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derstand English, that were attentive, and one said, he thanked me, for care of his soul.

I returned from the village to a tavern, about fifteen miles, where, at about eight o'clock at night, was requested to attend a meeting with two families (who were all the settlers, within a number of miles) and a few travelers, I accordingly did, and the next day rode thirty-two miles, to my appointment at Eighteen-Mile Creek; and on Sunday the 26th I preached to a large assembly. In the first discourse, my mind was heavy, and much tried. In the afternoon I had a good season, and the solemn attention of an affected assembly.

Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th, I rode sixty miles to Elder Holmes at Tuscarora, an Indian settlement, with whom I tarried until the 30th, and with him attended two meetings with the Indians. I experienced much satisfaction from the interview, he being the only elder, I have had any such opportunity with since I came from home. His labors appear to have been abundantly blessed, with this nation, particularly for their civilization. They were before he came among them the most rude of the six nations, but now are the most cultivated, by abstaining from many of their heathenish traditions, and embracing many customs dictated by Christianity; and I hope not without some spiritual blessings, as sundry amongst them appear to be experimentally acquainted with religion.

I learned from Elder Holmes, that Elder Covil, whom I mentioned before, is no more in this life. He died the 19th of this month, in the town of Carlton, Sinclair County, Upper Canada. The natives here are in mourning for him. He was highly esteemed by them.

Brother Holmes sincerely requests that the Groton Union. Conference would still consider the destitute situation of this western country, and send further supplies. For information of its necessity, he would quote his letter to the Boston Baptist Missionary Society, published in one of those numbers, perhaps the sixth or seventh.

Thursday the 30th, I rode 32 miles, to a tavern, on one

side six, and on the other side, fourteen miles without any inhabitants.

On my way I was lost, and night came on, and it was extremely dark and snowy. I now expected I must be out this night, as I could not find the path, except by feeling, and being several miles from any clearing. In this straitened circumstance, I committed my cause to God, Who conducted me through, late in the evening. Sometimes my horse was to his belly in mud, sometimes tearing my clothes in the brush, and sometimes my way was shut up by trees lying before me; but the Lord delivered me out of them all, and I got into an agreeable shelter, which at any other time would have been intolerable. It was thronged by tumultuous guests.

I soon introduced religious subjects, and treated with them on the important concerns of their souls, and soon had their attention. I asked the liberty and obtained it, and had the serious attention of all, for prayer, and in the morning the landlord requested me not to leave them, until I had prayed and taken breakfast. The family were solemn. The woman told me, she had had no opportunity to hear preaching for a number of years.

Friday 31st, I rode thirty miles, to a settlement, south of Batavia, and was some unwell, having taken cold the night before. I, however, attended meeting with them, who were very attentive to the word, and I learn they have had one meeting upon the subject of my advise, and have another appointed, and all appear engaged to give their aid, for the promotion of the Redeemer's cause. They were unanimous in their thanks to God, and to our conference, for remembering, and sending them preaching, and sincerely request that they may still be remembered. In this place, I would observe, that here is an extent of country, to the westward of Genesee river, larger than the State of Connecticut, on which there are supposed to be from twelve to fifteen hundred families, among whom there resides not one preacher, neither, have they heretofore been privileged with any missionary, excepting on the great roads, leading through to

Upper Canada, and to New Connecticut. There is a pleasing prospect, that shortly the Lord will plant a vine, at least, in the three settlements, I have particularly mentioned, and my heart feels enlarged, with desires that the Lord of the harvest, would send laborers into His vineyard.

[The Journal continues with details of preaching, and of travel, by way of Aurora, Aurelius, Pompey, Whitestown, Germantown, Little Falls, etc., arriving home at Groton December 4, 1806, having been absent eleven weeks and four days, and traveled on horseback 1300 miles. In all that time, he writes: "I was not privileged with hearing any sermon, excepting the one delivered by Elder Holmes to the Tuscarora Indians."]

IX.

A TEACHER AMONG THE SENECAS.

HISTORICAL AND PERSONAL NARRATIVE OF

JABEZ BACKUS HYDE,

WHO CAME TO THE BUFFALO CREEK MISSION IN 1811. WRITTEN IN 1820.*

No doubt the Apostle's summary of the human character exhibited in the third chapter of Romans is a true representation of the national character of every nation and every individual that has not been renewed by divine grace. We then are to look for the different appearances in the character of nations and individuals in their different culture, circumstances, restraints or actions which bring to view or conceal their character.

Two brothers exposed to the same dangers, mutually dependent on each other, would in all probability live together like two brothers. Increase them to a band, and the regulations necessary to prevent them from destroying each other and to give success to their enterprises, would lead them to practice many things that would be called virtuous, amiable and honorable. In Christian countries where the influence of the Gospel is supposed to be felt in a degree by all, many persons can be found of great urbanity, generosity

*Now first published, from the original manuscript in possession of the Buffalo Historical Society.

and honor who from the circumstances in which they are placed and the culture of their minds, suppose themselves under indispensable necessity to take the life of their nearest friend who should offer them the least insult, or lose their own life in the attempt. This persuasion comes from the conceit that such high-mettled spirits cannot be restrained, or any character be preserved among them, only from the dread of such consequences. A regulation similar we might expect necessary in hell.

It will not be controverted I trust by any who believe the testimony of Scripture, that all men are equally depraved, that the different appearances in the character of nations, or individuals, are either produced by their different culture, the circumstances in which they may be placed, the restraints they may be under, or the particular cost and endowments of their minds directing that depravity in accomplishing the holy purposes of God, either of wrath or mercy.

I have introduced these remarks because we are hearing from every quarter of the amiableness and innocence of the heathen, who were very well off without the light of the Gospel. But to return to a more particular consideration of the character of the Indians. Those who retain their original habits are a hardy athletic race, glorying in their strength, activity and hardihood, scorning to complain under sufferings. Their privations and abstinence would appear almost incredible. Originally they had no views of personal property, further than the present subsistence. Their hospitality was only bounded by their whole possessions. To have refused a supper because it would take the family's breakfast, would have been at the price of their reputation. Their mode of subsistence and mutual dependence would ensure such a principle and establish the habit, which would become a law. All mutually dependent on the success of the chase, it became necessary to self-preservation that hunting parties contiguous and those more distant that might occasionally visit each other should make a common property of their good or ill success, if much was ob

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