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was stated the design and advantages of such an institution; taking care not to propose any thing, in the performance of which, I could not exceed the promise; as a single failure would have destroyed my credit and ruined the design. The effect was, that in October, at the time of the distribution of the annuity, a council, consisting of upwards of 2000 Indians, assembled, including all the Chiefs of the nation. Before this council I laid my plan, and stated all the points I conceived necessary to aid me in its execution.

After spending a day or two in close deliberation, I received their approbation in writing, with a declaration that they would send their children according to my wishes; at the same time they agreed to assist me in fixing a place for the school. The place was chosen near the Highwassee river, in a part of the nation most unlikely to be civilized. A school-house, and a house for the teacher were immediately erected. The school-house was so constructed that it might serve the children to eat in, and be comfortable for the lodging of the males. The females were appointed to sleep in the master's family. I was remarkably fortunate in the choice of a master; he was a man of prudence, good sense, and piety; with a heart fully set on the work. His family was conveniently small, consisting of a wife and one child.

All things being now fully prepared, the school was opened in the spring of 1804. In the course of the first week we had twenty-one children, who all gave flattering evidences of promising geniuses.

I had conceived it would be one of my greatest difficulties to keep the children at the school. In order to guard against this contemplated evil, I had agreed with the Chiefs, that if any of the children should leave the school without permission, or if permitted to go home should stay ten days longer than allowed, without a reasonable excuse, they should forfeit the clothing I had given them

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Chiefs were bound to send the clothes back, or on their refusal, then, at the distribution of the next annuity, I should have a right to deduct the amount from the dividend of such Chief, to be applied to the use of the \school. This proved an effectual

check to their leaving the school, till they become so pleased, that checks were unnecessary.

With regard to order and discipline, I presume few schools can exceed this. Between inducements and strict discipline, the children were insensibly brought to yield entire submission to the regulations of the school.

At each examination a prize was proposed for the next examination, to be given to the one making the greatest progress. This was faithfully giv en according to promise. And lest the others should be depressed and discouraged, small presents were giv. en to each one according to his merits. All this was done, as much as possible, under the eye of their parents. As my design was to introduce Christianity, as the young mind should be capable of receiving it, the first principles of religion, as contained in the Shorter Catechism, were early taught, together with other short questions of a similar nature. Many hymns of praise were committed to memory from Dr. Watts' Divine Songs, Rippon's Selection, and other compositions. They were taught to sing plain and melodious tunes with a great deal of ease and sweetness. During all these exercises the utmost care was taken to impress them with solemnity, in order to avoid those hab. its of levity so often discovered among ourselves, when acquiring the music we expect to use in the worship of God.

With one of these songs, a portion of Scripture, and prayer, the school was begun and closed each day. This acquisition of songs of praise was also useful, in assisting to open the minds of the parents to hear the truths designed to be communicated to them. While seated round in a convenient semi-circle, and the children in the midst, after communicating a few ideas by an interpreter, (which was one of the children, as soon as they were capable of the service) the children would join in one of those songs of Zion. Then more instruction could be given, and then another song, and in this way the mind be kept open to the truth; and also the profiting of the children be made to ap pear to their parents and friends. I will not say music can transform, but sure I am, it has a remarkable tendency to soften, the savage mind. I

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Jan. 1, 1807.

To the Presbytery of Union,

WE your Committee beg leave to
report, that we attended at and exam-
ined the Highwassee Indian school,
and do highly approve of the progress
the children have made in every
branch of literature they have at-
tempted: reading, writing, cyphering,
spelling off the book, and singing
Their progress is
spiritual songs.
really flattering in those different
branches, and perhaps is not exceed-
ed in any school amongst ourselves.
They appear to understand the things
they have attempted to learn, as well
as they are generally understood by
white children. We highly approve
the method of teaching and the order
of the school, and the children appear
to have as just conceptions of order,
and as cheerfully to submit to disci-
pline, as any children.

JOSH. B. LAPSLEY,
ISAAC ANDERSON.

N. B. The School contains from 45 to 50 Scholars.

Marysville, Feb. 25, 1807. Ir is hereby certified, that on the 3d of January, 1807, I spent some time in the Highwassee Indian School, established by the Rev. Gideon Blackburn. The number of the scholars was near fifty. Their progress in literature, and their advancement in civilization exceed all beef. The modesty of their deportment, the ease and decorum of their manners, is not surpassed by any school of white children I have ever seen, nor have I ever witnessed greater docility, or submission to discipline, in the course of my life.

It is my decided opinion, if the institu-
tion should be continued, it will event.
ually, not only be the highest means of
their national civilization, but a saving
to the United States, as they must
very soon become a branch of the
Union.
SAMUEL LOVE.

Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Dr.
William Carey, dated at Calcutta
Jan. 20, 1807, to the Rev. Dr.
Staughton, of Philadelphia.

MY DEAR BROTHER,

By the return of Mr. M'Farlane, I take the opportunity of sending a few hasty lines, to inform you of the changes which have taken place since I wrote you last.

Through a severe affliction brother Biss has been obliged to leave his station here and return to Europe. I hope, that the Lord, who knows the wants of all his churches, will eventually overrule this very afflicting providence for the good of his church, and for the furtherance of the gospel. He will probably arrive in America before this reaches you.

If he be still with you, give my, and all our brethren and sisters' love to him and sister Biss.*

When captain Wickes was here we were directed to plan a mission to the Burman empire. I expected to have been able to say, that our brethren are gone thither; but the ship is delayed a day or two for a pilot. They came down this evening, thinking to I believe go on board to-morrow. they will go the next day. May the Lord send prosperity!

When captain Wickes was with us he attended a meeting, which was held at a place (formerly an idol temple) belonging to the Rev. Mr. Brown, first chaplain of the presidency, on account of a pious clergyman being dismissed to his station. In that same place we this day met, and commend

Mr. Biss died on his passage to America, about four weeks after his embarkation from Serampore; leaving a widow and four children, who are now in Philadelphia, and to whom, we doubt not, all that attention will be paid, which their situation requires. It is said, that Mrs. Biss contemplates a return As. Mag. to India.

éd our brethren Chater and Mardon to God, for the work to which they are called. Little did the builder of that edifice think to what purpose it would be appropriated. From thence have seven ministers of the gospel been dismissed to their various stations with in a few months; and in these services churchmen, independents and baptists, have united as brethren in the most cordial manner: I think with a cordiality unknown in England. Two baptists, two independents, and three churchmen, have been from thence sent to their work.

This day we heard a long letter from a minister, who has lately gone to visit the Christian churches and the Jews in the south. He has found much real Christianity among some in those parts, and has just visited a number of Syrian Chiristian churches hid among the mountains of Malabar, which, it is supposed, were planted in the fourth century. These Christians had never seen a printed Bible, but have the Syriac Bible in manuscript. Some of their manuscripts are very ancient. Some of them did not know that there were any other Christians in the world besides themselves and the Roman Catholics at Goa, whom they abhor, having been severely persecuted by them. Some of the bishops talked about the necessity of the religion of the heart, and I should hope the fear of God is among them.

An order was sent out from the court of directors to new model the college of Fort William, and to make

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The college of Fort William, in Bengal, was instituted in 1800, upon a suggestion by the marquis of Wellesley. It met with great opposition at first, but this was overcome by the cogent reasons urged in favour of the establishment, from which important advantages were expected. Suitable instructers are employed in teaching the languages of the country, with others adapted to be useful in India. Nor is English composition neglected; but, together with the study of oriental dialects, proper atten tion is paid to the language of the moth er country, to the sciences, arts, and im. provements of Europe. The meritori ous student is rewarded by a degree of honour, which the college confers; by

very great reductions in the expenses. In the old state I was teacher of Bengalee, Sangskrit and Mahratta, with a salary of five hundred rupees per month. Last week I received a letter from government acquainting me, that I was appointed by the governor general in council professor of the Bengalee and Sangskrit languages, with a salary of one thousand rupees per month, or one hundred twenty five pounds sterling. Thus the earth This will enable helpeth the woman. us to do something more for our Lord.t

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the attention of those in power, by promotion, Sc. Knowing, as I do," says Mr. Carey, "the natives of this country, and hearing, as I do, their daily observations on our government, character and principles, I am warranted to say, that the institution of this college was wanting to complete the hap piness of the natives under our dominion ; for this institution will break down that barrier (our ignorance of their language) which has ever opposed the influence of our laws and principles, and has despoiled our administration of its energy and effects. Were the institution to cease from this moment, its salutary effects would yet remain. Good has been done, which cannot be undone. Sources of useful knowledge, moral instruction, and political utility, have been opened to the natives of India, which can never be closed; and their civil improvement, like the gradual civilization of our own country, will advance in progression for ages to come." The gospels and New Testament, translated into several languages of the east, have been printed in this college.-Literary Panorama.

resolved to devote nothing to private use. The missionaries disinterestedly With what remains of their income, afthey form a common fund, which is ter defraying their necessary expenses, appropriated to promote the object of their mission. We were well informed, 13,000l. sterling had then been expended; in September, 1804, that not less than whereof only 5,7401. 17s. 7d. had been received from England in money, goods, c. So that besides devoting themselves to the work, their pecuniary contributions to its support have been remarkably liberal.

As. Mag.

Remarks respecting the Christians found in Malabar, mentioned in the foregoing letter.

The information given in this letter is very interesting. We cannot but hope that Providence has separated these Christians from the rest of the Christian world, for the purpose of making them unsuspected depositaries of important truth; that from the mountains of Malabar new light may arise for the confirmation of Christian faith; that manuscripts will be discovered, which will afford additional proof of the uncorrupted preservation of the Scriptures, and assist in settling disputed passages of the sacred text. Among a people so long secluded in mountains, sufficient traces we hope may be found of ancient usages and modes of thinking to remove the obscurity in which some parts of the New Testament are yet involved. Perhaps not only the sacred writings, but other valuable works of antiquity may be found on this retired spot. We are also anxious to know what views these Christians entertain of the leading doctrines of the gospel. But the letter is not particular enough to gratify the curiosity which it excites.

We are not informed of the evidence on which it is supposed, that these churches were planted in Malabar in the 4th century. It is probable that they have some traditions respecting their origin; and their religious customs may help to fix the time when they were separated from the great body of Eastern Christians. It is well known that in the beginning of the 4th century, Christians were cruelly persecuted in the Eastern part of the Roman empire, under Diocletian and Galerius. This event may have driven these churches into the interior of India.

We learn from ecclesiastical historians, that the Nestorians, a numerous' sect of Christians, which arose in the 5th century, and which in two centuries overspread the countries of the East, introduced Christianity very early into India; and to this day, many Nestorians, or, as they are commonly called, Christians of St. Thomas, are found in Malabar. It may be suppos ed by some, that the churches mention. ed in the letter are of this sect, especially as the Nestorians "have

been severely persecuted by the Catholics at Goa." But it is presumed, that our informant, who visited the other churches in Malabar, and who must have known the very obvious peculiarities of the Nestorians, could not have been deceived on this point. If no traces of the Nestorian controversy should be found in these churches, this will be an argument of the their great antiquity, since Nestorians after the 5th century, filled the countries nearest to India, and penetrated India itself.

It is hoped that the missionaries in India will feel interested in obtaining all possible information respecting these Christians. They will naturally direct their first attention to the manuscripts of the Syriac Bible in their possession. It is well known that the Old Syriac holds the highest rank among the versions of Scripture. Biblical criticism will receive great assistance by a discovery of the state of this version in the 4th century.

Perhaps further inquiry will disappoint the hopes we have here ex, pressed. But let it be observed, that we have expressed not our belief, but only our hopes; and where the heart is interested, how natural is it to indulge in hope!

GENERAL ASSOCIATION.

Had we not already expressed our sen
timents at large on the subject of
the following paper, we should have
had much to say on this occasion.
It is with peculiar pleasure we ob-
serve, that the reasons in favour of
a GENERAL ASSOCIATION in this
Commonwealth have received so
much attention, and are more and
more satisfactory to those who can-
Late events
didly examine them.
strengthen the hope, that the asso-
ciation will become general, and
that the important ends, contem-
plated by the friends of Zion, will
be accomplished. Several Associ-
ations, not represented at the late
meeting at Windsor, are well known
to be friendly to the plan, and will
doubtless act in its favour before
the next meeting; which, being ap-
pointed in such a central place, will,
we trust, comprise a much larger
number of associations, than any
previous meeting. The chests of

We

the General Association are so momentous, that we indulge the reasonable expectation, that the ministers of Christ will actively and seasonably promote it, and that all the enlightened friends of evangelical truth will give it their counte nance and their prayers. gratefully receive, and gladly pub. lish the following communication, which presents the nature and design of the proposed union in the most fair and unexceptionable light,, and must do much towards solving the doubts and removing the difficulties of every impartial inquirer. EDITORS.

THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION OF MASSACHUSETTS PROPER.

THE disconnected state of the Associations within the limits of this important section of New England; the little acquaintance which its ministers have with each other; and the hope, that by drawing closer the bonds of union, the cause of truth might be better promoted, suggested the expediency of forming a General Association. A convention of ministers was proposed to ascertain the general opinion on the subject. Delegates were chosen accordingly by several Associations, who met in Northampton, July, 1802. They united in the opinion, that it was expedient that a General Association be formed. They agreed to admit as articles of faith the doctrines of Christianity, as they are generally expressed in the Assembly's Shorter Catechism, for the basis of union and fellowship." On this ground they recommended to the several Associations, from which they came, to choose two delegates to represent them, who should meet and organize the General Association; the door being left open for other Associations to unite, if they should be disposed.

The objects to be kept in view they agreed should be, "to promote brotherly intercourse and harmony, and their mutual assistance, animation and usefulness, as ministers of Christ; to obtain religious information relative to the state of their churches, and of the Christian church in this country and through the world; and to cooperate with one another and with other Vol. III. No. 2. M

similar institutions, in the most eligible manner for building up the cause of truth and holiness."

Upon these principles, and embracing these objects, the Association was formed, and has proceeded. Annual meetings have been holden. At this time delegates from seven Associations are convened. Harmony prevails, and pleasing prospects of the increasing utility of the Association are presented. Information is received from the members, that a considerable number of the churches in the connexion are in a prosperous state, and to several, within two or three years past, there have been large additions; the Lord having been pleased to accompany the means of instruction with abundant influences of his Holy Spirit. In Hadley, Northampton, Southampton, Westhampton, Easthampton, Williamsburgh, Williamstown, Stockbridge, Sandisfield, Lee and Bradford several hundreds have made public profession of religion. It is noticed with peculiar pleasure, that the very serious attention, which has prevailed in Williamstown, has been extended into the college, and affords the churches a pleasing prospect from the institution. It is also communicated that there are hopeful appearances at the present time in Charlemont, Hawley, and several other places.

It is further stated, and the Association deem it their duty to present the unpleasant fact to the public eye, that there is a tract of country of nearly twenty miles square in the northern part of the county of Berkshire, containing seven towns, with a numerous population, in which there is not one settled Congregational minister; and that all those towns, Williamstown excepted, are in a condition which yields no rational hopes, that by their own efforts any of them will be soon supplied with sound evangelical teachers. They are therefore earnestly recommended to the attention of those missionary Societies and Associations of ministers, which can most conveniently afford them that aid, which they so much need; and the rather because this region is nearer

According to the present plan, two delegates are chosen by each associa tion. EDITORS.

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