the people generally, to honor this "high day" of our nation by their contributions to aid the Colonization Society in giving the blessings of liberty to the colored people of our country, and freedom to all the subjects of our Republic. The ministers of the several denominations, and the committees and orators appointed for the cel ebration of our Independence, are respectfully solicited to propose such collections. 4. Resolved, That the printers of newspapers be requested to publish these resolutions, with an address to our fellow-citizens, to be prepared by the two secretaries and the agent. P. N. STRONG, Cor. Sec'y. AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY. The Eighth Anniversary of the American Bible Society was celebrated on Thursday, May 13, at the City Hotel, NewYork. The President of the Society, the Hon. JOHN JAY, being unable, from age and infirmity, to be present at the meeting, General MATTHEW CLARKSON, one of the Vice-Presidents, took the chair. After the reading of an Address from the President, and letters from several of the VicePresidents, apologizing for their absence, the Treasurer, William W. Woolsey, Esq. exhibited his annual report. By this document it appears that the receipts for the eighth year have been $42,416 95 cents. Last year the receipts, exclusive of subscriptions to the Depository, amounted to $36, 136. From the annual report of the Society, which was read by the Rev. Dr. Woodhull, it appears, that, during the last year, there have been printed at the Society's depository, 24,000 Bibles, and 42,875 T'estaments; in all Bibles and Testaments in foreign languages, received from the British and Foreign Bible Society, German Testaments purchased, Printed by Kentucky Bible Soci ety, from plates belonging to Vol. VI.-No. 6. 76,875 350 350 42 60,439 which, added to 248,623, issued during the seven preceding years, make a total of three hundred and nine thousand and sixtytwo Bibles and Testaments, and parts of the latter, issued by the American Bible Society since its establishmeut. There have been added forty-four new auxiliaries during the past year, making the whole number four hundred and four. The number of Bibles and Testaments which have been issued gratuitously, to auxiliary societies, is 14,729, and the value of them, $8,262 23. "The Society have realized all the advantages which they expected from the building which was erected for the transaction of their mechanical and other business operations; the debt incurred by the managers for that purpose is in a course of liquidation, and in a few years will be extinguished, without diverting any portion of the ordinary funds of the Society from their destined objects. Very considerable and valuable additions have been made by the liberality of Bible Societies abroad, and individuals in the United States, to the Biblical library. A set of stereotype plates has been procured during the past year for a Testament of a larger size, and another is partly completed for the Bible in the Spanish language." After finishing the reading of the Report, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted, viz. On motion of the Rev. President Day, of Yale College, Conn. seconded by the Hon. Stephen Van Rensselaer, 1. Resolved, That the Report of the Managers now read, be adopted and printed under their direction. On motion of the Rev. Mr. Peters, of Bennington, Vt. seconded by the Rev. Mr. Cone, of the Baptist Church, New-York 2. Resolved, That the thanks of the Society be given to the Board of Managers, for their services during the past year. On motion of Col. Richard Varick, seconded by T. Dwight, Esq. 3. Resolved, That this Society feel the sincerest gratitude to the President, for the address with which he has favored them on the present occasion, and for the important benefits which the institution has received from the exertion of his taleuts, and the influence of his example. On motion of Thomas Eddy, of the Society of Friends in New-York, seconded by the Rev. Dr. McMurray, of the Dutch Church in New-York 4. Resolved, That the thanks of the Society be given to the Vice-Presidents for the continuance of their patronage and support. On motion of the Rev. Mr. Nichols, of the Episcopal Church, Bedford, N. Y. seconded by Mr. S. K. Tallmadge, of NassauHail, N. J 5. Resolved, That the thanks of the Society be given to the secretaries and treasurer, for their important services gratuitously rendered to the Society. On motion of Major General Gaines, of the United States' Army, seconded by the Rev. Dr. Rice, of the Presbyterian Church, Virginia. 6. Resolved, That the thanks of the Society be given to their auxiliaries, for their contributions to the treasury, and for the other important services they have rendered to the Society. On motion of the Rev. Mr. Brown, of the Methodist Church, New-York, seconded by Dr. David Hosack 7. Resolved, That this Society offer their cordial congratulations to all the kindred Societies throughout the world, and particularly to the parent institution, the British and Foreign Bible Society, on the continued prosperity and rapid progress of the great cause in which they are severally engaged. On motion of the Hon. David Daggett, of New-Haven, Conn. seconded by Alexander Jones, Esq. of Rhode-Island 8. Resolved, That the Society, with unfeigned gratitude to Almighty God, and with humble, yet confident reliance on His blessing, feel themselves under the strongest obligations to persevere with increased zeal and diligence in the prosecu tion of their labors. In support of the resolutions, addresses were delivered by the Rev. President Day, the Rev. Mr. Peters, the Rev. Mr. Cone, Mr.. K. Tallmadge, Major-General Gaines, the Rev. Dr. Rice, the Rev. Mr. Brown, and the Hon. David Daggett; and in acknowledgment of the vote of thanks to the secretaries and treasurer, by the Rev. Dr. Milnor. Among the distinguished strangers preseat on this interesting occasion, were his Excellency Governor Yates, the Honorable De Witt Clinton, one of the Vice Presidents of the Society, the Chief Justice and the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the State, and Major-General Gaines of the United States' Army. The number of persons from abroad was greater than at any preceding anniversary. N. Y. Observer. SENECA MISSION. Considerable sensation has been excited in the Christian community, by the late removal of the mission family from this station, and the consequent dispersion of the school, under a flagrant misconstruction of an existing law of the State of NewYork. This law, which makes it the duty of the District Attorney and a Judge of the County Court, to remove "every man other than Indians" from the Indian reservations, upon complaint being made to the Attorney, was never designed to affect the efforts of missionaries, but was enacted with the benevolent purpose of preventing the encroachments of dishonest whites, of which the Indians had so long and so justly complained. The District Attorney, however, upon the complaint of a solitary Indian, thought it his duty to issue a warrant, compelling the superintendent and the family to remove within ten days, on penalty of imprisonment. other crime was alleged against them, than their mere residence on Indian lands. No Under these circumstances, it was reasonably expected that the Legislature, from motives of duty and of self-respect, as well as from a regard to the feelings of the community, would afford prompt relief to the missionaries, by such a modification of the law under which they were suffering, as the case demanded. With this impression, the Domestic Secretary of the United Foreign Missionary Society, proceeded to Albany, and presented a memorial to the Legislature, in which he proved the great benefit of the establishment to the Indians, by the most interesting and well-authenticated facts. But the petition was unsuccessful; and we are pained to remark, that lamentable as is the removal of an unoffending mission family from its disinterested and most useful labors, it is still more lamentable that there could have been found, in this Christian country, and in this Christian age, a legislative assembly capable of such a procedure. "In the Senate, the memorial and the documents which accompanied it were referred to a select committee, who reported a bill, with general provisions, allowing missionaries, teachers, and mechanics, to reside on either of the Reservations in this state, for the purpose of communicating instruction to the Indians. This bill, without any unnecessary delay, was passed in the Senate, and sent to the Assembly for its concurrence. In the Assembly, the bill was referred to the committee on Indian affairs; and, after a delay of several days, was at length reported, with amendments, and referred to the committee of the whole. It soon became evident, that this bill, in consequence of the great number of bills previously reported, would not be taken up this session, unless unanimously recommended by a standing committee, denominated the Committee of Nine. An attempt was made to bring the bill before this committee; but the chairman, without reading, or suffering it to be read, took upon himself the responsibility of rejecting it. The following clause, relating solely to the Seneca School, was then drafted, with the hope of having it added to some bill on its passage through the committee of the whole: And be it further enacted, That Thomson S. Harris, and his associate Teachers be, and they are hereby permitted to return to their buildings on the Buffalo Reservation, and pursue their gratuitous and benevolent labours of teaching the Indian children and youth." An opportunity at length occurred, on the passage of a bill for the appointment of a commissioner to adjust some disputed titles among the Stockbridge Indians. Judge Wilkeson, of Buffalo, on moving the additional clause, stated to the house, as the result of his own personal observation, that the general condition of the Indians had been very evidently improved by the benevolent labours of the missionary and his associate teachers; that many of the Indian females, under the instruction of the female teachers, had made great proficiency in sewing, spinning, knitting, and other branches of household economy; that a number of the young men of the tribe, having availed themselves of the privileges of the workshop, had acquired considerable knowledge of carpentry, and a few had already been employed as jourDeymen in that line of business; and that habits of frugality and industry had been formed, their mode of living as to cleanliness and comfort improved, their farms better fenced and cultivated, and their stock of neat cattle and horses greatly increased. He observed, that a large proportion of the fuel and other articles sold in Buffalo were furnished by them; and added, that, before the missionary establishment was formed, the inhabitants of Buffalo were greatly annoyed on the Sabbath, by crowds of boisterous, and often intoxicafed Indians, but now, scarcely an Indian on that day was to be seen in their streets. He closed by expressing the hope, that a family of teachers, who had been itstrumental in accomplishing so much good, might be permitted to return to the buildings which had been erected at much expense for their use, and to the important duties to which they had consecrated their lives. The Section, however reasonable and important, was vehemently opposed in various quarters of the house. It was alleged that missionaries and teachers, instead of improving the fudians, made them ten times worse; and a letter, said to have been written many years ago by the notorious Red-Jacket, and other similar papers, were read in support of the allegation. In consequence of the number of his appo nents, and their mode of attack, the houourable mover of the section, despairing of success, hastily withdrew it. Thus, to the disappointment and mortification of your committee, their efforts have failed. That Assembly which, within two days, had passed a bill, authorizing a tavern-keeper, who had been removed by the same law from the same Reservation, to return to his residence and his occupation, would not permit our devoted teachers to return and resume their gratuitous labours of instructing the Indian children and youth! That Assembly, which, on the same day, appropriated $40,000 to aid the general fund for the support of Common Schools, would not permit a common school, although it would not have cost the State a single cent, to be restored to the Indian tribe!"' The Seneca Mission has heretofore received not only the approbation, but the assistance of the Government of the United States. A considerable portion of the cost of the buildings was paid by that Gov-. ernment, and a gratuity has been annually made to assist in defraying the current expenses of the school. We are happy to learn from the last New York Observer that this assistance is continued, and that the Secretary of War, in a letter to the U. States Agent for the Six Nations, has cen. sured, in very severe terms, the unprovoked attack of Red Jacket and his coadjutors, on the mission family. The letter directs the agent to inform Red Jacket, that the government would notice no more communications from him or his party, as containing the sentiments of the tribe, and that he would be held responsible by the government for any violence he might do the persons or property of the mission family; or those associated with them for Christian instruction. Note.-Red Jacket had threatened to burn down the mission house and effects, as soon as vacated by the family. SPEECH OF SACHARISSA. At the late Anniversary of the United Foreign Missionary Society, Sacharissa, a venerable chief of the Tuscaroras, delivered through an interpreter, the following speech: Friends and Brothers.-I first thank the Great Spirit for preserving your lives and mine. I rejoice to meet you this evening, and I rejoice that your love to my poor countrymen has brought you all together on this occasion. You are holding a council to night, to hear what has been done the past year, and God has permitted me to meet with you, and see and hear great things which I never heard or saw before. My countrymen have long been in darkness, but now I see the light is spreading among them. My countrymen have long been neglected, but now I see the white brothers opening their eyes and looking upon us. In time past there were only a few who lived and pitied us; now there are a great many. I now meet with friends every where, and I see and hear that every year my Christian brothers are doing more. They are getting the dust out of their eyes and ears, which had been thrown into them by the evil reports of bad men. Now I see old and young, and little children, and men and women, engaged to do us good. These things make my heart rejoice. Many years ago I was in darkness, and even now I am poor and ignorant. I cannot read for myself, but I have heard the gospel, and now I hope that I have received it into my heart. It is true I have always been a sinner, and now I am a very old sinner. But you have sent me the gospel, and I have learned that Jesus can save me. For this gospel and this Saviour I have thrown away the foolish things I received from my fathers. I am now near my grave, and I wished to see you once more before I go to meet your fathers with whom I made this first covenant. I hope you will not be weary in this good work, but continue to make your path broader and longer every year. Then I shall die, hoping that before many years, all my countrymen will have the light. SCHOOLS AMONG THE HEATHEN. The Missionaries in Ceylon say respect ing their schools: "In our last letter we mentioned that we had it in contemplation to establish a Central School, or College. We have matured the plan of such an institution, and had it printed. As soon as circumstances will admit, we hope to carry this plan into execution. For particulars on this head we refer you to a separate communication, which will soon be sent you. In order that the most forward boys at our respective stations may be the better prepared to reap the benefit of such an institution, we are about to establish an Academy, into which they will be received, and put under the care of one of the brethren, who will devote his time almost exclusively to their improvement. Batticotta has been considered the most eligible place for its location, and the brother who has been unanimously chosen to take charge of it is brother Poor. He will in a short time remove to Batticotta, and his place at Tillipally will be supplied by brother Woodward. Our day schools have been increased. Since we last wrote, the prejudices of the people have been so far removed, that we have been enabled to establish day schools for girls. We have now five such schools under our care. Independently of these, there are girls attached to a number of our other schools. We have much reason for thankfulness, that our long continued exertions to promote this desirable object have been attended with a partial success, and we hope that before long female eduIcation will become general. We consider that if the almost insuperable prejudice, which the Heathen have entertained against having their female children taught, be broken down, it will afford us an additional ground of hope that the appearing of the Son of Man to reign over this people is near. Should we succeed in the general establishment of day schools for girls, we shall require much larger funds for them, than for boys' schools. At least this will be the case, until we can impress upon them to a much greater degree the importance of ed ucating females. Most of what we have hitherto done, has been effected by the prospect of small rewards, which we bave offered to those who attend these schools. From Bombay the Missionaries write; We continue to have many urgent appli cations for additional schools. At our last meeting we considered thirteen such applications which had been made within a short time. Considering what a great number of heathen youth might be taught the rudiments of Christianity and the daily reading of the scriptures, in such a number of schools, and the extent to which, through them, some knowledge of Christ, might be disseminated, and chiefly too by means of other hands than those of missionaries, it was painful for us to decide, as we felt constrained to do, merely for want of money, on a refusal of all these applications. You will recollect that the one we called the Jewish school in Bombay, was at one time almost annihilated, through the jealousies of the Jews, which induced them to remove nearly all their boys. The same school now contains 19 Jewish boys and a greater number of Hindoo boys, mostly outcasts. Another school in Bombay contains nine Jewish boys, and another four-making 33 in all. The Jewish children in the schools on the coast are as follows: in the Rawadunda school 35, in the Allebag school 7, in Astama 7, in l'ane 15, and in Panwell 7-making in all the schools on the coast 71 Jewish boys. There are also 12 in one of the schools at Tannah ;-so that in nine of our schools we have 116 Jewish boys. I have been very busily employed Mr. Nichols writes, in planning and getting into operation a new system of instruction and management for our schools. The principal point, which we are aiming to secure, is to pay the masters according to the progress, and not according to the number of their scholars, as we have done heretofore. There are some obstacles in the way of this plan, but its having been successfully adopted in Bengal leads us to hope that we may do the same. When this plan is in operation, I hope that we shall be able to increase the number of our schools with the same means; and should the Committee place more funds at our disposal for this object, we might, instead of 1,200, have 10 or 12,000 youth in a course of education. Our schools are a most interesting part of our missionary operations. Each school makes a little congregation, which we may address at all times. The Interest of the masters leads them to induce the boys to keep the books they receive from us, read them, commit them to memo. ry, and in fact to treasure up all the instruction they receive from us. The success which is now attending a general system of education in Bengal, has led us recently to give new attention to the subject. Our mission has been foremost in this thing on this side of India, but still we are far behind the missionaries on the other side. generally adopted. The women now behave with extraordinary reserve; they no longer go on board the ships; and even on land it is impossible to form with them the least connexion, or the least attachment Marriages are contracted as in Europe.Even the King at present can have but one wife. The practice of destroying children and human sacrifices no longer exist. Almost all the inhabitants can write and read; they all have religious books written in their language, and printed in the island. Sixty-six magnificent churches have been built, and twice a week the people go in great devotion to hear the preacher. Individuals are often seen taking notes with pencil and paper of the most interesting passages of the sermon. The missionaries yearly convoke at Paparo the whole of the population, which amounts to 7000 souls. The assembly is at present holden. There is now a discussion going on respecting a new code of laws, and the principal chiefs of the nation ascend the tribune, and speak for whole hours with vehemence truly extraordinary. About two mouths ago the isle of Otaheite declared itself independent of England; it only recognizes its missionaries. A red flag with a white star in the upper corner, is now mounted on the point which Bougainville named Point Venus. LUTHERAN CHURCH. From a late Address of the General Synod to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the United States, we gather the following facts: The ancient and venerable Synod of Pennsylvania is rapidly increasing both in numbers and in ministers, and we trust that much gd is doing in the name of our blessed Saviour Jesus. From the minutes of the session of the present year, which was held at Lebanon, it appears that that body consists of 74 ministers, who have the pastoral charge of upwards of 278 Churches; that between the session of 1822 and 23 they admitted to member ship by baptism 6445, admitted to sacramental communion by confirmation 2750, that the whole number of communicants is 24,794, and that there are under the superintendence of the different Churches 208 congregational schools. From the minutes of the last session of the Synod of New-York, which was held at Livingston, Columbia Co. it appears that the ministry of that body consists of 20 members, that during the past year they admitted to church-membership by baptism 1179, admitted to sacramental com |
