So he sets a dish of food beside the deceased, and gives back his hunting or war implements. And if it be some brave man, they say, "Let him have his favorite horse, or he will be restless in his grave." So they shoot down his horse by the grave-side.

They have no idea of one great invisible Spirit. Tell them of such a being, and they will triumphantly inquire, "Who is he? Where is he? I want to see him. Shew him to me, and I will believe. Is he like my shadow? Is he like my breath? Is he like wind? What is he like?" Ask them how many gods they worship, and they will never put up less than four fingers, and say, Meh Woh-kun-dah, "The sun is God;" Meum-pah Woh-kun-dah, "The moon is God;" Groh Woh-kun-dah, "Thunder is God;" Moi-neh-kah Woh-kun-dah, "The earth is God." Others will name five, and others six, and others seven, er eight.

Morning Prayers.

These commence before the break of day. They rise and cover their faces with earth. Then go forth into the field round about the village, and sitting down on the ground, offer their prayers. And you may hear hundreds, at the same time, all praying aloud in different directions. And the God to whom they pray is some imaginary god, like the sun, moon, &c.

I have sometimes seen them pray standing. I once saw the old chief stand and pray, first to the east, and then to west, then to the north, then to the south, as though God was in one direction, or the other.

Their prayers are always excited by some loss, as of a friend, or favorite animal; or by some trouble, as sickness, hunger, want; and the earnestness of their prayers shows that they are sensible of trouble, as well as other men.

The religious worship in which the Osages abound, makes them truly an interesting people.

Ceremonies.

They eat not, except they wash their hands and face. Sometimes in their trouble they determine to fast till the sun goes down; at other times the vow is for a part of the day. If you invite them to eat, your invitation must be seconded by a bowl of water, or it will be of no use. They have a custom in smoking, which is quite significant. The first whiff they offer to their god, with a

The great religious ceremony of the Osages, shall be communicated another time. WILLIAM F. VAILL.

COMMUNICATIONS RESPECTING THE

MISSION.

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FROM the correspondence of the mission which has been less full in time past, than it is expected to be hereafter, a variety of notices have been compiled, which are here inserted Among other things, the reader will perceive, that the sufferings from apprehension of enemies, which Mr. Vaill has attributed to the Indians, in the preceding account, are not causelessly endured.

Dr. Palmer, in the early part of last summer, thus described the general state of affairs; in respect to the

Union Branch of the Mission.

During the month of April, the school continued to increase, notwithstanding that the Indians were most of the time in great fear. The settlers at Hopefield were several times put to flight at a mere shadow. Once they were alarmed by the return of some of their own hunters, once by two white hunters, and once by two deserters from Cantonment Gibson, whom they took back, and received the customary reward. And it was with much difficulty that they were persuaded by colonel Arbuckle, to remain at home, and plant their corn. The Frenchmen who have Osage families, seemed to suffer quite as much with fear, as the Indians. Several of them who had children in the school, came and desired to stay in the mission family for protection, till the council shall convene. To have driven them away at this juncture, would probably have been attended with ill consequences to the school, and as we did not apprehend any depredation would be committed in the neighborhood, till the council, the family agreed to receive them for the present, they laboring for the mission. As for the precedent of Indian families running upon us, when pursued by their enemies, it could be easily managed through the interference of colonel Arbuckle, or their agent. After the council, these families removed.

At the close of April, the school consisted of about 50 Indian children. Most of the late additions were sent from Hopefield.

On the 9th of May, Mr. L. Chauteau, sub-agent, arrived to attend the council at Cantonment Gibson. He confirmed the report, that colonel McNair, the Osage agent, was dead. The council was called on the 10th, when some of the Osage chiefs appeared, and against them the Cherokee chiefs, attended by their agent. The Delawares had not come. The Cherokees insisted upon having the murderer, mentioned in the journal for August 1823, delivered up to them. Against this demand, the Osages had many pleas to make, but wished to suspend the council entirely, until another agent could be appointed to act for them in the room of colonel McNair. The council was eventually suspended for three months, during which time both parties engage to remain quiet. The colonel immediately despatched an express to the Delaware nation, to ascertain their disposition, and to inform them that the council was suspended for three months, and, if possible, to dissuade them from going to war. The express returned on the 30th, and brought word from the Delaware agent, that the Indians were very much inclined to engage in war with the Osages immediately, but that he had hopes he should be able to restrain them until he could hear from general Clark, the superintendent of Indian affairs, who, he had no doubt, would take prompt measures to keep the peace, and reconcile the parties. Col. Arbuckle sent us word, that, in case of war, the school would be entirely safe,

but that it would be best to have no Indians around us. He advised the Indians at Hopefield to leave their settlement in about 10 or 12 days, lest they should be exposed to an attack from their enemies. They therefore concluded to leave Hopefield immediately, and join Clamore's town, which is to move, in a day or two, on a summer hunt. So much were they alarmed, that, notwithstanding their former confidence, and the most positive assurance of colonel Arbuckle, that the school was safe, they took most of their chil dren with them, but promise to bring them back again, when they return from the summer hunt.

The school, at the beginning of the summer, numbered 34 Indian children, all of whom are making progress in improvement.

Hopefield has been mentioned repeatedly in the Missionary Herald, as an establishment consisting of perhaps a dozen Osage families, who separated from their nation for the purpose of cultivating the soil with their own

hands. They are described as anxious to hear the Gospel preached, and to have their children educated. Their distance from Union is about four miles. After the alarm, occasioned by the Delawares, had subsided, they returned and resumed their peaceful occupations at Hopefield, until September, when, in consequence of excessive rains, the Grand River rose to the height of 15 or 20 feet, and swept their establishment entirely away. "Yet," as Mr. Vaill remarks, "though houseless, they were not discouraged, but desired to know where they should again commence their agricultural labors.”

The establishment at Union suffered also by means of this inundation. A fine field of corn, of more than thirty acres, belonging to the mission, was destroyed; and two families lost their houses, and clothing, and were in great danger of their lives.

During the months of August and September, the mission family was much afflicted by sickness, and some deaths occurred, among which was that of Mr. Vaill's youngest daugh

ter.

These were trying events, but, being patiently endured it may be hoped they have worked the fruits of righteousness.

Harmony.

The principal matters in relation to this branch of the mission, are contained in the following quarterly communication from the superintendent to the Corresponding Secretary, dated January 1st.

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My dear Sir,-A communication has been made, quarterly, from this mission to the Board under which formerly labored, respecting those occurrences with which we thought they ought to be made acquainted. The same course, therefore, will be pursued under the present Board, until we are differently instructed.

And it may here be remarked, that we have no such cheering news to relate from this quarter, as you receive from the east and from the islands of the sea. These western skies gather blackness, and the people grope in thick darkness. The people are in continual motion; their hand is against every man, and every man's hand is against them; and it is almost a miracle that they are not destroyed. They make treaties of peace, and sign articles, according to the pleasure of their agents; but consider them binding no longer than a good opportunity presents to take a few scalps or steal a few horses. The head men of the Osages were taken to St. Louis, last fall, when they

poos, Shawnees, &c. and immediately after their return, they went on a war expedition, as they say, against the Pawnees; but they killed and took prisoners both of the Pawnees, and Kickapoos, and if I mistake not, of the Delawares also, and stole a quantity of horses. They have returned to their towns glorying in what ought to be their shame. What will be the consequences of this I dare not predict, but I fear it will be troublous times among them the year coming.

The way of access to them seems to be very difficult. We hold a meeting regularly on the Sabbath with the few scattered Osages who dwell around us, and although the number is small, we have apparent attention, and we hope they are in some measure improving in the knowledge of the salvation by Jesus Christ.

What is finally to be done with these poor Osages, is yet to be known. They are a hard, wild, warlike people, having had but little intercourse with civilized men, and much less with those who love and obey the Gospel. God is able, indeed, to convert the Osages in a day, either with or without means; but we are not to expect this, but are rather called to a work of patience, of faith, and of perseverance in the ways of his appointment, in humble reliance on the divine promise, that the heathen shall be given to the Lord Jesus for an inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for a possession. Was it not for the promises of God, we might reasonably despair when we look at the present state of this people wholly bent on pursuing the path which leads to ruin. Sometimes when I lift my eyes upon

The above is respectfully submitted by your unworthy servant.

NATHANIEL B. DODGE.

War threatened and prevented.

About four years ago. shortly after a treaty of peace had been made between the Osages and the Cherokees of the Arkansas, a Cherokee, while hunting on his own ground, was murdered by a party of the Osages. The Cherokees demanded the murderers, and upon their not being delivered, were inclined to revenge; and another war would probably have been the consequence, had it not been for the restraining influence of the United States agents. Thus peace was prolonged until February last, when the restless spirits among the Cherokees, chiefly the young men, assembled in council, and deciding on war, immediately proceeded on their bloody expedition.

The principal chiefs knew nothing of this movement, until the departure of the warriors. As soon as it was known, Walter Webber, the half-brother of David and Catharine Brown, mounted a fleet horse, pursued his unruly countrymen, overtook them just before they reached the settlements of the unsuspecting Osages, and, by the assistance of another in

guage of inspiration, "Can these dry bones live?" And then, when I compare them with other tribes of heathen, who, if possible, were more degraded, yet, by the power of the Holy Spirit, have been brought into the light and liberty of the children of God, I hope for the time when this people shall be raised up to praise the riches of free and Sovereign grace.

O let our Christian friends pray for us, who are stationed in this thirsty land, that we may not faint in the great work whereunto we are called. Respecting our situation at Harmony, nothing has transpired, worthy of notice since my last communication. The mission family enjoy comfortable health. The school is in about the same state. Zachariah Lewis, one of the boys, has been taken away by his mother, and Brogan Hoff has been dismissed in con

present, and who was esteemed a friend by both parties, succeeded in dissuading them from their nefarious and inhuman purpose.

was

I assure you-says Dr. Palmer-it a narrow escape. There were many Osages in our yard, and near us, and all of them, no doubt, would have fallen a prey. I need not tell you how distressing such an event would have been to us, nor of its probable results in respect to our school and the mission.

When the party were pacified, and had concluded to return, they were abundant in their expressions of thanks to their chief and to capt. Pryor, for their timely interposition. They even acknowledged, that they had no just cause for war, and sent, by capt. Pryor, to the Osage nation, a talk and some tobacco, as a token of amity.

servant where that unbelieving denier of their prophet was: my servant seeing their arms and warlike appearance, was frightened; and sent a man to tell me that the troopers had come to seek me in a hostile manner, and had spoken so disrespectfully of me, that he feared that they intended to do me some injury, and would probably call again. On hearing this, I thought it proper to go to them: they had taken their quarters at a short distance: I up went, therefore, without any thing in my hand to them, and made them a salam: some returned it, and some began to look fiercely at me. I said "Sirs, you have called on me I hear, when I was out in the fields; I have, therefore, waited upon you, to know what you may want with me." One of them, who had a long beard, answered-"This person, who is come from Nugur Mow, says, that, having renounced Mahomedanism, you have become a Feringee." I replied, "That person has not understood the matter rightly: he is a Feringee, who is born in Europe: I was born in Hindoostan: my color is black, my dress different from that of the sahibs, and I have a beard like yourselves; how then can you call me a Feringee? If you call me a Christian, you will call me right." Another of them said, "Did you not tell me at Nugur Mow, that the Christian religion is the most ancient; and that 600 years after Jesus Christ, Islam had its beginning?" I answered, "Let any one of you, who is acquainted with history, say whether it is so or not; and if it be not true, then pray condemn me. Another said, "You have spoken the truth: come, sit down, and let us converse together." I accordingly sat down; and finding them civil, I took the opportunity to speak to them of the sufferings of the Lord Jesus: they became more civil; and began to say, "Do you then curse our prophet!" I said, "In our religion, it is not lawful to curse any one: moreover, we pray for our enemies, and for those who despitefully use us; and, by the grace of God, I purpose to return good for evil, should any one use me ill." With conversation of this kind they seemed well pleased; and, after a time, I left them; and, committing my soul and body to Jehovah my God, I went to sleep.

'These precepts of the Gospel could not be acted out more truly in the spirit of them, than in the scene which the following paragragh describes.

Feb. 14. This morning rode out on horseback: in my way, met the train of the king and the vizier. The arined men, who went first, on seeing me, looked at one another, and nodded; and by signs signified that they knew me, and spit toward me. I thought of my Lord Jesus, upon whom the Jews spat: the tears came into my eyes; and, urging my horse on, I rode away. On arriving at Rissen Bagh, a train of servants coming after, called to make way. I drew up my horse, when the resident passed by, to whom I made salam: he very kindly asked after my welfare, and whither I was going. told him I was going to pay my respects to him. He went on to his house, when he took me by the hand, and led me in. After breakfast, he went to his office; and I, after calling on several Christian friends, returned home, where I found eight or

ten great men of the city waiting to see me: they all treated me kindly, and continued conversing about religion for two hours: they accepted several copies of the New Testament in Persian, with thank ulness, and departed.

March 28. In the morning, my servant told me that my guests were gone; and that, at setting off, they said among themselves, "What kind of a padre and a Christian is this, whom Shazad Messeen praised so highly? He gave

us plenty of church, and food enough; but not a drop of wine did he produce!" I made no observation on it.

April. Formerly, the people of this city were much offended with me, and said .very evil things concerning me: I always shewed them kindness, and often attended them with medicines when they were sick, and, by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, many of them received healing of dangerous diseases: often, also, I endeavored to heal their spiritual sicknesses, and many of these people received and read religious books; and it is become evident to all, that Christians love all mankind and desire no evil to any one. Now, in the place of enmity these people begin to shew kindness; and, moreover, invite me to their houses, and send me portions from their friendly entertainments: for instance, to day, Meer Seyud Ali, who is head man to the collector, sent me a friendly note, saying, "the daughter of me, your servant, is to day to be married: you will greatly oblige me by making one of our company." I sent for answer, "Since the day that by the grace of God I was honored with baptism, I have renounced all assemblies for dancing and music; and I should be ashamed, with this white beard and these broken teeth, to shew myself at a wedding-feast." He sent, in re

ply, "I have read in the blessed Gospel, that the Lord Jesus himself honored a wedding at Cana of Galilee with his presence, and there miraculously turned water into wine: if you will not come, we shall all conclude that you disobey the traditions of the divine Jesus. If you excuse yourself on account of the dancing, &c., I will prepare a separate apartment for you; and will invite some aged persons, like yourself, to keep your company." I was rejoiced on hearing this, since it appears that these people read the Gospels. In the evening, after worship, I went to his house: they had prepared a separate apartment, where several aged persons, learned in religion, and wealthy, were collected, all of whom received me with respect; and we continued to converse on religious subjects, in a very friendly manner, till midnight: from their conversation I entertained some hope respecting them.

2. In the evening, according to custom, all the people assembled at seven o'clock, to worship in the Kuttra; after which each went about his own business. Five men, who were of last night's company, came; and, after the salutations usual among Hindoostanees, sat down and began to say, "With your conversation last night we were much pleased; and we desire from our hearts to come a few times to converse with you." I answered, "I also desire the same; and wish you would stay with me a few days, and attend to spiritual entertainment." After much entreaty, they consented; and ordered their servants to bring their horses and baggage. I continued in conversation with them till three o'clock; and, having given them an apartment, prepared to enter