dances, sorceries, &c. He opposed, in particular, the gospel doctrine of the remission of sins; teaching his countrymen, that those who lived according to the will of the Great Good Spirit, would, after this life, go to him; but that those who acted differently, would be banished to the haunts of the Evil Spirit. As to reforming the wicked through the Gospel, and their being saved through repentance and remission of their crimes, he rejected the idea altogether. He believed not only in the immortality of the human soul, but even asserted that all creatures, and also trees and herbs, are inhabited by a living soul; accounting for their withering, when cut down or plucked up, by saying, that their indwelling spirit then left them.

To judge from his expressions, during his last illness, it would appear, that what gave occasion to his reflecting upon his lost state, was a remark addressed to him by an Indian Sister, Anna Paulina, (as related in our Diary, under date of the 10th Dec. 1815,) who met him at a sick woman's house, whom he had in vain endeavoured to cure by his sorceries. Speaking to the Assistant, Jacob, he observed, "A word spoken by you Christian Indians lately, laid hold of my soul. I began to be troubled in my mind, and to grow doubtful concerning my spiritual state; since which time I have often thought and said, 'Oh for somebody to show me the right way!' "

He was taken ill when on his way to the Monsey Town, to assist at a great feast to be held there; and, not being able to proceed farther than this place, he returned to his friends, at whose camp he died.

On the 10th of March, in the evening, Onim sent for the assistant,* brother Jacob, as he lay sick in our neighbourhood.

* ASSISTANTS, in the Missions of the United Brethren, are converts from among the beathen, of both sexes, whose business it is to visit from house to house, in order to attend to the sick and infirm, watch over order, endeavour to remove dissentions and promote harmony, and further the temporal and spiritual welfare of the flock by every means in their power, according to the advice and directions which they receive for these purposes from the Missionaries. Through them, the Missionaries are enabled to know, whether their people walk in conformity to the rules of the Gospel, and where their help may be most essentially useful. They must be persons whose exemplary walk, and good understanding, have made them

He first thanked Jacob for coming to see him, and then told him that he was concerned about the state of his soul, and wished to live with us.

After hearing his relation, Jacob addressed him in the following words:

"Thou hast now told me a great deal: I will tell thee something, too. Listen to me!

"Onim! I well remember, that, ever since I was a little child, thou hast often been with the congregation of Christian Indians; always going from, and coming again to us. For many years past, thou hast heard the word of God which we believe; but, till now, thou hast despised and ridiculed it; saying, 'I have another way to be saved, ACCORDING TO MY CREATION.* But, now that thou art lying here in a miserable situation, on hard boards, unable to help thyself; thy little property spent in drinking; nobody taking care of thee, and death seeming to be at hand;-now, dost thou say, at last, 'I have brought terror on my mind, because I have been so wicked?' Oh, that these words of thine were but true! Would to God, thou didst but feel real anxiety about thy condition! for then thy soul might yet be saved.

"Art thou indeed convinced, that the devil hath deceived thee? Why art thou concerned about thyself at last, at the very end of thy life? In the days of thy health, thou hast despised and mocked at the word of God; thou hast dissuaded and prevented others, who were disposed to believe; and thou hast tried to entice those away, who had joined the congregation: thou hast made thy jest of the doctrine of the forgiveness of sins. But, know thou, that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Creator of heaven and earth, became a man: THIS IS THE

respected by the whole congregation. The native assistants have also the particular charge to speak to the heathen on gospel subjects, whenever opportunity offers for that purpose. In some Missions they are employed occasionally to address the congregation at their meetings: and such an Assistant is the Indian Jacob, at New Fairfield.

• This is an Indish phrase, implying, According as the Great Spirit and Crea for has directed and appointed for me,

TRUTH. He suffered, was tormented to death, and shed His precious blood for the remission of sins: THIS IS ALSO THE TRUTH! And unless thou obtain pardon of thy many and great sins, through faith in His blood, and thy heart be cleansed therewith, believe me, thou shalt, after death, go straightway to hell, into everlasting perdition: and there shalt thou find cause to accuse no one, neither men, nor God who made thee ; but THYSELF THYSELF, alone. Nor will thy living with us, as thou now desirest to do, avail thee any thing, unless thou be purified from thy iniquities, through the merits of the Saviour, whose mercy thou must earnestly seek. Reflect on this, and remember what thou hast heard heretofore from us Christian Indians, and from our ministers."

Onim thanked Jacob for this address, who then left him.

On the day following, brother Dencke received a message from Onim, with an earnest request that he would come and see him.

Being asked, "What is thy desire-since thou hast sent for me?" he replied: "I would tell thee, that I am greatly concerned about myself, and the salvation of my soul. My sentiments are entirely changed; and I pray the Saviour to have mercy on me, to pardon my sins, and to cleanse my heart with his blood in holy baptism. Oh!" added he, weeping and trembling, "I am sorely troubled-I am under great anxiety." -Question: "Thou enemy of God and his children! art thou at last convinced of thy lost state ?" Answer: "I am indeed! Oh that the Saviour would take pity on me! then, as long as life lasted, I would live to Him alone."-Q. "But it is said that thou art a murderer and a sorcerer?" A. "The former is a false accusation; and sorcery is a deceit of the devil-it is nought. Of that I am now convinced."-Q. "But art thou ready to confess all thy past sins and enormities, at the pierced feet of Him who died for his enemies; and to pray to Him, that He would grant thee, through the enlightening grace of His Holy Spirit, a thorough knowledge of thy depravity, that thou

mayest seek and obtain pardon and forgiveness?" A. "Yes, I am. Both soul and body would I surrender unto Him, if He would but have compassion on me."

Having been reminded of his past life, how he had persecuted the congregation of believers, seduced many from the path of life, despised the word of God, and pronounced the Christian religion an imposture, &c. the question was put to him, "Dost thou now believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Creator of all things; and that He came down on earth to save THEE by His sufferings and death, and to take away THY sins by His precious blood?" Upon this, he made so affecting a confession of his faith in Jesus, that all present were melted into tears; and the work of grace wrought in his heart by the Holy Ghost, was made manifest in the most striking manner.

Brother Dencke then explained to him, that the mere rite of baptism could avail him nothing, unless he experienced in his heart, through faith, the purifying power of the blood of Christ; whereupon he exclaimed, "I believe! I believe! Do ye also have pity on me!"

He was now asked the following questions, which are put to candidates for baptism from among the heathen; and which he answered in the most affecting manner. Minister. "Dost thou believe that thou art a sinful creature, and dost, on account of thy sins, deserve the wrath of God and eternal punishment?" Answer. "I do believe it."-M. "Dost thou believe that Jesus Christ became a man for us, and, by His innocent life, sufferings, blood-shedding, and death, reconciled us sinners to God?" A. "I verily believe it."-M. "Dost thou believe that He hath purchased for thee, by His blood and death, remission of sins, life and happiness?" A. "I verily believe it." -M. "Wilt thou in this faith be baptized into the death of Jesus, and be washed from thy sins in His blood?" A. "That is my sincere desire." - M. "Dost thou also desire to be delivered from the power of sin and of Satan, and to be received into the fellowship of Jesus Christ, and of those who believe in Him?" A. "That is my sincere desire; and I renounce the Devil, and all his works and ways."

Brother Dencke then prayed fervently to the Lord in his behalf; entreating him to show mercy unto this repenting enemy of his Church, who longed for deliverance from the bondage of Satan; to pardon all his sins and transgressions; to cleanse him with His precious blood; to receive him into the communion of the saints in light, and into the fellowship of the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost: expressing also the most heartfelt thanks for the mercy of God already displayed towards this grievous offender, in having awakened him to a sense of his lost state by nature, and led him to seek the salvation of his soul in his dying moments. This prayer was attended with a flood of tears, shed by the candidate for baptism, and by all present.

He was then baptized into the death of Jesus, by the name of Leonard. The whole transaction is more easy to be conceived than described, and will never be forgotten by those who witnessed it. The anxiety of heart of the newly-baptized now immediately vanished, and his troubled soul found rest and peace.

On taking leave, brother Dencke reminded him, that, as he had been active in the service of his former master, the Prince of Darkness, he ought now to show the more zeal in the cause of his present Lord, who had granted him remission of his sins, and would soon receive him unto Himself, into the realms of endless bliss and glory. This he cheerfully promised, and afterward faithfully performed; saying, on all occasions, to his friends, "Formerly I spoke evil words to you, to dissuade you, when you desired to be converted: forgive me for so doing, and follow my dying advice to you, which is, to forsake your wicked ways, or you will be lost! Turn to your Saviour: experience what I now feel, and you shall live!"

The assistant, Jacob, also spoke to him in a pathetic manner; and rejoiced greatly at the baptism of this repenting sinner, All our Indians were delighted on the occasion, and expressed their joy, saying: "Onim, our enemy, is become our brother Leonard." They also diligently visited him.

From the time of the new convert's baptism, almost till he breathed his last, on the morning of the 13th, he continued day