has but an imperfect knowledge of the christian religion, yet seems to have a deep and solemn sense of his dependence on Nau-wen-ne-yu, or the Great Spirit, to whom, in the silent watches of the night, when he, no doubt, thought there was no mortal to witness his devotions, he has often been heard pouring forth the aspirations of his soul in fervent prayer. He is by birth an Onondaga, and was born near Geneva, in the state of New-York. He was with the Indians who formed an ambuscade, surprised, and defeated General Braddock in 1755, and was with the French at Fort Du Quesne at the time of their abandonment of that post in 1758. During a great part of his long life, he has been employed as a courier to carry intelligence from tribe to tribe. Many a time has he been present at councils, which sometimes were continued for weeks, when a vast mass of matter was brought to view, and numerous speeches were made; yet, such was the tenacity of his memory, he would give the whole in detail, to the omission of nothing important, as he proceeded from one nation to another. The Indians, like the Athenians of ancient days, are fond of news; hence, his presence would always cause them speedily to assemble together, in whatever village he appeared, such was their desire to hear of the passing events from a man who readily imparted all the quantum of intelligence to be collected at a coffee-house.

Sabbath, 3d September. -Knowing that Hank Johnson was obliged to be at Chaud-dauk-wa lake this day, while on my course through the woods to the place of convocation, not strictly conforming to aboriginal etiquette, and with the view to save time, I took the liberty to send a young Munsee to Henry York, a little distance from my route, requesting him to come and officiate as my interpreter. Had I reflected a moment I should have left this application to an arrangement of the chiefs; for it is well known that the Indians will seldom attend to any business of importance with a stranger, unless the previous sanction of the heads of their tribe have been obtained. We repaired to the mansion of Wendungguhtah, which we found cleanly swept, and himself neatly dressed, but unable to walk in consequence of a hurt recently received. The young Munsee soon returned, and reported that York said he would not come. He was the only person then on the reservation who could answer my purpose. My situation, for a short period, was painful; I doubt not similar to what our missionary brethren in Asia often experienced, when first surrounded by people of a strange tongue. The Indians were already, beginning to assemble together, though long before the hour of appointment. They had expressed an eagerness to hear the gospel. Their early attendance was an evidence of their sincere and ardent desire of religious instruction; and this was probably the last opportunity I should have of addressing them on a subject of eternal moment. The chief warrior, perceiving my embarrassing situation, soon relieved my mind from the tedium of uncertainty and suspense. He despatched a runner to York, who promptly came, and ably performed the task assigned him.

The line of demarcation between the friends and the foes of religion, in all the Indian reservations we visited, is now distinctly drawn. They are divided into a christian and pagan party; the former, in general, embracing the most of those who have formerly been considered the most respectable among the chiefs, warriors, and commonalty; the latter the intemperate, quarrelsome, indolent, and most degraded.

My audience consisted of about sixty Senecas. None of the Munsees saw fit to honour me with a hearing. These are of the pagan party,

almost universally; are much addicted to an excessive use of strong drink; and, on my former missions, have showed little disposition for religious instruction.

After singing a hymn in the Seneca dialect, in which a goodly number cheerfully joined, and a prayer, which few of them could understand, as it was not interpreted, I addressed them for more than an hour, and was delighted at their profound attention and orderly behaviour, during the religious exercises; and no less so at the decorous manner in which they retired from the house of worship, in all directions, to their respective cabins. I never witnessed greater propriety of conduct in any congregation whatever.

In communicating moral and religious instruction to Indians, long dissertations on any particular topic are not so profitable to them as laconic representations of duties and obligations, and narratives, drawn from scripture, of the dealings of God with the human race, accompanied with reflections and exhortations. As usual, however, I took a text for a guide to the leading ideas I wished to suggest; and, on this occasion, selected these words: If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments. I represented to my auditors that this was the language of the great God and Saviour of the world; that true religion consisted in a real love of this best of beings; and that, if they loved him, they would gladly know what are those commandments, and would wish and strive, and rejoice, to keep them to the extent of their power, merely from the principle of love to the Creator and Redeemer. I gave them a concise view of the decalogue, with remarks upon its purity and extent, and the happiness which, in this life, would redound to every nation, if universally and conscientiously regarded. In animadverting upon the fourth commandment, notice was taken of the laudable resolution they had formed to hallow the Sabbath, a day ever to be sacredly devoted, by the people of God, to the duties of religion. I spake also of the commands of Jesus Christ, and especially of that "new command," that they should love one another. Various exhortations followed, in which much was said of the numerous ill effects, every where evident, for want of more of this love to God and love to man. In descanting upon the vices which prevailed where this heavenly principle was not deeply rooted in the heart, I endeavoured to give a copious detail of the awful consequences of drunkenness; that sin, which, of all others, the most easily besets the poor Indians. I told them I was happy to learn that the temperance of the generality of the Senecas, in Cataraugus, was often mentioned in terms of high commendation; but it was a matter of sore regret that there were still some among them, who indulged in a vice, which degraded man below the brutes, and which was, not unfrequently, but a prelude to fightings, murders, beggary and infamy. A solemn appeal was made to them for the truth of the disgusting representation. One, at least, I knew was then present, who, in a state of intoxication, had killed his neighbour about two years before, and every one present had often witnessed the dreadful effects of drunkenness. Some account was given of the plain and pungent manner in which Sampson Occum, a minister of the gospel, and one of their brethren, had preached on the ruinous consequences of this vice. This, represented as coming from an Indian, excited a very noticeable attention.

In order that their children might be trained up to that love of the blessed Redeemer, which the holy scriptures enjoin, I spoke of the importance of education; and, to corroborate the arguments offered, referred to a speech on this subject, made by the late John Sky, a Tonnmewanta chief, in my hearing, at a great council, in 1818, a few months before his death, and delivered with a pathos which would have done honour to any orator of Greece or Rome. I animadverted on the kindness of the Friends in Philadelphia, representing that these benevolent people had early attended to their welfare; that they had not only taught them to cultivate their lands, and presented them with various implements of husbandry, greatly to their temporal prosperity and comfort; and had given them much moral instruction; but had established a school for the express benefit of the rising generation. This had, unhappily, been suspended during the violence of opposition from the pagan party; but, as I was glad to learn, would soon be renewed. I urged them, by various reasons, to cause their children diligently to attend the school, that they might be taught to read the word of God, some parts of which were already translated into their language; that, being made acquainted with the instructions, which the great and good Spirit had been pleased to communicate to the world, they might hope to be led to love him and keep his commandments, to their present and future happiness.

I had, at first, stated that I came by the direction of that Society, which, on former occasions, had commissioned me to impart to them the truths of the gospel. I represented that the good people of that Society had no sinister views in adopting measures of this kind; that they did not wish for their lands, furs, corn, money, nor any thing they possessed; but that, feeling in their own hearts the obligation and the comfort of loving God, and endeavouring to keep his commandments, and knowing it, from the sacred word, to be their duty and privilege to love all the members of the great family of mankind, of whatever tribe or complexion, as brethren, they wished and prayed, and in various ways, exerted themselves, that the glorious realities of the true religion might be made known to them. From the same regard to the word of God and to the eternal welfare of precious and immortal souls, many others, near the big water, towards the rising sun, had, for a number of years, been most actively engaged in sending ministers of the gospel to different and distant tribes, of various tongues, to preach this love to God and love to man; and, from the highest authority, it might be declared, that the day was fast approaching when this heavenly principle would be universally felt, and there would be one fold and one Shepherd for all nations.

In concluding this part of my address, I descanted on the complacency and delight which the people of God are wont to experience amid the troubles and trials incident to the present state; the animating hope which cheers the departing saint; and the unspeakable rewards of grace, which are in sure reversion beyond the grave. I stated that I had known many, who, on a death bed, felt greater consolation than they could express, from the spiritual communications of that merciful Saviour, in whom was all their trust. I suggested that my nearest earthly friend, who had been taken from me in the midst of her days, a few months before, in the immediate prospect of death, but a few moments before she closed her eyes upon the world, said, with a serenity of countenance which I could never forget, "worlds could not purchase the hope she had;" and if they were united to Jesus, by a living faith, they would be blessed with a similar transporting hope on the approach of that event, which awaited all the children of men, and which was ever nigh at hand.

Many other things in this way were offered to the serious consideration

of my red brethren, and the address was closed with an exhortation to think much on what they had heard; to be often in prayer to the great God and Saviour of the world for a heart to love him and serve him upon earth, that they might glorify and enjoy him for ever in heaven. On taking my final leave of these poor natives of the wilderness, I besought the Lord, that if we should never meet together again in any house of prayer in this world, as we probably never should, this people, and all the unenlightened tribes of this western world, might soon be made, by the all conquering power of the Holy Spirit, to love the Saviour of sinners with all their heart; and that we might meet our Judge in peace and joy, in the morning of the resurrection, and be satisfied with his likeness, when we should see him as he is. (To be continued.)

UNITED GENERAL PRAYER-MEETING,

FOR THE OUT-POURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ON THIS CITY.

The United General Prayer-Meeting for the month of May was held in the Mariners' Church, on Monday afternoon, the 7th instant.

The order of exercises were as follows: viz. The meeting was opened with singing a hymn, and prayer by the Rev. N. BANGS, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, who presided. He then read the 55th Chapter of Isaiah, and several letters giving accounts of revivals of religion in various parts of the Union; also a paper in the Jewish Expositer, published in London in March last, containing " Hints" of a plan for uniting Christians of different denominations in prayer for the effusion of the Holy Spirit on ministers and people, which we understand was drawn up by the Rev. W. Ward. Several hymns were sung, and the Rev. Mr. Chace, of New-Orleans, and the Rev. Messrs. Labagh, Ellis and Frey, of this city, engaged in prayer. The meeting was concluded by singing the Christian Doxology, and the benediction was pronounced by the presiding minister.

The exercises were solemn and interesting, and the intelligence was calculated to cheer the hearts of Christians, and animate them to more frequent and earnest prayer for more abundant communications of the Spirit of God.

Of the letters read, we can give only the following in this number.

PROGRESS OF THE REVIVAL IN CONNECTICUT.

New-Haven, April 25, 1821.

DEAR SIR,-Since my letter of March 30th,* I have received frequent intelligence from those towns which had been visited by the brethren of our churches, and in which I informed you, revivals of religion had commenced. In none of these places, has the Holy Spirit ceased to operate, and in most of them, the good work goes on with animation and success; encouraging the hearts of Christians, and stimulating them to increased exertions for the prosperity of Zion.

In addition to the list already handed you, I will now add the parishes where revivals have commenced during the last month; most of which have been visited by the brethren, viz. iz. Middlebury, Southbury, two parishes in Woodbury, Washington, Brookfield, Roxbury, Columbia, North Guilford, Westbrook, Chester, Pettypaug, and New-Stratford. There are several other places in which the people apparently are solemnized, and attentive to religious instruction; and where we hope revivals will begin before many weeks. Some facts have come to my knowledge during the progress of these revivals, with which I think it may be useful for Christians throughout our country to be acquainted. When an unusual attention to religion appears in any

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town or parish, it seems as if a solemnity was communicated to the whole atmosphere. The great object of salvation absorbs all others; and the conversation and inquiries of those who before were light-minded, appear evidently to assume a serious cast. The amusements and diversions of the youth, of both sexes, are relinquished, as it were, by common consent; and they seem now to be much more anxious to attend conferences and prayermeetings, than before they were to go to the ball-room, or join the convivial circle. This state of things excites much inquiry and curiosity in neighbouring towns and villages; and the people flock in to the place where a revival exists, from several miles around, to see and hear for themselves. It is in this way that the spark is caught, and carried home, and communicated. So customary is this fact, that it seems almost a matter of course, that a revival will spread, where the people in the vicinity will come in and attend the religious meetings. Allow me to mention a few facts, which will place this subject in a more striking point of view. When our brethren first went to the upper parish of Woodbridge, a lady, who was on a visit at that place, attended the meeting, and was brought into a state of conviction in consequence of what she saw and heard. She returned to her own place of residence, a town about twenty-five miles distant, and related to her friends and neighbours the things she had witnessed. This excited attention to religious subjects, and inquiries as to their own hopes of salvation; and the result has been, that a revival of religion has commenced in that place. At the time when the revival was most powerful in North-Killingworth, and on the Sabbath when upwards of one hundred were admitted to the church, a number of Christians, belonging to a parish east of that town, came over to be present on this extraordinary occasion, and to witness its solemnities. They caught the heavenly flame, and becoming animated, they began to labour and pray in their own village, for an out-pouring of the Holy Spirit. A revival soon commenced, and is now general. As a third instance, the people of a parish about four miles north of that last mentioned, came down, more than once, in considerable numbers, to see and judge for themselves. Convictions of sin took place in their minds; and returning to their own homes, an awakening began, and soon after a revival, which is now extending among their friends and neighbours. I could mention likewise, more than one place, where great attention has been excited, by receiving letters, and publicly reading them, which gave an account of the great work which is going on here and in other places. But it is unnecessary that I should be more particular.-I beg leave to state one further instance, by way of contrast to these. There is a town in Litchfield county, where a revival has commenced, and where appearances are flattering that it will become extensive. In a town which lies directly west of this, no inquiry has been excited; the people have been, and still continue to be, in a cold and stupid state, and Christians are asleep. While in the first, conversions are taking place every week, in the latter, but one solitary instance of conviction has been known; and in that case the person removed from the first mentioned town, and became a resident in the latter.

I have been strongly impressed, for some time, with the immense importance of the use of means, in the salvation of men; and several facts which I have learned, have added confidence to former impressions. One of the ministers of Woodbridge informed me, that the Female Bible Society in his parish gave away eight or ten Bibles, to different individuals, whom they supposed deserving the donation. During the present revival in that place, which may be two years or more since the Bibles were distributed, those persons who received the Bibles, have all become hopefully pious.-When the brethren made the first visit to Milford, a Mr. P. a member of the church, living in the eastern part of the town, attended the meeting, and on his return, informed his neighbours of what he had seen and heard. This account excited the curiosity of the people of the village, and they determined whenever the second visit was made, to attend, if practicable. At the time the next visit was appointed, the roads were extremely muddy; here and