DIVINE AGENCY.

AN increasing consciousness among the servants of God, of the need of special assistance from on high in all their labors to promote the kingdom of Christ, is a sign of the times which is truly animating to the intelligent Christian.

The Church, under its various forms of government and discipline, has now, for many years, been laying its plans and sending forth its laborers into the heathen world. That the great object of these exertions has been the glory of God in the salvation of men, and that they have been conducted under a sense of human insufficiency, and in dependence on the divine blessing, there is no just reason to doubt; but it is equally plain to the watchful observer, that what might have been expected to follow under such circumstances from human infirmity has actually taken place-these high and holy principles have been greatly weakened and hindered in their operation. New undertakings raise disproportionate expectations in the mind: and the business and circumstances of preparatory measures, lead us to attach undue importance to our own agency in the work; while the desire of success for the sake of the reputation which it attaches to our particular community, leavens and alloys the simplicity of our motives. That there has been a large portion of good in the purposes and measures of Christians, and a degree of success which has indicated the favor and blessing of God, we acknowledge with thankfulness: while it is too obvious, that our preparatory labors have not been conducted under that deep impression of the absolute necessity of divine influence, in large and abundant measures, on every step of our plans, which would have called forth unwearied and fervent and humble prayer for that influence. Had our love to the Savior and the souls of perishing men been so intense, as to destroy all the lower feelings which associate themselves with our labors, the grief and pity for the millions which still perish, year by year, would have been more prominent in the records of missionary proceedings.

It gives us great pleasure to remark, that attention is beginning to be very generally awakened to this duty. The subject is attaining somewhat of that prominence, in the pulpit, in prayer, in addresses and resolutions at public meetings, in instructions delivered to missionaries, in reports of societies, and in the communications of the laborers themselves, which gives ground to hope, that the servants of God being stirred up to pray for the blessing, that blessing will not be delayed.

Many clergymen and ministers of different denominations, throughout Great Bri

tain and Ireland, have taken it up as a serious part of their duty, to instruct and rouse their congregations more largely and habitually on this subject; and courses of lectures have been preached, in several large towns and cities, on the deity, offices, and gracious operations of the Holy Ghost, with especial reference to the conversion of the world. Friendly meetings are statedly held, of those persons who take the most active share in the direction of the different missionary societies; in which they not only profit by the experience of one another in their respective bodies, but unite in calling down the guidance and blessing of the Holy Spirit on all the endeavors of Christians to make their Savior known to the perishing world.

This feeling is widely diffusing itself among Christians on the continent and in the American States. Prayer meetings have been established, and the subject is pressed on general attention in various religious publications. At Paris itself, where so little of this kind has been known for many years, a meeting of pious persons is held on the first Monday in the month, with a special view to this object. In the United States, meetings for prayer, on that day, have been for some time very generally adopted among different denominations of Christians, and by their missionaries sent forth to the heathen; and a degree of heav enly influence has attended the means of grace in various places throughout the States, by which many thousands have been converted to God, and maintained in a consistent and steady profession of the Gospel.

Very beneficial effects among ourselves already attend the exertions of which we have spoken. Many ministers have felt a great increase of personal comfort in their labors a growing seriousness of mind has been manifested in their congregationsthe ministry has been more blessed to the conversion of the careless and the wicked -many individuals and families have openly united themselves to the Lord at his table-established Christians have been strengthened and edified-and a warm zeal for the extension of Christ's kingdom, and more tender compassion for heathens and Jews, have been manifested. Missionaries have been animated in their labors and trials, by hearing of this state of things at home; and have gone forth to their work with renewed encouragement and zeal.

Let us then make this a personal duty; and let the closet and the family witness daily and fervent wrestlings with God, in believing prayer, for the abundant outpouring of that influence of the Holy Ghost, by which alone the world can be subdued to the obedience of the faith.

REPORT OF

THE PRUDENTIAL COM

MITTEE.

As the Thirteenth Report of the Prudential Committee has been circulated to a considerable extent, it will be expedient to make only some brief extracts, in addition to those, which were given at pp. 339 and 369 of our last volume.

MISSION AMONG THE CHOCTAWS.

Station of Elliot.

Mr. Loring S. Williams removed from Elliot to the French Camps, (since called Bethel,) Sept. 24, 1821. Mrs. Judith C. Williams, the widow of his deceased brother, was summoned unexpectedly from the world, on the 13th of October, leaving the most satisfactory evidence that she had slept in Jesus. Mr. Jewell had, also, been called to part with his oldest child.-Jan. 30, 1822, there were 75 scholars, descendants of the Choctaws, in the school. About 20 of them were fullblooded natives. A number of the pupils are females. Respecting these the missionaries say:

"They make good progress in their studies; and, by their daily deportment, much endear themselves to all our hearts. They are a precious little circle of children; and we doubt not but all our friends take pleasure in commending them to God."

Respecting the moral improvement of females the Report says:

The experience of modern missionaries proves, what we should naturally suppose to be true, that the elevation of the female character contributes, more effectually than any other cause, to the improvement of society, and the introduction of genuine civilization.

The Report contains the following extract from the journal of the missionaries relating a conversation, which passed between Mr. Wood, and a young Choctaw, who had once been refused admittance to the school on account of his age.

While Mr. Wood was in the schoolhouse alone this afternoon, the young man

went in, and Mr. Wood began to talk to him a little in Choctaw. Soon after, a scholar came in, who could act as interpreter; and the conversation was continued for some time. Other conversations were also held with the young man, during the day and evening. Mr. Wood has handed us a written account of these conversations, which we insert in the journal; as it will show more accurately the state of the young man's mind, than could be done in any other way.

Choctaw. I want to come to school to learn to read.

Teacher. The school is full; and besides, you are too old.

C. I came once before, and you sent me away; but I see you have other boys as large as I am.

C.

They go above.

T.

What becomes of bad people? C. They go to a bad place—to a great fire.

T. Who are bad people?

C. People who get angry-drink whiskey-take knife and kill one another. I have heard about these things:-how, when all people are dead, the world will be burnt up, and bad people will go to the great fire, and stay there for ever. Now I want to come to school, and learn to pray, and be a good man. I want to be like the missionaries. I have heard I have a bad heart. I know I have a bad heart; but I don't want to cheat you. I want to come to school and learn to read, and to hear more about good things. I believe what the missionaries say. I am willing to work, and When I was do any thing you tell me. young, I had no chance to learn; now I want to learn to read. What do you think about it?

T. I will talk with my brethren on the

subject. Do you know when it will be Sabbath day?

C. To-morrow. I keep count, so I know when Sabbath day comes.

T. Where do people go, who work and hunt on the Sabbath day?

C. I think they go to the great fire. I think good place is above, and bad place down-don't know which. I want to know about it-don't know any thing good. I want to learn good things. Choctaws do not know good things. Choctaws cannot tell me good things. I want to come to learn good things. Some Choctaws don't believe what the missionaries say. I believe what they say.

T. Where do you think those people go, who have been told these things, and yet aet no better?

C. I think they go to the bad place. I wish you to tell me more. I love to hear about good things.

The Report then adds:

The missionaries have not been left without a witness to the efficacy of the Gospel. Several hired men have become deeply serious during the year, and some of them have given evidence of hopeful piety. Two black women, and the wife of a chief, are also numbered among the individuals, of whom favorable hopes are entertained. One of the black women, whose name is Tenah, was admitted to the church about a year since. The other was, at that time, prevented by her master. Increasing acquaintance with the Choctaws developes more and more of their ignorance on moral subjects. It does not appear, that the few vague and obscure notions, which they have respecting the future world, possess any influence on their conduct. Indeed, most of them never think of these things at all, and remain wholly without God and without hope.

The following estimate of property, belonging to this station, was made Oct. 1,

1821.

The two following paragraphs exhibit,the one, a commendable instance of economy; and the other, a summary view of the cares and responsibilities attached to a department of labor at the station.

Mr. Philo Penfield Stewart left Vermont, the place of his residence, early last fall, and arrived at Mayhew on the 3d of January. He was aided in his outfit by friends helped forward in his journey by the hos of missions among his acquaintance, and pitality of many individuals on whom he called. His economy was most rigid, and his expenses by the way remarkably small. At every suitable opportunity, he solicited donations to the mission, and carried to the treasury of Mayhew more than he had in his possession at the commencement of his journey. This subject is particularly mentioned, as economy is a very important qualification in a missionary, and as travelling expenses are perhaps more difficult to be restrained, than almost any other. Mr. Stewart is by trade a saddler and shoemaker.

Mr. David Remington and his wife left Buffalo about the end of November, and reached Mayhew on the 5th of March. He discharges the duties of steward and accountant;-duties, which require more time, attention, and judgment, than would, at first view, be supposed. To superintend the distribution of provisions, in so large a family, and take care of the various articles, so that no waste may ensue;-to keep an accurate account of all the expenses of such an establishment, where a multitude of small payments are to be ited; to deal out the articles of clothing made, and small receipts to be judiciously to needy children, and sell them to those natives, who are able to purchase; and to preserve order and system in his department;—all this demands great industry and a warm attachment to the

cause.

cred

After mentioning the reasons why the opening of the school was delayed, the Re port proceeds:

The school was at length opened on the last day of April; and, in a month, contained 34 scholars of both sexes. Several of these received English names, as beneficiaries of individuals and societies at the north. The children are generally promising; and the parents are highly gratified with the prospect, that the next generation will become wiser than the present or the past. The parents and children are made to comprehend, as soon and as thoroughly as they can, the terms on which pupils are received, and the manner in which educa

There are many inhabitants within a day's ride of this station, all in the greatest need of religious instruction. Already the powerful effects of the Gospel have been experienced. In the early part of the summer, a considerable attention to the concerns of the soul was apparent. With the proper means it increased, till ten or twelve persons, principally blacks, gave evidence of real conversion to God. Some of them were formerly notorious for wickedness.

ARKANSAW.

The school, for which preparations had been making from the establishment of the mission, was commenced on the first day of January. But few children were brought at the beginning; but the number speedily increased, and early in May fifty were enjoying the benefits of instruction, and some of them were improving rapidly. As this mission, including the school, the various process of communicating religious and moral instruction, and the preparatory measures, is on the model of the older missions in the Indian country, it cannot be necessary to enter into minute details.

$9,305

The following paragraph concludes the notices of this station:

There is abundant evidence that the Choctaws are more and more sensible of the evils, which result from the use of ardent spirits. They are taking vigorous measures to prevent the illegal introduction of whiskey; illegal, both with reference to the laws of the United States, and to the regulations of the Indians themselves. In some parts of the nation, there is a visible improvement in this respect. It is truly deplorable, that neither the benevolent exertions of our general government, nor the wishes of a majority of the natives, nor the influence of individuals, nor the mani. festly ruinous effects of intemperate drinking among an uncivilized people, can resist that unhallowed love of gain, which induces so many to furnish an article, known by them to be immediately and permanently injurious to all who obtain it.

Station of the French Camps.

Mr. Williams entered upon his labors in this place early in October, 1821. The school commenced on the 5th of November.

MISSION AT THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.

We can make but one or two brief extracts respecting this mission.

The king professes to admit that Jehovah is the true God; and he declares himself willing to have his people instructed. His transient efforts, in the business of learning to read and write, have not as yet been crowned with much success. The habit of intemperance, into which he has fallen, threatens to prevent the salutary influence, which his station would enable him to exert. Several of the chiefs, however, who exercise very considerable authority, are kind to the missionaries, and susceptible of good impressions. Among these Tamoree is much distinguished. He has shewn himself uniformly kind and generous; and, what is very remarkable, though once intemperate to a great degree, he is now entirely reformed in this respect. He has taken for his wife Kaahoomanoo, a widow of Tamahamaha, highly honored and respected by all classes of the natives; and it is supposed this union will be conducive to his influence, and favorable to the interests of the mission.

The more the condition of the people is ascertained, the more evident their wretchedness becomes. The authority of the king and chiefs has been, from time imme