposition of the Indians. It is with much satisfaction that I state to you, my dear brother, that we discover the disposition of the surrounding Indians to be increasingly favourable to the mission. Six of their children have been brought to our family since I reached home. These came without solicitation on our part, and under cir. cumstances too affecting to be refused admission, notwithstanding our family were already so very numerous. We have now fifty-nine native scholars, having lately stricken one off the list for long absence. Could you see and hear parents and children begging us to take the latter under our care, you would feel assured that if we had done no more, we had, at least, convinced the Indians around us that they had some sincere friends whose faces they had never seen, and who are willing to contribute to their relief. Visit of the Chiefs. On the 29th of June, four chiefs and many others came in to see me, to welcome me home in this formal way, and journey, &c. This was a visit which to inquire the particulars of my late I naturally expected on my arrival. After they had smoked, and I had shown them some curiosities that I had brought home for this purpose, I went on with the story of my tour, stated the main object of my journey, the most remarkable occurrences, and those that would be most interesting to them, particularly, that I had ascertained that they had many sympathizing, and substantial friends in those countries, who, when they should pray to God, would think of the Indians, and would never forget them; that I had talked for the Indians a great deal, and often, when I would tell the people that I had seen the native children very hungry, and destitute of clothes, that most of the natives had no school for their instruction, nor preachers to teach them the way to heaven, many were so sorry that the tears ran down their cheeks; that they had told me to go home, and remain all the while among the Indians, and endeavour to instruct them in letters, labour, and religion, and for your relief we will send you bread, clothes, books, &c.; and that these were not that kind of friends who would give only good words, which cost nothing; you see in that store-house an evidence of their sincerity. They have requested me to write them frequently, and advise them of your progress and improvement.-Never have I seen a company of the natives appear better sat isfied with a talk than were these. Improvement of the Indians. Chebas, a chief, and two other families near us, have commenced in a promising manner, the improvement of their lands. Three log houses have been erected, and some land fenced. Some assistance in these labours has been afforded by the Mission, especially when they have been at a loss how to proceed. In one instance they raised the walls of their house as high as a man's shoulders, and then applied for assistance, saying they were unable to complete it. Some improvements have also been made among the Ottawas, on Pekellemazoo river. A blacksmith and an apprentice Indian boy, and two labourers, are now there labouring for the assistance of those people. Brother Polke has lately returned from a visit to them, and there are now sitting before me three chiefs from that place, who have this moment arrived for the purpose of talking on this business. About 100 Putawatomies, great and With the chiefs and young men we small, are now at our house, who have have spent half a day in council. come hither to speak to us on business. of a few weeks to Wabash, that his Brother Lykins has taken a journey mind may rest a little from the great the improvement of his health, and the care it sustains at the station, and for erwall of Philadelphia, who accompatransaction of business. A brother Simnied me home from my late tour, teaches our school in the absence of brother Lykins. Preaching among the Natives. The fourth of July offered me the first opportunity since I came home, of visiting any of the natives at their houses, for the purpose of preaching. After the morning services at the establishment, I took Noaquett (alias Luther Rice) one of our boys now about 16 years of age, and rode about five miles to a village. No regard for the dav as a sabbath, was manifested by 1 the inhabitants. Some were at their common labours, and four men were engaged in card playing. They shook our hands with the usual expressions of friendship, but it was in vain that I endeavoured for a while, by common conversation, to divert the attention of our gamesters from their fashionable and ridiculous employment. After a few minutes I disclosed the object of my visit, and requested attention. The cards were pushed out of sight, other persons were called in, and all were soon prepared to hear. It gave me much satisfaction to find that one of our pupils, who was wholly ignorant of the English language when taken into our family, was at this time, capable of interpreting satisfactorily, a religious discourse. As the basis of our discourse, I read the 10th and 11th verses of the 2d chapter of Luke: "Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings," &c. While I spoke of man's lost state, the interposition and sufferings of Christ, and of salvation through him, all were serious and attentive, and one woman was much affected. After we had gone through the discourse, I took occasion to enjoin on them the observance of the Christian sabbath. Some inquired how often it recurred, one answered and said he had learnt to know that. I told them that if they would listen to me, I would visit them very often, and talk to them about these things. One, in behalf of the whole, replied, "We will be very glad to hear you. We thank you for coming. We will be happy to hear you tell us how to please our Father, (God.)" "Yes," said Porcupine Mockasin, nobody will be sorry for that; we will be glad to have you do as you propose." Willingness to hear the Gospel. These assurances were repeated in a style which left no room to doubt their sincerity, and along a small path, amidst a falling rain, and wet bushes, I returned home with feelings which, brother W. I think you could not perfectly understand, unless you were allowed the blessed privilege of preaching Christ to wretched Indians in a bark wigwam. Last Lord's day I attended and preached at another town, found a well behaved and attentive audience, but I think they had less feeling than those I addressed last sabbath. Four of the hearers were chiefs; the eldest, a very old man, replied, having reference to some particular ideas I had advanced, "We know we are bad, but we are happy to find that we are not too bad to be talked to, and instructed to do better. We are very glad you have come to tell us these things. We know there is but one God, and that he made all men of all nations, and made the world and every thing. But this is all that we know. We have not been acquainted with many things of which you have been speaking, because we have never enjoyed an opportunity of learning them. Two days I shall be employed in procuring bark to repair the roof of my house, on the third day I will go to your house to speak to you again on the subject. Reception of a beneficiary. On the 15th of June, a Putawatomie, who resides near the lake, brought to us a little girl, whom she desired us to adopt into our family, assigning as a reason for so doing, that "the Indians die very fast, so that it seems they will soon all be gone. I have brought my daughter hither in hopes that she will learn something good before her death." The child is apparently about 9 years of age, can speak no English, her father is dead, her original name is Agat. Believing her to be a promising girl, and being pleased with the circumstances under which she came to us, we selected her for the beneficiary of "The Female Industrious Society of the 3d Baptist Church in Boston," and, agreeably to the directions of said society, conferred on her the name of Ann Sharp. This name was given by the Society as an expression of regard for the consort of the Rev. Daniel Sharp of Boston, Mass. My health has been declining ever since I came home. The business which necessarily devolves upon me is a little heavier than my slender habit can sustain. My spirits have not sunk. I am sorry that a statement of our receipts, particularly of donations to the mission, cannot sooner be laid before the public, that we might in that way enjoy an opportunity of returning our sincere thanks to the generous donors. The receipts and expenditures of the mission for 1822 were not published in the Annual Report of 1823, for want of room. Those accounts we hope will appear in the Latter Day Luminary very soon; and by the time they shall be out, we hope to have all accounts of 1823-4 ready at the office to follow. Most respectfully Your brother and humble servant, Revivals of Religion. EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM REV. D. DUNBAR, TO ONE OF THE EDITORS, DATED Nobleboro', (Me.) August 18, 1824. Respected and dear Sir, I HAVE now the pleasure of informing you, that the Lord has done great things for this people, whereof we are glad. I arrived here the first week in December, and have been honoured with the privilege of leading willing converts into the typical grave of our blessed Redeemer, every Lord's day excepting three, for five months successively. This work of God has been deep, silent, and progressive. The subjects of discourse which I endeavoured to exhibit and impress upon the minds of the hearers, were the holiness, justice, and goodness of God's law -the obligations binding upon all men to obey it-the guilt and misery entailed upon all who have transgressed it-the total depravity of the human heart, and its latent enmity against God, and his Jaw-the necessity, nature, and efficacy of the atonement made by "God manifested in the flesh"-the obligation to repent and believe the gospel-the necessity of being created anew in Christ Jesus the agency of the Eternal Spirit in effecting this change, with the concomitant operations experienced by the awakened sinner, when turned from darkness to light-and the ability and determination of Christ, to "save to the uttermost, them that come unto God by Him." The convictions and alarm felt in the souls of those who are the happy subjects of this revival, were of a silent and pungent nature, and their ultimate joys have been rational and moderate. The number added to the church by baptism, as the fruits of God's gracious visitation among this people, is ninetytwo; and I am happy to say that every one of these, from the least to the greatest, continue to give evidence that "the gospel came not unto them in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance." In eighteen instances, the husband and wife have been taken; and in some cases two, three, and four children in a family, have been baptized together. About the beginning of February, the power of God began to appear in the First Church and Congregation, whereof Elder Pilsbury is the pastor; and, for upwards of three months, progressed with much greater rapidity than it did amongst us. The number baptized by Elder P. is over one hundred and twenty; but I regret to add, that for several weeks, no new cases of awakening have occurred in either congregation. The attention, however, is still very remarkable, and we humbly solicit the prayers of all God's people, that his Spirit may continue with us to make his people willing, until the praises of redeeming love shall echo from every house, and from every field in Nobleborough. As you have desired me to write some particulars respecting the work of God in this place, I cheerfully comply with your request. Last fall there was some excitement here, and a few indulged a hope in Christ. But when the writer came (the last Saturday in December) there was nothing observable excepting a little better attention to the word. Nothing of importance occurred to encourage us that God would revive his work, until January. The latter part of this month and the first of the succeeding, it was evident that God was moving with the still voice of his power on the minds of many. Most of my time was spent in preaching and visiting from house to house, enforcing on Christians the importance of awaking out of sleep and calling on God fervently, and in endeavouring to inpress on the minds of sinners the impor tance of making peace with God, and being reconciled to him through the blood of Christ. Inquiring meetings were appointed. There were but four serious inquirers at the first, but the number increased to about sixty. I think none indulged a hope in Christ until the latter part of February. The little cloud was now evidently seen to arise and overspread the heavens, but fearing that hopes now so highly raised might not be realized, and that the gathering clouds would all be scattered with but a few drops of rain, it was suggested to the church that they should set apart a day for fasting and prayer. Ac cordingly, Thursday the 4th of March, was appointed. The day was unusually pleasant for the time of the year. In the morning a discourse was delivered on the importance of prayer, &c. The afternoon was spent in solemn prayer and exhortation. It was a day on which memory will ever dwell with delight. The oldest professors of religion said they never saw such a day before. It was so solemn that many were constrained to say, "The Lord is in this place, and I knew it not." No human tongue or human pen can adequately describe the events of this interesting day. There was a general attendance of church and society. Old professors acknowledged to their brethren and the world, their backslidings from God, and the stumbling blocks they had laid in the way, while the tears of penitence flowed freely. It was such a time as I never before experienced. It appeared that the people of God did not fast and pray in vain; we trust some souls were this day pricked in their hearts. The work now spread rapidly. It is worthy of observation that there was no unpleasant noise, and no instance of confusion or wild enthusiasm apparent. Although our evening meetings, held in a school house, were crowded, and many could not be seated, yet such was the silence, that the place more resembled the tomb, than the place of the living. Even the sigh of the heaving bosom, and the groan of the broken heart were rarely to be heard. From this time, more or less indulged a hope every week. The greatest number of persons, I think, who indulged a hope during any one week, was 14. This work bore down all opposition. The principles of the Moralist, Universalist, &c. were no more before the Spirit of God, than dry stubble before the flames. Like a mighty torrent it appeared to bear down every thing before it. All classes of people have been subjects of the work. In April, we were called with joyful hearts to visit the place where was much water. The 18th inst. brother Briggs baptized 14. Lord's day, May 2d, brother Butler baptized 8. Lord's day, May 16, brother Briggs baptized 18. Lord's day May 30, brother Chessman baptized 8. Lord's day, June 20th, Dr. Chapin baptized 11. This was a solemn day, and will not soon be forgotten. Thirty-seven came forward to receive the right hand of fellowship; 17 males and 20 females of from 14 to 50 years of age; fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives. Lord's day, June 27th, brother Butler baptized seven, two males and five females, all young people. Thus 66 have followed their divine Saviour into the liquid grave. Some went to the water doubting and with a heavy heart, who came away rejoicing in the salvation of God. Thirty-one of this number were males, thirty-five females, and fifteen were heads of families. More have indulged a hope who have not been baptized. The work is still progressing and spreading. [Wat, Int. EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO A FRIEND IN WASHINGTON CITY, dated Stevensville, (Virginia,) July 31, 1824. Dear Brother, We have been greatly blessed in this vicinity for the last two months with a revival of religion. More than 200 have already been added to the different churches in our denomination, and the work seems to be spreading in every direction. I was at a baptizing on Sunday last on the Rappahannock river, where I saw 91 buried in the liquid grave. May the work continue to spread until it shall cover the whole earth. Yours truly, JOHN BAGLEY. |