Heligious Intelligence. OSAGE MISSION. The friends of the Redeemer will be gratified to learn that a mission is contemplated to the Osage Indians, under the direction of the United Foreign Mission Society. An agent of the Board has already explored the country, and selected a place for the establishment of the mission on the Arkansaw, about 800 miles west of the Mississippi The mission, so far as the support of schools is concerned, is under the patronage of the national government; while the character and circumstances of the tribe, render the prospect of success unusually flattering. The introduction of ardent spirits among them, is wholly interdicted. By this means, as well as by the little intercourse which they have had with the whites, they are probably less corrupted than most other tribes of our natives. They express earnest wishes for the establishment of this mission. It is proposed to send among them a mission family, consisting of ministers, instructors, mechanics, &c. to the number of about twenty persons. The Rev. Wm. F. Vail, of Guilford, with his family, has offered himself to the mission. Those who may wish to aid this mission by their contributions, are requested to leave them with Mr. Charles Sherman. Books for a mission library, will be greatly needed. Clothing, and other necessaries and comforts, will also be highly acceptable to those who are going so far from the blessings of civilized life. As the mission is to depart within two or three weeks, it is necessary that contributions be made within this period. Relig. Intel. MISSION TO CEYLON. The Missionaries who left this country, a few months since, arrived at Calcutta on the 22d of October. The long passage prevented the vessel from going to Ceylon. This however was considered by the missionaries as a dispensation of mercy, as they were thus enabled to continue their labours of love with the crew-labours blessed in an eminent degree by the Great Head of the Church. From a letter which has been received in this city, we extract the following: "The wonderful things that God has been doing on board of this vessel have made our situation pleasant. The Lord has reigned, and we trust has plucked every soul as brands from the burning. The brethren early commenced their labours amongst the seamen, and were faithful in endeavouring to direct them to the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world, and they soon found by their attention to divine things, that they were not entirely thoughtless. They however saw no fruit of their labours for some considerable length of time. But the Lord left us not comfortless. We have found him a prayer-hearing and a prayer-answering God. It was agreed that we should set apart a porthe outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon tion of each day, to pray especially for the seamen. singled out to be the subject of prayer. One was particularly To our unspeakable joy, the Lord was pleased to manifest himself to him, and deliver him from the captivity of sin and Satan. He has since continued to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith he has been called, and we can truly say that he has grown rapidly in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. After him another was set apart in a similar manner, and we have every reason to to him. But I will not descend to mabelieve that Jesus has become precious ny particulars. Suffice it to say, that all on board who were out of Christ, were set apart in a similar manner, and we trust the Lord has been pleased to have mercy on their precious souls. The latter part of September and the beginning of October will be long remembered by all here. The Holy Spirit fastened conviction with such force upon the minds of several, who had before ridiculed serious things, that their heads were bowed down like the bulrush. The Lord has shown us that he could turn them as the rives of water are turned. Five of them were arrested while no voice was heard speaking to them. Our first måte, an amiable young man, but who cared nothing about religion, was struck under the most deep and pungent con viction while in the act of raising a barpoon to strike a fish on the Sabbath." At the conclusion of the letter, which appears to have been written at different dates, it is stated "The seamen yet remain stedfast. I think any person who knew any thing about a seafaring life, would wonder to see the harmony that prevails on board of this vessel. They have a prayer meeting in the forecastle among themselves. Several of them have engaged in prayer when we have been present." The number of the crew thus converted is sixteen. A daughter and the only child of Dr. Scudder died of the dysentery at Calcutta, on the 25th of October. Letter from the Missionaries in Ceylon to the Corresponding Secretary of the A. B. C. F. M. JAFFNA, CEYLON, July 29, 1819. Rer. and Dear Sir, In some of our first communications to you after our arrival in Ceylon, we had occasion to say much of the goodness and mercy of our Heavenly Father towards us, and little or nothing of his judgments.Until the commencement of the sickness of brother Warren, we experienced an almost uninterrupted series of prosperity. But since that time the scene has been changed, and we have been repeatedly called to drink deep of the cup of affliction. While we niourn under our trials, we would not murmur against him from whom they proceed. Undoubtedly we need them. They are lighter than we deserve. Even in trouble, God is near us, and granting us many tokens of his loving kindness and tender mercy. Judging from our last accounts, you will undoubtedly expect to hear, that before this time brother Richards has gone to his final rest; and you will be interested to learn, that this is not the case; but that he is yet spared to us in mercy, to be our physician and comforter. God has dealt very gently with our dear brother. His life has been continued much beyond the expectations of all his friends. With the exception of a few days, his decline, since his return, has been so gradual, as to be almost imperceptible to us. He still continues to ride out in a palankeen, morning and evening, for exercise, a distance of two miles, making eight miles a day. For about a fortnight past, however, he has discovered many symptoms of a dropsy. How long he will be continued with us it is impossible to say. We would not be unmindful of the goodness of God in sparing him so long. He is not only able to ride out in a palankeep, but to sit up several hours in the course of the day, and converse much with his friends. He also occasionally walks about the house eight or ten minutes at a time, without assistance. You will probably expect to hear, that the rest of our number enjoy health, and are able to pursue our work with vigour. But, alas! how shall we inform you, that another of us is taken from his labours by sickness of a dangerous kind. Brother Poor has been troubled with a severe cough for more than two months; but we lived in the constant expectation of his amendment. About three weeks ago, however, he began to raise blood, and raised a little at three several times. Although we are not confident, yet we have reason to fear, that it proceeded from his lungs. Since that time, he has wholly laid aside his active labours, except so far as to continue a general superintendence of the station. By the assistance of Nicholas, a Malabar young man, (of whose qualifications to serve the mission, we have before informed you,) and some of the most forward boys at that station, the schools, preaching, and other missionary concerns, are now so arranged as to proceed with a good degree of regularity. This cannot long be the case without more efficient aid. The object of suspending his labours for the present is, that he may use the most probable means in his power, for regaining his health. We consider his situation very critical, and have, at least, occasion to fear, that his lungs are considerably affect ed. You will not wonder, dear sir, if, in our present situation, we feel a solici tude on this subject. Of four missiona rics sent to this district, only one remains in health. How mysterious are the ways of God! But, though clouds and darkness are round about Him, justice and judgment are the habitation of his throne. In view of our present situation, we are forcibly remind ed of a passage in our public letter to you, under date of Oct. 16, 1818, during the absence of brother Richards. The passage is as follows: "We are often ready to faint and be discouraged,in view of the ma ny duties,and important services which devolve upon us. In proportion to our interest for the welfare of our mission, and the places we have occupied, we tremble at the thought of either of us being laid aside before others come to our assistance."We have long been anxiously waiting for the arrival of more missionaries from America, but hitherto we have waited in vain. Our prayers are to the Lord of the the harvest, that he would speedily send forth more labourers. If then we were ready to faint, what shall we say now? A weight of service devolves upon your only missionary remaining in health, which he is not able to support. We are happy, however, to be able to state, that amidst so much sickness as has prevailed among us. brother Meigs' constitution remains unimpaired; and that, with few exceptions, he enjoys uniformly good health. Did we not hope, that other missionaries are near us, brother Poor would not think it pradent to continue all the branches of missionary service at the station which he occupies. Such, dear Sir, is the present state of your missionaries in Jaffna, as to health. You will not be surprised, under present circumstances, that this subject occupies so prominent a place in this letter. It bas for some time occupied much of our thoughts, and has been the subject of all our prayers. Did we not know, that our Redeemer lives to plead for us at the right hand of God, that he loves his church, and will take care of his own cause in the world, and will accomplish all the glorious promises of his word,-that he will raise up instruments for this purpose in his own time, had we not confidence in this, we should indeed have cause to faint, and be discouraged. May the Lord grant, that this trial of our faith may not be lost upon that we may not grow harder under the chastisements, with which he is afficting us for our profit. ta, are six schools. The number of scholars in them for a few months past, has been very various. The principal cause of this variation has been the prevailing epidemic, which has raged so much throughout the district. Whenever it makes its appearance in the neighborhood of a school, the school is nearly or quite deserted. Two of them at this time are seriously injured from this cause. There are at present, however, about 200 boys belonging to these schools. The schools might easily be greatly multiplied, but for want of time to superintend them. Three of the nearest schools are visited every day by some of the largest boys in the boarding school at that station, who attend very particularly to the children reading the scriptures, and reciting their catechisms, &c. The boys in general make good progress in their studies. A considerable number of boys, also, from the nearest schools, attend public worship on the Sabbath, in the mission house at that place, where from sixty to one hundred hearers commonly assemble. In other respects we rejoice to say, that our missionary stations are in a prosperous condition. Connected with the station at Tillipally are nine schools, containing about 400 boys. About 300 attend daily. In all these schools, Scripture tracts are read, and the first rudiments of arithmetic, and of the Christian religion are taught.— In the boarding school at that place are 27 boys. Many more might have been taken, had it been thought advisable under present circumstances. At that station al30, five girls are supported in the same way. Two or three others are ready to come, as soon as means and accominoda tions for their support can be provided. Including those who are boarded there, 10 or 15 girls are taught at that station. The prospect respecting a school of female children is pleasing. In our letter of October last, we gave you some account of Franciscus Maleappa, a young man, who was stationed as a choolmaster and catechist, at Mallagum, about two miles south of Tillipally. We are now under the necessity of informing you, that on the 20th of last May he left that place, to accompany his father, who was aged and infirm, to Columbo. His father was one of the native preachers emMoyed by government. He is since dead. But it remains doubtful whether his on will return or not. He was very use In the boarding school at that place are at present eighteen boys, and three others on probation. They have not been able to obtain a school of female children; but have no doubt of eventually succeeding in this object also. The Lord has been graciously pleased to pour out his Spirit, in some degree, upon that station, and to bless the means of grace there used. A number belonging to the school, and two or three not belonging to it, have been for some time past, the subjects of serious impressions. Three young men give, so far as we are able to judge, very decided eridence of real picly. The particulars of this pleasing work you will shortly learn from brother Meigs' journal. Thus, in the midst of all our trials and discouragements, God is not leaving us without some tokens of his special favour. These few drops of the out-pourings of God's Spirit, have proved a cordial to our thirsty, fainting souls, and have greatly encouraged and strengthened us in our work. Truly, it may be said, that, with respect to the eight parishes of which we have partial possession, the harvest is great and the ul in the situation in which he was placed, and his departure must be considered as a loss to the mission. The congregation on the Sabbath at Tillipally, usually consists of from 100 to 150 persons. Connected with the station at Batticot21 VOL. 2-No. III. labourers are few. If we had one mis- sufficiently farge for one missionary to la In this point of view, we consider our boarding school for heathen boys and girls as of very great importance. There we may be said, in some measure, to reap the fruits of our labours as we proceed. Although we are much pleased with our common schools, and think they will be the means of doing much good; yet they will hardly bear a comparison, in point of probable utility,with our boarding schools. From the former we cannot expect to raise up preachers of the Gospel, but we do from the latter, and that at no very distant period of time. This is an object of primary importance. For, however valuable foreign missionaries may be considered, in establishing and superintending missionary stations, yet it is very obvious to all who are acquainted with the subject, that the natives of India, and in general, the natives of all unevangelized countries, must be converted to Christianity principally by means of preachers raised up from among themselves. On the subject of money, it will not be necessary for us to say much in addition to what is stated in a letter from our Treasurer to Mr. Evarts. You will perceive by that letter, and the accounts which accompany it, that our expenditures, during the past year, for various objects, have been large, and that at the close of the year, our treasury was in debt for a small sum. On account of the length of time which is necessarily occupied in sending letters from Ceylon to America, and in receiving supplies of money from thence, we feel it to be very desirable, that money in advance should be in the hands of our agents to a considerable amount. Our calls for mouey, as during the past year, may sometimes be very urgent and unexpected, and it is very difficult, as well as expensive, to borrow money in India to any great amount. We have now, however, been under the necessity of making application for permission to draw on Madras, for what money we shall need before our remittances may arrive. We expect an answer to our request in a few days. Probably, we may be able to inform you of the result of the application before this letter is sent away. With much esteem we subscribe ourselves your unworthy fellow-labourers in the vineyard of our Lord Jesus Christ. JAMES RICHARDS, BENJ. C. MEIGS, Rev. Samuel Worcester, D. D. Secretary P. S. Since the foregoing account of brother Richard's health was written, be has declined more rapidly than heretofore. Besides his symptoms of dropsy, he feels greater weakness at the lungs, and increase of pain indicating the advance of his disease, and the near approach of that messenger, (to him a pleasant one) who will release him from this world of sin, sorrow and suffering, and introduce him into a world of perfect holiness and joy. The foregoing letter, and the duplicate of it. are probably the last that he will ever sign to you. Extract from the Journal of the Mission et Aug. 4, 1819. We were greatly surpris ed this morning, on missing one of the scholars, to learn, that he went off the evening before, and had not been seen since. This appeared the more strange, as he was very steady in bis habits, had attained the age of manhood, and might have gone openly at any time. It was very painful to think that he had left us in this manner, as he had appeared much attached to us, was seriously inclined, and, we had hoped, was savingly converted to God. On the most diligent enquiry, we could find no cause for this abrupt departure, except that some of the boys had accused him of stealing a peach, which, it was said, appeared to hurt his feelings, and had excited a little warmth, though we could not learn that he had said any thing more to his accusers, than that the charge was false, and that he would not do such a thing for a thousand peaches. About school time in the morning, to our renewed surprise, he came in with a serene and pleasant countenance, and seemed to suppose he could not have been missed. On being asked the cause of his absence, he said he did not think we should miss him-that his heart got bad when they accused him of stealing a peach, -the Good Spirit went away from him, and he had been out to pray and seek his God. His very countenance indicated, that his all-night prayer had been heard and answered. On being asked, if he had found relief, he replied, "Yes." In the afternoon conference he spoke feelingly of the peace of mind he then enjoyed. We learn, that the Cherokee, who had the little Osage boy,* did not go to the Arkansaw last winter, as was expected, and it is thought probable will not go at all. We also learn, that the boy has been sold to a white man, an intruder in the na tion. Brother Chamberlain, in the tour which he is soon to make in that part of the nation, will inquire after the boy. Sabbath S. Brother Chamberlain's infaut, called Catharine Brown, was bap tised. The little company of professors, which the Lord hath gathered in this wil derness, then surrounded the table of our Lord: none absent except one sister, who was detained at home by a sick child Love to God and his people appears to increase in all the new converts, and our *The Cherokees, on their return from an expedition against the Osages, brought this child as a captive. Souls were fed with living bread. O how unworthy are we, who are called missionaries, of these abundant mercies. 9. From the commencement of the school, many parents have fixed on this season of the year to take their children home to visit; it being a time when green corn and watermelons are plenty—a sort of feasting time with many among this people. We therefore thought best to Lave something like a vacation at this time, and give liberty for all the children to visit their friends, if they chose, for three weeks. In consequence of this arrangement, brother Chamberlain appointed a visiting and preaching tour to the western part of the nation, travelling down by the Tennessee river. For this purpose he left us to-day, expecting to be absent two or three weeks, and to proceed nearly or quite to the western line of the Cherokees. Catharine Brown will go with him, as far as her father's house, which is about 100 miles distant. To be continued. SUMMARY. A society for Colonizing and evangelizing the Jews has been formed in the city of New-York. An application made by M. M. Noah, Esq. to the Legislature of New-York for the purchase of Grand Island, for settling a Colony of Jews has been rejected. It is said to be doubtful whether Grand Island belongs to this government, or to Canada. It is stated that there are 97 churches in Vermont destitute of ministers. The following Statement exhibits the number of White and Coloured Communicants in the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States, in July, 1819. Whites. viz. Col. Total. Ohio Conference, 28,361 713 29,134 Missouri do. 4,580 184 4,764 Tennessee do. 18,987 1,689 20,676 Missisippi do. 1,959 412 2,371 S. Carolina do. 21,059 11,586 32,646 Virginia do. 17,234 5,351 22,585 Baltimore do. 24,635 8,161 32,796 24,635 8,161 32,796 21,483 1,455 22,638 15,149 163 15,312 23,775 138 23,913 Philad. N. York do. do. N. England do. do. 201,750 38,073 246,924 Total in 1818, 229,627-Increase in 1819, 17,297. establishing in New-York and Philadel phia. A native of the Burman Empire, Moung Nau, has become a member of the visible Church of Christ. Mr. Judson, one of the Baptist Missionaries in that country writes under the date of July, 1819; "we have had the pleasure of sitting down, for the first time, to the Lord's table, with a converted Burman; and it was my privilege, a privilege to which I have been looking forward with desire for many years,to administer the Lord's supper in two languages." There are 812 travelling, and more than 1000 local Preachers in the eleven Con ferences. Exertions are A Society auxiliary to the Education Society of the Presbyterian Church has been formed by a number of Ladies in Philadelphia. The business of the Society is conducted by twenty managers Our readers are aware that sometime since a mission was undertaken from Cape Coast Castle, on the Gold Coast of Africa, to Ashantee, a kingdom of that country. A narrative of the mission has been published. We extract from a review of it the following passage: "The most horrid and detestable of their customs is their sacrifice of human victims, and the tortures preparatory to it. This takes place at all their great festivals, or Customs, as they are called.-Some of these occur every 21 days; and there are not fewer than 100 victims immolated at each. Besides these, there are sacrifices at the death of every person of rank, more or less bloody according to their dignity. On the death of his mother, the king butchered no less than three thousand victims; and on his own death this number would probably be doubled. The funeral rites of a great captain were repeated weekly for three months; and 200 persons, it is said were slaughtered each time, or 2,400 in all.” Surely every christian will wish to shed the light of heavenly truth upon this dark place of the earth, so full of the habitations of cruelty. It is devoutly to be wished that America may soon have a mission upon the shores of that continent whose sons she has so deeply injured. The following is taken from an English publication. Mr. Reich, the person spoken of has arrived in England for the purpose of pursuing his studies under the direction of the Society, for the Conversion of the Jews. "Among the many Jewish students at the University of Berlin with whom Mr. Way conversed during his stay in that city, was one of the name of Reich, who had distinguished himself there by his literary attainments. Finding him one day studying with deep attention Bishop Horseley's edition of Sir Isaac Newton's works, and for the establishment of Free Schools. The making in Rhode Island sabject has gislature to the consideration of the peo- gaged in the search of truth, Mr. Way re perceiving that he had a mind eagerly en ple. A library for apprentices has been established at Boston. Similar libraries are minded him, that both the editor and the author of the work before him were firm believers in the truth of Christianity, and |